Meze Audio ELITE | Open-Back Isodynamic Hybrid Planar Headphones

Truly exceptional

I have been interested in headphones and speakers for quite some time. These headphones are truly exceptional to say the least. I own hifiman headphones, Audeze, Dan Clark, and more to compare the empyrean elites to. These are now my go to headphones. I am not doing any technical audio work and am a casual music listener. It is absolutely correct that these headphones have a warm and musical sound, where my Audeze mm500s and lcd5s by comparison have a more neutral sound and are great for critical listening. But overall; the empyrian elites blow everything else I’ve tried out of the water. I have even tried my headphones on different dac/amps and even with my portable ones these headphones sound profoundly amazing. The snappy quick bass response is great. These are so light I can barely feel them as they melt onto my head. The build quality is phenomenal. These are handmade in Romania. They are also the lightest planar magnetics I’ve ever worn. They are beautiful to look at. Very happy with my empyrean elites.

My new favorite headphone

I've had my Elite since Sept. 2. I find it to be a significant improvement over my previous favorite headphone, the Empyrean, and worth the price. I'm using the hybrid pads; did not like the sound of the alcantara pads. The Elite has these advantages over the Empyrean: Elite eliminates the Empy's bass overemphasis, but still has plenty of accurate, well-controlled bass. Elite's midrange is even better than the Empy, well-recorded vocals can take on a 3D quality. The Elite has a smooth treble and eliminates the Empy's treble peak. The Elite is more neutral and refined, with improved detail and soundstage. You need an amp that can supply the detailed refinement you will hear with the Elite. I'm using a Burson Soloist 3X. Read the written review at the Bloom Audio website. Their comments are consistent with what I am hearing with the Elite. I loved my Empyrean. I didn't expect to like the Elite so much more. I ordered mine on Sept.1 from Bloom Audio and received it the next day. I also had a chance to compare the Elite to another new similarly-priced headphone, a Dan Clark Stealth. It was no contest. I didn't like the tonality or bass response of the Stealth, and returned it.