Elysian Acoustic Labs PILGRIM:NOIR
The PILGRIM:NOIR pairs punchy, controlled sub-bass with richer, natural-sounding mids and a smooth, fatigue-free treble that still reveals fine detail. Audio-In Reviews found its refinement and resolution step ahead of the original, while ZPProductions praised its clear vocals, dark backdrop, and relaxed long-listening balance.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Fit Comfort Isolation
75/100
Build Accessories
88/100
Value for Money
82/100
Pros
Dynamic-driver bass delivers physical punch, texture, speed, and strong separation without midrange bleed.
Warm, weighty mids present vocals and instruments with clear, natural tone and no veil.
Treble stays detailed and energetic while avoiding brightness, sharpness, sibilance, and listening fatigue.
Cons
At $799, the measured sonic improvements over the original Pilgrim may not fully justify the doubled price.
Soundstage width, imaging, and layering are not substantially improved over the original Pilgrim.
Restrained bass quantity and treble sparkle may disappoint listeners seeking a more overtly exciting, bass-heavy, or airy tuning.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
Reviewers find the PILGRIM:NOIR a refined, balanced-to-gently-V-shaped listen with sub-bass punch, richer mids, and smoother treble than the original Pilgrim. Its strongest traits are controlled dynamic-driver bass, natural vocal presentation, and an easygoing high end that retains detail without sharpness.
Bass
91/100
Bass is primarily sub-bass focused, bringing satisfying rumble and impact without moving into basshead territory. Audio-In Reviews praises the driver’s unusual combination of physical punch, speed, control, and clean separation, while ZPProductions also notes pleasing texture and impact despite moderate quantity.
Midrange
91/100
The midrange is repeatedly described as smooth, clear, natural, and pleasantly present. Compared with the original Pilgrim, Audio-In Reviews hears more warmth, richness, weight, and natural vocal and instrumental tone, while ZPProductions finds vocals clear and midrange instruments free of veil.
Treble
90/100
The Noir’s treble is smoother and more restrained than the original Pilgrim’s, avoiding the brightness and sharpness its reviewer previously noticed. It still supplies detail, energy, and the required presence for cymbals and bells, though ZPProductions finds it less overtly sparkly and extended than some Elysian tunings.
Resolution Separation
90/100
Audio-In Reviews hears an incremental but clear improvement in overall detail and resolving ability over the original Pilgrim, even with the Noir’s smoother presentation. Bass separation is especially strong, with no reported bleed into the midrange.
Soundstage Imaging
87/100
The stage is described as airy and respectably spacious rather than unusually vast, with ZPProductions calling it medium-sized and naturally organized. Audio-In Reviews found stage width, imaging, and layering broadly similar to the original Pilgrim rather than substantially upgraded.
Dynamics Coherence
92/100
The dynamic driver earns particular praise for combining punch and physicality with uncommon speed and control for its price area. Reviewers describe an easy, balanced presentation with clear vocals and a bass response that remains composed rather than continuously rumbling.
FIT COMFORT ISOLATION PERFORMANCE 75/100
The supplied reviews focus almost entirely on sound and provide little direct evidence about fit consistency, long-session comfort, or passive attenuation. Prospective buyers should therefore treat ear shape, tip choice, and intended listening environment as important factors to verify personally.
Seal Stability
75/100
The reviews do not discuss insertion depth, shell ergonomics, or whether the PILGRIM:NOIR maintains a seal during movement. No reviewer reports bass loss or tonal changes caused by fit.
Comfort
75/100
Reviewers provide no direct long-term comfort impressions or comments on pressure points and nozzle fit. The included SpinFit W1 tips may offer useful fitting options, but comfort experience is not documented in these reviews.
Isolation
75/100
The available reviews do not assess passive isolation in commuting, office, or stage-like environments. There are no reported concerns about outside-noise intrusion, but there is also no direct attenuation comparison.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Accessories
88/100
The Noir includes a customized matte-black Effect Audio Eros S cable, SpinFit W1 ear tips, a textured carrying case, and a cleaning tool. Audio-In Reviews also notes upgraded bespoke internal wiring, although the supplied material offers little direct commentary on long-term shell durability or connector reliability.
Value for Money
82/100
At $799, Audio-In Reviews considers the Noir competitive with roughly $600-$700 alternatives and finds some justification for the price increase over the original Pilgrim. However, the reviewer is unconvinced that the refinements fully justify doubling the original model’s price.
