After years of not getting anything new, the Lyra was my first earphones that I would classify as high end. I got it before my CDM and one thing really lead to another.
Made by Campfire Audio, a spin off by ALO Audio, the Lyra is a single Beryllium dynamic driver IEM encased in a Ceremic casing which looks really pretty and well made. The cables provided were the tinsel from ALO audio which I didnt like (see below) and all this is packed together in a nice brown leather case with wool in it.
The Lyra is really light and small, as such it fits nicely into my small ears. They come with 3 different type of tips, I personally use the comply as they are the most comfortable to wear and produces a sound I find most acceptable.
The Lyra was my choice of purchase after testing a host of earphones at my local dealer. I can outright say I did not choose this earphone as it is greatest, however it produced the most enjoyable music experience to me. If I was to describe, Lyra is a intimate experience that couples with one of the most enjoyable bass thats deep and full of impact, all this packaged with warm and smooth signature that does not lead to listening fatigue. Its like listening in a concert hall, with all the warm melodies wrapping around you.
Im a fan of music from the Final Fantasy Series, especially the music from Distant Worlds. The Lyra really brings alive the music I enjoyed, similar to a live performance in a cosy hall, where music is all around. The vocals from Answers felt intimate yet majestic, the bass from One Wing Angel had the impact and engagement that I only experience in larger cans, the soft yet soothing voice from Kiss Me Goodbye with all the details from the vocalist breath to the really soft string instruments could be heard. There is also a very different decay in sound, that adds a really nice touch of smoothness without messing with the clarity. The Lyra provided a musical experience that one could just close your eyes and tap to the beat or doze off to sleep in all its coziness.
However the Lyra I felt lacks separation for a IEM in its price range. The BA systems like the Shures and JH provided better clarity and separation between instruments, in the process making the sound stage seem a little larger. It also lack bite in the highs, something that a friend of mine commented and why he dislike it. Theres also the Tinsel cable which seem to muddy the sound a little. I tried all sort of cables and a silver coated pure copper cable could really improve all the above issues. It does loose a little of its magic I stated above but I find that the sound with a cable change felt more acceptable to most for a IEM at this price.
Tips do matter for the Lyra. Silicon increase the impact and bass response, comply tames it and improves clarity. If silicon I will go for spin fits for the best seal.
One final rant before I conclude: The cable mmcx connectors oxidised and start turning green a little too quick. The place Im at is a little humid but less then a month is extremely quick and the clear plastic that shows the oxidisation in all its glory really detracts from the really awesome shiny black look of the Lyra. The connector is also moulded out of smooth plastic, trying to remove it prove to be too much challenge with the lack of grip. If anything I want to change, its definitely the cable for both sound and looks. Maybe Campfire should just provide users with a choice of cables from their parent ALO SXC or Pure Copper cables. Either would have been better and cater to the various group of listeners. Im still looking for my perfect cable, maybe a Cryo Copper Balanced cable to my CDM could really improve things yet retain that magic.
The Lyra is a IEM thats all about enjoying the music and not technicality wins, providing a close intimate sound with engaging lows that most other could dream off. It may not be the best at its price bracket for some fields, but for what it excels, it provides you a experience that probably could not be obtained anywhere else.