Campfire Audio Honeydew

Campfire Audio has a penchant for “big-bass” IEMs. They are never to shy to add some hefty dose of low-end to most of their models. The Solaris, Polaris, Comet, even the Andromeda 2020 – all of them have a robust low-end presence as part of the tuning philosophy.

Campfire Audio Honeydew aims to be the entry-level basshead IEMs in Campfire’s lineup, and one of the de-facto basshead IEMs under USD $300. I have been using the Honeydew for almost 5 months now, so this will be a long-term evaluation. Let’s see if Campfire Audio could reach the goals they set of themselves.

DISCLAIMER​

Note: the ratings given will be subjective to the price tier. Ken Ball of Campfire Audio was kind enough to send me the Honeydew for review.

Sources used: Sony NW-A55, Hidizs AP80 Pro, Lotoo PAW 6000
Price, while reviewed: $250. Can be bought from Campfire Audio’s Official Website.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES​

The unboxing experience is the signature Campfire Audio style: it feels like you are unwrapping a gift box.




The accessories provided are the same as the ones with Campfire Satsuma, with the carrying pouch sporting a darker olive hue.




The cable is again the Smoky Lite SPC 4-core cable with Beryllium-Copper connectors.



Supplied eartips include Final E-type (5 pairs), foam tips (3 pairs), and Campfire silicone tips (3 pairs). There’s also the Campfire lapel pin. I have no qualms at all regarding the stock accessories, esp at this price point.

BUILD QUALITY​

The shell is ABS plastic, which is not my favorite material overall. Plastic is fragile and metal shells or resin shells will last longer. The spout is stainless steel though. The bright yellow color of the shells are quite a looker and I find them unique. Your mileage may vary.



There is a single vent on the face-plate for pressure equalization. The housings have mmcx termination which has been robust for me over 5 months of use.

One thing I can’t get over is the seam where the shell pieces join. It’s no big deal but something I notice. As was my conclusion with the Satsuma, I would’ve preferred a metal or resin shell here.

COMFORT, ISOLATION, AND FIT​

The Honeydew are very comfortable to wear due to their lightweight and ergonomic fit. Isolation is average though as the vent on the back lets some noise in.

SOURCE AND EARTIPS​

Most of the listening was done on the Sony NW-A55 as I found it to be one of the best pairings. Stock cable and Spinfit CP-100+ tips were used, as the stock E-type tips made the bass overbearing.

DRIVER SETUP​

Campfire utilized a single bio-cellulose diaphragm (probably mixed with PET) in a dual-cavity setup for the Honeydew. They also have their 3D-printed acoustic chamber that acts as wave-guide and suppresses resonance. It’s refreshing to see more single-dynamic IEMs in the midrange market.

TONALITY AND TECHNICALITIES​

The Campfire Honeydew have a strongly V-shaped, basshead tuning. Contrasting to the Satsuma which were rather bass-lite, Campfire Audio put the low-end front and center here.

Speaking of bass, there is a massive +15dB boost in the sub-bass region that starts from around 300Hz. Sub-bass notes cast a haze over the mid-bass, upper-bass, and even some lower-midrange fundamentals as a result. This can be too much for many so an audition is advised. Do note that the bass doesn’t sound as overbearing if you’re listening while commuting (the engine noise etc. cuts down the sensation of the bass).

When it comes to the bass quality, it is a bit of mixed bag. Mid-bass notes lack texture due to the sub-bass haze. However, sub-bass itself is dense, hard-hitting, rumbles with authority, and rather agile thanks to a faster driver-diaphragm. Those looking for sub-bass emphasis will feel at home here.



Sadly, the midrange takes a back seat here, at times even taking the very last seat in the auditorium. Lower-mids sound drowned out and upper-mids are repressed. Fortunately there are no annoying peaks or shoutiness in the mids (not that it was on the cardsdue to the sub-bass boost). Male vocals do not sound wrong, fortunately, but the higher-pitched vocals and female vocals lack energy and articulation. String instruments fare similarly with lower-level details getting lost in the mix in bass-heavy tracks.

The treble response is characterized by a lower-treble peak around 5.5KHz that adds some brilliance to the signature. Cymbal hits sound a bit distant but there is some sparkle to them. Upper-treble is muted and there is a lack of air in general. Cymbal hits sounded fine for the most part, but in some tracks there was a hint of splashiness in the highs. In fast paced tracks with lots of cymbal and hi-hat hits, they tended to get smeared at times. In short: decent treble response, but nothing to write home about.

