Meze 109 Pro vs Empyrean II Review: A Side-by-Side from Our King City Showroom
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Meze Audio makes two of the most-asked-about reference headphones at our King City showroom: the 109 Pro and the Empyrean II. Both come out of the same workshop in Baia Mare, Romania. Both are designed to be the headphone you live with for the next decade, not the one you upgrade next year. And both, in their own way, are very good at what they do.
But they are not the same headphone, and they are not for the same listener.
If you're between them, here is the short version. The 109 Pro is the headphone you buy when you want the Meze sound on a real-world budget. The Empyrean II is the headphone you buy when you want to hear everything in the recording — every breath, every room, every microphone choice — and you are prepared to feed it properly to get there.
We've spent extended time with both at Noteworthy Audio. Below is the side-by-side our customers usually ask for, written for the buyer who is choosing between the two and wants something honest before they commit.
The 109 Pro and the Empyrean II at a glance
These are very different driver designs in very different bodies. Here is the quick read before we get into how they actually sound.
| Spec | Meze 109 Pro | Meze Empyrean II |
|---|---|---|
| Driver type | 50mm dynamic, beryllium-coated | Isodynamic Hybrid Array (planar magnetic) |
| Open- or closed-back | Open-back | Open-back |
| Weight | ~384 g | ~430 g |
| Impedance | 40 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL / 1 mW | 101 dB SPL / 1 mW |
| Cup material | Solid walnut wood | CNC-machined aluminum |
| Cable | 3 m / 1.2 m, dual 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm | Furukawa OFC, premium braided, multiple terminations included |
| Included | Cable, hard case | Premium carry case, multiple cables, accessory pack |
| Made in | Baia Mare, Romania | Baia Mare, Romania |
| Best for | First reference-grade open-back; rock, jazz, acoustic; easy to drive | Resolution-first listener; classical, vocal jazz, film scores; needs a real amp |
The headline difference is the driver. The 109 Pro uses a refined 50 mm dynamic driver with a beryllium-coated diaphragm — fast, dynamic, easy to drive, and tuned with the warmth Meze is known for. The Empyrean II uses Meze's Isodynamic Hybrid Array planar driver, the same approach as the original Empyrean and the Elite, scaled into a slightly more accessible package. Planar diaphragms are larger, lighter, and able to resolve detail more linearly than a dynamic driver — but they also ask more of the amplifier driving them.
Everything else flows from that one decision.
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How they sound side by side
These descriptions reflect the broadly understood sonic character of each headphone, as we hear them in our showroom and as they have been reviewed by the wider audiophile press. If you read enough reviews, you will see the same patterns — what changes is which traits matter to you.
Bass and low end
The 109 Pro has a slight warmth in the low end. Bass guitars sit forward, kick drums have impact, and the overall presentation has the kind of natural body that makes long sessions easy. It does not chase sub-bass rumble; it gives you the bass that is on the recording, with a small amount of pleasant lift in the upper bass.
The Empyrean II extends further and stays more linear. Sub-bass on electronic and film recordings reaches deeper without becoming the centre of attention, and the texture of low instruments — upright bass, cello, low piano — is more defined. There is less coloration, which some listeners will prefer immediately and some will need a week to adjust to.
Midrange and vocals
Midrange is where the 109 Pro charms people the fastest. Vocals are present and lifelike, acoustic guitars have body, and instruments feel like they are being played in a room rather than processed into one. It is, in audiophile shorthand, a musical midrange.
The Empyrean II's midrange is more transparent. It does less to flatter the recording and more to reveal it. Well-recorded vocals — a Diana Krall studio cut, a high-resolution Eva Cassidy live recording — sit in a more defined space, with clearer separation between the voice, the room, and the accompanying instruments. Poorly recorded vocals will be exposed as such.
Treble and air
The 109 Pro's treble is articulate without being aggressive. It avoids the bright, fatiguing presentation that some open-backs in this price range chase. There is enough air and cymbal detail to enjoy jazz and acoustic music, without the kind of treble that makes you reach for the volume knob after twenty minutes.
The Empyrean II opens the top end up considerably. Cymbals decay more naturally, plucked-string overtones extend further, and the overall sense of "air" — the space between the music and the silence — is greater. This is one of the clearest upgrades on the Empyrean II, and one of the first things most listeners notice in a back-to-back comparison.
Soundstage and imaging
This is where the gap is largest.
The 109 Pro images well for a dynamic-driver open-back, with a medium-sized stage that feels natural rather than artificial. It is closer to the recording than further from it, and it places instruments cleanly.
The Empyrean II is in a different category. The soundstage is wider and deeper, the imaging more precise, and the sense of layered space — front-to-back as well as left-to-right — is far more developed. Live recordings, classical works with a real venue, and well-mixed film scores benefit the most. If you listen primarily to that kind of material, this is the single biggest reason to step up.
Dynamics and macrocontrast
Both headphones handle dynamic shifts well. The 109 Pro has a punchy, energetic character that suits rock, electronic, and modern production. The Empyrean II handles macro-dynamic swings more effortlessly — large orchestral pieces, film scores, anything where the volume range of the recording is the point — and it does so without the slight congestion that can creep into a dynamic driver under pressure.
Comfort, fit, and build over a long session
Both headphones are built to be worn, not just admired.
The 109 Pro is the lighter of the two at around 384 grams. Its self-adjusting suspension headband and large oval pads distribute weight well, and it disappears on the head after a few minutes. The walnut cups and zinc-alloy hardware feel substantial without being heavy. Build quality is a real selling point — this is the kind of headphone that, with reasonable care, will outlast most of the gear it is plugged into.
