Yep, I'm one of those people that bought both. i got a deal on the Pilgrim after I had already purchased and was waiting on the Noir to be shipped. As you, aptly point out, they are both wonderful IEMs and the Noir is more refined. I find myself carrying the Pilgrim in my backpack to listen to at work and keeping the Noir on my desk at home for evening listening. Agreed on the IE600 as well, it is great but the Noir has a slight edge. I'm usually a single DD snob for cohesion but I love the Noir because it literally feels like I'm wandering around in the sound field observing each instrument - that's not something I have ever enjoyed too much until the Noir. Keep up the great work, I'm loving the new format and discussions.
Analogies galore, digging that stuff. Interesting review this one, was surprised there to hear that the pilgrim suits your tastes more than the DITA, in fact I rewound the video to check I hadn’t misheard it, I thought the project M was your favourite at the moment. The Noir is sounding quite promising and looks great but I also think it’s Elysian saying, ‘hmm how do we get people to jump in at 799 so we sell some units’, and then go ‘I know, we nerf it a bit and sell it half price, that gets peoples attention, then they are going to want the better one and suddenly twice the price doesn’t seem so bad’ which is clever. But if the Noir had been 599 that would have been more sensible. Sets are coming out and technology is moving on so quickly that in two years 799 is probably going to go way further, and £800 is not nothing, that’s endgame level IEM’s to most folk. I liked the comparisons too, good video. If you could only afford to buy one set at 800-1000, would this be it? What truly beats the Noir?
The Noir came after the Pilgrim when Effect Audio got involved to create the collaboration version. I think both the Project M and Pilgrim are outstanding, but I like a bit more bass quantity than the Project M delivers so the Pilgrim takes the lead for me. For an IEM in the sub $1000 range, it would come down to the Pilgrim Noir or the IE600 at the moment and I think the Noir might actually win (for me).
I chose the dark side. At $500 it would be a blind buy, but at $800 I would first check out the competition in the $500-$1000 range. There’s ThieAudio stuff, higher end Dunu, Softears stuff, Campfire Audio Ponderosa, BGVP DM9, FiiO’s $750 open-backed hybrid FH19 with custom isobaric DD (something I’d like to check out) And close to $1000 FiiO FA19, Symphonium Helios or Campfire Supermoon planar.
I’m someone who had the OG pilgrim then sold it and purchased the Noir after demoing it at CanJam. The OG price makes the Noir a tough sell, however the Noir in isolation is worth the price imo compared to other iem’s in its price range. - OG is really good and excellent value, but the Noir is a fantastic iem.
Absolutely the OG Pilgrim in my opinion. I do understand there is a reason for a higher price, but all the reviews I've seen till know, doesn't justify the double price difference. If the difference was 100 to 150 dollar, I would have spent the extra for the noir. But the OG is such a refined IEM, better than my more expensive IEM's, that it will take quite a while to purchase a successor.... Last but not least; personally, I find the OG more attractive looking than the dull looking all black noir.
Interesting review. For me, I see it quite differently though. Comparing both the ie600 and the Pilgrim Noir, it's ie600 all day any day. And I mean it quite literally! A huge part of what makes a good iem for me is fit and comfort. I feel immersed in the music only if I can forget I'm wearing iem's. And with ie600, comfort is stellar. For Pilgrim Noir, I doubt too many people will forget they're wearing it. I found it quite large even though I have medium-to-large ears. And feeling a slight discomfort after an hour or two is the biggest turn-off in this hobby. That's what Pilgrim Noir does to me. It kills the seamless immersion ie600 can provide. Nice review though.
Lachlan, you mention bass, which I consider 20 - 250, , but only 60% of that region is present in the OG Pilgrim. The upper 40% of bass is completely not there. check the graph ln the Pilgrim. I don't have a grapher but referred to HBB's squiglink.. There is no energy, zero (relative to 500 Hz level) , from 150Hz to 250Hz. The strangest handling of midbass (bad term, it's actually upper bass) I can imagine. Yes, my preference. I think yours too. Among some of the IEMs you've reviewed recently, I much prefer the Canon 2, as well as the Hype2, though much less. Are you OK with an absence of bass from 150-250? I've only owned and sold on the Hype2 and Pilgrim, but I suspect the Pilgrim Noir fixed the lack of midbass in the OG Pilgrim.
