Elysian Acoustics Annihilator 2023

My wallet is bleeding but my ears are singing

So after roaming around, thinking on the go i would never go beyond a certain level of audio quality, I bought on impulse the EE Annihilator 2023. Sincerely, since they seem to sell like hot cakes, i rationalized saying "well worst case scenario i'll just resell them and be done". OH. BOY. Yeah you have zero chances you will get my lovely annies out fo my ears.
First impact aside, beside the strange new connector, that seems to be a mix of the ease-of-removal of a .78 dual pinn AND the rotating mmcx (this is called a pentaconn connector), and right now the only gripe is that it's a more exotic connector so less choices in cables, but they can be found.
And what i noticed is that it's easier to maintain, clean and store, no more pulling like a madlad for the MMCX hoping for the best or being careful not to bend those itty bitty 0.78 pins.
The look of the titanium finish is wonderful, less sparkly and impactful that more exotic/fanciful IEMs, i like the looks of the cable and the IEM.
Not to mention, they are a perfect match for my RS8's titanium finish (now we gotta find out if using two pieces of the same material improve sound lol, bonus for full set?)

After all that stuff, let's go to the meat of it: CAN YOU HAVE A PORTABLE SURROGATE OF THE LCD5?
Yeah i took my sweet time from buying them to review them, because i myself wanted THAT question answered. on one hand, there are wonderful iems, like the trifecta, that give you that slam and impact making music on the go a fun experience, but always beyond was that feeling that i wished i could have more detail, more air, more of everthing (not an easy person to please i reckon).

To be totally fair and not to go back on my word i WILL test the Annihilator Vs the LCD5. Because, sincerely, at this point i have developed an insane taste for high quality music and i will not settle.
First spoiler: the same volume has been used on the LCD5 and the Anni2023. It shocked me but it goes with the fact that the anni are quite power hungry.

Let's dive in the sound!

Say My Name (feat.Zyra)(ODESZA)
Right off the bat, an electric song. The Annihilator really sings, the highs are quite extended but by some magic they avoid all the "shrill" of bright IEMs, making the highs exquisite and well extended never "piercing". But that's not enough. The female voice is very intimate, suave, a pleasure. Last of it is the basses. Why last? because i thougt of leaving this wonderful surprise for last: the bass is ALL there, never overwhelming it's just the "right blend" meaning i feel it is a little bumped from neutral, but it's that small bump that just makes the song hit just right. How does it compare to an LCD5?
The LCD5 have, of course, better separation and a more layers. Basically, you get a more detailed, separated and laser-like accuracy in the rendition. I'd go as far as saying they are THE benchmark. Compared to them, the anni surprisingly
has a more intimate feeling, narrowing the music more close to your head, and in my humble opinion increasing "impact" in both the bass and the the treble sparkle. That would translate to having a little more visceral punch in the bass region and an increase in the highs/sparkle. I think the anni's special sauce resides in this little trick of a slight bump in basses and highs to try and keep up with the HP. and since the difference with a full planar monster would be quite a high peak to reach, it seems this "trick" helps narrow the gap so much, you start wondering if these aren't quite a deal at their MSRP, since they can get you 90% of the way on a TOTL HP experience.

Back Home (Club Mix) - And One
On an club song like this the anni are so engaging, it's hard to to get sucked in the rythm. mix of bass and highs, that envelope the voice and never overshadow it show a materful tuning

What Could Have Been (Soundtrack from ARCANE)
On the LCD5 the piano and voice are addicting. On the anni 23 you feel a slight bump in the bass, that gives a pleasant feeling of enveloping the sound, as the highs gives it all the air you desire. It's of course less of everything, but the trick of the bass+treble, helps it keep up the pace with the monster. Soundstage and separation is where the real gap shows but....guys if you could have the same experience, you basically would have either a wizard making IEM or a incapable HP maker. So IF you have normal expectations, you will be pleasantly surprised that the anni can keep up with the LCD5, never surpassing them but giving you so much of their special sauce that the gap feels way less than you'd expect.


