You're more than welcome. The ear tips I use with the Chopin are the Softears UC Ear Tips, which come included with the Chopin along with another set of silicone tips. These ear tips are excellent and I highly recommend them for comfort and sound clarity. They are comfortable, provide transparent sound, and are great for vocals and overall clarity.
I'm using SpinFit W1 they are the best in comfort and seal , try them out ! I Ordered the Coreir Pentaconn Brass ones to see how they perform- they are more pricey .
@@Greg.Siucrazyforaudio2016 w1 is a safe bet for a secure fit and seal, but I still think they are a little overrated. The coreir pentaconn brass has a tendency to turn green and smell after 2-3 months (at least for me). Maybe it's related to humidity or not so frequent cleaning/wipe downs. Hope your experience is better, but eartips are so personal that I guess you need to pay to find out lol.
@@k.w5804 I'm going to try them all , still waiting for Coreir Brass w1 is number one for now in best seal for sound and comfort not foam ones Thank You for sharing cheers.
Excellent review and it’s great that you start off with the point about subjectivity. This is the review and comparisons I’m most interested in this year (so far). I’ve got the Pilgrims (nice, detailed, sometimes a bit sharp- not as organic, warm or emotionally engaging as some IEMs - but brilliant for classical), EA500LM (love them as engaging all rounders and great value), Sennheiser ie600 (great all rounder- brilliant for classical, more bass than the Pilgrim - responds well to an external DAC- chord mojo 2 makes the Ie600 full and detailed but the Pilgrim doesn’t respond well to my dacs). I’m looking forward to trying the Da Vinci!
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the review and the discussion about subjectivity, as I'm just sharing my perspective and preferences. We all have our own tastes and opinions. I also love my IE600, find the EA500 LM to be great value, and adore my Pilgrim. I've found that the Pilgrim responds best to neutral-sounding DAC/Amps. I mostly use it with desktop amps.
Did not expect to see the Chopin in this comparison. I love my Chopin (Harman done right) and it's nice to see that it provides a lot of value in the 200 dollar price braquet.
Neither did I. Initially, I was comparing the EM10 to the Pilgrim and DaVinci. However, when I started thinking about the Harman curve, the Chopin came to mind. I decided to A/B them, and it completely blew my mind. An excellent value even today.
The channel imbalance...Ugh! I feel bad for you. Fantastic review and an absolutely invaluable one! So I can't thank you enough. The new model will always be better, Right? The most I have spent on a set is $200, and I can't honestly say it's 5 times better then one of my $20 sets, better yes. $500 would be my endgame budget, and I'm starting to think I don't need to spend that much. Can you say"Money Pit Rabbit Hole" just like my recording gear and guitars! Sure is fun!!!
DaVinci is a hell of fun, especially that bass on movie soundtracks hits hard. I kinda want a secondary set too a bit different, maybe something more vocal forward and more on the technical side.
Quintet is a soft sub bass with tons of resolution in the treble. The treble is very separated Hexa has no bass. Not fun at all The Hexa and Chopin is not on par with DaVinci. It’s some steps down Studio 4 for vocals Hype 4 all around
@@marumaru5480If you can spare the bucks, go for the Dita Project M or The Performer 8. Those two have almost the opposite tuning of the DaVinci and you'll get a great contrast. And they're both champs in resolution
Yes, the DaVinci has become my favorite set for movies and watching videos. You should try the DaVinci with some soundtracks like Tron, Inception, or Hans Zimmer's mountain track, which is breathtaking. The Chopin is an excellent vocal-forward set that is a good all-rounder. The Truthear Nova is another vocal forward alternative but needs EQ, or else the lower mids will sound a bit thin. The PULA PA02 is another option, but it is not as detailed as the Chopin, with differences in the bass and treble quality and detail. Tanchjim Origin is another highly detailed and vocal forward IEM I recommend trying but the bass could be low for some people. Elysian Pilgrim is at the top in terms of resolution, detail retrieval, and overall vocal clarity and detail.
I have both Pilgrim and EM10,, and Honestly I prefer EM10 more than Pilgrim. EM10 is more enjoyable and fun to listen while Pilgrim is on the smoother side.
That’s great! I agree, the Pilgrim leans towards a smooth and safe tuning. The EM10, with its Harman tuning, will certainly sound more fun and engaging. I’m glad you’re enjoying them. Have fun with your IEMs!
I have the pilgrims and I can’t agree more with your take. I love them. I also have the dunu davinci and aful explorer that I love for other reasons, but 80% of the time I reach for the pilgrim. Now I’m conflicted, I like the IEM tuning so much that I want to buy another one. Does having a second pilgrim as a backup make sense? Is there any other iem that will have the same level of space and details for the price in your opinion? Thank you.
Thanks for sharing! I completely agree about the Pilgrim. In fact, it can compete with IEMs priced at $800 in terms of detail, separation, and overall sound quality. I haven't come across any other IEM in a similar price range that can match its quality. In my experience, Elysian stands out from other companies because the sound quality they offer is truly unique. If you love the Pilgrim, I highly recommend that you try out some of their high-end models someday, they’ll blow your mind! As for getting a second set, I wouldn’t recommend it just yet. We don’t know what might happen down the line. They could release another IEM at a similar price, or you might discover another IEM with a different tuning that you prefer. Instead, you could consider upgrading to better ear tips or a higher-quality DAC/Amp. This in a way also upgrades the sound and comfort you get from the Pilgrim. Just a suggestion!
@@Atechreviews thank you very much for the reply. It’s a good idea to save until I’m ready for a bigger Elysian purchase. I recently used the Dunu SS tips on the Elysian and haven’t gone back since. Keep up the great work Atech!
