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Meze Audio Elite · Photo source

Elite

Released September 2021

The Elite are Meze's top open-back planar magnetic headphones, with Rinaro's MZ3SE Isodynamic Hybrid Array drivers and two sets of magnetic ear pads, for critical home listening.

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Battery: –
With case: –
Best codec: Wired
Weight: 433 g

Over-ear

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the Elite ranks among the best headphones available, with Headfonia finding it more balanced, faster and cleaner than the Empyrean while keeping plenty of body and bass. SoundStage! Solo found it works well with any amplifier and notes the two sets of ear pads give distinctly different sound; the high price is the main reservation.

From soundstagesolo.com and headfonia.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Sound

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Back: Open
Impedance: 32 ohms
Bluetooth codecs: None (wired)
Drivers: Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array MZ3SE planar magnetic, ovoid, 102 × 73 mm; Rinaro Parus diaphragm (0.11 g, 4,650 mm² active area) with switchback and spiral voice coils; 0.35 T hybrid magnet array; fibreglass-reinforced polymer casing; driver weight 75 g; 3 Hz – 112 kHz; 101 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz; THD < 0.05%; maximum SPL > 130 dB; acoustic mass 7.5 kg/m⁴

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim): No battery (wired)

Design

Weight: 433 g
Headphone cable: Yes
Fit and ear tips: Circumaural, open-back; Angled Alcantara and Hybrid (perforated Alcantara and leather) ear pads with Isomagnetic magnetic attachment; pressure distribution wings suspension; weight 433 g (Tungsten, current spec page) or 372 g (Aluminium product page)
Works with: Dual 4-pin mini-XLR inputs; mini-XLR to 6.3 mm silver-plated PCUHD premium cable (Aluminium was sold with silver-plated or copper PCUHD)
Colours: Tungsten (Cerakote finish); Aluminium discontinued
In the box: Headphones, Angled Alcantara ear pads, Hybrid ear pads, mini-XLR to 6.3 mm silver-plated PCUHD cable, ABS suitcase with foam inserts and leather handle

Pros and cons

Pros

32-ohm, 101 dB/mW drivers can be driven by almost any source
Very wide 3 Hz to 112 kHz range and THD under 0.05%
Two sets of magnetically attached ear pads (Angled Alcantara and Hybrid)

Cons

Heavy at 433 g (Tungsten; Meze lists 372 g for the discontinued Aluminium finish)
Open back leaks sound and lets outside noise in

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Noise cancelling	Battery	With case	Best codec	Weight	Released
AudezeLCD-5	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	420 g	Sept 2021
beyerdynamicDT 700 PRO X	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	350 g	Oct 2021
beyerdynamicDT 900 PRO X	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	345 g	Oct 2021

Sources

Photo: cdn.shopify.com

Meze Elite, earcup and connector detail in Tungsten finish (official product gallery): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, earpad magnetic coupling (official product gallery): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, headphone with hybrid earpad (official product gallery): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, three-quarter view in Aluminium finish (official product gallery): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, side view in Aluminium finish (official product gallery): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, rear view in Aluminium finish (official product gallery): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, earcup badge in Aluminium finish (official product gallery): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, earcup grille in Aluminium finish (official product gallery): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, earcup grille and badge in Tungsten finish (official media kit): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, front view in Tungsten finish (official media kit): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, side view in Tungsten finish (official media kit): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, rear view in Tungsten finish (official media kit): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, front view with cables in Tungsten finish (official media kit): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, open carrying case with headphones (official media kit): Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones resting on a textured surface: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Antonio Meze sketching beside Aluminium headphones: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones worn indoors: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Aluminium headphones in a front three-quarter studio view: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Rinaro driver assembly held during manufacturing: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Rinaro driver assembly handled with gloves: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones worn in side profile: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Aluminium headphones worn in side profile: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Aluminium earcup connector close-up: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Aluminium headband attachment detail: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones resting on a table: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones on fabric in a three-quarter view: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Elite earcup assembly at a workbench: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Elite earcup assemblies arranged beside a workbench: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Elite earcup assembly during manufacturing: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Elite earcup fastening at a workbench: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Elite component assembly at a workbench: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Elite headphones and components at an assembly workbench: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Elite earcup assembly viewed over the worker’s shoulder: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten earcup grille and housing curve close-up: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten earcup in a dark studio photograph: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones lying sideways on a fabric surface: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphone housing, headband and earpad components laid out on a white surface: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headband and earcup attachment detail: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten earcup cable socket detail: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten earcup badge in an oblique detail photograph: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones resting on their side on a grey studio surface: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones worn indoors beside flowers: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones in an open case on a table: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten earcup and connected cable in side view: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten earcup and earpad side detail: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones hanging beside a lamp: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones hanging beside a lamp, closer three-quarter view: Meze Audio
Meze Elite, Tungsten headphones hanging beside a lamp, rear three-quarter view: Meze Audio

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