When it comes to imaging and spatial cues, the Honeydew perform surprisingly well. There is no “gap” when instruments or vocals are panning from left-to-right, and even ordinal imaging (things happening on top-left/top-right etc.) was good. Staging is somewhat narrow but sounds “deep” due to recessed vocals. Stage height is about average. Instrument separation was pretty good as well even though the bass would somehow blur the outlines of certain instruments, e.g. pedals.

Dynamics are also another strong suite. Macrodynamic punch was authoritative with the satisfying bass slam adding to the experience. Microdynamics (subtle changes in volume) are very good as well, though falls slightly behind a few competitors. Lastly, timbre is heavily affected by the sub-bass haze but there is no metallic sheen to the sound unlike some metal-deposited single-DD IEMs.

SELECT COMPARISONS​

vs Final E5000

Final’s E5000 are notorious for two things: their power-hungriness, and the sheer amount of sub-bass that they can deliver when properly powered.

In terms of build and design, I am partial to the E5000. They are also more comfortable for me as I prefer bullet-style designs. The Honeydew are very comfortable as well so no extra points to Final. Isolation is slightly better on the Final due to deep fit but it also leaks more sound. Finally, accessories wise the Honeydew wins due to a larger eartips collection.

As for the sound, it’s basshead vs basshead. Honeydew have even more sub-bass emphasis whereas the E5000 have a more impactful, slammy mid-bass punch. The sheer amount of texture in E5000’s mid-bass make them a delightful listen. Vocals are less recessed on the E5000 and have a lush, soothing presentation that has great articulation as well. Honeydew fall behind in the mids as a result.

Treble is where the Honeydew have more presence. E5000 have somewhat darkened treble even though upper-treble response is better than the Honeydew. Staging is better on the E5000 whereas imaging has more precision on the Honeydew. Separation is good on both but Honeydew does it a bit better.

E5000’s Achilles Heel is their source requirement. Few sources can do them justice and the cheapest one (Apogee Groove) costs $200. In that regard, Honeydew is very easy to drive and should better fit those without good sources.

CONCLUSION​

Campfire Honeydew is slightly more expensive than the Satsuma but have far more character in their sound signature. They aim to be basshead IEMs and Campfire Audio has achieved that target I’d say. It’s not for everyone and the recessed mids will be a point of contention. I am not a big fan of the at-times narrow staging and the lack of mid-bass texture vs some of the competition too.

That being said, I still prefer the Honeydew for commuting over my other IEMs. Their lightweight nature makes them great for long-listening sessions and the extreme sub-bass shelf gets toned down a lot due to attenuation.

I can cautiously recommend the Honeydew as a pair of EDC (everyday carry) IEMs, especially for listening while commuting. For more analytical or technical/tonally correct listen, better to look elsewhere.

Preamble: I’ve been a Campfire fanboy since the Solaris became my first true love in IEMs in March of 2019. I appreciate their overall aesthetic, approach and the way they go after different types of tuning, some of which are inspiring, others less so, with all of them being at least interesting. I appreciate CFA’s mid-bass heavy DD offerings and am always up for a fun and engaging IEM so when Campfire announced the Honeydew, a single DD that, in their words is “Optimized for Full Range Dynamic Fun” and an “Excellent choice for drummers, bassists, DJs, and electronic beat makers”… well at $250 I simply could not resist.


Purchased with exceptional service through @Andrew at Bloom audio my Honeydew arrived with one of their characteristic treats

TLDR: This a single DD Campfire IEM with an advertised bass emphasis. Unless you’ve been living with your head in the sand of the IEM world the past few years you should have a good idea what this entails-- massive bass, fun sound, good technicalities. The Honeydew puts forward an engaging & satisfying sound but with colored mids that can be overshadowed by the bass at times. I would describe it as an IEM with a dark tuning-- highs are very smooth and clear but never in the forefront. There is nothing remotely fatiguing about this IEM up top in the form of peaks or shoutiness. I would conclude by adding that it’s an IEM that is very sure of and true to itself—it is one that I would unhesitatingly rec to anyone looking for a fun bassy sound—especially at its price point—but the simplicity and sincerity of its overall signature is such that I wonder if it would win over a few who don’t normally go for basshead IEMs. At the very least it’s ideally priced for a bassy side piece that one has on hand to “get a fix” every now and again.

Overview

I never bother with tech specs & unboxing in my reviews as this info is available copiously elsewhere.