I have the Quintet and it still sounds great (especially when I eq them). My question is how does the Pilgrim compare to the Quintet in detail retrieval, resolution, imaging, sound, treble air, and bass texture? Same comparison between Pilgrim and Dusk (dsp or V setting)? Thanks. I really love your honesty and your take. I respect you highly.
Thank you for the kind words. I own the Quintet, but to be honest, I'm not a big fan. Even with EQ adjustments, there's something about its sound that feels off to me. It has a metallic timbre that doesn't sound natural, and despite my efforts to adjust it with EQ, I eventually gave up. What I do appreciate about the Quintet, though, is its bass-it delivers a strong slam and impact. On the other hand, the Pilgrim offers a completely different experience and is an upgrade in every way. Firstly, there's no BA or metallic timbre present. Secondly, the clarity, detail retrieval, and instrument separation of the Pilgrim are among the best in the under $1k range. The more I listen to different IEMs, the more I appreciate this aspect. The Pilgrim also boasts a strong and detailed sub-bass performance that's hard to find in other IEMs. Excellent bass texture. It excels in imaging and has good soundstage. I do wish that it had a bit more mid-bass, but overall, it's an excellent performer. It offers great clarity and airiness in the high frequencies. One thing I particularly value about the Pilgrim is that it never sounds harsh to me, regardless of what I'm listening to. The Chopin has a more pronounced mid-bass, vocals that are more forward, and notes that carry more weight, so to speak. While its treble is similar, it has a slightly different character. The Chopin offers less detail retrieval, clarity, and resolution compared to the Pilgrim, but it is still impressive. Overall, the Chopin is another IEM that I highly value, and I have no complaints about it.
I have the Quintet and the Pilgrim. The Quintet's bass is just not as textured or detailed as the Pilgrim's. The Pilgrim has better detail retrieval and tonality but the sense of separation is much better in the Quintets. Female vocals on Quintets is magical but they can be shouty in genres like Jpop and Kpop. Male vocals are not that great on the Quintets they sound a bit lean and they lack the power you can say.... Pilgrim is never shouty... The overall timbre on the quintet is slightly off but I do miss the cymbal hits from the Quintets. The Quintet has an exaggerated stage and is very airy and it is fun to listen too its way more engaging than the Pilgrim. But the pilgrim is a more natural listen. I still love both of them, but maybe I love the pilgrim more and the only thing that makes me say that is that Bass...
The Pilgrim is the best buy I ever made; the end! I listen to it at the office the whole day and it never gets fatiguegin. I also bought the Da Vinci; after 10 minutes, I get tired of the muddy bass and piercing treble, although I love bass and treble. But the quality of the bass and treble is important. The detail retrieval of the Pilgrim is the best I ever heard! My Moondrop Variations were my favorite IEM's, but it's dethroned now. And like you said, the amount of drivers or the price doesn't make a difference; for example my Aful Performer 5 sounds better than my Performer 8, although the Performer 8 is much more expensive. Eventually it comes also what your preferences are, but the Pilgrim is objectively the best IEM'S I've owned, and I have a lot of IEM'S.
I ordered the Pilgrim for its very high praise over all TH-camrs exept 1 youtuber/reviewer have negative review , not sure how he disliked the Pilgrim , see how it goes after testing them out , fewer people compare with the Zenns Top , I ordered it as well , i owned the Performer 8 for a few months now , it's super smooth and beautifully texture with high quality subbass , EQ required for lower the mids for a flawless superb smoothness listen , so much joy with the P8.Thank You SpinFit w1 eartips or something else better is Recommended and cable upgrade for sure NiceHCK GrKing Flagship cable or something else better cheers.
@@SaulAlvarezzzz if you like vocal and sub-bass yes the P8 is better, body of note weight and beautiful Texture the Pilgrim not going to give you that, on the other side the Pilgrim is special too , it gives you very refine sound Audiophile like quality but very picky from source , it's suitable for higher end DAC/AMP and Source Player , it can be tune to your liking with the Pilgrim but the Texture from P8 is unbelievable good that you can't get from Pilgrim. They both aren't good for Bass Head , it is for audiophile listeners , it also requires cable upgrade, I have used NiceHCK GrKing Flagship cable only cost $50 USD plus Spinfit w1 tips or Similar DUNU tips/ Coreir Brass tips , foam ones is not up to the job . a Pentacon adaptor is required for the Pilgrim to change any 2 pin cable freely .If you can afford both buy both of them, if your music is not about vocal centric go Pilgrim. I personally enjoy a lot more with the Performer 8 for sure , it's really an outstanding set .Thank You. If you want more bass and better tone from your phone, download the Sound Beautifier Equalizer APP for a sound boost that other Equalizer won't give you. Cheers.
The Pilgrim Vocal texture and body of note weight Subbass quality is lost to Performer 8 but on the other side the Pilgrim is more refined and tuneful to your liking. I like the P8 more for sure. To achieve the higher quality sound, you need a good cable NiceHCK GrKing Flagship cable or better $50 USD only ,they both need cable upgrade, all stock cables sucks . for Pilgrim you can buy a Pentacon adapter -2 pin female to Pentacon -for freely changing 2 pin cables.Thank you.
My main 2 iems are em10 and rsv, although i enjoy the em10 bass more, the vocals of it feels though forward, is slightly thinner than what i would like, however rsv do not have this issue. Is there something that has excellent bass response with thick vocals ? Preferably slightly less subbass and slightly more mid bass on the em10, with rsv-like midrange, treble is fine for me for both. Or in other words, rsv with more subbass. In this case, what would you recommend to try?