Enemy - Imagine Dragons feat J.I.D.
Again a very engaging sound on the anni, you feel th ebass impact but then the tremble "shines" away from the sound, making it so the bass and the highs don't end up obscuring eachother and instead mingling in the most pleasant way. A pleasure to listen to it with this IEM.

Symphony no.9 in D minor Op.125 "Choral"
The V shape sound "envelops" the vocals, an orchestral magic making the whole composition shine in a powerful and deep way. It might not be HP level of separation, but the enjoyment of the sound is all there. Enjoying classical music of such intensity is a rarity i think in an IEM, but the anni can achieve that too!

A word on IEM tips: I got the coreir brass and i think they are the perfect addition to the Annihilator. No contest they further push them, helping them move that smidge more toward sound heaven. I would wholeheartedly reccomend you use them to squeeze that extra sound stage and separation than drives them to higher highs. I had to put the review on halt when they reccomeded them, and i was right, i think this pushes this iem to be an an almost perfect item, V shaped boost and all. It's something that i think you can enjoy immensely, to the only downside of being that you will think "maybe i have reached the top, time to stop hurting my wallet". That might be a cons to some.

TL;DR
It's an IEM. for being an IEM it is a monster capable of being in audio heaven not making you regret you spent kilobuckS into it. It is enjoyable with any kind of music. It won't make HP obsolete or some stuff like that, it's apparent from a superficial listening and even more apparent in a more in-depth analysis. It boils down to having a surface area of a thimble vs the enormous planar transducers. So if you need portable TOTL tier sound, the anni are almost impossible not to reccomend. If you need to save up and can only go for either anni or lcd5, it's a no brainer to go lcd5. but if you like me had become addicted to high quality sound, they can help you enjoy the sound you get accustomed with high end gear, and enjoy it on the go.
9.5/10, i think the only "defect" is that they use the pentaconn conncetor that is still kinda rare. but it's also a good connctor and less scary than mmcx so it could be a positive for the future useage. Again i reccomend you use the coirer tips, to me they made a noticeable improvement.

Thanks to Sandeep & Kashyap from Audio Geek India Tour for sending me this marvelous Iem for my insights.

First Impressions : The carry case and cable the iem comes with are of very good quality as expected by this high end iem . I did not receive the whole retail packaging so cannot comment on it further but the included items were adequate and of extremely good workmanship.
Overall : 10/10

Treble : I have never ever heard a better treble presentation in my life. This is out of this world. Each and every detail is picked from the depths of the track and presented to you in a flawless fashion. It almost becomes unreal how far the treble extends it puts the rest of the products in the market to dust in this regard.
Absolutely Fabolous.
10/10

Mids : When i first got the iem the first couple of days i was just wowed by the treble which was distracting me away from the only minor fault this iem has in my opinion , an underwhelming mids presentation to me. It was so heartbreaking for me since the iem absolutely crushes every other iem in every other aspect of the sound. The music is so forward that vocals suffer and feel laid back, but don't get me wrong i am nitpicking at this point because at this price i expect nothing but flawlessness.
7/10

Bass : Oh my God were my first words. I seriously no joke laughed the entire first 5 minutes i was listening to this iem. This is a monster of bass it will absolutely terrify you with its mighty power while being so enjoyable and noise free. The best bass i have ever heard in my life surpassing every other iem i have heard by miles.
Every small ruble and beat is so visceral and enjoyable it always makes you smile. It always remains in control ready to horrify you when either the track or you call for it.
Very very pleasing experience.

10/10 if possible 100/10

Eq Capabilities : Anni can be eqed in the bass and treble region with good results unfortunately not the mids but i rarely felt the need to because the out of the box presentation is so clean and enjoyable that you wont need to.

Sound Stage : Very pleasing in this regard , I dont know why people say it has an intimate stage , i found the stage to be huge and very respectful going head to head with stage beasts like Z1r. Width is smaller than depth but still quite good. Stage height is also very nice.

