Short answer: the Austrian Audio The Composer. It ranks #77 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $3,199. The Meze Empyrean II ranks #106, rated 3.7/5, at $2,999, $200 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Buy the Austrian Audio The Composer. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $200 you would save on the Meze Empyrean II does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Austrian Audio The Composer | Meze Empyrean II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,199.00 | $2,999.00 |
| Ranked | #77 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #106 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 76 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.28 dB standard deviation | 2.21 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.61 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 49mm dynamic | 1 x 102 x 73mm planar magnetic (Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array) |
| Impedance | 22 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/V | 90 dB SPL/mW |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) | 1 lbs (449 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 44kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 110kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Austrian Audio The Composer compares with other leading options:
- Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back vs Austrian Audio The Composer
- Austrian Audio The Composer vs HIFIMAN HE1000 V2
- HIFIMAN HE1000 V2 vs Meze Empyrean II
- Meze Empyrean II vs ZMF Caldera Closed
- Audeze LCD-2 Closed Back vs Meze Empyrean II
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Austrian Audio The Composer: $3,199.00 Headphones.com eBay
Full Austrian Audio The Composer review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.28 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 49mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 44kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 22 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (385 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Meze Empyrean II: $2,999.00 Headphones.com eBay
Full Meze Empyrean II review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.21 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 102 x 73mm planar magnetic (Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array) |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 110kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.61 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (449 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons