Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020

NewEve

1000+ Head-Fier
Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020
Pros: Fit
Sound
Details, textures, musicality and overall balance
Cons: Discontinued
Requires source with output impedance under 1 ohms

The Campfire Audio Andromeda are one of the few genuine staples of the IEM world. The original version was released in 2016 and its latest iteration, seven years later, in 2023.

In-between, there has been three standard versions, this one included, as well as no less than eight special editions with the Andromeda Special Edition: Gold holding a very dear place in this audiophile’s heart. And yet, an actual, standard, Andromeda was yet to be heard.

Disclaimer: the Andromeda 2020 have been ordered from K55.ch after they were kind enough to offer me a discount for their last pair of Andromeda 2020 which have been paid out of the author’s pocket.


The object — The Andromeda 2020 are very small and light IEMs with the unmistakable Campfire Audio industrial design which, until very recently, was the brand’s hallmark.

Bundled with the usual boutique Campfire Audio packaging and accessories, they come with a thin and lightweight single-ended Silver-Plated Copper Smoky Litz cable, three sets of tips, a useful mesh pocket and an olive green-dyed sustainable cork case.

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Fit & Comfort — Despite the lack of vents and their slightly shorter nozzle compared to other IEMs in Campfire’s lineup, the Andromeda 2020 remain comfortable.

For those worried about the shells being an issue, the Andromeda 2020 are small and, should one need to push them outwards, aftermarket tips will very likely solve any potential issue.

Last but not least, given how thin and light the cable is, you’ll quickly forget about it.

Tips used: stock silicon

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Sound — The Campfire Andromeda 2020 are particularly receptive to output types and impedances though not to the extend of the Ara. Accordingly, the recommendation here would be to match them with a source having an output impedance under 1 ohm.
No need to spend a lot as an Apple or Alo Audio Pilot dongle are perfectly fine although the preferences here have been the Sony ZX507 or WM1AM2 which allowed for a more analog sound.

In terms of sound, the Andromeda 2020 are a warm-neutral set with a timbre and tuning rivalling, not only Campfire Audio’s own higher-end offerings such as the Ara or Solaris 2020, yet also the 64 Audio U6t or the Sony IER-M9, the latter which the Andromeda 2020 also beat in terms of dynamics.
As to details, textures, musicality and overall balance, the Andromeda 2020 seem to be the proverbial IEMs and genuinely strike a stunning balance. Their soundstage is also worth noting given that it manages to be above average without becoming artificial, both in terms of depth and heights.

Last but not least, note that, via balanced output, the Andromeda 2020 seem to loose their magic — the recommendation here really would be to stick to single-ended.

Files / Sources used: CD-quality FLAC bought from Qobuz & Tidal HiFi streaming / Alo Audio Pilot, Uncapped Sony ZX-507 & NW-WM1AM2 (Direct Source: On)

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Conclusion — The Andromeda 2020 are such a pleasant surprise. Surprise because, as many of you know, there are so many factors in this hobby that one listener’s bliss can turn out to be a totally average experience for another.

With that said, in almost 10 years in this hobby, they are the best IEM this vagrant audiophile has heard, for any genres.

The Andromeda 2020 are therefore wholeheartedly recommended and one might want to have a frequent look at the Campfire Audio Marketplace in case a pair is up for grabs.



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Hooga

100+ Head-Fier
Out-Standing Identity
Pros: Comprehensive sound experience.
Five drivers playing as one: a superb cohesive tuning.
One of the best treble tunings I ever heard.
Beyond spectacular soundstage, imaging and layering.
Good mids.
Cons: “BA timbre”, aka lack on microdynamics.
Could use more texture, especially in the bass.
Musicality lacks some drama for my taste.
Bundled cable has non-modular termination.
Non-trivial source required
A sort of mythological entity guards the entrance of the over-kilobuck IEM market segment since 2016, and that’s Campfire’s ultrafamous Andromeda. For how odd it may sound I never got to audition those… In conjunction with the release of the new product revision, however, the gap has been filled and I’ve been provided a sample of the new product iteration named Andromeda 2020 (retailing at $1099).

I’ve been auditioning them for quite a while now and to be frank I would need extra time to deliver an even more matured opinion. The reason is simple in its complexity: Andromeda 2020 are no easy individuals. On them I see hear a number of glorious lights and some shadowy parts, and I’m writing about each one here below of course, but much beyond that, Andromeda 2020 are one of those few devices where the articulated ensemble makes up for something more and beyond the sum of its parts.

[ In parentheses, this is not the first driver granting me such feeling, and in my experience such “magic” is not strictly related to the product’s market segment – read: price – but let’s not digress here ]

With this in mind, let’s take a look at the details first, then we’ll quikly climb up onto the big picture.


Test setup

Sources: Apogee Groove + Burson FUN + IEMatch / Questyle QP1R / Sony NW-A55 mrWalkman / iFi Micro iDSD Signature – Comply Foam TS-400 tips – stock Campfire Silver Plated Litz cable – lossless 16-24/44.1-192 FLAC tracks.


Signature analysis

Tonality
Andromeda 2020 deliver a clear&clean timbre, with a definite BA-accent. The presentation is a W with an almost pure natural-balanced tonality. For my personal taste a whiff more of body (dacay) on the bass notes would make it 100% “organic” when rendering acoustic music.

Sub-Bass Sub bass is fully extended and rumble is there, just never authoritative due to the driver’s snappyness

Mid Bass Andromeda’s midbass is forward but flat, which gives it some good presence while always keeping a “baseline” role and never coming upfront, and a very faint warm color. Transients and implacably “BA-level” so notes are almost edgy, lean but most of all very scarce in microdynamics. Andromeda 2020 are not the IEMs you want if you’re after accurate (mainly, but not only) bass texture restitution.

Mids Mids are very well done, almost silky smooth yet vivid, articulated and detailed – a very subtle balance between precision and expressiveness. Like bass, a taint of warmth is present. And like on bass – although to a lesser extent – in terms of critical listening transients are a bit too fast to deliver truly organic sound. That being said mids’ clarity, cleanness, authority paired (again) with extremely accurate smoothness is nothing short of oustanding, and frankly a pleasure to listen to “as-is”.

Male Vocals Male vocals come accross very well in terms of clarity and definition. Some butter is missing (like it does on the entire Andromeda presentation really) to make them glorious.

Female Vocals Female vocals are clear, articulated and authoritative. Their timbre is a tad slim, and they lack that last 5% of texture to sound flutey, which is – again – probably intended by the tuners. In positive, these are most likely the most forward, vivid, crisp female vocals nevertheless succeeding in staying always off sibilance or shoutyness I encountered yet.

Highs Together with technicalities, trebles is where Andromeda 2020 get stunning. A truly masterful balance between definition and control has been reached here. Extension is good, air is also good and not excessive, presence trebles are vivid, detailed and sparkly while never scanting into excesses like shrills, or sibilance. I do prefer adopting foams in this case (see below) but even smallbore silicons dont make Andromeda 2020 misbehave up there (enough said, I guess).


Technicalities

Soundstage
Andromeda2020 have a near-holographic stage, just height is a tad less extended than the other 2 dimensions but I’m noting this exclusively because I’m a nasty nitpicker

Imaging Beyond spectacular. Image distribution on the stage is perfect at all time both on the periphery and at the center.

Details Detail retrieval from highmids and trebles is frankly as good as it can possibly get without scanting into excessive thinness and the directly consequent metallic coloration. In conjunction to what’s mentioned above about bass and mids, a slight bit more relaxed transients over there would grant better detailing on those segments too.

Instrument separation Another excellent aspect on Andromeda 2020 is separation and layering. Paradoxically, their prowess on this contributes to reveal the relative scarceness of tonal nuances especially from circa 2K down.

Driveability That’s where it gets tricky: less than 13 ohm impedance and a sensitivity of almost 123dB/mW are no joke for any amp, especially that vast majority of deevices out there aimed at people stubbornly looking for “powah” instead of quality and control. Paternalistic rants apart, Andromeda 2020 are seriously picky, and get hissy even when paired to some source of high repute so don’t be too angry if it happens to you too. Pro tip: an IEMatch can do wonders, but be warned you’ll need to switch it to Ultra this time (-24dB attenuation…)


Physicals

Build
Andromeda 2020 housings are made of machined aluminum, with a high quality anodized external finish. Smaller in size compared to the previous version, they feature a specially designed internal “shape”, which according to Campfire is solely in charge of the 5 drivers’ reciprocal calibration – no crossover or other filters are employed, anyhow.