Separation : Very good in this regard , every instrument has a lots of space and is presented with authority. No complaints , only joy.

Overall i am very impressed by this iem. It genuinely puts a smile on my face every time i listen to it and almost makes me burst into laughter when i want the bass to slam.
A solid 9/10 iem with 1 point off just because i did not like the mids.

Source : Mojo 2 , Nw A25 , sxfi dongle , creative x3 (AKM)

thaslaya's star rating system:
☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!
☆☆☆☆ - Recommended
☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer:
This set was provided for a trial period through the Watercooler tour. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A big thank you to the company for the provided unit and to Rockwell75 for coordinating the tours.

Gear used:
●LG v30+
●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
●Samsung dongle
●Hiby FC4
●Kiwi Ears Allegro
●Letshuoer DT03
●Dunu DTC480
●BLON V1
●iFi xDSD Gryphon

Source:
●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.



Introduction:
Elysian Acoustic Labs is a well-known, higher-end IEM manufacturer based in Singapore. Lee, the founder, is responsible for creating its house sound, which many hold in high esteem. The Annihilator 2023 is an updated version of the original 2021 model and utilizes a tribrid driver configuration consisting of one dynamic, four balanced armature, and two electrostatic drivers. It is available through Elysian's store in three faceplate options: gold-plated copper and stainless steel faceplates are $2,999, and a brushed titanium variant is $3,199. Bundles with upgraded cables are also available. The Annihilator 2023 has quite a reputation. It is regarded by many in the hobby as one of the best IEMs on the market and often ranks highly in voting polls. Let's break down this acclaimed IEM and see what it has to offer.

Build, fit, ergonomics:
Since this is a tour unit, I cannot speak to the unboxing or accessory package, as it only included the IEMs and the upgraded Effect Audio Fusion 1 cable. The Annihilator's shells are made of very clear resin and have a golden faceplate featuring Elysian's logo. They are a bit bulky and could be better contoured, but overall, the fit is comfortable for me. The metal nozzle measures 6.5 mm at the lip, and the insertion depth is about average. I really like how the internal components and all three driver types are easily visualized within the shells. Like Elysian's other IEMs, this one utilizes the Pentaconn ear connection, which makes cable swapping a bit harder as it is not as popular as other connections. There is also a vent located on the shells near the Pentaconn connection. The EA Fusion 1 cable included with this unit can be added to a bundle for an extra $700, but it retails separately for $1000. It is a two-wire cable made of UP-OCC material, gold-plated silver litz, pure silver litz, and pure copper litz hybrid. The hardware has a great aesthetic and color that matches the Annihilator's shells perfectly. The cable's weave is thick and feels good in hand, but it is a bit stiff; I would prefer it to be softer and more pliable. After extensive tip rolling, I found that the Dunu orb-like tips provide the best fit and seal for me. Utilizing a narrow-bore tip can help tame some of the Annihilator's treble, which is better suited to my preferences.

Sound impressions:
I would describe the Annihilator's overall tuning as V-shaped, with quite a boosted bass and accentuated treble. The midrange, for me, comes across as quite recessed, which, as a midrange lover, is a bit disappointing. The note weight is not bad, but it can veer toward the thin side occasionally. The Annihilator has great detail retrieval, as you'd expect for the price. The soundstage is excellent as well. It's very spacious but also sounds full and spherical. The timbre might be a touch unnatural to my ears, and it's not quite as organic as I'd like. The imaging is very accurate and the dynamics are impressive, too. The bass response remains strong regardless of the volume level, and the tuning is well-preserved. The separation is good, but it might be a little too much, as the overall sound is not as smooth and cohesive as I prefer. This set is not super difficult to drive and can reach moderate volume levels with just a simple dongle, but the Annihilator is notorious for scaling well with power. Generally, electrostatic drivers are the ones to scale best, but surprisingly, the most noticeable difference for me is how the dynamic driver's bass response improves when given ample power. On a low-power source, the bass sounds somewhat mushy and bloated, but give it some juice, and it becomes much more detailed and resolving. The Annihilator has generally impressive technicalities and an energetic and bassy tuning style that is fun and engaging.

