Elysian Pilgrim VS 7th Acoustics Supernova

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Hyped for good reason, Elysian’s Pilgrim pairs a sleek, carved metal shell with a genuinely upgraded cable and a refined, clean-balanced tuning. Technicals punch high for the price—resolution sits a notch above sets like Hype 4 and Dusk, while the bass shows tight texture, tidy decay, and neat separation. The low end isn’t as forward or “full” as Hype 4, trading slam for a more neutral and organized presentation that suits listeners seeking clarity over thump.

Vocals are naturally placed: not shouty, not distant, with a touch of air on the tail that avoids harshness. Compared with Dusk, the Pilgrim carries better upper-mid extension and a more complete, detailed midrange; it’s also a bit smoother and more natural up top, and adds a hair more sub-bass for engagement. As a package—sound, build, and unboxing—the Pilgrim reads like a polished, modernized take on that classic balanced recipe.

Context matters, though. As an all-rounder around $300–$400, Pilgrim would be an easy pick, but the Supermix 4 at ~$150 offers roughly “90% of the experience” with an even smoother tilt, pressuring its value case. On the horizon, Simgot EM10—if priced around $399–$450—promises more air, detail, punchier mid-bass, and a wider wrap-around stage, potentially overshadowing Pilgrim’s more chill, laid-back vibe. Practical notes: no obvious channel imbalance was heard, but the ring plating can scratch quickly, the fit is a bit shallow, and wider-bore tips help. Net: a beautifully made, balanced performer for those who value refinement and design, but with fierce competition today, some shoppers may prefer to wait or choose something more specialized (e.g., Hype 4 for bigger low-end).

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Supernova’s calling card is its treble: extended, butter-smooth, and startlingly even. No peaks, no weird dips, no BA glare—just airy shimmer with spot-on decay that stays stable at any volume. It rivals the best under $1K and even brushes the Symphonium Helios (OG) for finesse, yet remains less bright and more relaxed. Despite being all-BA, there’s no BA timbre. Dynamics feel controlled rather than fiery—big chorus swings (think “Run Away With Me”) are rendered cohesively without harshness, trading adrenaline for refinement.

The low end is clean, tight, and well-separated—not a sub-bass sledgehammer. Sets with DDs like Hype 2, EJ07M, or Monarch dig deeper and rumble harder, but Supernova’s bass gives body without smearing. Vocals sit mid-forward but not shouty, a hair warm from mid-bass/1.5k lift; extension around ~3k could use a touch more presence for extra “head voice,” yet the overall presentation remains natural and unfatiguing and scales beautifully with volume. Versus Moondrop S8, Supernova trades a bit of the S8’s clinical separation for fuller mid-bass weight and more textured, even treble; the S8 keeps a leaner, clearer stage and more vocal gain.

Comparisons sharpen its profile: against EJ07 (OG/KL), EJ07 offers darker tonality and stronger sub-bass immersion, while Supernova is airier and smoother up top. ThieAudio Monarch series: Mk1 has snappier vocal clarity, Mk3 hits harder with bass texture/slam, but Supernova wins on treble quality and macro-smoothness. Neon Pro can feel more engaging at mid volumes with firmer low-end and crisper imaging, whereas Supernova shines when cranked, remaining composed and immersive. Net take: an “endgame”-leaning, balanced all-rounder for those wanting refinement over fireworks—genre-agnostic, not a treble-head blaster or bass cannon, and short on “special sauce” theatrics, yet consistently excellent where it counts. Availability is the real enemy; production scarcity makes it hard to snag.

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Elysian’s Pilgrim shows up with a small, comfortable shell and a tidy, premium-feeling case—white on the outside, a bit papery inside, but practical. Fit leans shallow; a grippy tip helps keep things steady. The unit measured with excellent channel matching and tracks closely to a preferred target, setting the stage for a confident first impression.

On sound, Pilgrim delivers punchy bass with real note weight and slam, natural mids, and imaging that locks in place. There’s a touch of metallic/lush timbre and an ear-gain region that can feel a bit forward, but the overall tonality stays engaging. It’s not a “baby Annihilator”: the big sibling still brings deeper sub-bass and a cleaner upper register, while Pilgrim feels a little more fun and lively. Versus Hype 4, the two trade blows—late vs. early ear gain—with Hype 4 getting a slight nod for some tastes; against the Mega 5 EST, Pilgrim is the more exciting listen and, at roughly $150 less, the stronger value.

