As mentioned in the review here are links for the recommended cables: Drop 2 Pin Copper: drop.com/buy/drop-2-pin-iem-cables?referer=FTSS2S ThieAudio Smart Cable: www.linsoul.com/products/thieaudio-smart-cable?variant=42622268670169 Kinera Leyding: www.linsoul.com/products/kinera-leyding?variant=41001505063067
Another great honest review, the Elixir sounds like my type of IEM. It's great how you describe the sound of gear and who it would fit other people. I like a mild V or U sound.
Single DDs have gotten a lot better in the recent years, the Elixir is no exception. This one is in my radar, I don't think anyone is going to downright hate the tuning on these, maybe extreme bassheads if you wanna really stretch it.
Good afternoon Dave….these are very intriguing 🤔 I’ve got the KATO ( my wife’s) ..but I might be looking at something a little more bassy..with quality midds and highs. Thanks for the review and food for thought.
@@mayonotes9849 I get the shuoer s12, and I'm real satisfied for the tecnical aspect, and just equalize it to a natural sound, it is originally v-shaped and very energetic, and has a pronounced treble which can be harsh for some.
I'd love for you to review Thieaudio's tribrid Monarch MK II, which many reviewers consider equal or better than IEMs costing many times more (not that it's exactly cheap at $1K). I got it a couple of weeks ago and it's amazing, especially the midrange. I think I like it even more than my ZMF Aeolus, even though the sound is somewhat more in your head (though reasonably wide for an IEM).
Another good and honest review Dave! You compared the Elexir to the Moondrop Kato, which are about US$20 less in price. I think that your description of the differences is really good. I have been considering purchasing the Kato but now I’m thinking that maybe the slightly stronger base of the Elixir, with slightly less emphasis on the middle and upper frequencies, maybe 🤔 a better option for me. I know that we are all different in our choices for sound reproduction, but I would be really interested in which of these two you would choose if you could have only one IEM in total (i.e. no others at all). Your choice, I believe, would be helpful to me as I think we have similar hearing likes. Another question, if I may, is how would you compare the Hidizs MS2 with each of these. I know that these cost much less than the Elixir and Kato, so I expect that the “quality” of sound will not be as good, but how much better (in %) are the Elixir and Kato than the MS2’s? That’s not an easy question to answer, I know, but I think that you can give some numerical value to describe what are qualitative assessments (it’s just like an Analogue to Digital conversion after all 🤨😀). I have tried the Moondrop Starfield, and these are slightly bright for my taste, so that may help you to place these two with respect to my choices. I want to get one of these IEM’s as a significant upgrade (on my budget), so I will only have one chance, unless Santa Claus helps me out later in the year, and I think he’s better at steering a sleigh than comparing the timbres of IEM’s 😀. Thank you for your excellent video review Dave 👍.
I haven't heard the MS2, sorry. If I had to choose between the Kato and the Elixir, that is a tough one. I really like the Kato and highly recommend it but the Elixir has a little special sauce at times with the tone and timbre. I'd probably lean Elixir but would be super happy with either. Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Oh, I'm also deciding between the 7hz timeless, Moondrop Kato and Thieaudio Elixir .. Which one would you recommend? Sound quality / detail and richness for electronic, rock, classical genres is my main focus. Some people told me they had to return their 7hz timeless or get a refund/dead timeless after some time due to faulty components.. so not really a safe bet?..
@@justaemptymall 7hz Timeless has better technicalities, IMO, assuming that you're getting a pair with good QC. Personally I'd recommend you're also considering S12/S12 Pro if you are not very treble sensitive, since I'd say the more scooped mid and sparklier highs (one of the most V-shaped planars, maybe?) feel more 'exciting' to my ears for Electronic/Rock.. not sure about Classical. 7Hz is a more safe bet compared to S12 but both of them has the usual planar timbre especially in the upper-mids and treble range which can be not ideal for long listening sessions because the highs can be fatiguing/piercing for some. Kato and Elixir lean more towards laid-back and natural-sounding tone. Those are great IEMs, mind you, but I'd say it's hard for 1DD IEMs to compete with Planar ones if we're talking about technicalities/details. I bought the Elixir - which IMO has better low-end warmth than Kato - even if I already have Timeless and S12 simply because sometimes I want to listen music in a more... neutral-ish way while still having some kind of 'fun' in the low-end frequency. Still, if I can only recommend just one IEM in this price bracket, I will definitely go with the 7Hz Timeless.