Fit I find them easy to fit, both if I choose a shallower positioning or a deeper insertion. Tip selection has been just a bit less painful than my usual case: by far I prefer comply TS here [*]. Alternatively, final E silicons (nicely included as stock) are more than OK if I am keen on a even sharper / colder variation for one day.
[*] Campfire’s own foam tips are quite underwhelming in comparison.

Comfort Luckily I find Andromeda 2020 very comfortable but you sadly can’t rely on this. Although not big, housings feature unrounded edges so they may well be [partially] uncomfy on someone else’s outer ear. Gotta try.

Isolation When worn with foam tips, Andromeda 2020 offer me very high isolation

Cable Andromeda’s bundled cable is good, both from the build and the sonic standpoints. I tried rotating an (equivalent high quality) pure-copper cable and while some low and mid nuances get improved, highmids and presence trebles’ definition gets too close to depletion – and sometimes pass the edge too. So silver plated it is, and it’s good. I do have one remark though: given the kilobuck package price I find it more than a bit disappointing that a single cable termination option is merely included. A multi-termination cable should really always be bundled at these pricing levels, and on this manufacturing tier.


Specifications (declared)
Housing
Machined aluminum shells with anodized emerald green outside finish. “Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber™” internal structure
Driver(s) 2 BA for high frequencies, 1 BA for mid frequencies, 2 BA for low frequencies [BA manufacturer undisclosed]
Connector Custom Beryllium/Copper MMCX
Cable Campfire Audio Litz Cable – Silver Plated Copper Conductors with Berylium Copper MMCX and 3.5mm Stereo Plug
Sensitivity 94 dB SPL @ 1kHz: 7.01 mVrms = circa 123dB/mW
Impedance 12.8 Ω
Frequency Range 10 – 28000 Hz
Package & accessories Campfire Audio Sustainable Cork Earphone Case – Final Audio Tips (xs/s/m/l/xl) – Campfire Audio Earphone foam Tips (s/m/l) – Silicon Earphone Tips (s/m/l) – Campfire Audio Lapel Pin – Cleaning Tool
MSRP at this post time $1099,00


Considerations and conclusions

Analysing Andromeda 2020 requires the usual 2 – 3 pages. What I reported might be agreed upon or not, as always, but as I mentioned at the beginning there’s a higher layer here: Andromeda 2020 have a comprehensive personality going beyond their timbre, their tonality, and all that technical jargon.

At the current status of my experience, I would report Andromeda 2020 as greatly clean, skillfully musical, detailed and smooth acoustic performers. Their solid identity evidently stands-out from the mere, arid list of their elementary parts – that’s my point – and reaches the user before, and with more authority than each and all of those.

Andromeda 2020 deliver a proficient, clear, expansive musical experience. Critical-listening to them, going with a flashlight looking for the reason why bass is like this, mids are like that is … nearly preposterous.

By the way, if you are one of my usual “25 readers” you know that Andromeda 2020’s signature does not match my ideal preferences – I find its musicality too engineeristic. It lacks drama, for my taste. Even that considered, though, Andromeda 2020 genuinely appeal me to “just putting them on” and go with the smooth, articulated, open musical flow they grant.

Finally, and on the flip side, it’s important to underline that they “don’t come easy”, not even a bit. Their purchase price is “important”, and chances are they may trigger the need for a source upgrade, which might possibly cost another pretty penny… So be warned!

Disclaimer

The Andromeda 2020 sample has been provided free of charge by the manufacturer for this review, with no strings attached. They can be purchased here. As always, I am not affiliated, don’t get commission, etc etc.

This article previously also appeared here and here.
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S
Sotiris
I have Qrp1r and I have hiss with them.Do you have the same problem? Can it be fixed with ohm adapter?

ngoshawk

Headphoneus Supremus
Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020: The detail king retains its crown
Pros: Fabulously detailed sound
Ariness of clarity abounds
Its good to be green
Build quality is top notch
Continues to go its own way
Cons: Fit may still be an issue for some, even with the smaller shell
Some will not like this much detail?
Because of the detail, it may sound a bit thin to some
Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 ($1099): The detail king retains its crown

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Andromeda 2020

Intro (same as the Solaris & Ara):


As luck would have it, the tasty trio of new CA wares came my way, the Ara 2020, Andromeda 2020 and this; the Solaris 2020. Upon first listen of all three, I noted how they seemed similar to me. Then after closer inspection, I began to understand the intricacies of each and how they were different. The Andro is the detail king, rightly taking back its crown as an extremely detailed critter. My goodness, it really does. The Solaris? Not having heard the first or second gen, I cannot say how it is different other than reading the reviews of HeadPie, thecontraptionist and twister6. They are much more versed than I, but the Solaris to me proved why it is the flagship of the range. It is like Ken & Co took the criticisms in stride and produced and F-you, this is what we can do. All three-sound phenomenal, and I again appreciate what Campfire Audio has done to the market. They produced three winners of distinctly different signatures, enough so that you will find one, which fits your tastes. And the Aras just sounds right no matter the source music. It really does, and I can see why it is the favorite of some.

I am a very lucky reviewer to have all three on hand and will do my best to discern the sound of each. As these are loaner units to me, I have no financial obligation whatsoever in this and simply appreciate and covet my time with the trio together.



Specs:

Specifications


10Hz–28 kHz Frequency Response
94 dB SPL @ 1kHz: 7.01 mVrms
12.8 Ohms @ 1kHz Impedance



Features

Anodized Emerald Green Body
Dual High Frequency Balanced Armature Drivers + T.A.E.C.
Single Mid Frequency Balanced Armature Driver
Dual Low Frequency Balanced Armature Drivers
Custom Beryllium / Copper MMCX Connections
Machined Aluminum Shell
Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber™ (T.A.E.C.)
Stainless Steel Spout



Gear Used/Compared:

Empire Ears Legend X ($2299)
Campfire Solaris 2020 ($1499)
Campfire Audio Ara 2020 ($1299)

Cayin N6 mk2
Shanling M6 Pro
MBP/EarMen TR-AMP



Songlist:

Joey Alexander-Warna album and others
Mark Knopfler-Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes
Santana w/ Mana- Corazon Espinado
twenty one pilots album, Trench
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Big Head Todd & The Monsters-Beautiful World
Mark Knopfler-Down The Road Wherever
Elton John-yep, still good, still cool
Tidal MQA


Unboxing:

This will be short. The units came to me in their new cork case, with drawstring “laundry-like” airy bag inside and some tips. That’s it. But from the website you note that you get the traditional Campfire Audio plethora of goodies, that are functional and needed. I have always preferred Comply foam tips on the CA models I have had and reviewed, and this is no different.

The cork case is a new thing, and I do appreciate how CA continues to think about their environmental impact. More and more this is becoming the trend, and Campfire is right up there at the forefront.

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Technicals:

The Andromeda has five BA’s as opposed to the Arta, which has seven. Long known as the detail king of the Campfire family, and possibly the segment, the Andromeda provided the baseline for the Ara. As such it does well on its own and does owe a debt of gratitude to the Andromeda. The Andromeda has dual high frequency BA’s, which contain the + T.A.E.C. system Campfire uses to tune the acoustic chamber for optimum resolution. Using a single mid frequency BA driver for vocals and those sounds associated with the mids, provides a solid sound, which combines with the upper BA’s. Dual low frequency BA Drivers give an excellent, clean bassline along with fast decay for a thoroughly enjoyable quintet of sound emanations.

Custom Beryllium/Copper MMCX connections while de rigour at the moment are solid options and provide excellent connectivity. All of the above fit nicely into the machined Aluminum shell, of slimmed down size from the past. Slightly rounded corners help with the fit as well.

The Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber™ (T.A.E.C.) provides the means for all of the above to work in concert together, and along with a slightly warmer tuning of the treble note does provide the Andromeda with a richness that may not have been had before. With richer of note, and with the slightly warmer treble sounds emanating, this does not hinder the overall reference quality of the Andromeda. Personally, I found the original a bit too neutral for me and a bit hot up top. Mind you the sound was superb, but not to my liking. The new tuning changes that, and I find the Andromeda 2020 to be absolutely where it should be at the top of the food chain with regard to a “reference sound.” Not boring at all, but the above changes makes for an exciting and enticing sound.

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Sound:

Continuing from above, the original Andromeda was phenomenal in its speed, clarity and succinctness. Providing the listener with as crisp and detailed sound as many had heard, the knock was that it was TOO detailed. The loses of musical tonality was a knock against the Andromeda, but to me that was unwarranted. It showed how poor some recordings were and that certainly could not be the CA models fault. It laid bare the fallacies put across our ears.

Listening to Alex Fox’s To The Gypsies (Live), the sound is warm, rich, enticing and dare I say a mature brand of reference. Certainly not boring at all but sublime in presentation with an overall slight warmth of which I truly like. From the off with the trio, I really, really liked the changes to the tuning. Again, I bring back that this certainly could be a big and loud F-U to the detractors, showing what CA can do. And I am all on board. 110% with this. I find nothing boring or lacking about this “change” in character, since the excellent reference quality is still there. This is superb tuning and is to be applauded.

Bass coming from the above-mentioned song is taut and responsive. With very good speed and fast decay you get that sense of vibrancy, which usually defines the upper end of the Andro, so to hear it here is quite the treat. When the electric bass guitar hits about mid-song, the bassline fulfills its obligation to help but not step on the mids or the rest of the sound signature. Certainly not dynamic driver territory, but not meant to be the sound from the lower regions provides the foundation upon which the rest are built.

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From the same song, the acoustic guitar lays down a solid rich, vibrant mid tonality, which is what the Andromeda is known for. A certain sweetness permeates my ears as the orchestral instruments come in. Once the song opens up, the crispness comes through and there is air between the notes for days. But not to the point where it separates all of the sound distantly. This openness aids in the presentation of the soundstage as well, giving the Andromeda 2020 a wide, expansive note, which broadens the soundstage in height and depth as well. I know I mixed both tonality and stage but that is how the Andro ties together all to me.

One thing I recall from Pinky’s Andro was that the treble ran a bit hot to me, but that was only because I had yet to hear an IEM with that level of clarity. I have heard a few more, but it struck with me. Even though I have now heard IEM’s, which cost 4-5x the price of the Andromeda 2020, and their airiness of note and crisp clarity define the level at which they lie; it is the Andro (from memory) that defines how I look at that segment. The Great Gig In The Sky has one of the most sensuous solos ever in the rock-n-roll genre, and that solo is divine through the Andro 2020. Her voice is such that it still sends chills down ones back when she is mid-song. Through the Andromeda her voice is sublime, superb and sensuous. That distinct separation of notes provided by the crisp nature of the Andro allows her voice to be heard and felt in your gut like you are front row, such is the sensation I feel. Just marvelous.

Already mentioned somewhat within the words above, layering & separation are worth their weight in Titanium. Distinctness of instruments allows and helps you hear that separation; which as you would hope helps to provide the distinctly wider soundstage. Working in harmony together all of this provides for distinct layers, and clear separation of note like few others regardless of the price. THIS has carried over from the original Andromeda, and I fondly recall my first listen. This is a damn fine listening unit, and may, just may be my favorite of the three on hand as a result.

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Comparisons:

Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 ($1099) v Empire Ears Legend X ($2299):

Only briefly mentioned here as my favorite, the EE LX is my standard for many things. But the treatment up top would be perfect had it the sound from the Andromeda 2020. I love the sound as is, but combine the two in a love child, and it would be my nirvanic listen forever. Enough said.


Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 ($1099) v Campfire Solaris 2020 ($1499):

From my Solaris 2020 review:
Having had the pleasure of hearing Pinky’s original Andro’s I was mesmerized by the crispness of sound and the clarity wrought from an IEM. At the time, I considered my short listen a lesson in clarity that withstood the time and test of many more expensive IEM’s. Detail is the name of the Andromeda 2020, and as such has huge shoes to fulfill the obligations wrought by its grandfather. Running “only five” balanced armatures per side (dual high, dual low, and one mid) the Andromeda benefits as well from the TAEC technology for the highs. I do think and quoting from memory, that the Andro 2020 has reclaimed its rightful spot as the detail king. Clarity of such is hard to surpass than this, even if those highs SEEM a bit tamed versus the Ara. Going back to back to back, I can clearly define the trio, and I was surprised that the Ara holds itself so well against the Andro. Maybe those two extra BA’s have something to do with that, but the Andro still holds its spot with regard to a clarity of which few can match, especially at this “entry-level” price into the realm of TOTL territory.

You could certainly do much worse at this price than the Andro, which makes you appreciate its heritage all the more.

All of the above said, and with what I said in the EE LX comparison, I still seem to gravitate towards the Solaris of the three. More bass from that DD, and a verve to it that fits my listening most likely more than the other two of CA here.


Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 ($1099) v Campfire Audio Ara 2020 ($1299):

From my Ara review:
There is no denying that the Andromeda is the former king of detail. The precision of which the clarity of sound comes through is a hearing to be well, heard. I can remember from the original that I was “quite impressed” with the level of detail retrieval and clarity wrought from that boxy shaped IEM. It pretty much set the tone for me until much more expensive unit came across my computer.

It still holds a very high place with regard to clarity and to think it is the most affordable of the three makes you wonder why you would spend more. The Ara might be the case for justifying that extra money spent. You get an extra two drivers, which are oriented for the lower frequencies, so they have no benefit or addition to that clarity of the Andromeda. So, what makes the Ara better than the Andromeda? A bit better in the bass retrieval department and a wonderfully rich tonality and soundstage. Slightly different, but not necessarily better.

The Andromeda is easier to drive as well. And to me it presents a more vibrant signature than the Ara, along with a slightly lifted vocal presentation. So, it comes down to the smooth richness and vibrancy of the Ara versus the uplifting vibrant tonality of the Andromeda 2020. Both are fabulous and I really could not pick a winner.


Finale:

Well, what did I expect from the three? To be wowed? To be overrun with emotion? To appreciate what I have on hand in this trio of listening pleasure? Well, in a word, yes. And I was largely met with those descriptors or aspirations from each. Upon the initial listen, I was quick (too quick) to discern the difference of the three. But after dedicating my time equally between the three, I found their subtle and not so subtle differences noteworthy allowing for each to describe their “niche” within the CA luneup. And they did.

It has been a couple of cycles since the Solaris showed its mettle, and with the Ara being the new kid expectations were held high. One could think that all three are close enough in price to “settle” for one and be happy. You could, but you would be missing the finer points of each. The Solaris takes its rightful place at the top. The Ara provides that tie between the Solaris and Andromeda with the two “extra” BA’s on hand. And I can clearly see why it is the favorite of the holder who shall not be named. Had I heard only the Ara, I might well have been satiated and that would be all right. But then I would not have had the opportunity to hear the grandfather of the bunch after a muscle toning session. And to me that is what the Andromeda 2020 has gone through. It has gone to the gym for a toning session to keep up with the youngsters, while holding its place at the top of the detailed clarity segment. By and large it does, with much respect from me as well.

The Andromeda 2020 may have new tuning going for it, but it certainly has not lost its tie to the past or its roots. Detail and clarity are superb and to me the one to be had at this price. It is a wonderful unit, and I highly recommend a listen.

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ngoshawk
ngoshawk
Much obliged, sir!
Tanalasta
Tanalasta
Excellent review. Thank you! It's my favourite of the non-custom CFA offerings. Superb detail, clarity and soundstage. It lacks a little in dynamics, low end body and if you're sensitive to it, the typical BA plasticky type sound. But the latter is nitpicking. It is the detail king in it's price bracket!
ngoshawk
ngoshawk
Thank you for the kind words. The Andro2020 was indeed a treat.

