Campfire Audio NOVA Review - Expatinjapan
 
First published on Head Pie 5/14/2016
 
For full set of text and pictures:  http://headpie.blogspot.jp/2016/05/campfire-audio-nova-review-expatinjapan.html
 

 

 
 
https://campfireaudio.com/nova/
Campfire Audio Nova. What is all the buzz about? On Head-fi.org the Campfire Audio thread dedicated to the Andromeda and Nova models are all abuzz with the sweet expectation of how the new model could sound. Tie that in with 200 units recently up for grabs on Massdrop and a pre-order at a decent price on the Campfire Audio website and the IEM community goes into a blind feeding frenzy.
I was fortunate enough through circumstance to receive an early unit of the Nova and have attempted on head-fi.org to give initial impressions which were predictably garbled to an extent, although in my defense I think I painted enough of picture of what the Nova would sound like to help those in their purchasing decisions.
Common sense told me to hold off for a proper full review but my public awaited! And being the gentleman I am, I half delivered.
On with the show.
 
 
*Build, packaging and fit is the same across Campfire Audio products so excuse me If I borrow from earlier reviews for those sections.
Build
Build, quality and shape is virtually identical across the board with Campfire Audio products.
The Nova as you can see in the photos is machined from aluminum and is sturdy. It is a strong, well built IEM, robust and able to handle most rough housing.
It is lightweight which belies its outer image, it gives the illusion of being sharp edged but is in fact rounded in its own way thanks to great design.
 
 
 
 
Each part is precision machined out of aluminum with  two small bore holes. The two halves of the housing being connected by bolts. 
 
 
 

 
 
Using MMCX connectors with reinforcement makes for a safe and sturdy cable where it counts the most. The ability to swap out the 3.5mm cable for a 2.5mm balanced cable (not included) is also a plus.
 

 
 
The new Litz wire cable makes its entrance into the Campfire audio range and will eventually be the standard cable for all the CA range. No need for any cable upgrades with this beauty.
Note the chin slider for added comfort and a securer fit.
 

 
 
Packaging
The Campfire Audio Nova comes in a simple box like The Jupiter I received, yet with one important difference in detail. Now one can easily open the box (same process for the Andromeda) once the plastic shrink wrap is removed without having to cut into it. 
When I received The Jupiter having to cut through the beautiful sticker was a saddening process (See The Jupiter unboxing).
 
 
 
 

 
 
Once again Campfire Audio has included a beautiful and strong case to protect the IEMs, lined with wool. This time Campfire Audio has moved away from the leather case that the Jupiter and Andromeda come with, and this time in a matching gray.
Simple, functional and elegant.
 

 
 
Extras not pictured. As with other Campfire Audio products the Nova comes with a set of Comply tips in S/M/L, a set of silicone tips in S/M/L, a cleaning brush and a Campfire Audio logo pin.
 
 
Fit
Recently I have read several reports about fit for Campfire Audio products.
It seems like many IEMs a process of trial and error involving some tip rolling of the included tips (recommend to keep within the intended sound signature of the Nova) and aftermarket or other brands tips.
The cable has a chin slider to help keep them secure as well as a memory wire for around the ears.
 
 
 
 
Here pictured with the Comply tips. Campfire Audio and myself recommend silicone tips for the Nova as it retains the sound signature of the Nova best.
EDIT: I have been using JVC Spiral tips these days. 9/2016.
 
 
 

 
 
 
Sound
Well this is the section that most are looking for, maybe even breezing past the build, packaging and fit sections in search of an answer to the question that will enable them proceed to unite them with their precious.
 
Reviewing the Nova has been a struggle at time, from requests for early fractured impressions from the denizens of head-fi.org desperately trying to make a decision before the pre-order and Massdrop close their doors.....Nothing like a limited time to set a feeding frenzy going for the early adopters, but thats all part of the fun.....to having in my possession the higher end CA Jupiter and CA Andromeda to confuse matters further.
 
Reviewing low end gear and high end gear is infinitely easier than review mid fi gear.
 
I was torn between whether to review the Andromeda or Nova first and went for the flagship, perhaps the old adage `save the best for last` would have fitted the process more finely, If only I had been more prescient. Hindsight can possess more accurate vision than the sharpest illuminating foresight.
 
As usual I clocked up a decent set of hours on the IEMs before commencing the review, either through listening, leaving an old iphone to play varied music and tracks on shuffle as well as having a burn album on there of different frequencies. In the end over 150 hours were logged.
 
Most of the testing was done using the Centrance Hifi-Skyn with an ipod touch 6G 128GB using Flacplayer app by Dan Leehr. Other times I used the Shozy Alien.
Tips used were either the stock silicone tips or the JVC Spiral tips.
 
 
 
 
On the head-fi.org thread dedicated to the Nova and Andromeda member Audio123 described the Nova as `Technical` and that is a term I keep returning to. Not analytical or sterile, but technical.
Technical matches the color and performance of the Nova.
 
I found I had a different experience when using the powerful Centrance Hifi Skyn which rendered the Nova more fuller but at the expense of some micro details at times, later when using the Shozy Alien it was a bit more clearer, laid back and airy. less low end was present on the Shozy Alien.
 
The Nova reproduces vocals accurately, female vocals are especially silky smooth and sweet.
 
The Nova has a decently wide soundstage, is accurate in terms of musical reproduction, open, instrument separation is excellent and it is well balanced between music and vocals.
At times I could describe the sound as organic, which is to be interpreted as not overly digital sounding.
I would tentatively say that it is a fairly neutral IEM, it does not seem to favor the lows, mids or highs in an ideal setting with the right source and tips.
 
