Elysian Pilgrim Noir VS Thieaudio Hype 10

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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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$900 tribrid with a naming twist: despite the “10,” it’s a 12-driver stack—2x dynamic for the lows and 10x BA for the rest—tuned to feel like a single DD done right. It’s easy to drive yet scales with better amps, delivering a warm, cohesive cloud of sound with a shockingly natural low end from the dual dynamics and clean, clarified treble from the BAs. The tonality straddles the line between fun and audiophile: throw on bangers and it hits; cue up quiet, moody scores and it gets soft, spacious, and atmospheric without smearing detail. Compared to a reference single-DD like Softears Twilight, this set brings better bass authority and brighter treble definition, giving up a tick of soundstage in exchange for a more enveloping, “everything-just-blends” presentation that feels more cohesive than a 2+10 should.

Build and pack-ins are the buzzkill: the shells are huge, the finish can look plainer than promo photos, and the accessories are sparse (basic case, tips, adapters, standard cable). Tip rolling matters—silicone (e.g., Dunu SS) keeps the bass tight and the vibe relaxed; foams can blunt the magic. Despite the light bundle, the tuning is a no-brainer recommendation at this tier: flagship-level dynamics with zero obvious deal-breakers, equally at home with industrial grit and orchestral whispers. Call it a confident 9/10: fewer trinkets in the box, but the sound is the show—and it’s the real hype.

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Thieaudio Hype 10 comes across as a competent all-rounder with a lush, boosted bass shelf, but feedback repeatedly notes a touch of boom and occasional treble peaks that undermine cohesion. Staging and detail feel decent yet unremarkable, and several listeners point to cleaner contrast and dynamics on alternatives like the Helios. While one participant enjoyed the “boom-boom” soundstage and put Hype 10 near the top, most impressions describe the bass as slightly bleedy into the mids and the overall presentation as less resolving than expected at its price.

Against its siblings, the Hype 4 frequently wins praise for a more natural midrange, better balance, and a smoother, more versatile listen; multiple listeners preferred it over Hype 10. Versus the step-up Monarch Mk3 (only ~$100 more), the consensus favors the Monarch for being cleaner, more refined, and more detailed. Non-audiophile participants often struggled to distinguish the lineup, but seasoned ears consistently grouped Hype 10 as a decent generalist that doesn’t feel particularly special next to Hype 4 and Monarch Mk3.

Takeaway: Hype 10 offers familiar, bass-forward isobaric flavor with broadly agreeable tonality, yet value perception is mixed. For most listeners, Hype 4 reads as the smarter buy, and if budget stretches, Monarch Mk3 is widely recommended over Hype 10 for its more resolving and cohesive sound.

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Build & comfort hit the modern Thieaudio groove: a compact shell with a gentle wing, secure nozzle lip that plays nice with most tips, and a faceplate that’s tasteful if not flashy. The stock EST cable feels soft and skin-like with tidy ear hooks, a steady chin slider, and a clean Y-split—nothing fussy, everything practical. On-ear fit is extremely comfortable, light, and stable over long sessions.

Tonally, Hype 10 brings impactful—but controlled—bass, pristine mids/treble, and a spacious stage with convincing imaging. It reads neutral with a hint of fun: satisfying sub-bass lift, healthy upper-mids, and air/extension that adds space without splash. Note weight and slam aren’t “insane,” but resolution is high and the overall presentation is natural, clean, and engaging. It’s also one of those rare sets that doesn’t beg for EQ.

Against the lineup and peers: Hype 2 feels flat and unexceptional by comparison; Hype 4 is very close, but Hype 10 fixes the upper-air/treble shortfall and steps up stage and resolution. Versus Monarch Mk I, Hype 10’s extra bass avoids leanness; against Oracle MK3, it avoids that 4–6 kHz “flat energy” rise and sounds more natural up top. Dunu’s Mirai charms but runs leaner with a sharper edge; Jupiter can out-punch and extend, yet the price undercuts its appeal; Diva has special upper mids but the dip-switch fiddle and pricing dull the value. Net: under $1,000 (open-box deals around $800 sweeten the pot), Hype 10 is a standout recommendation—and while Hype 4 gets you ~99% of the flavor if its treble suits you, Hype 10 is the more complete, everyday-ready choice.

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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.

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Build & package: Both arrive with the same tips, case, and box, but the Hype 10 adds an interchangeable 3.5/2.5/4.4 mm cable. The shells differ in size—Hype 4 is smaller—while the Hype 10’s faceplate is a standout, galaxy-like design. Driver & price: Hype 4 runs 2DD + 4BA at $399; Hype 10 upgrades to 2DD + 10BA at $899, featuring Sonion bass/mids and Knowles ultra-tweeters, plus dual 10 mm isobaric DDs.

Sound & use-case: Versus Hype 4, the Hype 10 brings tighter, punchier bass with more texture and quicker attack, cleaner mids with a slightly more natural timbre, and a treble that’s crisp, airy, and more analytical. It offers better separation, layering, and a slightly larger stage, making instruments, vocals, and even orchestral passages easier to parse—excellent for music and single-player titles with cinematic scores. For competitive gaming, however, the Hype 10’s elevated presence region turns gunshots/explosions spicy and can crowd out footsteps, while the Hype 4 stays smoother up top and keeps positional cues clearer with comparable imaging. On the Wall Hack Certified list: Hype 4 = B+, Hype 10 = B. Net: both are fantastic, but at half the price and with stronger FPS performance, the Hype 4 remains the easier recommendation and current daily driver.

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The Pilgrim Noir is a collaboration tweak on Elysian’s $400 Pilgrim, now at $800 with a darker aesthetic and an Effect Audio cable. The cable feels premium but, with very low impedance, has a negligible impact on sound; IPX connectors remain and hardware styling is a bit blingy. Driver layout stays the same—1DD + 3BA—and while marketing calls out crossover changes, the practical differences show up more subtly.

On the mic, graphs tell the story: when the resonance peak is aligned properly, Pilgrim and Noir measure very similarly, with only a small shift in the upper mids/treble. In listening, Noir presents a touch more relaxed vocal region and a hair more warmth, while bass quantity stays about the same. The original Pilgrim still projects a slightly wider, brighter sense of space, but the Noir pushes ahead on texture—voices and guitars feel a bit more guttural and satisfying.

As a package, this is still a safe tuning with no sharp treble or boomy bass, just a more opinionated flavor than the regular Pilgrim. Preference leans Noir for that added texture and nuance, but the value case is harder at 2× the price. Verdict: a solid 3-star set at $800—worth it for those chasing the Pilgrim’s core sound with a touch more character, not for anyone expecting a wholesale upgrade.