[listen4joy]

 

[saldsald]

Edit: disclaimer: I paid for these IEMs at a discount from Hifigo. The discount was in exchange for a written review published within a deadline.

Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim has landed!

First impressions with stock ear tips, HiBy R4 with local FLAC files:

- Very well-tuned with a neutral and even sound signature. There is no additional warmth and at the same time, there is NO significant emphasis at the upper frequencies.

- Coming from a Harman-tuned IEM, I am pleased to find that the upper midrange is not as forward. There is enough emphasis to make vocal forward and clear but not shouty. There is also no sibilance, even when I test the harshest tracks in Ed Sheeran’s “=“ album. This IEM does not sound like Effect Audio Gaea at all.

- Treble (e.g., horn, hi hat, cymbals) is clear, detailed without being harsh or piercing.

Edit: the treble extension of this IEM is quite epic.

- The bass can be contentious. It has the same sharp attack with short decay, similarly to the Gaea. The bass line is clean, precise, and “snappy”, but not as thick as I would like from a DD. On the plus side, details and texture of the bass are excellent. Bass is also well extended into the subbass and can rumble if the track has that content.

- Excellent separation, note definition, overall sense of clarity. Every instrument is well defined with sharp boundary. Micro details come through well. Combining with the bass, this IEM as a snappy, tactile presentation, like plucking a tightened string if a guitar.

- Large and spacious soundstage. With R4, the stage feels a bit 2D and flat. I will see whether the stage can gain some depth from my iBasso DX300 and L&P W4.

In general, this IEM is a winner so far on both technical performance and tuning. It will make the value proposition of some kilobuck IEM quite questionable, especially if one is looking for a neutral and technical IEM.

Lee is killing it with Pilgrim.

How much is this one? I am really interested in trying out the E50 BA in a metal shell.

 

[o0genesis0o]

How much is this one? I am really interested in trying out the E50 BA.

I think it is $400.

 

[thaslaya]

Edit: disclaimer: I paid for these IEMs at a discount from Hifigo. The discount was in exchange for a written review published within a deadline.

Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim has landed!

First impressions with stock ear tips, HiBy R4 with local FLAC files:

- Very well-tuned with a neutral and even sound signature. There is no additional warmth and at the same time, there is NO significant emphasis at the upper frequencies.

- Coming from a Harman-tuned IEM, I am pleased to find that the upper midrange is not as forward. There is enough emphasis to make vocal forward and clear but not shouty. There is also no sibilance, even when I test the harshest tracks in Ed Sheeran’s “=“ album. This IEM does not sound like Effect Audio Gaea at all.

- Treble (e.g., horn, hi hat, cymbals) is clear, detailed without being harsh or piercing.

Edit: the treble extension of this IEM is quite epic.

- The bass can be contentious. It has the same sharp attack with short decay, similarly to the Gaea. The bass line is clean, precise, and “snappy”, but not as thick as I would like from a DD. On the plus side, details and texture of the bass are excellent. Bass is also well extended into the subbass and can rumble if the track has that content.

- Excellent separation, note definition, overall sense of clarity. Every instrument is well defined with sharp boundary. Micro details come through well. Combining with the bass, this IEM as a snappy, tactile presentation, like plucking a tightened string if a guitar.

- Large and spacious soundstage. With R4, the stage feels a bit 2D and flat. I will see whether the stage can gain some depth from my iBasso DX300 and L&P W4.

In general, this IEM is a winner so far on both technical performance and tuning. It will make the value proposition of some kilobuck IEM quite questionable, especially if one is looking for a neutral and technical IEM.

Lee is killing it with Pilgrim.

If I get to hear this at CanJam this year I will definitely be saving up for one! I love the shell design and this could be endgame level for me personally. Might not be exactly my style tuning though as I prefer warmth but we will see.

 

[Singaravelan]

Edit: disclaimer: I paid for these IEMs at a discount from Hifigo. The discount was in exchange for a written review published within a deadline.

Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim has landed!

First impressions with stock ear tips, HiBy R4 with local FLAC files:

- Very well-tuned with a neutral and even sound signature. There is no additional warmth and at the same time, there is NO significant emphasis at the upper frequencies.

