Elysian Annihilator 2023 VS qdc Anole VX

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Elysian Annihilator 2023 and qdc Anole VX use 1DD+4BA+2EST and 10BA driver setups respectively. Elysian Annihilator 2023 costs $2,999 while qdc Anole VX costs $2,500. Elysian Annihilator 2023 is $499 more expensive. Elysian Annihilator 2023 holds a decisive 1.2-point edge in reviewer scores (9 vs 7.8). Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better bass with a 1.4-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better treble with a 2-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better dynamics with a 3.2-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has better details with a 0.5-point edge and qdc Anole VX has slightly better imaging with a 0.3-point edge.

Metric	Elysian Annihilator 2023	qdc Anole VX
Bass	8.2	6.8
Mids	8	8
Treble	9.4	7.4
Details	9.5	9
Soundstage	9	8
Imaging	7.5	7.8
Dynamics	8.2	5
Tonality	8.6	7.5
Technicalities	8.9	8.6

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Score:

Outstanding

Show all Elysian Annihilator 2023 reviews

qdc Anole VX Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Score:

7.8

Strongly Favorable

Show all qdc Anole VX reviews

Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+2EST

Tuning Type: U-Shaped

Brand: Elysian Top Elysian IEMs

Price (Msrp): $2,999

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Driver Configuration: 10BA

Tuning Type: Neutral

Brand: QDC Top QDC IEMs

Price (Msrp): $2,500

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Elysian Annihilator 2023 User Review Score

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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qdc Anole VX User Review Score

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Elysian Annihilator 2023 Gaming Score

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

Gaming Score

7.3

Gaming Grade

A-

qdc Anole VX Gaming Score

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

Gaming Score

6.8

Gaming Grade

B+

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Scorings

Average Tunign Grade

S-

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

Average Technical Grade

S-

Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.

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 A+

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

qdc Anole VX Scorings

Average Tunign Grade

Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

S-

Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.

Bass B+

Good bass foundation with decent impact. Maintains acceptable control while providing satisfying thump in most tracks.

Mids A+

Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.

Treble A-

Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.

Dynamics C+

Decent dynamic performance. Good macro-contrast but micro-dynamics could be more nuanced. Satisfactory impact.

Soundstage A+

Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.

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 B+

Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Reviews

Reviewed by: Super* Review

10* * score normalized

check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

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

Mids: S Treble: S Dynamics: A- Soundstage: S

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

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

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

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

Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: S

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

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

Reviewed by: IEMRanking AI

2025-07-25

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.