Over-Ear
Meze Empyrean Ii
77Great
$3,000
Full review dataMeze Empyrean Ii vs STAX SR-007S: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the STAX SR-007S comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: STAX SR-007S - Outstanding overall at around $2390.
Over-Ear
STAX SR-007S
83Outstanding
$2,390
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
STAX SR-007S leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- Meze Empyrean Ii
- STAX SR-007S
HearWiki score
77
83
Sound
8.8
9.5
Value
6.8
7.2
Price (USD)
$3,000
$2,390
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
The STAX SR-007S is 2 years newer, but it is 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.
- Empyrean Ii2023
- SR-007S20252 yr newer
Specifications
Empyrean IiSR-007S
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $3,000
- $2,390
- HearWiki score
- 77
- 83
- Released
- 2023
- 2025
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- hybrid
- 2× electrostatic
- Driver type
- hybrid
- electrostatic
- Driver size
- 102 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- -
- 2
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 110 kHz
- 6 Hz - 41 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 145000 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 90 dB/mW
- 101 dB/mW
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- 105
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- -
- Wireless charging
- No
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- ANC type
- none
- none
- Transparency mode
- No
- No
- Companion app
- No
- No
- Custom EQ
- No
- No
- Wear detection
- No
- No
- Controls
- none
- none
- Voice assistant
- No
- -
- Weight
- 449 g
- 430 g
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- No
- Connector
- XLR
- -
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- -
What reviewers said
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
STAX SR-007S
The STAX SR-007S is a refined electrostatic flagship that builds on the classic Stax formula with updated internals and comfort-focused earpads. It delivers a spacious, highly detailed soundstage with warm bass and clear treble, all while maintaining a smooth, airy presentation. This wired, over-ear design is a perfectionist's choice for those seeking an evolutionary upgrade in high-end audio.
- Pro:Spacious and precise soundstage
- Pro:Warm, deep bass with clear highs
- Pro:Improved comfort and reduced earcup resonance
- Con:Requires a dedicated electrostatic amplifier
- Con:Very high impedance limits portability
- Con:No built-in controls or wireless features
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.