ASUS remix the Orion formula with the ‘camo edition’ Echelon, designed to target fans of FPS gaming. Can it impress us through our testing?
Product on review: ASUS Echelon
Manufacturer: ASUS
Street Price: £61 inc VAT
ASUS impressed us with their ROG Vulcan ANC previously with its distinctive Republic of Gamers decor, but now we take a look at another side of the ASUS audio stable. The ROG Orion was originally made for cross platform use across games consoles and PC, and it was well received. Revamping that with a more targeted approach, namely FPS gamers on the PC, we find the Echelon. With a sleek digital camo design and impressive specifications, there is little to dislike about about this headset on first impressions. Let’s test it out and see how it performs.
Overview by ASUS
Designed to blend in with the best gaming
Echelon Camo Edition evokes the excitement of first person shooters, one of the most popular PC gaming genres. Many of the leading titles in the segment allow players to customize camouflage and textures applied to weapons and outfits, and Echelon Camo Edition pays tribute to this aspect. When worn by gamers, the headset extends the focus on camouflage designs with its game-inspired look. The digital camouflage pattern is a familiar element in almost every shooter, while the stylish metallic side plates feature an aggressive claw totem, showing that Echelon Camo Edition users are hard to beat in-game.
Echelon Camo Edition evokes the excitement of first person shooters, one of the most popular PC gaming genres. Many of the leading titles in the segment allow players to customize camouflage and textures applied to weapons and outfits, and Echelon Camo Edition pays tribute to this aspect. When worn by gamers, the headset extends the focus on camouflage designs with its game-inspired look. The digital camouflage pattern is a familiar element in almost every shooter, while the stylish metallic side plates feature an aggressive claw totem, showing that Echelon Camo Edition users are hard to beat in-game.
Specifications & Features
Connector: 3.5 mm(1/8”) jack
Driver Diameter : 50 mm
Driver Material : Neodymium magnet
Headphone Sensitivity : 100 dB
Microphone Sensitivity : -30 dB
Maximum Input: 50 mW
Frequency Response: 20 ~ 20000 Hz
Impedance: 32 Ohm ± 3%
Cable Length: 2.5 metre
Cable: Braided cable
Noise Cancelling Performance: Passive (noise isolation): Maximum > 30 dB
Weight: 268 g
Accessories: User guide
Driver Diameter : 50 mm
Driver Material : Neodymium magnet
Headphone Sensitivity : 100 dB
Microphone Sensitivity : -30 dB
Maximum Input: 50 mW
Frequency Response: 20 ~ 20000 Hz
Impedance: 32 Ohm ± 3%
Cable Length: 2.5 metre
Cable: Braided cable
Noise Cancelling Performance: Passive (noise isolation): Maximum > 30 dB
Weight: 268 g
Accessories: User guide
50mm neodymium magnet driver units
Large 50mm neodymium drivers support better sound positioning within games, so users gain increased awareness of environments, opponent actions and locations. Deep bass lends unmistakable impact to everything from soundtracks to explosions, while the wider range benefits from crystal-clear delivery and extremely low distortion. The frequency response curve has been optimized for gaming output, reinforcing the reproduction of footstep and gunshot sounds to augment spatial awareness, response accuracy, and win rates.
Retractable noise-filtering microphone
Taking community feedback into account, ROG Orion use a retractable and flexible microphone boom for easier angle adjustment and neat storage when not in use. New microphone noise filtering technology boasts more sensitive voice capture capabilities for clearer in-game communications.
Effective 30dB noise isolation
Noise ranks as one of the leading issues for gamers, often causing distractions and leading to the wrong decisions – which in turn lower win ratios. The Echelon is designed in such a way that the ear cups is covered entirely with large over-ear cushions, offering gamers optimized noise isolation technology ensuring a better gaming success rate and audio immersion. It effectively block out disruptions such as environmental noise and human voice, two of the main noisemakers in gaming events. Even tiny noises may mask crucial sound details, so make sure your gaming gear helps you fully immerse in gameplay and catch every sonic clue to make the right call.
Fine-tuned clamping force
The headband employs optimized clamping force based on lab testing using a wide range of head types. Echelon Camo Edition offers a universally great fit and prevents stress to further improve enduring comfort.
100mm full size over-ear cushions
Full-coverage ear cups measure 100mm and use high quality leather treatment to eliminate ear fatigue.
2.5m braided cable with gold-plated jacks
Echelon Camo Edition packs a tough braided cable and gold-plated jacks for longer durability and lower distortion. The 2.5m long cable also grants gamers extended freedom of movement.
In-line volume control
Easily adjust volume or mute sound using clip-on control without interrupting gameplay.