I have read that a few people consider the CA Orion to be a mini Jupiter, and at times during my listening I have in my head referred to the Nova as a mini Andromeda - but I would not like to fully commit to that assessment.
 
It has great layering, fast response, wide soundstage, detailed, clean and clear. Those points could also be said about the other IEMs by Campfire Audio. 
 
 
So what are the particulars of the Nova?
 
*With the supplied stock silicone tips:
Bass has decreased to a natural level.
More organic and smoother.
Balanced over the spectrum of lows/mids/highs.
Treble now is quite sweet. No sibilance i think. More extension.
Good width and extension.
Still a fast response.
Silky smooth accurate vocals.
Better height, not too much.
Good overall detail and separation.
Better balance over the freq.
Crisp and concise, fast response.
Natural.
 
 
*With the JVC Spirals tips:
Lots of low end at times (sub bass?) although ok at moderate listening levels.
Vocals are good, smooth and accurate.
Treble is smooth and clear, not extended or sparkly.
A kind of flat reference sound at times, although not reference due to the bass at times.
Smooth and rounded.
Bass gives it body.
Not energetic, but can be lively.
Not V or U shaped.
I found the CA Nova to be more source dependent when using the JVC Spiral tips.
 
 
*With the supplied Comply tips:
The Nova with the Comply tips is a nice combination. 
It does not seem to overly increase the bass as usual.
Highs are slightly tamed as is often the case with Comply tips.
 
 
It is a fairly even IEM overall. With sometimes and emphasis on the bass or mids - track dependent
Bass and treble are moderate. Thicker tips will give more low end, thinner shorter tips more sparkle at the high end.
With the stock tips the highs are airy and realistic than extended, the bass is at a enjoyable listening level.
 
 
 
Nova frequency chart as supplied by Campfire Audio.
 
 
 
Value
Whether you purchased these on the pre-order or Massdrop promotions at a discount, or joined the party later to pay slightly more the Nova is great value at the mid price point range of US$499.
Fantastic build, excellent sound and a wonderful cable, not to mention stunning looks makes this a regret free purchase.
Of course with Campfire Audio offering five different models to choose from with each tuned to a certain signature one has to find the right model for ones own personal taste.
 

 
 
Overall
The Campfire Audio Nova is an excellent new entrant into the mid fi world of IEMs, not the most over crowded area but still one fraught with competition.
The Nova is not a $200-300 IEM, nor is it in the $700 plus bracket.

I think it is excellent as an IEM, but when I have the Andromeda sitting here I can easily hear who comes out in top. But that is an unfair comparison in terms of price and performance.

It is a quality IEM, build is great and the sound splendid. If it is in your price range I think one would be happy with the purchase.

It does not seem to have a V shape as such, and one can also customize the sound slightly with tips.
Some have described the Nova as a dark IEM, that is track and source and track dependent imho , at other times I found them to be light and airy. I think when the song has a lot of central and upper mids it can appear darker.
It could be due to how much power the amp involved has.

It is a fairly even IEM overall.
Bass and treble are moderate.

The bass can be increased or decreased via tip rolling.

With the stock tips the highs are airy and realistic rather than extended.

If I was to do a sound signature shape comparison off hand:
Jupiter XxX, Andromeda XXX, Nova XXx.

All in all an enjoyable IEM, the Nova reproduces the tracks fairly accurately, has a nice organic sense to it, does not seem to color the music. The fit for me is quite comfortable and long listening sessions are non fatiguing.
 
Thank you to Campfire Audio for sending Head pie the Nova
-expatinjapan

INTRODUCTION

Firstly I'd like to acknowledge Head-fier Ajaxander (Andy) and also Ken Ball from ALO/Campfire for making this short review possible. Andy's a fellow Kiwi (New Zealander) and his pair of Novas had an issue, so were sent back for repair. He knew I was keen on hearing them, so he arranged for Ken to send them back to me to evaluate after repair, and I would then get them to Andy once I'd finished.

The second reason I really wanted to listen to this pair is that Ken agree to measure them on his own equipment, and then also send the data file so I could make a proper calibration curve for my Veritas set-up. Ken didn't need to do this – it was going above and beyond, but I am extremely, incredibly grateful for him doing this.

So far I've heard Campfire's Lyra, Orion, and Jupiter (I chose not to review the Jupiter as I had issues with it's sonic signature and my own particular physiology / bias / sensitivity – which would have made any review overly skewed). I've heard prototypes of the Andromeda, and hope to hear and review a final version at some stage in the future. The Orion (single BA) was my favourite in the Campfire line-up, and I was really hoping for a continuation of the sound signature in Campfire's dual BA Nova.

Unfortunately for this review – I've only been able to use these for a week – so please take this into account. These are short term impressions.

ABOUT CAMPFIRE AUDIO
Campfire Audio is a partner company or off-shoot to ALO Audio, and is run by ALO's CEO and founder Ken Ball, and a small team of like-minded enthusiasts and engineers. Ken of course is the CEO and founder of ALO Audio (2006) and ALO is very well known for creating high quality audio components – including cables, amplifiers and all manner of other audio equipment. Ken founded Campfire Audio in 2015 – with a vision of creating extremely high quality earphones with excellence in design, materials and of course sound quality.

DISCLAIMER
The Campfire Audio Nova was provided to me for review as a loaner. I get to use it for about 7 days then it goes to its owner. There is no actual obligation to write about it or review it. I am not affiliated to Campfire or ALO Audio in any way, and this is my subjective opinion of the Nova.

The Campfire Audio Nova can be sourced directly from Campfire Audio for USD 499, and if you were lucky enough to get in on the earlier Massdrop, they were selling for a shade under $350.