Ranking wise, Pilgrim sits among the best at its price, even sparring with costlier sets, though it stops short of heavy hitters like Grand Maestro, Annihilator, Jupiter, or Velour. Assuming the rumored $350–$450 bracket, the package—sound, cable, and case—is compelling. Minor quirks in the ear-gain area aside, this is an exceptional IEM with a full recommendation, and there’s even a Noir version on the horizon for those curious about variants.

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Custom-built shells and faceplates make Supernova feel special from the start, and the ergonomics seal the deal: a light, durable shell, super comfortable fit and a supple, well-textured stock cable. The tonality stays open, clean and free of sibilance, with imaging that snaps into place both horizontally and vertically. Detail retrieval in busy scenes is immaculate, making it superb for long gaming sessions—not to farm K/D ratios, but to elevate the overall experience as in-game micro-details sparkle. Tip rolling works well (SpinFit, Divinus, Latex H70), though the included tips are decent; the clamshell case is nice, if a bit annoying to twist shut.

Versus peers, Supernova shows almost perfect tuning with exceedingly strong technicals and a touch of juicy, lush timbre. Against Night Oblivion Butastur, the overall tone and bass texture on Supernova are a hair better, while Butastur gets you 95–98% of the way for less and shines for classical and pop. Compared with Monarch Mk III, the FR curves are scarily close (within a couple dB), yet Supernova’s treble refinement and stage feel a tad more convincing, even if Monarch brings different technical strengths. Net takeaway: a holographic, genre-agnostic performer that’s easy to recommend; the only real caveat is the long wait time to get one, and the bass could use a touch more authority.

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Elysian Pilgrim hits the rare $400 bracket with a hybrid recipe—1× LSR dynamic and 3× Sonion BA—and a presentation that pulls the stage in. Instead of big, floaty width, the image clamps down with laser focus: vocals and transients sit right there, almost “under the skin.” Well-recorded tracks pop with mic-placement clarity; poorly recorded ones get called out instantly. Bass is punchy and structurally correct rather than boosted—not a basshead set, but it thumps when the mix calls for it. It scales across amps (from clean to tubey), with some chains teasing a bit more soundstage while keeping that intimate, hyper-detailed character.

Build is slick: a comfortable, not-too-thick shell with a machined aluminum back and proper venting. The star quirk is the Pentaconn Ear connector—rotational like MMCX but far more robust—which also means most existing cables won’t fit, so the stock cable (often 4.4 mm, with 3.5 mm or both for extra) becomes the default. The earhooks curve a bit aggressively but can be reshaped; comfort overall is easy listening. Accessories are fine but not lavish: SpinFit tips and a big showpiece case that’s cool, if not pocketable.

Sonically it’s a “punch-drunk focus” specialist: drives through track after track, rewards great recordings, and refuses to sugarcoat weak ones. The Pilgrim feels special because of that concentrated energy and neutral-honest bass—more “truth serum” than lounge lizard. Verdict: 9/10. Docked for cable ecosystem quirks and a modest accessory spread, but the sound is compelling enough to make that nitpicking feel small. Curiosity about the pricier Pilgrim Noir stays high, yet this standard model already delivers a distinctive, addictive ride.

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7th Acoustic Supernova brings a 6BA setup at around $850, dressed in pretty shells but a bit bulgy for the fit. Packaging quirks and micro-print gripes aside, the included Versus Audio cable (permanent 4.4) looks flashy and feels premium. Tip rolling from Dunu SS to Render shifts the presentation, but the core signature stays smooth to a fault—vocals sit a touch further back, treble hints at a lift then fades with different tips, and only the occasional techno track shows bass that carries well. It’s the kind of tuning that’s impeccably polite yet tip-dependent and rarely grabs attention.

Across sources—from a warmer Alpha Pro chain to other amps—the Supernova keeps a straight face: competent, clean, and ultimately boring for the price. Against known yardsticks (neutral “glass-of-water” sets, bass-heavy options, or value champs like Kiwi’s Astrals), the Supernova doesn’t carve a clear identity; it’s smooth without the thrill. Final takeaway: lovely looks, nice cable, but the sound feels meh at this tier—barely meeting the bar where musical moments should pop. On the value meter, the cable helps, the tuning doesn’t; there’s been better—and for less.

