Over-Ear
Meze Empyrean Ii
84Great
$2999
Full review dataMeze Empyrean Ii vs STAX SR-009D: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the STAX SR-009D comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: STAX SR-009D - Outstanding overall at around $2640.
Over-Ear
STAX SR-009D
88Outstanding
$2640
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Meze Empyrean Ii
Sound9.0
Value6.0
STAX SR-009D
Sound9.5
Value5.5
Specifications
| Spec | Meze Empyrean Ii | STAX SR-009D |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $2999 | $2640 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2023 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | push-pull electrostatic circular sound element |
| Driver size | 102 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 8Hz-110kHz | 5Hz-42kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 145000 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB/mW | - |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 105 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | none | none |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| 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 | - |
| Voice assistant | none | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 385 g | 594 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
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
STAX SR-009D
The STAX SR-009D is a premium electrostatic over-ear headphone that pushes the boundaries of high-fidelity audio with an exceptionally wide frequency response and transparent, detailed sound. Its open-back design and push-pull driver technology deliver a refined, airy presentation, but it demands a dedicated amplifier and a significant investment. This is a statement piece for audiophiles seeking the utmost in technical performance, not a casual listening device.
- Pro:Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval
- Pro:Very wide frequency range (5Hz-42kHz)
- Pro:Premium build quality with detachable cable
- Con:Requires specialized electrostatic amplifier
- Con:Very high price point
- 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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