I haven't had a chance to listen to the RSV yet, so I can't comment on it, but I'll be sure to check it out soon. The DUNU DaVinci matches what you're looking for, but it does have a bit more bass.
I agree, although the Nova and Chopin offer similar experiences (but not exactly) at a much lower price point. Still, Variations remains a benchmark and a reference IMO.
Completely agree with your opinion. I have been using the EM10 for a few days and I am completely unimpressed, to me it feels like they should be around the $250 mark. Going to return them which means I lose some money unfortunately due to linsoul's return policy but I've learned my lesson about following the hype. How would you compare them to the softears studio 4 as they are what I'm considering getting now.
GOOD REVIEWERS for newbies which Iam but that doesnt mean i enjoy music less or that my hearing is worse. I have a deep emotional connection to music moreso than many GEEKED OUT HIFI damn I can move my body to the beat LOL but anyway keep it relatable which you did and if you want to educate newbies attache vocabulary words that apply to the hobby excellent
The biggest difference is that the Variations offer more detail retrieval, better instrument separation, and a distinct treble character. The EST drivers in the Variations make the treble sound more natural and highly defined. While the Variations have slightly less bass, they provide a much better slam. Imaging and sound stage is exceptional on the Variations.
@@AtechreviewsThank you for the detailed response! I've tried both the xenns top, and mega5est and I found the bass a bit too much for me (even though I like edm 😅) so I think the EM10 would fall into that category as well. I truth I do like the EA1000 with stock filters and final e tips, so wondering of variations would be an upgrade for that or any suggestions for something else? Sorry I know it's a bit off topic.
Yes, it’s an upgrade. The sub-bass is better, there’s more detail, better separation, and the treble is better. The difference isn’t huge, but it’s noticeable. Diminishing returns are definitely a factor here, but overall, the Variations are a step up from the Chopin but with a similar tonality.
Ive noticed that on ur squiglink for some reason a big portion of your measured units have way more channel imbalance than what ive seen of others, i would suggest gettin another coupler and re-measuring some of them to see if its a coupler issue or somethin else just to be sure
Which IEMs are we discussing? If it's an older model, channel imbalances could be due to wear and tear, as I measured them long after extensive use (months or even years). Some time ago, I double-checked many IEMs with two other couplers, and the results were identical. My measurement system is in an electrically isolated environment but that doesn't mean it is perfect. If you visit the homepage of Squig link, you'll see that many IEMs exhibit channel imbalances. While they might not be the same models I have, a significant number do. This is normal and expected, with most brands listing a tolerance for channel imbalance. However, many IEMs I measured show excellent channel matching from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. To be extra sure, I will compare it to another coupler this weekend. Thanks a lot for your feedback 👍 I will really double check this weekend 🙂
Chopin Pilgrim Mega5est(channel matching is pretty much perfect on this one from all the measurements ive seen so far) Quintet These are just some of the ones ive noticed , no need to re-measure them all Just a re-measurement on the EM10 on another coupler to confirm if its the iem or not will suffice
@@DarthRaven2 Thanks for replying. I measured the Chopin and Quintet after more than a year of constant use and travel. I've had the Quintet for a long time but only measured it last week when I got the SuperMix 4. The PZT drivers are also more sensitive than others. I'll remeasure the EM10 and a few others this weekend just to be sure.
@@Atechreviews The channel imbalance in the treble is present in the Supermix 4 on other units on squig as well, ive noticed this with both PZT and the new micro planars companies use in stuff like the Dusk as well
Lol just got the em10 for a few days, and watching a few reviews now which are more negative than positive, the initial 3-4 reviews are all positive lol. And how your em10vs davicni graph looks so different, davicni supposed to have way more mid bass and em10 supposed to have more subbass?
I say, don't worry about it. 👍 Other than the price, there's nothing to complain about.🙂 Which reviews are negative? My graph shows that the DaVinci has more mid-bass than the EM10, while the EM10 has more sub-bass. From my experience, the DaVinci is not an extremely bass-heavy IEM. The EM10 already has substantial bass, and the DaVinci has slightly more. This aligns with my listening experience. I checked a few other graphs, and they are within expectations, with some small differences likely due to unit-to-unit variation.
@@Atechreviews not as in completely negative reviews, like most talk about it as overprice-ish, or comparable with cheaper sets. I do like it a lot though, so i think that is what matters, very comparable to my RSV.
@@Atechreviews i was looking for a subbass set, but not variations as it has the midbass tuck, and may sound lean, so i went with the em10 that is quite U shaped but with more weight, overall i think that i suits my taste quite well, just not sure how it compares to the supermix overall, most reviews says em10 is just slightly better.
@@lucuschen9911 Thanks for replying. Yes, price and value are subjective. The most important thing is that you like them; if you do, that's all that matters in my opinion.
@@lucuschen9911 The curve looks very similar, but I personally found the SM4 to be shouty. This, in my opinion, makes the EM10 better than the SM4. If I overlook the shoutiness issue, I would say that yes, the EM10 is slightly better with a similar tuning.
@@Atechreviews Takes the harshness of the treble out, keeping the details and give it more bass. I have mine paired with an ARTTI A5 cable and a warmer dongle Shanling UA4.
