Meze Audio and Rinaro Isodynamics are continuing their collaboration on the "Elite" hybrid array headphones. Combining Meze's design and craftsmanship with Rinaro's outstanding acoustic technologies, the Elite sets a new standard.
AESTHETICS THAT LAST
A core belief at Meze Audio is to create products that outlast years of industry changes and provide lasting value. Elite is no different.
On closer inspection, one discovers the highly complex geometric embossing accented by the silver finish of the CNC aluminum frame. A deep black grill with intricate carvings completes the look, making the Elite a truly futuristic headphone. The headband is crafted from carbon fiber and the headrest from genuine leather to ensure an ultra-light feel and maximum durability.
Elite is also easy to maintain: from the interchangeable ear pads to the materials used, every part of the headphone housing is easy to disassemble and service.
ERGONOMIC HEADBAND
For an extremely comfortable listening experience, the patent-pending headband suspension system is extended and curved at both ends, dropping further down the sides of the head to optimally distribute the headphone's weight.
RINARO ISODYNAMIC HYBRID ARRAY DRIVER®
The Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver® is the result of 3 years of research and was specially developed for Meze, who strived to create a powerful, lifelike, and immersive listening experience.
- ULTRA LOW DISTORTION
Total harmonic distortion (THD) measures below 0.05% across the entire frequency range. - LIGHTWEIGHT
A total driver weight of only 75g to create a headphone that allows for longer listening sessions. - ULTRA HIGH RESOLUTION AUDIO
The upper frequency limit of audio reproduction is 112,000 Hz. - RINARO PARUS® DIAPHRAGM
An innovative low-mass acoustic diaphragm built on an ultra-thin biaxially oriented semicrystalline film. - EASY TO DRIVE
At 101db@1mw/1kHz; 32Ohm, the Elite can be driven by almost any source without amplification. - PATENTED ISODYNAMIC HYBRID ARRAY TECHNOLOGY
One of the most advanced planar magnetic technologies in the world.
THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE ISODYNAMIC HYBRID ARRAY DRIVER®
The MZ3SE driver builds upon the groundbreaking technology of the flagship MZ3 driver from the predecessor model Empyrean. The innovative Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver® technology allows acoustic performance to be more selectively delivered to different areas of the ear canal. Advancements in diaphragm materials have opened the door to even higher resolution and accuracy in sound reproduction, setting a new benchmark in headphone design.
- DRIVER CASING
Reinforced polymer casing capable of withstanding the demanding 12.7 N load generated by the Hybrid Magnet Array. - RINARO PARUS® DIAPHRAGM
Weighing only 0.11g with a large active area of 4650 mm2. - HYBRID MAGNET ARRAY
Symmetrically placed on both sides of the diaphragm, the neodymium magnets are arranged in a hybrid array to create an isodynamic magnetic field of 0.35 Tesla, necessary for uniform activation across the entire diaphragm surface.
RINARO PARUS®
A NEW LOW-MASS DIAPHRAGM MATERIAL
The new driver behind the Elite features Rinaro Parus®, an innovative low-mass acoustic diaphragm built on an ultra-thin, biaxially oriented, semi-crystalline polymer film. Combined with the characteristic Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver® technology, sound waves can flow freely past the ears and outwards, creating natural sound transparency and a wide, articulate soundstage. This results in improved definition and speed across the entire frequency range.
The polymer is manufactured with a bespoke sequential biaxial extension technology, a process where the polymer is stretched crosswise at elevated temperatures to improve structural performance. This creates a complex semi-crystalline microstructure within the material, exhibiting remarkable strength, stiffness, and stability at extremely low acoustic mass.
COMBINED SPIRAL & SWITCHBACK COILS
Different voice coil arrangements are used in the Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver®. This optimally distributes sound intensity and directs it towards the ear canal. This solves a common problem with conventional planar magnetic arrays where reflected signals enter the ear canal with different time delays, deteriorating 3D sound imaging.
The use of dual-coil arrays not only produces a balanced frequency response across the entire range but also allows for better frequency alignment in different areas of the ear, improving acoustic perception in the upper frequency range.
- SWITCHBACK COIL
The switchback coil is more efficient at reproducing lower frequencies and is located in the upper part of the driver. - SPIRAL COIL
The spiral coil is more efficient at reproducing mid to high frequencies and is positioned directly over the ear canal, allowing sound waves to enter the ear directly without time delay.
REVOLUTIONARY EARPAD TECHNOLOGY
An innovative design feature developed by Rinaro is the Isomagnetic® ear pad attachment, which utilizes the demagnetizing field generated by the driver to hold the ear pad in place while redirecting the magnetic field back into the driver and improving driver efficiency.
- 95% Magnetic Field Shielding
- Ferromagnetic ear pads reduce the stray magnetic field generated by the listener's head by 95%.
- Invisible Locking System
- Innovative use of the drivers' magnetic field to hold the ear pads in place.
- 12% Increase in Driver Performance
- Patented ferromagnetic plates redirect the magnetic field back into the driver, increasing performance by 1 dB or 12%.
TWO EARPAD TYPES
The Meze Elite comes with two uniquely shaped ear pads developed by Rinaro to allow for personal calibration of the sound signature.
- ALCANTARA®
This is the familiar 30mm deep Alcantara® ear pad originally developed for the Empyrean in 2018. - HYBRID (Perforated Alcantara® Interior + Genuine Leather Exterior)
The HYBRID ear pads, with a soft yet durable exterior coating, are a new addition to the Meze ear pad family, perfectly balancing the properties of Alcantara® and leather in a single design. In addition to high wearing comfort, this unique combination lowers bass pressure and delivers an airier sound signature where sound waves seem to transcend the space around you.
Technical data
| Model | Meze Elite |
| OVERVIEW | |
| Driver Type | Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array® |
| Operating Principle | Open |
| Ear Coupling | Circumaural |
| Frequency Response | 3Hz - 112kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω |
| Nominal SPL | 101 dB (1 mW / 1 kHz) |
| Maximum SPL | > 130 dB |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) | <0.05% |
| Weight | ~430 g |
| MZ3 DRIVER SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Geometrical Shape | Ovoid |
| Driver Weight | 75 g |
| Driver Size | 102 mm x 73 mm |
| Casing | Fibreglass reinforced polymer |
| Diaphragm Type | Rinaro Parus® [MZ3SE] |
| Active Area | 4650 mm2 |
| Diaphragm Weight | 0.11 g |
| Acoustic Mass | 7.5 kg/m4 |
| Lower Frequency Limit | 3 Hz |
| Upper-Frequency Limit | 112,000 Hz |