PREAMBLE - 'ABOUT ME'.

Over the last week I’ve used the Nova paired with most of the sources I have at my disposal – from my iPhone to the L3 and X7. But for the review I’ve used mainly my X3ii + E17K, and also the X7. In the time I’ve been using the Nova, I haven’t noticed any sonic change. And although I used the Nova coupled with several different amplifiers, they are easily driven, and will pair nicely with most sources straight from the headphone out.

This is a purely subjective review - my gear, my ears, and my experience. Please take it all with a grain of salt - especially if it does not match your own experience.

THE REVIEW

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES
The Nova's arrived to me in only the carry case – and without the accessories. But for the purposes of providing a complete and informative review, and because I have reviewed other Campfire products previously (and know the accessory contents), I've listed what you will receive below.


The Novas will in their distinctive 76 x 116 x 65 mm rainbow coloured thin cardboard retail hinged lid box. The box has the same 70’s psychedelic vibe about the patterning on it – kind of swirly and very distinctive (this time kind of orangey and grey). The top (lid) simply has the word Nova and a short description, and the front face has a picture of the Nova.

Opening the lid will reveal the canvas Campfire Audio case – which is very sturdy, but more “jacket or bag pocketable” than trousers. It measures approx. 75 x 115 x 40 mm. The case has a woven canvas outer, is zipped on 3 sides, and when opened reveals a soft wool interior which will definitely protect and preserve your IEMs. Despite the outside being canvas outer material, it is quite strong, and pretty rigid.


Under the case will be a hidden compartment which reveals the accessories. These include:

1. S/M/L silicone tips
2. S/M/L generic foam tips (Crystal foam type)
3. S/M/L genuine Comply T400 tips
4. A cleaning brush / wax remover
5. A Campfire Audio logo clothing button / pin
6. Campfire’s foldout user manual (incl care instructions and warranty info)

You really won’t need any more than what is included, as the cinch on the cable negates the need for a shirt clip. And while I note the omission of an airline adapter or 3.5-6.3 mm adapter, really speaking – how many of us actually use these (plus they are easy to pick up for a very small outlay).

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
(From Campfire’s website)

I’ve listed below the main specifications for the Campfire Nova.


FREQUENCY GRAPH
The graphs below are generated using the Vibro Veritas coupler and ARTA software. As alluded to earlier, Ken has graciously provided me with measurement data for the same set of Nova, and I have used this to recalibrate my Veritas so that it mimics an IEC 711 measurement standard (Ken uses two separate BK ear simulators in a configuration I can only dream about and envy him for). I do not claim that this data is 100% accurate, but it is very consistent, and is as close as I can get to the 711 standard on my budget.


What I’m hearing (subjective).

1. Very (wonderfully) linear bass response with virtually no roll-off in the sub-bass. It's not emphasised in any way shape or form – just really well balanced.
2. Extremely clean and coherent mid-range with a small dip in the fundamental range (around the 1 kHz, and then subsequent rise in the presence area (from 1-2 kHz with a peak in the 2-3 kHz range) – which gives female vocals a lift in the presence or overtone area.
3. Well extended but smooth lower treble which falls well short of excessive sibilance (for me) and remains detailed with sufficient air for clarity.
4. Overall I’d say that the Nova has a wonderfully well balanced frequency response. Vocals are in perfect harmony with bass, and while the treble response is smooth, there is still plenty of detail (cymbal decay is very good).
5. I would imagine that some who prefer more etched upper end detail may find these slightly smooth. To me they are really well balanced for vocal lovers.

The channel matching on this pair of Novas is exceptional (and some of the differences shown in my measurements are likely to be minor differences in seating each ear piece). They are practically identical. When Ken says his team hand-pick and match the drivers, it isn’t just “marketing speak”.

BUILD & DESIGN
I really enjoy a simple, clean design. The Novas share a very similar design to similar earphones in the Campfire range – especially the likes of the Orion. Campfire uses a full machined aluminium enclosure. Each shell is taken from a solid block of aircraft grade aluminium and then each small batch is CNC machined and finished – with the process talking around 9 hours. After that they are anodised.


Physically each shell measures approximately 21mm in length, 16 mm in height and has a depth of approx. 19mm (including the nozzle). The nozzle itself is angled slightly forward and slightly up, extends approx. 6-7mm from the main body, and has an external diameter of 6mm. The shape is very ergonomic, and the Nova is designed to be used with the cable over ear. The IEM shell is 3 pieces in total – nozzle, shell and back plate – with the plate secured by 3 small torx screws (a change from the hex used in the Orion). There are L/R marking on the inside of both ear pieces and the Campfire logo is also discretely engraved on the outer face. The finish is silver matt, the entire shell is precision cut – and these look understated but beautiful all the same (they appeal to my subjective tastes anyway)


At the top of the shell is a beryllium coated MMCX connector, and when used with the supplied silver plated copper ALO Litz cable, the connection is made with a reassuring click. The cables do rotate in their sockets, but the connection itself seems to be very robust. Unfortunately this is one of those things that only time can be the judge of – but the craftsmanship and material used seem to indicate longevity (to me anyway).