KuroKitsu

Headphoneus Supremus
GDubs take notes! (aka Andro 2020 with 40K References)
Preamble:
Like Games Workshop actually advancing the lore with 8th Edition with Gathering Storm and Dark Imperium AND actually making changes to the tabletop meta weclomed by the community, CFA's 4th revision of their ToTL benchmark after 3 revisions with 3 variant tunings through that period has been widely welcomed by the audiophile community. The 2020 is essentially the audio equivalent of Ultramarines getting their Primarch back. Hyperbole? Perhaps some Slaneeshii corruption? Read on curious Inquisitor and decide whether my soul (or ears) require an exterminatus for heresy.

CFA is well known and has a cult following due to the existence of their formerly one-hit wonder: The Andromeda. Coming out of nowhere and essentially scoring the title of the benchmark for ToTLs is a huge achievement. While they've essentially stuck to their guns since then by not changing the Andromeda like the Ultramarines and their descendant chapters follow the Codex Astartes, they have released some experimental tunings in the form of LEs. Which left a lot of us scratching our heads "Why doesn't CFA update the sound on their gold mine rather than recolouring the thing?". Obviously because innovation is heresy and the Omnissiah doesn't allow that. That's more my head canon than anything else.

Regardless of that, the OG Andromeda was also my introduction in the ToTL realm. Not knowing my own preferences at the time, it was relegated to "this sounds good ,but there's something I don't like about it..." and I kinda left it at that for a while. Got lost a couple times warp jumping in the Segmentum ToTL, survived some Gellar Field failures (KHANNNNNNNNNN) and figured out what I liked. So after about 3 years I returned to the Andromeda generously by @Colors being sparse in the wilds of Fenris (Canada, Cold and snow, yes I just made that comparison), my impressions were the same as when I heard them the first time, but this time I was well equipped with some artificer power armour. Well uh audiophile knowledge, but you get the gist. I could see why the Andromeda was widely regarded as a benchmark for the ToTL tier and also what I didn't like about it. That lead to a Crusade across the Imperium and essentially having owned/tried every Andromeda revision/variant from the forges of KB. Each were good in their own way and played around with tweaks to the baseline signature, but they were also lacking what I liked about the baseline. I wanted that punchy bass and sparkly treble, but I also wanted that soundstage and non-recessed female vocals. Badly enough that I went to Moloch and visited that gate. Time passed and nothing, shortly after Nurgle's latest plague was dropped on Holy Terra, KB dropped the released of the revised 2020 Andromeda, fresh from CFA's hidden Forgeworlds. But innovation is heresy! Not when you've essentially made an upgrade to the Baneblade!

Testing thoughts and so on:
Anyhow, I really like the Andromeda as you can tell (As much as Rogal Dorn can fortify things). While @Colors really takes the title of Andro Lord, I follow in second place.He also graciously let me demo his which lead to some minor impressions earlier here in this very thread. Searching for a third iem with a unique driver configuration, I was able to get the 2020 for myself from a fellow Canuck audio aficionado and put it through the paces. Impressions are all off the 3.5 on the 1A (Because I don't have any 4.4 mmcx cables on hand) at a volume of 35 on low gain. Tips are Radius Deepmounts.

Bass:
Onto the Bass! Subbass extension is good. Not as deep as say as some of it's more expensive peers, but more than sufficient in this range.While the OG was more punchy, the 2020 dials this a bit back, the 2020 will punch if the track calls for it, but you feel less of that impact. For me this gives me the best of both worlds: punch when needed, but not to the point where it induces fatigue. This actually extends the length of my listening sessions as fatigue sets on much later, huge difference for non vented iems. The bass is clean and there is no bleed at all, this sparks joy. Overall the bass is relatively flat and not baised or excessive in particular area, a boost in the subbass frequencies would be appreciated to make it more noticeable without having to focus too intently, but at the same time, it's not overshadowed or drowned out by the mid bass.Bassheads will connect with their inner Slanneshi and insists "this silence offends me", but without becoming a Noise Marine, they're not gonna like this too much. Quality laid back bass for long listening sessions with a variety of genres is what this is about not hedonism that births a 4th Chaos god.

Mids:
The mids of the OG definitely put me in touch with my inner Slanneshi. "these recessed mids offends me" was essentially what my second try of the OG was. That was what sparked my crusade and lead to trying every Andromeda prior to the 2020. The SS fixed that....kinda of. Mids were bought forward, but inversely it made the bass and treble much more laid back, technical preformance dropped a grade to my ears though. Plus it was super heavy because of the shell material and my left ear said no. That itch became unscratched agaun until I heard the MW. Bass and treble were upfront and lively, the sound was much more dynamic, technical performance surpassed the OG by a subgrade.Only problem? The mids were way too forward for me. So prior to 2020, I did get my mids that I was demanding from the OG, but overall it went futher from the tuning I was looking for and really wasn't it. To be fair, Khorne really doesn't care were the blood comes from, just that it flows, but I'm not like that Kharn madman. I want my mids...and my bass ....and my treble... and technical performance. Given what I had heard in the SS and the MW, my fingers were crossed that this would make it's to the baseline model in the future.Fast forward to the Plague Wars and the 2020's FR graph. Oh my! Is that pinna gain?! KB DISCOVERED PINNA GAIN!! Truly the God Emperor protects. This was the mids that I had been looking for (just not on Tatoonie I guess). Gone was that upper mid recession, my first time with the 2020, I had to make sure I was actually listening to the Andromeda. For the first time, balanced mids on the baseline. If innovation is heresy that only the Dark Mechanius can come up with, I'll take it! The mids tilt a little bit forward to avoid the bass and treble stealing the show, but both male and female vocals are well represented and balanced. It might not be forward enough for those mids fans, but again it's consistent across a variety of genres.

Treble:
Treble sparkle is an interesting thing. It adds some pizzaz to the signature, some people love it. For others because of various reasons, makes an iem unlistenable for them. The treble sparkle on the OG was equally interesting. For some tracks added pizzaz, for others it was unlistenable. Treble was like playing Russian roulette in Comogorrah, you'd probably end up being tortured at the most unexpected moments. Despite that I wanted that sparkled if only a bit dialed down, gotta keep Slannesh from nomming on my soul somehow. This time, only the MW scratched that itch. For the same reasons in the section below, it made that a no go either. Looking at the removal of the peak on the FR was a mixed bag for me, what would I be getting giving up that sparkle for? Was it a compromise I could live with? Turns out it was. No sparkle, but this revealed more detail as opposed to the OG's perceived detail. This resulted in a more resolving overall sound, and was enough to drop the technical grade of the OG and give that to the 2020 instead. The treble as a result becomes smooth in a TIA kind of way given that TAEC seems similar to that based on what CFA tells us. No sparkle but at least your head doesn't turn into a Galaxy Supernova listening to that track in comparison to the OG.

Conclusion:
Overall, dropping the treble peak to reveal more detail and make the Andromeda more resolving combined with the inclusion of pinna gain resolved the biggest issues I had with the OG. This did come at the cost of treble sparkle and a bit of mid bass impact, but it results in a balanced signature that makes the Andromeda even more of an all rounder and renewing it's grip as the defacto standard of the ToTL tier amongst the changes in the market since it's initial release. There are some minor changes that add to this as well: the grills on the nozzle from the gold, as well as the revised shells of the V3. The latter being a heaven and earth difference in fit with my very finicky left ear. To me, the 2020 seems like a natural progression of the inclusion of the best parts of the LE models with the baseline. Good job KB, making an Andro that I wanted in my permanent collection.So fellow Inquisitors, innovation really isn't heresy when done right, the God Emperor Protects.

This is more of a post-script to the original impressions before I banged them out. The 2020 does have one flaw: It's sensitivity. It hisses very very slightly on the 1A. That's not a deal breaker for me. But unfortunately it cause the Andro to be incompatible with my desktop setup. My 789 has a volume imbalance that skews to the right when the volume pot is below the 8 o'clock position. The sensitivity cause the Andro to hit my comfortable listening volume while the volume pot is in that range unfortunately, I've tried using the preamp feature on the E30 to get the Andro in the same range on the volume post as my MEST and DMagic (roughly -27.5 db), but in exchange it kills the dynamics.Sadly the silence offends Slannesh, and outside of getting a portable dac/amp (Prefer not to have a battery in the desktop chain) or the RME (Which is out of my budget), the Andro being a portable only iem means that I can't justify keeping it.

