Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim

Last night I uploaded the Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim video and today let's list what I found so endearing about this IEM.



This IEM was definitely worth the heat I got from my Loving and somewhat understanding wife.

I bought my unit from HiFiGo without prior approval. As they say better to beg forgivness than ask permission!

The hype was real.

If this is a taste of Elysian Acoustical Labs House Sound then count me a FANBOY.

So much to love but also a few things to keep in mind.

Cable is proprietary Pentaconn Ear terminations, While I love it personally it makes cable swapping hard unless your willing to buy a few more with these ends.

Thoose who have shared impressions stating poor bass response and thin mids and peaky treble probably have poor fitment with the shorter nozzles and should look to doing the simple O ring mod the help extend the length of your favorite eartips to get a good seal and insertion depth.

This is of paramount importance and cant be stated with enough importance. doing the eartip mod might sculpt your overall experience with the Pilgrim
from a mundane one to a exceptional Symphony.

Introduction:​

Elysian Acoustic Labs is no stranger to the world of high-end in-ear monitors and most if not all of their IEMs hold their own against the best IEMs available today. Diva 2023 and Gaea are IEMs that I enjoyed quite a bit and they both sit comfortably within the top 5 IEMs that I’ve heard to date.

When the Pilgrim was announced, I was first intrigued by the name – my mind immediately conjured up an image of the black and white attired folk from England that sailed a wooden ship across the Atlantic in the 17th century to settle in Massachusetts. I didn’t think much more of it at the time because knowing that it was an Elysian IEM, I assumed it would be unobtainium.

A couple weeks passed and I saw a reference to the actual price being $399, roughly 1/4 the price of the next cheapest Elysian and my interest level shot straight up! Could this be the Elysian IEM for the masses? Elysian certainly things so – as you unbox the Pilgrim, two phrases are highlighted, “The First Path,” and “Make No Compromises.”

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Where to Buy:​

The Elysian Pilgrim will be available to purchase on 5/7 from Hifigo:
Hifigo

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PROS:​

• Vocals (both male and female but especially female) are sublime
• Good fit/ergonomics
• Very wide stage and good L/R imaging
• When it hits, bass texture and quality is top tier.

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CONS:​

• Lack of soundstage depth
• Can sometimes sound congested due to lack of depth to the soundstage
• Bass isn’t always there when I want it
• Pentaconn connector on the IEMs is rare and may require buying custom cables and connectors, some of which can be very expensive.

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Build, Fit, Accessories:​

What’s in the box: The Elysian Pilgrim comes in modest sized box but the presentation is pretty nice.

• a nice faux leather case
• IEM cleaning kit
• Microfiber cloth + warranty card
• Pentaconn cable
• 3 pack of Spinfit eartips, S, M, L (I believe these are the CP100)

Build and fit: The build quality of the Elysian Pilgrim is very solid with shells are made of stainless steel with a high polish spiral design for the faceplate for contrast against a matte background. Nozzle size is pretty par for the course for IEMs, which is to say they aren’t especially large. The shells themselves are medium sized and should fit most people comfortably. This is a relief because the two other IEMs I have heard from Elysian Audio have been quite large!
The cable is okay – it has a semi-sticky/rubbery feel to it but isn’t memory prone. It’s not bad but it’s also nothing to write home about. If you do want to change it out for something else, keep in mind, the IEM uses a rarer Pentaconn connector so you’ll either have to go with something custom from one of the more well known cable stores on AliExpress (like Xinhs, Hakugei, or iVipq, etc), buy an expensive Effect Audio cable, or use adapters if you want to use your existing 2-pin or MMCX cables.

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Bass:​

The quality of the Pilgrim’s bass is nothing short of excellent. When it hits, it hits hard. As one might expect from a DD, it pushes quite a bit of air and there is a very physical aspect to the bass response. There is a good amount of decay but not enough to detract from bass resolution or from the tactility and I would consider the quality of the bass on this set to be among the top 5.
The bass is capable of rumbling very, very hard. For example, on Deja Vu by Tomorrow X Together, the subbass dominant bass line made me feel like there was an earthquake going on in my head and had to I had to stop and compare this against a few IEMs I had on hand, all of which are known for bass quality – the 64Audio U12T, 64Audio Trio, ThieAudio Hype4, and Elysian Diva. Surprisingly the Pilgrim actually had the most visceral sound of the group.
Going into the midbass, the same physical qualities carry over and it can be pretty punchy when called for.
This is all to say that the quality of the dynamic driver on the Pilgrim is likely among the best I’ve had the pleasure of hearing. However, as much as the driver is capable, it’s not all peaches and cream. On certain songs, the bass hits I’m expecting and that I know the Pilgrim should be capable of delivering just don’t come. And I think this might be due to the tuning of the bass shelf, which does dip down a bit early, possibly as a conscious decision to prevent bleed into the mids or as a blind choice to follow the frequency response of the Diva more closely. I was close to assigning the Pilgrim a 9 or 10 for bass but have to dock a couple points.
8/10