I think your example of comparing the bass as even though you felt it was stupid was excellent. A lot of times reviewers are autistic to the point of not being relatable and sometimes people just don't have the knowledge like myself. On what's being said it was excellent in a simple kind of way. My question to you is I like a slam. I love the bass guitar and from what you're saying about the Sim gods it wouldn't be a right fit for me. You're y vocal Example was excellent and it's steering me away from SIM gods. I want something with good slam but good separation. What would be a good upgrade or a better choice than the SIM got em10 which is bragged upon so much under 500? Name Some iems with good bass and I don't mind treble but I don't want it to resemble the ea500. I hated that The EA 5. 00 I'm not going to talk frequency response or use terminology and I don't think that actually matters. The ea500 was shrill. It felt as if I was in a room with children having temper tantrums and screaming with extremely high voices. It wasn't pleasant. There was no enjoyment of the bass guitar so I'm just giving examples of what I don't like and what I like. But I do like I guess reviewers use the word clarity. I do enjoy hearing nuances and lyrics said I didn't hear before. I just don't want it to scream in my ear and then lose the bass guitar presents. So hit me back. I'll listen to your suggestions
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement, I feel better about it now. 🙂 The previous Simgot models, like the EA500 LM and EA1000, were excellent for bass quality. However, they had an energetic, overly forward mid-range that some described as shrill or shouty. Here are my recommendations for detailed IEMs with excellent bass quality at different price points: 1. DUNU DaVinci: Offers one of the best bass performances under $500, with perfect slam and impact while remaining detailed. The mid-range and treble are balanced, though the bass quantity might be too much for some, as it is bass-heavy. 2. DUNU Falcon Ultra: Provides a pleasing, smooth tonality with great bass quality. It avoids being sharp, harsh, shouty, or shrill. 3. Binary Chopin: Has a similar curve to the EM10 and sounds close, but with a stronger bass slam, in my opinion. 4. AFUL Explorer: Delivers excellent bass as well, though it has less treble. 5. Planar IEMs are known for their great bass and great detail retrieval. Hidizs MP145 is one example. None of these options are sharp, shouty, or shrill, and they are comfortable for long listening sessions. You might want to check out some reviews to learn more about them.
@@Atechreviews thanks for the recommendations. I have the chord MOJO 2 and I equalize on it. I cant say i read frequency charts but I have been EQing since I was a kid my dad had a graphic equlizer hooke up to his NAD stereo receiver and i played with that for years. I dont understand why EQING is frowned upon to me it is very engaging do i know what Iam doing yes and no I know what I like and thru trial and error i enphasize what I want to hear more of. I think its a fun and engaging way to listen but with regards to those recommendations and How I enjoy EQ manually does that change anything? FINALLY do your reviews like that use your own voice peeps new to the hobby will get it and you can put vocubulary to it as well
@@genohero6139 You're welcome! The Chord Mojo 2 is fantastic. EQ is a valuable tool that can help you understand your preferences better. Overall, using EQ is a smart choice, but it might not be practical in all situations. You can still enjoy the recommended IEMs without EQ, and they'll likely sound even better when you adjust them to your taste using EQ. Thanks for the suggestions; I'll definitely give them a try.
@@Atechreviews hey another reviewer a came with the same question to him. What's your opinion on the hype 4 and how does it stack up to the other recommendations you gave me?
@@genohero6139 I listened to the Hype 4 only during Canjam so I am replying based on memory. It is great and has more detail compared to all the IEMs I listed. It is more V-shaped so has more treble which could be too much for some people on some tracks, but I would say it is mosty safe. The DaVinci has more and better bass in my opinion, but the Hype 4 has more detail.
The Variation certainly has more sub-bass, but the Pilgrim offers more detailed and layered sub-bass, with better rumble. While you can hear more sub-bass detail with the Pilgrim (one of the best at this price point), the Variations provide a greater quantity of sub-bass, so to speak.
@@Atechreviews I am so tempted to upgrade from the Variations to the DIVA. However using the parametric EQ on Qudelix with Variations makes it sound very good.
@@tilo2055 I strongly recommend trying out the DIVA if you have the opportunity. Once you've experienced the DIVA, I doubt you'll find yourself going back to the Variations. The DIVA offers a level of performance that's in a league of its own, and it even has its own bass EQ. Out of curiosity, what EQ settings do you use with the Variations?
"You are paying for more drivers". Thanks for keeping it honest this review has been helpful. What ear tips are you using on the Chopin currently?
You're more than welcome. The ear tips I use with the Chopin are the Softears UC Ear Tips, which come included with the Chopin along with another set of silicone tips. These ear tips are excellent and I highly recommend them for comfort and sound clarity. They are comfortable, provide transparent sound, and are great for vocals and overall clarity.
The Azla Xelastec have worked wonders for me
I'm using SpinFit W1 they are the best in comfort and seal , try them out ! I Ordered the Coreir Pentaconn Brass ones to see how they perform- they are more pricey .
@@Greg.Siucrazyforaudio2016 w1 is a safe bet for a secure fit and seal, but I still think they are a little overrated. The coreir pentaconn brass has a tendency to turn green and smell after 2-3 months (at least for me). Maybe it's related to humidity or not so frequent cleaning/wipe downs. Hope your experience is better, but eartips are so personal that I guess you need to pay to find out lol.
@@k.w5804 I'm going to try them all , still waiting for Coreir Brass w1 is number one for now in best seal for sound and comfort not foam ones Thank You for sharing cheers.
Excellent review and it’s great that you start off with the point about subjectivity.
This is the review and comparisons I’m most interested in this year (so far).
I’ve got the Pilgrims (nice, detailed, sometimes a bit sharp- not as organic, warm or emotionally engaging as some IEMs - but brilliant for classical), EA500LM (love them as engaging all rounders and great value), Sennheiser ie600 (great all rounder- brilliant for classical, more bass than the Pilgrim - responds well to an external DAC- chord mojo 2 makes the Ie600 full and detailed but the Pilgrim doesn’t respond well to my dacs).
I’m looking forward to trying the Da Vinci!
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the review and the discussion about subjectivity, as I'm just sharing my perspective and preferences. We all have our own tastes and opinions. I also love my IE600, find the EA500 LM to be great value, and adore my Pilgrim. I've found that the Pilgrim responds best to neutral-sounding DAC/Amps. I mostly use it with desktop amps.
