Meze Empyrean 2 VS Abyss Diana MR | HIFI Headphone Comparison!

[@datdudeinred]

The day abyss can create 1266 bass in a Diana body i will be sold.

[@Sasserexe]

The OG Empyreans are still top notch, can wear them all day without any issues.

[@millenwagon]

Man those meze are absolutely stunning.

[@DanRey8008]

This video is outside my price bracket. But great production as always 😅

[@scpt]

The best thing about this hobby is everything is so subjective. I listened to MR and Elite and walked away with Elite. Had a chance to listen to Elite and Emp2 side by side at CanJam Texas, and I think I would still have chosen Elite. Elite is a bit lacking in technicality for the price point, but it just speaks to me.

[@mikeg2491]

I own a Susvara, Utopia, Empyrean 1 and yet my daily driver is a Grado GS3000x, probably the most hated brand of all these HP reviewers. At the end of the day subjective sound signature to you is what matters.

[@Cooliewhistles]

Well, elite is most expensive, so should not be surprising result right?

[@scpt]

@@Cooliewhistles i am pretty deep in the rabbit hole now... With multiple flagship headphones and IEMS... What I found was that price does not necessarily equate to how good a given product sounds to a specific individual. For example, I like the $1300 HE1000 Stealth over the $6000 Susvara majority of the time.. I also prefer Clear MG over Utopia 2022 most of the time. I mean there are times when Susvara and Utopia absolutely comes out ahead of their more affordable siblings, but if I had to keep one pair only, I'd keep the more affordable pair, because I do find them more enjoyable most of the time.... It may be because of the recording quality, but given my music library, I do enjoy them more.

[@bobhanuman65]

Just got my Xduoo 05 Pro. Holy Crap. Running it with the new DCA E3 what a difference from my iFi Gryphon and Xduoo TA22. I am seriously impressed! Will be getting the Empyrean II when they come in this week.

[@ikhyunan496]

Can you spill some about 05 pro?

[@bobhanuman65]

It's great but very very heavy. How are you planning to use it?@@ikhyunan496

[@necrodh]

Ifi is a bad joke

[@Alex-tc6jg]

I’m sure we all appreciate these difficult days! 😂 Great review, any chance of an Elite/Empyrean II comparison?

[@greymatterstome]

Great review Josh. I want to be interested in the Empyrean 2 so much but it's difficult to come around after being so disappointed by the OG and Elite. Sometimes hype is just that.

[@Mastermnd1]

This! A local store tried to convince me that the elite were the best ever and when I tried them I was so underwhelmed! I felt stupid and deaf and left kind of ashamed. Now I see my ears weren't lying. Dms, resolve and golden just rated them B or C tier lol

[@hartyewh1]

Agreed. From what I understand it's a well tuned Elite with minor technical improvements. If so it's still nowhere near interesting for me, but of course need to try them for myself to know.

[@CrazyAboutVinylRecords]

Funny you mention hype, because Abyss has been hyped on this channel to no end.

[@danielarboleda4268]

I don´t know how much experience do you have in mixing music or if you like it, but these headphones seem to work perfect for that task, what do you think?

[@ibrahim-alani]

In my opinion Meze is the Pagani of headphones its just have that nostalgia to it

[@Capitan_Cavernicola_1]

The Diana’s are almost impossible to find on a shop and try out in Europe. Then, Abyss return policy is really bad, with the customer losing at least 20% and specially if you do not live in the USA. Imports charges are also a pain making Abyss way less competitive on price. All that is a pain apart from the fact that the main sound difference between the empyrean 2 and the Diana MR are mostly tonal - subjective. Abyss also charge a lot of money for accessories. Meze all the way, specially in Europe. Still… Joshua seems to prefer the Diana MR (from the US).

[@jamesbittle9789]

I haven't heard either of these headphones (I've heard the Gen 1 Empyrean), but based on reviews and my own personal preferences, I think I would prefer the ZMF Attrium to these two.

[@markaprill6501]

I have empyrean. Yeah I know, finally I have the fantasy gear that is the subject of a video. I have to say I do like the way the Diana look. I had to go with what the dealer had that I could try out for myself. I can’t really tell by listening to these types of reviews what something sounds like. This is the perfect example of that. Unless they are saying don’t buy because it sucks. Also the local audio shop..Tune in Seattle has excellent service and will take care of you if there is a problem. I was lucky enough to go to the local shop and hear for myself. I originally had MM 500…the right driver went dead after 4 weeks and tune gave me my a new pair and I upgraded. I will say empyrean is so much better than Audeze they can’t even be compared. In both comfort and sound. If you can afford it go ahead a buy a pair….especially between 1500 and 3000. For 3k you get want you want. For 1.5k all you get is limitations who wants to pay 1.5k for limitations. Personally I would rather pay 3k and be satisfied. Now I’m starting to like a real KZbin reviewer…lol.

