Symphonium x Elise Audio Europa - Discussion & Impressions Thread

[AuralJoy]

Just checking in to say I’m still enjoying the Europa after a couple of months, I find myself choosing these more than any other IEM in my collection.
I am using the stock 8W cable and AZLA SednaEarfit Max tips and I mainly use them with my Shanling M6U playing music via UAPP. I have EQ’d ever so slightly, 3250 -1.5db with a Q curve of 3, that is enough to remove the slight sharpness I would feel after listening for a couple of hours.

I’ve attached a graph comparing some of the other IEMs in my collection, these three all go about things in a different way but IMO these Europa is hands down the best of the three

 

[Delta9K]

I’ve attached a graph comparing some of the other IEMs

Thanks for you comments and sharing the graphs. I'm still deliberating this set and appreciate the information.

 

[AuralJoy]

Thanks for you comments and sharing the graphs. I'm still deliberating this set and appreciate the information.

You’re welcome.

I see you already have the Titan. The Europa compliment the Titan very well, there is so much more detail and nuance to the sound of the Europa.

Plus they go well with both Electronic and guitar based music, which is mostly what I am listening to.

 

[realbonk]

Thanks to @SoundJedi and @theflyingtoad for getting the US tour together for Europa!

I finally got a chance to compare Europa to Helios. I used Dita Navigator as my source with files from the HiBy R3 II. I kept the OG Sednas as my eartips of choice, as it provided a good seal and the nozzle length did not call for a Sedan Short like Helios does.

I prefer Europa to what I remember/check my notes about Crimson. The bass and treble level of Europa is much closer to Helios, and that seems to help give more "breath" to the vocals and instruments. Overall a more natural sounding tuning when compared to Crimson. The female vocals are not so forward as Helios and the Europa still gives more warmth to male vocals similar to Crimson. While Crimson was not so tactile that it was fatiguing, it was close to the edge of fatiguing, and I think Europa's less pronounced U-shape is a more comfortable listen. While Crimson I perceived as "faster", I prefer how Europa allows for more "bloom" in the music due to it's tuning.

I also enjoyed Europa using the Flash Acoustics Thanos cable. Provided a slightly more warm tilted presentation. That said, the included Altalune Dark Matter cable is a more balanced fit for the Europa, and I see no reason one would cable roll.

I like Europa a lot. I can not justify purchasing it when I already have Helios, but it is right now my favorite offering from Symphonium.

Fixed the photos in my impressions

 

[o0genesis0o]

Symphonium x Elise Audio Europa​

Europa is a fine-tuned version of the flagship of Symphonium, the Crimson. Europa was produced in collaboration with Elise Audio. Besides a slight retune, another key change introduced by Elise Audio and Symphonium was extending the nozzles of the IEM and adding a lip on the nozzles to hold the ear tips.



Europa vs Crimson.

Don't be tricked by the modest difference on the graph. That little difference at 5-6kHz makes a small but meaningful difference. Europa is less sharp, less edgy than Crimson (if that sharp edge bothers you). However, I think that Europa loses some of that "toeing-the-edge" character that makes Crimson special. I miss that almost magic sensation that I had with Crimson. Somehow, the bass transients of Eurora does not hit as hard as Crimson. Though, of course, it has been a very long time since I listened to Crimson, so take this impression with a bucket of salt.

On the plus side, the resolution, soundstage, and laser sharp imaging that makes Crimson the flagship of Symphonium is fully preserved. If you like the idea of Crimson, but you are worried about the short nozzles and the spicy treble of this IEM, Europa is worth consideration.

One more thing: if you don't add a powerful amplifier in your source chain, you are doing these Symphonium IEMs and disservice. On a weaker devices such as R3II, everything in the mix feels more closed in, as if there is an artificial "wall". Everything becomes more crisp, more precise, and more spread out in all direction when an amp, such as the humble Topping G5 is added between the DAC and the IEM.

Thank you Symphonium and @Damz87 for arranging the Australian Head-Fi tour that makes this impression and measurement possible!

 

[tombrisbane]

Thanks to Symphonium and @Damz87 for the Australian tour of Europa. I had opportunity to demo these for two weeks in return for my honest impressions. Nothing to gain from me other than a listen

I’ll get the packaging and build out of the way quick; it’s come in a nice box, the case is a metal screw top one (not my preference) and the cable that came with the tour unit is very nice, I believe that it's the upgraded one - I'd highly recommend that one. You also get a selection of tips which you should be able to find a decent fit with.

I drove these from my L&P E7 for the duration (other than some dongles for the review) and listened to a bunch of different genres from heavy metal, to classical, to hip-hop. Let’s get to it:

Bass:

The Europa’s low-end takes a measured approach. It’s not the kind of bass that overwhelms or dominates the signature, but it’s well-textured and detailed. Sub-bass rumble is present without being excessive, and mid-bass has a nice weight that gives tracks body and warmth. Whether I was listening to electronic tracks like Contact by Daft Punk or acoustic tracks, the Europa maintained a sense of control and refinement.

That said, if you’re a true basshead, you might find the Europa a bit polite, go look at the Titan . Europa prioritizes quality over sheer quantity.

Mids:

The midrange is where the Europa truly shines. Vocals, both male and female, feel natural and textured, with just enough warmth to sound inviting. I ended up focussing on vocals tracks a lot during my time with Europa as I really enjoyed what it did with the, Instrumentals also worked well but vocals...*Chef's kiss*. Acoustic guitars and pianos also benefit from this tuning, presenting with a rich timbre that felt organic.

