Vision Ears Erlkonig VS Elysian Annihilator 2023

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

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Vision Ears Erlkonig and Elysian Annihilator 2023 use 13BA and 1DD+4BA+2EST driver setups respectively. Vision Ears Erlkonig costs $4,500 while Elysian Annihilator 2023 costs $2,999. Vision Ears Erlkonig is $1,501 more expensive. Elysian Annihilator 2023 holds a decisive 1.8-point edge in reviewer scores (7.2 vs 9). Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better bass with a 1.4-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has better mids with a 0.8-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better treble with a 3.6-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better dynamics with a 2.2-point edge, Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better soundstage with a 1.5-point edge and Elysian Annihilator 2023 has significantly better details with a 1-point edge.

Insights

Metric Vision Ears Erlkonig Elysian Annihilator 2023
Bass 6.8 8.2
Mids 7.3 8
Treble 5.8 9.4
Details 8.5 9.5
Soundstage 7.5 9
Imaging 7.5 7.5
Dynamics 6 8.2
Tonality 6.9 8.6
Technicalities 7.7 8.9

Vision Ears Erlkonig Aggregated Review Score

Vision Ears Erlkonig Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision
Shuwa-T Crin

Average Reviewer Score:

7.2

Generally Favorable


Elysian Annihilator 2023 Aggregated Review Score

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision Tim Tuned Smirk Audio IEMRanking AI
Jaytiss Gizaudio Axel
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

9

Outstanding


Vision Ears Erlkonig User Review Score

Vision Ears Erlkonig Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Elysian Annihilator 2023 User Review Score

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Vision Ears Erlkonig Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6

Gaming Grade

B

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.3

Gaming Grade

A-

Vision Ears Erlkonig Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B+
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

Average Technical Grade

A
  • Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Bass B+
Good bass foundation with decent impact. Maintains acceptable control while providing satisfying thump in most tracks.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble B-
Decent treble with acceptable extension and detail. Can sound slightly unrefined but avoids being harsh or sibilant.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Soundstage A
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
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 B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Elysian Annihilator 2023 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 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

Vision Ears Erlkonig Reviews

Vision Ears Erlkonig reviewed by:

Shuwa-T 7.7 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A Tech
Comment: Smooth without compromising too much on details. Warm yet spacious Might almost sound dark

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: S- Mids: A Treble: B+ Soundstage: A Details: A+ Imaging: A+

Vision Ears Erlkonig reviewed by:

Crin 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Good tonality, high resolution and an overall decent all-rounder.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
- Crin

Vision Ears Erlkonig reviewed by:

Precogvision 6.3 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
A- Tech
Good detail retrieval and tonal balance on settings 3 & 4. Poor midrange micro-dynamics, though, and quite boring.

Precogvision original ranking

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

Elysian Annihilator 2023 Reviews

Elysian Annihilator 2023 reviewed by:

Super* Review 10* * score normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review

Elysian Annihilator 2023 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
- Jaytiss
Mids: S Treble: S Dynamics: A- Soundstage: S

Elysian Annihilator 2023 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
- Gizaudio Axel

Elysian Annihilator 2023 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
- Precogvision
Bass: A+ Mids: A- Treble: S+ Dynamics: S Details: S+ Imaging: A-

Elysian Annihilator 2023 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
- Tim Tuned
Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: S

Elysian Annihilator 2023 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

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

Elysian Annihilator 2023 reviewed by:

2025-07-25
IEMRanking AI 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.

- IEMRanking AI

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