[@BjornvanSinttruije]

Another great video as always, I really want to hear these myself someday (though my go-to dealer doesn’t carry Abyss). Speaking of high-end/summit-fi headphones: if Yamaha are able to send it out, would you do a review of their YH-5000SE? There are very few videos about it, let alone great reviews like yours. Listening to it at my dealer I found it very promising indeed, but then I don’t really have much listening experience at this head-fi level.

[@wmc_videos]

At CanJam 2024 NYC, I preferred the DCA E3 over both of these headphones. It's all about preference, bro.

[@angelofcrysis6629]

Well it’s a different type of headphone, bro.

[@TheGreatMrBill]

I love my Diana and picked up the new Empy about a week ago. I "feel" like if it had full fenestrated lambskin earpads instead of the hybrid that it would just fill out that small recessed midrange and give the lower end a small bump and this would be my perfect headphone! I have no real complaints about it now, but that would be my ideal scenario.

[@flitcroftLA]

Why don't you use an EQ? That's trivially easy to dial into your preferences -- no purchase required!

[@xdoctorblindx]

​@@flitcroftLA You must be new around here - EQ is a swear word amongst audiophiles haha.

[@flitcroftLA]

@@xdoctorblindx I’m aware; it’s absurd. People want colored sound: tubes, warm mids, sparkly highs. That is whole point of EQ.

[@One-Two_swift-kickbox]

​@@flitcroftLAThey don't actually want the perfect sound, they just want to complain about not having it.

[@flitcroftLA]

@@One-Two_swift-kickbox I think they enjoy shopping more than music.

[@tihammd]

Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@dinkelmut590]

Do you have a playlist of songs you currently listen to and test headphones with? Whenever you mention songs in your reviews I always listen to them after the video and mostly really enjoy them.

[@Madhuvish1]

Compare these 2 with HE1000SE, I think they fit in between perfectly.

[@soulfulfool]

both high priced headphones yet nowadays you can buy similar performer for ~1200$ sound wise, build quality Meze is very good so at least for that is worth to pay

[@Angel-AbC9]

I like how you use different music for mids highs bass.

[@erik-rw7ft]

Could you compare the liric with the new Dan Clark E3

[@Viewer13128]

was way more interested in the empyrean 2 but the genres listed don't match mine and the Diana MR seems to match my genres more. i hope my local store gets a demo of the empyrean 2 one day. which one requires higher volume to sound good? I prefer quiet or mid volume.

[@Funz]

great video, love hearing your thoughts on these headphones. quick question, do you have any plans to review the new Schiit Magni Unity that comes with an internal DAC? been thinking about picking that up and would love to hear your thoughts

[@jekken333]

If abyss fixes the high thd of their drivers, I'm sold.

[@Neonmirrorblack]

I'm more interested in how either of them sound using the Reaiser A16. Wanting to get a headphone that sounds as open as the DT1990 and HD800, but with a less synthetic (HD800) sound, and that planar bass. This is for movies.

[@jbl375]

I always relied on my Smyth Research Realiser A16 (as well as the older A8) and headphones to re-create the listening experience of of my big rig speakers (Apogees ribbons and horns etc) . Personally the sound image from headphones without room acoustics is not intriguing enough for my hobby. I cannot stand the compressed image feel inside my head and I just want to trick my mind to believe the sound is projected like a stage in front of me, before my eyes and not on my face (which what stereo means to be, a bigger then life sound image). When the virtualised headphone sounded as close as possible to the way you are listening inside a room, the bass will slam on your body and the recorded soundstage will unfold by itself, as your personal listening memories will trigger your mind to believe it is so. Sometimes virtualised headphone reproduction was just that good. I feel so fortunate I could use headphones for long listening sessions without the feeling that I am listening through headphones. I wanted to listen over speakers all the time but so many scenarios headphones are just more convenient. I tried many top notch electrostatics, ribbons and dynamic headphones (such as HD800) to match with the Realiser experience (although they were already equalized by the Realiser HPEQ in advance) and nothing can match the planars in imitating virtualized room acoustics and impulse responses. Headphones behave so differently when used to reproduce virtualized sound and on the contrary, the more resolving headphones are usually the worst one to make you believe "you are there" Unfortunately virtualized way of using headphones is not in the mainstream audio world, especially Smyth was quite inactive lately with their Realiser exchange and firmware updates. Diana TC and Elite, like most high end headphones are optimised for the non-virtualized listening use and, they were a no go for my A16/A8 when I tried. I have high hopes for the MR, especially I hear that the MR are "less" resolving which could be a good thing in virtualization use and it also reminded me the glory of LCD-2 and LCD-4 in using with the Realiser. The room listening experience "sound" alone, without accounting for the soundstage itself by the stereo effect, is actually much darker and recessed imho (as the wall and ceiling will certainly absorb most of the direct sound from the speakers?) compare to any headphones sound which 100% of such sound is the direct sound from the recordings. Again, when the virtualized sound field from the headphones become right and believable, the sound will just open up and also when the soundstage is in front you and wide enough (and not inside you), you become more psychologically satisfied. Whether sound signature is bright or dark or warm or neutral, honestly I can care less them because my mind is constantly overwhelmed by the huge amount of sound information I am able to distinguish (What I call it "bigger than life sound image"). I guess there are certain characteristics of headphones which need to be further explored for reproducing virtualized sound with room acoustics that many audio hobbyists discovered from their high end speakers systems, at least for stereo playback.

