Short answer: the Meze Empyrean II. It ranks #141 of 308 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $2,999 and is still sold new; the Meze Empyrean ranks #278 (rated 2.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The case for the Meze Empyrean: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. Watch for: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
The Meze Empyrean II is the better-sounding pick. The median of 3 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 76 with a 2.21 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The tradeoff: A 10.7 dB peak near 11.9 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp.
Buy the Meze Empyrean II. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Meze Empyrean is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Meze Empyrean | Meze Empyrean II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $2,999.00 |
| Ranked | #278 of 308 in Over-Ear Headphones | #141 of 308 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 31.6 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 90 dB SPL/mW |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 110kHz | 8Hz - 110kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (430 g) | 1 lbs (449 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 44 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 76 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.59 dB standard deviation | 2.21 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.66 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.61 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 102 x 73mm planar magnetic (Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
Meze Empyrean Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Meze Empyrean II, ranked higher, rated 3.7/5. See every Meze Empyrean generation.
Pros: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Presence sits about 3.1 dB low with an 11.8 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite. Sub-bass is 3.7 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble. A Harman score of 44 places it in the lower part of the over-ear rankings.
Full Meze Empyrean review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.59 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 110kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 44 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 31.6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.66 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (430 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 182 Hz | -5.0 dB | 0.53 |
| Peak | 7,925 Hz | +6.0 dB | 1.04 |
| Peak | 1,965 Hz | +4.1 dB | 1.08 |
| Peak | 1,008 Hz | -3.0 dB | 1.43 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 69 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.65 |
| Peak | 120 Hz | +0.5 dB | 1.95 |
| Peak | 203 Hz | -0.8 dB | 3.64 |
| Peak | 269 Hz | +0.6 dB | 4.84 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Meze Empyrean II: $2,999.00 Headphones.com $2,999.00 eBay
Older model: the Meze Empyrean (ranked lower, rated 2.3/5). See every Meze Empyrean generation.
Pros: The median of 3 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 76 with a 2.21 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. It uses 1 x 102 x 73mm planar magnetic (Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array) with an easy 32 ohm load.
Cons: A 10.7 dB peak near 11.9 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp. Sub-bass is 3.3 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
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