As I mentioned, the cable is ALO’s new “Litz”. It utilises individually enameled strands of high purity sliver-plated copper wire, which are then combined into 4 separate conductors, which are in turn encased in a durable medical grade PVC outer jacket. The cable is extremely flexible and light-weight, has stunningly low microphonics (practically non-existent), and virtually no annoying memory issues. The male MMCX connector is again beryllium coated, fits very snugly, and has either a blue or red dot on the connector to indicate L/R. There is a 80mm length of memory wire for over-ear wear, and I’ve found this very malleable, but also holds its shape very well. The cable is approximately 1.2m long, and consists of two twisted pairs above the Y split which continue as a twisted quad right through to the jack. The Y split is small and light and houses an in-built cinch which works really well (easy to move yet holds its position well when cinched). The jack is 3.5mm, right angled, and has clear rubber housing. Strain relief is excellent. The jack will also fit my iPhone 5S with case in place, although YMMV as the diameter of the rubber base is around 6mm. I like this cable so much, I am genuinely tempted to purchase it separately for some of my other MMCX based IEMs.


So both aesthetically and physically I am highly impressed with the build and overall design.

FIT / COMFORT / ISOLATION
Fit for me is fantastic – the shells are very ergonomic in shape, and this includes the angle of the nozzles and also the placement of the cable exits. The shells (when fitted) do not extend outside my outer ear, and I have no issues lying down with the Nova. The memory wire is also really well implemented here so that snugging the wires properly is easy. The fit is relatively shallow, so for me I need to resort to my larger tips. If it was possible to extend the nozzle length by a couple of mm, it would really help the overall fit I think.

This leads me to comfort and I'm in two minds about this. I was mildly critical of the internally angled design utilised in Campfire's Orion and Jupiter. My ears are soft, smooth, and have a lot of curved surfaces. I’d bet yours do to. The interior of the Nova shell has a series of hard angular edges. I first noted this with the Jupiter, and it continued with the Orion and now the Nova. The Lyra lacked these edges and was extremely comfortable for me.


However, the hard edges (if they do cause comfort issues with you) can be overcome. The secret is simply to use a larger tip which effectively seals without having to push the IEM body hard into your ears. With the Nova, I've already found my ideal – the large Shure Olives (and yes they do fit – you just need to work at getting them on). This gives me a wonderful 100% seal with a little looser fit in the outer ear. Anyway, I’m not really bothered by fit any more – but I do think it is something that can be improved upon. The Nova doesn’t feel as though it disappears like some of my other IEMs. It is probably the only critique I have regarding design.

As far as isolation goes, it will be tip dependent. For me, using large Shure Olives tips, the isolation is excellent – at least as good as using my q-Jays (deep insertion – wonderful isolaters), and I would use the Nova on long haul air travel.


Those who’ve read my reviews will know that I have one ear canal slightly different to the other one (my right is very slightly smaller) - so I tend to find that usually single silicon flanges don't fit overly well. This is often even more of an issue with shallow fitting IEMs. I tried my usual selection of silicones and found varying degrees of success. Tip matching will always be personal preference – but here are some of the tips which fir pretty well.

1. Sony Isolation / Trinity Kombi tips – great isolation and seal, but did tend to have to be inserted with Nova internal face more against my ear.
2. Crystal foams / Comply foams – great fit, isolation and comfort. Using wider tips allowed me to maintain the looser fit in ear.
3. Spin-fits – extra length allowed me to use a looser fit while maintaining seal, but isolation was not as good as other options.
4. Ostry tuning tips – good seal and reasonable in terms of maintaining looser fit in ear. Best silicone tips I tried.
5. Spiral Dots -very good seal, and did help to provide a little more upper end emphasis. If the core of these was a little longer (to allow looser fit in ear) these would be perfect.
6. Large Shure Olives. You need to stretch the core to get them on, but they are perfect for me for shallow fitting IEMs. Perfect isolation, longevity with continual use, comfort and allowance of a looser fit in ear all adds up to a perfect tip choice. YMMV.

So everything is practically perfect with the possible exception of perfect comfort. And it’s not bad, just not as good as it could be.

SOUND QUALITY
The following is what I hear from the Campfire Audio Nova. YMMV – and probably will – as my tastes are likely different to yours (read the preamble I gave earlier for a baseline). Most of the testing at this point (unless otherwise stated) was done with my FiiO X3ii and E17K and large Shure Olive tips. For the record – on most tracks, the volume level on the E17K was around 14/15/60 on low gain which was giving me an average SPL of around 70 dB (mostly 65-75 dB) and peaks at around 80dB (A weighted measurements from my SPL meter).



Tracks used were across a variety of genres – and can be viewed in this list http://www.head-fi.org/a/brookos-test-tracks.

Initial Thoughts
The first time I heard the Nova, my initial impression was “these are how a dual BA should be tuned”. Very good speed, wonderful sense of balance, really nice clarity – but nothing too etched or overly spot-lit. At the time I'd been coming from spending considerable time with some slightly warmer, smoother earphones – so this also had some bearing on my impressions. The more I've used the Nova, the more I've come to appreciate the overall sense of balance. They are probably a little smoother than I'd normally like – yet once you get used to this, it is very easy to get lost in the overall tonality. So lets look at my subjective impressions ina little more detail.

Overall Detail / Clarity
Tracks used: Gaucho, Sultans of Swing, Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town

1. Really excellent overall tonal balance. Bass is perfectly balanced and if anything the overall emphasis is on the mid-range than anything else
2. Very good detail retrieval, high level details are present but not overly spot-lit or etched
3. Cymbals have reasonable presence (perhaps slightly muted) but wonderful sense of decay. Pearl Jam's “Elderly Woman ….” is full of cymbal action, and the decay on each hit is stunningly well articulated.
4. Guitar is very good with just the right amount of emphasis and good edge to notes
5. Resolution is good. Overall the upper end (lower treble) is smooth rather than accentuated.