- Coming from a Harman-tuned IEM, I am pleased to find that the upper midrange is not as forward. There is enough emphasis to make vocal forward and clear but not shouty. There is also no sibilance, even when I test the harshest tracks in Ed Sheeran’s “=“ album. This IEM does not sound like Effect Audio Gaea at all.

- Treble (e.g., horn, hi hat, cymbals) is clear, detailed without being harsh or piercing.

Edit: the treble extension of this IEM is quite epic.

- The bass can be contentious. It has the same sharp attack with short decay, similarly to the Gaea. The bass line is clean, precise, and “snappy”, but not as thick as I would like from a DD. On the plus side, details and texture of the bass are excellent. Bass is also well extended into the subbass and can rumble if the track has that content.

- Excellent separation, note definition, overall sense of clarity. Every instrument is well defined with sharp boundary. Micro details come through well. Combining with the bass, this IEM as a snappy, tactile presentation, like plucking a tightened string if a guitar.

- Large and spacious soundstage. With R4, the stage feels a bit 2D and flat. I will see whether the stage can gain some depth from my iBasso DX300 and L&P W4.

In general, this IEM is a winner so far on both technical performance and tuning. It will make the value proposition of some kilobuck IEM quite questionable, especially if one is looking for a neutral and technical IEM.

Lee is killing it with Pilgrim.

How does it compare with Aful P8? What are the differences?

 

[o0genesis0o]

If I get to hear this at CanJam this year I will definitely be saving up for one! I love the shell design and this could be endgame level for me personally. Might not be exactly my style tuning though as I prefer warmth but we will see.

There is an interesting phenomenon with this IEM tuning, at least to my ears: despite having an overall neutral / flat, if not slightly bright tuning, I sometimes feel like the upper midrange is not pushed enough. Like vocals are not shouty enough. Maybe it’s because I have been listening to the Simgot only for the last few days.

Anyhow, yeah, no exaggerated warmth here. The midrange tonality feels “honest”, if that makes sense to you. Piano is perfectly fine and even. Bach Violin Partitas sounds perfectly fine. Not harsh, not boomy, not thin.

@Singaravelan I’ll need more careful A/B. I much prefer the tuning and stage of Pilgrim over P8.

 

[baskingshark]

Both seem similar for majority. So does soundstage and imaging depend on what happens around 8k and further on - as the deviation seems to be there with Hype going higher and then falling off at end? Treble extention dictates staging to an extent?
Or is it something else in the drivers itself?

Graphs are useful to hint at what an IEM will sound like tonally. But they don't tell the full story when it comes to some elements like soundstage and imaging.

If that were the case, all Harman tuned IEMs should have similar imaging and staging no?

But yeah to some extent, the treble extension may have a part to do with staging, as perhaps the ears use a treble note as a landmark for how wide the stage goes. But if that were the absolute case, then all treble-head IEMs should beat darker IEMs in staging, which is obviously not the case.

Anyways, tuning and acoustics of the shell and driver quality all probably contribute more to soundstage and imaging IMHO.

How does it compare with Aful P8? What are the differences?

P8 is weaker than the Pilgrim technically and in soundstage, from aural memory.

I dunno, but of all the AFULs I tried, soundstage seems to be a weakness in their brand?

Another wonderful late night listen with the SIE made my sleep so much sweeter. Do you guys fall asleep with IEMs in ears?

A few years back, I ruined a non-detachable Westone IEM after sleeping with it in the ears. Probably snagged on something and didn't have sound on one side when I woke up LOL. Had to send it for repair and recabling.

Now I only sleep with cheap IEMs that have detachable cables.

 

[pk4425]

Sheesh, am in my early 30s, I should probably go all-in on audio while I can still hear lol. Guess it doesn’t matter much cuz I can just get more treble heavy stuff later on.

Not if you have tinnitus, so protect those ears!

My upper-range hearing is pretty much gone north of 10-11k. But I also have terrible tinnitus, which is aggravated by treble. So, while I should be very treble tolerant because of my age (just shy of 59) and hearing loss, the tinnitus makes me sensitive to treble.

In gambling terms, it's a push.

