Elecom Hybrid Sealed High Resolution Corresponding Canal Earphone Black Ehp-r / Hh1000abk

BloodyPenguin

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Great Sound Quality, Solid Build, Comfortable fit, Multiple Detachable Cables, Cool Looks
Cons: Really Hard to Click the Microphone/Call Button
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Elecom is an electronics manufacturer. [www.elecom.co.jp/global/]

The EHP-R / HH1000A is their flagship earphone.
 
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                      ~ All Photos Taken By Me ~
 

[Product Link] (in Japanese): http://www2.elecom.co.jp/products/EHP-RHH1000ABK.html

[Product Info] (in English): http://www.elecom.co.jp/global/release/201512/ehp-r_hh1000a/
 
[Disclaimer]: I was given the EHP-R / HH1000A in exchange for my unbiased review.**

[Special Note]: I'm using Google to translate from Japanese to English, I am doing my best to be as accurate as possible. Please fee free to correct me if I have missed something.



*Specifications*

- Driver units: Balanced Armature (6.0X4.3X3.0) / Dynamic (8.0mm beryllium-coated diaphragm)
- Impedance: 27Ω
- Sound pressure sensitivity: 96dB / mW
- Maximum input: 10mW
- Play frequency band: 5Hz ~ 40kHz
- Cord: 1.2m, Y-type, removable (MMCX terminal)
- Plug: 3.5mm 3-pole / 4-pole mini plug (L-type)
- Color: Black/Gold
- Weight: 12g
 
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*Contents*

- EHP-R / HH1000A
- Detachable Cable (Standard)
- Detachable Cable with Microphone
- Silicon Ear Tips (S / M / L)
- Cord Storage
- Travel Pouch
- Owners Manual
 
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*Build/Design*

At first glance, the EHP-R / HH1000A looks rather bulky, maybe not the prettiest earphone ever made, but once you hold it in your hand, you quickly realize it is a solidly built product. As you will see in the close ups, it seems to be constructed of various types of plastic that don't exactly blend together, but they still feel like they could take quite a beating. The housing though large, is still relatively light weight at only 12g

There are two included detachable cables with MMCX connectors. One is just a standard cable and the other comes with a microphone. The cables are made extremely well and show absolutely no sign of microphics. My only complaint about the either cable is about the version with the microphone. As seen in the photo below, the Microphone/Call fob is large and circular. The issue is, you have to press it in JUST right, at the perfect angle to get the button to click. It can be very frustrating to use. Luckily, there are a ton of other replacement cables with microphones you can buy that have the MMCX connectors and a microphone button.
 
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*Fit/Comfort*

The EHP-R / HH1000A can be worn with the cable either down or over the ear. While that is all and good, the earphones are labeled Left and Right, not the cables. The cables do have a color coding at the tips (Silver=Right, Green=Left), though it is hard to remember that off the top of my head, it would been nice if they had just a R and L on them instead. The cable is also a bit light, so over the ear does not stay as well as it could. Again, this could be easily remedied by a replacement cable.

With lots of surface area to grip, getting these firmly in place is a piece of cake. Just a firm grab, a little wiggle and they are not going anywhere.

Once inserted, even with the bigger housing, comfort and fit is really nice. I must say I was surprised by how good they feel in the ear. The EHP-R / HH1000A can be worn for lengthy amounts of time without them becoming a bother.
 
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*Sound*

Lows - There is a lot of controlled, warm bass with the EHP-R / HH1000A. Providing a bit more sub-bass than mid-bass (which I prefer). The lower frequencies are quick and energetic. There is no sign of the lows bleeding to the mids, with even the more bass heavy music. When pushing the Elecom Hybrid hard, I found there to be no distortion to be heard, they handle whatever you throw at them very, very well..

Mids - Listening to [Disclosure feat. London Grammar - Help Me Lose My Mind], Hannah Reid's vocals are angel like and perfectly centered. The rest of the mids are handled with care and clarity. I love the fun and musical mids that EHP-R / HH1000A produces. Truly quality tuning.

Highs - The EHP-R / HH1000A does not lack in the highs (or anywhere for that matter). In the upper region, the Elecom IEM does well to bring out details without ever becoming harsh. The frequency extends quite tall, but never being sibilant. There is an Audiophile class to the highs that keeps your attention focused on the music being played.

