Meze Poet Vs Empyrean II Comparison Review

Meze Audio has built a reputation for delivering both luxurious craftsmanship and exceptional sound quality. The Meze Poet has just been announced and has been reviewed individually already, but you might be thinking about how it compared specifically to the Empyrean II, Meze’s flagship open-back headphone that is only a thousand dollars more. While both headphones feature Rinaro’s Isodynamic Planar technology, their differences in soundstage, tuning, and comfort cater to different types of listeners. In this in-depth review, we’ll compare their design, sound signature, and overall performance, helping you decide which model best suits your preferences. Whether you’re an audiophile seeking expansive imaging or a listener drawn to a more intimate and warm presentation, this guide will break down everything you need to know.

What You Get

Look & Feel

The Poet and Empyrean have distinct designs that have a high-grade presentation. Meze’s headphones have a consistent luxury style that resembles the price they go for. Size is the biggest contrast between these headphones, with the Empyrean having much bigger earcups than the Poet. This makes the Empyrean better for a lighter, more circumaural fit, but you might prefer the snug fit of the Poet. Either way, both headphones are incredibly comfortable and expertly crafted to reflect their value.

Design

Both the Meze Empyrean II and Poet utilize Rinaro’s Isodynamic planar design, integrating a hybrid array and Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System(AMTS). The main difference between these headphone’s interiors is the size of the driver and the specific magnets being used. With the Empyrean II you get Meze’s MZ3 magnet, and the Poet uses the MZ6. These are not exactly the same driver, but they work mostly the same way, and the signal path should be similar through both headphones. In terms of specs though, these headphones read differently, most notably in impedance. Neither headphone is particularly hard to drive, but a suitable DAC/Amp is definitely recommended for both headphones for them to reach their potential.

Soundstage

Those looking for the best soundstage and imaging should look no further than the Empyrean II. The Poet has great qualities, and its stereo field is similarly holographic, but the switching between the two, the Empyrean has superior depth and width. I can see those looking for a more intimate space gravitating toward the Poet, and in terms of sonic dimension, the Poet and Empyrean are close to each other. They both feature excellent separation, with layered, accurate imaging. Where the Empyrean outperforms the Poet is its headspace. You’ll feel like the instruments are more part of the open air. The Poet doesn’t sound like it’s in your head though, it just has a hard barrier on how far it can extend. That’s not something the Empyrean II has, as the difference is quite stark when you’re A/B testing these headphones.

Low End

Both the Meze Poet and Empyrean II offer tons of character to their low-end frequencies. The Poet’s bass has a particularly thick tonality, but the Empyrean features more natural bass properties that are more resolving. You can enjoy both headphones equally for their warm textures and resonance, but the Empyrean II features more solidity and organization. This makes the timbre more dynamic and concise, which offers better results for detailed bass performances. If you’re strictly looking for punch and impact though neither headphone seems to be the best fit due to their slow, easy-going transent response.

Mids

The Meze Poet and Empyrean both excel in their midrange fidelity. However, the Empyrean II is much more pristine and revealing with its detail retrieval, while the Poet is more focused on low-mid warmth. If you like your midrange to be more intimate, then the Poet should be your pick here, but those who are looking for the most resolution and lushness will prefer the Empyrean. Both headphones have a very soft impact though, which results in less strike in individual notes. The Poet is the softest of the two though and even comes off a bit too dry in timbre compared to the Empyrean.

Highs

High-frequency detail is not something either headphone is missing, but they have very distinct flavors. Both headphones are crisp, but the Poet is much easier on its brightness compared to the Empyrean. If you don’t mind your highs have an edge to them, the Empyrean has more of a brilliance to it that is more satisfying in my opinion. I prefer more sizzle and height, and while the Poet has some of that, the Empyrean definitely takes it to another level.

Summary

Both the Meze Empyrean II and Meze Poet deliver high-fidelity sound with exquisite build quality, but they cater to different sonic preferences. If you’re looking for a spacious, open soundstage with exceptional detail retrieval, the Empyrean II is the clear winner. However, if you prefer a warmer, more intimate sound with a rich midrange, the Poet offers a compelling alternative. Regardless of your choice, both headphones uphold Meze’s legacy of premium craftsmanship and audiophile-grade performance. Whether you’re upgrading your setup or choosing between these two flagships, either model promises an immersive listening experience that justifies its price.

The Meze Poet and the Empyrean II are available at Audio46.