Precogvision

Reviewer at Headphones.com
Lost In A Galaxy Of Sound
Pros: - spacious, out-of-head imaging and layering ability
- balanced, easy-on-the-ears tuning
- highly coherent intangibles
Cons: - dynamics
- lower-midrange vs. upper-midrange contrast
- sensitivity
If you've read my original review on this IEM, then you'll know that I was very impressed when I first heard it. I've likewise played around with the idea of purchasing my own pair for some time. Admittedly, a part of me was worried. It's been over six months since I last heard it, my tastes have matured, and I just don't find myself particularly happy with a lot of the stuff I hear nowadays. As it would happen, a deal presented itself that I couldn't resist; I pulled the trigger. And it seems I needn't have been worried: The Andro 2020's just as good as I remember it, and I've spent the last week jamming out to it vicariously. So let's talk about what makes the Andro 2020 tick and why this is my favorite kilobuck IEM.

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Here is my personal unit measured off of my IEC-711 coupler. There is a coupler resonance peak at 10kHz; measurements after this point should not be considered entirely accurate. The ~1dB of channel imbalance is not noticeable to my ears and is well-within manufacturer tolerances.

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I'd say the tonality of the Andro 2020 is pretty close to hitting my preferences. More pronounced, 3kHz, Harman ear compensations and aggressive upper-midranges seem to be all the rage these days when it comes to tuning. While I recognize this tuning direction as being more tonally accurate (at least relative to how I hear neutral), I adore the Andro 2020's more relaxed, 2kHz ear compensation and the subsequent dip to the upper-midrange. Why the dip, you ask? There are a couple reasons. Done appropriately, I find it takes a lot of the edginess off of female vocalists that Harman-oriented tunings exhibit. Of course, you've also got stuff like the B2: Dusk (and theoretically, the Hidition Viento) that toe the line very closely but don't quite result in this edginess. What these IEMs lack, however, is center image diffusal - something I'll delve into later.

The main tuning issue, then, is the contrast between said upper-midrange dip and the more weighty, thick lower-midrange. This lends to slight tonal disconnect on stuff that tokens both; take for example Trace Adkin's "Watch the World End" where Colbie Callait sounds noticeably recessed and Adkin's gruffer voice dominates more than it does on, say, the 64 Audio U12t. This blobby-ness is even more pronounced on stuff like Joe Nichol's "Sunny and 75". In isolation, this quality isn’t bad - in fact, some buddies have called it desirable for the warmth it lends - it’s more so, again, the contrast itself that’s jarring in my opinion. Treble on the Andro 2020 also isn't as smooth as I remember, but I don't think its a big deal. It seems to be a tad mid-treble emphasized; it's definitely one of the better treble responses I've heard. Extension is ample on the Andro 2020, flying upwards of even something like the Moondrop S8 (although with less sheer quantity in those air frequencies). Really, I can't get enough of the Andro 2020's treble and, irrespective of what it might graph like, I think it's safe to say Campfire's nailed this part of the Andro 2020's tuning.

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Let's talk intangibles. We might as well get the Andro 2020's biggest pitfall out of the way: dynamics. It really doesn't do dynamics - of any sort - particularly well. I'm sure you've already read less-than-favorable comments about the Andro 2020's bass. It's largely mid-bass emphasized, punchy, attempting to compensate for its lack of intangible slam. But don't be fooled; along these lines, decay is non-existent and texture is lacking. The Andro 2020 certainly doesn't have the worst BA bass I've heard, but it's not much else.

I've critiqued the Andro 2020's macrodynamic ability in the past; I have to say, though, I don't think it's as bad as I made it out to be. Sheer contrast isn't bad, it's the weight and intensity - or rather, lack there of - of dynamic swings on the Andro 2020 that leaves desiring. It was, however, good to confirm what I've long suspected about the Andro 2020's microdynamic ability: It's fairly poor. Transient attack in the bass and midrange sounds static, dry, and upwards compressed; the shift in the snare drum hit at 0:36 on Sawano's "Cage" is nigh-indistinguishable from its peers, Taeyeon sounds too flat at times. I'd posit microdynamics go hand-in-hand with noise floor to a certain extent, so I ran the Andro 2020 off of the iDSD Micro BL with IEMatch to confirm this. Otherwise, most listening was done with my DX160 which I found to have the lowest noise floor (still just the slightest of hissing; I don't really notice it playing music).

No IEM is without its share of flaws. Nonetheless, I'm inclined to make concessions because the Andro 2020's imaging is, simply put, amazing. This is where that upper-midrange dip comes into play; there is ample center image diffusal, the likes of which I've only heard on stuff like my U12t and the Tia Fourte. For those who might not be familiar with the term "center image" - as I understand it - when you have two speakers side-by-side, there should be the illusion of a "third" speaker in the center. Put in more layman's terms, this is soundstage depth. I find myself glued to the Andro 2020 like so. More generally, the Andro 2020's imaging is what I'd qualify as holographic, although it's not exhibiting the same level of image distinction, solidity, that something like its older brother the Solaris 2020 or the tia Fourte displays. Perhaps soundstage height is where it stumble a tad. Nonetheless, layering on the Andro 2020 also plays with the best, no question. I've made this example before, but the way it sifts through Taeyeon's "Fine" and the vocal overdubs scattered throughout the center image at varying heights, depths, and widths, as she enters the chorus is nothing short of breathtaking. Make no mistake that the Andro 2020 has that wow factor in spades. It's the IEM you hand, by default, to someone who has no idea of what good sound is because you want to knock their socks off.

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Ultimately, I'll still be the first to admit that the Andro 2020 is not the best kilobuck IEM on paper. The IER-M9 runs circles around it in the bass and timbre departments. The Moondrop S8 is tuned better and offers comparable technicalities for significantly less cost. The Viento's cheaper with far more engaging microdynamics. And come on, stack on all the sensitivity issues you have to deal with on the Andro 2020! But, honestly, I just don't find myself caring. I've noted this before, but once you start playing around the kilobuck price point, so much comes down to preference. The Andro 2020's warm, not-quite-neutral tuning speaks to me on a more fundamental level; the way it balances said tuning with its unique, stellar technical chops has me charmed and makes it my kilobuck IEM of choice. Nicely done indeed, Campfire Audio.
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B9Scrambler

Headphoneus Supremus
Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020: A Legend Reborn
Pros: Improved clarity and sound stage vs. 2019 model - Shell edges rounded out just hint more than on the 2019 model = improved comfort - Still an Andromeda
Cons: Can still be source picky (though not really an issue I ran into) - Angular shells and BA bass not for everyone
Greetings!

Today we're checking out the newest version of Campfire Audio's legendary Andromeda.

My first experience with this well-known model was the 2019 update. I was expecting something fantastic given years and years of glowing commendations from various forums. They certainly didn't disappoint. The Andromeda is a modern classic for a reason. It looks awesome and the sound quality is just that damn good.

When the 2020 Andromeda was revealed to have received a slight re-tune, I was intrigued. The 2019 model was already near perfect. What could Campfire possibly do to improve things? Enough apparently, all thanks to some minor adjustments to the mids and treble. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

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What I Hear The Andromeda 2020 doesn't stray far from the 2019's sound, though the adjustments applied result in a product that is clearly superior, at least to my ear holes.

Just as with the 2019 model, I find the 2020 Andromeda's low end perfectly satisfying. That's because I don't really hear much of change between the two models. On Massive Attack's “Teardrop”, the low range armature on both models attacks it with a growly texture and quick slam for each note. The 2019 may be a hint more textured, but it's hard to tell given how similar the presentation is. The snappy decay present on both is realistic with notes hanging around only as long as is required. Not unexpected given the Andromeda is a pure-BA earphone, but I'm left wanting for more presence in the sub-bass regions. Even so, I still come away satisfied with what I'm hearing in most instances. Running the Andromeda through a congested, quick track like Havok's “D.O.A”, rapid double bass hits are clearly defined despite all the chaos going on. As with the previous generation of Andromeda, the low end of the 2020 version won't wow with it's quantity or depth. It instead impresses through it's technical capability and general control. The Andromeda remains one of a select handful of armature only earphones whose low end is tuned well enough to be suitable for my favourite genre of music, liquid drum and bass.

