Fir Audio XE6 VS Elysian Annihilator 2023

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Fir Audio XE6 and Elysian Annihilator 2023 are in-ear monitors. Fir Audio XE6 costs $3,899 while Elysian Annihilator 2023 costs $2,999. Fir Audio XE6 is $900 more expensive. Elysian Annihilator 2023 holds a decisive 3.1-point edge in reviewer scores (5.9 vs 9). Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better bass with a 3.7-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better mids with a 2.3-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better treble with a 4.6-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better soundstage with a 3.5-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better details with a 2.5-point edge and Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better imaging with a 1-point edge.

Insights

Metric Fir Audio XE6 Elysian Annihilator 2023
Bass 4.5 8.2
Mids 6 8.3
Treble 5 9.6
Details 7 9.5
Soundstage 6.5 10
Imaging 6.5 7.5
Dynamics 8.5 8.5
Gaming capabilities 4.8 7.4

Fir Audio XE6 Aggregated Review Score

Fir Audio XE6 Average Reviewer Scores

Shuwa-T

Average Reviewer Score:

5.9

Mixed


Elysian Annihilator 2023 Aggregated Review Score

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Tim Tuned Precogvision IEMRanking AI
Gizaudio Axel Jaytiss
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

9

Outstanding


Fir Audio XE6 User Review Score

Fir Audio XE6 Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Elysian Annihilator 2023 User Review Score

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Fir Audio XE6 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

4.8

Gaming Grade

C

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7.4

Gaming Grade

A-

Fir Audio XE6 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C+
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

Average Technical Grade

B+
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Bass C
Subdued bass response that stays mostly in the background. Lacks energy and impact but maintains basic definition.
Mids B
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble C+
Decent treble with acceptable extension and detail. Can sound slightly unrefined but avoids being harsh or sibilant.
Soundstage B+
Good soundstage with proper width and depth. Instruments have clear positioning with reasonable front/back placement.
Details A-
Excellent detail retrieval: highly resolving without being clinical. Effortlessly reveals micro-details and textural subtleties.
Imaging B+
Good imaging with precise instrument placement. Clear localization within the soundstage including front/back positioning.
Gaming C
Minimal environmental definition provides only general audio cues. Suitable for games where positioning isn't critical. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

S-
  • Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.

Average Technical Grade

S
  • Outstanding resolution and control. Effortlessly retrieves micro-details, with holographic staging and fast transients. Handles complexity with poise.
Bass A+
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble S
Reference-class treble: flawless extension with zero fatigue. Hyper-detailed yet perfectly natural reproduction of highs.
Dynamics S-
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage S+
Reference-class soundstage: perfectly spherical presentation with infinite space. Utterly realistic instrument placement and venue reproduction.
Details S
Reference-class detail: microscopic resolution with perfect texture reproduction. Nothing is lost, revealing the absolute truth of the recording.
Imaging A
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Fir Audio XE6 Reviews

Fir Audio XE6 reviewed by:

Shuwa-T 5.9 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
B+ Tech
Comment: Golden exterior costing more than jewelry. Very commanding midbass presence Recessed midrange overpowered by bass boost, just sounds tonally off

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: C Mids: B Treble: C+ Soundstage: B+ Details: A- Imaging: B+

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Reviews

Elysian Annihilator 2023 reviewed by:

Smirk Audio 8.4 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
Top-tier resolution with world-class treble. Great dynamics. Could use better bass texturing. An exciting listen.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: A Mids: A+ Treble: S Dynamics: S- Details: S Imaging: A+

Elysian Annihilator 2023 reviewed by:

Super* Review 10* * score normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review

Elysian Annihilator 2023 reviewed by:

Tim Tuned 8.5 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
More defined bass than 2021 version 2021 is cleaner and more open sounding

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: S

Elysian Annihilator 2023 reviewed by:

Precogvision 8.7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
More of an all-rounder with better bass compared to the 2021 version, sacrifices some soundstage.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: A+ Mids: A- Treble: S+ Dynamics: S Details: S+ Imaging: A-

Elysian Annihilator 2023 reviewed by:

Gizaudio Axel 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Hands down, my favorite IEM. Powerful, impactful bass, the best treble I’ve experienced in an IEM, endgame-level detail. The bass might be too much for some people.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel

Elysian Annihilator 2023 reviewed by:

Jaytiss 9.6 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech
Treble extension is insane, I always think I'm over it, but I may never be over it.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: S+ Treble: S+ Dynamics: A+ Soundstage: S+

Elysian Annihilator 2023 reviewed by:

2025-07-25
IEMRanking AI 8.9 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech

The Elysian Annihilator 2023 delivers a distinctive U-shaped signature, prioritizing an ethereal, hyper-detailed treble that remains its crown jewel. The dual electrostatic drivers produce a sparkling, linear upper register with exceptional air and micro-detail retrieval, often cited as best-in-class for its effortless extension and lack of harshness. Mids are clear and resolving but lean slightly thin due to a deliberate 1-1.5kHz recession, lending vocals an "ultra-clear" rather than lush character.

Bass performance, while improved over earlier iterations, remains contentious at its $3k price. The single Foster dynamic driver offers good sub-bass quantity and slam but struggles with speed and textural nuance, leading to smearing on complex passages. Technicalities impress with razor-sharp transients and strong macro-dynamics, though soundstage width and layering fall short of flagship expectations, and imaging is merely competent.

Practical considerations include large resin shells that may challenge smaller ears, though comfort is generally good with deep-seating tips. The included Liquid Links Martini cable is well-built but uses proprietary Pentaconn connectors, limiting aftermarket options. Low sensitivity (94dB) demands a powerful source to avoid dynamics compression.

- IEMRanking AI

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