 

[pk4425]

I think my concert days are done for the most part, they can get nauseatingly loud. Last I checked my hearing was pretty though, no significant drop off until around 16k.

Earasers are excellent in-ear plugs for $40. They kill the high-frequency sounds while still letting you talk and other sounds not be muffled.

I swear by them as a lead singer in two rock bands. Next step for me is IEMs to replace my stage monitors.

 

[pk4425]

but so far i want a bit vocal forward with decent thickness for rock song.
Good impactful bass but controlled and didn't bleed or smear other segment.
Treble with decent resolution but primarly not sibilant.

You might like Aful MagicOne. One BA, with a cool acoustic tube/chamber to enhance bass.

SUPER smooth presentation. Solid note weight. Adequate treble resolution with zero fatigue or sibilance. Not the last drop of detail or extension on both ends, but effortless, smooth.

 

[WAON303]

Edit: disclaimer: I paid for these IEMs at a discount from Hifigo. The discount was in exchange for a written review published within a deadline.

Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim has landed!

First impressions with stock ear tips, HiBy R4 with local FLAC files:

- Very well-tuned with a neutral and even sound signature. There is no additional warmth and at the same time, there is NO significant emphasis at the upper frequencies.

- Coming from a Harman-tuned IEM, I am pleased to find that the upper midrange is not as forward. There is enough emphasis to make vocal forward and clear but not shouty. There is also no sibilance, even when I test the harshest tracks in Ed Sheeran’s “=“ album. This IEM does not sound like Effect Audio Gaea at all.

- Treble (e.g., horn, hi hat, cymbals) is clear, detailed without being harsh or piercing.

Edit: the treble extension of this IEM is quite epic.

- The bass can be contentious. It has the same sharp attack with short decay, similarly to the Gaea. The bass line is clean, precise, and “snappy”, but not as thick as I would like from a DD. On the plus side, details and texture of the bass are excellent. Bass is also well extended into the subbass and can rumble if the track has that content.

- Excellent separation, note definition, overall sense of clarity. Every instrument is well defined with sharp boundary. Micro details come through well. Combining with the bass, this IEM as a snappy, tactile presentation, like plucking a tightened string if a guitar.

- Large and spacious soundstage. With R4, the stage feels a bit 2D and flat. I will see whether the stage can gain some depth from my iBasso DX300 and L&P W4.

In general, this IEM is a winner so far on both technical performance and tuning. It will make the value proposition of some kilobuck IEM quite questionable, especially if one is looking for a neutral and technical IEM.

Lee is killing it with Pilgrim.

Price is apparently 400 USD:

https://aliexpress.com/item/1005006922123249.html

I'm sold at this price minus the proprietary connectors (Why at this price point?) and an embarrassingly lack of tips

One thing to note is that the treble BA (Sonion E50) is used on the Hype 4 while the 2300 has been used on many IEMs in the price point

It's rare to see boutique brands reduce costs by a metric ton.

 

[nikbr]

Edit: disclaimer: I paid for these IEMs at a discount from Hifigo. The discount was in exchange for a written review published within a deadline.

Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim has landed!

First impressions with stock ear tips, HiBy R4 with local FLAC files:

- Very well-tuned with a neutral and even sound signature. There is no additional warmth and at the same time, there is NO significant emphasis at the upper frequencies.

- Coming from a Harman-tuned IEM, I am pleased to find that the upper midrange is not as forward. There is enough emphasis to make vocal forward and clear but not shouty. There is also no sibilance, even when I test the harshest tracks in Ed Sheeran’s “=“ album. This IEM does not sound like Effect Audio Gaea at all.

- Treble (e.g., horn, hi hat, cymbals) is clear, detailed without being harsh or piercing.

Edit: the treble extension of this IEM is quite epic.

- The bass can be contentious. It has the same sharp attack with short decay, similarly to the Gaea. The bass line is clean, precise, and “snappy”, but not as thick as I would like from a DD. On the plus side, details and texture of the bass are excellent. Bass is also well extended into the subbass and can rumble if the track has that content.

- Excellent separation, note definition, overall sense of clarity. Every instrument is well defined with sharp boundary. Micro details come through well. Combining with the bass, this IEM as a snappy, tactile presentation, like plucking a tightened string if a guitar.

