Elysian Pilgrim VS Yanyin Canon Pro

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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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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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Yanyin Canon Pro is a 1DD + 6BA hybrid around $400 with a light, well-sized shell that’s easy to fit and pleasantly vented. The kit impresses: a suede-like round case feels durable, the tip selection is reasonable, and the cable is a standout—supple, visually premium, and available in 3.5 / 4.4 (even 2.5 for holdouts). Comfort trends above average, and the dip switches exist but the favored setting is the “all up” configuration.

Tonally the Canon Pro skews neutral and safe: modest bass with slightly recessed lower mids, a clean midrange, and smooth treble that brings out micro-detail without harsh spikes. Sub-bass could dig deeper, yet dynamics never feel anemic; it’s more about balance than fireworks. The FR “hugs the target,” with a touch of upper air and extension that reads subtle rather than showy, yielding an all-day listen with natural imaging and very low fatigue.

Against peers, Canon Pro beats Canon 2 for detail and top-end finesse (Canon 2 offers more warmth and punch), and comes across more refined than Hype 4, whose upper air can feel exaggerated. Versus Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk, the Dusk DSP wins if DSP is on the table, but in pure analog the edge tilts to Canon Pro. Sets like AFUL Performer 7 trade blows (more bass/treble “spice” there), while Pilgrim can read too bright and Moondrop Meteor feels leaner down low. The takeaway: not a showboat, but a polished, versatile IEM with beautiful accessories, easy comfort, and tuning that’s EQ-friendly and broadly appealing—an easy recommendation for those who value clarity and poise over spectacle.

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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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Yanyin Canon Pro brings a 1DD + 6BA stack with two DIP switches that alter an internal crossover rather than simple EQ, but the documentation is maddeningly vague. Stock out of the box (switch 1 up, switch 2 down) hits the sweet spot: most bass, gently damped treble, and a cohesive, engaging sound. Flip both down and the presentation turns flat and distant; flip both up and treble gets piercing with bass falling behind; 1 down / 2 up is another treble burst. Imaging remains solid throughout, but these are not bass monsters even with bass engaged. Tip rolling matters: wide-bore “velvet” tips step the listener back a row, smoothing the intensity and making the set feel properly $400-grade.

Build and accessories are a mixed bag. The cable is excellent—thick, straight, aluminum hardware that would make full-size headphones jealous—though the included plug here was fixed 3.5 mm (a 4.4 mm option is preferable). The carry case and presentation are great, but the shells themselves look muted and underwhelming in person, a far cry from attention-grabbing faceplates. Comfort and fit are fine, with flared nozzles and grippy bases that keep tips secure.

Sonically, with the right tips and the 1 up / 2 down setting, Canon Pro can absolutely be a daily driver—balanced, clean, and listenable for long stretches. The headache is the switching: three of the four permutations feel like downgrades, and the lack of a clear switch map from Yanyin doesn’t help. Net take: tuning potential is there, but it requires fussing (tips, gain, switches) to get it right. As a package—case, cable, and sound once dialed—this feels more like a strong $300 proposition; sort the switch profiles so each one is genuinely good, and the full $400 ask would make a lot more sense.

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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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The Ziigaat Arcanis offers a warm, somewhat thick sound signature with a noticeable bass boost and a lean lower midrange. This is balanced by a relaxed upper midrange and lower treble, contributing to its overall smooth character. While it provides decent extension, the Arcanis can occasionally present vocals with a slightly wet or near-sibilant edge, especially depending on ear tip choice and fit depth. Its transient response is sharper than the Yanyin Canon Pro, giving it better definition and crisper imaging, though the bass physicality is only middling.

Physically, the Arcanis features lightweight plastic shells with a distinctive dark black and green aesthetic. However, the build quality feels somewhat cheap for the $400 price point, especially paired with the included thin, glossy cable. The shells are notably long, leading to a fit that can feel deep and occasionally aggressive in the ear canal, exacerbated by the stock ear tips. Users may experience noticeable driver flex or squish when inserting them. Comfort is generally acceptable for upright listening but becomes problematic when lying on your side.

Ultimately, the Arcanis earns a three-star rating. While it delivers a generally inoffensive, warm sound with decent technicalities like transient bite and imaging, it lacks standout qualities or strong definition at its price. The physical experience, particularly the fit and perceived build quality, further holds it back from being a compelling recommendation. It ends up feeling like a competent but unremarkable offering in its tier.

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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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Yanyin's Canon Pro returns with a 1DD + 6BA array that targets a clean, BA-forward presentation: sub-bass modestly lifted, a persistent mid-bass tuck, and an earlier ear-gain rise that brings vocals forward. Lower treble has presence while upper treble rolls smoothly into air, preserving separation and avoiding splash; the result is crisp articulation at low–moderate volumes with notable clarity and resolve.

Bass is punchy and fast but restrained, reading neutral for some genres; rock can feel a bit too tidy, while classical/jazz benefit from the cleaner floor. The mids carry the show—strong imaging, clear outlines and BA speed—though the combination of the tuck and earlier rise flattens stage depth; width/height are convincing and layering remains organized. The set responds well to a warmer source to add body and to keep vocals from thinning when the volume creeps up.

Positioned around $400, value depends on priorities: all-rounders with a smoother bass shelf at lower prices exist, but Canon Pro offers a more technical, mid-centric take that will resonate with balanced-armature fans. For listeners chasing separation, detail and a tidy treble without glare, it makes a focused, capable choice—just not the safest pick for those wanting heft and depth.

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Yanyin Canon Pro comes with two dip switches per side and effectively three tunings (up/up, down/down, and mixed). Packaging is solid with a nicer copper cable, tips, case, and a switch tool. Sonically it shifts away from Canon 2’s warmth into a more neutral profile with clean bass, quick attack/decay, and a wide, deep stage. Detail retrieval, separation, and layering are a highlight for music at around $400, competing with sets like Mangird Tea Pro and Canon 2, while feeling less intimate than both.

For gaming, the expansive stage delivers strong imaging and “yardage” cues, with gunfire rendered clean and impactful; however, reduced mid-bass body means footsteps don’t cut through as urgently as on Canon 2. In Valorant (preferred up/up), the set sounds spacious and resolving but can soften the immediacy of close-range steps—still solid due to depth and layering, scoring about a B+. In Apex, down/down becomes preferable: slides and lighter cues pop better amid chaotic fights, yet overall brightness and big explosions can mask details, putting it around B+ (bordering B). In Call of Duty, imaging and layering impress, but the softer footstep emphasis keeps it near a B+. Overall, a B+ for competitive play: choose Canon Pro for a more neutral, airy presentation and excellent detail; pick Canon 2 or Mangird Tea Pro when maximal footstep emphasis and tighter intimacy are the priority.