Stealthsonics U9 VS Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea

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

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Stealthsonics U9 and Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea use 1DD+8BA and 1DD+4BA driver setups respectively. Stealthsonics U9 costs $1,100 while Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea costs $1,300. Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea is $200 more expensive. Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea holds a decisive 3.5-point edge in reviewer scores (4.5 vs 8).

Insights

Metric Stealthsonics U9 Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea
Bass 4.5 8.1
Mids 4.5 7.5
Treble 4.5 7.5
Details 4.5 8.8
Soundstage 4.5 8
Imaging 4.5 7.5
Dynamics 4.5 8
Tonality 4 7.6
Technicalities 5.5 8.5

Stealthsonics U9 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Crin

Average Reviewer Score:

4.5

Generally Unfavorable

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Shuwa-T Jays Audio Tim Tuned Precogvision
Audionotions Nymz
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

8

Strongly Favorable

Reviews Comparison

Stealthsonics U9 (more reviews)

Stealthsonics U9 reviewed by Crin

Crin 4.5 Reviewer Score
C- Tuning
B- Tech
An otherwise capable hybrid caught out by nasally and odd midrange.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea (more reviews)

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 9* * score normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea reviewed by Audionotions

2025-09-26
Audionotions 8.5 Reviewer Score
Gaea is bright, and at first, it might seem to be dry, but not in a bad way. I initially thought it could use more meat on the bones, but this tuning works very well after listening. Sinfully resolving. Great layering with top tier transients, dynamics, imaging, and separation. Mids and treble are amazing. Bass is very punchy but perhaps doesn't rumble as much as I'd like, but it is still quite nice. Lack of rumble in the bass is probably the only knock I have against Gaea, but even then, the bass response is incredibly fast and overall the bass is very well textured and incredibly high quality. Loved this on demo so much that I ended up buying my own. Very versatile - plays everything I throw at it with ease. Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 8.2 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Clarity king with great sense of detail. An agressive listen but never sibilant. Great tight and fast bass, at the expense of sounding dry in the lower mids. Not recommended if you are sensitive to higher frequencies.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

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

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 7.8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A+ Tech
Easy to like tuning that isn't considered too safe with convincing vocal presentation, bass slams hard Not entirely coherent especially in the upper frequencies, subbass hits a little too hard relative to the rest of the frequencies

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

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

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
S Tech
Super aggresive, exciting, v-shape, treblehead. Low-end is also very punchy and rumbly. TOTL technical performance with tons of details and OCD, but gets fatiguing. Shouty.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
S Tech
Versatile DNA that's also unique. #1 Jack of all trades

Tim Tuned original ranking

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

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 7.4 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A+ Tech
Fantastic clarity at the expense of sounding somewhat dry.

Precogvision original ranking

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

Stealthsonics U9 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Stealthsonics U9 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

4.1

Gaming Grade

C-

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.2

Gaming Grade

A-

Stealthsonics U9 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C-
  • Significantly flawed tuning. Noticeable frequency imbalances and unnatural timbre distract from music. Lacks versatility across recordings.

Average Technical Grade

B-
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
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

Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea 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

S-
  • Very competent with articulate presentation. Well-defined layers and precise imaging. Soundstage is immersive and handles dynamics well.
Bass A+
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
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+
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage A+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
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

Stealthsonics U9 User Reviews

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Effect Audio x Elysian Gaea User Reviews

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