- Large and spacious soundstage. With R4, the stage feels a bit 2D and flat. I will see whether the stage can gain some depth from my iBasso DX300 and L&P W4.

In general, this IEM is a winner so far on both technical performance and tuning. It will make the value proposition of some kilobuck IEM quite questionable, especially if one is looking for a neutral and technical IEM.

Lee is killing it with Pilgrim.

Fantastic first impression makes me oh so eager to try/blindbuy these at some point. Waiting on more people I trust to get their ears on these.

A few years back, I ruined a non-detachable Westone IEM after sleeping with it in the ears. Probably snagged on something and didn't have sound on one side when I woke up LOL. Had to send it for repair and recabling.

Now I only sleep with cheap IEMs that have detachable cables.

Yikes, not the nicest thing to wake up to ... I usually start to drift off and take them out just before I've fully drowned deep into sleep. It's very difficult to intentionally wake up, take them out and put them aside, but it has to be done in order to prevent such mishaps.

Earasers are excellent in-ear plugs for $40. They kill the high-frequency sounds while still letting you talk and other sounds not be muffled.

I swear by them as a lead singer in two rock bands. Next step for me is IEMs to replace my stage monitors.

Might have to try these earplugs. I am getting bombarded with advertisements for 'earloops' too, have you (or anyone else) tried these?

And please tell me more about your singing, I'm only just starting my semi-serious singing career too! I'm releasing a new cover tomorrow actually!

 

[fidgeraldo]

Probably a mistake...but who knows, maybe it isn't.

Cheers!

 

[WAON303]

TANGZU Wan'er S.G for ~ 16.50 USD (Edit: sometimes also for less than 8 USD if you can wait crazy price anyway)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006153617713.html

Review here: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tangzu-waner-s-g.26236/reviews
Also still in Gizaudios sub 50 USD IEM recommendation for vocal lovers.
(And also a lot appreciation here in this thread)

Beautiful pictures of the geen version by @Leonarfd over here:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/show-off-your-iems-buds-and-accessories.945980/post-17611715

8 dollars is crazy when the unboxing alone is comparable with stuff that costs 5-6 times the MSRP.

 

[Audiofilobrpt]

Edit: disclaimer: I paid for these IEMs at a discount from Hifigo. The discount was in exchange for a written review published within a deadline.

Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim has landed!

First impressions with stock ear tips, HiBy R4 with local FLAC files:

- Very well-tuned with a neutral and even sound signature. There is no additional warmth and at the same time, there is NO significant emphasis at the upper frequencies.

- Coming from a Harman-tuned IEM, I am pleased to find that the upper midrange is not as forward. There is enough emphasis to make vocal forward and clear but not shouty. There is also no sibilance, even when I test the harshest tracks in Ed Sheeran’s “=“ album. This IEM does not sound like Effect Audio Gaea at all.

- Treble (e.g., horn, hi hat, cymbals) is clear, detailed without being harsh or piercing.

Edit: the treble extension of this IEM is quite epic.

- The bass can be contentious. It has the same sharp attack with short decay, similarly to the Gaea. The bass line is clean, precise, and “snappy”, but not as thick as I would like from a DD. On the plus side, details and texture of the bass are excellent. Bass is also well extended into the subbass and can rumble if the track has that content.

- Excellent separation, note definition, overall sense of clarity. Every instrument is well defined with sharp boundary. Micro details come through well. Combining with the bass, this IEM as a snappy, tactile presentation, like plucking a tightened string if a guitar.

- Large and spacious soundstage. With R4, the stage feels a bit 2D and flat. I will see whether the stage can gain some depth from my iBasso DX300 and L&P W4.

In general, this IEM is a winner so far on both technical performance and tuning. It will make the value proposition of some kilobuck IEM quite questionable, especially if one is looking for a neutral and technical IEM.

Lee is killing it with Pilgrim.

I'm curious about your comparison of the DX300 and R4. I'm aware of the price difference. But, besides the soundstage, what would be the other differences? Are these differences too big? Would R4 be more on the neutral side? I have a DX300 and I'm thinking about getting an R4 for easier portability.