Elysian Pilgrim VS Nicehck Rockies

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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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The NiceHCK Rockies have a balanced tuning with standout treble extension from its ESTs. Vocals are tamer with a cut in the upper mids, trading sparkle-forward presence for a smoother, airier presentation; staging feels more open because bass and vocals sit slightly back, while cymbal decay lingers with a pleasing airiness. Technical performance is very good for the price—punching above many $500–$600 peers—and the unboxing/accessories package adds to the overall value.

Low end is grounded and tidy rather than slammy; texture and separation are solid, but this isn’t for bassheads or those wanting vocal-forward excitement (sets like Top Pro or Volare cover that better). The Rockies excel with rock/metal/indie/classical where the extra air, layering, and controlled upper energy shine; they scale best at mid volumes, and tip rolling should avoid options that over-boost or dull the treble—the stock tips already hit a sweet spot. Net: a confident recommendation at ~$500–$600 for listeners prioritizing treble quality, detail, and spaciousness, with the main trade-off being a more restrained bass and laid-back vocal emphasis.

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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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NiceHCK Rockies lands in the ~$500 bracket with a 1DD+2BA+2EST setup and a surprisingly premium package. The hollow resin shell feels solid, with a metal nozzle, slightly recessed 2-pin, good isolation, and comfy fit. The swappable-termination cable is thick, pliant, and lays flat—no chin slider out of the box, but easy to add—and the excellent case and tip kit push the accessories into “above class” territory.

Tonally, Rockies goes for tight, controlled bass and a natural midrange, capped by upper-treble that’s sparkly yet refined—detailed without getting shouty or brittle. The graph reads largely flat with a tasteful treble lift, translating to a clean, clear presentation that stays engaging rather than fatiguing. It comes across as an “instant classic” tuning: lively, airy, but still grounded.

Compared with brand siblings (DB2 too upper-midsy; F1 Pro/NX8 fine but not special), Rockies feels like the step up. Versus peers, it splits the difference: more air and delicacy than RSV MK2 (which is bassier/darker), less sizzle than sets that chase treble for effect, and broadly similar endgame vibes to “good” units of Mega5-EST—variance there being the rub. Net: a high-value pick at its price, worthy of a Gold Star—not a universal “benchmark,” but a sweet, natural, clear listen that many will prefer, especially with the standout accessories.

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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.)

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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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NiceHCK Rockies lands as a $500 tribrid (1DD+2BA+2EST) that mirrors the Mega5-EST’s tuning with subtle tweaks. The unboxing is generous—three styles of tips (including AET07-style and tacky “medical” silicone), a large puck case, and a swappable 3.5/4.4 screw-lock plug. Build feels premium with a real pietersite stone faceplate; fit is comfortable but shell geometry is generic, so stability depends on tips. The stock cable looks nice but is stiff and, notably, has no chin slider.

Sonically, Rockies follows a tilted diffuse-field / “new meta” balance with slightly less bass and a touch more lower-treble than Mega5-EST—on the order of ~1 dB each way. That shift tightens the low end and improves separation/imaging, making the set feel more technical; however, it also trims warmth and depth, leaving the presentation a bit dry/brittle at times. Bass quality is clean and controlled rather than showy; treble reads clear without obvious harshness on the 711 rig readout, though it can edge lean.

Against peers, Mega5-EST stays the easier, warmer listen with slightly “thuddier” bass, while DUNU’s Brain Dance is the pick for maximum excitement and staging (more clinical up top). Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk (analog use) offers stronger imaging and notably satisfying bass execution at a lower price. Rockies ends up a very good, balanced all-rounder that some will prefer over Mega5-EST for its tidier bass and clarity, but the trade for brightness and dryness is real—final verdict: 3/5.

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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.