Treble:

The Europa’s treble strikes a delicate balance—it’s extended enough to retain detail and air but avoids harshness. There’s a smoothness to the highs that makes long sessions enjoyable. Crisp but in a non offensive way. Really good.

Technicalities:

Concert hall type presentation. Not super wide but I really enjoyed it, to be honest I enjoyed listening to music on these so much I wasn't overly worried about the technicalities, some other IEM's around this price point are certainly more technical but I think I'd take these most days.

Similar to Titan they need to be driven well, out the E7 they sounded great but they did lack a little from a dongle. If you're looking at getting these make sure you've got something to drive them.

Overall:

I really enjoyed these, they came at the same time as Titan and these would have easily got 75% of my listening time. I didn't find anything that I disliked, in fact quite the opposite, I found myself just chilling with these for hours on end. Truly beautiful set, I didn't have Crimson here to compare but I'm fairly sure I'd that these any day over Crimson. I'll miss them, I might consider grabbing a set at some point. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a musical set around their price point.

 

[SoundJedi]

Thanks to everyone who has already shared Europa impressions!

Also sharing this from @Jaytiss



Fun fact about Europa: the name was suggested by a member of our "Lonjam" UK community and the Dark Matter cable name was decided at a pre-Canjam dinner with our friends from Symphonium!

 

[Jaytiss]

Thanks to everyone who has already shared Europa impressions!

Also sharing this from @Jaytiss



Fun fact about Europa: the name was suggested by a member of our "Lonjam" UK community and the Dark Matter cable name was decided at a pre-Canjam dinner with our friends from Symphonium!

Such a fantastic set.

 

[SoundJedi]

Such a fantastic set.

Thank you! A lot of love and effort went into it. Good work with the YouTube channel, we like seeing engaging and balanced reviews . Subscribed!

 

[rekttify]

Thank you! A lot of love and effort went into it. Good work with the YouTube channel, we like seeing engaging and balanced reviews . Subscribed!

Thank you a lot for letting me audition a lot of great IEMs at Elise. This set made me think "Wow the guys at Elise know what they are doing"

 

[SoundJedi]

Thank you a lot for letting me audition a lot of great IEMs at Elise. This set made me think "Wow the guys at Elise know what they are doing"

Always a pleasure and glad you enjoyed it .

Most of the credit goes to our talented friends at Symphonium (mostly for their patience with me ). Glad we could produce an interesting sound!

 

[xzackly7]

Thanks for the tour!

Unfortunately I just didnt really jive with the Europa. I stuck with Azla Sedna tips as I value the dynamics over the smoother tone of the Velvet tips.

Bass felt unremarkable compared to Crimson. Bit pillowy, lacking attack and engagement.

Upper mids were too forward around 2khz for my liking. If going with this style of upper mids, I prefer to have more lower midrange to balance it out and give some thickness, but the lower mids were just too thin for my liking.

Treble is somewhat improved over Crimsons extreme spiciness, but only in the upper treble. The lower treble is spicy, possibly being highlighted because of the tamer air region.

Overall I didnt find it technically or tonally impressive enough sadly. I prefer something like the Helios or Meteor over the Crimson or the Europa, with the Helios the tuning is not perfect but its exciting and technically impressive enough that it can be forgiven for short listening periods. Crimson and Europa try to shoot for a different approach but miss the mark in various ways.

 

[SoundJedi]

Thanks for the tour!

Unfortunately I just didnt really jive with the Europa. I stuck with Azla Sedna tips as I value the dynamics over the smoother tone of the Velvet tips.

Bass felt unremarkable compared to Crimson. Bit pillowy, lacking attack and engagement.

Upper mids were too forward around 2khz for my liking. If going with this style of upper mids, I prefer to have more lower midrange to balance it out and give some thickness, but the lower mids were just too thin for my liking.

Treble is somewhat improved over Crimsons extreme spiciness, but only in the upper treble. The lower treble is spicy, possibly being highlighted because of the tamer air region.

Overall I didnt find it technically or tonally impressive enough sadly. I prefer something like the Helios or Meteor over the Crimson or the Europa, with the Helios the tuning is not perfect but its exciting and technically impressive enough that it can be forgiven for short listening periods. Crimson and Europa try to shoot for a different approach but miss the mark in various ways.

Thank you for sharing your impressions! Do you have AET07s (or similar tips) around by any chance? They should give you fuller lower mids while keeping the dynamics. Narrow bore tips can also give you an interesting flavour if you get a good seal.

 

[AuralJoy]

Thank you for sharing your impressions! Do you have AET07s (or similar tips) around by any chance? They should give you fuller lower mids while keeping the dynamics. Narrow bore tips can also give you an interesting flavour if you get a good seal.

Interesting, after reading this I’ve swapped out the Divinus Velvet for the standard Titan tips (the ones with the blue bore). I’ve never tried them with the Europa before, I’ll give them a go and see how I like them.

Thanks for the suggestion

 

[SoundJedi]

Interesting, after reading this I’ve swapped out the Divinus Velvet for the standard Titan tips (the ones with the blue bore). I’ve never tried them with the Europa before, I’ll give them a go and see how I like them.

Thanks for the suggestion

Let us know! I'm actually currently switching between AET07s and those.

Sednas are great to ensure a deep fit and for the most "neutral" sound. The trade-off is less upper bass/lower mids emphasis. Velvets are the smoothest option with a trade-off in dynamics. That's how I hear it anyway, ymmv!