I thought that the existence of the noir was the only reason we got the pilgrim at all. Because effect audio mass produced all the packaging and cables necessary for Elysian to release at this price point.
Thanks for the great review! If the Pilgrim Noir is slightly better than the IE 600, how does the original Pilgrim compare to the IE 600? Between the IE 600 and the original Pilgrim, which one would you recommend?
The problem with the Noir is I don't like its cable ergonomics (the huge splitter to be specific). How does it perform with other cables, does it lose its magic or something?
I haven't tried swapping cables, but any equal quality cable should maintain its general performance with some minor alterations due to the different wire types used.
I have heard that if you change/upgrade the cable on the original Pilgrim for let's say the Noir cable, it would sound 90-95% similar with Noir, not sure if that's true
I actually didn't, but that would be quite interesting. I have tried the two cables separately on other IEMs and there's a decent difference between them though.
Nice review. I will wait for the sales on these Pilgrin IEM's.
Happy hunting!
Yep, I'm one of those people that bought both. i got a deal on the Pilgrim after I had already purchased and was waiting on the Noir to be shipped. As you, aptly point out, they are both wonderful IEMs and the Noir is more refined. I find myself carrying the Pilgrim in my backpack to listen to at work and keeping the Noir on my desk at home for evening listening. Agreed on the IE600 as well, it is great but the Noir has a slight edge. I'm usually a single DD snob for cohesion but I love the Noir because it literally feels like I'm wandering around in the sound field observing each instrument - that's not something I have ever enjoyed too much until the Noir. Keep up the great work, I'm loving the new format and discussions.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with these IEMs! Glad you're enjoying the new style. 🙂
Analogies galore, digging that stuff. Interesting review this one, was surprised there to hear that the pilgrim suits your tastes more than the DITA, in fact I rewound the video to check I hadn’t misheard it, I thought the project M was your favourite at the moment. The Noir is sounding quite promising and looks great but I also think it’s Elysian saying, ‘hmm how do we get people to jump in at 799 so we sell some units’, and then go ‘I know, we nerf it a bit and sell it half price, that gets peoples attention, then they are going to want the better one and suddenly twice the price doesn’t seem so bad’ which is clever. But if the Noir had been 599 that would have been more sensible. Sets are coming out and technology is moving on so quickly that in two years 799 is probably going to go way further, and £800 is not nothing, that’s endgame level IEM’s to most folk. I liked the comparisons too, good video. If you could only afford to buy one set at 800-1000, would this be it? What truly beats the Noir?
The Noir came after the Pilgrim when Effect Audio got involved to create the collaboration version.
I think both the Project M and Pilgrim are outstanding, but I like a bit more bass quantity than the Project M delivers so the Pilgrim takes the lead for me.
For an IEM in the sub $1000 range, it would come down to the Pilgrim Noir or the IE600 at the moment and I think the Noir might actually win (for me).
Great work as usual!! Would definitely be interested in an Elysian annihilator review
I've heard it and LOVE it. Would be a great review.
The Best comparison of these two on yt. Thanks for the review.
I'm so glad it was helpful!
I revamped my bucket list of to buy TOTL IEMs sticking to highly rated IEMs like Empire Ears Odin and Sony IER Z1R and the UM Messy Mest
Excellent review and excellent comparison as well!
I'm so glad you liked it!
I chose the dark side. At $500 it would be a blind buy, but at $800 I would first check out the competition in the $500-$1000 range. There’s ThieAudio stuff, higher end Dunu, Softears stuff, Campfire Audio Ponderosa, BGVP DM9, FiiO’s $750 open-backed hybrid FH19 with custom isobaric DD (something I’d like to check out) And close to $1000 FiiO FA19, Symphonium Helios or Campfire Supermoon planar.
There are so much more in the 500-1000 range
I’m someone who had the OG pilgrim then sold it and purchased the Noir after demoing it at CanJam.
The OG price makes the Noir a tough sell, however the Noir in isolation is worth the price imo compared to other iem’s in its price range. - OG is really good and excellent value, but the Noir is a fantastic iem.
Thanks for sharing your experiences
Absolutely the OG Pilgrim in my opinion.