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Specifications
- Driver
- 4 Drivers Hybrid Configuration 1 × 9.2mm LSR Dynamic Driver for Lows 2 × Sonion Balanced Armatures for Low-Mid and Mid-High 1 × Knowles Balanced Armatures for Highs
- System
- 4-Way Crossover
- Technology
- LSR Bass Driver
- Frequency Response
- 10hz~20khz
- Sensitivity
- 103db @1khz @100mV
- Impedance
- 8.3Ohms @1khz
- Cable
- Custom Effect Audio Eros S - Selected Premium UP-OCC Pure Copper Litz and Pure Silver Litz Hybrid
Manufacturer's Description — Elysian Acoustic Labs
Dark Sophistication
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.
PILGRIM:NOIR comes with TermX 3.5mm or TermX 4.4mm
Preamble: An Alternate Path
He starts his pilgrimage through this mystic landGuided by a bright ethereal light at its endYet, an odd reflection on the ground catches his eyeDrawn in, the world blurs - into a realm that defy
Falling, total darkness engulfs him into an abyss so deepBelow, Greek hymns ascend, secrets they sacredly keepEnveloped in such power, thick and profoundEntranced by voices so close, he remains in their magical bound
Experience Elysian’s Award-Winning House Tuning
PILGRIM - The well-loved champion of the sub $400 IEM.
That’s not the end though. We thought we could do even better. We worked tirelessly with Effect Audio to make no compromises in the development of the best sub $1,000 IEM available on the market.
That’s it. That’s our PILGRIM:NOIR.
Retaining the addictive 9.2mm LSR Dynamic Driver from the original PILGRIM, capable of delving into the sub-bass regions as low as 10Hz—doubling the depth achievable by conventional PET drivers—PILGRIM:NOIR distinguishes itself with many other enhancements.
Tuning Concept
EFFECT AUDIO and ELYSIAN ACOUSTIC LABS have collaboratively tuned PILGRIM:NOIR into a version that's smoother, more sophisticated, and more seductive than the original PILGRIM. This enhanced edition, PILGRIM:NOIR, seamlessly marries soul-stirring musicality with the distinct ELYSIAN House Sound.
PILGRIM:NOIR's tuning strategy focuses on a harmonious mix of strength and delicacy, resulting in a sound that is now both more powerful and polished. Vocals undoubtedly take center stage, presented with an organic clarity that captures the essence of intense intimacy and breadth. Its expansive soundstage is meticulously crafted, granting each musical component its rightful place, thus ensuring an enveloping listening experience. Excelling in a broad spectrum of genres, from the soulful nuances of R&B to the vibrant energy of Rock and Pop, PILGRIM:NOIR stands as the pinnacle choice for audiophiles seeking unparalleled sound quality.
Technology
With the PILGRIM:NOIR, we have introduced three new technologies alongside other upgrades:
1. The exclusive Hypercore Twin Thrust Module enhances midrange sound reproduction.
2. The new Undamped Tubeless Knowles Balanced Armature ensures an exceptionally smooth high-frequency response.
3. An additional crossover is added to a new 4-way crossover design.
4. Upgraded the internal wiring.
5. Upgraded custom Eros S stock cable alongside a full suite of premium accessories.
Expect a more refined experience that offers a sophisticated, smooth, and seductive sound.
Full Suite of Premium Upgrades
Besides changes made to the PILGRIM:NOIR,
We included other upgrades such as a custom Eros S stock cable from Effect Audio, made of pure copper and pure silver, offering an impeccably warm sound that is engaging and yet crystal clear to round off the PILGRIM:NOIR experience.
Accompanied by an exquisite suede leather case in the same black, carefully crafted to resemble the contours of luxury jewelry containers, it provides a safe and accessible storage for you to enjoy music anywhere.
Topped off with Medical Grade Spinfit W1 Eartips, the innovative W-shaped Design is specifically chosen to enhance the noise-canceling function.
Aesthetic Design
PILGRIM:NOIR's faceplate design philosophy is inspired by the legendary master architect Zaha Hadid's radical deconstructivist design. This embodies the serene topography of knolls, with each layer purposefully reflecting the gentle, rolling hills, reminiscent of the pilgrim's initial ELYSIAN journey through peaks and valleys in search of enlightenment. A darker matte black color choice represents an alternate path, differing from the bright and white original PILGRIM, each with its own quest for audio nirvana.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Elysian Acoustic Labs PILGRIM:NOIR
- Audeos — online and in-store — Żywiec, Województwo śląskie (website)
- Audio essence — online and in-store — Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland (website)
- Bloom Audio — online and in-store — Gibbsboro, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Elise Audio — online and in-store — Paddington, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Headphone Zone — online and in-store — Laxmi Industrial Estate, Maharashtra, India (website)
- HiFiGo — online and in-store — Kowloon, Hong Kong (website)
- KMR — online and in-store — London, England, United States (website)
- milk audio store — online and in-store — Roma, Lazio, Italy (website)
- Music Store — in-store — Köln-Kalk, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany (website)
- Star Picker — in-store — Sea Park, Selangor, Malaysia (website)