Elysian Pilgrim Noir VS Intuaura Purple

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Elysian x Effect Audio Pilgrim Noir takes the original Pilgrim’s 1DD + 3BA foundation and dials it up with an upgraded 4-way crossover, a stealthy all-black finish, and Effect Audio’s cable. There’s a switch to the micro-Pentaconn connector that feels more secure than on the OG, plus a suede case (smells like vintage sneakers) and a bigger-than-necessary box. Accessories are sparse for the price—some tips and a cloth, but no pile of extras or modular plug kit in the package—so the appeal leans hard on build and tuning rather than trinkets.

Sonically, Noir comes across as warmer, fuller, and smoother than the standard Pilgrim, with instrument placement that clicks into a “just right” stage—not hyper-wide, not cramped, simply balanced. Bass has satisfying body without bloat, mids are enhanced and buttery, and treble stays tasteful, giving the set clear character—a deliberate flavor rather than sterile perfection. Track after track hits the “ooh” button, delivering a genuinely flagship experience under $1k and feeling like a refined take on sets in the “Nanna” vein. Score wise, it gets the headline 10, with a “heart says 9.5” caveat only for the light accessory load; in pure sound, it’s a clear step beyond the original Pilgrim and absolutely the one to keep in ears.

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Intuaura Purple brings a polished, pricey package: lush purple shells, a comfy fit, and a cable that looks the part—even if the accessories feel recycled from cheaper siblings. The kicker is the optional DSP dongle (~$65) that re-voices the set; without it, the Purple already sounds clean, punchy, and engaging, with strong clarity and respectable stage. Snap the DSP on and the tuning shifts toward flatter, smoother treble and tidier FR, but soundstage shrinks a notch and the presentation loses some air. It’s a dramatic EQ-by-hardware move—effective, yes, but it turns one IEM into two different takes, which raises the question: which tuning is “the” Purple?

As a pure IEM at $650, Purple holds up: comfortable, easy to enjoy across sources, and free of obvious sibilance when left stock. Compared to lower-priced models that seem to need their DSP to shine, this one doesn’t; the dongle just complicates the decision with a second signature riding shotgun. Verdict: a confident 8/10 for the IEM itself—good build, enjoyable tonality, solid technicals—tempered by the mental tax of the bolt-on DSP path. Buy for the purple “puppy”; don’t let the extra “Honda Civic” in the box talk you into second-guessing what already works.

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Elysian Pilgrim Noir pairs a 3BA + 1DD hybrid setup with the Effect Audio Eros S cable, whose interchangeable terminations and connector modules keep it versatile without coloring the sound. The tuning comes across as reference-leaning bright: crisp and detailed, but with a treble edge that can flirt with harshness on certain material. At around $800, it targets clarity and speed over warmth or heft, positioning itself more for precision than for cinematic thump.

In competitive play, that profile is a mixed bag. In Valorant, the elevated upper range pulls out light cues—footsteps, surface taps, metal pings—with excellent imaging and depth perception, making it a solid B+. Shift to Apex Legends and the brighter gunfire, grenades, and wideband chaos create occlusion; despite a larger stage, separation suffers, settling around a B–. In Call of Duty, imaging and verticality remain competent, but bass-weighted effects can mask detail, putting performance near a B to B–.

Overall, for pure competitive gaming the Pilgrim Noir isn’t the most compelling value at its price; several cheaper sets deliver cleaner separation and easier cue extraction. It still earns “wall-hack certified” status, yet the Tigerism Sunflower generally scores higher across titles and offers a warmer, more intimate presentation for music. The Noir suits listeners who favor a lighter, brighter, reference tilt and prioritize micro detail—just be mindful of the treble bite and genre- or game-dependent occlusion trade-offs.