After purchasing the masterpiece that is the Tantus Throb, I was eager to try another of their products. I didn't think I'd buy one so soon after my first Tantus toy, but I reasoned that a high quality silicone dildo which included a bullet was more worth-it than two sale priced vibrators of lesser quality material.

It had to be in purple, my color of choice, since the only other option was the new penny copper (ick!). I don't understand why the color palette for the Echo here on EF is so limited — I know it's made in additional colors — but c'est la vie. At least one of the two colors is something I love.

The Echo comes in the standard Tantus clear case: no embarrassing pictures and very easy to open, no scissors required. There is a shaped clamshell inside, which also holds the included "Power Bullet" by BSM Enterprises. That the bullet comes from a different company surprised me, but it makes sense when you consider that Tantus focuses on insertables.

The box confirms that they are "highest quality 100% Ultra-Premium Platinum Silicone" and "hypoallergenic, phthalate free, odorless, tasteless, boilable, bleachable and completely non-toxic." (For overseas customers this information is also written on the box in German, French and Spanish.) The only packaging difference from the Throb was the addition of a 'vibrating products' warning. Common sense stuff: don't use on areas where a rash is present or skin is broken, and one that hit my funny-bone, "do not use on unexplained calf pain."

When I ordered the Throb, I worried that I might have ordered something too big. Then it arrived and the size was perfect. By contrast, I didn't worry about the size of the Echo when I ordered it. Using the comparison tool it didn't sound much larger than the Throb. Well, surprise! It's not small. EF lists the diameter as 1½" but it's actually 1.55" Those five-hundredths of an inch might not be such a big deal if the shaft was smooth and uniform, but the Echo has encircling bumps and ridges. You can see and feel every millimeter.

So at a proud 6½" height, the Echo was larger than expected, but not enough to send me running and screaming into the night. Yes, a behemoth, but still a gorgeous one in metallic-swirl purple, a deep, imperial color with traces of black in it. I did spot a tiny silver discoloration, but the toy's integrity is unaffected, so I think of the little spot as a beauty mark.

To try a toy vaginally I rarely require lube, however I made an exception for the Echo because of its size and texture. I made sure to grab the water-based stuff since silicone lubricant would bond to (i.e. destroy) the dildo. I left off the bullet since the texture presented enough of a challenge. Nice and slick, in it went, head first (like there was another choice?) and je n'en peux plus! Stop right there! I think we're at capacity. The head, while squishy, is the largest part of the Echo and you WILL feel every bit of the protuberance as it opens you. Make sure you are plenty wet and very aroused.

Breathing deep, I kept going and got my second surprise. Once you get over the hump (ba-dum-bum!), you really don't notice the remaining bumps. The Echo is not rigid and since the remaining ripples are smaller than that first, they follow without much oomph. In photos, the ribbed shaft looks like the challenge, in use the head steals all the attention. It also prevents me from insertion of the full 5½" or thrusting with the toy. It's literally too fulfilling. I like texture, but this is better suited to someone who craves a large size. The limited range of motion did not stop me from getting-off, but the Echo was definitely less fun than the Throb.

Was the Echo better with the bullet? Yes and no. To my delight, vibration travels (or echoes! ha!) through the dildo very nicely. However, that did nothing to help with the over-stimulating, oversize head. Then the bullet got stuck in the base resulting in a wrestling match. I got it out, but it was a lot of work and makes me nervous about putting it back in.

How about anal use? It's safe to try. The base is flared and the Echo is harness compatible. Backdoor use on me? Sorry, compact-only parking in this space. I don't have that experience to share.

Cleaning the Echo is easy. If it's dedicated to you and a single opening, soap and water will do. If it's more adventurous, used in multiple openings or with different partners, sterilization via boiling water and a 10% bleach solution is advised.

You're not restricted to the BSM bullet, feel free to swap in the bullet of your choice if you want different levels of vibration.

When storing, bags are helpful for keeping the Echo clean. Being typical silicone, it will pick up lint, dust and hair easily. Padded, luxury bags are unnecessary since the toy is soft, just make sure there's nothing sharp nearby, so it can't be torn or cut.

Do not panic if it comes in contact with other premium, 100% silicone toys. According to a forum post by Metis Black, President and Founder of Tantus, "In production we have bins (in plastic bins) of unpackaged product lying side by side", so it's not the end of the world if two of your silicone toys end up side by side wherever you store them. If they're made from the good stuff there should be no bonding or other problems.

Overall, the Echo is another quality offering from Tantus, however, the design doesn't work so well with my internal anatomy. To anyone looking to purchase it for the ribbed shaft, I suggest you consider another toy with a smaller head. To anyone drooling over dildos with a pronounced head, put this one on your wishlist or in your shopping cart.