Softears RSV MK2 VS Elysian Pilgrim Noir

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

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Softears RSV MK2 and Elysian Pilgrim Noir use 5BA and 1DD+3BA driver setups respectively. Softears RSV MK2 costs $699 while Elysian Pilgrim Noir costs $800. Elysian Pilgrim Noir is $101 more expensive. Softears RSV MK2 holds a clear 0.7-point edge in reviewer scores (8.1 vs 7.4).

Softears RSV MK2 Aggregated Review Score

Softears RSV MK2 Average Reviewer Scores

Jays Audio IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

8.1

Very Positive


Elysian Pilgrim Noir Aggregated Review Score

Elysian Pilgrim Noir Average Reviewer Scores

Fresh Reviews
Super* Review
Smirk Audio Jays Audio Jaytiss
Z-Reviews Gizaudio Axel

Average Reviewer Score:

7.4

Generally Favorable


Softears RSV MK2 User Review Score

Softears RSV MK2 Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Elysian Pilgrim Noir User Review Score

Elysian Pilgrim Noir Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Softears RSV MK2 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.7

Gaming Grade

A

Elysian Pilgrim Noir Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.1

Gaming Grade

A-

Softears RSV MK2 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

A+
  • Very competent with articulate presentation. Well-defined layers and precise imaging. Soundstage is immersive and handles dynamics well.
Gaming A
Clear spatial presentation handles directional cues effectively. Distinguishes key gameplay sounds while maintaining decent immersion. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Elysian Pilgrim Noir Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A
  • Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.

Average Technical Grade

A
  • Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Bass A-
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
Mids A
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble A-
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details B+
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances. Reveals recording nuances and maintains clarity in complex passages.
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

Softears RSV MK2 Reviews

Softears RSV MK2 reviewed by:

2025-08-28
Jays Audio 8 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech
Bassy dynamic all-rounder with great low-end texture that slams hard with good note-weight/body. Slight Hype 4 upgrade. Treble is smooth, and vocals are well-tuned. Overall unboxing/accesories are great... just no ESTs at its price, I'd wait for sale.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio

Softears RSV MK2 shifts from the OG’s vocal-centric tilt into a bass-forward all-rounder. The sub-bass and mid-bass hit with real slam and weight, giving drums and bass guitars a satisfying, dynamic punch. Upper mids (3–6 kHz) are tamed to avoid shout, while a gentle 1–2 kHz rise keeps vocals open and natural—slightly less pushed than the original but still clear. Treble is smooth with decent air; not super sparkly and there’s no EST “sauce,” but it stays clean and non-fatiguing.

As a package, MK2’s standout is the low-end texture—thunderous yet controlled—making it one of the more engaging bassy sets under four figures. Technical performance is solid for the tier, though some rivals at lower prices bring more raw detail and EST extension. Build and accessories get a tasteful, modern refresh. For best balance, the stock tips work well; bass-boosting or treble-opening tips can shift it toward a more V-shape at the expense of overall smoothness.

On genre fit, MK2 shines with hip-hop, pop, EDM, and R&B, where its punch and warmth bring rhythms to life; for orchestral or leaner acoustic picks, the bass can edge forward depending on the mix. It scales to mid–high volumes nicely (around the 70–80 dB zone) without turning sharp. Compared with the OG RSV—now likely affected by a silent retune in recent units—the MK2 is the safer buy: less shout, more authority down low, and a broader all-rounder appeal. Recommended, especially if found below full MSRP, for listeners craving tasteful bass with natural mids and relaxed, smooth treble.

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Price: $699

Buy Softears RSV MK2 on Linsoul

Softears RSV MK2 reviewed by:

2025-08-28
IEMRanking AI 8.2 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
A+ Tech

Softears RSV MK2 is a refreshed 5-BA monitor that keeps the RSV’s concept but upgrades the acoustic path: a 4-way crossover with an LRC tuning network and dual bass tubes, plus passive pressure relief and a forged-carbon/CNC shell. It launches at $699.

Tonal balance lands in neutral with a tasteful bass lift: dual Knowles CI22955 BAs handle lows for punch and texture, an updated ED BA carries mids for natural vocals, and a composite SWFK addresses treble for clean extension without glare. Softears also talks about redistributed energy across bands for deeper bass, clearer mids, and smoother highs—cohesive and relaxed rather than hyped.

Technicalities are solid for an all-BA: quick transients, stable imaging, and a moderately spacious stage; isolation and comfort benefit from the passive pressure relief system. Early community notes suggest MK2 is a touch bassier than the original RSV while keeping the smooth upper-range character. It’s easy to drive at 7 Ω/122 dB, so pair it with low-noise sources.

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Price: $699

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Elysian Pilgrim Noir Reviews

Elysian Pilgrim Noir reviewed by:

Fresh Reviews 5.5* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
link is for the less expensive one

Fresh Reviews original ranking

Fresh Reviews Youtube Channel
- Fresh Reviews
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Price: $799

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Elysian Pilgrim Noir reviewed by:

Z-Reviews 8.5 * score normalized

Elysian Pilgrim Noir reviewed by:

Super* Review 6* * score normalized
Relaxed at the vocal region compared to orignial Pilgrim. Too expensive. Texturing is a little bit better than original Pilgrim

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review

Elysian Pilgrim Noir reviewed by:

Smirk Audio 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
Cons: Similar to Pilgrim OG at twice the price.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

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

Elysian Pilgrim Noir reviewed by:

Jays Audio 7.5 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
A+ Tech
Good but expensive. Recommended if you can find it for around $500. Direct upgrade to the AFUL Explorer. Scales great. Reminds me of the EJ07M but a bit smoother and less dynamic. Prefer it more than the OG pilgrim, but definitely not worth $400 more lol.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio

Elysian Pilgrim Noir reviewed by:

Jaytiss 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A- Tech
Way different than Pilgrim OG, less bright. Smoothe.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

Elysian Pilgrim Noir reviewed by:

Gizaudio Axel 8 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Sound is similar to the original Pilgrim. Bassier than the original Pilgrim with similar resolution.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel
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Price: $999

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Softears RSV MK2 User Reviews

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Price: $899

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Elysian Pilgrim Noir User Reviews

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