I do understand there is a reason for a higher price, but all the reviews I've seen till know, doesn't justify the double price difference.
If the difference was 100 to 150 dollar, I would have spent the extra for the noir.
But the OG is such a refined IEM, better than my more expensive IEM's, that it will take quite a while to purchase a successor....
Last but not least; personally, I find the OG more attractive looking than the dull looking all black noir.
Very good review, Lachlan. Thanks.
My pleasure!
Waiting to audition the noir myself. I love the look
They're brilliant!
Interesting review. For me, I see it quite differently though. Comparing both the ie600 and the Pilgrim Noir, it's ie600 all day any day. And I mean it quite literally! A huge part of what makes a good iem for me is fit and comfort. I feel immersed in the music only if I can forget I'm wearing iem's. And with ie600, comfort is stellar. For Pilgrim Noir, I doubt too many people will forget they're wearing it. I found it quite large even though I have medium-to-large ears. And feeling a slight discomfort after an hour or two is the biggest turn-off in this hobby. That's what Pilgrim Noir does to me. It kills the seamless immersion ie600 can provide. Nice review though.
The Sennheisers really are class leading when it comes to comfort and I can relate to the importance of it.
Fantastic review!
I'm glad you liked it!
Please make a video for the best audio products for each price point
That's a very difficult video to make because it's so subjective, but I'll see what I can do...
I think he has some of that in his video descriptions
Great point! Why didn't I think of that? 😂😂
-It's the pirate's life- Urr, it's the Dark Side for me, hands down!
That is, if I only had the money.....
🌑
Lachlan, you mention bass, which I consider 20 - 250, , but only 60% of that region is present in the OG Pilgrim. The upper 40% of bass is completely not there. check the graph ln the Pilgrim. I don't have a grapher but referred to HBB's squiglink.. There is no energy, zero (relative to 500 Hz level) , from 150Hz to 250Hz. The strangest handling of midbass (bad term, it's actually upper bass) I can imagine.
Yes, my preference. I think yours too. Among some of the IEMs you've reviewed recently, I much prefer the Canon 2, as well as the Hype2, though much less. Are you OK with an absence of bass from 150-250?
I've only owned and sold on the Hype2 and Pilgrim, but I suspect the Pilgrim Noir fixed the lack of midbass in the OG Pilgrim.
you may have pointed out my issues with Pilgrim , I ended up returned to Aliexpress.
I think the Pilgrim and Noir both measure extremely well and perform very well, but we're all different and have different tastes and preferences.
Nicely Done.
Hope you get a chance to review the new
ZIIGAAT X JAY ESTRELLA
Yurp...more drivers more umphhhh...
Plus quality cable....
👍👍👍
❤❤❤
Agreed ✔️✔️✔️
I thought that the existence of the noir was the only reason we got the pilgrim at all. Because effect audio mass produced all the packaging and cables necessary for Elysian to release at this price point.
Hmmmm. That wasn't the sense I got from the website and a discussion with a retailer in Malaysia, but I couldn't say for sure.
Thanks for the great review! If the Pilgrim Noir is slightly better than the IE 600, how does the original Pilgrim compare to the IE 600? Between the IE 600 and the original Pilgrim, which one would you recommend?
The Pilgrim and Pilgrim Noir are on noticeably different levels so the IE600s are definitely the better IEM compared to the regular Pilgrims.
@@PassionforSound Thank you so much! I just ordered the Sennheiser IE 600 at a discounted price during the festival sale here.
@AyushP306 congratulations on a great purchase!
The problem with the Noir is I don't like its cable ergonomics (the huge splitter to be specific). How does it perform with other cables, does it lose its magic or something?
I haven't tried swapping cables, but any equal quality cable should maintain its general performance with some minor alterations due to the different wire types used.
I have heard that if you change/upgrade the cable on the original Pilgrim for let's say the Noir cable, it would sound 90-95% similar with Noir, not sure if that's true
No, that's not the case. There is a lot more to it than a cable swap.
I didn’t realize the two Hemsworth are two different people until this video. I’m taking that as a sign.
🤣
Did you try the original Pilgrim with the noir cable, to see what impact (if any) the cable was having?
I actually didn't, but that would be quite interesting. I have tried the two cables separately on other IEMs and there's a decent difference between them though.