Sound-stage & Imaging (+ Sibilance)
Tracks used: Tundra, Dante’s Prayer, Let it Rain

1. Not a huge sense of width or depth. With the binaural track “Tundra” the sense of instrument placement is very precise, but it is more in-head than projected out of head.
2. Reasonable of width and depth (smallish stage, but well represented / circular). More intimate than expansive
3. Imaging is very precise and overall separation of instruments is clean
4. Immersion is good (applause section of Dante's Prayer) with impression that crowd is either side of you – width is stronger than depth
5. Some sibilance is revealed in “Let It Rain” - but not overly magnified. It is present in the track anyway, and the Nova does a good job of softening or masking it slightly. The track is a lot smoother than I've noticed on other earphones – yet all the detail continues to be there. Not as holographic overall than I have heard – and this could be the bump in the vocal area (forward mid-range) lending more to intimacy in the perceived sound-stage.

Bass Quality and Quantity
Tracks used: Bleeding Muddy Water, Royals, You Know I'm No Good

1. Mid-bass has reasonable impact – but it is not visceral or hard hitting. Some may find this presentation a little bass light (I don't).
2. Overall bass speed is very good, no sign of excess “boom” or bleed into the mid-range.
3. Nice projection of bass timbre and reasonable texture (Mark's vocals in “Muddy Waters”). Mark's vocals have good overall presentation, but not as coarse or conveying as much raw emotion as other earphones have been able to do. Enjoyable overall listen though.
4. Enough sub-bass for rumble to be audible, but not emphasised (“Royals”)
5. Again good separation between mid-bass thump (which is actually quite good when you get used to it) and vocals (“Royals”). Ella's vocals are very clear and slightly euphonic. Really enjoyable track.
6. I finished with Amy Winehouse – just to recheck the contrast between bass and mid-range, and the Nova really does this extremely well. Vocals are clean and clear and the actual bass slam is pretty good.

Female Vocals
Tracks used : Aventine, Strong, For You, Human, The Bad In Each Other, Howl, Safer, Light as a Feather, Mile on the Moon.

1. Brilliant transition from lower-mids to upper-mids (among the best I've heard to date). Aventine was excellent with sweet vocal presentation, good contract with the deeper dulcet tones of the cello, and no signs of stridency.
2. London Grammar's “Strong” is a brilliant track which can sometimes appear a little sharp in the upper registers (its in the recording). With the Nova, once again the actual pitch and tonality was brilliant, and the added presence really gives female vocals an almost ethereal sweetness. But the smoothness again seems to be masking the sharpness which exists in the track – but without taking anything away from the vocals. And it is this which makes the Nova quite addictive so far – a real vocal lovers IEM.
3. Nice bass slam and good contrast with vocals in rock tracks (Feist, FaTM).
4. Goose-bump moment with “Safer” (Cilmi) – slower jazzy / soul track. Smooth, creamy, and so easy to listen to. Likewise Norah was a definite winner.
5. I finished with Sarah Jarosz (slower folk like – but very melodic). Tonally brilliant, and the sort of presentation I could listen to for hours.

Male Vocals
Track used: Away From the Sun, Art for Art’s Sake, Broken Wings, Diary of Jane, Hotel California, Keith Don’t Go, Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town.

1. Once again the balance is wonderful – with good dynamic slam from the bass, nice edge to guitar, and vocals front and centered.
2. Male vocals have really good body and good timbre/texture.
3. Older classic rock (10CC) has good sense of detail, and the real beauty again with the Nova is the mid-range presentation. It really makes older recordings very present and alive.
4. Speed with faster tracks is very good – easily handled complex guitar (Breaking Benjamin), whilst keeping the vocals separate and also very clear.
5. Acoustic rock is wonderful – and the rendition of “Hotel California” (live) was fantastic. Still intimate, but the overall imaging and separation was exquisite.
6. Stunning with Vedder (Pearl Jam). This time the texture and tonality was 100%. Great clarity on cymbals (not quite as bright as I am used to), but the decay was captured perfectly.

Other Genres

1. I loved the Nova with Alt Rock (Floyd and Porcupine Tree) because sometimes the detail can get lost if the balance isn't right. PF's “Money” can sometimes seem a little washed out with other earphones, but the mid-range on the Nova ensures this never happens.
2. Really good with both Blues and Jazz (the overall tonal balance again). With jazz in particular I'm amazed at the overall detail present even though it is smoothed a little in the lower treble. Double bass is nice and deep, whilst sax is smooth and easy to listen to (Portico Quartet), but it is the cymbals I keep going back to. When you can easily hear the brush, and the decay sometimes lingers …….. Magical!
3. OK with both Hip-hop and Electronic, and enjoyable also with Trance, but bass is not visceral, nor is it enhanced. I guess this depends on what your preference is. I'm happy with the speed and overall balance – but if you're looking for impact, then the Nova probably won't deliver. Lighter electronic (the Flashbulb) and Trip-Hop (Little Dragon) was really enjoyable for me.
4. Mainstream Pop was pretty good. I have some modern Pop music I really enjoy (Coldplay / Adele etc), and some of it just isn't that well mastered. The Nova really helps with this – by concentrating on the mid-range and smoothing off some of the bumps on the way. Adele live at the Albert Hall was a great example of this – extremely enjoyable.
5. I'm a bit of an Indie fan, and lets face it, like Pop – some of the recording quality can be a bit up and down. Indie can also often be recorded a little hotter – and here once again the Nova shines. Band of Horses and Wildlight were just wonderful with the Nova.
6. Classical was very good with the Nova, but maybe lacking in a sense of overall depth with larger orchestral pieces. The sense of tonality was very good though, and with everything from violin to cello, piano to oboe etc was really well presented. Intimate – but enjoyable none-the-less. My one minor critique is I would personally prefer a little more lower treble (air/presence with violins).

AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
As I alluded to earlier, the Nova is easily driven out of a smartphone or DAP, and on my iPhone 5S I’m sitting around 20% for my normal listening level (65-75 dB).

I also volume matched and compared X3ii vs X3ii + E17K, and there was no discernible audible difference in dynamic presentation – so I think it is pretty safe to say that extra amping won’t be necessary. Based on the specs alone (22 ohm and 114dB SPL), straight out of the headphone-out of most sources should be more than enough. My favourite source was probably L&P's L3 – with the Jazz EQ (which seems to slightly bump the lower treble).



Because of the high sensitivity of the Nova I thought it best to also test for hiss or noise. With my tinnitus, I can hear anything (it is below my hearing threshold) so I employed the super sensitive hearing of my 13 year old daughter and 15 year old son. Both were able to hear faint low level noise which they described more as being like static than hiss – and this was at very low levels of volume on both the E17K and X3ii by itself. This disappeared when music was playing – but I've noted for the reviews sake anyway.

RESPONSE TO EQ?
Although I didn’t play around a lot with EQ, I did want to see what could be done with the bass using a simple EQ (tone controls on the E17K). Firstly I went back to some Eminem after giving the bass control +6. This time the bass impact was a lot more visceral, and this was without killing the mid-range. So a nice gain if you are prepared to EQ.

So what about resetting back to neutral again and adding a little more lower treble (+6 on the E17K). For this track I went back to Amanda Marshall's let it rain to see what the effect would be. It definitely lifts and lights up some of the lower treble area, and for my personal tastes I would possibly use a +4 or +6 treble setting with the Nova if my mood was for a lighter airier presentation (it sometimes is).

So the Nova responds very well to EQ – although to be honest I think most will be happy with the overall default balance.

COMPARISONS
I wanted to try a mix of different IEM options against the Nova. So this time I picked a selection of what I thought was similarly tuned IEMs at various price brackets. As always, the IEMs were compared after volume matching (SPL meter and test tones), but the comparisons are completely subjective. For these tests I used the X3ii and E17K – simply because it is easier to volume match with this combo. Unfortunately I didn't have a lot to compare with in the same price bracket – as I don't really have anything in the $500 bracket which is similar.

For anyone who may look at past reviews of the IEMs I'm comparing here, and notice the graphs are different – this is simply because of the use of the IEC 711 compensation.

Nova $499 vs MEE P1 $180-200
The first comparison is with an IEM I reviewed very recently – the MEE P1 – and compares a full range dynamic to the dual BA Nova. Both have extremely good build quality – and very good accessories. Overall fit / comfort I would give to the MEE P1 – it just disappears when worn. The P1 is definitely harder to drive. Sonically the P1 is noticeably more V shaped when comparing the two side by side – exhibiting a warmer bottom end, but also a more lively top end. The P1 is noticeably more distant in the primary vocal range – especially with male vocals, and I think the Nova has the better transition between upper and lower mid-range to present both male and female vocals well. This would be a really tough one to judge – if they were both at the same price level I would tend to side with the Nova on sonics alone. But if you take price into account, the MEE P1 really does deliver a lot as an overall package.

Nova $499 vs Alclair Curve $250
This time we see a comparison between two very good dual BA earphones. Nova wins on overall build quality – given the metal enclosures and superior cable. The Nova also comes with a better overall accessory package. For overall fit and comfort, the Curve is very hard to beat – there are few which can come close in any price range. Sonically the Curve has a little more oomph / warmth in the bottom end, and is also a little sharper up top (lower treble). Both are reasonably balanced overall – with the Curve exhibiting a mild v-shape vs the Nova's flatter more balanced approach. This one once again is quite a hard one to pick a clear winner. Overall I like the Nova's sonic balance a little better, but if you're on a tighter budget, and like a similar signature with just a little more bass and upper end emphasis – the Curve should definitely be on your list to audition. At roughly half the price of the Nova – it is hard not to look at the Curve as a pretty good competitor.

Nova $499 vs DN2000J $299.
This time the dual BA Nova is up against a triple hybrid. The build on both is exceptional, but the Nova pulls ahead with its overall precision and of course the excellent cable. The accessories would be pretty evenly matched, and this is repeated with fit and comfort (although the DUNU may be just slightly more comfortable) . Sonically the two have a similar overall bottom end and lower mid-range, but in the upper mid-range and lower treble, the DUNU is a lot brighter. Because of this, the Nova does sound less coloured / more natural. The one thing the 2000J does extremely well is provide an incredible listening experience for low volume listeners – and at lower volumes the Nova really doesn't beat it for me. But at louder listening volumes (where the 2000J can be overly bright), I'd be picking the Nova.

Nova $499 vs Oriveti Primacy $299
The Primacy is another triple hybrid with extremely good build, and a comprehensive accessory package. And once again the Nova would be my pick for overall build quality, whilst the Primacy wins on fit and comfort (its another that disappears in your ears). Sonically the two are very close in overall signature with the main difference being the smoothness of the Nova's upper end vs the slight heat in the lower treble from the Primacy. For me – my preference would be the Nova's fuller signature and transition between lower and upper mid-range.

