Authorized dealers for Effect Audio PILGRIM:NOIR

Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
Audio essence — online and in-store — Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland (website)
Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
Bloom Audio — online and in-store — Gibbsboro, New Jersey, United States (website)
Headphone Zone — online and in-store — Laxmi Industrial Estate, Maharashtra, India (website)
HiFiGo — online and in-store — Kowloon, Hong Kong (website)
MusicTeck — online and in-store — Tenafly, New Jersey, United States (website)
Star Picker — in-store — Sea Park, Selangor, Malaysia (website)
Zeppelin & Co. — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)

86%

Effect Audio PILGRIM:NOIR

Name: Effect Audio PILGRIM:NOIR
Brand: Effect Audio
SKU: pilgrim-noir
Rating: 86 (9 reviews)

View at Effect Audio

PILGRIM:NOIR comes with TermX 3.5mm or TermX 4.4mm

Fall to a dark mirror realm with PILGRIM:NOIR, where shadows weave with power to craft an auditory experience like no other. This collaboration with ELYSIAN ACOUSTIC LABS embodies our commitment to the pinnacle of quality, innovation and design.

Doubling up with dual mid drivers with the exclusive Hypercore Twin Thrust Module and featuring a new 4-way crossover design, alongside a bespoke EFFECT AUDIO internal wiring mix and custom cable, you can expect the PILGRIM:NOIR to provide a more sophisticated, smoother and seductive sound compared to the PILGRIM. Keeping the ELYSIAN signature house sound, PILGRIM:NOIR continues to give center stage to what makes the heart flutter - the soul stirring potency of a human’s voice.

Dive into the full premium experience that PILGRIM:NOIR offers.

What is in the box

- PILGRIM:NOIR IEM
- EFFECT AUDIO Special Edition Eros S:NOIR Cable
- Premium Suede Leather Case
- Medical Grade SpinFit W1 Eartips
- Manual
- Velvet Pouch
- Small Brush
- Warranty Card

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Professional Reviews 86/100

Nicely Roasted

Sound Quality

90/100

Fit Comfort Isolation

78/100

Build Accessories

85/100

Value for Money

85/100

The Effect Audio PILGRIM:NOIR delivers authoritative bass, organic midrange, and a smooth, fatigue-free treble balance that keeps long sessions richly engaging. The Honest Audiophile praises its controlled weight, natural tone, and precise layering, while Reviews By WaveTheory highlights its relaxed refinement and satisfying low-end impact.

What Reviewers Are Saying

"you have a big meaty type of sound signature that really has a lot of body and a lot of control and authority"

— The Honest Audiophile

"there is a fair amount of low-end presence Rumble impact here some good solid impact on kick drums and that sort of thing in the low end on these"

— Reviews By WaveTheory

Pros

Powerful yet controlled bass delivers deep rumble, punch, texture, and authority without overwhelming the mix.

Natural, robust mids give vocals and instruments convincing body, timbre, and balanced presence.

Smooth, non-sibilant treble and cohesive tuning support an easy, non-fatiguing listen.

Precise imaging, strong layering, and good depth keep details focused within the intimate stage.

Cons

Treble favors warmth and softness over sparkle; reviewers noted limited bite and a slightly metallic upper-frequency character.

Soundstage is more intimate than expansive, despite its useful depth and accurate placement.

Fit and comfort can be ear-dependent because of the short nozzle and weighty shells.

Passive isolation is modest, making it less ideal for loud environments.

SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100

Reviewers describe a smooth, warm-leaning and cohesive presentation that prioritizes musical engagement over an aggressively analytical sound. Bass is a particular strength, while the relaxed treble and relatively intimate stage make it best suited to listeners who value long-session comfort in the sound rather than maximum sparkle or expansiveness.

Bass

93/100

Both reviewers praise the low end for substantial sub-bass extension, rumble and satisfying kick-drum impact. The Honest Audiophile also finds the bass textured, authoritative and well controlled despite its hard-hitting, fun character.

Midrange

92/100

The midrange is repeatedly characterized as natural, organic and robust, with accurate-sounding vocals and instruments. Reviewers hear a cohesive balance through the lower and upper mids, without shout, honk or distracting peaks.

Treble

86/100

Treble is smooth, extended and notably free of sharpness or sibilance, supporting an unfatiguing listen. Its softer, mellow presentation leaves one reviewer wanting more sparkle, edge and energy, while another notes a somewhat thin or metallic IEM-like character.

