Campfire Audio was founded in 2015 and is based out of Portland, Oregon. At first they made amps and cables, but are now better known for their incredible sounding earphones. Campfire Audio's commitment to the idea that nothing connects people quite like a pair of well-crafted earphones is demonstrated by their unique selection of IEMs.
Campfire Audio Technology
With their latest batch of IEMs, Campfire Audio isn’t just making IEMs that sound great, they’re aiming to craft a complete experience. In order to create a sound that brings it all together Campfire Audio has developed technology that allows them to dial in the sound they want for each individual IEM.
Phase Harmony Engineering allows for frequency spectrum to be segmented using both electronics and internal acoustics, allowing for each segment to be assigned to specific drivers and acoustic chambers to fully highlight each part of the frequency spectrum.
Dual Magnetic Dynamic Driver is Campfire Audio’s new driver technology that provides more control over the magnetic field creating a better response and more precise diaphragm movement. The result is a deeper and more resonant sound signature.
Campfire Audio Earphones
Cascara - $499
The fun and engaging Cascara is a great introduction to Campfire Audio’s line up. This full range single driver IEM comes with a Dual Magnetic Dynamic Driver offering a bass-focused yet articulate sound. This specific driver is built into a uniquely designed engine block that utilizes the physical mold helping route the music to your ear with more precision.
The Cascara has a deep bass-forward response that is paired with a smooth,and natural warmth in the mids and high-end. The mids are surprisingly present, given the impact of the bass, yet keeping the vocals much more prominent than one might expect.
Ponderosa - $799
Ponderosa has clear and emotional vocals, a well-balanced warmth from the low mids into the bass, presents lifelike percussion, and a three-dimensional soundstage. I can’t quite decide if it’s more Solstice or more Andromeda 2020, but this is definitely very close to those classic Campfire Audio sounds.
One advantage of Ponderosa over Andromeda Classic/2020 is the fit. Andromeda was always very dependent on fit to get the bass right, and Ponderosa’s design proves to be more ergonomic, offering an easier, more secure fit. The bass is still more linear and focused than heavily emphasized. There’s a general sense of warmth in the bottom half of the signal, but more of a tight punch than a broad slam in the bass. The mids offer everything you need, including excellent vocals – particularly for female voices. The treble balances things out well, with nice extension, and just a little bit of air and sparkle.
Fathom - $1049
Campfire Audio’s attempt to capture the feeling of the live performance behind the original sound recording with the Fathom. In order to really grasp this sort of live music experience Campfire Audio gave the Fathom a warm yet bright presentation. With six Balanced Armature drivers, this detail oriented IEM offers a balance of warm vocals, smooth extension and a very impressive bass presentation for a BA only IEM. Fathom uses Phase Harmony Engineering that allows frequency segmentation, which provides great separation and imaging for a close and personal sound.
Supermoon- $1099
Supermoon has a single 14mm planar magnetic driver, and uses it to achieve sound and performance that evokes flagship over-ear headphones like the HIFIMAN Susvara or Meze Elite. Supermoon is fast and dynamic, with a good slam, a balanced tuning and surprising resolution.
The two biggest highlights of Supermoon for me were the vocals and the drums. The vocal dynamics and imaging are incredible, delivering both a high degree of realism and emotion. Drums have a lifelike, visceral feeling that delivers both the impact and vibration of the drums. With both drums and vocals, it’s that element of resolution that elevates it to the next level.
Andromeda Emerald Sea - $1399
Andromeda Emerald Sea again takes the basics of the classic Andromeda design – from the angular green shell to the five balanced armature loadout – and updates it with a slightly sleeker look and a somewhat surprising tuning. If Solaris Stellar Horizon takes the classic, balanced Solaris sound, and pushes it a little further towards a reference tuning, Emerald Sea takes the classic Andromeda sound and goes the other way with it. Andromeda Emerald Sea emphasizes the bass, while pulling back the mids and top end a bit, creating a hard hitting, but slightly darker sound than Andromeda fans might be used to.
Bonneville - $1399
The color of the Bonneville isn’t the only tasteful thing that Campfire Audio did with this IEM. Complete with one specially crafted 10mm Dynamic Driver and three custom Balanced Armature drivers. Campfire Audio approached this IEM with the simple philosophy that less is more, aiming to get a great sound quality with just the right quantity of drivers.