@@soznyw571 Or I could also go with the blessings 2 dusk... To thanks though :) Right now I will go with the Elixir I think. The 7hz timeless are too risky with the bad QC and I rather buy the Blessings 2.
@@TheHonestAudiophile I have had my Elixirs for a couple of days and these are exactly as you described. What a great set of IEMs. I have been looking for a set like this for a long time at this price point. A perfect antithesis to my S12, Timeless, and my P1 Max Pandas. These have taken the place of my Katos as my daily drivers atm. Long term…..time will tell. Thank you David.
Again-- fat finger on the small keypad-- this looks like a good iem for me. I do like bass that is present and well controlled with detail. Thank you for the very good review. Keep up the good work!
Excellent review. Very very very informative. Tomorrow I will get the Elixir. This will probably be one of my best sets. But I also have Raptgo Hook X. Can you please compare Elixir and Hook X? I think they have the same tonal balance and timbre.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Damn... Very cool iems. I fell in love with their sound as if you are really healed by an elixir. Bass is sufficient in quality and quantity does not bleed into the middle. The middle is warm, not bright, not flashy. comfortable. Treble is just my compliments... Good separation of the instruments is also a lot of detail. The sound stage is normal, perhaps more in depth. From memory, they are opposite to Olina from Bad Guy, but in no way inferior to her. Olina was immediately sold after the first audition because of her flamboyance. The best dynamos I've tried... definitely in the collection, especially for such a price. At the moment, in the top three of my best sets. I just get high from the elixir, like from drugs.
My Tea 2 is currently out on loan with Intoit Reviews so I can't do a side by side comparison. If memory serves me correclty; they are similar in a lot of ways. The Elixir has a little more body and note weight in the bass and lower mids. The Tea is a little more forward in the upper mids and treble. Tone and timbre are very similar and detail retrieval and resolution are very similar as well.
My Tea 2 is currently out on loan with Intoit Reviews so I can't do a side by side comparison. If memory serves me correctly; they are similar in a lot of ways. The Elixir has a little more body and note weight in the bass and lower mids. The Tea is a little more forward in the upper mids and treble. Tone and timbre are very similar and detail retrieval and resolution are very similar as well.
Amazing review! I have always loved your reviews! I am right now considering the shuoer s12, but I am kind of confused between s12, kato, yume midnight and the ikko oh10. I mostly listen to movie soundtracks (mostly hans zimmer), pop, r&b, rap (mostly eminem) and some times classical. I like having a decent soundstage, and would really like precise imaging. I have a ifi zen dac v2 to pair the iem with. What would you recommend dave, amongst the 4 mentioned above, or would you choose something else entirely? My budget is under 200 USD.
Great question was going to ask, Dave I own the S12'S would you recommend these as a warm alternative to thier bright detail? Looking for an upgrade to my Blon bl-03s
Hi, thank you for your review. I’ve been reading and watching reviews on the Thieaudio Elixir. They had been compared to many other DD IEM’s, but not the one that I own. Do you know how they compare to the Fiio FD5? Do they have as much detail, resolution and timbe? Thanks man, love your reviews. Bought my Astell and Kern Kann Alpha based on your review!!!!
Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciate. To be honest I don't recall enough about the FD5 to compare. I haven't heard it since I reviewed it. Sorry I honestly don't remember what the FD5 sounds like.
FD5 has somewhat peaky lower treble and quite a bit of bass (Own this set.) FD5 Is a pretty decent set, but the tuning isn't my favorite. Detail is good, timbre is somewhat metallic (Not recommended if you are looking for great mids.) Elixir FR looks much smoother, I expect details to be similar given the price. I think the Elixir is more safer than the FD5 because some people find this set to be a bit too bright. I'd personally go for the Elixir if I were you.
@@Weareonenation303 Thanks so much for your input. As you, I do own the FD5 and the thing I most like about it is the fullness of the sound and the exceptional detail. But the treble can be a little bright for my taste. What impress’ me about the Exilir, are the reviews attesting to the analog tube sound. If the fullness and detail rivals the FD5, I do think my next purchase will be the Elixir.
this or oxygen? what are the big differences of the two? I'm not a basshead but I love soundstage and imaging (not too intimate). I also like touch of warmth, it's so hard to choose between the 2 as a blind buy.
Titan S is more technical capable (detail retrieval, resolution) and has better stage. ER2XR has more emotion. Tone and timbre is great on both. I pick up the Titan S more to be honest.
