Elecom EHP-CA3580 – Review

Elecom EHP-CA3580

Elecom EHP-CA3580

| 15.4 mm Driver | Neodymium Magnet |



? Elecom is not a particularly famous earphone brand but they have produced some interesting models and one of them is the Elecom EHP-CA3580. This long named model, hides under the housing a very large 15.4mm dynamic driver combined with a neodymium magnet. A driver this large and a neodymium magnet are usually specifications of big companies earphones well known as top level bassheads, such as the Sony XB line (check our Sony MDR-XB50AP review), Sony MDR-7550/800ST and the JVC Xtreme Xplosive line, to name a few (you can check our review of the JVC HA-FX1X)

hides under the housing a very large 15.4mm dynamic driver combined with a neodymium magnet

Elecom has made a diverse range of colours of this model and they add a 2 letter code to the end of the model name to identify the corresponding colour: black (BK), blue (BU), red (RD) and white (WH). The EHP-CA3580 are made entirely of plastic, they don’t feel cheap nor premium but tough enough and they look high quality with the golden details.

The cable is flat, multicolored black with red edges and in a rubbery material making it tangle free.

You can buy it either with or without an inline microphone. The combination of a bi-colored flat cable (black and red) with the golden “coil” on the rear of the housing makes the design attractive and result in a more premium overall look for the Elecom EHP-CA3580. The only downside of the design is the long piece of plastic that extends from the bottom of the housing that is used to give better support and durability to the cable.

FIND ALL: Earphones Scores Compared

MORE: Single Dynamic Driver Earphones Reviews


Elecom EHP-CA3580 - Review

Tests & Scores

W

Weight

MORE: In-Ear Headphones Weight Comparison

SEE ALSO: Earphones Size Comparison


A

Accessories & Packaging

Out of the box you get a soft pouch, 3 pairs of silicon eartips and a cable winder. Everything is packed inside a small semi-hard transparent box.

gramophone-256608.5/10

ELECOM EHP-CA3580 - Accessories
ELECOM EHP-CA3580 – Accessories

B

Bass & Sub Bass

The Elecom EHP-CA3580 has a really big dynamic driver (15.4 mm) that is not easily found nowadays, the bass that comes out of this driver is very deep and punchy.

it can deliver great sub-bass deepness without requiring an external amplifier

Bass and sub-bass are very clean, mid-bass bleeds into the mid/vocal frequencies and sub-bass depth is worth to be mentioned, most of all because it can deliver great sub-bass deepness without requiring an external amplifier to get it boosted.





Equalizing helps to feed bass performance but falls into muddiness pretty quickly.

Equalizing + amplifying will get the Elecom into basshead territory. The EHP-CA3580 when eqed for bass and amplified with a Fiio E12 in high gain mode and bass boost ON, is able to handle a massive 55% of the maximum power coming from the Fiio amplifier. Bass depth will be great but impact and in ear shake will not be that strong; shake (under the same conditions) will be less than the KZ ZST and KZ ZS2 but similar to the Xiaomi Mi Quantie Pro Hybrid. Considering how well it was performing unamped we were expecting more spectacular basshead achievements with the equalizer and amplifier into the equation, anyway it is fair to say that they are a reasonable basshead contender. A hint, change the stock eartips for better sub-bass impact and make sure to fit them as deep as you can.

gramophone-256608.25/10

MORE: Earphones Amplification Power Comparison

MORE: Best Basshead Earphones

SEE ALSO: Best Fun Sounding Earphones Chart


M

Mids & Vocals

Mids are recessed on the lower mids and middle mids frequencies, at the same time the upper mids frequencies have an extra emphasis that makes them harsh. Harshness of the Elecom can be felt with peaks between 1.5kHz and 3kHz and mostly if you turn up the volume above 40-50%. Equalizing down these frequencies just a notch and adding a little bump on the middle mids improves mids and vocals quality significantly and harshness almost disappears.

gramophone-256606.75/10


H

Highs & Treble

Highs are present, not the dominant sound signature, but mildly recessed and piercing at times. Sibilance is very noticeable at medium/high volumes. Not the best combination.

gramophone-256604.5/10

 


Elecom EHP-CA3580
Elecom EHP-CA3580
SL

Sound Leak

Sound leakage performance is below average, sound levels are moderate to high, people will clearly hear what you are listening to and you will for sure disturb your partner sleeping next to you in bed.

gramophone-256606.25/10


SI

Sound Isolation

The Elecom do not take the crown in sound isolation but they do not fall short either, just average. Noises will get reduced noticeably but they will not achieve top level noise isolation.

gramophone-256607/10


C

Comfort

The Elecom EHP-CA3580 look big and that is because the 15.4mm dynamic driver needs enough housing space to be fitted. They have a form factor very similar to the Pioneer SE-CX8 and the Pioneer SE-CX9 , but still smaller than the Pioneer and much lighter. Fit and comfort are not particularly bad, the form factor may turn off some people and possibly become slightly uncomfortable after long listening sessions but overall they fit just right and comfort is average.

gramophone-256606/10


EQ

Response to Equalization

The response to eq is controversial, their piercing and sibilant highs are practically irreparable if you eq down those frequencies any definition that they could provide gets lost. Mids eq instead respond very good, mids and vocals improve noticeably if eqed right. Bass and sub-bass eq responds well but will muffle the sound quickly.

gramophone-256605.5/10

MORE: Editor’s Picks Earphones Chart

MORE: Best Bang for the Buck Earphones


BUY IT AT:


Scores Scores

FIND ALL OUR: Earphones Reviews / In-Ear Headphones Reviews

MORE: Best Earphones Charts



Elecom EHP-CA3581
Elecom EHP-CA3580

Frequency Response (raw)

ELECOM EHP-CA3580 Frequency Response

ELECOM EHP-CA3580 - Frequency Response
ELECOM EHP-CA3580 – Frequency Response

ELECOM EHP-CA3580

Specifications

TypeDynamic
Driver Unit15.4mm
Sensitivity100dB/mW
Power Capacity100mW
Impedance16 ohms
Frequency Response10-22,000Hz
DiaphragmUnknown
MagnetNeodymium
CordY-type, flat cord
Cord Length1.2m
PlugL shaped stereo mini plug (Gold plated)
Weight (Without Cord)Approx. 12g
Supplied Accessories2x Earphone tips; cable winder, transport bag

MORE: Single Dynamic Driver Earphones Reviews

Photos
DISCLAIMER
We highly discourage anyone from trying to apply our testings to your own earphones, the risk of damaging or permanently breaking your iems is absolutely probable to happen. With our standardized equalization and amplification tests we push the limits of the earphones to the extreme. If anyway you decide to do so, we cannot be held responsible of the damage done to your equipment. Do it at your own risk.

Elecom EHP-CA3580

6.9

SCORE

6.9/10