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The Elysian Pilgrim brings boutique flair to a more reachable $400 tier with a metal shell that mixes matte and glossy milling, a comfy medium fit, and a plush two-core cable that’s nicer than most in the class. Notable is the Pentaconn connector—smooth to rotate and said to be durable—though cable swapping is less convenient if the stash is mostly 2-pin/MMCX. Accessories feel thoughtful (including unique black-core SpinFit tips), while the case skews a bit large.

Sonically it’s a well-balanced, slightly midrange-focused tuning with a clean sub-bass lift (below ~150 Hz) that can read “bass-light” on tracks heavy in mid-bass. Treble isn’t pushed; presentation comes off a touch brighter/open than the curve suggests, with solid imaging and agreeable vocal clarity. Compared to an earlier show demo, the production unit’s top end feels nerfed: those delicate, Plucky treble transients and the weight in high-hat percussion that once stood out are dialed back for a safer listen.

In the $400 cohort—Yanyin Canon 2 (warm, meaty), Thieaudio Hype 4 (leaner mids, thicker bass), Moondrop Dusk (clinical neutral with sub-bass and forward vocals), and Softears Studio 4 (brightest, most lively)—Pilgrim slots squarely mid-pack: agreeable, but less distinctive than the more characterful peers. Had the show tuning shipped, it would spar closer to the front; as is, the take is competent yet conservative. Final verdict: three stars out of five—a quality set that favors balance over excitement in an increasingly competitive bracket.

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Hand-built in Indonesia with customizable abalone faceplates, Supernova feels like a boutique step up in value: a handsome, slightly medium-large shell, stable fit, strong isolation, and a tasteful, beefy copper cable. The only nit: a smooth nozzle with no tip notch means soft tips can slip. Overall execution—build, comfort, and the personal order-to-chat experience—delivers a “next level” vibe uncommon around $750.

Tonally, this is a clean, body-intact neutral with a touch of sub-bass lift and a tasteful push in the lower treble. Midrange is the star—full, natural, and richly timbred without the hollow lower-mid dip of leaner targets. Treble is well-extended, linear, and textured, giving transients snap without tipping into sibilance. Technicals impress: tight bass attack, clear separation, precise imaging, and strong micro-contrast that keeps dense mixes like The Cure’s “Disintegration” organized and alive. Caveats are mild: listeners sensitive to lower-treble energy should note its presence, and the low end—while punchy—still reads as BA bass with less sub-bass “flutter” than a dynamic driver.

Against peers, Supernova blends the fuller midrange charm of Moondrop Blessing 2 with the technical grace of Moondrop S8, yet sounds more natural than either. Symphonium Meteor offers bigger bass and a lush stage but trails in separation and mid texture; S8 feels smoother with even stronger 3D imaging but less body. Taken together, Supernova’s tuning, texture, and boutique fit/finish make a compelling all-rounder—and an easy five-star recommendation, especially for those who value lifelike mids and crisp, controlled sparkle over maximal slam.

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Elysian Pilgrim hits that rare sweet spot: a truly affordable entry into the brand’s house sound that still feels flagship-adjacent. Think Gaia DNA with a more tamed signature—the bass is dynamic, punchy, thumpy yet modest in quantity, staying clean with no bleed into the lower mids. Vocals sit center-stage with a touch of thickness, generally natural timbre and only a hint of grain that comes from the energetic top end. It’s a balanced, non-boomy low end for everyday listening; bassheads may want +1–2 dB more.

The star is the treble: incisive, nuanced, and genuinely “end-game” in detail retrieval at this price. Treble quality tracks closely with Gaia, still shy of the Annihilator, but astonishing for $399. Overall technical performance is the wow factor—notes feel crisp, tactile, high-definition, sitting well above sets like the Blessing 3 while only lightly trading away smoothness, and doing so tastefully. It reads as a “high-res” listen without slipping into harshness.

Against peers: Studio 4 stays smoother and more natural, but Pilgrim brings more energy and clearly higher detail. Versus the Hype 4, the latter has more bass quantity, yet Pilgrim wins in treble timbre and overall resolution. Compared with Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk, rankings shake out with Pilgrim first in treble and technicals, while the DSP Dusk often leads for bass/vocals over the analog version. Verdict: a big green thumbs up—an A+ for delivering thrilling, highly technical performance that competes above its class. (Interview notes: the Pilgrim Noir variant aims warmer, includes an Eros S cable and luxe case at a higher price, while standard Pilgrim stays the brighter, value-focused pick.)