The release of the original Campfire Audio Andromeda in 2016 is an incredibly important moment for audiophile IEMs. Andromeda was a huge part of the shift from IEMs as primarily tools for musicians and professionals to becoming a major part of the audiophile headphone scene. Andromeda has had a number of revisions and special editions over the years, but now, to commemorate the brand’s 10 year anniversary, Campfire Audio has released Andromeda 10: probably the biggest update to the model yet. Can Andromeda 10 carry on Campfire Audio’s legacy of IEM innovation?

Build and Design

As I’m writing this, only the special edition versions of the Andromeda 10 (priced at $2499) were available, so our impressions are based on our time with the black and gold special edition version. However, the turning and general design is applicable to the standard version for $1699. The visual design of the IEMs evokes Andromeda, but the smoother lines look slightly closer to the Emerald Sea 2023 version than the original. The biggest change to the outside of the IEMs is that this is the first Campfire Audio IEM (that I know of) to use a 2-pin connection instead of the MMCX that the brand has used historically. This does have some impact on the fit, leaving you with a little less adjustment available in how it sits in your ear. Also new is the bump up to 10 balanced armature drivers from the original’s 5 driver design. This comes with a slight increase in size as well, and while Andromeda 10 is comfortable, the fit isn’t quite as effortless as the original shell.

The package included the cable, a selection of eartips with standard silicone and foam as well as a “luxury” silicone similar to AZLA tips, a cleaning cloth and a nicely sized travel case, along with standard pack-ins like the warranty card and certificate of authenticity. For the special edition, the cable is a limited edition gold-plated copper cable terminated in 4.4mm balanced, while the standard version comes with the new modular Campfire Time Stream cable. The cable’s gold and black visuals look amazing, and it certainly feels like a premium cable for a flagship IEM. The case feels sturdy and has enough room for a couple sets of IEMs and possibly a portable DAC or small DAP.

The special edition, available in black and gold variants, is really an incredible piece of craftsmanship, putting just about everything else in its class to shame in terms of look and feel. Up close, the bespoke nature of the build is very apparent: this isn’t your average resin – or even aluminum – mold build. Sure it looks great, but how does it sound?

Sound

Campfire Audio seems to always be in search of a sound that’s both unique and accessible – a sound that brings out hidden elements of a song that you’ve never noticed before without getting in the way of just enjoying the song. The original Andromeda certainly accomplished that with its blend of clarity and emotion, and while Andromeda 10 won’t have the same revolutionary feeling as the original, it carries on the original vision.

Andromeda 10 has exceptional bass texture and detail. Kicks and low frequency electronic elements have a decent physical impact, but you also get every bit of texture and detail imaginable in there. And whether you’re listening to the Beatles, Rush, or Red Hot Chili Peppers, Andromeda 10 provides an almost unmatched quality in the presentation of bass guitars.

While there’s some warmth to the sound, the mids are largely very clean, with a clear, natural timbre, and loads of detail and clarity. I might actually call out the layering and level of detail as the strongest aspects of this set. The general sense of separation is absolutely exceptional, giving each instrument a sense of space and room to breathe.

Andromeda 10’s treble is just a little spicy, with a little peak that helps deliver that sense of clarity and separation. The treble is nicely extended and very resolving, and the spicier elements are nicely balanced out with the extra warmth in the low mids.

Andromeda 10 has excellent imaging, offering a clear upgrade over previous iterations in the Andromeda family. The soundstage is spacious and three dimensional and instruments are presented in a holographic fashion. Vocals are good, but can feel a little more diffuse than instruments.

Andromeda 10 – much like its predecessors – is very sensitive to your source, and if your source is more prone to noise or interference, Andromeda 10 is likely to pick it up. While I didn’t have any noticeable noise with most DAPs, using portable DACs like the Questyle Sigma or Cayin RU9 resulted in some quiet “waterfall” noise when no music was playing. 