While the low end of the 2020 Andromeda didn't see many changes, if any, the already near perfect treble has somehow gotten even better. Ignoring the measurements, I find the 2020 model just a hint brighter. I suppose it could be that the new model takes even less power to drive, but this impression comes after volume matching. Extension is still excellent and there are no nasty peaks that caused me any form of discomfort, just like the 2019 model. With last years model I was left looking for a teensy bit of extra upper end sparkle, something that I feel the 2020 model provides. This means it loses some of the older Andromedas non-fatiguing nature, but with it comes improved clarity. Everything just sounds that much cleaner and more detailed while retaining the same smooth delivery and tightly controlled notes. That said, The Crystal Method's “Grace feat. LeAnn Rimes”, sounds better through the 2019 Andromeda. The screeching effects that sully the track starting at 1:30 almost sounded good with the 2019 Andromeda. With the 2020 model the shrillness present through nearly every other earphone peeks through. Not much of a negative since this is such an extreme, fringe case, but notable none-the-less.

The Andromeda series is known for their luscious mids and vocals, and the new model continues the tradition. As with the 2019 model, vocals are weighty and lush but now with even better clarity. Daft Punk's “Touch” is a perfect match thanks to Paul William's emotional performance. I'm even more engaged this time around, particularly at the peripheries of the track when the instrumentation backs down and the focus is on Paul, simply because he just sounds that much more crisp and clear. The 2019 Andromeda was no slouch with this track, but the difference is quite noticeable to my ears. Switching gears to Aesop Rock's distorted vocals on Malibu Ken's “Tuesday” or Riya's breathy performance on Lenzman's “Open Page”, the Andromeda 2020 handles it all with ease. Helping greatly is some excellent timbre that avoids the plasticy, metallic edge than is common to armatures. Guitars are property textured with the right bite and pianos light and airy or powerfully punchy. The versatility and accuracy the Andromeda presents in it's midrange keeps it at the forefront.

The 2019 Andromeda's sound stage didn't quite meet my expectations based on what I had read about it. It was good no doubt, but it wasn't the step up I was hoping for. The 2020 model improves upon this and is more what I was hoping for last time around. While the width and depth is only slightly larger and still has an evenly rounded feel to it, the impression of space between individual notes is improved thanks to the cleaner, tighter presentation the 2020 model brings with it. That said, as with last years model the imaging, layering and separation qualities are what really take it to the next level. Imaging is spot on with impossibly smooth, nuanced channel transitions. Tracks sound deep and layered with instruments playing in well defined areas, forward or back on the stage. They never blend and muddy each other, instead remaining separate and clear. This makes live recordings like King Crimson's “Cat Food” and “Indiscipline” a joy, giving you the impression of sitting among the crowd. Just close your eyes, lean back, and listen.

I remain thoroughly impressed with the performance of the Andromeda. While the measurements don't show much in the way of change between the 2019 and 2020 models, listening to the two side-by-side does. The new model displays a bit more energy to the brilliance region, improves upon the already impressive staging, but more importantly, brings forth improvements to overall detail and clarity. The differences aren't sweeping, but they are clearly audible making it hard to go back to the 2019 version, despite how good it may be.

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Compared To A Peer (volumes matched with Dayton iMM-6)

Campfire Ara (1,299.00 USD): The Andromeda and Ara certainly sound like sibilings but while there are similarities in how they present, they each have their own character. Starting with upper frequencies, the Ara is the more energetic of the two thanks to additional energy in the brilliance region. This gives the Ara a cleaner, crisper sound and improved clarity. They are both exceptionally quick and well-controlled. Dipping into the mids the Andromeda has more presence with vocals having a thicker, warmer presentation. I also find it has ever so slightly superior timbre thanks to the additional warmth on tap. Bass is where the two are quite similar in terms of quantity, extension, and tonality, though I find the Ara to offer more texture and an even more rapid attack and decay. Sound stage goes to the Andromeda which comes across wider and deeper with more space between layers. That said, I still prefer the Ara's imaging which is somehow even tighter and more nuanced. Instrument separation is similar, as is layering, though the Andromeda has a slight edge in the latter.

When it comes to build I have to give it to the Ara. They use the same cable and have more or less the same shell design. The Andromeda rounds off the edges a touch more though which gives it a slightly softer look and a barely perceptible edge in comfort, also helped along by the lower weight. So why do I prefer the build of the Ara? Well, the materials. The Andromeda is made from anodized aluminum versus the Ara's smooth, unpainted titanium. The Ara's materials are straight up denser and more durable, and will be less likely to show scratches and dents. Plus, paint chips and wear won't be a concern, though I do expect it to weather over time.

Overall they are both amazing earphones. While the Andromeda is no longer Campfire's flagship armature-only model, that takes nothing away from how competent it is. That said, they cater to two different listeners. Go for the Andromeda if you want a neutral-warm earphone with good technicalities. Go for the Ara if you prefer neutral-bright with a focus on detail and clarity.

Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 (1,499.00 USD): The 2020 Andromeda and 2020 Solaris very much sound like they are cut from the same cloth with the Andromeda's tuning targeting the mids and treble when compared to the Solaris.' more balanced feel. The treble presentation on the Andromeda is slightly more vibrant with some extra sheen up top giving it a hint more energy. The extra presence region emphasis gives it a bit more detail too, particularly in vocal regions. The Solaris' presentation carries more weight, warmth, and density, most notable in the mids. That's likely down to the dynamic driver which shares presentation duties with an armature vs. the Andromeda and it's lone midrange armature. Attack and decay qualities are quite similar in the mids and treble, as is timbre quality. The low end is where most of the differences in presentation lie thanks to Solaris' use of a dynamic driver. While bass quantity and extension is quite similar, I found the Andromeda to lack the visceral punch of the Solaris on the same tracks. On the other hand, while plenty quick and un-phased by complicated passages, the Solaris' dynamic driver lacks the rapidity and effortless control of the Andromeda's low range armatures. When it comes to sound stage the Andromeda 2020 comes across wider and deeper, despite having more forward upper mids. They both image equally well with the Andromeda showing slightly better layering qualities to the Solaris' improved instrument separation.

When it comes to design and build, I'd say the Solaris feels like the more premium product. The weight and feeling of density it carries is not replicated by the equally well constructed Andromeda. Added details like the ribbed interior and vent designs also help give the Solaris an edge. When it comes to visual design, I still prefer the Andromeda. While the angular shells in use are nothing new at this point and have been copied to death by immoral imitators, it is aging wonderfully and remains very eye catching and appealing. To me it is a timeless design that will remain desirable decades from now. The Solaris is beautiful too, but isn't quite as interesting or distinct. If you disagree, good. Like what you like and everyone else be damned. When it comes to cables the Solaris' is basically the same thing. While thicker, it shares all the same hardware. I personally like thin and light cables so I prefer the one shipped with the Andromeda, even if it is clearly inferior. Overall they both come across as the premium products they are with the Solaris exuding just that much more premium juice from it's shapely pores.

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In The Ear The machined aluminum housings of the 2020 Andromeda are still adorned with their iconic green anodized finish that looks as stunning in person as it does in images. Just as with the 2019 edition, the quality of their machining and anodized finish is outstanding. The shells are smooth with all machining grooves flattened out, and the paint job remains resistant to the chips that would result from small bumps and knocks on past models utilizing the same shell. The ~6mm long stainless steel nozzles that were new to the 2019 model have been replaced yet again for a slatted design that falls more in line with the rest of Campfire Audio's existing lineup. The same prominent lip that kept tips tightly secured on the previous version remain for the 2020 update. Textured silver screws top things off and attractively accent the green finish. The 2020 Andromeda retains use of Campfire Audio's familiar and extra durable beryllium/copper MMCX connectors. I say extra durable because that's what the marketing blurb spouts, but also my now almost three year old and well-loved Polaris has seen tens and tens of disconnects and the MMCX connectors are just as firm now as they were out of the box. Fit and finish is as to be expected, that is to say it is fantastic. Seams are barely visible and everything lines up perfectly without any gaps or off kilter angles.

