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Comparisons
The Annihilator 2023 has a higher price tag, so getting the Apostle for a lower cost might be a good idea. Considering that Elysian claims the Apostle is derived from the Annihilator, that option looks even more appealing. So, in short, is the Apostle as good as the Annihilator?
Well, almost, but not entirely. In my mind, the Annihilator is still better, considering it doesn’t have the bass dominance of the Apostle. Sure, the Anni also has a distinctive bass, but it’s more balanced and more coherent with the rest of the spectrum. Its treble is also slightly better. Whether it would be worth paying a thousand more is up to the consumer of course, but this hobby is all about diminishing returns, especially at these levels.
Coming to the DIVA 2023, I think Apostle is more refined, resolving, and transparent. Its soundstage is also much better, and it has a more definitive and focused treble, which is the biggest difference in frequency response to me.
And yet, because of the massive bass of the Apostle, I’d still say that the DIVA 2023 is a special IEM. It has a bass screw that changes the bass response, and I personally never used it other than the stock setting. You can get a more prominent bass, similar to the one in the Apostle, but I think it’s better without that much bass. That is my opinion, though, and I must say that the Apostle is better in every other aspect.
For about $180 more, you can get a European premium IEM from Poland, the Pneuma V2, the successor to the original Pneuma. This IEM comes with an Effect Audio copper cable, a better set of tips, and a crazier design with a better fit.
It’s a more classic audiophile tuning with more mid-bass focus and less sub-bass. It’s more linear and warm, with less colour in its signature. On first listen, it might seem boring against a vibrant IEM like the Apostle. However, the more you listen to it, the more you appreciate the coherency, layering, tonality, imaging, and instrumental timbre.
The Apostle has the upper hand in some areas, like clarity, transparency, dynamism, treble, and bass quantity. It’s a very capable V-shaped tuning versus a classic IEM tuning. I’d go with the Lime Ears offering for Jazz recordings and the Apostle for RnB and Rap music.
Conclusion
If you want to experience Elysian’s signature tuning in a premium V-shaped IEM, this one delivers exceptional performance. Given the diminishing returns in the hobby, the Elysian Apostle presents an opportunity to capture elements of the flagship Annihilator 2023 at a bit more accessible level, retaining much of Elysian’s crisp and engaging sound.
For those who enjoy a fun, dynamic presentation, particularly for modern, upbeat music, the Apostle is one of the strongest contenders in the premium IEM market today.
Summary
Pros:
- Premium design
- Great resolution
- Vivid presentation
- Great imaging
- Excellent stage
Cons:
- Nozzles are huge
- Too powerful bass
- Not the most ergonomic IEM for fit
Page 1: About, Packaging, Design/Build, Fit