The Empyrean II is heavier at around 430 grams, but it carries that weight intelligently. The carbon-fibre headband and leather strap spread the load across a wider area, and the pads are large enough that clamp is comfortable rather than firm. After an hour, most listeners stop noticing it — but it is more present on the head than the 109 Pro. If you wear glasses or have a narrow head shape, take a long session with it before committing.
Build-wise, the Empyrean II is closer to a piece of industrial design than a piece of consumer audio. The CNC-machined aluminum chassis, the premium carry case, and the accessory pack all reflect the price point. The 109 Pro is built to a different brief — premium for its tier, beautifully finished, but not trying to be a statement object.
Both are open-back, which means both leak sound and let sound in. Neither is the right choice for an office, a shared room, or a quiet partner trying to sleep nearby. Both are at home in a dedicated listening setup.
What you'll need to drive them properly
The 109 Pro is relatively easy to drive. Its 40-ohm impedance and 112 dB sensitivity mean it will play loud and clean off a wide range of dedicated headphone amps and most decent integrated DAC/amps. It does not need a flagship amp to perform — it scales, but it doesn't gatekeep.
The Empyrean II is more demanding. The planar driver wants current, and the lower sensitivity (101 dB) means it benefits noticeably from a properly powered headphone amplifier. It is not unreasonable to drive — it is not in the same category as a hard-to-drive electrostatic — but it rewards good amplification more than the 109 Pro does. The difference between a budget integrated headphone output and a dedicated planar-capable headphone amplifier will be clearly audible on the Empyrean II in a way it is less audible on the 109 Pro.
If you are buying the Empyrean II and you do not have a serious source-and-amp chain in place, plan to budget for one. The headphone is worth feeding properly.
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Who should buy which one
If you have read this far, the recommendation usually writes itself. But to make it explicit:
Buy the Meze 109 Pro if you:
- Are buying your first reference-grade open-back headphone
- Listen primarily to rock, jazz, acoustic, pop, or modern production
- Want the Meze house sound at the most accessible price
- Are running an integrated headphone output or a moderate dedicated amp
- Want a headphone that's easy to live with and forgiving of average recordings
- Plan to build the rest of your system gradually around the headphone
Buy the Meze Empyrean II if you:
- Listen primarily to classical, vocal jazz, film scores, or well-recorded live music
- Already have a strong source — a quality DAC and a properly powered headphone amp
- Prioritize resolution, soundstage, and transparency over warmth and ease
- Want one headphone that will reveal the difference every other upgrade makes
- Are prepared for a heavier headphone and a more demanding amplification chain
Buy something else if:
- You need a closed-back for travel or shared spaces — look at the Meze Liric II instead
- You want the absolute top of Meze's planar lineup — look at the Meze Elite
- You want in-ears for portable use — the Meze Astru IEMs are a strong starting point
There is no wrong answer between the 109 Pro and the Empyrean II — they are aimed at different points in a listener's journey. The mistake is buying the Empyrean II and pairing it with the wrong amp, or buying the 109 Pro after specifically wanting the planar resolution of the Empyrean II. The right way to choose between them is to spend an hour with both.
Listen to both in our King City showroom
Headphone choices like this are not really made on paper. They are made in the chair, with the headphone on your head, listening to music you know well.
Both the 109 Pro and the Empyrean II are in stock at Noteworthy Audio and available to demo by appointment in our King City listening room. We will set up the comparison on a chain that lets each headphone show its hand, and let you spend the time you need.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Meze 109 Pro worth it?
For its price tier, yes. The 109 Pro competes very well in the reference open-back category — strong build, easy to drive, the warm-leaning Meze house sound, and the kind of long-term resale value that comes from buying a hand-assembled headphone from an established maker. It is not the most resolving headphone you can buy in this range, and it is not trying to be. It is one of the most enjoyable to live with.
Is the Empyrean II a big upgrade over the 109 Pro?
In several specific ways — soundstage, treble extension, resolution, low-end linearity — yes, clearly. In other ways — warmth, ease of drive, immediate musical engagement — it is more lateral than upward. The Empyrean II is the better headphone on paper and in most measurement categories, but the listener who is happiest with the 109 Pro will not always be happier with the Empyrean II. Spend time with both before deciding.
What headphones are similar to the Meze 109 Pro?
In the broader open-back, dynamic-driver category, the 109 Pro competes most directly with reference offerings from other established headphone makers. Within Meze's own lineup, the Liric II is the closed-back counterpart — same Meze sound philosophy in a closed body suited to portable and shared environments.
What amp do you need for the Empyrean II?
The Empyrean II benefits from a properly powered headphone amplifier — typically a dedicated unit rated for planar headphones, or a strong integrated amp with a real headphone stage. The headphone is not unreasonably hard to drive, but it scales noticeably with the quality of the amp. Stop by the showroom and we will walk through the amp options at the price tier you are working with.
Are Meze headphones made in Canada?
No — Meze is a Romanian company, headquartered in Baia Mare. Every Meze headphone is hand-assembled there. Meze Audio is distributed in Canada through authorized dealers, and Noteworthy Audio is the authorized Meze dealer for Canadian customers in our region — free Canada-wide shipping, financing available, and our King City listening room by appointment.
Both headphones, in stock now
Both the Meze 109 Pro and the Meze Empyrean II are in stock at Noteworthy Audio. We are an authorized Meze Audio dealer in Canada, with 25+ years in specialty hi-fi, free shipping nationwide, financing available, and a by-appointment listening room in King City, Ontario.
More from our Meze Audio collection: 109 Pro · Liric II · Empyrean II · Elite · Poet · Strada · Astru IEMs
