Drop’s latest collaboration for its audiophile community comes in partnership with the acclaimed earphone maker, Campfire Audio. Founded by Ken Ball, Campfire Audio is known for its cutting-edge earphone designs, patented technologies, and exceptional sound quality. Based in Portland, Oregon, the company operates with a small, dedicated team of skilled artisans who handcraft each product using a wide array of innovative materials and techniques.
The Drop + Campfire Audio Dark Star is the spiritual successor to the widely praised Black Star IEM. It features a hybrid driver setup: two Knowles balanced armatures handle the high frequencies, a Sonion balanced armature delivers the mids, and a dual-magnet 10mm dynamic driver with a pioneering bio-film membrane provides deep, impactful bass.
You can read more about the Darkstar here.
Non Audio stuff
The Dark Star exhibits a clean, modern, and minimalist design. Its lightweight ear shells are precision CNC-machined from PVD-coated aluminum, paired with glossy acrylic faceplates that add a touch of flair—though they do tend to attract fingerprints. While the main body and faceplates sport a sleek deep-black finish, subtle silver accents on the nozzles, venting holes, and the outer rings around the MMCX connectors provide an elegant contrast.
Compact in size and ergonomically shaped, the ear shells work in harmony with the thoughtfully angled nozzles to ensure a secure, comfortable fit and effective passive noise isolation. The Drop + Campfire Audio Dark Star is impressively built and ideal for long listening sessions, remaining comfortable and sweat-free throughout.
Stock cable and accessories
The Dark Star arrives in Drop’s eco-friendly cardboard packaging—a welcome alternative to the overly lavish and costly boxes often used by other brands.
Inside the box, you'll find a detachable cable, two mesh carrying pouches, two sets of ear tips (memory foam and silicone) in three sizes each, a cleaning cloth, and a brush.
The included cable is a four-strand Litz braid with MMCX connectors and an angled 3.5mm plug, both made of plastic rather than metal. While the cable is relatively thin, it feels sturdy thanks to its plastic reinforcement. It’s lightweight, produces minimal microphonic noise, and resists tangling fairly well. However, the pre-formed ear hooks are quite stiff and don’t offer much flexibility.
That said, the cable does feel underwhelming for a product at the Dark Star’s price point. A higher-quality cable with a modular plug system and improved materials would be a more fitting inclusion. Additionally, a proper carrying case and a few more ear tip options would enhance the overall presentation and value of the package.
Power stuff
The Drop + Campfire Audio Dark Star has a low impedance of 9.212Ω and a sensitivity of 94dB (at 1 kHz, 7.74 mVrms), making it easy to drive but highly sensitive to source noise. As such, it pairs best with a clean, quiet source and a low-gain setting to ensure precise volume control without becoming overly loud. For the majority of this review, I used a Lavricables balanced cable in combination with the FiiO M23 and the iBasso DX180.
Audio stuff
In a market saturated with Harman-inspired and V-shaped tunings, the Drop + Campfire Audio Dark Star stands out as a bold departure—illuminating a different path with its distinctive sonic identity. With exceptional balance and tonal accuracy, the Dark Star introduces a refreshing tuning philosophy where musicality takes center stage, and technical prowess exists to enhance the experience rather than overshadow it.
The sub-bass reaches deep with authority, complemented by a tastefully elevated bass response that walks a fine line between fun and fidelity. While not reference-neutral, the tuning is executed with finesse—dynamic and engaging for modern genres, yet composed and accurate enough to do justice to classical recordings. It strikes a rare balance, offering vibrancy without sacrificing coherence.
It’s worth noting that this low-end balance is best realized with the included silicone ear tips. The memory foam tips tend to add mid-bass coloration, which, while enjoyable for casual listening, can compromise the overall neutrality and precision desired for more critical sessions.
The technical performance of the Dark Star is outstanding for its category. The bass is punchy and dynamic, yet remains tight and well-controlled, free from unwanted resonance or bloom. Thanks to the responsive 10mm dynamic driver, bass notes recover quickly, delivering impressive depth, texture, and impact while maintaining excellent clarity and definition. The transition into the midrange is seamless, with no noticeable bleeding or masking.
The midrange itself is rich, expressive, and tonally convincing, offering a musical and emotionally engaging presentation. There's a natural warmth and harmonic richness that lends realism to vocals and instruments. The upper mids are gently elevated, adding energy and presence without crossing into fatigue. Overall, the timbre leans natural and organic, though slight overemphasis in the upper midrange can occasionally introduce a hint of artificiality.
Still, the Dark Star is a joy to listen to for extended periods. It allows the music to flow effortlessly and draws the listener in, effectively conveying emotion across a wide variety of genres.
The Dark Star delivers satisfying textural and timbral integrity. While there are subtle shifts in weight and tonal character when transitioning between driver types, the overall presentation remains impressively cohesive. The four-driver configuration is expertly integrated, with minimal traces of the typical balanced armature timbre.
