Introduction
Campfire Audio is a company based in Portland, Oregon and they specialize in in-ear monitors (IEMs), headphones and cables. I would like to thank Campfire Audio for the review unit of Satsuma. At the moment, the Satsuma can be purchased from Campfire Audio.
Specifications
Unboxing & Accessories
The Satsuma comes in a squarish orange package with gold pattern and the package sports the brand name. A wrapping paper is used to wrap the package and on the front, there is a sticker that sports the brand name, image of Satsuma and model name. The package is made of USA made “French Paper Company” paper. After opening the package, there is the Leaf Green Canvas case which contains the Satsuma and detachable MMCX Smoky Lite cable. Each shell is protected inside a soft pouch that is divided into 2 sections. The default tips on the Satsuma are the size M Marshmallow tips. In the accessories box, there are Campfire Audio Marshmallow tips (S & L), silicone tips (S, M & L), Final E tips (XS, S, M, L & XL), cleaning tool and Campfire Audio pin. At the bottom of the package, there are warranty card and instruction manual.
IEM Build & Design
The Satsuma has orange fizz ABS shells. Each faceplate sports the brand logo. The stainless steel spout is slightly angled and it has an unique metal mesh design. The Honeydew utilizes MMCX sockets made of Beryllium/Copper.
Cable Build & Design
The cable is Campfire Audio Smoky Lite Cable and it is made of silver-plated copper. It has a 4 core twisted design. It uses Beryllium/Copper MMCX connectors with translucent grey housing. On the MMCX connectors, there are L & R markings to differentiate between left and right respectively. In addition, there are blue and red dots on the left and right respectively. The cable has a formed ear-hook without memory wire that is enclosed in an opaque black heat shrink tube. The chin slider and y-splitter are matte black in color. Lastly, the jack is 3.5mm gold plated right angled with strain relief. There is the Campfire Audio logo on the jack.
Sound Analysis
Lows
The Satsuma has moderate sub-bass quantity and it is extended well. The sub-bass reproduction takes on an agile approach and there is a quick yet natural rumble. The bass decay exhibits the agility well. The bass texture is rendered quite smoothly. The mid-bass has fair amount of body and there is a tight punch. Each bass note is articulated with a precise and clinical hit.
Mids
The midrange is detailed and there is good transparency level. Vocals are belted out cleanly and there is a clear presentation. The lower midrange has apt quantity and male vocals are expressed well with body and clarity, achieving a nice balance. The upper midrange has greater emphasis and it results in a more forward presentation which allows female vocals to excel with liveliness. There is a captivating midrange.
Highs
The treble is extended well and there are no signs of sibilance and harshness. The expression is detailed and articulate. The crisp is well-defined and there is sparkle for excitement at the top end. The amount of air rendered is great and it creates an open feeling. The overall treble is clean and controlled.
Soundstage
The Satsuma has natural soundstage expansion with good width magnitude and moderate depth.
Comparisons
Campfire Satsuma vs Campfire Comet
The Satsuma has similar sub-bass quantity as the Comet but the sub-bass reproduction on the Satsuma is able to provide a more natural rumble. There is a cleaner expression on the Satsuma. The bass decay on the Comet is a touch quicker and the presentation on both is nimble. The bass texture on the Satsuma is rendered in a smoother manner. The mid-bass on the Comet is presented with slightly more body and the slam is delivered with a heavier feeling. Each bass note on the Satsuma is articulated with a clean hit. The midrange on the Satsuma has higher transparency level than the Comet and there is a more musical vocals display. The lower midrange on the Comet has slightly more body than the Satsuma and male vocals are presented with a touch more presence. The upper midrange on the both is quite similar and female vocals are vivid but the Satsuma has the advantage with better finesse. Emotions are conveyed more effectively on the Satsuma. The Satsuma has an enjoyable midrange. For the treble, the extension on both is quite similar. The Satsuma has more body and it is able to achieve a better balance. The Comet has a leaner and brighter presentation with more sparkle. The treble expression on the Satsuma is controlled and airy which results in a fatigue-free listen. Lastly, in terms of soundstage, the Satsuma has a more natural expansion with greater width and depth.
Campfire Satsuma vs QDC Neptune
The Neptune has slightly more sub-bass quantity than the Satsuma and its sub-bass reproduction provides a stronger rumble. The bass decay on the Satsuma is quicker than the Neptune and there is a more agile expression. The bass texture on the Satsuma is rendered in a smoother manner. The mid-bass on the Neptune has more body and the slam is delivered with a fuller punch. Each bass note on the Satsuma is articulated with a controlled hit. The midrange on the Neptune has a thicker presentation than the Satsuma and vocals are expressed with fullness. The Satsuma has a better balance. The lower midrange on the Neptune has greater body than the Satsuma and male vocals are more present. The upper midrange on the Satsuma has extra boost and the emphasis contributes to a more intimate female vocals presentation. For the treble, the extension on both is quite similar. The Neptune is brighter and the extra sparkle contributes to a livelier top end. There is greater amount of air rendered on the Satsuma. The Satsuma is smoother with more body and there is a fatigue-free listen. Lastly, in terms of soundstage, the expansion on both is natural. The width magnitude on the Satsuma is greater and the depth on the Neptune is more closed in.
Conclusion
The Satsuma is a clean sounding IEM that is able to provide agile bass, detailed midrange and airy treble. There is a smooth and musical listen. The soundstage provides accurate positioning of vocals and instruments. In addition, the Satsuma has solid build quality and it comes with a new Smoky Lite cable. The Campfire Satsuma is one of the latest releases from Campfire and it delivers an engaging sonic display.
Campfire Audio is a company based in Portland, Oregon and they specialize in in-ear monitors (IEMs), headphones and cables. I would like to thank Campfire Audio for the review unit of Satsuma. At the moment, the Satsuma can be purchased from Campfire Audio.