Isolation - Sound blocking is about average for this type of IEM. I could hear a little of what was going on around me with the music off, but when I turned the sound up, it did quickly dissipate outside noises fairly well. Sound leakage could only be heard when they are pushed a little too loud. So really there is no worry about others around you hearing what you are listen to.

Soundstage - One of my favorite things to show off a wider soundstage, is to play "Virtual Barbarshop" for people and watching their reactions. The little voice skit recorded with a Binaural Dummy Head is a lot of fun. When I play this on the EHP-R / HH1000A, I'm blown away by the width these IEMs present. I can really sense where the characters are and their exact movements.

For you of those who have not had the pleasure of hearing the "Virtual Barbershop", you can download it here (Headphones Required): [6.16 MB] http://jokke.dk/media/2008-04-cetera.mp3
 
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*Driving/Sources*

The EHP-R / HH1000A benefits greatly from a good source, with quality materials as it is quick to find flaws otherwise. The best playback was found when I was playing DSD files through the ORB JADE casa system (review coming soon). My ears were extremely rewarded by this setup.

On the other hand, when in use with my Samsung S4, I found even at only 27Ω, I had to push the Elecom IEM hard to get the results I wanted and even then, it left me wanting more. So I plugged them back into the nice DAC/Amp Desktop system and washed away my cares.
 
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*Comparison*

Elecom EHP-R / HH1000A vs. Mee Audio Pinnacle P1
 
When I first learned I was going to get the chance to listen to the Elecom EHP-R / HH1000A, my first thought was how would it compare to the Mee Audio Pinnacle P1? The two do have quite a bit in common on paper, but how do they match up with each other in real life?

In Common Both IEMS Have:
- Two Detachable Cables; one standard, one with a microphone.
- MMCX Connectors
- About the Same Housing Size
- Can be worn down or over the ear
- Need a good source to bring out their best

Build: While Elecom does a nice job, it is not even on the same planet as the P1 quality, solid construction. The EHP-R / HH1000A, just needs a little more refinement in design and structure. Both have nice cables, the EHP-R / HH1000A is a lot thinner, but feels nice. Also, neither cable can seem to escape being tangled up from time to time.

Fit/comfort: Draw here, both had slight advantages, the P1 is a bit more sculpted for the ear, while the EHP-R / HH1000A has a much lighter (almost 3 times) housing that helps it rest in the canal lightly. The P1 does isolate a decent amount more.

Sound Signatures/Quality: Here is where the excitement comes in. The anticipation was killing me. Though both IEMs have a completely different approach to drivers; Elecom's Dual Hybrid vs Mee Audio's Dynamic Moving Coil, both sound strangely similar. There are a few differences of course. I found the EHP-R / HH1000A to have a little more presence in the lows with that nice sub-bass presentation, while the P1 Pinnacle had a slightly smoother overall tone throughout. During playback, it seemed as if both of these earphones have a lot in common, wanting the best sources for playback quality. There is a little more quickness and attention to the highs coming from the EHP-R / HH1000A. The P1 would be slightly less fatiguing over time, with not quite as much detail. But the differences I describe are very subtle.

Value: It is a little hard to battle this one out. The Elecom IEM seems to range from around $240-270 in the US and if you can find it, the P1 is $200 even. I'm just going to call this one a wash, even though the EHP-R / HH1000A costs a bit more for the moment. All and all, you could not go wrong with either IEM.



*Overall Thoughts*

I'm really impressed by the Elecom EHP-R / HH1000A. It is a wonderful Hybrid that will reward its owner more and more with quality sources and material.

My only concerns come with the build construction and that awful headphone microphone button. Otherwise, this IEM would get a perfect score.

Sound signature is perfectly full low end, crispy accurate mids and detailed very well up top. These are most definitely of the Audiophile caliper.

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mgunin
mgunin
Thanks for pointing to this model. I wonder what kind of DAP (it terms of sound signature) you'd recommend for a good synergy? I use Hidizs AP100 (MiguelMod version) which is a bit dark-sounding (and I prefer something not too bright).
vps2010
vps2010
vps2010
vps2010
 Found Elecom company store where you can buy these headphones for $ 86(find here: shop.elecom.co.jp)! Now I'm seriously thinking about buying. There is only one question-they are really a class higher than MusicMaker TK12S?
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