Alright, skipping the preamble because I've already waxed about losing my VE cherry and there's not need to rehash that for the Elysium impressions.
VE Flagship Pt2:
Electric Boogaloo Elysian Fields? (Or Elysium)
The Elysium has excellent faceplates, but perhaps that's more on VE's part on designing such pretty things, but I digress as usual. So the shell itself is pretty interesting, flatter than the VE8 and much wider too, though still pretty small for a 6 driver tribrid setup. Chonky nozzles (yay !), but angled nozzles (oh no). I actually found the Elysium being uncomfortable for my earlets, definitely pushing out a bit on all sides to make it uncomfortable after a long listening session. Plus I could actually hear my the sound of silicone tips and my canals rubbing against one another as my left eat slowly forced the nozzle out. Despite the relatively deep stem, the angle really didn't cooperate and I got a similar fit as with the u12t on my left ear, of course it's much lighter and just stayed in that spot. Man I was told that the Elysian fields was paradise, but it feels like a mixed bag out of the gate. Perhaps Valhalla might be a better fit....Nah, I'll give more time. I found that the Elysium took a bit of power to drive, used it with the HFS Silver off the 4.4 on my 1A with high gain on 55.
Onto impressions!
Bass is a bit pulled back similar to the VE8 in the overall signature, but midbass slam and impact is much more present than on the VE8. This doesn't mask the sub bass at all. Which has good extension. Still neutral overall with a slight mid bass bias which I would have liked in the VE8 regardless of the cable.There's not bleed of course makes me a very happy boy, somehow kilobucks still manage to bleed these days.Good for some laid back listening in the evenings or a quiet stroll, definitely not for the commute though. Some excitement in Greek paradise would be nice though....
But Kuro, you haven't talked about the mids, that's suppose to be the highlight of the Elysium!
A disclaimer that this the only double DD mid design iem I've listened to (Lola is on my try list) so I could be listening to the standard for double DDs and completely missing that.(pls don't shoot me if my mids disagree).
To be honest, I was super hyped about the mids after listening to the DMagic and...I end up a tad bit disappointed (which is an understatement) with what I heard. Elysium is able to make vocals the centerpiece of the signature without having to put them overly forward.Slight forward of neutral is where I put it. It does this in a way where it stands out compared to the other frequencies but maintains an overall neutral signature. In a way feels like a more technical version of the EE Athena, albeit at double the price brand new. I was expecting some more musicality and some more excitement in the mids.
Not much to say for the treble. The standard smooth and no sibiliance, a tad too safe and neutral. But it seems that most estats treble aim for that. I'm not sure if this is good or bad overall. But I much rather have that than peaky treble that hurts my ears.Extensions is pretty good. Maybe my favourite part of the signature when I look back even though there was less shimmer and air that I'd like which is a bit...worrying.
I stayed the course, walking through the entirety of the Elysian fields even with a mixed impression in the beginning.It really isn't the one for me. Overall the Elysium (like the VE8) leans more on it's technical chops, and I screamed loud enough about the timbre for the VE8, but Ely does it too (Post edit as I was reminded by
@Frankie D ). And if my preference and ranking was based on pure technicality, they'd be taking Top 5 ranks and my recommendation without question. I wouldn't question VE's technical chops after hearing 2 flagships, but given the price the signatures end up being underwhelming, but enough to warrant somewhere in the 6-10 spots of my ranking. Speaking of Valhalla, I'm gonna give the Tribrid crown to the All Father since I prefer a bit more muscicality, The Elysian fields however are fine if you're looking for a capable neutral sound that ensures vocals shine through.
(and you should see the look both of my kids just gave me when I took this picture):
