Meze Empyrean III headphones

So Meze Built Another $3K Headphone. Here’s Why I’m Not Mad About It.

Look, I know what you’re thinking. “Jack, didn’t we just talk about expensive headphones?” Yeah. But the Empyrean III is different, and I’ll explain why my wallet is only moderately screaming.

The Breakdown

  • Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver: Meze actually refined their driver tech here. We’re talking fuller frequency response with a smoother top-end—less sizzle, more texture in the highs.

  • Build Quality: Leather ear cups, wood on the headband. Not “luxury for luxury’s sake” (okay, partly), but this thing feels like it’ll outlive your subscription services.

  • Comfort Redesign: Lighter headband weight distribution, better earcup angle. You can actually wear these for 4+ hours without your ears staging a revolt.

  • Soundstage: Wider than the Empyrean II. Not “open-back wide,” but you get decent space without that claustrophobic vibe some flagships have.

  • Detail Retrieval: The tuning is surgical. You’ll hear every breath, every finger squeak. Whether you want to is another question.

  • Impedance: 32 ohms, so they play nice with most sources. You don’t need a brick-sized amp, which is nice.

Real Talk

Here’s the thing about the Empyrean III: it’s expensive as hell, but it’s competent expensive. Meze didn’t just slap “III” on the box and call it done. The isodynamic refinement actually matters—the treble is noticeably less fatiguing than v2, and the midrange has this organic quality that doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard.

The leather and wood aren’t just flexing (well, mostly). They dampen vibrations and keep these things feeling substantial, not plasticky. Will you notice a massive sonic leap from a $1,200 headphone? Honestly? No. But if you’re already in the high-end game, the refinements are real.

The catch: These are picky about placement. Seal matters. Pad wear will affect the sound over time (though Meze’s pads are replaceable). And yeah, you’re paying for the aesthetic. A lot.

If you’ve got the cash and you want headphones that feel like a purchase instead of a transaction, these tick the box. But don’t expect them to sound like they cost $3K more than flagships at half the price. They sound like they cost $3K—refined, capable, and uncompromising about comfort.

The Damage

Price: ~$3,000-$3,500 USD (RIP wallet)

Check price on Amazon

Jack’s Take: My bank account has filed for divorce over this review.

About the Writer

Jack: Skeptical, wallet-watching, and strictly here for the gear.