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this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2023
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Headphones
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Would really like to know if it still uses the MZ3 drivers from the original Empyrean or the MZ3SE from the Elite. Specs floating around, including on the Meze website have both listed currently, which can't be right.
Welp, there goes my wallet.
Only a few days ago I was thinking a slightly warmer sounding HD800S with better bass would be a perfect headphone for me then these come along. $3k for headphones is way out of my budget though sadly.
3k for headphones is hilarious lol. I’ve heard everything above 1k and at that price you should just get speakers if you have enough space or are able to have a desktop set up. Or save some money and get some cans or iems under 2k, since the offerings at that price range are really good. Something like the z1r will shit on these at half the cost.
You must have been laughing for decades
You’re getting downvoted a lot, but I mostly agree with you: the value proposition of stereo is much better, in my experience. Part of that is, there are better deals on great vintage gear that still sounds amazing, whereas most headphone gear is newer and sold close to retail.
I do think most headphones over $2K aren’t worth it just off the warranty reasons alone. Imagine dropping $4.5K for the LCD-5 to get a 3 year warranty, or $6K on the Susvara to get the same, SMH. That’s crazy to me.
At least ZMF offers a lifetime warranty on the drivers, and Abyss offers an extended 10 year warranty on their products. Those are the only ones I would consider “worth it”, but even then Abyss is still too high for me to consider.
I’m really not trying to insult anyone who owns these expensive headphones. If you like them and can afford them go for it. Just saying there are better options out there and I think they should at least explore a bit before making such an expensive purchase.
I miss when flagships were like 2k max. Some of these manufacturers are totally out of pocket asking for 3k plus. Just my .02.
Also, ZMF makes more sense to me since like you said, the warranty is good and they’re a boutique manufacturer who pretty much builds their headphones to order. That I can get behind.
Something like the z1r will shit on these at half the cost
The MDR-Z1R is very wonky tonally, it's not an all round terrible headphone but it is decidedly wonky with boomy bass and a huge narrow spike around 3kHz. I ended up selling it, because it just wasn't that great and I'd be very surprised, with the reception this is getting, if it wasn't better than it.
Graphs:
The IER-Z1R is much better although it's not flawless, it has great bass but the mids are quite wonky and the treble is only good if you get a deep insertion. It's also very large and heavy and a very difficult fit for a lot of people. It's also an IEM; while soundstage on it is very good for an IEM it's nowhere near a good open back headphone.
“If you have enough space” “If you’re able to have a desktop setup”
Those are big assumptions. Another big assumption is that you’re going to be able to lay out the room properly overall.
Another big thing not mentioned is that for those of us that have multiple headphones and source equipment because we like different styles of listen at different times - that would be next to impossible with speakers (I have 20 headphones for example).
Lastly, just like people can buy expensive headphone gear, floor standing gear can easily go into five figures.
We all love sound - can’t we just get along? lol
Stopped following these guys because it’s obvious they just shill for big audio companies. As long as they can get you to buy their products they have succeeded.
These "reviews" all read like ads. That's why I come to reddit to observe the opinion of the nerd hivemind that is this sub before making a purchase. 😂
I love the Empyrean 1 over the Elite. I wonder how the empyrean 2 sounds... I need to get by moon audio and listen to them.
Does anyone else look up the price before watching reviews? For $3k it better make me soil myself in excitement.
At 2k I would have budged, at 3K I’m just not that interested
Well will be hearing them this weekend at CanJam Dallas. I didn’t like the Empyrean all that much and found the Elites to be more to my liking so can’t wait to hear them.
Well don’t watch too many reviews and have only met DMS at CanJam SoCal and he seems like a very knowledgeable guy and pleasant to talk to . I do like his Omega headphones quite a bit .
lol?
there was once a time when i started calling crinacle overrated and that people should stop looking up to him as the audiophile god, but nowadays, crinacle really is the best "mainstream" audiophile guy that we got. there are probably a few more but are lesser known and has much less subs and therefore, much less influence.
PLEASE DO NOT BUY BASED OFF OF ANY RECOMMENDATION THAT WAS GIVEN TO YOU BUY A PERSON PRVILEDGED YOUTUBER WHO GOT A REVIEW UNIT
I'm more inclined to trust a reviewer who's borrowing a product than one who needs to justify the fact that they spent over 3000$ of their own money on a pair of headphones and would understandably want to make that feel worth it.
Based on the reviews, these are supposed to be competitive with TOTL models like Focal Utopia, Audeze LCD-5, Hifiman Susvara, etc. Josh and DMS explicitly stated that they prefer these to the LCD-5. DMS even compared these to the HE-1 which are nearly 20x the price. $3000 is out of the budget of 99%+ of people but for the types who spend ridiculous amounts, these will probably be interesting.
lmao the incredible hype titles of those videos:
It's SO much better! Meze Empyrean 2
The BEST Headphone EVER!? | MEZE EMPYREAN 2 Review | W/DMS
The best "FUN" audiophile headphone at ANY price: Empyrean mk2
Headphones.com seem to be one of the few pre-order vendors.. so take awat what you will from that. I think I saw some pretty glowing videos come out for the Heddphone 2 under the same circumstances.
I agree and saw the same, here's an examplehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8-jjVYxFuY
I was at Canjam when I tried the Heddphone 2 (and it was loud) but that didn't stop me from enjoying or appreciating the Final D8000 Pro or Susvara. Right when I picked up the Heddphone 2 I was in disbelief that they spent years of R&D to come up with that piece of shit build. I thought perhaps the sound though would make up for the build and it sounded like shit too. I feel bad for the company too, they seem like they're good people but they clearly lack a push back guy.
Maybe yea but honestly it is the first time Iv seen them all aligned and let's dont forget that Meze Empyrean is already a beast. No reason for the Empy 2 to be less than that.
I have 5 new review videos on this in 4 hours: Zeos, DMS, Josh, Currawong, Resolve… effing Jesus Christ 😒
With kindess, are you not aware of what embargos are? Sorry if I missed the /s lol
i wish i wasn't so treble sensitive ;[
This has ruined so many headphones for me .. Will say the Sennheiser 660S2's have been a dream come true due to this
Not trying to start anything here, but how is DMS's link not an affiliate link? Sure looks like one. As for josh, took one look at the title, saw the affiliate link, and clicked off. Hopefully these get into nonreviewers' hands soon for some real impressions.
DMS made a video about focal bathys hyping the tits off it and saying its better than his radiance.
As a radiance owner i am severely dissapointed ro say upon buying bathys this was total baloney.
Im not suggesting reviewers are being dodgy, but i do think they get super hyped about companies they partner with or have affiliate links with. Headphones.com is a partner for Focal for instance, making video factory tours and selling things like Clear Og which others have discontinued.
Headphones.com also consistently place focals headphoned very very highly...
As a Radiance and Bathys owner, I agree. Bathys is great… in terms of having portability and good sound. But the minute I sat down to purely listen to their sonic performance, I didn’t even have to strain or concentrate, or listen for more than 10 seconds to hear how Bathys undeniably sounded like a wireless headphone and Radiance was far more natural sounding. Idk how to explain it, but comparing strictly between the two - radiance was like sitting in the studio with the artist, Bathys felt like I was listening through a old speaker, compressed and digitised.
Exactly the same here. Did you see the DMS vid?
It really left a strange impression on me. Its one of those cases in the hobby where one headphone is clearly better, technically and tonally, there just isn't any contest. Either dms was carried by the hype wave to such a degree that he lost objectivity or there is a more worrying reason. I think its the former, but now I take his comments with a big grain of salt personally.