The 2020 Andromeda comes with the same Silver Plated Copper Litz cable that was new for the 2019 version. The 90 degree angled jack is smartly designed with an extension to permit compatibility with a wide variety of device cases, though strain relief is still stiffer than I find ideal. That said, I still have yet to experience any issues with it on the numerous cables I've used with it. My experiences with Campfire's cables have shown them to be plenty durable. Within the small, reliefless aluminum y-split, the cable divides sending two strands on each side to the ear pieces. Slotting into the top of the split is a small plastic chin cinch. It moves much more smoothly here than on older Campfire cables and as a result is much more useful. Also useful is the retention of the preformed ear guides we saw on the 2019 Andromeda. While the memory wire used on past Campfire Audio cables worked, I found the “memory” aspect of that title limited at best which led to the wire straightening out over time. Ditching that entirely and sticking with preformed guides has resulted in a much more pleasant experience since I'm not constantly rebending the wire to ensure it stays behind my ear. I am glad Campfire Audio has stuck with this cable and is using it with numerous models in their lineup.

When it comes to comfort you'd be forgiven for assuming Campfire Audio's iconic angular shell design is a pain in the ear. Maybe for some, but not for me. Ergonomics are just right with the low profile Andromeda conforming quite naturally to my outer ear. That plus the use of lightweight aluminum, a small size the belies the chunky appearance, and the stubby nozzle keeps the Andromeda sitting in a way that does not feel out of place. I can wear the Andromeda almost indefinitely without experiencing any discomfort. I also noticed when comparing to the 2019 Andromeda that the edges of the 2020 model's shell have been softened up and rounded slightly. While I didn't notice any difference in wearing comfort, those who have had issues with the design in the past might so it could be worth giving them another try if that was what held you back with past versions of the Andromeda.

When it comes to isolation, the Andromeda is outstanding. The fully sealed housings relegate the sharp tapping of keyboards to a subtle snap and the tire rumble of cars passing by to a dull murmur, though as with the IO vocals seem to cut through the silence surprisingly effectively. It really is an odd experience, though handy if you're listening in an area where you risk being summoned by someone nearby. Of course, should you wish to eliminate this just toss on some foam tips and overall isolation improves even further.

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In The Box The packaging for Campfire Audio's 2020 trio follows the format set by 2019's releases with the earphones arriving in a squat, square box, protected by an exterior sheath that is sealed shut by a Campfire Audio seal on the back. While past releases had a clear astronomical theme to them, this year things have gone more psychedelic Hawaiian. On the front of the sheath is a large sticker with an image of the earphones along with the usual branding and model info, all set over top of a vibrantly coloured floral pattern. Another sticker is present around the front edge containing another image of the earphones, some company info, among other details, all set over the same wild background.

Breaking the seal allows the sheath to unfold in four segments revealing the main box within. Lifting it out reveals the same uplifting interior to the sheath that we saw last year; the CA logo dead centre with rays exploding outwards in a dramatic fashion. Looking back at the main box we see Campfire's familiar mountainous scene along with more CA branding. Lift the lid and you're greeted to “Nicely Done” printed on the front flap and their now standard half-moon carrying case, though this time it is made from sustainably harvested cork instead of leather. You also find a smaller cardboard box containing the main suite of accessories. Tucked beneath it all is a warranty card and manual. In all you get:
  • Andromeda 2020 earphones
  • Cork carrying case
  • Smoky Jacket Silver Plated Copper Litz Cable
  • Final Audio tips (xs/s/m/l/xl)
    Campfire Audio Marshmallow tips (s/m/l)
  • Medium bore single flange silicone tips (s/m/l)
  • Campfire Audio lapel pin
  • Cleaning tool
  • Mesh accessory case (x3)
Overall a pretty fantastic unboxing experience, as I have come to expect from the brand. Their use of recyclable, sustainable materials is a brand standard and a welcome departure from the needlessly complicated (though fun to disassemble) and less environmentally friendly packaging of the competition. The accessory kit is right up there with the best I've experience thanks to the inclusion of a wide variety of tips and styles. Final Audio's Type E tips are durable and provide a fantastic seal, giving most earphones you pair them with a slight low end boost thanks to the small bore. The included wide bore tips are fairly standard but they too provide a good seal and are a more balanced sounding option. Campfire's Marshmallow tips have shown themselves to be fairly resilient for a foam tip and do a great job of boosting isolation and softening treble peaks. The inclusion of a number of mesh bags to store everything in is awesome too.

Final Thoughts While 2020 has been a hell of a year and a complete crap shoot in many regards, not everything about it has sucked the big one. Campfire Audio's new releases are a shining light amidst the smokey skies and masked wastelands. The all-new Ara is a detail monster, the reworked Solaris addresses the main criticisms levied at it's precursor, and the new Andromeda soldiers on as reliable and competent as it's ever been. The updated tuning takes what was already a world class earphone and dials in just a little more goodness, treating those who opt to experience what is pretty much a staple recommendation for many looking to dip their toes into the upper echelon of earphones.

If you already own the 2019 Andromeda you won't need to upgrade to the 2020 version, though you might still want to. For anyone else looking at TOTL portable audio, the 2020 Andromeda should be on your short list.

Thanks for reading!

- B9

Disclaimer A huge thanks to Caleb with Campfire Audio for arranging a sample of the Andromeda 2020 for the purposes of review. The thoughts within this review are my subjective opinions and do not represent Campfire Audio or any other entity. At the time of writing the Andromeda 2020 retailed for 1,099.00 USD: https://campfireaudio.com/shop/andromeda-2020/

Specifications
  • Frequency Response: 10Hz – 28kHz
  • Sensitivity: 94dB SPL @ 1kHz 7.01mVrms
  • Impedance: 12ohms @ 1kHz
Gear Used For Testing LG Q70, Earstudio HUD100, Earmen TR-Amp, Asus FX53V, TEAC HA-501

Some Test Tunes
Supertramp – Crime of the Century
Slipknot – Vol 3 (The Subliminal Verses)
Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid
King Crimson – Lark's Tongues in Aspic
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy
Steely Dan – The Royal Scam
Porcupine Tree – Stupid Dreams
Tanalasta
Tanalasta
Fabulous and comprehensive review. I found the ARA detail lovely and more neutral compared to the Andromeda. It was a personal preference but in the end I decided they were a little too bright without EQ. Andromeda 2020 benefits greatly from a cable upgrade. The Super Litz silver balanced improved the clarity in the mids, added brightness but still retained a lukewarm neutral.

antdroid

Headphoneus Supremus
Improved Tuning and Technical Ability
Pros: Improved tuning -- added upper mid-range and lower treble
Imaging and layering capabilities are excellent
Good all-arounder tonality
Great case and protective pouches
Cons: Too sensitive to output impedance
Source pairing is highly critical
Bass response lacks a little bit of impact and microdynamic slam



Campfire Audio has gone through a lot of iterations of their popular Andromeda line of in-ear monitors over the years and it's still one of the most popular premium IEMs on the market. It's always had the nice shell design with bold colors and a good technical and sound experience for the most part, which has made it a staple recommendation for years now, despite the continual change and special edition models that have come out.

And there's been a lot. Even last year, Campfire released two updates to the Andromeda brand, with the 2019 update featuring a new shell design and new packaging, and the Andromeda Gold special limited edition model with black shell and gold fasteners. This year, Campfire has released a 2020 update to this classic line.

This is a follow-up written review of the Campfire Andromeda 2020. I did a video review of this same product earlier and that can be found here:




As a quick note, I do want to thank Taron from Headphones.com for letting me have some time with a loaner unit to write this review with. They also have a community forum called The Headphones Community, which is active and fun forum for audio enthusiast and one I highly recommend.

Packaging/Build




The 2020 model keeps the identifiable green anodized color and design, along with the updated shell that has more rounded edges that no longer pinch and stab the back of my ears. Like last year's Gold model, the deeper and larger nozzle with grills from the Solaris is now on this 2020 update. This makes this overall, the most comfortable design of the Andromedas that I've tried (Andromeda Gold being the same design).

The packaging features the fancy outer paper covering and an inner box that is reminiscent of last year's opening experience, which is an enjoyable one. The included case is made out of cork and has a greenish hue to it that looks unique and interesting. It has the purse-like look with zippered opening and soft inner padding. The package also comes with tips and several mesh protector pouches to store the IEMs individually in.