In a nutshell the Honeydew is an entry level single DD from Campfire that uses a 10mm “liquid crystalline polymer (LCP)” which is distinct from their signature A.D.L.C 10mm driver used in their high end DD IEMs like Atlas, Vega, Dorado 2020 & Solaris and seemingly is also distinct from the 10mm “bio-cellulose” driver in the recently released Mammoth. I’m actually hoping to get my hands on a Mammoth at some point just to do a comparison of the 3 different bass drivers from a weight, clarity, grip & timbre perspective.

Here are some succinct pros & cons:

+ These are certainly bass cannons-- but they're a fun clean, detailed, well extended and not-too-invasive sort of bass
+ They sound really oomphy & satisfying at low volumes
+ Mids are thick, bodied, reasonably forward and clear…for the most part
+ Lots of mid-bass though it doesn't degenerate into bloom really...it's a little like being in a confined club-like space with a massive sub.
+ They sound really good with old jazz, classic rock, hip hop
+ Nice wide stage
+ An aesthetically compelling little package

- Definitely coloration in the mids, which can be overshadowed by the massive bass at times
- Not for people who like lots of air, sparkle or forward treble
- Stage is wide but not very deep
- They are kind of cheap feeling for a CFA product due to the plastic but imho their charms more than make up for it, especially at this price tier.

The biggest deal breaker for me in single DD IEMs tends to be the highs, and typically because they tend towards being metallic or peaky—Honeydew has none of these problems. At first, admittedly, the bass totally dominates the sound field, I have found that I get used to it and after a time everything coherently & serently dissolves into a thumping and engaging unity. What’s persistently interesting to me is how I can spend a day or two listening to only the Honeydew and, in spite of having technically superior and more satisfying IEMs around, find myself able to enjoy the Honeydew almost endlessly, on its own terms. It’s not the most sophisticated but gawd damn it hits an emotional sweet spot, kind of like a burger & fries at the diner you and your friends hung out at when you were young— not necessarily the healthiest choice but they will find and occupy a secure and deep niche in your heart.



FR Breakdown

Mids & Highs
The Honeydew has a bass driven signature with relaxed highs and a mid-range with inconsistent openness and clarity. Sometimes, in something like Underworld’s Juanita/Kiteless it can come off sounding a little veiled and hazy. Similarly, with Morrissey’s I am Hated For Loving which is one of my test tracks, or Supertramp’s Take the Long Way Home, or Dire Strait’s Southbound Again the bass tends to crowd out the vocals and strings a bit too much for my liking. More often than not however vocals & instruments are sufficiently forward and clear for me and I never find myself craving air or space. Couple all that with a wonderful coherence and natural dynamic timbre and the overall picture is still firmly on the side of “win” for me. Honeydew tends to excel at a lot of the classic rock, pop & hip hop I listen to and am often the most sentimental about. Some standout tracks that I have found sound excellent & fully satisfying on Honeydew: Al Green – Take me to the River, Annie Lennox – Money Can’t Buy It, PM Dawn - A Watcher’s Point of View, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Don’t Do Me Like That and Skinned by Blind Melon.

Speaking specifically to the highs—these are darker leaning IEMs to be sure and probably not for “treble heads”…though I must point out I never find the sound to be blunted sounding, lacking clarity & air, rolled off or really missing anything in terms of extension up top. The highs are not forward and they don't jump out and grab your attention-- but when you focus on them everything is there. I just listened to Kid for Today by Boards of Canada and it sounded wonderfully clear, open and layered.

To close out this section I will say that I am not aware of any IEM that attempts any type of colored sound that does not sound better with some stuff than others—it’s just a question of what you’re looking for, what you listen to and what you like. While the Honeydew is not an IEM for a “mids head” I can’t fail to point out that I’ve become something of a mids head lately and despite that I can still very much enjoy Honeydew for what it tries to be and how sincerely & well it pulls it off.



Dat Bass
The Honeydew is consistent with CFA’s DD house sound, which is characterized by big bass with a noted tilt towards the mid-bass. This is anathema for some people but those of us who love it can’t get enough of it. Thanks to their tuning proficiency, which includes their use of 3D printed shells specifically designed to have certain geometries & acoustic properties my finding is that they are consistently able to milk a high degree of technical performance out of their “big bass” IEMs. I have found with the Honeydew, and as well with the Dorado 2020 that, once you get beyond the bass, there’s actually a very well layered sound with no loss of details. Because of the bass putting Honeydew on for the first time is like walking into a brightly lit room after being in the dark for a time—it’s overwhelming at first but after a while you get used to it and find, for the most part, everything in its place.