Nova $499 vs DUNU DN2002 $370
The DN2002 is a quad driver hybrid, and of all the IEMs I've shown comparisons to, has the most closely matched overall signature. In terms of build quality and accessories, both IEMs are extremely robust with great overall packages in terms of quality and content. I'd give the build marginally to the Nova, but for fit and comfort I'd say it was pretty even (with the Nova perhaps even marginally ahead with the right tips). Sonically the two are very close, with the Nova showing a little more bass extension. The 2002 does have a peak at 9 kHz but I find it hardly noticeable, and if anything the 2002 can sound the smoother of the two at times. The Nova does have a little more mid-range emphasis – especially with female vocals. Sonically this is too close to call – they are slightly different representations of similar signatures. The Nova is beautifully clean and present, but the 2002 is a little easier to just relax and let the music wash over you.

Nova $499 vs Jays q-Jays $399
I saved this one for last because it is the closest matched on price, and because the overall quality shows in both. In terms of build – I would call a draw. The Nova has the more visually appealing cable and overall aesthetics, but in terms of actual build I'd put the new Jays up against most other IEMs. They are small, unassuming and extremely well built. In terms of overall fit and comfort, it is not close – the q-Jays win by some margin. They disappear when worn, and unfortunately for me – the Nova's don't. And its not that the Novas are bad – its just that the q-Jays are better. Accessories are evenly matched.

Sonically we once again have two similar sounding earphones with the comparative bass response being very evenly matched. In the upper mid-range, the Nova are very slightly brighter and sound comparatively cleaner – but the real difference is in the lower treble. The q-Jays have a peak at around 7kHz. If you're sensitive to it (I'm not), then you'll find the q-Jays too hot, and possibly a little likely to show enhanced sibilance – where the Nova will be just as clear and clean, but without the upper end peak. If the Novas had a rounded inner face (for comfort) and were around $100 cheaper, my preference would be the Nova's signature. But it's not, and the q-Jays do practically everything else right, plus I can wear them for hours. So for now the q-Jays remain my choice.

CAMPFIRE AUDIO NOVA – SUMMARY

So here we are again, and time to summarise my short experience with the Nova.

The Nova is an incredibly well built twin BA IEM, with a very good ergonomic fit, and also one of the best quality cables I've come across. A quick note on the cable too – it retails on ALO’s site for $149 if sold separately.

As far as fit and comfort goes, the fit for me is superb, but the comfort could be better with a few hard angles on the internal face making longer term listening sessions occasionally uncomfortable. YMMV in this regard. I know I sound like a broken record – but it is the one facet of the Campfire IEMs which if changed would have me looking at purchasing one.

Sonically the Nova is wonderfully balanced and quite neutral with very linear bass, an extremely coherent and well-tuned mid-range which delivers very clear vocals, and a smooth but articulate lower treble. The thing which amazes me with the Nova is the clarity which Ken has achieved, and the resultant sense of detail – but also the way it is delivered. Sonically it is very clear, but also quite smooth. And how he does this and retains such realism in cymbal decay has me scratching my head – but in wonderment rather than puzzlement. In terms of tuning, the Nova is indeed a gem.

At a current RRP of USD 499, the Nova represents reasonable value (in my opinion) in what it delivers in terms of overall quality of build, fit and sonics. Comfort could be better – but is manageable through tip selection. Where the Nova will struggle is with some of the comparative offerings which are available nowadays. I'm not suggesting at all that it is poor value – but I do think that Ken had the Massdrop price pretty much spot-on. At around the $400 price level it would make a much better overall value proposition compared to the competition.

One thing I haven’t mentioned is the dedication and service of the Campfire Audio team. In my dealing to date, I have been very impressed by their willingness to take critique on board, and above all to constructively engage with their market audience, and ultimately improve the final product.

So would I buy these, and would I recommend them to others? If the comfort issues are eventually addressed I'd definitely consider getting a pair. The Nova is very close to my ideal signature and is superbly versatile with most music I listen to. Four stars from me with the only question marks being on comfort and also price.

Once again I’d like to thank Ken and Andy for making this opportunity available. I owe you gentlemen a debt of gratitude – and especially Ken for his generous help with my measurement set-up.

About Me:
I'm just your average guy making his way through college with a passing interest in audio fidelity. I'm NOT an audiophile, but I've got a little experience ranging from lower-end products to flagship designs. I don’t make professional reviews and by my own account, I’m not much good at describing what I hear either. But I’ll do my best and we'll just have to see how that goes.
 
Introduction:
Campfire Audio is relatively new to the game as a brand, but the people behind it have been in to industry for years. Recently (and by recently, I mean within the last couple of years), Campfire Audio was created to sell IEMs in the mid to upper tier of IEMs and it hasn’t been until now that I’ve gotten a chance to listen to one of their IEMs. Yes, this review is going to be about the Campfire Audio Nova, their new entry into the middle tiers of portable audio. It’s a dual-BA setup utilizing 2 of the full-range drivers that we saw implemented in their single-BA Orion design.

 
Disclaimer:
I’m not the most eloquent or well versed in describing what I hear, so take my words with a grain of salt. Also keep in mind that everyone hears differently; it’s not bad, it’s not wrong, it’s just different.
I bought the Nova about 3 months ago during the exclusive MassDrop launch and have been putting it through the IEM rotation since then.
For this review, the Nova is connected to my iPod Touch 5th gen supplying lossless and 320kbps .mp3 audio files.
 
Packaging and Accessories:
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Campfire Audio’s products having never purchased one before. When I received the package from MassDrop, my initial thought was “wow, small box, probably barebone essentials in there, the IEMs, the case, then maybe a pair of foam tips.” I was pleasantly surprised to see that Campfire Audio went the direction of maximum usage of minimal space. Included in the box was the Novas in the fabric exterior case with a wool-lined interior, several pairs of comply and generic foam tips, silicone tips, a brush/wax cleaning tool, and a classy-looking Campfire Audio lapel pin. It’s a nice compact slew of accessories. High quality, simple and almost purely functional (aside from that lapel pin, which just plain looks good); we’ll see soon that seems to be a recurring theme.

