ThieAudio Elixir - Warm, Lush alternative to the Moondrop Kato - Honest Audiophile Impressions

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A BIG thank you to Linsoul for providing the ThieAudio Elixir for review, greatly appreciated. Is the ThieAudio Elixir a warm, lush alternative to the Moondrop Kato?
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Rosson Audio Design RAD-0: www.rossonaudiodesign.com/
Meze Empyrean: mezeaudio.com/products/meze-e...
Hifiman Ananda: hifiman.com/products/detail/290
Sennheiser HD600: en-us.sennheiser.com/best-aud...
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MrSpeakers Ether C (non flow version) danclarkaudio.com/
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Aueze LCD 2 Closed: LCD-2 Closed Back (audeze.com)
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CTM Da Vinci X: cleartunemonitors.com/product...
Tin Hifi T3 Plus:TINHIFI T3 PLUS 10mm LCP Diaphragm Hi-Fi Earphone - Linsoul Audio
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Moondrop SSR: www.moondroplab.com/ssr
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Mytek Liberty: mytekdigital.com/hifi/product...
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Tor Audio Roger: toraudio.com/main.html#
Schiit Auido BiFrost 2: schiit.com/products/bi-frost-1
Massdrop THX AAA 789:
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Massdrop Grace Design SDAC-B: drop.com/buy/drop-grace-desig...
Test Tracks: www.thehonestaudiophile.com/p...
Tingvall Trio “Beat” - piano tonality
Sinne Eeg “We’ve Just Begun” - multiple layer soundstage
Molly Johnson “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” - female vocal tone
Leslie Odom Jr. “Under Pressure” - male vocal tone
Eric Clapton “Change the World” - soundstage, layering and placement
Yo Yo Ma “Ecstasy of Gold” - acoustic instrument timbre
Adam Baldych “Spem in Alium” - acoustic instrument timbre
Pain of Salvation “Stress” - bass and percussion balance
Michael Buble “When I Fall in Love” - orchestral dynamics
Patricia Barber “Code Cool” - sibilance check
Christian Scott “New New Orleans” - shouty upper mids
Tool “Chocolate Chip Trip” - imaging
Hans Zimmer “Why So Serious” - sub bass extension
Marcus Miller “No Limit” - bass control
Dave Holland Quartet “Conference Of The Birds”- bass check
Ilhan Eshkeri “47 Ronin”- orchestra and bass dynamics
Hans Zimmer: “2049” - sub bass extension
Cher: “Believe” - sibilance
Stanley Clarke - “Passenger 57 main title” - percussion, bass, separation and placement
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra - “The Pine of the Appian Way” - soundstage, imaging, separation, dynamic range
Houston Person - “You are my Sunshine” - tone and timbre
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Пікірлер: 87

  • @TheHonestAudiophile
    @TheHonestAudiophile2 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @herseyberry4655
    @herseyberry46552 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awesomeness 😎 Look forward to hearing your impressions if you pick up the Elixir. Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated.

  • @tedthomas9809
    @tedthomas98092 жыл бұрын

    Thank you again Dave. Great comparison to the Kato ,(which I do really like)

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure, you're welcome.

  • @michaelbutler2193
    @michaelbutler21932 жыл бұрын

    ShortNsweet in an everything you need to know review. Well done.

  • @msteele0
    @msteele02 жыл бұрын

    Great description of the Elixir. I agree. It's my favorite single DD in its price point.

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awesomeness 😎

  • @timekeep3r

    @timekeep3r

    2 жыл бұрын

    ... Its a dynamic driver? ... ...

  • @msteele0

    @msteele0

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@timekeep3r it is.

  • @nellatl

    @nellatl

    Жыл бұрын

    @@msteele0 how u like softears twilight?

  • @carminedesanto6746
    @carminedesanto67462 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure, you're welcome.

  • @alfonsojbc.3803
    @alfonsojbc.38032 жыл бұрын

    Excellent channel, I subscribe.

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awesomeness 😎 Thanks for subscribing, greatly appreciated ❤️

  • @Weareonenation303
    @Weareonenation3032 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @arthurcrosby5755
    @arthurcrosby57552 жыл бұрын

    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 👍.

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @justaemptymall

    @justaemptymall

    Жыл бұрын

    @@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?..

  • @soznyw571

    @soznyw571

    Жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @justaemptymall

    @justaemptymall

    Жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @marlowe1537
    @marlowe15372 жыл бұрын

    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).

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the impressions. I'd love the opportunity to review the Monarch mk II if one is provided to the channel.

  • @CptMark
    @CptMark2 жыл бұрын

    At last, this seems like a solid alternative to the FDX1.

  • @jaroslavfricek7772
    @jaroslavfricek77722 жыл бұрын

    Hi Dave, thanks for the review, very promising earphone, how does it compare to Mangird Tea 2…❤️🙋‍♂️

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @jaroslavfricek7772

    @jaroslavfricek7772

    2 жыл бұрын

    That's great...the $140 difference should be felt somewhere though...😆👍

  • @KENNETHDRUMMER
    @KENNETHDRUMMER2 жыл бұрын

    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!!!!