The characteristic feature of Honeydew’s tuning is its tendency to bring the rhythm & bass forward than they would be in a more balanced or neutral tuning. This does have an effect on the mids, as has been discussed in the previous section, but what it means for the listening experience in terms of the bass it those little basslines creeping in the background of so many of your favorite tracks are brought forward making it easier for you to sink your teeth into. This is why the Honeydew is aptly advertised as good IEM for those who want to reference monitor bass lines in tracks. At its best Honeydew sees you surfing on waves in a sunny sea of delicious bass. It’s not the most sophisticated presentation but hot damn is it satisfying. Some hightlights: Weird Science by Oingo Boingo, Get a Move On by Mr. Scruff, Hey Ya by Outkast, Swamp by Talking Heads and Genius of Love by Tom Tom Club.

Campfire as a company has long been associated with “big bass” in their DD headphones and IEMs. This is not without justification. To my ears CFA’s house sound is characterized by a strong mid-bass presence. I have heard plenty of IEMs with great bass. Right now the “holy trinity” of bass drivers in IEMs right now are Sony’s 12mm DD from the IER Z1R, Empire’s updated W9 driver as found in the Bravado MKii & Odin and lastly CFA’s 10mm A.D.L.C (Amorphous Diamond Like Carbon) driver. To my ears each of those 3 drivers is a great all rounder but each of them also specialized in a different aspect of the bass experience. CFA bass' greatest strengths imho are its thump, grip and density. This is a strength of the bass in the Dorado 2020 and also the Solaris, where it stands out despite the latter’s very polite bass response. This is where Honeydew bass falls short relative to higher end offerings—the bass is not quite as clean, thumpy or grippy with the resulting response not being quite as tight, dense, controlled, nuanced or quite as well extended as it is on the Dorado 2020. I’m picking nits here though—the bass on the Honeydew is quite satisfying in its own right.



Comparisons

I’m honestly not sure what to put in this section as Honeydew isn’t really like anything else I own. Some have said it’s a baby Dorado but I would disagree as it lacks the Dorado’s sharpness & shimmer up top…it might be something of a baby Vega 2020 but I haven’t heard the Vega so I can’t say.

The only other single DD IEM I own is the Isabellae and it’s a complete apples & oranges sort of scenario.

Conclusion

On the whole I think the Campfire Audio Honeydew are a great offering for their price point and offer a great intro to one prominent branch of the CFA house sound. They are a super fun and well executed little package at a reasonable cost. I’m not aware of many other options at this price tier for this type of sound and as such my guess is that these will make lots of people very happy. Yes they are colored to a state of indulgence but on their own terms they excel. I listened to the Honeydew a few hours immediately after demoing the Oriolus Traillii and, while obviously of an entirely different echelon of quality, I was still won over by Honeydew’s playful, transparent and non-pretentious charms even immediately after partaking of the grandeur and imho peerless nature of Traillii’s overall sound.

So at the end of the day while I don't think Honeydew will break any boundaries or set any new standards they're very endearing and imho succeed quite well at the modest task they've embraced. I was standing in the kitchen making lunch the other day and (appropriately enough given the summer theme) The Beach Boys' "Little Douce Coup" came on and before long I was dancing around my kitchen in a happy little zone just sort of lost in the moment. I've often said that whatever else you can say about an IEM-- its technical capacity, tonal balance or what have you-- is merely a footnote if the IEM in question can pull me into its little world and work its magic on me. Not every IEM does that and it's always a strong point in its favor when it does. All in all, Nicely Done.



(I don't have an actual honeydew on hand so the above was the best I can do.)

Edit: I wanted to update this review with some impressions from the Cayin N3Pro.



My initial review was written with the Honeydew through primarily normal listening volumes. I recently received a Cayin n3Pro and have really been enjoying the Honeydew through the linear tube. mode, which I feel has a bit of clarity added to it via the tubes somehow. Also I've come to really enjoy listening to the Honeydew at low volumes through the n3Pro. I find the level of bass decreases disproportionately to the rest of the FR when you lower the volume and the result is a nicely balanced sound with a nice, full, dynamic, detailed and robust bass response at a relatively low vol. Another consequence of this is that you get more openness & clarity in the mids (though there's still coloration to be sure) and increased perception of technical skill. For anyone interested here is how they stack up in this draft of a scoring scheme I'm trying to develop (this is very tentative and a work in progress):

Campfire Audio Honeydew : The Bass Champ!


