Elysian Annihilator 2023

[Garney]

The more time I spend with Annihilator the more impressed I am. I think what strikes me most at this point is Anni’s seemingly effortless engagement factor and realism.

I know the treble is typically touted as the standout attribute but imho I hear a cohesive, top to bottom package that doesn’t rely any flashy “party tricks” to draw your ear. This is an IEM that can, and does, wow on first and subsequent listens but not because of some oddity or out of norm uniqueness. In fact I hear it as quite the opposite. Anni has an uncanny ability to present every nuance and subtly with a fullness and sweetness that’s every bit as realistic and lifelike as the recording itself is. The treble is excellent, no denying that, but I don’t hear it as show-y or artificially airy.

I’ve not heard all of the TOTL offerings out there, not even close, but I don’t find myself wanting for much of anything beyond what Anni brings to the table.

 

[Exekuhtor]

The ARX 210 cable for my Anni arrived! Silver & silver coated OFC.

Comparison:

Interesting:
It leaves a small gap between the IEM and the cable at the connector, there are small pieces added which fullfill that job. Apparently there is a short and a long pentaconn ear connector. In comparison:

Facts:
It is slightly longer. It is way less chonky and bulky. AND LIGHTER: Original Annihilator cable: 46g. New one: 34g! It's not microphonic at all. It has very little memory to it which will probably vanish after a while. The silver (new) version of the Anni would be a better match, ahaha! Well, i am very happy to have a less massive cable. Because i needed to use it with a 4.4 -> 3.5 adapter, another 5g were added to it, so the difference in weight for me is 17g, which is exactly 1/3 less. It also has a nice anti-tangling slider, which the other cabled lacked.
And the sound? Well. IT REALLY BRINGS OUT THE BASS AND I CAN HEAR THINGS THAT...
It sounds fantastic, the Anni sounds fantastic, the OG cable did also sound fantastic, end of story
I am extremely please with it!

 

[zlayde]

The ARX 210 cable for my Anni arrived! Silver & silver coated OFC.



Comparison:



Interesting:
It leaves a small gap between the IEM in the cable, there are small pieces added which fullfill that job. Apparently there is a short and a long pentaconn ear connector. In comparison:




Facts:
It is slightly longer. It is way less chonky and bulky. AND LIGHTER: Original Annihilator cable: 46g. New one: 34g! It's not microphonic at all. It has very little memory to it which will probably vanish after a while. The silver (new) version of the Anni would be a better match, ahaha! Well, i am very happy to have a less massive cable. Because i needed to use it with a 4.4 -> 3.5 adapter, another 5g were add to it, so the difference in weight for me is 17g, which is exactly 1/3 less. It also has a nice anti-tangling slider, which the other cabled lacked.
And the sound? Well. IT REALLY BRINGS OUT THE BASS AND I CAN HEAR THINGS THAT...
It sounds fantastic, the Anni sounds fantastic, the OG cable did also sound fantastic, end of story
I am extremely please with it!

It looks cool. Where is it for sale?

 

[Exekuhtor]

I bought it here and selected 3.5mm :
https://www.accessoryjack.com/en-de...entaconn-ear-connector?variant=47070024466726
It arrived fast and i payed like 12€ customs, so in my opinion the price was very good for such a cable. There are not that many not that expensive cable options for the Anni since its connector. Of course i could have gotten an Effect Audio one, but why should i? This is is very good in terms of weight and ergonomics and i am very pleased with the sound of the Annihilator and don't have to fix anything (which maybe would be a reason to get a more expensive one).

 

[phiemon]

I […] don't have to fix anything (which maybe would be a reason to get a more expensive one).

But a cheaper cable could / would sound worse. There is a reason why Lee chose this stock cable of all things. It certainly has to do with his idea of the sound. I wouldn't change the stock cable.

 

[Exekuhtor]

Well, it's not a cheap cable. It's still silver plated OFC. It's just not extremely expensive.
The profit margins of very expensive cables are extremely high. People are bias towards a shiny thing and suddenly think they hear things they didn't hear before.
I A/B'ed it and i can't hear a difference, as it should be.
The only single difference in cables in terms of sound i ever could blatantly tell was the OG Utopia cable, this thing was utter garbage and the sound got so much better with a Forza cable.
I think that if you don't cheap out (less than 100 bucks) on cables the difference in sound are minimal, of course that difference could still be an improvement, but as i said, at this point it's more of what you want to "fix" of a headphone (or IEM), and in the case of the Anni everything sounds perfect.
I use Forza Noir Hybrid HPC cables and they are very good and there is no possibility they are in the "cheap and worsen the sound" category.
Yes, cables can sound different, but most of the time it's a very minimal effect and you need to be sure what you want (Forza cables seem to be a bit warmer for example in comparison to others), it's a very slight deviation that you might or might not hear, and might or might not have a preference to a specific trait.
In contrast, you can always experience the weight / ergonomics / thickness of a cable.

I also feel the same way about tips, comfort >>> slightly different sound (i don't use foam tips that seem to lessen the treble a lot).

Edit: I found the Annihilator cable, it's a Martini from Liquid Links, a cable that can be bought for ~300€, so very comparable in terms of price to the ARX210.

 

[Deathman666]

I'm joining the party. An excellent addition to my Odins. I love the contrast in the look

 

[zlayde]

I'm joining the party. An excellent addition to my Odins. I love the contrast in the look

Nice! Please share comparisons. I've never heard the Odins.

 

[Deathman666]

Give me a few days, then I'll definitely write something

 

[pasul]

Good evening all.

Today arrive to me ear tips Eletech Baroque. And as i promised here, here are my impressions with Annihilator.

Baroque are very soft, easy to put on Anni, very comfortable and loong time listening (Today around 4 hours) without any problem. Here i must say

Till now my most favourite ear tips are Divinus Velvet with Anni (I already write here). And today i compared Baroque with Velvet.

Velvet are more resolving. Have more detail. And with wider and deeper soundstage. Its not like day and night, but its there. Anni with Baroque little bit lost this special crispness and details without sharpness at highs, for what we all love this IEM (I think). Velvet are not that soft and i feeling it during listening. But i still prefer Velvet with Annihilator.

Have a nice rest of the day

 

[19844]

Anyone compare hiby rs8 ,cayin n8ii and shanling m9 plus with annihilator 2023 ? I looking DAP to pair with Annihilator I usually listen vocal jazz can anyone recommend please

 

[FunnyMark]

Christmas came early

 

[iDesign]

Christmas came early

Was this the cable you received with your Annihilator?

 

[FunnyMark]

Was this the cable you received with your Annihilator?

Nope, this is the Effect Audio Christmas 2023 cable
https://www.effectaudio.com/secret-santa-is-back

 

[Visceral]

Santa visited both us both!