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @Weareonenation303

    @Weareonenation303

    2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @KENNETHDRUMMER

    @KENNETHDRUMMER

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @melnik48
    @melnik482 жыл бұрын

    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

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hook X review coming soon. I look forward to hearing your impressions of the Elixir.

  • @melnik48

    @melnik48

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@melnik48 awesomeness 😎 Glad you enjoy the Elixir. Thanks for the impressions.

  • @tedthomas9809
    @tedthomas98092 жыл бұрын

    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!

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure, you're welcome.

  • @Ali-ku7xk
    @Ali-ku7xk2 жыл бұрын

    Great review. Between elixir and mangrid tea 2, which one has a smoother sound and stronger male vocals ?

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Mangird Tea 2 is a little smoother sound, close when comes to male vocals but Tea 2 edges out the Elixir.

  • @klemcga
    @klemcga Жыл бұрын

    Hi, thanks for review. Would these have softer edge on string music (chamber or orchestral) compared to Kato?

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, the Elixir is a little softer in presentation than the Kato.

  • @OitbCZSf0bUiQAMXK2Mz
    @OitbCZSf0bUiQAMXK2Mz2 жыл бұрын

    Damn. I just ordered the Mangrid Tea 2. This seems like a cheaper alternative. Looking at the graphs they should be fairly close in sound yes?

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @farhanakhtar8252
    @farhanakhtar82522 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'd rank those 4 plus the Elixir in this order for your listening pleasure: Elixir Kato S12 Midnight OH10

  • @jamescook6890

    @jamescook6890

    2 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes the Elixir would complement the S12 very well.

  • @farhanakhtar8252

    @farhanakhtar8252

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TheHonestAudiophile i’ll wait for a couple more elexir reviews. Thank you forreplying, your opinion means a lot to me!

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sounds like a plan. Looking forward to hearing your impressions of the product you choose. You're welcome, pleasure is mine.

  • @NKF1C
    @NKF1C2 жыл бұрын

    Hey Dave would you recommend dunu Titan S or Etymotic ER2XR (if fit is not an issue)

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @uglyfate1326
    @uglyfate13262 жыл бұрын

    Is it upgrade over Olina?

  • @crankiisago
    @crankiisago2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sorry haven't heard the Oxygen.

  • @fiddlix
    @fiddlix2 жыл бұрын

    The Elixer sounds like my kind of IEM. You have never steered me wrong Dave. You have a great first name too…ha ha ha.

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awesomeness 😎 Look forward to hearing your impressions of the Elixir.

  • @fiddlix

    @fiddlix

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awesomeness 😎 Glad you enjoy the Elixir. You're welcome for the review. Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciate.

  • @philipy1632
    @philipy1632 Жыл бұрын

    How Elixir compares to mangird tea 2 in sound and tecnicality?

  • @mayonotes9849

    @mayonotes9849

    4 ай бұрын

    I'm wondering the same thing.

  • @philipy1632

    @philipy1632

    4 ай бұрын

    @@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.

  • @mickyj8412
    @mickyj841210 ай бұрын

    How much of an uograde would these be comoared to the Shure 215's?

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    10 ай бұрын

    Sorry haven't heard the Shure 215.

  • @jeremywilliam79
    @jeremywilliam792 жыл бұрын

    It has a flux capacitor in it what?

  • @lantern054
    @lantern0542 жыл бұрын

    Dave, can we expect olina review this weekend?

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Probably won't happen for a week or more.

  • @lantern054

    @lantern054

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TheHonestAudiophile ok fine. I'm sure it worth it😉

  • @manjsher3094
    @manjsher30942 жыл бұрын

    Safe to say a neutral bass Head iem?

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    I wouldn't say the Elixir is full on neutral but it is a neutral leaning bass head IEM.

  • @potion95
    @potion95 Жыл бұрын

    Are these vented? I loved my legacy 3’s but they weren’t vented and it hurt my ears :/

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes the Elixir is vented

  • @potion95

    @potion95

    Жыл бұрын

    @@TheHonestAudiophile thanks so much for the quick response! :)

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    Жыл бұрын

    My pleasure, you're welcome.

  • @akulinamackenzie4492
    @akulinamackenzie44922 жыл бұрын

    💕👍

  • @NewDarkKnight
    @NewDarkKnight2 жыл бұрын

    Any plan on revieweing tripowin olina?

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    I might review the one that was recently loaned to the channel, I'll keep you in suspense 😏

  • @michaelmacvittie6977
    @michaelmacvittie69772 жыл бұрын

    An iem that doesn’t sacrifice fun or detail? Impressive. Shame to hear about the fit issues.

  • @fiddlix

    @fiddlix

    2 жыл бұрын

    I own many IEMs from $300 all the way down to $20, and the Elixirs are my best fitting pair……with the stock silicone tips.

  • @michaelmacvittie6977

    @michaelmacvittie6977

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@fiddlix neat

  • @TheHonestAudiophile

    @TheHonestAudiophile

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awesomeness 😎

  • @justaemptymall

    @justaemptymall

    Жыл бұрын

    @@fiddlix also best sounding?.. I'm deciding between Kato, 7hz timeless and Elixir.

  • @fiddlix

    @fiddlix

    Жыл бұрын

    @@justaemptymall imho the Elixer…I could be very happy with any of the three you mentioned.

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