Over-Ear
Focal Utopia
81Outstanding
$5,000
Full review dataFocal Utopia vs Meze Empyrean Ii: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Focal Utopia comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Focal Utopia - Outstanding overall at around $4999.
Over-Ear
Meze Empyrean Ii
77Great
$3,000
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Neither pulls ahead overall - they trade wins across the measures.
- Focal Utopia
- Meze Empyrean Ii
HearWiki score
81
77
Sound
9.7
8.8
Value
5.8
6.8
Price (USD)
$5,000
$3,000
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
Meze Empyrean Ii (2023) against Focal Utopia (2022). These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.
- Utopia2022
- Empyrean Ii20231 yr newer
Specifications
UtopiaEmpyrean Ii
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $5,000
- $3,000
- HearWiki score
- 81
- 77
- Released
- 2022
- 2023
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- hybrid
- Driver type
- dynamic
- hybrid
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 102 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 23 kHz
- 8 Hz - 110 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- neutral
- Impedance
- 80 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 104 dB/mW
- 90 dB/mW
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- -
- 105
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- No
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- ANC type
- -
- none
- Transparency mode
- -
- No
- Companion app
- -
- No
- Custom EQ
- -
- No
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- none
- Voice assistant
- -
- No
- Weight
- 490 g
- 449 g
- Water resistance
- none
- none
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- No
- Connector
- -
- XLR
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
What reviewers said
Focal Utopia
The Focal Utopia is a premium open-back wired headphone engineered for audiophiles seeking reference-grade neutrality. Its 40mm beryllium driver delivers exceptional detail, low distortion, and a finely tuned high-frequency response, making it a top-tier choice for critical listening. While its performance is class-leading, the steep price positions it as a luxury investment rather than a practical everyday option.
- Pro:Outstanding resolution and micro-detail retrieval
- Pro:Very low distortion with a neutral, accurate sound signature
- Pro:Premium build quality and detachable cable design
- Con:Extremely high price point
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless connectivity
- Con:Heavy weight (490g) may be tiring during long sessions
Meze Empyrean Ii
The Meze Empyrean II is a high-end open-back headphone that refines the original's signature into a more polished, widely appealing sound. It pairs a hybrid isodynamic driver with a comfortable, premium build, delivering an engaging yet technically capable performance, though its open design means no isolation and it requires a dedicated amplifier. It's a versatile flagship that balances accuracy with musicality, making it a strong choice for discerning audiophiles.
- Pro:Refined, more accurate tuning than the original
- Pro:Extremely comfortable and well-constructed
- Pro:Engaging and musical presentation
- Con:Upper treble can sound slightly uneven
- Con:Dynamics feel somewhat restrained at times
- Con:Open-back design offers no noise isolation and leaks sound
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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