One of the first tracks where Andromeda 10 delivered a “wow” moment for me was Rush’s “New World Man.” Right from the start, Andromeda 10’s imaging was on full display, as it perfectly presents the three piece band clearly in place surrounded with the electronic accompaniment. Each element of the band sounds natural and lifelike, from the hard hitting kick and crisp cymbals, to the smooth and perfectly articulated baseline, and the atmospheric guitars, with the vocals soaring above it all. The level of musical mastery on display by Rush is always exceptional, and while this song doesn’t feature any mind-blowing solos, each bit of nuance and interplay in the music is on display for the listener to hear.

Andromeda 10 also excels with elements like the programmed drums and largely minimalist arrangements on the verses of Lorde’s “Tennis Court.” It demonstrates excellent control of space: placing electronic elements in the stereo image with a tactile character, and offering strong detail and texture. Andromeda 10 also delivers  strong vocal imaging, putting you in the room. And when the bass drops on the chorus, Andromeda nails the powerful dynamic shift cleanly layering the rumbling subbass with the vocals and other elements.

The way Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon” builds and layers elements makes it a fun test track for headphones or IEMs as you can easily catch when things become congested or detail is lost. With Andromeda 10, it starts with fast, tight attack on the synth bass and a tight drum pocket, then adds smooth guitars on both sides of the stereo image. The guitars are loaded with subtlety and texture, while the kick offers pure visceral punch. The real test of the layering is when the horns and lead synth come in with a unison line, and Andromeda 10 delivers a perfect balance of separation and cohesion with the band.

With Andromeda 10’s excellent layering, imaging, and detail, I wanted to try out some more traditional orchestral piece as well, and Andromeda didn’t disappoint with James Horner’s Main Title theme from Star Trek II. The dynamics scaled up perfectly with the scale of the piece. From the start, there’s a really strong sense of space and positioning to the orchestra, with the brass in the center carrying the main theme, and violin melody coming strongly from the to the left, balanced out by the cellos on the right. Andromeda’s separation and articulation comes out strongly here, with clear definition between the individual instrument types in each group, as well as a highly natural timbre in each section.

Comparisons: Thieaudio Valhalla, 64 Audio U12t

A few years back, when describing the 64 Audio U12t, I said that it was something like an upgraded Andromeda, so with the new, upgraded Andromeda and the same U12t still on the market, I have to ask, would I still make the same comparison? Along with that Thieaudio Valhalla has become the new IEM to beat in the $2000 price range, so I have to ask how Andromeda 10 stacks up.

U12t is generally very similar to Andromeda 10 in the overall presentation, but there are some clear differences. U12t has stronger subbass extension, with a little less midbass punch, and less sense of warmth. U12t’s vocals are more forward than Andromeda 10, but whether or not the vocals are better is hit or miss. I found myself preferring Andromeda 10 in more cases for most male vocalists, with an even split on female voices. One of the ways I thought the U12t was better than previous incarnations of Andromeda was in the soundstage, but Andromeda 10 catches up here and may actually exceed U12t in total soundstage width.

Valhalla strikes me as more distinct here, with a bigger, bolder low end, smoother treble, generally more feeling of thickness and note weight, and stronger vocal presentation. Andromeda offers a wider stage, stronger clarity and separation in the sound, but at the price of the upper end sounding more diffuse. 

Ranking them at what they did best, Valhalla’s vocals are really top notch, and its overall sense of listenability and cohesion is excellent. Andromeda 10’s separation, clarity, and raw detail are quite possibly best in class right now – and Andromeda does this without losing engagement or musicality. U12t has a little bit of Valhalla’s cohesion and some of Andromeda 10’s spaciousness and clarity, but ultimately lands somewhere in between, without really exceeding the best of either.

The Bottom Line

Andromeda 10 clearly re-establishes Andromeda as one of the best IEMs in its class. With its strong detail and clarity, balanced with Campfire’s trademark musicality, Andromeda 10 offers strong competition for both classic sets like the 64 Audio U12t and more recent favorites like Thieaudio Valhalla. The special edition versions also offer a big step up in craftsmanship and design. Of all the follow-ups to the original Andromeda, Andromeda 10 takes the crown as the true successor.