The included cable is the Smokey Litz cable that I really enjoyed previously. It's lightweight, tangle-free, and easy to wear, and a significantly better experience than the cable used on the older Campfire products. The connectors are still mmcx at the shell, and the source features an L-shaped 3.5mm connector jack.




Sound Impressions

Source Gear
Like previous iterations of the Campfire Andromeda, the 2020 model is extremely source pairing dependent. This is because the multi-BA design is very sensitive to the output impedance of the source, whether that be your phone, audio player or an amplifier. Whatever is connected to these IEMs, may make a subtle but audible impact to the level of bass or treble this IEM projects.

In my testing, I've noticed audible changes depending on the source I use as well as the cable length I used! It seemed that every 3 feet cable extender I added made a 1 decibel change to the measurements I performed, with bass lowering and treble increasing as output impedance increased. I plotted a graph below of measuring directly out of the less than 0.10 ohm Topping A90, and using a 2.7 Ohm iFi EarBuddy adapter.

For my actual listening, I tried the Campfire Andromeda primarily out of my Topping A90, hooked up to the Schiit Bifrost 2, as well as my portable DAP, the Sony NW-ZX507.

The ZX507 is about 1-1.5 ohm output impedance from my various FR measurement test approximations, but I have yet to confirm it by measuring it directly.

General Sound
The Andromeda 2020 has a nice balanced sound signature that is slightly warm with a smooth treble response that is a bit different than the older models. While the older one, I tended to refer to it as "Haze-Fi", due to it's recessed upper mid-range and lower treble, the 2020 edition has that area raised up to a very natural and preferred level for my ears, making this an IEM that closely matches my target preference curve from 1KHz and up.




The first time I put this set on, I immediately noticed the Andromeda's excellent imaging and layering capability. The first track I put on was Tingvall Trio's "Sjuan", which is a piano-led jazz song with deep basslines and a steady assault of snare drums and cymbals. The way each instruments resonates on the Andromeda was surprising, as I don't remember feeling this way when I heard the original set, and it's not something I've noticed in many IEMs in general. To me, it somewhat resembles the type of natural reflection that I heard from the Emu Rosewood cups that I recently reviewed on my Fostex 600 series headphones.

While the Andromeda doesn't quite have the full natural effect that a typical hardwood used for real instruments has -- it does have a little bit of a shimmering effect instead of a natural decay -- I do enjoy the extra bit of resonance that adds a lively nature to my musical selections.

Bass response on these are surprisingly not the extra-warm and sometimes bloated affair I occasionally got with the original Andromeda. It's a little tamer, while still being just north of neutral in warmth. There's not a deep elevated sub-bass, but there's still enough to make it sound present and rounded out. While I do think a little more sub-bass emphasis would have been nice, I can't truly say I missed it either while listening to this product.

Texturing seemed pretty good. It doesn't necessarily have a lengthy decay that is more noticeable to some of it's competitors, but it layers instruments well with the added sonic resonance that creates a nice sound in a complex passage. I noticed that in particular songs from Beach House ("Lemon Glow" or "Lose Your Smile") or Sonic Youth songs.

In "Lose Your Smile", the soundscapes that remind me of Air's Moon Safari come to life well on the Andromeda with glistening instruments panning left and right, and the sweeping synths strung across the field around me. The depth and macrodynamics are quite nice on this track.

On the other hand, "Lemon Glow" does seem a tad tame. This song can really rumble and hit hard with impactful and strong bass response. With the Andromeda, this slam factor is missing a bit. The deep low textures do seem a little missing in this case.

The mid-range is very smooth and coherent and there's not too much more to say about it. I find that vocals are done well. There was never any sense of shout or fatigue or sibilant in any track I heard, and general voice tonality sounded correct. After listening to a lot of recent chi-fi offering where there is an elevated 1-2KHz region, going back to something with a smoother transition between the mid-range and lower treble presence region is a breath of fresh air. Female voices don't come across ultra-forward, and have a little more space to breath.

My best example of this is the Stevie Nicks-led "Dreams" from Fleetwood Mac. Her voice can become very shouty and fatiguing on some IEMs where there is a early and steep rise, but on the Andromeda, her voice is nicely placed not too far forward, while still sounding in the center of the stage.

One example of a track where I find the coherency and mid-range and treble sound very much in-tune with each other is Jason Isbell's "24 Frames." The song has a wonderful amount of instrument play and transitions from an all-acoustic beginning to effects-driven electric guitar in the breaks between the chorus and the bridge that sounds ultra-smooth. Isbell's voice has a soft but defined voice. There acoustic guitar strings have a nice resonance to it, while cymbals hit with nice extension and realism.





Comparisons

Campfire Solaris (original)
I have yet to listen to the 2020 Solaris nor I had a chance to listen to the Special Edition model, but when compared to the original Solaris, from memory, I find the Andromeda to have a much more coherent and more correct tonality and instrument timbre across the board. Where the Solaris may beat the Andromeda is the 3D soundstage which is fun and unique, and perhaps the more natural lingering decay in the bass. That said, the Solaris does not have a typical lengthy decay, but still more so than the Andromeda 2020 does.

The Solaris was a tough one to wear as well, and I had major fit pain after 30 minutes to an hour of usage and this has not been a problem at all on the Andromeda 2020 design. This pick is easy for me, and while I still like the Solaris, the Andromeda 2020 is now the king of the Campfire lineup for my preferences.

Hidition Viento
The Hidition Viento-B is a Custom IEM that I own now, and does have some similarities to the Andromeda 2020. I find both to have some similar mid-range and treble traits and both have a very natural tonality and strong coherency. The Viento-B has better sub-bass extension and elevation which creates more sub-bass rumble for me, while the Andromeda does have a nice resonance-effect, most likely due to its tubeless and acoustic chamber design.

Unique Melody MEST
The MEST is new quad-brid IEM featuring dynamic driver, balanced armatures, electrostatic tweeters and a bone conductor driver for good measure. It has a more V-shaped sound signature than the Andromeda 2020, and I do find it a more exciting listen with a bigger bass response and a more holographic soundstage that seems to change from song to song, while still retaining generally accurate timbre. The Andromeda 2020 is much more even keeled and presents stuff in a more normal and natural way.

64 Audio U12T
The U12t is one of my most highly rated IEMs as it has solid tonality and technical performance. Actually, all the ones listed in this comparison section are very good, but the U12t is also the most boring of all of these in some sense. This is because it does nothing really wrong and does most things right. It does have a lot better bass performance than the Andromeda 2020 in my opinion, with more sub-bass extension and elevation, better decay and slam, as well as a thicker sound. It does have less exciting treble and does seem to be a tad more laid back, and hence I do find it a bit boring sounding, but tonally correct.

Fearless x Crinacle Dawn
The Dawn is also one of those IEMs where I find the tonality its strongest suit. It doesn't quite have the technical chops as the U12t or the Andromeda 2020. I think the Dawn, again, has better sub-bass. The Andromeda has a more coherent sound and much better dynamics as I found the Dawn to sound very forward and missing a lot of depth and layering capability for something that cost $1400. The Andromeda doesn't have issues with this area.

Wrap-Up

I've said a lot of good positive things about the Campfire Andromeda 2020 and that actually would have surprised me coming into this. I was not a big fan of the original version, but did appreciate it for what it was. This model came in and really took me away. I am impressed most by it's technical performance in the area of layering of instruments, dynamics and imaging. The tonality has changed for the better and sounds much more inline with my target preferences, and I found the new fit to be much more easy to wear and extremely comfortable.

To top all of that up, the standard unboxing and accessories that Campfire has been known for is left untouched and still one of the better packages available today.

My only main area I found lacking was it did not have an elevated deep sub-bass which does make it lack a little bit of rumble and the shakes, and the bigger concern of source matching. The impedance shifts on the Andromeda 2020 are very much the same as the original one, however in this case, I prefer a lower impedance than a higher one.

All in all, the Campfire team did a wonderful job on this updated model to their classic Andromeda. This one comes highly recommended.
beowulf
beowulf
The original Andromeda ruined Head-Fi a bit for me after all these years.
They were simply so good and satisfying I lost that "upgrade urge" that had been lasting for years and years. That's how good these things are.
Haven't heard the 2020 but have a hard time imagining they're an improvement on what was nearly perfect.
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