Elysian Pilgrim VS Gizaudio x Binary Chopin

Initial skepticism about yet another reviewer collab IEM quickly evaporates, as the Gizaudio x Binary Chopin is declared a standout, potentially the best collab IEM in years and even an all-time favorite. For a $200 hybrid IEM from a relatively unknown company, it delivers a performance that is really, really good, making it an exceptionally exciting and competitive offering in its price bracket.

Physically, the Chopin is a bit of a mixed bag with an awkward, truncated teardrop shape, but it scores points for its compact overall size. The main fit consideration is the wide nozzle, which requires a secure ear tip for stability since the entire fit depends on the ear tip coupling with the canal. The included cable is praised for being simple, lightweight, and highly functional with a secure chin slider.

Where the Chopan truly shines is its sound. While its graph looks similar to the lackluster Truthear Nova, the Chopan's significant deviation with meatier bass provides a welcome sense of heft and body, making the entire presentation more enjoyable. The mid-range is clean and vocals are fantastic, coming across crisp and well-isolated. However, the star of the show is the outstanding treble, described as sharp, incisive, and possessing a great sense of weight that outperforms not just its competitors but even more expensive sets. It is declared superior to legendary IEMs like the Moondrop Dusk and the 7Hz Timeless, making it a full five-star product and an easy recommendation.

Super* Review original ranking

The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin IEM is an absolute standout, delivering a fantastically unique and immersive sound signature that is heavily focused on vocals. The presentation is spectacularly detailed, making any vocal track, from opera to pop, slam you in the eyeballs in the best way possible. The soundstage is its most intriguing feature; it doesn't sound wide or narrow but instead creates a phantasm-like effect where the music seems to wrap around and even behind your head, a phenomenally cool and different experience.

This is achieved through a hybrid driver setup of a single 8mm dynamic driver for a natural and impactful low end, plus three balanced armatures handling the mids and highs. The package is exceptionally well-presented with a clean box and a professional-looking case. It also comes bundled with the Divinus Velvet tips, which are so smooth they are considered the best pairing for this IEM and are almost mandatory for the intended experience.

Priced at $200, the Chopin is 100% worth it. The build quality extends to its cable and the smallest two-pin connectors ever seen, and the overall tuning is simply fantastic. It’s a refreshingly different IEM that avoids any painful treble or recessed mid-range, making it an easy, highly recommended pick for anyone looking for something special that excels with vocal-centric music.

Z-Reviews original ranking

The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin presents a unique value, particularly for those who typically prefer speakers or over-ear headphones. Its greatest strength is its extreme comfort and easy fit, making it ideal for long gaming or music sessions without the pressure buildup common with other IEMs. Sonically, it boasts a very good quantity of bass and exceptional vocals that really pop in the mix.

However, the Chopin is not without its weaknesses. The quality of the bass is not world-class, and it can lack some air and sparkle in the highs. The most significant complaint is in the technicals of instruments, which can sometimes sound a bit muffled, unresolving, and odd in their tonality and timbre compared to the standout vocals.

When compared to the TruthEar Nova, the Chopin is found to be livelier and more musical, with warmer, richer lows, while the Nova is drier and more clinical with slightly better highs. Both are considered technical benchmarks at their respective price points. The Symphonium Meteor, meanwhile, is deemed overpriced and its bass is noted as being too overpowering, making the music sound off despite its small, comfortable shell.

Jaytiss original ranking

The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin is positioned as a more authoritative and engaging take on the familiar Harman target. It features a pronounced sub-bass that fills in the typical scoop without overdoing it, providing more slam and weight than predecessors like the Nova or Hexa. This gives the low end more authority, preventing it from sounding anemic, though it doesn't reach the subwoofer-like physicality of sets like the EA1000. The mid-range remains very clear, uncolored, and well-separated, benefiting from the extra mid-bass to sound fuller than the Nova while maintaining a correct tonal balance with no bias toward male or female vocals.

The upper mids and treble are where the Chopin really differentiates itself, coming across as a more engaging and lively version of the Nova. A boost in the 5k and 10k regions adds excitement and liveliness, creating a more open and airy stage. This makes it reminiscent of the Simgot EA1000 but much smoother overall. When compared to other sets, it's a clear upgrade over the Nova and bests competitors like the Performer 5 and EM6L with its better resolution and treble extension without low-end sacrifice. It's also a smoother, more weighted alternative to the Heyday and a more affordable option that delivers about 85% of the performance of the Moondrop Variations.

Ultimately, the Chopin is a smoother all-rounder that makes the standard Harman target less boring. It's a highly competitive set that sounds cleaner than the Kiwi Ears Hype 2 with a less pronounced bass that better highlights the mid-range, though the Hype 2 retains an advantage in bass texture for genres like EDM and hip-hop. The choice between them becomes library-dependent, but the Chopin stands out as a very well-tuned and compelling option in its price range.

Jays Audio original ranking