Over-Ear
Dan Clark Audio Stealth
88Outstanding
$4499
Full review dataDan Clark Audio Stealth vs Meze Empyrean Ii: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Dan Clark Audio Stealth comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Dan Clark Audio Stealth - Outstanding overall at around $4499.
Over-Ear
Meze Empyrean Ii
84Great
$2999
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Dan Clark Audio Stealth
Sound9.5
Value6.0
Meze Empyrean Ii
Sound9.0
Value6.0
Specifications
| Spec | Dan Clark Audio Stealth | Meze Empyrean Ii |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $4499 | $2999 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2021 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | planar |
| Driver size | 76 mm | 102 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | - | 8Hz-110kHz |
| Impedance | 23 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | 90 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 105 |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | none |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| ANC type | - | none |
| Transparency mode | - | No |
| Companion app | - | No |
| Custom EQ | - | No |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | none |
| Voice assistant | - | none |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 415 g | 385 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
Dan Clark Audio Stealth
The Dan Clark Audio Stealth is a premium closed-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a highly refined, natural sound with impressive technical performance. It stands out among closed-back models for its clarity, detail, and smoothness, though it requires a powerful amplifier to reach its full potential, particularly for bass response. Its flagship-level build quality and included accessories further cement its status as a top-tier option.
- Pro:Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval
- Pro:Natural, smooth tonal balance
- Pro:Flagship build quality and accessories
- Con:Very power-hungry; needs a strong amp
- Con:Bass impact may be limited without ample power
- Con:Very high price point
Meze Empyrean Ii
The Meze Empyrean II is a premium open-back planar headphone that refines the original's character with a more accurate and engaging sound, appealing to a wider audience. It impresses with its build quality, comfort, and technical performance, though its treble can be sharp and its dynamics slightly constrained, while the open-back design offers no isolation. It is a wired-only, non-wireless flagship that excels in spaciousness and musicality but requires a quiet environment and a capable amplifier to shine.
- Pro:Excellent build quality and premium materials
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Pro:Engaging, musical sound with wide soundstage
- Con:Upper treble can be bright or harsh at times
- Con:Dynamics feel somewhat restrained or polite
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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