The Bonneville has some-what of a warm-neutral tuning with exceptional bass and treble energy. The impressive soundstage and rich presentation in the mids, make it a fierce competitor at this price point.
Solaris Stellar Horizon - $2599
Like its predecessors, Stellar Horizon is a four-driver hybrid, with dual balanced armatures for the highs, one for the mids, and a dynamic driver for the bass and low mids.
Solaris presents deep linear bass and a natural, weighty presence through the mids. The resulting sound is more neutral, with a slight emphasis in the treble. That touch of extra treble helps develop a large soundstage and excellent imaging. Solaris Stellar Horizon is just on the edge between a more analytical reference sound, and a simply well balanced audiophile one.
Trifecta Astral Plane - $3299
The core of Trifecta is three 10mm ALDC dynamic drivers all aimed directly at the center point of an equilateral triangle. It’s a truly unique design, with no real precedent, and the result is incredible.
Trifecta’s sound is powerful and meaty, with a hard hitting bass, and thick lower mids. The rest of the midrange is somewhat recessed, with more of a warm V-shaped tuning adding some treble near the top, but without a lot of air and extension. Along with that you get a very over-ear headphone like soundstage, and a highly dynamic sound.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a fun, budget friendly IEM then Cascara is going to give a solid level of sound quality and performance that matches the price. Moving up in the line up are Fathom and Andromeda Emerald Sea, both offer their own unique sound while remaining solid picks. When reaching the higher end you’ll run into the Bonneville and Stellar Horizon, both serious contenders, giving a more neutral sound that maintains some energy and fun. At the top, the Trifecta remains a one of a kind design for incredibly dynamic sound and performance. And what all of these IEMs have in common is Campfire Audio’s vision of bringing together high end technology and design as a complete immersive, listening experience.
|
Product Name |
Price |
Driver Setup |
Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$499 |
Single Dual Magnetic Dynamic Driver |
Fun and bass focused IEM with warm mids |
|
|
$799 |
Custom Balanced Armature Drivers x 5 |
Classic, balanced Campfire Audio sound |
|
|
$1049 |
Balanced Armature Drivers x 6 |
Detail oriented with a warm presentation |
|
|
$1099 |
Single 14mm Planar- magnetic driver |
Fast and dynamic with balanced tuning and great resolution |
|
|
$1399 |
Custom Dual-Diaphragm Balanced Armature Drivers x 5 |
Hard hitting with a slightly darker sound, pulled back mid and top range. |
|
|
$1399 |
10mm Dynamic Driver x 1 Custom balanced Armature Drivers x 3 |
Impressive soundstage and rich presentation in the mids |
|
|
$2599 |
10mm Dynamic Driver x 1 Custom Dual- Diaphragm Balanced Armature Drivers x3 |
Natural weighty presence through the mids and deep linear bass |
|
|
$3299 |
Custom built 10mm Dynamic Drivers x 3 |
Powerful with a heavy bass and thick lower mids, more of a warm V-shaped tuning adding treble near the top |
|
$499 |
Single Dual Magnetic Dynamic Driver |
Fun and bass focused IEM with warm mids |
|
|
$799 |
Custom Balanced Armature Drivers x 5 |
Classic, balanced Campfire Audio sound |
|
|
$1049 |
Balanced Armature Drivers x 6 |
Detail oriented with a warm presentation |
|
|
$1099 |
Single 14mm Planar- magnetic driver |
Fast and dynamic with balanced tuning and great resolution |
|
|
$1399 |
Custom Dual-Diaphragm Balanced Armature Drivers x 5 |
Hard hitting with a slightly darker sound, pulled back mid and top range. |
|
|
$1399 |
10mm Dynamic Driver x 1 Custom balanced Armature Drivers x 3 |
Impressive soundstage and rich presentation in the mids |
|
|
$2599 |
10mm Dynamic Driver x 1 Custom Dual- Diaphragm Balanced Armature Drivers x3 |
Natural weighty presence through the mids and deep linear bass |
|
|
$3299 |
Custom built 10mm Dynamic Drivers x 3 |
Powerful with a heavy bass and thick lower mids, more of a warm V-shaped tuning adding treble near the top |
