Pilgrim

https://preview.redd.it/7nk4x7xkwoag1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5b3dd9d6b187312fdd4da6b74d28c0dd01360eb5 Daily driver: Moondrop Robin tws Qudelix 5k/Fiio BTR3K Elysian Pilgrim (pre-production tuning mod) PC: SMSL Sanskrit 10th MKII Zen Can v1 Moondrop Variations The Moondrop Starfield was the first serious IEM I got so I decided to keep it. Not in this picture is my vintage Sansui SR-222 vinyl player hooked up to an affordable behringer phono preamp connected into tube amp and out to either my IEM or to my speaker. Also Fiio DM13 for my portable CDs need.

Elysian Pilgrim, wait for it to be on sale at hifigo aliexpress. If you want more energetic treble with this set, you can easily mod it by removing the mesh filter on the nozzle.

Tbh i used to enjoy my hd800s a lot, but iems have spoiled the fun for me. The first iem where i realized i wouldn't go back to headphones were the Pilgrim Noirs. Already loved the Pilgrims, but the Noir sounded so much better, more separated, way mire effortless where the Silver Pilgrims are pushing the bass and mids way too much into your face. Those were exactly what i wanted, except for realist timbre and a but better imaging. When i got the Final A8000s, it was all over. Nothing sounds as good as those to my ears. I prefer them over the HE-1, which I've spent lots of time on. I EQ them, because i think i have a mild hearing loss around 620-780Hz, and i prefer more linear treble. But the raw capabilities of those IEMs are just nuts. Whatever you plug them into, you hear the flaws of. Even 6kUSD dacs, even top of the line niche headphone amps built in Poland by boutique builders. TL DR i think IEMs are just plain better than headphones. Bit of a pain in the ass to admit but i've switched fully and happy to do so

A big leap... Elysian Pilgrim. It is currently on sale on AliEx (sale and coupon) Well within your budget. This set usually sells for just under 400. It is a slight U shape with good treble extension and nice bass presence. Out of YOUR list...Kiwi Ears Astral and Ziigaat Odyssey are both good buys as well.

The Pilgrim is very neutral, it feels like nothing is boosted, it reminds me of the Hexa but with better technicality. The Top Pro is a bit brighter, more exciting and I wanna say technically is slightly better than the pilgrim. To me the Top Pro is the way to go for sure.

The Horizon kinda reminds me of the Astral but wider, brighter and better at details retrieval. The soundstage is wide and open probably due to the elevated treble, it gives a sense of mystical, surreality and dreamlike to certain songs. I like it a lot

The pilgrim has clean midrange and It’s a great IEM, but no excitement whatsoever, technicality is good but it’s a bit boring. I would go for the Dusk, it is slightly bright neutral with beautiful bass boost. More exciting than pilgrim. Don’t expect a huge jump from the P7 but they are different I like having both.

Elysian Pilgrim and Kiwi Ears Aether punch above their weight.

many shops i go to don't display lower end iems, or a lot of them. and lower end iems are hard to buy second hand, so for me they'd have to compete with iems double the price, because second hand iems are around 1/2 msrp or less dita (forgot the exact model), ulim(almost certainly oem), elysian pilgrim, yu9 que, are worth trying out. none are worth blind buying

Elysian Pilgrim, easily the widest soundstage I have heard till date, 2nd will be xenns top pro, Monarch Mk3, Fatfreq Grand Maestro Universal