Elite, the epitome in the world of headphones?

PROS: Epitome of boutique build quality and industrial design, highly attractive Tungsten finish, extremely comfortable ear pads and headband design, ideal clamp force, fuller, musical and engaging signature, airy treble tuning, one of the best technical performances in the world of headphones, very good instrument realism, detail retrieval, L-R separation and layering.

CONS: Mid-bass and fuller lower-midrange boost can make things sound bloomy, slightly recessed upper-midrange.

The product was provided to me free of charge for the review purpose in exchange for my honest opinion.

Manufacturer’s website –Meze Elite Tungsten. Available for sale directly or from authorized retailers like Bloom Audio and MusicTeck.

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About Meze Audio.

Meze Audio started with Antonio, their founder, searching for a pair of headphones that he could relate to, in the same way he felt connected to his Fender Stratocaster guitar – an object to pour his passion for music in. An object full of personality and life, which also incorporates the attributes of high-end technology. Meze Audio was founded in 2011 in Baia Mare, Romania. They started small, acquiring knowledge by experimenting with parts already on the market, searching and researching for the right materials and engineering solutions in the quest for the perfect sound and feel. Their breakthrough year was 2015, when, after many years of development, they launched the 99 Classics, which won them awards and nominations that were beyond their expectations. Today all Meze’s models – headphones and earphones, are developed in-house from the ground up, in the spirit of their original ‘no-compromise’ vision.

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Build Ideology Behind Elite Tungsten. 

Meze Audio say that their core belief is to create products that last through years of industry changes, bringing long-lasting value to the customer. In their opinion, from looks to technology, this headphone was designed to surpass all short-living trends and become a true heirloom.

Choosing Tungsten and coating with Cerakote.

The materials were chosen not just for the exciting sensory experience their raw texture provides, but also for comfort and durability. Naturally found on various mineral deposits, tungsten ore is one of the toughest metals on earth when processed. The colour Meze chose for this headphone is similar to what tungsten looks in its final form, and they chose it as a visual metaphor for their commitment to making things that are reliable – things that last well through the years. They achieved this stone-like texture by coating each piece of the frame with Cerakote™, one of the best types of finishes out there in their opinion. Traditionally used for the automotive, aerospace, defence, and healthcare industries, Cerakote™ coatings are renowned for their high resistance, unmatched hardness and outstanding UV resistance. The unique structure of Cerakote™ not only offers a beautiful finish and a significant increase in durability, but does so without adding any unnecessary weight to the headphone chassis.

Continued Collaboration with Rinaro Isodynamics.

Rinaro originated in the USSR (today’s Ukraine) during the Cold War as part of a state-funded acoustic technology research program. With government backing and access to advanced testing facilities, the team was able to focus all of its efforts on planar magnetics – a field they have continued to innovate in for the last 30 years, since the collapse of the USSR. In the last decade, Rinaro have expanded their capabilities and capacity with the development of state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing facilities in Ukraine and Poland. The new facilities have been a driving force in the creation of the revolutionary Isodynamic Hybrid Array technology found in Meze Empyrean and Elite.

Headband design with Patent Pending Pressure Distributing Wings.

A carbon fibre headband with a real leather headrest were added to the frame, for an ultra-light feel and maximum durability. The patent-pending suspension wings support system is elongated and curved at both ends, descending further on the side of the head and distributing the weight of the headphone evenly, for the utmost comfortable listening experience.

Building the Elite Tungsten.

Meze Audio say that the process of making a single skeleton takes about 20 hours. To that, they add the time it takes to hand-paint each piece of the frame, along with the time spent inspecting each part of the headphone, assembling the parts and making sure the final product rises up to their high standards. This can’t be achieved through mass-production and that means delivery times can be longer, but they guarantee that it’s worth it.

ELITE is hand assembled with care and painstaking attention to detail in Baia Mare, Romania.

Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array Driver.