Meze Audio Empyrean II

Meze Audio Empyrean II – a further development of one of the world's most recognized high-end headphones

The Meze Empyrean II is an evolution of one of the world’s most acclaimed high-end headphones. The goal has been to retain the musical warmth and iconic “easy to listen to” character of the first generation, while simultaneously raising resolution, neutrality and detail to a new level. The result is a headphone that balances precision and musicality in a way that very few products in this category manage.

Empyrean II is the fruit of a close collaboration between Meze Audio and Rinaro Isodynamics – an alliance that combines avant-garde industrial design with over 30 years of expertise in planar magnetic drivers. Here, modern technology meets a deep respect for craftsmanship, aesthetics and user experience.

Highlights

• Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array® driver with extremely low distortion
• Rinaro Isoplanar® membrane with large active surface and minimal mass
• Upgraded tuning with more neutral and detailed sound signature
• Two sets of ear cushions: Duo and Angled Alcantara®
• Isomagnetic® pad coupling for perfect positioning and high efficiency
• Ergonomic design with optimal weight distribution
• Open, circumaural architecture for a large and airy soundstage
• Hand-built with premium materials and great precision
• Fully serviceable design with replaceable components

Developed with patience, precision and user feedback

The process behind Empyrean II began with a desire for improvement – ​​not out of market logic, but out of artistic and sonic ambition. Meze Audio incorporated community feedback, tested countless materials, colors, grid structures, and tuning methods, and methodically worked with both proportions, acoustics, and resonance control.

The original design was rethought over and over again, and even seemingly small choices – like the thickness of the grille or the blend in the ear cushions – were tested in real time. This process has resulted in a headphone where every element is optimized for durability, sound and aesthetics.

Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array® – the heart of Empyrean II

The driver in the Empyrean II is a further development of Rinaro's Hybrid Array architecture, where two different coil geometries work together to optimize each part of the frequency range. One coil type is particularly effective at low frequencies and is placed in the upper part of the driver, while a helical coil handles midrange and high frequencies, placed directly in front of the ear canal to minimize reflections and ensure a more accurate reproduction.

The diaphragm is made of Rinaro Isoplanar®, an ultra-light polymer material with a large active surface and extremely high stability. The low mass provides a fast response, while the magnetic structure ensures constant control over the diaphragm's movement. The result is a sound that is both dynamic, pure and full of microscopic nuances.

Distortion is kept below 0.05% and the frequency range extends from 8 Hz to 110 kHz, providing a sound that feels boundless and effortless.

A soundstage with greater clarity, depth and neutrality

The sound signature of the Empyrean II has been refined compared to the original. The slightly warm sound character is retained, but resolution, detail level and balance in the midrange have been significantly improved. The treble area appears cleaner and more well-defined, and the bass is controlled with greater precision without losing foundation or musicality.

The open design creates a natural sense of space, where the music unfolds in a wide and stable stage. Separation is clearer and instrument placement appears with greater precision, making complex recordings easier to follow and more engaging to listen to.

Earpads – two sound signatures, one headphone

Empyrean II comes with two sets of ear cushions, each giving the headphones their own character. The Duo cushions, made from a carefully tuned combination of premium leather and Alcantara®, provide a tonal balance with both solid bass anchoring and great spaciousness in the midrange. The included Angled Alcantara® cushions have an angled geometry that creates more space in the front volume and provides a more airy, detailed and analytical presentation, perfect for the classic audiophile experience.

Both pad types are attached via Rinaro's Isomagnetic® coupling, which both improves the efficiency of the magnetic field and makes pad changes quick and intuitive.

Comfort in the reference class

The design of Empyrean II focuses on eliminating both weight pressure and hotspots. The headphones automatically adapt to the shape of the head, and the thoughtful weight distribution distributes the load gently and evenly. The materials have been carefully selected to ensure a soft, natural contact, so the listener can immerse themselves in music for hours without discomfort.

Even long sessions with high resolution and high volumes feel effortless, and the headphones almost physically disappear, leaving only the music.

Built to last – and to be repairable

Empyrean II is built with Meze’s philosophy of longevity in mind. The design is fully serviceable, meaning everything – including the driver, headband, cable, grille and ear cushions – can be replaced individually, making the headphones an investment that will last for decades, not just a limited-time product.

This approach, combined with meticulous craftsmanship, makes Empyrean II a headphone that is both technologically advanced and sustainably well thought out.

An experience that transcends technology

Created for those seeking a deep musical connection, Meze Empyrean II is a headphone that not only impresses with its technical specifications, but also delivers an audio experience with soul. It combines artistic finesse, engineering precision and an intuitive comfort that together elevates music to a place where it feels alive, present and full of emotion.

Empyrean II is not just a sequel. It is a new interpretation of what high-end listening can be.