Elysian Annihilator 2021 VS Subtonic STORM

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

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Elysian Annihilator 2021 and Subtonic STORM use 1DD+4BA+2EST and 5BA+2EST+2SLAM driver setups respectively. Elysian Annihilator 2021 costs $3,500 while Subtonic STORM costs $5,200. Subtonic STORM is $1,700 more expensive. Subtonic STORM holds a slight 0.3-point edge in reviewer scores (8.8 vs 9.1). Subtonic STORM has better bass with a 0.6-point edge, Subtonic STORM has slightly better mids with a 0.3-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2021 has significantly better treble with a 1.1-point edge, Subtonic STORM has better dynamics with a 0.5-point edge, Subtonic STORM has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge and Subtonic STORM has better imaging with a 0.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric Elysian Annihilator 2021 Subtonic STORM
Bass 8.1 8.7
Mids 8.1 8.4
Treble 9.8 8.7
Details 9.7 9.7
Soundstage 8.5 9.5
Imaging 8.2 9
Dynamics 9 9.5
Tonality 8.6 9
Technicalities 8.9 9.4

Elysian Annihilator 2021 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision Shuwa-T Crin
Nymz Z-Reviews Tim Tuned

Average Reviewer Score:

8.8

Excellent


Subtonic STORM Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Bad Guy Good Audio
Shuwa-T Precogvision Tim Tuned Gizaudio Axel IEMRanking AI
Jays Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

9.1

Outstanding


Elysian Annihilator 2021 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Subtonic STORM User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Elysian Annihilator 2021 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-

Subtonic STORM 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 Annihilator 2021 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-
  • 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 S
Reference-class dynamics: perfect micro/macro contrast with lightning transients. Utterly realistic reproduction of musical energy.
Soundstage S-
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+
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
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

Subtonic STORM 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 S-
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-
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics S
Reference-class dynamics: perfect micro/macro contrast with lightning transients. Utterly realistic reproduction of musical energy.
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 S
Reference-class imaging: perfectly pinpoint accuracy in 3D space. Utterly realistic placement with zero positional drift.
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 Annihilator 2021 Reviews

Nymz 9.1 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Usual agressive and saturated Elysian house sound with the best treble ever.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

- Nymz
Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: S+ Details: S+ Imaging: A+
Z-Reviews 9 * score normalized
Tim Tuned 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Speediest Treble, well extended, high details Midbass a bit too much for me

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: A+ Mids: S Treble: S+
Precogvision 8.7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S Tech
Agressive listen with excellent resolution and, currently, the only true implementation of the EST drivers.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: S+ Dynamics: S Details: S+ Imaging: A+
Shuwa-T 8.7 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S- Tech
Comment: Perfect for treble heads. Extremely well tuned set with incredible technical performance and extension Treble may be a little too spicy

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: S- Mids: S- Treble: S Soundstage: S- Details: S Imaging: S-
Crin 8.5 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
check links for more info:

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
- Crin

Subtonic STORM Reviews

Jays Audio 10 Reviewer Score
S+ Tuning
S+ Tech
The best IEM I've ever heard. Best timbre. Super natural. TOTL tech. It's just good. That's all.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio

Most IEMs inevitably introduce flaws that shatter musical immersion—be it harsh treble, shouty vocals, or unbalanced bass. These imperfections act as chains, binding the listener and preventing that elusive state of pure, uninterrupted freedom within the music. While the OG EJ07 came close, even it faltered on certain tracks, its forward vocals becoming a jarring distraction when pushed hard. The Subtonic Storm, however, shatters this pattern entirely.

Contrary to its name, the Storm represents the eye of the hurricane—a sanctuary of pure, effortless sound. It liberates the music from tuning flaws, presenting it naturally and tranquilly. There are zero distractions or attachments holding the listener back, enabling deep introspection and complete immersion, as if conversing directly with the singer or instrument. This profound, intangible quality—achieving that free state—is why it's considered the best IEM, offering unmatched resolution, separation, and imaging, albeit at an astronomical $5,000 price point.

Value-wise, the Storm is undeniably terrible; the KZ ASF ($250) gets you 80% there, and the Monarch MKII ($1,000) delivers 95%. It's a luxury item, justified only by its unique, unmeasurable ability to dissolve worldly distractions and forge total oneness with the music. Crucially, it's not for everyone: Bass heads, background listeners, or those enjoying J-pop/K-pop/EDM will find far better value elsewhere under $300. Only those deeply seeking musical transcendence, with ample disposable income, should even consider it. For everyone else, stay away—you simply don’t need it.

Shuwa-T 9.3 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Comment: TOTL tuning with TOTL technicalities to boot. Perfectly tuned, unparalled detail retrieval, staging, imaging, and proper holographic background as a cohesive package The price I guess

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: S Mids: S Treble: S Soundstage: S Details: S Imaging: S
Precogvision 9.1 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
Easily at the top for resolution and dynamic contrast, accompanied by rigid transients and pinpoint layering.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: S Dynamics: S+ Details: S+ Imaging: S
Tim Tuned 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
The most extraodinary normal sounding IEM ever. Amazing all-around big and heavy shell

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: S Mids: S Treble: S
Gizaudio Axel 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech
The most detailed IEM I’ve ever heard. Exceptional resolution, neutral sound signature. Hard to drive.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel
Smirk Audio 8.8 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
World-class resolution and layering. Extreme, almost exaggerated dynamics. Staging is large but not class-leading.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: S- Mids: S- Treble: S- Dynamics: S Details: S Imaging: S-
Bad Guy Good Audio 8.3 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Technical excellence (accuracy). Near perfect tuning. Bass...great Price. Wait.

URL to full Review

Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking

Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel
- Bad Guy Good Audio
Bass: A+ Mids: A- Treble: A+
IEMRanking AI 9.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech

The Subtonic Storm delivers a balanced sound signature characterized by a generous sub-bass boost, neutral midrange, and an elevated, articulate treble response. Its standout feature is the implementation of proprietary SLAM drivers—custom balanced armatures handling separate sub-bass and mid-bass frequencies—which produce exceptional slam and texture rivaling dynamic drivers. The treble exhibits deliberate, controlled peaks between 5-15kHz, contributing to vividness without harshness, though some listeners may note a slight roll-off past 16kHz.

Technically, the Storm sets a high bar with class-leading dynamics, micro-detail resolution, and driver coherence across its hybrid array. Staging offers strong width and depth but lacks a cohesive center image. Ergonomically, the titanium shells are bulky and heavy, causing fatigue during extended use, and the stock cable is often criticized for stiffness. Additionally, its low sensitivity demands powerful amplification, limiting portability.

- IEMRanking AI

Elysian Annihilator 2021 User Reviews

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Subtonic STORM User Reviews

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