Among the sources at my disposal, I found the best pairing to be with the iFi xDSD Gryphon, utilizing the GTO filter. This DAC/amp adds decent weight and a tiny bit of warmth. It also has ample power to drive the Annihilator and maximize the drivers' performance.

●Lows - The Annihilator is a bassy boy for sure. It is more sub-bass focused than mid-bass, but both have ample presence for me. The sub-bass extends deep and can reach low when called for. The bass texture is good; not wet or muddy, and not overly dry. The impact and slam are adequate, but the attack is a little soft and could be more incisive. There is no bass bleed to my ears, and it is well separated from the midrange. While the bass resolution improves with power, it is still underwhelming for the price. Notes sometimes come across as unfinished or ill-defined and can sound a bit puffy. The rumble and reverberation are a little overdone, the speed is a bit slow, and the decay lingers, which all leads to the bass having a slightly unnatural, overblown, and messy presentation. Overall, the bass is a bit over-accentuated and out of balance with the rest of the frequencies for my taste. It can be too dominant at times, not allowing the other frequencies, namely the midrange, room to breathe and shine. I want to be careful not to come across as overly critical. Despite what I have written here, the Annihilator's bass is mostly enjoyable, but for $3000, I am left quite disappointed in the bass performance.

●Mids - As a midrange enthusiast, this is where I take the most issue with the Annihilator's tuning. While the upper mids are a bit accentuated, vocals do not stand out in the mix as much as I would like. They are a bit recessed, pushed behind the big bass and bright treble. With softer music, like acoustic and singer-songwriter genres, vocals are better represented and enjoyable. But with pop and more bass-heavy genres, they are overshadowed and feel like an afterthought. Vocals are generally great and do not sound thin, shouty, or nasal, but they are just too underrepresented for my taste. Female artists fare better than their male counterparts, especially considering the lower mids lack weight and fullness. In orchestral arrangements, instruments in the lower midrange do not sound naturally balanced, which can make the entire arrangement sound off. The prominent bass tends to overpower some nuances of the midrange instruments, which become lost and overshadowed when the entire orchestra plays. The most frustrating thing for me is that the midrange quality is actually pretty great. There is no thinness, and it has a fairly realistic tonality and timbre. However, there is just an insufficient quantity of what is here to overcome the bass and treble for my preferences.

●Highs - Before I had the opportunity to try the Annihilator, some of my more experienced friends warned me that its treble might be too bright for me to endure, as someone who is treble-sensitive. I have not had the best experience with EST drivers in the past, but to my surprise, I actually don't find it overly irritating or harsh. It is definitely bright and can be a bit thin and ethereal-sounding, but it's not the biggest offender I've ever heard. The treble is energetic and sounds very clean and clear. Notes have a definitive edge and crispness. It can get a bit fatiguing over long periods, but there is no real sibilance or extremely harsh notes. Cymbals and hi-hats sound realistic and exciting, not splashy. Snares and claps are crisp and clean, but not overly piercing. There is a decent amount of air and extension, but I think it could use a bit more to take it to the next level. While I was quite skeptical initially, I am surprised by my enjoyment of the Annihilator's treble. Does its response fall within my typical preferences? No, but I can see its merits, and I think it can be a good choice for those who like a bright and fun treble without pushing it too far. This is yet another example that while impressions from friends and reviews like this one can be helpful, you should always trust your own ears, as there is just no substitute for firsthand experience.

Comparisons: Credit to Jaytiss, Elise Audio, and listener for the graphs.