[@joshuaamon8236]

Would you pick the empyrean 2s or 1266 as a one headphone setup?

[@behemothinferno]

Which one would be better suited for Jazz, Funk and Soul?

[@phantomplastics6582]

Have been comparing the Arya Organic and Empyrian II this week too and I agree with your comments. The Empyrian II is a lot more revealing but maybe a touch less involving. Both work with DAC dongles like the M15, RU7, RU6, Colibri, Moon River 2 Ti, DH1000 and the Woo Fireflies 3rd (Genalex Gold Lion tubes were a huge improvement for that).

[@Viewer13128]

which one did you prefer? Less involving meaning you enjoy music more on the Arya Organic?

[@phantomplastics6582]

@@Viewer13128 I enjoy the Organic more than any headphone I have every heard even with the Questyle M15.

[@Viewer13128]

@@phantomplastics6582 Seems like I should reconsider getting the Empyrean 2 then. Btw, is the Arya Organic significantly better than the Arya OG?

[@Mastermnd1]

I own the organics and I love them, but I'm looking for something even more involving, especially when cranking up the volume... Maybe a dynamic driver? Maybe using tubes? I might consider the fireflies

[@onchuner]

Come on Josh what do you really prefer? (Not too much familiarity i hope) Thank you for very nice review

[@joshualipschultz1633]

Joshua - are those the ported Vegan pads that you have on the MR? I have the Vegan non-ported. Wondering if you can comment on a comparison between these two pads.

[@joshualipschultz1633]

Are you still happy with the detail retrieval and upper end frequencies with the bass-ported Vegan pads?

[@MicheleUrukHai]

Why dont you talk about oBravo HAMT serie? Luxury high end earphones with proprietary technology (AMT). It wold be very interesting

[@barneyrubble9309]

the ergonomics of all Abyss headphones is just horrible. If your head isnt just the correct size, there is no way to make them fit..cant understand why they continue to stick with it.

[@hartyewh1]

They either have manufacturing and/or engineering design limitations. 1266 is so steampunk and ghetto at the same time it's not even funny.

[@Angel-AbC9]

Holly cow with music scars the he1000se sounds sooo good

[@MrDjillest303]

Two questions one if I bought the meze to game with my Xbox connected straight to my Xbox controller would that work? Also if I used them with a dragonfly Cobalt will they still sound amazing?

[@tool8337]

I'm picking high end tv over theater any day.

[@Jassim.M]

What do you think about sony mr z1 vs these two ?

[@Nephilim-81]

Nice shootout. Very good match.

[@gdpvk]

isnt the need to buy extra pads for best form a con for abyss, should the sold form qualify for the review ?, headphone is not 500 bucks,

[@BradSiegler]

I’m currently testing both albeit through a Questyle M15 at the moment. WA7 comes today and then I have an Xd05 coming this week. Unfortunately I was mistakenly sent a 3.5mm cable for the MR instead of the 4.4 balanced that I ordered so I need to remedy that before truly picking my favorite. That said, I’m reaching for the Empyrean II a lot more than the MR so far. Not a terribly fair comparison though, given everything explained above. Will post back later with my final thoughts!

[@Angel-AbC9]

Wonder how it would sound against he1000se

[@BwanaJesuasifiwe]

Hmmm I wonder why Joshua stopped saying I was not paid for this review all opinions are my own. Enjoy your Abyss cheques.

[@theyamato4106]

Meze Empyrian 2 will be next big upgrade, waiting for it in second hand market XD

[@arsenromanyuk877]

what is the Mr you say?

[@slapacactus4996]

250 Dollar Earpads. THEY'RE NOT EVEN MADE OF LEATHER

[@yogiwp_]

How much does Empy 2 leak out? Wondering if it's good for office environment.