Treble performance is smooth and refined—restrained, but not lacking. There's ample extension and liveliness to keep the sound engaging, without tipping into harshness or fatigue. Detail retrieval is more than sufficient, offering clarity without sounding analytical or sterile. Listeners accustomed to brighter or more analytical IEMs may find the Dark Star’s treble a touch too relaxed or lacking in sparkle. However, many will appreciate its warm, musical character and recognize the intentional tuning choice: technical performance takes a subtle step back, allowing the emotional and artistic core of the music to shine through.
The Dark Star’s treble stands out for its natural, lifelike timbre—free from metallic harshness, sharp edges, or the dry thinness often associated with some IEMs. It maintains a smooth, organic character without sacrificing clarity. It's important not to mistake exaggerated brilliance or overt technicality for true resolution and refinement—areas where the Dark Star truly shines, delivering excellent detail and transparency without ever sounding clinical or fatiguing.
The soundstage warrants special mention, as it’s remarkably spacious—evoking the openness of full-sized open-back headphones rather than typical in-ear monitors. Expansive and immersive, the stage feels natural and unforced, with ample air and separation around each instrument.
Imaging is precise, with performers placed accurately across the soundscape—even in complex orchestral pieces. While it may not reach the depth or three-dimensional layering of higher-end flagships, the Dark Star offers a convincing sense of scale and does a fine job of conveying the atmosphere and spatial cues of the recording venue.
Conclusion
The Drop + Campfire Audio Dark Star stands out as a beacon in a sea of earphones that often follow similar, predictable tuning paths. This is an earphone from a brand that’s never been afraid to forge its own path, tuning its products with a bold vision, rather than adhering strictly to popular or scientifically validated target curves designed to be universally "ideal."
The Dark Star is crafted for discerning listeners who value timbre and musicality above technical precision or the "safe" tunings that are widely accepted. It’s for those who appreciate the nuance of sound and have developed an ear for the deeper aspects of audio performance.
Without Drop’s collaboration, the Campfire Audio Dark Star would likely be priced much higher—and it would still be worth the cost, despite the somewhat underwhelming cable and accessories.
Originally launched at \$799, the Dark Star was already a great value. Now, at the reduced price of \$599, it’s an absolute steal, offering one of the best sound and comfort experiences available in the portable audio market. High-quality sound at this price is rare, so don’t miss out—grab one while the stock lasts and the sale prices remain.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn't receive monetary compensation and I don't use affiliate links.
The price of the Campfire Audio Dark Star is now reduced to $599 and is exclusively available from Drop.
Disclaimer: For various Google indexing reasons, most parts of this review have been processed with an automatic paragraph rewriting tool. However it reads exactly the same as the original content that is available in my website.
The Drop + Campfire Audio Dark Star is the spiritual successor to the widely praised Black Star IEM. It features a hybrid driver setup: two Knowles balanced armatures handle the high frequencies, a Sonion balanced armature delivers the mids, and a dual-magnet 10mm dynamic driver with a pioneering bio-film membrane provides deep, impactful bass.
You can read more about the Darkstar here.
Non Audio stuff
The Dark Star exhibits a clean, modern, and minimalist design. Its lightweight ear shells are precision CNC-machined from PVD-coated aluminum, paired with glossy acrylic faceplates that add a touch of flair—though they do tend to attract fingerprints. While the main body and faceplates sport a sleek deep-black finish, subtle silver accents on the nozzles, venting holes, and the outer rings around the MMCX connectors provide an elegant contrast.
Compact in size and ergonomically shaped, the ear shells work in harmony with the thoughtfully angled nozzles to ensure a secure, comfortable fit and effective passive noise isolation. The Drop + Campfire Audio Dark Star is impressively built and ideal for long listening sessions, remaining comfortable and sweat-free throughout.
Stock cable and accessories
The Dark Star arrives in Drop’s eco-friendly cardboard packaging—a welcome alternative to the overly lavish and costly boxes often used by other brands.
Inside the box, you'll find a detachable cable, two mesh carrying pouches, two sets of ear tips (memory foam and silicone) in three sizes each, a cleaning cloth, and a brush.
The included cable is a four-strand Litz braid with MMCX connectors and an angled 3.5mm plug, both made of plastic rather than metal. While the cable is relatively thin, it feels sturdy thanks to its plastic reinforcement. It’s lightweight, produces minimal microphonic noise, and resists tangling fairly well. However, the pre-formed ear hooks are quite stiff and don’t offer much flexibility.
That said, the cable does feel underwhelming for a product at the Dark Star’s price point. A higher-quality cable with a modular plug system and improved materials would be a more fitting inclusion. Additionally, a proper carrying case and a few more ear tip options would enhance the overall presentation and value of the package.
Power stuff
The Drop + Campfire Audio Dark Star has a low impedance of 9.212Ω and a sensitivity of 94dB (at 1 kHz, 7.74 mVrms), making it easy to drive but highly sensitive to source noise. As such, it pairs best with a clean, quiet source and a low-gain setting to ensure precise volume control without becoming overly loud. For the majority of this review, I used a Lavricables balanced cable in combination with the FiiO M23 and the iBasso DX180.