●Penon Impact ($2,499) - Here we have the 1 DD, 4 BA, 2 EST tribrid configuration of the Annihilator versus the Impact's 10 BA, 4 EST hybrid. Again, both of these are tour sets without all the stock accessories, so I cannot really compare those. The Annihilator has a similar build to the Diva (resin body with metal nozzle) and is larger than the Impact. Both sets have similar build quality and fit comfortably, but the Impact does have that intermittent vacuum effect and the Annihilator utilizes the Pentaconn connector versus the 2-pin of the Impact. While both have golden designs on their faceplates, I prefer the Annihilator's slightly more subtle style. The Annihilator's tuning is more V-shaped with a noticeable midrange deficiency. The Impact sounds better balanced, with less bass, more midrange emphasis, and slightly more extended treble. The Annihilator's bass is boisterous and fun. It can reach very low with a nice rumble and reverberation. It is a far cry from the Impact's BA bass, which is still elevated but much more mid-bass focused. Although the bass responses of these two are quite different, I will give the nod to the Annihilator for better texture, extension, and rumble. The Impact's midrange takes pretty much all the points for me. The forward vocals are so much more to my liking than the Annihilator's recessed midrange, which lacks emphasis. The lower midrange is also much better represented on the Impact, specifically in orchestral arrangements where lower-registered instruments like cello, and some percussion and brass, sound more natural with better representation. As for the treble, the Annihilator has more of that brighter EST implementation that I am used to hearing. Some notes, especially snares and "s" and "sh" sounds, can come across as overly edgy and harsh. The Impact's ESTs, while still crisp and energetic, don't have the same wince-inducing quality. Both sets offer adequate air and sparkle but the Impact has slightly better extension and is a bit more balanced across all frequencies. On the technical front, the Annihilator has a larger soundstage with better imaging, detail retrieval, and dynamics. The Impact offers a more natural timbre, thicker note weight, and a warmer, smoother tonality. While neither of these two sets has a tuning that falls squarely within my preferences, I enjoy the Impact's overall balance and slightly more relaxed energy level and tonality a bit more. I do like the Annihilator's bolder bass with better sub-bass extension, but the Impact's vocals are smoother and better represented, which helps me better connect with my music.
My pick: Impact

●Elysian Diva 2023 (~$1,200) - This matchup pits a 6 BA configuration versus a 1DD, 4 BA, 2 EST tribrid. The Annihilator's shell is slightly larger than the Diva's, but otherwise, both have almost identical shapes, nozzle sizes, insertion depths, and fits. I am unable to compare accessories since both are tour units and did not include all stock items. The Annihilator's tuning is much more V-shaped, with big bass and emphasized upper mids/treble, whereas the Diva has a more mid-centric tuning with an adjustable amount of bass and somewhat rolled-off treble. The Annihilator's low end is much fuller and more prominent, with deeper extension, greater reverberation, and slower decay, leading to a more natural presentation. The Diva's BA bass is less full-sounding and cannot reach as low, even on the bassiest setting. I prefer the texture, reverberation, and impact of the Annihilator's dynamic driver driven bass, but the overall quantity can be overly dominant on some tracks. The midrange of these two is quite different. The Diva is smooth and more forward, with better note weight and musicality. Vocals shine and are allowed much more of the spotlight. The Annihilator's midrange sounds more recessed and forced behind the bold bass and crisp treble. Vocals are clear and well-separated, but they take a back seat to the heavy bass emphasis. Also, the lower midrange of the Diva is more prominent and better represented. On the upper end of the frequency response, the Diva has a treble that is more in line with my preferences. It is present but fairly tame and rolled off. I especially like the way cymbals and hi-hats sound natural and crisp, but slightly recessed. On the Annihilator, those same notes can be quite incisive. It also has a tendency to sound thinner and exhibit some slight harshness and fatigue. However, it does offer more air and extension for treble enthusiasts. As far as technicalities go, the Diva has a more organic timbre, thicker note weight, and a slightly more intimate soundstage. The Annihilator takes the win in dynamics, imaging, detail retrieval, and separation, which comes as no surprise. This matchup really comes down to tuning preference, and these two are quite different. For me, the smoother and more mellow mid-centric tuning of the Diva plays right into my wheelhouse. The Annihilator is more energetic and fun and offers better technical performance, but the dominant bass and recessed midrange sound unnatural for my music library and preferences. This is an easy decision for me, but I'm sure many would opt to go the other way, considering the amount of love the Annihilator 2023 has.
My pick: Diva 2023