[@Mastermnd1]

Try the dan clark e3!

[@hartyewh1]

Like every properly open back headphone your colleagues can dance to your tunes😅

[@1979Weasel]

if you do a comparison, pick a winner.

[@arminmaranga1721]

So can I plug them into my old Nokia ? :)

[@soulfulfool]

yes sir

[@udes-dj3xy]

today i buyed the MR and i´m really curious how they will be with the vegan pads. its a shame that u dont can buy them with the bass ported ones but i´ll love them because they do everything better what the phi wasnt and the phi was crazy in technicallys.

[@gandit]

time to sell my car

[@geraldgambler7276]

But can my btr7 run them?

[@AJBone]

You should be able to, I’m currently running my Diana MR’s on an astell and kern sr35 and I still have plenty of head room

[@Ahzahail]

The Meze are absolutely gorgeous, but too rich for my blood.

[@rickmathis8590]

This is the comparison that I've really been waiting for. Saving up my milk money...

[@jafizzle95]

Does the MR have the driver crinkle issue of the V2? If I move at all the V2 crinkles. Distracting. Either way I want the MR.

[@tristanortiz-duchesne633]

...there are some elements, that just like you are not planned.... How did you know??

[@mattialemboluscari8774]

Fact Is that meze obliterates the Dianas for comfort, looks and build quality... At the same price

[@MinaKim-v6s]

14:10 No you already have a winner in your mind. I think everybody knows it.

[@BreathOfDust]

What is it?

[@HiFiInsider]

I prefer Diana MR.

[@ryanhostudio]

will have to try empyrean 2 at next audio show

[@jango71]

Empyrean or how to pass from selling 300 to 3000 euros headsets based only on hype and that audiophiles confound price with value.

[@Thund3rstone]

Either you get constantly arm chills and a prickling scalp, then you are hooked. Or you do not, then get a HD600 and be good with it.

[@jango71]

@@Thund3rstone Well I had the itch but stopped at the audiophile level of a years back, before the craze begun: HD-800S, AKG N40 and N90Q, Sony XBA-N3 and TA-ZH1ES, several Focal (Clear and Elegia I think), Hifiman HE-4XX, Shure SE535… All bought at good prices but even the full prices were several hundreds for the IEMs and at most 2000 for a full headset or DAC/amplifier. Now in-ears cost up to several thousand dollars, and over ears above 5000. I may buy a MDR-Z1R one day but I am not spending more than that.

[@soulfulfool]

@@jango71 whats special about Z1R? bass or lets say too much of it or theres something more? in that price are many more accurate sounding headphones

[@jango71]

@@soulfulfool There is not only accuracy in life… ;-)

[@soulfulfool]

@@jango71 yea but you can get Focal Stellia for similar price, overall better performer

[@ArkFisted]

Diana's are such sleepers, they look like they belong in a computer lab. I can fool a friend thinking they cost like $15

[@David-gp3fd]

they look like you can buy them at target when you walk in

[@vstudart]

One day... when I Win in the Loto. Hahah

[@Thund3rstone]

You wouldn't believe how many people are waiting for exactly this comparison.

[@arsenromanyuk877]

diana is much better with superconductor upgrade cable

[@Thund3rstone]

bad troll 😄

[@coardtech]

yes 2x better bass and treble, also female vocals come alive.

[@flitcroftLA]

@@Thund3rstoneThat cable makes it hard for me to take Abyss seriously. They really think A) cables make an audible difference if the stock cable doesn't suck? and B) that any piece of thin wire is worth $5,000?! Pure snake oil.

[@thor8334]

I really disagree strongly on the analogy with theatre. They are just bad screen most of the time, some really high end ones will get good but it’s only because they get closer to tv’s. This was a very poorly chosen analogy. Extremely inaccurate.

[@hartyewh1]

The point is the feeling you get regardless. Think of seeing a movie in IMAX vs a 6K industry leading monitor. The latter does HDR2000 etc, but you're on a work chair in your office instead of a massive theater. Kinda like Verum One vs Sundara. The latter is way more technical, but former is very engaging. It can be a useful analogy, but hard to say is it here.

[@johansallqvist6027]

Ok boomer….Calm down.

[@Starsunder81]

what is this strangely aggressive reply lol

[@thor8334]

@@hartyewh1 yeah i’m really not agreeing with you, i’m alot more engaged at home watching on my G2 than in most theatres. Yeah in an office of course it’s shit even if the screen is good but he said TV and compared the two types of screen which i think is an awful analogy.

[@thor8334]

@@johansallqvist6027 i’m very calm, i only stated my view on the analogy he chose. Sorry sweetheart if it upset you.