Audio stuff
In a market saturated with Harman-inspired and V-shaped tunings, the Drop + Campfire Audio Dark Star stands out as a bold departure—illuminating a different path with its distinctive sonic identity. With exceptional balance and tonal accuracy, the Dark Star introduces a refreshing tuning philosophy where musicality takes center stage, and technical prowess exists to enhance the experience rather than overshadow it.
The sub-bass reaches deep with authority, complemented by a tastefully elevated bass response that walks a fine line between fun and fidelity. While not reference-neutral, the tuning is executed with finesse—dynamic and engaging for modern genres, yet composed and accurate enough to do justice to classical recordings. It strikes a rare balance, offering vibrancy without sacrificing coherence.
It’s worth noting that this low-end balance is best realized with the included silicone ear tips. The memory foam tips tend to add mid-bass coloration, which, while enjoyable for casual listening, can compromise the overall neutrality and precision desired for more critical sessions.
The technical performance of the Dark Star is outstanding for its category. The bass is punchy and dynamic, yet remains tight and well-controlled, free from unwanted resonance or bloom. Thanks to the responsive 10mm dynamic driver, bass notes recover quickly, delivering impressive depth, texture, and impact while maintaining excellent clarity and definition. The transition into the midrange is seamless, with no noticeable bleeding or masking.
The midrange itself is rich, expressive, and tonally convincing, offering a musical and emotionally engaging presentation. There's a natural warmth and harmonic richness that lends realism to vocals and instruments. The upper mids are gently elevated, adding energy and presence without crossing into fatigue. Overall, the timbre leans natural and organic, though slight overemphasis in the upper midrange can occasionally introduce a hint of artificiality.
Still, the Dark Star is a joy to listen to for extended periods. It allows the music to flow effortlessly and draws the listener in, effectively conveying emotion across a wide variety of genres.
The Dark Star delivers satisfying textural and timbral integrity. While there are subtle shifts in weight and tonal character when transitioning between driver types, the overall presentation remains impressively cohesive. The four-driver configuration is expertly integrated, with minimal traces of the typical balanced armature timbre.
Treble performance is smooth and refined—restrained, but not lacking. There's ample extension and liveliness to keep the sound engaging, without tipping into harshness or fatigue. Detail retrieval is more than sufficient, offering clarity without sounding analytical or sterile. Listeners accustomed to brighter or more analytical IEMs may find the Dark Star’s treble a touch too relaxed or lacking in sparkle. However, many will appreciate its warm, musical character and recognize the intentional tuning choice: technical performance takes a subtle step back, allowing the emotional and artistic core of the music to shine through.
The Dark Star’s treble stands out for its natural, lifelike timbre—free from metallic harshness, sharp edges, or the dry thinness often associated with some IEMs. It maintains a smooth, organic character without sacrificing clarity. It's important not to mistake exaggerated brilliance or overt technicality for true resolution and refinement—areas where the Dark Star truly shines, delivering excellent detail and transparency without ever sounding clinical or fatiguing.
The soundstage warrants special mention, as it’s remarkably spacious—evoking the openness of full-sized open-back headphones rather than typical in-ear monitors. Expansive and immersive, the stage feels natural and unforced, with ample air and separation around each instrument.
Imaging is precise, with performers placed accurately across the soundscape—even in complex orchestral pieces. While it may not reach the depth or three-dimensional layering of higher-end flagships, the Dark Star offers a convincing sense of scale and does a fine job of conveying the atmosphere and spatial cues of the recording venue.
Conclusion
The Drop + Campfire Audio Dark Star stands out as a beacon in a sea of earphones that often follow similar, predictable tuning paths. This is an earphone from a brand that’s never been afraid to forge its own path, tuning its products with a bold vision, rather than adhering strictly to popular or scientifically validated target curves designed to be universally "ideal."
The Dark Star is crafted for discerning listeners who value timbre and musicality above technical precision or the "safe" tunings that are widely accepted. It’s for those who appreciate the nuance of sound and have developed an ear for the deeper aspects of audio performance.
Without Drop’s collaboration, the Campfire Audio Dark Star would likely be priced much higher—and it would still be worth the cost, despite the somewhat underwhelming cable and accessories.
Originally launched at \$799, the Dark Star was already a great value. Now, at the reduced price of \$599, it’s an absolute steal, offering one of the best sound and comfort experiences available in the portable audio market. High-quality sound at this price is rare, so don’t miss out—grab one while the stock lasts and the sale prices remain.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn't receive monetary compensation and I don't use affiliate links.
The price of the Campfire Audio Dark Star is now reduced to $599 and is exclusively available from Drop.
Disclaimer: For various Google indexing reasons, most parts of this review have been processed with an automatic paragraph rewriting tool. However it reads exactly the same as the original content that is available in my website.
