EMPYREAN II vs LIRIC Second Gen: Which Meze Headphone Suits You?

Quick answer

If you listen mainly at home in a quiet room and want the most open, speaker-like presentation, choose the open-back EMPYREAN II. If you need isolation for shared spaces, travel, or late-night listening, the closed-back LIRIC Second Gen is the more practical flagship. Both are planar magnetic headphones, but they solve different problems.

Choosing between the EMPYREAN II and the LIRIC Second Gen comes down to one question: where will you actually listen? The EMPYREAN II is an open-back flagship built for a dedicated listening room, while the LIRIC Second Gen is a closed-back design that keeps your music in and the room out. Both use planar magnetic drivers, so the family resemblance is real, but the trade-offs are very different.

This comparison sticks to what we can verify from the catalog. It won't invent measurements or claim one is objectively better. Instead, it maps the practical differences—open vs closed, home vs portable, serviceability vs simplicity—so you can match the headphone to your habits rather than to a spec sheet.

Open-back vs closed-back: the decision that shapes everything

The EMPYREAN II is open-back, meaning its cups are designed to let air move freely. That typically produces a wider, more speaker-like presentation and a sense of space that closed designs struggle to match. The cost is isolation: sound leaks out, and room noise leaks in. It's a headphone for a quiet room where you can give it your full attention.

The LIRIC Second Gen is closed-back, so it seals around your ears. That keeps your music from bothering others and reduces outside noise, which makes it far more flexible for offices, apartments, and travel. The trade-off is that closed cups can feel more enclosed and often demand more careful tuning to avoid a boxy character. Neither approach is better; they serve different rooms.

• If you share a wall with neighbors or work in an open office, closed-back is the safer default.
• If you have a dedicated quiet space, open-back rewards you with a more expansive stage.

Sound signature and what each prioritizes

The EMPYREAN II is tuned for an accurate, authentic listening experience aimed at the proficient audiophile. In practice, that means it prioritizes realism and balance over added warmth or bass emphasis. It's the kind of headphone that reveals what's in the recording rather than flattering it, which is exactly what many home listeners want from a flagship.

The LIRIC Second Gen takes a different path. As a closed-back planar, it's designed to deliver that planar speed and control while managing the acoustic challenges of a sealed cup. The result is a more self-contained presentation that works in more environments. If you want one headphone that can do everything from focused listening to background music without disturbing anyone, the LIRIC's flexibility is its strongest argument.

• Open-back designs usually trade isolation for a more spacious image.
• Closed-back designs trade some openness for practicality and privacy.

Comfort, weight, and long-session ergonomics

Meze Audio is known for comfort, but the two headphones distribute weight differently. The EMPYREAN II uses a suspension-style headband and large ear pads that spread pressure across the head, which suits long, stationary listening sessions. Because it's a home headphone, you're less likely to notice its size when you're seated and not moving around.

The LIRIC Second Gen is built with portability in mind, so its frame is more compact. That makes it easier to wear for commuting or moving between rooms, though the smaller cups may feel less plush over many hours than the EMPYREAN II's roomier fit. If you wear glasses or have a larger head, try both if you can; clamp force and pad depth matter more than raw weight on paper.

• Long home sessions favor larger pads and a suspension headband.
• On-the-go use favors a lighter, more compact frame that stays stable when you move.

Serviceability, cables, and ownership costs

Both headphones accept detachable cables, which is a genuine long-term advantage. The DUAL MONO 3.5 MM LIRIC STANDARD CABLE is a flexible TPE cable with mono 3.5 mm headphone terminations and a gold-plated 3.5 mm jack, and it's listed as compatible with the LIRIC among other models. That means you can replace a worn cable or switch terminations without sending the headphone in for service.

Ear pads are the other wear item. The poet-ear-pads-110ae78598448ebf16008c7b-1411681">POET EAR PADS use a magnetic attachment system and a memory foam core with PU leather outside and Alcantara inside, and they're designed for easier pad swapping without compromising sealing. If you plan to keep a flagship for years, detachable cables and user-replaceable pads lower the cost of ownership and let you refresh the feel of the headphone later.

• Check cable compatibility before buying a replacement; termination types differ across models.
• Magnetic pads make routine maintenance a five-minute job instead of a repair.

Trade-offs at a glance

• Open-back spaciousness vs closed-back isolation: EMPYREAN II lets air move freely for a wider, speaker-like image, but leaks sound both ways. LIRIC Second Gen seals the cups for privacy and noise reduction, at the cost of some openness. Pick based on your room, not the spec sheet.
• Home-first vs anywhere flexibility: EMPYREAN II is happiest on a stand in a quiet room. LIRIC Second Gen is compact enough to move between desk, sofa, and travel bag without disturbing anyone. If you only have one listening spot, open-back is fine; if you move, closed-back wins.
• Long-session plushness vs compact portability: EMPYREAN II's larger pads and suspension headband suit marathon sessions. LIRIC Second Gen's smaller frame is easier to wear on the move but may feel less roomy over many hours. Try both if you can; fit beats assumptions.

Catalog facts that matter

• ELITE TUNGSTEN: Combining an exclusive aesthetic with state-of-the-art engineering, Elite delivers an accurate, authentic listening experience ready to meet the highest expectations of the proficient audiophile. This is the reference point for Meze's accurate, authentic tuning philosophy—useful context when weighing the EMPYREAN II's realism-first approach against the LIRIC's closed-back practicality.
• DUAL MONO 3.5 MM LIRIC STANDARD CABLE: Compatible with 99 CLASSICS 2ND GEN, 105 AER, 105 SILVA, 109 PRO, STRADA, LIRIC, POET. Standard Liric cable made of highly flexible TPE with mono 3.5 mm headphone termination and 3.5 mm gold-plated jack with copper aluminum casing. A replaceable, flexible cable means you can repair or re-terminate the LIRIC without service downtime, and the broad compatibility list makes it a sensible spare to keep on hand.
• POET EAR PADS: Detachable magnetic ear pads with memory foam, PU leather exterior, and Alcantara interior. Anthropometric design, magnetic attachment, and Ear pad Air Flow (EAF) system. Shows Meze's approach to user-serviceable pads—magnetic swapping and breathable materials that reduce heat and pressure over long sessions.
• MANTA HEADPHONE STAND: Sculpted from high-grade materials into a statuesque form with a folding fin for seamless cable management. A dedicated stand keeps a flagship headphone off your desk and its cable organized, which matters more once you've invested in a full-size open-back model.

Who should buy which

Best for

• Home listeners with a quiet, dedicated room who want the most open, realistic presentation.
• Audiophiles who prioritize an accurate, authentic tuning and long, stationary sessions.

Not for

• Commuters, open-office workers, or anyone who needs isolation from surrounding noise.
• Listeners who want one headphone to cover both travel and critical home listening.

There's no universal winner here—only a better match for how you listen. Choose the EMPYREAN II if your priority is an open, accurate home experience in a quiet space. Choose the LIRIC Second Gen if you need a closed-back flagship that travels with you and keeps your music private. Both reward you with planar magnetic speed; the right one is the one that fits your room and routine.