With ELITE, we have created something that transcends all barriers of headphone design and engineering and moves to a new artistic level. Following in the footsteps of a successful partnership, together with Rinaro Isodynamics we have managed to once again exceed our expectations and create something for the ages to come. It is not mass production; it is the craftsmanship that ignites the magic and wonder of ELITE, what makes it exciting, and these are the values we choose without cutting corners.
Antonio Meze,
Lead designer and founder of Meze Audio
MEZE X RINARO
Meze Audio and Rinaro Isodynamics continue their collaboration with the release of the new ELITE Isodynamic Hybrid Array headphones. Combining Meze Audio’s exceptional design and ergonomics with Rinaro’s distinctive technology and acoustic engineering, the ELITE is here to set a new standard in high-end headphone performance.
Half Audio
Over the past 10 years, Meze Audio has developed headphones and earphones renowned for their timeless design, pure comfort and immersive, vivid sound. From appearance to technology, Meze Audio products are designed to transcend all short-lived trends and become relics, rather than simple headphones. Today, founder Antonio Meze and his team of experts design and develop their products in Baia Mare, Romania, in the spirit of their original “no compromise” vision.
Rinaro Isodynamics
Rinaro was born in the USSR (now Ukraine) during the Cold War as part of a state-funded research program in acoustic technology. With government support and access to advanced testing facilities, the team was able to focus all of their efforts on planar magnetism, a field they have continued to innovate in for the past 30 years since the collapse of the USSR. Over the past decade, Rinaro has expanded their capabilities with the development of state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing facilities in Ukraine and Poland. The new facilities were a driving force in the creation of the revolutionary Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology found in the Meze Empyrean and ELITE headphones.
THE PROGRESSION OF THE RINARO ISODYNAMIC HYBRID TOP DRIVER
Featuring a newly developed custom driver created by Rinaro Isodynamics, ELITE is the result of 3 years of research and development through which we sought to create a powerful, realistic and immersive experience that awakens the listener's senses.
ULTRA LOW DISTORTION
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) measures below 0.05% across the entire frequency range.
LIGHT
Combined driver weight of 75g designed to create a headphone that offers extended listening sessions.
ULTRA HIGH RESOLUTION AUDIO
The upper frequency limit of audio reproduction
is 112,000 Hz.
RINARO PARUS® DIA PHRAGM
An innovative low-mass acoustic diaphragm constructed on a
biaxially oriented ultrathin semicrystalline film.
EASY TO FLY
101dB@1mw/1kHz; 32Ω Can be driven by almost any source without the need for amplification.
PATENTED ISODYNAMIC HYBRID ARRAY TECHNOLOGY
One of the most sophisticated and advanced planar magnetic technologies in the world.
ISODYNAMIC HYBRID ARRAY DRIVER ARCHITECTURE
T The MZ3SE driver builds on the pioneering technology of the flagship MZ3 driver found in the Empyrean headphones. Innovative Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology delivers more selective acoustic performance to different areas within the ear structure. Advances in diaphragm materials have opened the door to even higher resolution and accuracy of sound reproduction, setting a new benchmark in headphone design.
The new ELITE headphone driver features Rinaro Parus®, an innovative low-mass acoustic diaphragm constructed from an ultra-thin, biaxially oriented semi-crystalline polymer film.
This, combined with Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver technology, allows sound waves to be directed more precisely around the shape of the ear producing natural sound clarity and a wide, complex soundstage.
The polymer is produced using a custom-designed sequential biaxial stretching technology, a process that involves stretching the polymer in transverse directions at elevated temperatures to improve structural performance. This results in a complex semi-crystalline microstructure developing in the material, which exhibits remarkable strength, stiffness and stability, combined with extremely low acoustic mass.
ADVANTAGES OF THE DUAL DRIVEN SYSTEM
Conventional planar magnetic technology reflects signals entering the ear canal with varying time delays, which affects the headphones' 3D sound image.
By using different voice coil configurations, the hybrid array results in improved distribution of sound intensity across the sound wave front when directed at the pinna and ear canal, even at high frequencies.
The use of dual coil arrays not only creates a balanced frequency response across the entire range, but also allows for better frequency targeting within 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 positioned at the top of the driver.
SPIRAL COIL
The spiral coil is more efficient at reproducing mid-high frequencies and is positioned directly above the ear canal, allowing more direct sound waves to enter the ear without delay .
DUAL DRIVE EFFICIENCY AT HIGHER FREQUENCIES
At frequencies above 10kHz, where the sound wavelength is shorter than the internal cavity of the cushion, the sound field spreads with a quantity of direct and reflected sound waves inside the ear canal.
A significant increase in direct sound waves can be achieved by placing the most efficient part of the diaphragm in the mid-high frequencies directly above the ear canal, resulting in improved 3D imaging and spatial localization.
ISOMAGNETIC BEARING AND EARPHONE COUPLING TECHNOLOGY
An innovative design feature developed by Rinaro is the Isomagnetic® earcup attachment, which uses the demagnetizing field generated by the driver to hold the pad in place, while also redirecting the magnetic field into the driver, improving its efficiency.
CALIBRATE YOUR SOUND
The Meze ELITE headphones feature two uniquely shaped earcups developed by Rinaro, allowing for personal calibration of the sound signature.
PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION FIN SYSTEM PATENT PENDING
The patent-pending suspended fin support system is elongated and curved at both ends, dropping further down the side of the head and evenly distributing the weight of the headphone, for an extremely comfortable listening experience.