Did not expect to see the Chopin in this comparison. I love my Chopin (Harman done right) and it's nice to see that it provides a lot of value in the 200 dollar price braquet.
Neither did I. Initially, I was comparing the EM10 to the Pilgrim and DaVinci. However, when I started thinking about the Harman curve, the Chopin came to mind. I decided to A/B them, and it completely blew my mind. An excellent value even today.
The channel imbalance...Ugh! I feel bad for you. Fantastic review and an absolutely invaluable one! So I can't thank you enough. The new model will always be better, Right? The most I have spent on a set is $200, and I can't honestly say it's 5 times better then one of my $20 sets, better yes. $500 would be my endgame budget, and I'm starting to think I don't need to spend that much. Can you say"Money Pit Rabbit Hole" just like my recording gear and guitars! Sure is fun!!!
Much appreciated! In my experience, the point of diminishing returns continues to drop. Nowadays, many budget IEMs offer excellent sound quality.
Great... exactly what I wanted to see...😊
Thanks.
DaVinci is a hell of fun, especially that bass on movie soundtracks hits hard. I kinda want a secondary set too a bit different, maybe something more vocal forward and more on the technical side.
Get either chopin or a set that follows the tilted df, like hexa or quintet.
@@mehmetgurdal Thanks. I always had a soft spot for the Hexa. I always wanted to try that one day.
Quintet is a soft sub bass with tons of resolution in the treble. The treble is very separated
Hexa has no bass. Not fun at all
The Hexa and Chopin is not on par with DaVinci. It’s some steps down
Studio 4 for vocals
Hype 4 all around
@@marumaru5480If you can spare the bucks, go for the Dita Project M or The Performer 8.
Those two have almost the opposite tuning of the DaVinci and you'll get a great contrast.
And they're both champs in resolution
Yes, the DaVinci has become my favorite set for movies and watching videos. You should try the DaVinci with some soundtracks like Tron, Inception, or Hans Zimmer's mountain track, which is breathtaking. The Chopin is an excellent vocal-forward set that is a good all-rounder. The Truthear Nova is another vocal forward alternative but needs EQ, or else the lower mids will sound a bit thin. The PULA PA02 is another option, but it is not as detailed as the Chopin, with differences in the bass and treble quality and detail. Tanchjim Origin is another highly detailed and vocal forward IEM I recommend trying but the bass could be low for some people. Elysian Pilgrim is at the top in terms of resolution, detail retrieval, and overall vocal clarity and detail.
I have both Pilgrim and EM10,, and Honestly I prefer EM10 more than Pilgrim. EM10 is more enjoyable and fun to listen while Pilgrim is on the smoother side.
That’s great! I agree, the Pilgrim leans towards a smooth and safe tuning. The EM10, with its Harman tuning, will certainly sound more fun and engaging. I’m glad you’re enjoying them. Have fun with your IEMs!
I have the pilgrims and I can’t agree more with your take. I love them. I also have the dunu davinci and aful explorer that I love for other reasons, but 80% of the time I reach for the pilgrim.
Now I’m conflicted, I like the IEM tuning so much that I want to buy another one. Does having a second pilgrim as a backup make sense? Is there any other iem that will have the same level of space and details for the price in your opinion? Thank you.
Thanks for sharing! I completely agree about the Pilgrim. In fact, it can compete with IEMs priced at $800 in terms of detail, separation, and overall sound quality. I haven't come across any other IEM in a similar price range that can match its quality.
In my experience, Elysian stands out from other companies because the sound quality they offer is truly unique. If you love the Pilgrim, I highly recommend that you try out some of their high-end models someday, they’ll blow your mind!
As for getting a second set, I wouldn’t recommend it just yet. We don’t know what might happen down the line. They could release another IEM at a similar price, or you might discover another IEM with a different tuning that you prefer. Instead, you could consider upgrading to better ear tips or a higher-quality DAC/Amp. This in a way also upgrades the sound and comfort you get from the Pilgrim. Just a suggestion!
@@Atechreviews thank you very much for the reply. It’s a good idea to save until I’m ready for a bigger Elysian purchase. I recently used the Dunu SS tips on the Elysian and haven’t gone back since. Keep up the great work Atech!
@@Nucleus2301 Thanks man 🙂
I have the Quintet and it still sounds great (especially when I eq them). My question is how does the Pilgrim compare to the Quintet in detail retrieval, resolution, imaging, sound, treble air, and bass texture?
Same comparison between Pilgrim and Dusk (dsp or V setting)?
Thanks. I really love your honesty and your take. I respect you highly.
Thank you for the kind words. I own the Quintet, but to be honest, I'm not a big fan. Even with EQ adjustments, there's something about its sound that feels off to me. It has a metallic timbre that doesn't sound natural, and despite my efforts to adjust it with EQ, I eventually gave up.
What I do appreciate about the Quintet, though, is its bass-it delivers a strong slam and impact.
On the other hand, the Pilgrim offers a completely different experience and is an upgrade in every way. Firstly, there's no BA or metallic timbre present. Secondly, the clarity, detail retrieval, and instrument separation of the Pilgrim are among the best in the under $1k range. The more I listen to different IEMs, the more I appreciate this aspect.
The Pilgrim also boasts a strong and detailed sub-bass performance that's hard to find in other IEMs. Excellent bass texture. It excels in imaging and has good soundstage. I do wish that it had a bit more mid-bass, but overall, it's an excellent performer. It offers great clarity and airiness in the high frequencies.
One thing I particularly value about the Pilgrim is that it never sounds harsh to me, regardless of what I'm listening to.
