Hi everyone, I spoke to Larry tonight and this is our official response to Ken's post:
The Asteria project ran from Feb. 2017 to Nov. 2017 with the contract signed by both parties. In this contract, Light Harmonic was the technology provider and designer for the new products. However, the project was terminated by Campfire’s CEO Ken Ball himself with no reason given. Light Harmonic put a lot of effort and cost into research and development into this project, and we were upset to see it terminated. (see attached photo)
Re: Asteria’s sound chamber...While we still were partnered, we didn't like and didn't want to use this design at all. We hoped to use another design and reduce the one high frequency peak. But it didn’t work out in that direction. To be perfectly clear: Light Harmonic doesn’t want to use this design and will never use this so called liquid metal design. Both Mr. Ball and we found that design is quite problematic. Mr. Ball even mentioned in an email that this design dragged the production speed and time.
We also have another solid reason that we have zero intention and didn’t use this Asteria’s design. Dealers in Asia found a lot of similar enclosures that has been commonly used by Campfire and other manufacturers. They had strong doubt on that and suggested Light Harmonic don’t get involved. Here are some quick screen captures of these products we got from them. (see attached)
For Asteria’s sample, we didn’t possess it from a long time ago. One distributor in Japanese has that. And they are quite pissed off due to the sudden and uncommon termination of the Asteria project and that cost them a lot in money and marketing. We have tried a few times to let them return to Campfire but currently didn’t get good reply yet.
And for the record, Light Harmonic didn’t open any of Asteria samples and we don’t need to. Asteria was simply an upgraded version of Dorado which we were trying to improve more. We have quite a few sound chamber and enclosure designs from 2015.
HBSC is the Hexagon shape designed and measure by computer simulation. Both outside and inside use the Hexagon shape to reduce any potential resonance surround the dynamic driver. We already applied the design patent for these. If Mr. Ball has any proof that Campfire ever used this kind of hexagon design before us, please send to us at anytime. On the other hand, if he doesn’t, then please withdraw these wrongful accusations.
The name of the IEM, Asteria, also was created and assigned by Light Harmonic. We emailed that name, Asteria, to Mr. Ball on Sep 4, 2017’s email. Light Harmonic never got any background image, or any detail marketing design from Campfire for Asteria. All Asteria marketing design came from our Japanese partner. For Stella, we came up with the marketing and design, and we have all the original hi-res photos, including rendering of Stella done by our designer. Again, since the Asteria project got terminated, we don’t want to associate ourselves with any part of that project.
By using one terminated project to hint or suggest Light Harmonic “stole” any of Campfire’s design or technology is really not acceptable. We urge Campfire to stop this kind of behavior and if they are unhappy that any other vendor including Light Harmonic is entering the earphone market, please compete fairly and reasonably.