Softears Twilight VS Elysian Pilgrim Noir

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Softears Twilight presents as a compact, metal, cube-like single-DD with a surprisingly comfortable fit, small nozzle, and recessed 2-pin sockets; build feels solid and understated. The stock cable is tasteful and practical, featuring a 4.4 termination with a matching 4.4-to-3.5 adapter that fits the aesthetic. Overall execution gives premium vibes without flash, and the in-ear ergonomics are notably good despite the chunky silhouette.

Tonally, Twilight carries modest bass presence with a gentle rise through the lower mids, then blossoms into crispy upper-mids and airy treble. The result is world-class imaging and stage, vivid separation, and some of the most engaging vocals in its bracket; however, cymbals can skew a touch sharp and strings may sound glassy if a track leans hot. Listeners craving slam or extra bite may notice a lack of “snap,” but a light EQ shelf can wake up the low end nicely.

Against peers, RSV offers a bit more bass weight and a smoother mid transition, Noir is the more balanced all-rounder, and Monarch trades blows on technicalities while feeling more polite. Twilight’s charm is its engagement: punchy, airy, and uniquely “fantastical,” with sweeter upper registers and less shout than sets like Aurora. Priced around $930, it’s best viewed as a must-demo for vocal lovers and those tolerant of leaner bass—an A-class experience for the right tuning preference, and a tempting buy if found closer to mid-fi pricing.

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Understated presentation, premium execution. Softears Twilight arrives in a minimalist box with a gorgeous leather case, a stock cable terminated in 4.4 mm plus a 4.4→3.5 mm adapter, and a thoughtful IEM sleeve to keep shells from clacking. The shells themselves are matte-black and cleanly finished, signaling a higher-end single dynamic-driver design that positions Twilight as the “little brother” to Turii while aiming at a similar refinement tier.

On first listen, the tuning comes across as mostly neutral with a vocal-forward slant. Bass reaches deep and hits punchy—classic DD dynamics—though some may read quantity as slightly bass-light. Treble is nicely extended with a touch of air, helping the stage feel open, and there’s a satisfying sense of depth and clarity that elevates detail without harshness. Price sits near the kilobuck mark, but early impressions suggest the performance and execution make a strong case, earning Twilight a spot as the session’s second standout and a compelling target for extended A/Bs against established in-game favorites.

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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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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.

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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.