The Chopin has a more pronounced mid-bass, vocals that are more forward, and notes that carry more weight, so to speak. While its treble is similar, it has a slightly different character. The Chopin offers less detail retrieval, clarity, and resolution compared to the Pilgrim, but it is still impressive. Overall, the Chopin is another IEM that I highly value, and I have no complaints about it.
I have the Quintet and the Pilgrim. The Quintet's bass is just not as textured or detailed as the Pilgrim's. The Pilgrim has better detail retrieval and tonality but the sense of separation is much better in the Quintets. Female vocals on Quintets is magical but they can be shouty in genres like Jpop and Kpop. Male vocals are not that great on the Quintets they sound a bit lean and they lack the power you can say.... Pilgrim is never shouty... The overall timbre on the quintet is slightly off but I do miss the cymbal hits from the Quintets. The Quintet has an exaggerated stage and is very airy and it is fun to listen too its way more engaging than the Pilgrim. But the pilgrim is a more natural listen. I still love both of them, but maybe I love the pilgrim more and the only thing that makes me say that is that Bass...
The Pilgrim is the best buy I ever made; the end!
I listen to it at the office the whole day and it never gets fatiguegin.
I also bought the Da Vinci; after 10 minutes, I get tired of the muddy bass and piercing treble, although I love bass and treble.
But the quality of the bass and treble is important.
The detail retrieval of the Pilgrim is the best I ever heard!
My Moondrop Variations were my favorite IEM's, but it's dethroned now.
And like you said, the amount of drivers or the price doesn't make a difference; for example my Aful Performer 5 sounds better than my Performer 8, although the Performer 8 is much more expensive.
Eventually it comes also what your preferences are, but the Pilgrim is objectively the best IEM'S I've owned, and I have a lot of IEM'S.
Thanks for sharing! Pilgrim is one of the best IEMs I own too.
This may very well be my next earphone I add to my small collection. ☝🏼
👍
You just got a new sub because of your honesty. Keep it up brother 👍
Thanks for the sub! I will.👍
I ordered the Pilgrim for its very high praise over all TH-camrs exept 1 youtuber/reviewer have negative review , not sure how he disliked the Pilgrim , see how it goes after testing them out , fewer people compare with the Zenns Top , I ordered it as well , i owned the Performer 8 for a few months now , it's super smooth and beautifully texture with high quality subbass , EQ required for lower the mids for a flawless superb smoothness listen , so much joy with the P8.Thank You
SpinFit w1 eartips or something else better is Recommended and cable upgrade for sure NiceHCK GrKing Flagship cable or something else better cheers.
Thanks for sharing. Keep us updated.
@@Atechreviews Appreciate your response, I learnt a lot of newer IEMs from your channel, Very fantastic reviews from you Cheers .
So how is going ?? Performer 8 better than Pilgriim?
@@SaulAlvarezzzz if you like vocal and sub-bass yes the P8 is better, body of note weight and beautiful Texture the Pilgrim not going to give you that, on the other side the Pilgrim is special too , it gives you very refine sound Audiophile like quality but very picky from source , it's suitable for higher end DAC/AMP and Source Player , it can be tune to your liking with the Pilgrim but the Texture from P8 is unbelievable good that you can't get from Pilgrim.
They both aren't good for Bass Head , it is for audiophile listeners , it also requires cable upgrade, I have used NiceHCK GrKing Flagship cable only cost $50 USD plus Spinfit w1 tips or Similar DUNU tips/ Coreir Brass tips , foam ones is not up to the job . a Pentacon adaptor is required for the Pilgrim to change any 2 pin cable freely .If you can afford both buy both of them,
if your music is not about vocal centric go Pilgrim.
I personally enjoy a lot more with the Performer 8 for sure , it's really an outstanding set .Thank You.
If you want more bass and better tone from your phone, download the Sound Beautifier Equalizer APP for a sound boost that other Equalizer won't give you. Cheers.
The Pilgrim Vocal texture and body of note weight Subbass quality is lost to Performer 8 but on the other side the Pilgrim is more refined and tuneful to your liking. I like the P8 more for sure.
To achieve the higher quality sound, you need a good cable NiceHCK GrKing Flagship cable or better $50 USD only ,they both need cable upgrade, all stock cables sucks . for Pilgrim you can buy a Pentacon adapter -2 pin female to Pentacon -for freely changing 2 pin cables.Thank you.
Great review! pilgrim vs oracle mk3 in imaging, soundstage, resolution and detail?
I didn't listen to the Oracle MK 3 so I can't comment on its sound.
My main 2 iems are em10 and rsv, although i enjoy the em10 bass more, the vocals of it feels though forward, is slightly thinner than what i would like, however rsv do not have this issue. Is there something that has excellent bass response with thick vocals ? Preferably slightly less subbass and slightly more mid bass on the em10, with rsv-like midrange, treble is fine for me for both. Or in other words, rsv with more subbass.
In this case, what would you recommend to try?
I haven't had a chance to listen to the RSV yet, so I can't comment on it, but I'll be sure to check it out soon. The DUNU DaVinci matches what you're looking for, but it does have a bit more bass.
Variations still seem unbeatable. This shows that once you get the tuning done right, there isnt much room for improvement.
Variations could use an alternative take with filled lower mids
@@mehmetgurdal Yeah but then it wouldnt be Variations anymore:) This separation between bass and mids is one of the special features.
I agree, although the Nova and Chopin offer similar experiences (but not exactly) at a much lower price point. Still, Variations remains a benchmark and a reference IMO.
I feel like a lot goes on in-between the graphs, your perception will be entirely different 2 almost identical graphs can sound entirely different
@@christofferaasted That is correct. Graphs show us the tonality.
