Meze Audio ELITE Headphone (Tungsten) — Wired, Isodynamic Hybrid, Open‑Back

Elevate every listen into a moment. With ELITE, Meze Audio fuses artisan metalwork, carbon‑fiber comfort, and Rinaro’s breakthrough Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver to deliver a spacious, lifelike presentation that feels effortless, detailed, and deeply musical—hour after hour.

The Tungsten finish adds a modern, graphite‑dark elegance to Meze’s flagship, paired with newly refined earpads and a redesigned travel case. It’s the rare flagship that sounds grand and natural yet remains inviting and fatigue‑free, turning critical sessions and late‑night albums into pure immersion.

Why Audiophiles Choose This Product

• The sound
  • Natural, spacious, and refined—ELITE is celebrated for its full‑bodied, non‑fatiguing tonal balance with excellent imaging and soundstage. Pad rolling (included Hybrid and Angled Alcantara) lets you tailor the presentation from airier/leaner to weightier/livelier without losing resolution. Professional reviewers consistently note its “among the best you can buy” performance with two distinct yet musically coherent pad profiles.
• The engineering
  • Powered by Rinaro’s MZ3SE Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver using the ultra‑low‑mass Parus diaphragm, ELITE targets bass and treble with separate voice‑coil geometries for clarity and precise spatial cues. Distortion is specified under 0.05% across the band, with 32 Ω impedance and 101 dB/1 mW sensitivity for easy drivability.
• The practicality
  • Designed for long listening: a carbon‑fiber suspension headband with “pressure‑distribution wings,” plush pads, and an ovoid ear‑cup shape that follows the ear’s anatomy. Isomagnetic pad coupling makes swaps instant and secure. The Tungsten variant weighs 433 g, balancing luxurious build with day‑long comfort.
• The compatibility
  • Fully wired and versatile: dual 4‑pin mini‑XLR ear‑cup connectors feed your choice of premium PCUHD cable terminations (6.3 mm, 4‑pin XLR, 4.4 mm, 3.5 mm, and more). With its 32 Ω load and 101 dB sensitivity, ELITE plays confidently from quality desktop or portable sources and scales with higher‑end gear.
• The difference
  • Crafted in Romania, fully serviceable, and built to last. The Tungsten edition introduces a sophisticated dark metallic finish plus Meze’s updated Angled Alcantara pads and a more compact, high‑strength ABS suitcase—details that underscore both longevity and luxury.

What’s Included

• Headphones: Meze Audio ELITE Tungsten (open‑back, wired) with MZ3SE Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver (Rinaro Parus).
• Premium cable: One PCUHD premium cable in your selected termination (commonly Mini‑XLR to 6.3 mm, 2.5 m; options include 4‑pin XLR, 4.4 mm, 3.5 mm). Silver‑plated or copper PCUHD options available.
• Ear pads: Two sets—Hybrid (perforated Alcantara interior + real leather exterior) and Angled Alcantara—for user‑tunable sound and comfort.
• Case: High‑strength ABS suitcase with foam inserts and leather handle.
• Documentation: Quick start/warranty information (2‑year manufacturer warranty when purchased through authorized channels).

Technical Specifications

Specification	Value	Notes
Product Type	Wired	Dual 4‑pin mini‑XLR ear‑cup connectors to selected termination.
Driver Type	Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array (MZ3SE, Parus diaphragm)	Dual‑coil geometry targets LF/HF for clarity and imaging.
Operating Principle	Open‑back	Expansive soundstage and natural ambience.
Frequency Response	3 Hz – 112 kHz	Wide bandwidth; ultra‑low diaphragm mass.
Impedance	32 Ω	Friendly to portable and desktop sources.
Sensitivity	101 dB SPL/1 mW @ 1 kHz	Plays confidently without extreme amplification.
THD	< 0.05%	Low distortion across the range.
Input Connector	Dual 4‑pin mini‑XLR	Robust, studio‑grade connection.
Pads (included)	Hybrid + Angled Alcantara	Fast magnetic swap; two distinct tunings.
Cable options	PCUHD copper or silver‑plated; 3.5/4.4/6.3 mm, 4‑pin XLR	Choose termination at purchase.
Weight	433 g	Tungsten edition.

Professional Recognition

• Awards
  • SoundStage! Hi‑Fi: Reviewers’ Choice (2021), Product of the Year (2021), and Recommended Reference Component (Feb 1, 2022).
• Reviews
  • SoundStage! Solo (Brent Butterworth): “Indisputably among the best headphones you can buy,” with two excellent pad‑dependent voicings and easy drivability.
  • Headfonia: Praises the more balanced, faster, and cleaner presentation versus the earlier Empyrean, crediting the Parus‑based MZ3SE driver.
• Heritage and innovation
  • Driver co‑developed with Rinaro Isodynamics, leveraging a low‑mass Parus diaphragm and Isodynamic Hybrid Array topology for improved definition and spatial localization.

The Bottom Line

Meze Audio ELITE in Tungsten is a flagship that couples state‑of‑the‑art planar engineering with heirloom build and long‑session comfort. Its relaxed‑yet‑revealing voicing, pad‑tunable character, and premium cable options make it a confident endgame for listeners who value musicality as much as microdetail—and who want a reference that invites you to stay in the music.

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Notes for headphone buyers

• Connectivity: Wired only (no Bluetooth/wireless). Dual mini‑XLR ear‑cup jacks to your chosen 3.5/4.4/6.3 mm or 4‑pin XLR termination.
• Amplification: At 32 Ω/101 dB, ELITE is easy to drive from quality sources; it also scales audibly with higher‑end DAC/amps.
• Sound signature: Natural/neutral‑warm with excellent staging; Hybrid pads add punch and presence, Angled Alcantara opens the stage and cleans up bass.
• Comfort: Carbon‑fiber suspension, ovoid cups, and plush pads support extended sessions; Tungsten edition weight 433 g.

If you’re seeking a flagship that prioritizes musical connection without sacrificing technical finesse, ELITE Tungsten delivers—with the craftsmanship and serviceability to keep it performing for years to come.