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Mids:​

The mid range is very clean. There is absolutely no bleed from the bass which keeps anything from sounding muddy. Voices and instruments throughout the range sound crystal clear and are nicely textured. This is in line with what I experienced with the Diva and the Gaea, at least in terms of tuning. This is not what one would call a completely natural or neutral sound, however. There is a bit of brightness and coloration here but it’s tastefully done and doesn’t detract from timbre, which is fantastic. Good amount of texture
The star of the show here, like the Diva, is the vocals. Vocals on the Pilgrim are fantastic. The are nicely emphasized and very clear. And while both male and female vocals are great, female vocals are among the best I’ve heard in an IEM.
8/10

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Treble:​

Treble on the Pilgrim is good. Decent extension with tasteful elevation and no harsh peaks to my ears. That said, it is a brighter IEM and those that prefer a darker sound will probably want to demo this before buying to see if this is something they like. The treble adds a good amount of air that is reminiscent of what I’ve heard in other Elysian IEMs and it does so in a way that might actually be more palatable for the masses – the Gaea, for example, was too bright and harsh sounding for a good amount of people, but the Pilgrim is quite a bit more contained in this regard.
7/10

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Technicalities:​

Resolution – Above average in the mid-fi category. I don’t find myself missing details as much as details can sometimes feel “lost” in the commotion due to the lack of depth to the stage.
Soundstage – Stage is very wide for an IEM and extends out of the head. But it lacks in depth.
Imaging and Separation – Imaging is mostly left right, which it does quite nicely. But there is a lack of depth which can make it sound a bit congested at times.
Dynamics – Decent dynamics but don’t come into this expecting a dynamics monster like the rest of the Elysian lineup.
Transients – Decent but not standout. Another thing that the Pilgrim falls short of compared to its siblings. I do wish some of this trickled down from the more expensive models in the Elysian line up because this would probably help with the congestion.
6/10

• ThieAudio Hype4
  • Priced exactly the same, the Hype4 is a much more "traditionally" balanced sounding IEM, following the the neutral with bass boost tuning philosophy that has been widely utilized over the past couple years. The Hype4 sounds less "colored" than the Pilgrim with a bit of a warmer sound signature. Where the Pilgrim is a very clean sounding IEM, the Hype4 has a bit more heft to the sound, owing, possibly, to a bass shelf that extends further into the midbass region.
  • That said, while the Hype4's bass drivers (double DD) are no slouch, the Pilgrim still hits a bit harder and viscerally. The Pilgrim sounds more clean but both resolution on both are on par with each other. Hype4 has a deeper sound stage but Pilgrim edges it out in terms of width. Both could be good complements to each other given there isn't much overlap in tuning.
• Elysian Acoustic Labs Diva 2023
  • The graphs aligning so closely practically invites this comparison - it was inevitable. This is the Elysian IEM that the Pilgrim's frequency response most closely matches. But how do they compare? Well, the Diva is well known to have some of the best vocals of any IEM. And to this regard, the Pilgrim does retain this characteristic. They also do share a similar clarity through the mids.
  • However, what really made the Diva special is that it did this while also having some of the best technicalities, dynamics, and engagement factor that is characteristic of most of the Elysian lineup. The Pilgrim, unfortunately (but also as expected for the price difference) loses this quality. Transients on the Pilgrim are much less apparent and separation is a couple steps down from the Diva. It's not as resolving and the stage is almost two dimensional, compared to the stage that feels like it surrounds your head on the Diva.
  • The Diva is a 6 BA IEM and does not have a DD for bass. Despite this it sometimes can feel like a DD with the physicality that it displays - with the Diva, you get the speed and resolution of a BA driver but also the tactile punch of a DD driver. The DD on the Pilgrim is notably slower which means it loses a bit of resolution in the bass, but it does slam and rumble harder in the sub-bass regions.
  • This comparison is not fair, however, given that the Diva costs four times as much. Retaining the vocal qualities and tuning characteristics is already a great feat. The Pilgrim is reminiscent of the Diva and if you like one, you will likely appreciate the other.