 
Build Quality and Comfort:
I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a pretty shell and the Campfire Audio Nova has a very pretty shell. The angular CNC aluminum shell with three Torx screws holding the two halves together is just plain sexy in my eyes.

They’re much lighter in weight than what one would expect as well seeing that it’s a full-metal shell, but I guess that’s the point of using aluminum right? Paired with the well-built shells is their own braided silver-plated copper litz cable with MMCX connectors on one end and a right-angle 3.5mm plug on the other. Important to note is that the plug fits through the relatively thin case I use on my iPod Touch, but you may have trouble if you plan to use a smartphone with a thicker case. The cable supplied is very supple and isn’t microphonic at all. To aid with keeping the Nova’s cable over your ear, it has a cinch above the y-split and memory wire for 2 inches leading up to the MMCX connector. If this cable didn't have memory wire, it would likely be my favorite cable ever ergonomically speaking.

While it works for many people, I personally don’t like memory wire on my cables; it doesn’t work very well with glasses, I tend to get more noise because of it. The connectors aren’t proprietary so you can feel free to plug other MMCX cables in if you so wish.
 
These shells are full-metal and shaped similar to many universal acrylic or plastic shells from the likes of Noble and Heir, but with some more angles. Naturally, with the angles, there are sharp corners and for some people, that could be an issue. I don’t have any problems with the sharp edges most of the time and if I do, it usually means I’ve got the angle a little bit wrong in my ear. The nozzles are pretty short so for me it counts as a shallow-insertion IEM, especially if you use the stock wide-bore silicone tips. I personally use Spinfits to help with comfort and insertion depth; I won’t comment on how or whether that changes the sound as I don’t think my ears are good enough to differentiate that. It’s just more comfortable and fits better for me, that’s all.
 
Sound Quality:
Let’s be honest, this section is gonna be kind of a mess so I’ll keep it short, but hopefully informative. I’m not able to describe sound very well and what I can describe is only going to make sense if your mental references of all the terms are similar to what I’ve got going on in my head. Nevertheless, let’s give it a shot anyway.

The Nova is an interesting IEM from a technical standpoint. It uses two balanced armature drivers, but they’re both full-range drivers rather than having them each handle a specific range of frequencies. What does that mean for the sound? I have absolutely no idea. But outright, how does the Nova sound? Very good indeed. When I first bought them, I was enamored with the beautifully industrial stylistic choice and I was hoping they sounded as good as they looked. And in that respect, I’d say they certainly hold their own. It has a certain energy to it; somehow a laid-back, thick, and full-bodied presentation that excites and isn’t afraid of not being “reference.”
 
The highs of the Nova are very reigned-in. They have appropriate amounts of detail but with no overemphasis, they lend a lack of clarity to the Nova. It’s not that these aren’t clear; make no mistake, the Nova renders treble notes as well as you’d expect once you acclimate to the lack of emphasis in those frequencies. Because of this, the Nova is a very easy-listening type of IEM: no sharpness, no fatigue.
 
The Nova’s mids made the music, for me, a smooth deluge of bliss. Thick and full-bodied might be a good way to put it. The way the mids are presented, in conjunction with the treble, make for that laid-back presentation I talked about. It seems almost counterintuitive to think of a balanced armature IEM that way. That doesn’t mean everything feels smoothed over though; vocals and instruments are still accurate and depicted with appropriate amounts of detail if you listen for it. Yet the overall experience is one that relaxes while also trickling vitality into your system.
 
Bass is an area that the Nova does quite well in, even for someone like me who likes a little more bass. Here’s the thing: I’ve mostly discounted single and dual balanced armature IEMs because they just can’t feasibly produce low frequencies in enough quantity for most of the music I listen to. It doesn’t make any of them bad, they just usually don’t stray into my musical preferences. The Nova is one of the exceptions almost solely because of this category. It produced bass that was more energetic and in more quantities than I expected from two balanced armatures. Admittedly, the bass is still a little clinical in its production and doesn’t quite have the same tone or feeling as good dynamic driver bass, but it’s no slouch. Nor does it quite have as much quantity as I’d like for my EDM, but I do like to hear quite a lot of bass, so the Novas should satisfy most people in this department. It keeps the range low in bloat and high in control as one would expect from a balanced armature IEM, let alone one that costs this much.
 
Music/songs used during the review:
Rumours (feat. Mark Johns) by Gnash
Halo 3 OST by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
Clear (feat. Mothica) by Pusher
Cowboy Bebop OST by The Seatbelts
Sunday Morning by Maroon 5
Neon Cathedral (feat. Allen Stone) by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Ants by edIT
25 to Life by Eminem
Kick, Push by Lupe Fiasco
Freaks and Geeks by Childish Gambino
Flynn Lives by Daft Punk
Stop and Stare by OneRepublic
Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC
Lost Stars by Adam Levine
Beyond Monday by The Glitch Mob
Darling VIP (feat. Missio) by Said the Sky
 
Conclusion:
I jumped on the Nova when I saw them launching on MassDrop. I had seen Campfire Audio’s previous IEMs and loved their aesthetic, but they hadn’t put out anything I wanted to try yet (that was in my budget). Then the Nova came along with its two balanced armatures and that same sexy industrial all-aluminum design adorning much of the rest of Campfire Audio’s lineup. Despite the shallow fit and sometimes troublesome sharp edges, it has enough good qualities to garner some well-deserved attention. For an energetic, yet laid-back, thick and full-bodied sound, I’d suggest to strongly consider the Campfire Audio Nova.