Elysian Annihilator 2021 VS Aful Dawn-X

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Elysian Annihilator 2021 and Aful Dawn-X use 1DD+4BA+2EST and 1DD+8BA+4EST+1BC driver setups respectively. Elysian Annihilator 2021 costs $3,500 while Aful Dawn-X costs $1,299. Elysian Annihilator 2021 is $2,201 more expensive. Elysian Annihilator 2021 holds a slight 0.1-point edge in reviewer scores (8.8 vs 8.8). Aful Dawn-X has slightly better bass with a 0.4-point edge, Aful Dawn-X has slightly better mids with a 0.4-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2021 has better treble with a 0.9-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2021 has significantly better dynamics with a 1.5-point edge and Elysian Annihilator 2021 has significantly better details with a 1.2-point edge.

Insights

Metric Elysian Annihilator 2021 Aful Dawn-X
Bass 8.1 8.5
Mids 8.1 8.5
Treble 9.8 8.9
Details 9.7 8.5
Soundstage 8.5 8.5
Imaging 8.2 8
Dynamics 9 7.5
Tonality 8.6 8.3
Technicalities 8.9 9

Elysian Annihilator 2021 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision Shuwa-T Crin
Nymz Z-Reviews Tim Tuned

Average Reviewer Score:

8.8

Excellent


Aful Dawn-X Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

IEMRanking AI
Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

8.8

Excellent


Elysian Annihilator 2021 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Aful Dawn-X User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Elysian Annihilator 2021 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7.4

Gaming Grade

A-

Aful Dawn-X Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7.7

Gaming Grade

A

Elysian Annihilator 2021 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

S-
  • Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.

Average Technical Grade

S-
  • Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Bass A+
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble S+
Reference-class treble: flawless extension with zero fatigue. Hyper-detailed yet perfectly natural reproduction of highs.
Dynamics S
Reference-class dynamics: perfect micro/macro contrast with lightning transients. Utterly realistic reproduction of musical energy.
Soundstage S-
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details S
Reference-class detail: microscopic resolution with perfect texture reproduction. Nothing is lost, revealing the absolute truth of the recording.
Imaging A+
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Aful Dawn-X Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

S
  • Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Bass S-
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids S-
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble S-
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics A
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage S-
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging A+
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
Gaming A
Clear spatial presentation handles directional cues effectively. Distinguishes key gameplay sounds while maintaining decent immersion. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Elysian Annihilator 2021 Reviews

Reviewed by: Nymz

Nymz 9.1 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Usual agressive and saturated Elysian house sound with the best treble ever.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: S+ Details: S+ Imaging: A+

Reviewed by: Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 9 * score normalized

Reviewed by: Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Speediest Treble, well extended, high details Midbass a bit too much for me

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: A+ Mids: S Treble: S+

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 8.7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S Tech
Agressive listen with excellent resolution and, currently, the only true implementation of the EST drivers.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: S+ Dynamics: S Details: S+ Imaging: A+

Reviewed by: Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 8.7 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S- Tech
Comment: Perfect for treble heads. Extremely well tuned set with incredible technical performance and extension Treble may be a little too spicy

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: S- Mids: S- Treble: S Soundstage: S- Details: S Imaging: S-

Reviewed by: Crin

Crin 8.5 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech

Aful Dawn-X Reviews

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

2025-09-18
Jaytiss 9.5 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
This has a really natural midrange, best BC iem I've heard by far.

Large, sculpted shells with a bulbous rear (housing the bone conductor) make the Aful Dawn-X a substantial fit—comfortable for some, but risky for small ears. The stock cable feels quality but is 4.4 mm-only, and the case/accessories are tidy; importantly, the nozzle grips tips securely (unlike some past AFUL sets). Overall build is handsome and premium, with fit being the main variable.

Sonically, the tuning favors sub-bass over mid-bass, pairs rich mids with smooth, natural treble that avoids harsh spikes yet has mild 4–6 kHz energy, and presents a cohesive, almost speaker-like soundstage. It wakes up with a bit of volume/power, prioritizing clarity, micro-detail and air over outright slam; the bone conductor subtly supports the midrange more than the lows. At $1,300 it’s competitive for listeners chasing technical refinement and a natural tonality, while value seekers or mid-bass lovers may prefer cheaper AFUL options or sets with more punch.

Mids: S Treble: S Dynamics: A- Soundstage: S

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Price: $1,299

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Reviewed by: IEMRanking AI

2025-09-18
IEMRanking AI 8 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech

The AFUL Dawn-X is a 14-driver quadbrid IEM—1DD+8BA+4EST+1BC—wired together via a six-way electronic + physical crossover and AFUL’s 3D Micro-Resonance acoustic paths; the stabilized-wood shells and included 6N copper cable reinforce its flagship positioning. Specs are published at 15 Ω and 101 dB sensitivity, with an official MSRP of $1,299.99.

Early listening reports describe a balanced-to-U-shaped tuning with textured sub-bass, forward yet clean vocals, and airy treble extension; some note abundant micro-detail that can make the stage feel more intimate on certain tracks. AFUL also claims a “Wideband Electrostatic” implementation letting EST drivers contribute from ~5 kHz upward, which aligns with impressions of crisp but smooth top-end energy.

Objectively, the Dawn-X targets high technical performance—resolution, imaging precision, and treble refinement—more than aggressive coloration, which suits critical listening but may read as slightly cool on some material. Given the price bracket, value hinges on a buyer needing its specific mix of detail retrieval and composure versus similarly ambitious hybrids from rivals at or below the same MSRP.


Bass: S- Mids: A+ Treble: S- Dynamics: A+ Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: A+

Elysian Annihilator 2021 User Reviews

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