Resolution Separation

91/100

The Honest Audiophile found detail retrieval very good across the range, with focused, controlled and clearly defined details. WaveTheory likewise does not find the relaxed presentation lacking in resolution, though neither review frames it as an overtly analytical monitor.

Soundstage Imaging

88/100

The stage is described as having useful depth, accurate placement and strong layering, with especially convincing lateral movement and precise imaging. It is not especially grand or open, however; one reviewer considers it fairly intimate despite its ability to distinguish venue size and organize space cleanly.

Dynamics Coherence

91/100

The strong bass impact gives the Pilgrim:NOIR convincing punch and physical engagement. Its drivers are also described as playing together cohesively, producing a warm, thick and organic whole rather than a disjointed hybrid presentation.

FIT COMFORT ISOLATION PERFORMANCE 78/100

Fit appears ear-dependent: Final tips gave one reviewer a secure, comfortable long-term fit, but another found the short nozzle and weight awkward. Isolation is only moderate and is specifically criticized as weak for noisy environments.

Seal Stability

80/100

WaveTheory reports that Final ear tips allowed the earpieces to stay sealed and securely in place. In contrast, The Honest Audiophile found the short nozzle, compact shell and weight an odd match for his ears, suggesting that tip choice and anatomy can materially affect the fit.

Comfort

77/100

Comfort is mixed between the two listening impressions. One reviewer found the Final tips more comfortable over extended sessions, while another could wear the aluminum shells for only around an hour to an hour and a half before needing a significant break.

Isolation

76/100

The Honest Audiophile calls outside-noise blocking adequate at best, estimating that roughly half of external noise is reduced. He ultimately characterizes the isolation as not very good, so these are less suited to particularly loud commutes or environments.

Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.

Build Accessories

85/100

The aluminum construction is described as solid, though its heft contributes to the fit concerns for one reviewer. The included cable receives clear praise as very nice, and the Final tips proved genuinely useful for obtaining a more secure and comfortable fit; reviewers say little about long-term durability or the rest of the package.

Value for Money

85/100

At $800, the Pilgrim:NOIR sits in a competitive upper-midrange IEM segment. The reviews describe appealing bass, cohesive mids and strong detail, but neither reviewer directly compares its value with similarly priced alternatives or explicitly judges whether the asking price is justified.

Reviews

Online Reviews & Mentions

Effect Audio x Elysian Acoustic Lab Pilgrim:Noir - Head-Fi.org

6/6/2024

Effect Audio PILGRIM NOIR Review - Headfonics

6/12/2024

YouTube Reviews

Thumbnail of the video review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXLZGvl99UM

The Honest Audiophile

Effect Audio x Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim Noir-Dark, Mysterious IEM-Honest Audiophile Impressions

6/8/2024

Thumbnail of the video review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3J7u7A9DbQ

Passion for Sound

Audio Products of the Year 2024

11/29/2024

Thumbnail of the video review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1zXLhMFI0g

Passion for Sound

Find religion with these two IEMs, but which would you choose? Original Version

7/19/2024

Thumbnail of the video review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfuuW-MSf1M

Reviews By WaveTheory

Effect Audio Pilgrim: Noir - Under $1000 1DD + 3BA IEM First Impressions

5/27/2024

Thumbnail of the video review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdWMu-r_A_Q

Reviews By WaveTheory

Effect Audio x Elysian Audio Pilgrim:Noir IEM Review - Almost There

6/27/2024

Thumbnail of the video review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHfbovQwTOU

AV Atmos

Effect Audio x Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim Noir Earphone Debuts with 1 LSR DD+3BA Hybrid Drivers

5/31/2024

Forum Mentions

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Online Dealers

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Authorized dealers for Effect Audio PILGRIM:NOIR

Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
Audio essence — online and in-store — Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland (website)
Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
Bloom Audio — online and in-store — Gibbsboro, New Jersey, United States (website)
Headphone Zone — online and in-store — Laxmi Industrial Estate, Maharashtra, India (website)
HiFiGo — online and in-store — Kowloon, Hong Kong (website)
MusicTeck — online and in-store — Tenafly, New Jersey, United States (website)
Star Picker — in-store — Sea Park, Selangor, Malaysia (website)
Zeppelin & Co. — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)