Elysian Acoustics made a huge splash in the IEM world when they released the original Annihilator in 2021 and have only released a handful of different models since then. One of the most interesting other models they created was Apostle, an IEM that reduced the driver count of Annihilator, but delivered a similar tuning at a lower price. With the release of Annihilator 2026, Apostle 2026 comes to the field with a similar, yet distinct sound that builds on Elysian’s past experience in IEM design.

Build and Design

Apostle 2026 features an aluminum shell with a smooth design, holding 5 drivers inside: 1 dynamic driver, 2 balanced armatures, and 2 electrostatic drivers. The IEMs themselves are well-built and offer a comfortable fit in spite of the large shell. With a $1999 price point, Apostle provides a strong, premium build, and the accompanying cable and package hold up well at the price. 

In the box, you get a case, cable, and five pairs of Divinus Velvet eartips. The cable is a specially designed pure silver and copper litz combination with a black wrap that matches the dark color scheme of the IEMs. Elysian is using the Pentaconn Ear connection on their new IEMs, and while I’m always skeptical of using a less common connection type, the Penaconn Ear connection provides elements of what’s best about both 2-pin and MMCX. The unboxing package along with the look and feel of the contents provides a luxurious start to your listening experience.

Sound

Apostle 2026 offers a similar combination of fun dynamics and crisp detail as Annihilator 2026, but Apostle’s sound offers some additional weight and body to the sound, delivering detail, clarity, and physicality all in equal measure. Apostle’s soundstage and imaging is also excellent, creating a holographic, three-dimensional presentation.

The bass focuses more on the subbass region than midbass, with deep rumble and strong texture. There’s still a good bit of impact in the midbass, and drums have a nice feeling a texture to go along with the punch.

The mids offer a little bit of extra thickness and a strong vocal presentation that pushes vocals a bit more to the forefront. The clarity and separation is excellent, and the timbre is natural, resulting in a lifelike midrange presentation.

In the highs, Apostle 2026 is just slightly rolled off when compared to Annihilator 2026, but still very crisp and well extended. There’s a strong sense of energy with good air, but not quite as much sparkle as Annihilator, leading to Apostle’s overall sound seeming a smidge darker.

Apostle’s strong midrange provides excellent imaging separation, with strong layering and positioning for instruments and vocals. Vocals are particularly well-placed, offering a lifelike “in the room” presentation.

The acoustic guitar in the intro to “Tangerine” by Led Zeppelin has a natural timbre with a little bit of extra bite to the sound. The vocals come in with an up front presentation, putting Robert Plant right in your face. The bass and kick drum have a nice sense of cohesion and a physical punch. Apostle does a nice job presenting the small details between the bright acoustic strum and the slightly warmer electric lead lines as well.

On “Dilemna” by Nelly and Kelly Rowland, Apostle puts you in the studio mix room, spreading out each element of the song in front of you with excellent imaging and separation. The electronic drums hit with a clean tight bass and a snappy snare, while elements with the vibes are nicely layered. Kelly Rowland’s main vocal is the real highlight of the song, and Apostle delivers the effortless power of the original vocal performance like you’re monitoring it live from the control room.

With a track like “Is She With You? (Wonder Woman’s Theme”) that combines electronic and classical elements, Apostle demonstrates excellent timbre and a strong blend texture and impact in the lows, along with every bit of nuance in the soaring electric violin part. As the dynamics build, Apostle is right there, rising, falling, and building to the crescendo with every bit of micro and macro-dynamics in the mix.

Comparison: Thieaudio Valhalla

Some of our favorite IEMs of all time, like the 64 Audio U12t and Thieaudio Valhalla land right at that $2000 price point. With Apostle 2026 launching at that same spot, one has to ask if it’s good enough to hold up against competition like Valhalla and emerge as a new standard in that price range.

Both Apostle and Valhalla offer strong visual in the design and the packaging, but on closer examination, elements like Apostle’s included cable and eartips give it the edge in the physical design category. In terms of fit and comfort, the two are pretty close, with both being large, but ergonomically designed. The decision on which is best likely coming down to preference more than one being objectively better, but – without any scientific evidence – I’d expect Apostle to be more comfortable for a larger range of people.

In terms of sound, I found Valhalla to be a little more natural sounding and smoother, while Apostle had clearer, crisper highers and strong clarity. In spite of Valhalla having a little more bass quantity, I preferred both the texture and physical impact of Apostle in the bass over Valhalla. In terms of the overall presentation, the biggest difference is really just that extra energy and clarity in the highs in Apostle vs the slightly more relaxed Valhalla.

The Bottom Line

Apostle 2026 offers a strong alternative to their flagship, Annihilator, that’s also a strong competitor in its price bracket. The build and design is excellent, with the shells and cable being major standouts, and the sound offers perhaps a more refined take on the hard-hitting energy of Annihilator.