Happy with my hype 4 here.
👍
May I know how long have you been using your hype 4? Does yours have loose connector problem?
@@jill4470 I've been using it on and off for like a month. No it doesn't have a loose connector problem
@@jill4470 Not mine either, ive had it 2 months.
I have Hype4 on the way, what should I look for? Thanks guys
Yeah man! Nice review and comparisons!
Thanks! 👍
I think timy really do a great job with his collab iem.
Absolutely.
Completely agree with your opinion. I have been using the EM10 for a few days and I am completely unimpressed, to me it feels like they should be around the $250 mark. Going to return them which means I lose some money unfortunately due to linsoul's return policy but I've learned my lesson about following the hype. How would you compare them to the softears studio 4 as they are what I'm considering getting now.
I have one on the way. Stay tuned!
Great comparison, thank u!
Thanks for watching!
GOOD REVIEWERS for newbies which Iam but that doesnt mean i enjoy music less or that my hearing is worse. I have a deep emotional connection to music moreso than many GEEKED OUT HIFI damn I can move my body to the beat LOL but anyway keep it relatable which you did and if you want to educate newbies attache vocabulary words that apply to the hobby excellent
Thank you for the kind words.
Another great review.
Thanks! 🙂
Great review how does this compare to the variations?
The biggest difference is that the Variations offer more detail retrieval, better instrument separation, and a distinct treble character. The EST drivers in the Variations make the treble sound more natural and highly defined. While the Variations have slightly less bass, they provide a much better slam. Imaging and sound stage is exceptional on the Variations.
@@AtechreviewsThank you for the detailed response! I've tried both the xenns top, and mega5est and I found the bass a bit too much for me (even though I like edm 😅) so I think the EM10 would fall into that category as well.
I truth I do like the EA1000 with stock filters and final e tips, so wondering of variations would be an upgrade for that or any suggestions for something else? Sorry I know it's a bit off topic.
@@Joe-rs9hc Variations would be a small upgrade IMO. Maybe something like Elysian Pilgrim or Softears Studio 4?
Is the variations an upgrade over the chopin,how much of an upgrade is it?
Yes, it’s an upgrade. The sub-bass is better, there’s more detail, better separation, and the treble is better. The difference isn’t huge, but it’s noticeable. Diminishing returns are definitely a factor here, but overall, the Variations are a step up from the Chopin but with a similar tonality.
Ive noticed that on ur squiglink for some reason a big portion of your measured units have way more channel imbalance than what ive seen of others, i would suggest gettin another coupler and re-measuring some of them to see if its a coupler issue or somethin else just to be sure
Which IEMs are we discussing? If it's an older model, channel imbalances could be due to wear and tear, as I measured them long after extensive use (months or even years). Some time ago, I double-checked many IEMs with two other couplers, and the results were identical. My measurement system is in an electrically isolated environment but that doesn't mean it is perfect. If you visit the homepage of Squig link, you'll see that many IEMs exhibit channel imbalances. While they might not be the same models I have, a significant number do. This is normal and expected, with most brands listing a tolerance for channel imbalance. However, many IEMs I measured show excellent channel matching from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. To be extra sure, I will compare it to another coupler this weekend. Thanks a lot for your feedback 👍 I will really double check this weekend 🙂
Chopin
Pilgrim
Mega5est(channel matching is pretty much perfect on this one from all the measurements ive seen so far)
Quintet
These are just some of the ones ive noticed , no need to re-measure them all
Just a re-measurement on the EM10 on another coupler to confirm if its the iem or not will suffice
@@DarthRaven2 Thanks for replying. I measured the Chopin and Quintet after more than a year of constant use and travel. I've had the Quintet for a long time but only measured it last week when I got the SuperMix 4. The PZT drivers are also more sensitive than others. I'll remeasure the EM10 and a few others this weekend just to be sure.
@@Atechreviews The channel imbalance in the treble is present in the Supermix 4 on other units on squig as well, ive noticed this with both PZT and the new micro planars companies use in stuff like the Dusk as well
@@DarthRaven2 Hmm, interesting.
how do you compare this with thieaudio hype 4?
Lol just got the em10 for a few days, and watching a few reviews now which are more negative than positive, the initial 3-4 reviews are all positive lol.
And how your em10vs davicni graph looks so different, davicni supposed to have way more mid bass and em10 supposed to have more subbass?
I say, don't worry about it. 👍 Other than the price, there's nothing to complain about.🙂 Which reviews are negative? My graph shows that the DaVinci has more mid-bass than the EM10, while the EM10 has more sub-bass. From my experience, the DaVinci is not an extremely bass-heavy IEM. The EM10 already has substantial bass, and the DaVinci has slightly more. This aligns with my listening experience. I checked a few other graphs, and they are within expectations, with some small differences likely due to unit-to-unit variation.
@@Atechreviews not as in completely negative reviews, like most talk about it as overprice-ish, or comparable with cheaper sets. I do like it a lot though, so i think that is what matters, very comparable to my RSV.
@@Atechreviews i was looking for a subbass set, but not variations as it has the midbass tuck, and may sound lean, so i went with the em10 that is quite U shaped but with more weight, overall i think that i suits my taste quite well, just not sure how it compares to the supermix overall, most reviews says em10 is just slightly better.
@@lucuschen9911 Thanks for replying. Yes, price and value are subjective. The most important thing is that you like them; if you do, that's all that matters in my opinion.
@@lucuschen9911 The curve looks very similar, but I personally found the SM4 to be shouty. This, in my opinion, makes the EM10 better than the SM4. If I overlook the shoutiness issue, I would say that yes, the EM10 is slightly better with a similar tuning.
