A collaboration between Meze & Rinaro
Meze Audio and Rinaro Isodynamics continue their collaboration for the new ELITE headphones with Isodynamic Hybrid Array architecture. Combining Meze Audio's exceptional mechanical design and ergonomics with Rinaro's technology and acoustic engineering, the ELITE headphones set a new standard for performance in high-end headphones.
Meze Audio
For 10 years, Meze Audio has been developing audiophile headphones and earphones known for their timeless design, comfort and sound quality. From appearance to technology, Meze Audio products are designed to combine exceptional performance with beautiful aesthetics. Today, founder Antonio Meze and his skilled team design and develop their products in Baia Mare, Romania, in the spirit of their original "no compromise" vision.
Rinaro Isodynamics
Rinaro began in the USSR (now Ukraine) during the Cold War as part of a research program on acoustic technology. With government support and access to advanced test facilities, the team was able to focus all its efforts on the Planar Magnetic system. An area in which it has continued to innovate over the past 30 years, since the collapse of the USSR. Over the past decade, Rinaro has expanded its capabilities and expertise by developing R&D and point manufacturing facilities in Ukraine and Poland. These new facilities have been a driving force in the creation of the revolutionary Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology found in Meze Empyrean and ELITE headphones.
An exceptional design
One of Meze Audio's core beliefs is to create products that endure through the years and changes in the industry, bringing lasting value to the customer. The ELITE headphones fit perfectly into this philosophy. From its appearance to its technology, these headphones were designed to outlast all passing trends and become a true collector's item.
It features a beautiful, intricate geometric grid, accentuated by the silver finish of the CNC machined aluminum frame.
The materials were chosen not only for their exceptional quality, but also for their comfort and durability.
Perfect mass distribution
The patent-pending support and surround system uses an elongated, curved headband at both ends, extending down the side of the head and distributing the weight of the headphones evenly for the most comfortable listening experience.
Hand-assembled
Creating an exceptional headphone takes time and patience, involving artisanal design steps. The process of making a single aluminum frame takes about 20 hours. Then there are days of inspecting each part of the headphone, assembling the parts, and checking the final product to make sure it meets established standards. The ELITE headphone is meticulously assembled by hand in Baia Mare, Romania.
Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Driver®
With a new custom driver created by Rinaro Isodynamics, the ELITE headphones are the result of 3 years of research and development during which the brand has strived to create an exceptional powerful, realistic and immersive listening experience.
Ultra low distortion :
The harmonic distortion (THD) is measured at a level below 0.05% over the entire frequency range.
Lightweight :
The weight of the speakers of only 75g makes it possible to offer an extremely light headphone allowing long listening sessions.
Ultra high audio resolution :
The ELITE has a wide frequency response range, capable of reproducing signals from 3Hz to 112000Hz.
Rinaro Parus® diaphragm:
The innovative ELITE diaphragm has a very low mass and is built on an ultra-thin, biaxially oriented semi-crystalline film.
Easy to drive :
The headphones can be easily powered by almost any source, without the need for amplification, thanks to an impedance of only 32Ω and a sensitivity of 101dB @ 1mW/1kHz.
Patented Isodynamic Hybrid Array Technology:
One of the most sophisticated and advanced Planar Magnetic technologies in the world.
Architecture of an Isodynamic Hybrid Array® speaker
The MZ3SE speaker builds on the pioneering technology of the flagship MZ3 speaker in Empyrean headphones. This innovative Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology provides more selective acoustic performance across the different zones of the ear. Advances in diaphragm materials have paved the way for even higher resolution and accuracy of sound reproduction, setting a new benchmark in headphone design.
1. Casing :
Reinforced polymer structure designed to withstand the demanding 12.7N load generated by the hybrid magnet array.
2. Rinaro Parus® diaphragm :
A weight of only 0.11g and a large active surface of 4650mm².
3. Hybrid magnet array:
Symetriccaly placed on either side 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 over the entire diaphragm surface.
Rinaro Parus® : A new low mass material
The new ELITE headphone driver features Rinaro Parus®, an innovative low-mass acoustic diaphragm built on an ultra-thin, biaxially oriented semi-crystalline polymer film. Combined with state-of-the-art Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver technology, it allows sound waves to be targeted more precisely to the shape of the ear, producing natural sound transparency and a perfectly articulated wide soundstage.
Advantages of the dual coil system
The use of different coil configurations in the hybrid isodynamic array improves the distribution of high-frequency sound intensity as it is directed into the pinna and ear canal. This solves a common problem with conventional Planar Magnetic systems, namely that reflected signals enter the ear canal with different delays, which worsens the focusing of the 3D sound image.
The use of dual coil arrays not only creates a balanced frequency response across the entire range, but also allows for better targeting of frequencies to different areas of the ear, improving acoustic perception in the higher frequency range.
Switchback coil:
The switchback coil is more efficient at reproducing low frequencies and is positioned in the upper part of the speaker.
Spiral coil :
The spiral coil is more efficient in reproducing the midrange and high frequencies. It is positioned directly above the ear canal, which allows the more direct sound waves to enter the ear without any delay.
Revolutionary earpad technology
An innovative design feature developed by Rinaro is the Isomagnetic® pad attachment, which uses the demagnetizing field generated by the speaker to hold the pad in place while redirecting the magnetic field to the speaker and improving its efficiency.
95% Magnetic field shielding
Ferromagnetic earpieces reduce the stray magnetic field affecting the listener's head by 95%.
Invisible locking system
Innovative use of the speakers' magnetic field to hold the pads in place.
12% Increase in driver power
The patented ferromagnetic plates channel the magnetic field to the speaker, increasing efficiency by 1dB or 12%.
Calibrate your sound
The Meze ELITE headphones come with two pairs of uniquely designed earpads developed by Rinaro to allow for personal calibration of the sound signature.
01. ALCANTARA®
This is the excellent 30mm deep Alcantara® cushion, originally designed for the Empyrean headphone.
02. HYBRID (Perforated Alcantara® interior + Leather exterior)
With a soft yet durable exterior finish, HYBRID pads are a new addition to the brand's designs, perfectly balancing the qualities of Alcantara® and leather in one design. In addition to the comfort offered, this unique combination reduces bass pressure and offers an airy sound signature, in which sound waves seem to pass through the space around you to create an immersive experience.
Designed to last
Designed to last for many years, the ELITE headphone is also fully repairable: the ear cushions are simply replaceable and every part of the headphone frame can be easily removed and repaired.
Accessories
- Case: Aluminium protection and transport case with foam inserts
- Two sets of earpads, one in Alcantara®.
- 2.5m OFC copper cable, mini XLR 4 pins to 6.35mm jack
Technical characteristics
| Specifications |
|---|
| Product type |
Headphone |
| Driver type |
Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array® |
| Operating principle |
Open |
| Ear coupling |
Circumaural |
| Frequency response |
3Hz-112kHz |
| Impedance |
32Ω |
| Nominal SPL Nominal |
101dB (1mW / 1kHz) |
| Maximum SPL |
> 130dB |
| THD |
< 0.05% |
| Weight |
430g |
| MZ3 Speaker drivers characteristics |
|---|
| Geometrical shape |
Ovoid |
| Size |
102 x 73mm |
| Driver weight |
75g |
| Casin |
Fibreglass reinforced polymer |
| Diaphragm type |
Rinaro Parus® [MZ3SE] |
| Active area |
4650mm² |
| Diaphragm weight |
0.11g |
| Acoustic mass |
7.5kg/m4 |