Packaging & First Look
Packaging front
The front box greets us with the digital camo design we find on the headset itself, even if you are not hugely interested in FPS/military designs you may find an appeal to the blue/greys. There is a large window showing us the product itself.
Rear display of packaging
At the back we get a list of specifications and some features with an overview of the product.
The ASUS Echelon
Initial impressions are, large, open backed earcups, retractable microphone reminiscent of the SteelSeries Siberia V2 and soft strokable memory foam padding that is coated with breathable PU leather.
Closer Look
Comfortable headband
On the headband we can find a strip of soft padding that extends across in its entirety.
Inside the earcup
Foregoing fancy in ear designs that are largely unnecessary we find plain black fabric, surrounded by thick, very soft padding. The 100mm wide earcups should fit comfortably on most people.
The adjustable straps
The sdjustable straps are reinforced with metal, while the earcup design is attractive and aggressive yet still retains subtlety. This really shows the design prowess of the ASUS team being able to stand out and be different, yet still emanate some class.
Nice braided cable with remote
Always nice to see a soft, flexible, high quality braided cable that provides protection, shame it is not modular but isn’t a huge issue. The inline remote is (maybe it is just me being strange) upside down in regards to falling in the left had however design is simple and functional.
Retractable microphone
The retractable microphone still keeps in with the aesthetic of the Echelon. Much of the design of this headset looks like a shout out to the SteelSeries Sibera V2.
Performance Testing
Setup, Design & Observations
At once, picking up the Echelon you realise it is light and the plastic feels a little plasticky though at this price and considering the 50mm drivers, some concessions could be expected. It isn’t foldable, considering the large earcups you wouldn’t expect that to be a feature, though there seems little reason as to why you can’t use it on the move considering it has a 32 Ohm impedance which is fine to use on most current smartphones and portable devices. Upon wearing the Echelon, it has perfect clamping force and is very comfortable, light and impressive. Even when wearing glasses the Echelon provides good comfort and fit.
Multi-Media
Listening through the Sirens EP by Oceanus the Echelon revealed precise lows in the bass with strong mids and slightly weaker, yet clear highs. Bass guitar and lead worked together rather than fighting for supremacy and overall the sound quality reminded me of the Q-Pad QH-90 only with slightly better bass and slightly weaker highs. This is a one up over the SteelSeries Siberia V2 where the highs seem fairly diminished in favour of more, arguably unnecessary bass.
In game the Echelon perform impressively, going through a routine bash on Battlefield 3 and DOTA 2. The Echelon gave tingle feels with rumbling lows, clear mids and decent highs, the same story as heard with music. Explosions were impressive, gunfights intense while sneaking around felt sneaky. Team fights on DOTA 2 became a chorus of mayhem.
Microphone
The microphone is good quality and picked up only the loudest of background noises. The overall quality of the microphone was considered to be very good albeit one issue, others in my group chat revealed that they could hear videos/games/music that I was listening to as if they were listening to it. I checked my settings and could not find a fix for this other than turning the headset volume down, it could be an isolated case or user error but when in game with a group of friends, none reported it as being an issue.
Conclusion
ASUS have really let the cat out of the bag with this one. Keeping design principles simple, the Echelon is a comfortable audio power house that won’t break the bank. The 50mm drivers used give some excellent precision that pushes gaming peripherals towards the realm of professional sounding headphones. Wrapped up in a simple yet effective packaging that will give good comfort and appeal to the target audience, this is a gaming headset done right.
There are a few niggles and it would be rude for me to ignore them, the microphone reverb may be an isolated incident, but that doesn’t mean it will not affect others. The retractable mic is a nice touch, though it is a shame that the braided cable is not modular. These are fairly minor points and does not detract that this is a lot of headset for the price. Sure there are some that may have a better quality build or different aesthetic, but you would have to pay more for them. You could even opt for the original Orion over the Echelon if the Camo design doesn’t appeal to you. Ultimately, the Echelon is part of that small group of ‘best in class’ products, that class being mid-range gaming headsets, and it may even hold the position as the leader.
The ASUS Echelon with its sharp militant aesthetic delivers a simple, yet powerful recipe for a leading gaming headset, great sound, great comfort great price. Deserves nothing less than our Gold.
Pros.
+ 50mm Drivers
+ Excellent sound quality
+ Attractive camo design
+ Braided cable
+ Very comfortable
+ Good price
Cons.
– Potential microphone issue
+ 50mm Drivers
+ Excellent sound quality
+ Attractive camo design
+ Braided cable
+ Very comfortable
+ Good price
Cons.
– Potential microphone issue
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net. Thanks to ASUS for providing today’s review sample.