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Conclusion:​

Elysian marketed the Pilgrim as the Elysian house sound for the masses and I would agree with this to a certain extent. While most brands don’t necessarily have a house sound, Elysian definitely does – all of their IEMs generally are what one might consider bright and energetic with a very strong low end and industry leading dynamics. The one thing one can be sure of with Elysian is that any of their IEMs will be very exciting to listen to and the Pilgrim mostly captures this essence.
The overall tuning and tonality is spot on with the Elysian house sound, leaning brighter with very clean mids and strong bass. The closest analogue would be the Diva, which I have been fortunate enough to have on loan to compare (shoutout to a Adri-N)! And their frequency response graphs will confirm this.


However, I did say it “mostly” captures the essence of Elysian. And one thing that has been consistent with all Elysian IEMs I have heard in the past is fantastic resolution and dynamics. The Pilgrim, unfortunately, doesn’t quite live up to its older siblings. It doesn’t have the “wow” factor when it comes to technicalities that has been present in all Elysian IEMs to date. This isn’t to say that the Pilgrim is bad – on its own, the Pilgrim is a very solid IEM, but being the youngest sibling of the Elysian family, expectations were high even if they weren’t exactly fair.

The Pilgrim comes in at 1/4 the price of the next cheapest Elysian IEM. And if you separate it from its lineage, it is a very, very solid pick in the price range. While you won’t get most of what makes the Elysian IEMs special (at least for me), the Pilgrim is a capable IEM on its own with excellent vocals and instrument timbre, and quite frankly, some of the best quality bass you can find when it hits. For these two characteristics alone, the Pilgrim, is my opinion, is an excellent value proposition. While it doesn’t exactly give you the full Elysian experience as promised, it is a fantastic IEM in and of itself. It is an IEM, that currently, has me constantly grabbing to enjoy music and that’s what matters most!

Note: I do know that there is a followup release to the Pilgrim that is coming soon in collaboration with Effect Audio, the Pilgrim:Noir. This new version supposedly has upgraded internal wiring, one additional crossover, an upgraded cable (made by Effect Audio) and a tuning change that supposedly addresses some of the issues I’ve listed above. However, the Noir version will be coming in at $799, which is a completely different price category, and because of this, I don’t think there is any reason to consider one over the other.

Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim :: 1DD + 3BA :: $399

The 'Pilgrim' is the first entry-level model from Elysian Acoustic Labs.
Unlike the more pricey models including Annihilator and Diva, the Pilgrim was launched at a relatively affordable price of $399.

They say they've tried to keep the 'Elysian House Sound', but with a more approachable tone. Let's see how it turns out.

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Huge thanks to HiFiGo for providing a sample unit for this review.
However, this review fully reflects the my honest opinion without anyone else's interference.

Btw, are you more familiar with Korean?
So am I, and If that's the case, I think you'd be better off reading my review written in Korean here.

This entire review was translated from Korean article using DeepL Translator with some refinement by myself.

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Like every other Elysian products, the unboxing experience is simply top notch.

It's quite difficult to get things out, though.
You should be especially careful when taking out units.



It's an entry-level model, but it packs a lot of accessories.

- 'Pilgrim' unit
- Silver-plated copper cable ('Pentacon Ear' - to - 3.5mm / 4.4mm)
- 3 pairs of Spinfit CP100 (S, M, L)
- White leather case
- Cleaning tool
- Cleaning cloth
- Warranty card and manual




Silver-plated copper cable is bundled with the Pilgrim.

As with previous Elysian products, it features 'Pentacon Ear' connectors.
These are easy to remove and attach, and Lee himself told us that these are way more durable than conventional type connectors.

You can choose either 3.5mm or 4.4mm connector at the point of purchase, depending on your preference.

The overall finish is quite good, and I liked the fact that it has the flexible, yet light-weight wire, making them comfortable to wear.



They're bundling the 'SpinFit CP100' eartips, which have long been renowned for their premium quality.
These eartips feature a 'constriction curve' that helps them better fit to the shape of your ear canal, so you can expect a slightly better isolation.

