Meze Audio Elite vs Meze Audio Empyrean II

Both are planar magnetic open-back headphones.

The Elite is 16 g lighter, at 433 g against 449 g.

The Empyrean II needs 11 dB more power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so it asks more of the amplifier.

The Empyrean II lists for $1,001 less.

$4,000

$2,999

Side by side

EliteEmpyrean IIDifference

EliteEmpyrean II

Driver: Planar magnetic; Planar magnetic
Diaphragm: Rinaro Parus MZ3SE ultra-thin polymer film, 0.11 g; Rinaro Isoplanar MZ3 film, 0.16 g
Driver size: 102 x 73 mm ovoid, 4,650 mm² active area; 102 x 73 mm ovoid, 4,650 mm² active area
Enclosure: Open-back; Open-back
Weight: 433 g; 449 g; Elite is 16 g lighter
Impedance: 32 ohms; 32 ohms
Sensitivity: 101 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz; 90 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
Power for 110 dB: 7.94 mW, 0.50 V; 100 mW, 1.79 V; Empyrean II needs 11 dB more
Drive: Easy to drive; Moderate drive
Frequency response: 3 Hz – 112 kHz; 8 Hz – 110 kHz
Made in: Romania; Romania
Released: 2021; 2023
List price: $4,000; $2,999; Empyrean II is $1,001 less
Materials: Carbon fibre Aluminium Leather; Carbon fibre Aluminium Leather; Both use carbon fibre, aluminium, leather

From each maker’s published figures; sources are on each headphone’s page. Power for 110 dB is worked out from sensitivity and impedance.

Each of these has 10 dB or more in reserve above a loud 110 dB peak on both headphones, so one amplifier serves either.

List $4,000

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works

List $2,999

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works