Disclaimer:

This review unit was sent by @CampfireAudio for the purpose of an honest review.
Everything mentioned in this review are purely my own based on my experiences with the IEM.



Introduction:

Recently Launched in 2021, Campfire Audio Honeydew is part of Campfire Audio’s new line of IEMs targeted towards entry-level option for audiophiles, musicians, producers, and DJs. The Honeydew promises to deliver a big, juicy, bassy sound with great soundstage and is deal for Rock, Pop genres. brings more fun out of the music.
The Honeydew is priced at $249.



Tech Features:

The Honeydew comes with the unmatched cohesiveness of a single full-range dynamic driver in a all-new ABS earphone body.
Honeydew’s custom-built 10mm LCP diaphragm dynamic driver performance is characterized by a reference level bass response that is fast and detailed.
Music creators and listeners who crave punchy, detailed bass would find Honeydew delivering to their preferences.
It delivers great Bass with an expansive soundstage that is clear and detailed.
Honeydew was built for Bass lovers who prefer an expansive soundstage to provide a concert-like experience.



Specifications:

Specifications are as below:

• 5Hz–18 kHz Frequency Response
• 94 dB SPL @ 1kHz: 17.68 mVrms
• 17.44 Ohms @ 1kHz Impedance
• Mellow Yellow ABS Body
• Single Custom Full Range 10mm Dynamic Driver
• Bio-Cellulose Diaphragm
• Custom Beryllium / Copper MMCX Connections
• Stainless Steel Spout

Design & Build Quality:

Campfire introduced a new shell design with the Honeydew. This new shape is much smaller and more ergonomic than some of their previous models, and that might come as a relief to some.
These IEMs resemble a piece of hard candy, especially with its hard yellow shell that they call “mellow-yellow.”
It’s a solid build that still uses the high-grade materials Campfire uses to make their more high-end IEMs.
The Honeydew sports a stainless steel spout and custom beryllium MMCX connectors along with many other interior elements.
This is likely Campfire’s most comfortable IEMs and any ear tip will fit perfectly on the nozzle.
The body of the Honeydew feels firm and never distracts from enjoying the sound.



Packaging & Accessories:

The Honeydew continues the typical Campfire Audio packaging with new bright colors and a smaller size.
The theme is Green with the customary collage of colors and the Honeydew itself is on the front label.



Accessories:
Flip the box lid and inside you have the accessories inside a similarly colored cardboard tube and an all-new Vine Green colored canvas carry-case inside of which you will find the Honeydew and the Smokey Lite Litz cable. As always with Campfire, the accessory line-up is just beautiful as well as plentiful.

The full lineup of accessories closely matches the IO and is as follows:

• Final e-tips (xs/s/m/l/xl)
• Foam Marshmallow tips S/M/L
• Silicone single-bore tips S/M/L
• 3 x cushioned pockets (for the monitors and foam tips)
• Cleaning brush/pick
• New Canvas carry case
• Smokey Lite Litz cable
• Campfire Audio pin badge

The Stock Cable:

The cable is the Campfire Audio Smokey Lite Litz Cable – Silver Plated Copper Conductors with Beryllium Copper MMCX and 3.5mm plug which is good soundwise and also looks wise. Really nothing to complain about here - all good.


Amp-ing Requirements:

Due to it's low impedance levels, this IEM requires does not any sort of amp-ing at all. However, it shines quite a bit when paired with a good & powerful source.

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....


Items used for this review:

DAC/AMP: @iFi audio Micro iDSD Signature,
DAP/Source : Cayin N6 Mk2 with E02 motherboard, Laptop & iPad
Streaming Source: QOBUZ

Upgrade Cable:
Following upgrade cables used :
- CEMA Electro Acousti GS series: 4 core Au-Ag alloy 1% pure gold 99% pure silver cable

Moving forward... All sound impressions are using this upgrade cable as I found it to be much better than the stock cable.

Ear Tips:
I've tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips including Final Audio E Series (both Transparent Red & Black ones), @SpinFit Eartip CP100+ & CP100 and JVC Spiral.
I've found Final Clear RED ear tips to suit me preferences best and have used that mostly.



Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews... This playlist is acquired from many reviewers but mostly from @Otto Motor . Thank you.




Let's now talk about the quality of Sound....

