Elephone E1

8.2

SCORE

8.2/10

Elephone E1

| 10 mm Driver |

? The Elephone E1 are a nicely designed earphone made of CNC anodized aluminum with a 10mm dynamic driver. Most probably you have heard of Elephone as a brand of smartphones and electronic gadgets but they have produced 2 earphones too (so far), the Elephone E1 and the noise cancelling ELE Whisper.

The Elephone E1 have a good looking stylish housing made of metal with nice thick rubbery round cable that has an inline microphone and a 1-button control, there is also a version without the inline mic and control that costs a bit less.

Elephone sells the E1 in gold color or in black with gold details.

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Elephone E1 - Review

Tests & Scores

Weight

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Accessories & Packaging

The E1 are packed inside a very nice sliding box with a foam covered inside. With the Elephone E1 you get 3 eartips. The nicely designed packaging compensates for the basic quantity of extra accessories bundled. Worth to be noted, the packaging informs contradictory tech specs to those reported on Elephone’s site. For example, the box says that they are 40 ohms and have a 14mm driver (mmm… probably wrong) while the site says that they are 16 ohms and hold a 10mm driver.

^8_/10

Bass & Sub Bass

The Elephone E1 deliver a fun and very punchy mid-bass with good depth on sub-bass frequencies. Overall mid-bass is more emphasized than sub-bass.

Eq is able to add a lot more depth to sub-bass while mid-bass remains as punchy as before.

fun and very punchy mid-bass with good depth on sub-bass frequencies

If using a basshead equalization and amplifying the Elephone E1 can handle 40% of the maximum power of a Fiio E12 amplifier (with bass boost on and set to high gain). Sub-bass gains even much more depth and mid-bass punch. Though having very good punch and depth the E1 are far from being basshead, they do not provide rumble or impact to enter the basshead ring. Expect impact above the Remax 565i or the UiiSii Hi-705 and with better and cleaner bass.

^7.75_/10

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Mids & Vocals

Mids are not laid back, they have good presence, sound warm and clear from lower mids up to higher mids. Lower mids suffer from mid-bass bleed but they do not get too recessed or muffled (if you do not matter strong mid-bass bleed, do not expect audiophile mids but fun very warm ones) and there are no signs of harshness. Equalizing opens up mids and brings vocals forward perfectly without boxy vocals nor introducing harshness.

^8.75_/10

Highs & Treble

The highs of the Elephone E1 are present, not piercing, pleasant and barely sibilant at very isolated times. There is some recession but still they are bright and detailed. Only at times with very high peaks the E1 can become piercing (like a very high note on a piccolo) Eq can reveal incredible detail and brightness without introducing too much piercing highs or sibilance.

^8.75_/10

Sound Leak

The Elephone E1 have an open back design so sound leak is very high. What you listen will be heard around you loud and clear.

^5_/10

Sound Isolation

Noises get reduced but not by much, at low volumes they struggle to isolate completely from the environment at mid to high volumes the loud and full bodied sound signature is able to cover up much better the surrounding noises.

^6_/10

Comfort

Elephone opted for aluminum to construct the housing of the E1 making them solid and at the same time light; construction quality and size are similar to the Songful F2, KZ EDR2, KZ ED9 and Plextone X41M and slightly bigger than the JBMMJ MJ007. Fit is tight enough as to make them hold their place without inducing discomfort or pain. Overall they are very comfortable.

^8_/10

Response to Equalization

The Elephone E1 have an optimal response to custom equalization, mids get almost perfect, smooth, pleasant, forward and non fatiguing. Highs are able to deliver even more detail and brightness without emphasizing piercing or sibilant highs. Mid-bass gains some more punch and sub-bass depth gets emphasized noticeably.

^9.5_/10

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BUY IT AT:

Scores

• Accessories - 7.75/10
  7.8/10
• Design - 10/10
  10/10
• Bass - 8/10
  8/10
• Mids - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Highs - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Sound Leak - 5/10
  5/10
• Sound Isolation - 6/10
  6/10
• Comfort - 8/10
  8/10
• Response to EQ - 9.5/10
  9.5/10
• Value for Money - 10/10
  10/10

Summary

AWARDS

Pros

• Nice warm bass with enough sub-bass depth and mid-bass punch
• Detailed and bright highs
• Mids are clear and pleasant

Cons

• Sound leak is too high for use on quiet environments

Notes

The Elephone E1 are great earphones with exceptional detailed and fun sound quality, fully made of light and solid aluminum with great comfort. Being sold at a very accessible price they are a safe recommendation to anybody looking for a very well achieved pair of earphones.
Thank to their excellent overall performance and price tag they have obtained a place in the Best Bang for Buck Earphones Chart and our Editor's Picks Earphones List; also due to their well balanced sound they are part of the Best Balanced Earphones Chart

8.2/10

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Elephone E1 Frequency Response

Elephone E1

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