True Score Methodology v1.0

Meze Empyrean Review

Name: Meze Empyrean
Brand: Meze

August 20, 2023

True Score

62

Meh

67

4

Experts

80

7.81k

Consumers

Expert Rankings

(

4

)

They’re comfortable, high-end, lightweight, and built well. But the Meze Empyrean headphones have an underemphasized treble and lack low bass and an overall poor sound leakage rate. Overall, their unique design and premium materials are nice but pricy.

Jabra Elite 7 Pro in Ear Bluetooth Earbuds - Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation True Wireless Buds in a Compact Design MultiSensor Voice Technology for Clear Calls - Titanium Black

SAVE $36

$199.99

$164.12

See Deal

See all stores

We’re reader-supported. $$ from affiliate links finance our mission. Our ‘True Score‘ system independently powers ratings. No sponsored results. Ever. Learn more

Table of Contents

The Snapshot
What Is Not On the Box
Product Comparison
All Stores
Score Card
Expert Score Breakdown
Learn More About Over Ear Headphone

The Snapshot

our Verdict

Meze Empyrean are incredibly comfortable headphones with great build quality, adjustable earcups, and plush cushions. Due to its open-back design, the cup is spacious, and it provides a large enough soundstage for good audio performance. That said, the audio quality is lacking in terms of booming bass and understated treble. The headband is made of carbon fiber, and the body is made of extremely durable aluminum. Overall, the audio profile is warm and dulled, and the headphones need an amplifier to reach their full potential. Another large drawback to the headphones is that there are no noise-canceling settings. Tests also showed that…

Meze Empyrean are incredibly comfortable headphones with great build quality, adjustable earcups, and plush cushions. Due to its open-back design, the cup is spacious, and it provides a large enough soundstage for good audio performance.

That said, the audio quality is lacking in terms of booming bass and understated treble. The headband is made of carbon fiber, and the body is made of extremely durable aluminum. Overall, the audio profile is warm and dulled, and the headphones need an amplifier to reach their full potential.

Another large drawback to the headphones is that there are no noise-canceling settings. Tests also showed that the headphones leak sound, which is caused by the open back. There’s also no built-in microphone.

True Score

62

Reasons to Buy

Lightweight and comfortable fit
Outstanding build quality with premium materials
Wide and spacious passive soundstage
Good frequency response consistency
Can be driven to their full potential with an amp

Reasons to Avoid

No noise-canceling features
Poor sound leakage
Underemphasized treble response
Warm sound profile may not appeal to everyone
Lack of low-bass

Specifications

Battery Charge Time
–
Battery Life
Wired
Built-In Voice Assistant
–
Environment/Transparency Mode
–
Water Resistant
na
Weight
–
Wireless Connectivity
–

What Is Not On the Box

What the brand doesn’t always tell you…

The Meze Empyrean is a high-end open-back pair of headphones released in 2018, featuring a premium aluminum frame. This headset boasts an adjustable headband and large earcups.

It ships with both leather and Alcantara suede fabric ear cushions, allowing users to swap out as needed. With an open-back design, this unit is a good option for people who appreciate spatial audio. Check out our top headphones if you prefer a closed-back model.

Like most open-back models, it doesn’t have a built-in microphone. It has a detachable 8.23-foot cable with a ¼” TRS connector but lacks any controls. Users will be pleased with the included plastic case for protecting this device during travel.

Although the earcups can lay flat, this unit is not very portable. Explore details about the Meze Empyrean below and see how it compares with the best-ranked over the ear headphones on the market.

Get the Winner of the Day Direct to Your Inbox

[c4_plus_mailchimp_form_shortcode]

Product Comparison

	Meze Empyrean Review	Philips Fidelio X2HR Review
True Score	62	74
Market Context	–	Featuring a metal frame and premium parts, the Meze Empyrean is built better than the largely plastic Philips Fidelio X2HR. It also comes with a durable case, unlike the Philips device. However, it has a more neutral sound profile than the Philips Fidelio X2HR. Our Philips Fidelio X2HR review gives details about the Philips model. Read more ↓	Featuring a closed design, the Meze 99 Classics produces deeper bass than the Meze Empyrean, which has an open-back design. It also has more stylish wooden earcup frames than the aluminum earcup frames of the Empyrean. However, some audiophiles will prefer the open design of the Meze Empyrean, which offers a wider, more vibrant soundstage performance. Read more ↓	Featuring an aluminum frame and a choice between leather/Alcantara fabric earcups, the Meze Empyrean boasts better build quality than the HiFiMan Sundara 2020, which has faux leather earcups and a metal frame. However, the HiFiMan Sundara 2020 has a 2.36 pinna-related transfer function (PRTF) accuracy standard deviation, resulting in a slightly wider soundstage performance than the Meze Empyrean, which has a 2.81 PRTF accuracy standard deviation. Be sure to check out our HiFiMan Sundara 2020 review for details. Read more ↓
Noise Canceling
Wireless Connectivity
True Wireless
Built-In Microphone
Battery Life
Dig Deeper	–	Read Review →

All Stores

Save $36
$199.99
$164.12
Availability
In Stock
Free Shipping
Yes
See Deal

Score Card

E

Expert Score

67

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

80

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

62

Any product with a True Score above 60 is a Meh

Expert Score Breakdown

Publications with higher Trust Scores are given more weight

A
Trust Score
48
The Meze Empyrean are good for neutral sound. Thanks to their open-back design, their passive… read more
C
Trust Score
NR
The Empyrean stands out from the crowd of other planar magnetic headphones. The tuning is… read more
D
Trust Score
88
This is a headphone everyone will still be talking about in 20 years. The Empyrean… read more
D
Trust Score
66
If the Empyrean is in your price range you owe it to yourself to take… read more