The BASS:

This is the key element of the Honeydew’s sound signature. There’s a quite strong bass presence here, and it helps shape the IEM’s slightly dark-ish tonality going forward. The bass is consistently resonant and impactful, creating a meaty response that emphasizes many different sound elements. You can feel every kick drum pounding, and every bass line dancing. The sub-bass is quite detailed and articulated. The bass is balanced in a way that it doesn’t feel dark or heavy. There’s a mid-bass focus that provides a strong impact, but doesn’t step on the rest of the mix too much.

The MIDS:

The Mids on the honeydew are slightly recessed. This is the weakest link in this IEMs performance.
Some added warmth and some nice textural qualities are there with good amount of texture.
Synths appear with great fullness, and vocals cut through the mix with much-needed clarity.
The vocals sounded clear and natural and feels very immersive.
There’s some light smearing moving from the bass into the lower mids, but never enough that it causes the IEMs to feel muddy.
The mids overall are slightly pulled back, but well-constructed

The Treble:

The Treble on the Honeydew is smooth with some shimmery details.
The Treble has ample clarity & texture but slightly darker. This is likely due to the overall Bass focused tuning.

The SOUNDSTAGE:

The Honeydew has a massive expansive Soundstage with a good width & height emphasis and also depth.
The soundstage is very wide, but the most impressive part of it is its height.
The Honeydew excels in creating a more whole image that the music can properly occupy.
The Honeydew isn’t afraid of extending itself a bit more outward.
It might not have the same level of separation as their more high-end models, but the layering and spatial imaging are still well articulated.


Imaging & Timbre:

There is a beautiful solidity and balance to how the Honeydew delivers instrumental notes yet the staging is open enough to ensure neither vocal nor instrument is competing for the same space. You get a very immersive experience with excellent sense of positioning and layering.
The timbre is great - specially for the genres that is is focused on, Rock, EDM, Hip-hop, etc.


Comparisons :

Campfire Audio Honeydew vs Sennheiser IE300 vs Unique Melody 3DT :

The $300 price bracket has become quite crowded in recent times with every other manufacturer targeting this price segment. This feels like the sweet spot of the pricing line where quality meets great price. I have 2 other contenders with me both of which fall into the similar price bracket and also has Bass focused tuning.
Considering the above, it seemed logical to me to pin the Campfire Audio Honeydew against @Sennheiser IE300 and @UniqueMelody 3DT.
Rather than making this a 1vs1 scenario, I've put all 3 together and will rate them according to their strengths & weaknesses.



Bass:
As all of them are bass focused IEMs, the competition in the Bass department was quite fierce. Among many of the test track for Bass... I've found 2 great tracks by Bela Fleck & the Flecktones: "The Secret Drawer" and "Star of the County down"... where I could capture the differences very vividly. While the UM 3DT and Honeydew both have great details, The IE300 has deeper thump & is punchier. However, IE300 does miss out on some of the details due to it's added depth. The Honeydew has a better balance of the details and Thump than the other 2 and is the preferred IEM for me for Bass.
The rating would be...
Honeydew >>IE300>>3DT

Mids & Treble:
When it came to the Mids, due to its 3 DD architecture, the 3DT seemed to have better details and slightly better texture. Though in all 3 cases the mids are a bit recessed, the 3DT does a better job here with more details. In terms of vocals, the 3DT had slight advantage but the honeydew had ample details and felt more immersive. As these findings were consistent in all tracks, I'm not quoting any particular set of tracks here. the IE300 seemed to have slight peaks in the upper mids & treble while the other 2 did not. Hence, 3DT would be the preferred one for mids & treble.
The rating for the Mids & Treble would be...
3DT >>Honeydew>>IE300

Soundstage & Timbre:
When it comes to Soundstage, both Honeydew & IE300 comes with massive staging capabilities. While the width & height of the Honeydew seemed better, in terms of depth the IE300 was significantly better. Here the 3DT fell short due to it's shallower staging both in terms of width & depth in comparison to the other 2, despite having above average staging for the mentioned price bracket. In terms of Imaging, both Honeydew & 3DT excelled and the IE300 was also not far behind. in terms of Timbre I preferred the IE300 while the other 2 were great also. the IE300 just felt more natural and realistic.
The rating for the Soundstage & timbre would be...
IE300 >>Honeydew>>3DT




Conclusion :

Having said all that - at the $249 price point, Honeydew delivers an incredible performance that gives you thick, powerful bass with details & clarity coupled with impressive all around performance. It's a great value-for-money considering it's build & comfort. So if you’re looking for chill vibes and deep bass, Honeydew has just what you need. Highly recommended for people who prefer a bit more Bass.