{"product_id":"meze-audio-empyrean-headphones","title":"Meze Audio - Empyrean Headphones II","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"overview-body col-12\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"col-12\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"read-more-toggle js-readMoreToggle overviewText mb-loose mb-lg-loose\"\u003e \u003ch4\u003eA striking refinement to Meze's gorgeous open-back headphones\u003c\/h4\u003e When I first laid eyes on the original Meze Audio Empyrean wired headphones, I was blown away. It was one most finely crafted set of headphones I'd ever seen, held, or worn. The Empyrean II planar magnetic headphones build on that well-put-together foundation — with a new intricate grille pattern and a more linear sound tuning. \u003ch4\u003eSonic accuracy and authority\u003c\/h4\u003e Before updating the Empyrean, Meze's acoustic engineer Alex Grigoras said that he gathered feedback from the high-end headphone community. \"I wanted to understand their expectations,\" he said. While discerning listeners found the deep bass impact \"endearing\" in the original model, they craved a little more detail in the upper mids and highs. Meze teamed up once again with Ukrainian research team Rinaro for their special type of driver for \u003ca tabindex=\"-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.crutchfield.com\/S-eQRYbDvdESI\/learn\/planar-magnetic-headphone-guide.html\"\u003eplanar magnetic headphones\u003c\/a\u003e. By separating the voice coil on the transducer, Rinaro figured out a way to deliver the spacious, evenhanded planar sound — with Meze's authoritative bass. Alex and team made some tuning tweaks to preserve the powerful low-end punch, while serving up more clarity and presence across all frequencies. \u003ch4\u003eSolidly constructed with fine attention to detail\u003c\/h4\u003e In true Meze Audio fashion, updating the design became an \u003ca tabindex=\"-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.crutchfield.com\/learn\/antonio-meze-interview.html\"\u003eexercise in steady patience\u003c\/a\u003e. Sonically, aesthetically, and structurally, the Meze team struggled to strike the right balance. They said they went through many design tweaks before landing on the final materials and proper new pattern for the out-facing grille. Then the geometry fell into place. From a distance these might look like closed-back headphones, but a closer look at their robust aluminum grille reveals a different story. The etched art-deco-inspired pattern on each earcup allows air to flow in and out freely. The small, symmetrical openings are chiseled by hand with the help of a CNC milling machine — a process that takes several hours for each earcup. \u003ch4\u003eIncredibly comfortable and beautifully packed\u003c\/h4\u003e The Empyreans are among the physically largest headphones out there, but they also might be the easiest to wear at this size. A flexible, carbon-fiber headband acts as a spine for a leather strap that hugs the crown of your head. This evenly distributes the weight of the headphones, so you can wear them for long periods of time. Meze packs two sets of thick, soft earpads — one that blends leather with Alcantara® and one angled set made from just Alcantara — inside a heavy-duty, luggage-size carrying case. The pads delicately cradle the head, avoiding pressure points, yet still manage to stay securely in place as your head moves. \u003cbutton class=\"btn-link text-skyline js-readMoreBtn\" type=\"button\" data-cf-track-value-part=\"Keep Reading\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-cf-tracked=\"true\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/button\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"row mb-loose\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"col-12 col-lg-7 pr-lg-loose\"\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"highlightWrapper\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"highlight-wrapper\"\u003e \u003ch4\u003eProduct highlights:\u003c\/h4\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eopen-back design offers transparent sound\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eart-deco-inspired outward-facing grille helps control airflow\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eplanar magnetic drivers with patented hybrid array design \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003edelivers articulate mids and highs with tight, strong bass\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003etuned for linear, well-balanced sound with enhanced resolution and dynamics\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003emachined and hand-assembled at Meze's headquarters in Romania \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003emade with premium materials and metals\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003ea separate \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.crutchfield.com\/g_348950\/Headphone-Amplifiers.html\" target='_\"blank\"'\u003eheadphone amplifier\u003c\/a\u003e is required to properly power these headphones for optimum sound quality\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003ch5\u003eIsodynamic hybrid array driver details:\u003c\/h5\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eco-designed and co-developed with Ukrainian research group Rinaro\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eplanar magnetic drivers offer exceptional musical detail with low distortion\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eextra-light, rigid isoplanar diaphragm starts and stops quickly for clear, articulate sound \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eoval-shaped diaphragm increases efficiency and lowers mass of drivers\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eseparate voice coil traces for accurate sound across a wide frequency range \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e\"spiral\" coil positioned directly next to the ear canal for resolving mids and highs\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\"switchback\" coil dedicated to low-end reproduction for authoritative bass\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003estrong, symmetrical magnetic array for greater diaphragm efficiency with fluid movement \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003epatented ferromagnetic plates lock earpads firmly into place\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eearpad mounting system sends the magnetic field back into the driver to increase driver output\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003ch5\u003eBuild quality:\u003c\/h5\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003emilled-aluminum frame with lightweight carbon headband \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eleather headband strap evenly distributes the weight on your head for effortless fit\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003efiberglass-infused plastic earcup chambers\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003etwo pairs of thick, well-cushioned memory-foam ear pads: \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e\"Duo\" pads made with blend of leather and soft Alcantara helps accentuate sonic strengths\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003esoft Alcantara earpads are angled for an airier sound presentation\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003ch5\u003eGeneral info and specs:\u003c\/h5\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e9.84- foot detachable oxygen-free cable terminated by a 1\/4\" headphone plug \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eheavy-duty design with braided cloth covering\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eterminated at the headphone with 4-pin mini-XLR connection\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ehard-shell briefcase with soft, egg-crate foam protective interior\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003efrequency response: 8-110,000 Hz\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003esensitivity: 130 dB\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eimpedance: 32 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eweight: 15.2 ounces\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ewarranty: 2 years\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cbutton class=\"btn-link js-ajaxModal\" data-cf-modal-size=\"modal-xl\" data-cf-href=\"\/popups\/LegendaryServices\/ValuePropsModal.aspx?modalparam=Returns\u0026amp;close=1\" data-cf-modal-handled=\"true\"\u003e60-day returns\u003c\/button\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eMFR # Empyrean II\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eItem # 455EMPRYN2\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Meze Audio Headphones","offers":[{"title":"Copper","offer_id":53953804468561,"sku":"MEM-CO","price":2999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black","offer_id":53953804501329,"sku":"MEM-JB","price":2999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1047\/7178\/0945\/files\/Empyrean_BlackCopper_Semiprofile_1024x1024-1.png?v=1780580293","url":"https:\/\/gridhifi.com\/products\/meze-audio-empyrean-headphones","provider":"The Grid","version":"1.0","type":"link"}