Elysian Annihilator 2023 VS Forte Ears Macbeth

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

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Elysian Annihilator 2023 and Forte Ears Macbeth use 1DD+4BA+2EST and 5BA+4EST+2BC driver setups respectively. Elysian Annihilator 2023 costs $2,999 while Forte Ears Macbeth costs $4,000. Forte Ears Macbeth is $1,001 more expensive. Elysian Annihilator 2023 holds a clear 0.5-point edge in reviewer scores (9 vs 8.5). Elysian Annihilator 2023 has better treble with a 0.9-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has better details with a 0.8-point edge and Forte Ears Macbeth has significantly better imaging with a 1.3-point edge.

Insights

Metric Elysian Annihilator 2023 Forte Ears Macbeth
Bass 8.2 8.3
Mids 8 8
Treble 9.4 8.5
Details 9.5 8.8
Soundstage 9 9
Imaging 7.5 8.8
Dynamics 8.2 8
Tonality 8.6 8.3
Technicalities 8.9 8.7

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision Tim Tuned Smirk Audio IEMRanking AI
Jaytiss Gizaudio Axel
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

9

Outstanding


Forte Ears Macbeth Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Shuwa-T Smirk Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Excellent


Elysian Annihilator 2023 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Forte Ears Macbeth User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.3

Gaming Grade

A-

Forte Ears Macbeth Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7

Gaming Grade

A-

Elysian Annihilator 2023 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 A+
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage S
Reference-class soundstage: perfectly spherical presentation with infinite space. Utterly realistic instrument placement and venue reproduction.
Details S
Reference-class detail: microscopic resolution with perfect texture reproduction. Nothing is lost, revealing the absolute truth of the recording.
Imaging A
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
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

Forte Ears Macbeth 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 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-
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics A+
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage S
Reference-class soundstage: perfectly spherical presentation with infinite space. Utterly realistic instrument placement and venue reproduction.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging S-
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

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Reviews

Super* Review 10* * score normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review
Jaytiss 9.6 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
Treble extension is insane, I always think I'm over it, but I may never be over it.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: S Treble: S Dynamics: A- Soundstage: S
Gizaudio Axel 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Hands down, my favorite IEM. Powerful, impactful bass, the best treble I’ve experienced in an IEM, endgame-level detail. The bass might be too much for some people.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel
Precogvision 8.7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
More of an all-rounder with better bass compared to the 2021 version, sacrifices some soundstage.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: A+ Mids: A- Treble: S+ Dynamics: S Details: S+ Imaging: A-
Tim Tuned 8.5 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
More defined bass than 2021 version 2021 is cleaner and more open sounding

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: S
Smirk Audio 8.4 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
Top-tier resolution with world-class treble. Great dynamics. Could use better bass texturing. An exciting listen.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: A Mids: A+ Treble: S Dynamics: S- Details: S Imaging: A+

IEMRanking AI

2025-07-25
IEMRanking AI 8.9 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech

The Elysian Annihilator 2023 delivers a distinctive U-shaped signature, prioritizing an ethereal, hyper-detailed treble that remains its crown jewel. The dual electrostatic drivers produce a sparkling, linear upper register with exceptional air and micro-detail retrieval, often cited as best-in-class for its effortless extension and lack of harshness. Mids are clear and resolving but lean slightly thin due to a deliberate 1-1.5kHz recession, lending vocals an "ultra-clear" rather than lush character.

Bass performance, while improved over earlier iterations, remains contentious at its $3k price. The single Foster dynamic driver offers good sub-bass quantity and slam but struggles with speed and textural nuance, leading to smearing on complex passages. Technicalities impress with razor-sharp transients and strong macro-dynamics, though soundstage width and layering fall short of flagship expectations, and imaging is merely competent.

Practical considerations include large resin shells that may challenge smaller ears, though comfort is generally good with deep-seating tips. The included Liquid Links Martini cable is well-built but uses proprietary Pentaconn connectors, limiting aftermarket options. Low sensitivity (94dB) demands a powerful source to avoid dynamics compression.

- IEMRanking AI

Forte Ears Macbeth Reviews

Shuwa-T 8.7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S Tech
Feels like a remastered VX in terms of clarity and staging The tonality is too off for regular listening, timbre is also off in general

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: S- Mids: A Treble: S Soundstage: S Details: S Imaging: S
Smirk Audio 8.3 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: A+ Mids: S- Treble: A+ Dynamics: A+ Details: S- Imaging: S-

Elysian Annihilator 2023 User Reviews

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