My understanding: any changes done physically will not have the same effect as PEQ. I think using an impedance adaptor would have a different result compared to PEQ.
Yes, if its done by acoustic physical damping. Impedance adapter is an electrical factor and should be much closer to what you can do with peq.
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Hmm. Valid point. But PEQ is on the digital side. Wouldnât that still have slightly different effect on sound compared to using a impedance adaptor?
As long as you properly use preamp it should be fine.
I conducted a blind A/B test with the help of a friend, even swapping the cables (using the Noir cable with the Pilgrim and then the original cable again). The test was volume-matched, but the EQ was not perfectâmore of an approximate EQ based on the frequency response curve I measured. To keep it brief, I couldnât reliably distinguish between the two most of the time. Even the technicalities and detail retrieval sounded identical, making it feel like I was guessing. However, this is just my experience, and others may have different results.
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I would still take Pilgrim OG as is. Although itâs slightly bright for my taste but man does it retrieve details effortlessly. Itâs $400 well spent for anyone who buys it and their sound preferences align close to Pilgrim.
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Do you have the PEQ preset?
This is a very useful tool for a test like this though.
Using a squig that has both iems graphed, go into the EQ tab, select the iem you want to EQ to (in this case it is from the OG to the Noir) then click on the AutoEQ button and you will get the PEQ preset for it.
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Thank you for introducing me to AutoEQ. I wasnât aware of this feature. Hereâs the EQ preset I used with the Pilgrim OG to make it sound almost indistinguishable from the Noir (at least to me). While it may not be the most precise, it worked well for me:
- Preamp: -5.2 dB
- Filter 1: ON PK Fc 110 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 0.800
- Filter 2: ON PK Fc 460 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 1.100
- Filter 3: ON PK Fc 2600 Hz Gain -4.0 dB Q 2.000
- Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3900 Hz Gain 4.0 dB Q 2.000
- Filter 5: ON PK Fc 5100 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 2.000
- Filter 6: ON PK Fc 6100 Hz Gain 6.0 dB Q 2.000
- Filter 7: ON PK Fc 8500 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 1.800
- Filter 8: ON PK Fc 12000 Hz Gain 7.0 dB Q 2.000
- Filter 9: ON PK Fc 18000 Hz Gain -12.0 dB Q 1.600
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so OG = Noir without spending any penny?
I mean was the difference only due to tuning and color?
There will be subtle differences given the extra driver count but mostly yes.
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Pilgrim in the house for a tour. Early impressions are positive, but will need to give it an extended listen.
nice to see inclusion of Spinfits.
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Since they use the same drivers in a different arrangement and crossover, and share the same shell, it makes sense. Most of the price difference is actually due to the cable. I see you have one now. If youâre curious, you could try experimenting with the EQ settings I posted above.
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for sure, I would try the EQ to see how subtle/major is the difference
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Let us know which version you prefer.
But i heard that the Pilgrim Noir uses a knowles unit, like one of the drivers is something upgraded. Maybe that was just in the talks.
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Youâre right, and that Knowles driver is used for the highs. The Pilgrim OG has two E50 Sonion BAs for the highs, providing more treble extension. According to their official website, the driver configuration of the Pilgrim OG is:
- 1x Custom LSR DD for bass
- 1x Sonion 2300 for the mids
- 2x Sonion E50 BA for the highs
- A three-way crossover
The Noir uses:
- 1x The same custom LSR DD for bass
- 2x Sonion 2300 for the mids
- 1x Knowles BA for the highs
- A four-way crossover
- The Effect Audio cable
Iâm curious, @gadgetgod have you had a chance to listen to the Noir?
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Yups I have at a meetup for about 15-20 mins. It sounded fuller in midrange, slightly relaxed in treble. For exquisite details i would still pick OG Pilgrim but fuller midrange of Noir is worth listening(although I donât think that it is 400$ extra worth by any means).
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so the driver configuration is different, not sure why they chose to name it is Pilgrim Noir, instead they could have considered and launching a new iem altogether 
Initial impressions of the OG are very positive for me. Firstly, the stock cable is high quality for an iem of this price, the treble is detailed and airy, bass is impressive and female vocals is just 
, listening to Sabrina Carpenterâs Espresso as I type this.
Didnt like its carry case at all. my S12 pros case are much better with a zip.
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Took out my pilgrim for a short listen after getting sick for more than a week. Iâm still enchanted by the magic of this IEM. It sounds so goood.
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Today I hooked the Pilgrim on my XD05 Pro with ROHM DAC and used Eletech Baroque tips, man i fell in love instantly. The stage depth, the layering, and then the quick bass, everything sounded so good that I spent a good 2-3 hour session in a single go. Donât ask me where the Pilgrim is because she is in my ears haha.
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