●Letshuoer Cadenza 12 2024 ($2,000) - Here we have the Annihilator's 7-driver tribrid configuration versus the Cadenza's 12-driver hybrid (1 DD, 11 BA). I like the Annihilator's overall design and resin build a bit better, but the Cadenza's all-metal shell feels much sturdier, even if it is prone to scratches and fingerprints. The Cadenza's shell is also smaller, more contoured, and has a slightly deeper insertion. Overall, it offers a better fit and is more comfortable for me. I also prefer the Cadenza's 2-pin connection. I cannot make a judgment on total accessories since one of these is a tour unit. The tuning of the Annihilator is quite V-shaped compared to the Cadenza's more balanced and somewhat neutral approach. The Annihilator's bass is much bolder, with deeper sub-bass extension and more rumble and reverberation. The bass on the Cadenza sounds cleaner, with superior texture and resolution, but the quantity might be underwhelming for bass enthusiasts. The midrange is where the Cadenza wins a lot of points for me. Vocals are more forward, and both male and female artists are better represented, which is much more in line with my preferences. The Annihilator's midrange can be overshadowed by the bass and treble. The Cadenza also wins in the treble department. It is very well balanced with plenty of air and sparkle without venturing into fatiguing territory. The Annihilator undoubtedly has a brighter overall treble response and can be too energetic during long sessions. From a technically standpoint, these two trade blows pretty well. The Annihilator has a slight edge in soundstage, detail retrieval, and dynamics, whereas the Cadenza wins in timbre, imaging, and note weight. Overall, these two have quite different tuning philosophies. The Annihilator is more energetic and fun, with bigger bass and brighter treble, but it sacrifices some midrange magic. The Cadenza is much more balanced and closer to neutral, with a clean and inoffensive tuning that just sounds right, but it might considered be a bit boring for some. This is an easy choice for me, as the Cadenza offers a more refined and mature tuning that I expect when moving to the multi-kilobuck tier. Plus, it doesn't hurt that it is over $1,000 cheaper.
My pick: Cadenza 12

In conclusion:
The Annihilator 2023 is one of the most energetic, fun, and resolving TOTL sets I have heard so far. Unfortunately, it is just not a great match for my preferences and how I like to hear and connect with my music. For me, the bass quality is disappointing for the price, and the quantity can be a bit overdominant at times. The midrange is not as forward as I prefer, and it is missing some of the magical vocal qualities I love. The bright treble, while not overly harsh, can get somewhat fatiguing over long sessions. I wouldn't necessarily characterize the Annihilator as a good all-rounder, but I can still enjoy it in short bursts when paired with the right tracks. For me, it sounds best with less energetic genres where the bass response won't overwhelm the midrange, such as singer-songwriter, acoustic, and soft pop. While I am not typically a big proponent of EQ, I will say that this set responds to it well. I was also able to enjoy it much more through the iFi Gryphon, when combined with the right combination of options (STD filter and XBass II enabled in presence mode). However, similar to using EQ, I feel these options altered the stock tuning beyond what is reasonable for my standard review process. Though I still think it is worth noting that tools exist to bring the Annihilator closer to my preferences, helping me enjoy this set much more. But if such steps are necessary to alter the IEM's fundamental tuning, is it worth keeping, or is it better to continue searching for something else? Such questions can only be answered individually. While I may be a little disappointed with the Annihilator, I still think it holds great appeal for those whose tuning preferences align with its strengths. I cannot give it an outright glowing endorsement, but I can still recommend the Annihilator to those who want a fun and enjoyable V-shaped tuning with boisterous bass, energetic treble, and commendable technical performance. I will end my review with a slight word of caution and advise demoing this set before purchase, if possible.