It's a bit bummer that they're only available in three sizes.
However, if you're looking for a pair of earbuds at this price point, I believe you already have a good set of eartips.




The hard case is made of pure white leather and does a great job of keeping the Pilgrim safe.
The overall build quality is quite good, including the stitching, and the silver Elysian logo on the top.

The inside is very spacious, and lined with soft suede to prevent scratches.
There's also a mesh pocket for storing spare eartips or cleaning tools.




The Elysian Pilgrim has a unit design that is machined from 304 stainless steel.
It is a material that is often used to make kitchen utensils and medical tools, as it is highly durable and resistant to corrosion.

It has a distinctive faceplate design said to be inspired by the contour maps looking down on a mountain.
Circular lines with a mirror finish contrast with the matte unit to give a touch of cold metal.




At the top of the hill, surrounded by a silvery contour, you'll find the Elysian logo with several air holes around to control airflow.
You'll also notice the 'pentacon ear' connectors, which are characterized by their pointy spikes.

The inside of the unit has icons indicating left or right channel and a serial number.

If you look inside the nozzle covered by a dense mesh, you'll see that the bore is divided into three branches, each leading to a custom LSR dynamic driver for bass, a Sonion 2300 BA for midrange, and a Sonion E50 dual BA for treble.

At their widest point, the nozzles are about 6mm thick.
While the nozzles are on the thicker side, they're not out-of-the-ordinary thick, so they shouldn't be a problem with most eartips you have.

The unit isn't that large and the nozzle is moderately thick, so the fit is very good and comfortable.

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Elysian Pilgrim has a 1DD+3BA configuration.

A new custom 9.2 mm dynamic driver with a Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) diaphragm handles the bass,
Sonion 2300 balanced armature for the midrange, and Sonion E50 dual balanced armature for the treble.

These drivers were hand-selected to be within ±1dB of each other and placed in a 3D-printed internal structure to achieve the best possible combination, according to the company.

Measured with IEC 60318-4 (711) while maintaining 94dB@500hz.
The sample used for the measurement does not represent the characteristics of the entire product.

Following Measurements are available at dchpgall.squig.link



This measurement certainly proves that their 'Hand-matched driver' claim is more than just words.

Channel difference between these units are very impressive, and it contributes to the clean, accurate sound imaging positioned slightly behind my head.

Overall, the Pilgrim has a U-shaped sound signature, a tonal balance that's almost flawless.

The bass from the 9.2mm LSR driver has a very similar characteristics to the Harman target.
With a clean bass that feels solid and punchy, making the overall sound very enjoyable. I felt that they were very well tuned so as not to detract from the crisp, bright sound of Pilgrim.

It's really important to find an eartip that perfectly seal your ears to ensure right amount of bass.


Still, for Pilgrim, the most appealing aspect is the mid / high range, which are achieved with 3 Sonion BAs.

In addition to the aforementioned excellent driver pair matching, the great treble extension that stretches all the way to the top end gave the Pilgrim a slightly unique sense of space. With the crisp vocals positioned center of the stage, there's a sense of depth to the sound, with notes coming from slightly back of my head and building up to the front.

I'm not saying that this unit has an insanely spacious soundstage, but rather that the overall sound is well detailed and feels like it's layered from the back to the front.

As a result, the Pilgrim's highs are a bit bright and sharp, thanks to its super-tweeter. I can see how this might sound a bit harsh on some tracks with a lot of sibilance, but it was not an issue with most of the songs I listened to.



So far, we've taken look at Pilgrim, the new entry model from Elysian Acoustic Labs.

Having previously produced small quantities of their higher-priced line of earphones, Elysian says that they designed the Pilgrim to allow more people to experience the "Elysian House Sound" and get them interested in the higher end of their lineup.

To do this, they say they strived to create an easily enjoyable, addictive sound while maintaining Elysian's signature sound, and I think it's safe to say that they succeeded.

I've heard that the Pilgrim was greatly praised by enthusiasts as 'Baby Annihilator' at CANJAM NY.

I think it has a slightly different sound than the Annihilator, but considering the symbolism of the Annihilator model for Elysian, the Pilgrim certainly sounds like it deserves the title of 'Baby Annihilator'.

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Non-Affiliated Links (if you're interested)

https://hifigo.com/products/elysian-acoustic-labs-pilgrim
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256806735808497.html