You should try a Moondrop Kato gold nozzle on the EA1000.
That's interesting. I have the Kato and its nozzles, as well as the EA1000. What effect does the gold Kato nozzle have on the EA1000?
@@Atechreviews Takes the harshness of the treble out, keeping the details and give it more bass. I have mine paired with an ARTTI A5 cable and a warmer dongle Shanling UA4.
@@MichaelJMalloy Thanks for the tip and explanation. I will try it. 👍
Great review thanks .
Question , how does the pilgrim compared to senheiser ie600 ?
Or does anyone know ?
IE600 is more v-shaped with much more bass. It is more fun. Pilgrim is more neutral sounding.
Nice review
Thanks!
How much better is the Diva compared to Pilgrim?
Much better vocals, detail retrieval, and overall sound quality. The Pilgrim has more mid-bass and air.
Thats a pretty large variation between L/R
🙁
I think I am done with harman tuned iem. I have more than enough harman tuned set.
Yeah, I think most of us feel that way.
pseduo-high end iem really on Battlefield dude....
Yeah.
I think your example of comparing the bass as even though you felt it was stupid was excellent. A lot of times reviewers are autistic to the point of not being relatable and sometimes people just don't have the knowledge like myself. On what's being said it was excellent in a simple kind of way. My question to you is I like a slam. I love the bass guitar and from what you're saying about the Sim gods it wouldn't be a right fit for me. You're y vocal Example was excellent and it's steering me away from SIM gods. I want something with good slam but good separation. What would be a good upgrade or a better choice than the SIM got em10 which is bragged upon so much under 500? Name Some iems with good bass and I don't mind treble but I don't want it to resemble the ea500. I hated that The EA 5. 00 I'm not going to talk frequency response or use terminology and I don't think that actually matters. The ea500 was shrill. It felt as if I was in a room with children having temper tantrums and screaming with extremely high voices. It wasn't pleasant. There was no enjoyment of the bass guitar so I'm just giving examples of what I don't like and what I like. But I do like I guess reviewers use the word clarity. I do enjoy hearing nuances and lyrics said I didn't hear before. I just don't want it to scream in my ear and then lose the bass guitar presents. So hit me back. I'll listen to your suggestions
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement, I feel better about it now. 🙂 The previous Simgot models, like the EA500 LM and EA1000, were excellent for bass quality. However, they had an energetic, overly forward mid-range that some described as shrill or shouty.
Here are my recommendations for detailed IEMs with excellent bass quality at different price points:
1. DUNU DaVinci: Offers one of the best bass performances under $500, with perfect slam and impact while remaining detailed. The mid-range and treble are balanced, though the bass quantity might be too much for some, as it is bass-heavy.
2. DUNU Falcon Ultra: Provides a pleasing, smooth tonality with great bass quality. It avoids being sharp, harsh, shouty, or shrill.
3. Binary Chopin: Has a similar curve to the EM10 and sounds close, but with a stronger bass slam, in my opinion.
4. AFUL Explorer: Delivers excellent bass as well, though it has less treble.
5. Planar IEMs are known for their great bass and great detail retrieval. Hidizs MP145 is one example.
None of these options are sharp, shouty, or shrill, and they are comfortable for long listening sessions. You might want to check out some reviews to learn more about them.
@@Atechreviews thanks for the recommendations. I have the chord MOJO 2 and I equalize on it. I cant say i read frequency charts but I have been EQing since I was a kid my dad had a graphic equlizer hooke up to his NAD stereo receiver and i played with that for years. I dont understand why EQING is frowned upon to me it is very engaging do i know what Iam doing yes and no I know what I like and thru trial and error i enphasize what I want to hear more of. I think its a fun and engaging way to listen but with regards to those recommendations and How I enjoy EQ manually does that change anything? FINALLY do your reviews like that use your own voice peeps new to the hobby will get it and you can put vocubulary to it as well
@@genohero6139 You're welcome! The Chord Mojo 2 is fantastic. EQ is a valuable tool that can help you understand your preferences better. Overall, using EQ is a smart choice, but it might not be practical in all situations. You can still enjoy the recommended IEMs without EQ, and they'll likely sound even better when you adjust them to your taste using EQ. Thanks for the suggestions; I'll definitely give them a try.
@@Atechreviews hey another reviewer a came with the same question to him. What's your opinion on the hype 4 and how does it stack up to the other recommendations you gave me?
@@genohero6139 I listened to the Hype 4 only during Canjam so I am replying based on memory. It is great and has more detail compared to all the IEMs I listed. It is more V-shaped so has more treble which could be too much for some people on some tracks, but I would say it is mosty safe.
The DaVinci has more and better bass in my opinion, but the Hype 4 has more detail.
Is the subbass on pilgrim as good as variations?
The Variation certainly has more sub-bass, but the Pilgrim offers more detailed and layered sub-bass, with better rumble. While you can hear more sub-bass detail with the Pilgrim (one of the best at this price point), the Variations provide a greater quantity of sub-bass, so to speak.
@@Atechreviews I am so tempted to upgrade from the Variations to the DIVA.
However using the parametric EQ on Qudelix with Variations makes it sound very good.
@@tilo2055 I strongly recommend trying out the DIVA if you have the opportunity. Once you've experienced the DIVA, I doubt you'll find yourself going back to the Variations. The DIVA offers a level of performance that's in a league of its own, and it even has its own bass EQ. Out of curiosity, what EQ settings do you use with the Variations?
@@Atechreviews I can take a screenshot and share it with you. Where do I send it to?
@@tilo2055 You can see my email under the video description. Thanks in advance.
Pls review aune ar5000
OK, I will try.