Specifications
- Driver Configuration: Single Full Range Ported Balanced Armature Driver
- Frequency Response: 5Hz–18kHz
- Sensitivity: 94 dB SPL @ 1kHz: 67 mVrms
- Impedance: 46.4 Ohms @ 1kHz Impedance
Unboxing & Accessories
The Satsuma comes in a squarish orange package with gold pattern and the package sports the brand name. A wrapping paper is used to wrap the package and on the front, there is a sticker that sports the brand name, image of Satsuma and model name. The package is made of USA made “French Paper Company” paper. After opening the package, there is the Leaf Green Canvas case which contains the Satsuma and detachable MMCX Smoky Lite cable. Each shell is protected inside a soft pouch that is divided into 2 sections. The default tips on the Satsuma are the size M Marshmallow tips. In the accessories box, there are Campfire Audio Marshmallow tips (S & L), silicone tips (S, M & L), Final E tips (XS, S, M, L & XL), cleaning tool and Campfire Audio pin. At the bottom of the package, there are warranty card and instruction manual.
IEM Build & Design
The Satsuma has orange fizz ABS shells. Each faceplate sports the brand logo. The stainless steel spout is slightly angled and it has an unique metal mesh design. The Honeydew utilizes MMCX sockets made of Beryllium/Copper.
Cable Build & Design
The cable is Campfire Audio Smoky Lite Cable and it is made of silver-plated copper. It has a 4 core twisted design. It uses Beryllium/Copper MMCX connectors with translucent grey housing. On the MMCX connectors, there are L & R markings to differentiate between left and right respectively. In addition, there are blue and red dots on the left and right respectively. The cable has a formed ear-hook without memory wire that is enclosed in an opaque black heat shrink tube. The chin slider and y-splitter are matte black in color. Lastly, the jack is 3.5mm gold plated right angled with strain relief. There is the Campfire Audio logo on the jack.
Sound Analysis
Lows
The Satsuma has moderate sub-bass quantity and it is extended well. The sub-bass reproduction takes on an agile approach and there is a quick yet natural rumble. The bass decay exhibits the agility well. The bass texture is rendered quite smoothly. The mid-bass has fair amount of body and there is a tight punch. Each bass note is articulated with a precise and clinical hit.
Mids
The midrange is detailed and there is good transparency level. Vocals are belted out cleanly and there is a clear presentation. The lower midrange has apt quantity and male vocals are expressed well with body and clarity, achieving a nice balance. The upper midrange has greater emphasis and it results in a more forward presentation which allows female vocals to excel with liveliness. There is a captivating midrange.
Highs
The treble is extended well and there are no signs of sibilance and harshness. The expression is detailed and articulate. The crisp is well-defined and there is sparkle for excitement at the top end. The amount of air rendered is great and it creates an open feeling. The overall treble is clean and controlled.
Soundstage
The Satsuma has natural soundstage expansion with good width magnitude and moderate depth.
Comparisons
Campfire Satsuma vs Campfire Comet
The Satsuma has similar sub-bass quantity as the Comet but the sub-bass reproduction on the Satsuma is able to provide a more natural rumble. There is a cleaner expression on the Satsuma. The bass decay on the Comet is a touch quicker and the presentation on both is nimble. The bass texture on the Satsuma is rendered in a smoother manner. The mid-bass on the Comet is presented with slightly more body and the slam is delivered with a heavier feeling. Each bass note on the Satsuma is articulated with a clean hit. The midrange on the Satsuma has higher transparency level than the Comet and there is a more musical vocals display. The lower midrange on the Comet has slightly more body than the Satsuma and male vocals are presented with a touch more presence. The upper midrange on the both is quite similar and female vocals are vivid but the Satsuma has the advantage with better finesse. Emotions are conveyed more effectively on the Satsuma. The Satsuma has an enjoyable midrange. For the treble, the extension on both is quite similar. The Satsuma has more body and it is able to achieve a better balance. The Comet has a leaner and brighter presentation with more sparkle. The treble expression on the Satsuma is controlled and airy which results in a fatigue-free listen. Lastly, in terms of soundstage, the Satsuma has a more natural expansion with greater width and depth.
Campfire Satsuma vs QDC Neptune
The Neptune has slightly more sub-bass quantity than the Satsuma and its sub-bass reproduction provides a stronger rumble. The bass decay on the Satsuma is quicker than the Neptune and there is a more agile expression. The bass texture on the Satsuma is rendered in a smoother manner. The mid-bass on the Neptune has more body and the slam is delivered with a fuller punch. Each bass note on the Satsuma is articulated with a controlled hit. The midrange on the Neptune has a thicker presentation than the Satsuma and vocals are expressed with fullness. The Satsuma has a better balance. The lower midrange on the Neptune has greater body than the Satsuma and male vocals are more present. The upper midrange on the Satsuma has extra boost and the emphasis contributes to a more intimate female vocals presentation. For the treble, the extension on both is quite similar. The Neptune is brighter and the extra sparkle contributes to a livelier top end. There is greater amount of air rendered on the Satsuma. The Satsuma is smoother with more body and there is a fatigue-free listen. Lastly, in terms of soundstage, the expansion on both is natural. The width magnitude on the Satsuma is greater and the depth on the Neptune is more closed in.
Conclusion
The Satsuma is a clean sounding IEM that is able to provide agile bass, detailed midrange and airy treble. There is a smooth and musical listen. The soundstage provides accurate positioning of vocals and instruments. In addition, the Satsuma has solid build quality and it comes with a new Smoky Lite cable. The Campfire Satsuma is one of the latest releases from Campfire and it delivers an engaging sonic display.