Campfire Audio - Introducing 2 new models Hello Andromeda and Nova

[kimD]

The Andromeda has landed!

How come that fast, hope your review soon

 

[kimD]

@KB

Any idea for ConnectIT S'pore?

Can't wait mine, I am pre-ordered from them

Thanks

 

[Brooko]

 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Hey all!
 
I want to again thank everyone who has posted and have been into our IEMs! Now that some of the new EMs are shipping and the reviews will be coming in I thought it might be good to post some frequency response measurements first before we see a lot of variations posted by people. Without going into a long drawn out thesis / debate on measurements I just want to say that I have not seen any reviewers measurements that are accurate and it can be difficult to interpret a freq measurement. I don't use HRTF compensation curve on my measurements because I am familiar with the raw freq curve so when I see a curve I know what it sounds like and am comfortable with what I am seeing. So to state my measurement so I can be happy that this is the official freq I am posting it here now. I do not really want to get into any debates on what the freq means or read into it too much as a freq measurement is only a very small part of the over all picture of the product. I would MUCH rather listen to the IEM than read a freq.
 
In addition, I dont want to sound like I dont welcome people to also have fun and measure, but just want to say that taking a accurate measurement is tricky, also tricky to read into the measurement. I spent over $15,000 on on measurement system and it took me almost a year with professional help to calibrate and set it up 100%. So in doing so it is expensive and can be difficult to set up and calibrate. I know my set up is accurate because I send my IEMs to independent labs to double check everything.
 
 

 
Andromeda
 

 
Nova
 
Thank you!
 
ken

 

 
Ken - thanks for the graphs, and your time with me earlier explaining how you do things.  The graph on the Nova looks really good.  Two questions - was the prototype for the Nova amongst the early prototypes you sent me?  They weren't identified - so hard to tell.
 
Second - are the new housings going ahead (softened internal edges)?

 

[shockwaver]

Whoa, Andromeda is super v-shaped contrary to what people here said about it

 

[ExpatinJapan]

Some basic notes (Build and fit).
 
http://headpie.blogspot.jp/2016/05/some-notes-on-campfire-audio-iems-faqs.html
 
`I have reviewed the CA Jupiter  http://headpie.blogspot.jp/2016/03/campfire-audio-jupiter-iem-review.html and am now in the process of reviewing the Andromeda and the Nova.
Sound aside, yes the main question will be reserved for a future article... `Which Campfire Audio IEM is right for me?` ...as I have not completed my listening, nor reviews for the Andromeda and Nova as of now.
 
Sorry.
 
Build and fit.
 
The build of the three Campfire Audio IEMs I have is impeccable. They are solid and robust. 
Made from one block of precision machined aluminum and held together by bolts. They certainly are sturdy. They appear heavy to the eye but in fact are quite lightweight.
 
Whilst they may look sharp at first glance, they are well designed and fit into my ears without any uncomfortable rubbing, the cable has a memory wire which also helps to lock them in place although they seem to sit there quite well by themselves.
 
They have a lot of straight lines and not so many curves as most IEMs have, but rest assured it is comfortable fit.
The nozzles are angled in such a way as to enter the ear canal easily, and are long enough to get a good seal and isolation.
 
The cable is strong and well made. The braided cable gives a sense of strength and beauty and it is reinforced at the MMCX connector.`

 

[KB]

   
Ken - thanks for the graphs, and your time with me earlier explaining how you do things.  The graph on the Nova looks really good.  Two questions - was the prototype for the Nova amongst the early prototypes you sent me?  They weren't identified - so hard to tell.
 
Second - are the new housings going ahead (softened internal edges)?i 

Hi Brooko,
 
Thanks!
 
No I sent you various tunings of the Andromeda
 
We are always looking to improve, everything. But the shells remain the same.
 
Thanks

ken

 

[KB]

Whoa, Andromeda is super v-shaped contrary to what people here said about it

 
Shockwaver,
 
Hi and sorry, I would disagree, the Andromeda is not what I would call "super V" shaped, its rather flat with a slight elevation in the sub low, low, then flat on the mids followed by good HF extension and a set of strategic peaks.
 
Cheers.
 
ken

 

[ExpatinJapan]

Whoa, Andromeda is super v-shaped contrary to what people here said about it

Not really, not to my ears. Which is why it is taking a longer time than usual to put my finger on what it is exactly the Andromeda does.

 

[ExpatinJapan]

Andromeda
 

Jupiter
 

Nova
 
 
 
Three is better than two
 
Comparing the Andromeda and Jupiter graphs shows the difference in development and aim for two the headliner IEMs of CA.
 
I think when they are put together ( and hopefully all five graphs) it will paint a clearer picture of what each IEM in the Campfire Audio series is aiming to achieve.
 
Although of course measurements are one thing and ears another.

 

[shockwaver]

   
Shockwaver,
 
Hi and sorry, I would disagree, the Andromeda is not what I would call "super V" shaped, its rather flat with a slight elevation in the sub low, low, then flat on the mids followed by good HF extension and a set of strategic peaks.
 
Cheers.
 
ken

Hi, Ken. Thanks for replying. I shouldn't judge it by the graph on its sound before it has been tried out or used. When I get my pair I'll post impression.  

 

[ngoshawk]

Andromeda



Jupiter



Nova



Three is better than two

Comparing the Andromeda and Jupiter graphs shows the difference in development and aim for two the headliner IEMs of CA.

I think when they are put together ( and hopefully all five graphs) it will paint a clearer picture of what each IEM in the Campfire Audio series is aiming to achieve.

Although of course measurements are one thing and ears another.

Begging your pardon, but what might the drop in the bass for the Nova mean? Slightly recessed sub-bass? I am trying hard these days to incorporate the analytics into my thought process so it can help me understand what I hear better, for my reviews.

Thank you in advance.

 

[scrypt]

Begging your pardon, but what might the drop in the bass for the Nova mean? Slightly recessed sub-bass? I am trying hard these days to incorporate the analytics into my thought process so it can help me understand what I hear better, for my reviews.

Thank you in advance.

Ngoshawk: 
 
You might want to venture a gawk at the numbers at the bottom of the graph.
 
For porpoises of comparison, I'd like to see the graph for the Orion swimming in the same set.

 

[KB]

 
Ngoshawk: 
 
You might want to venture a gawk at the numbers at the bottom of the chart.

 
Scrypt! where have you been
 
Good to hear from you.
 
ken

 

[cutthroat]

Any info regarding the timeframe for pre-order shipments?

 

[Brooko]

  Hi Brooko,
 
Thanks!
 
No I sent you various tunings of the Andromeda
 
We are always looking to improve, everything. But the shells remain the same.
 
Thanks

ken

 
Great thanks - I'm guessing it was "white tape" version looking at the graph.  I can see why you went with it - compared to Jupiter (for me) its a massive improvement.  Nova looks really good (graph) - very much my kind of sig.  If dMarc0 running an Australasian tour, I'd love the chance to review them.
 
And if you do end up doing a tour with them - if could measure his particular pair before you send, and email me the CSV freq,db pairing for the entire freq range on the Nova - I'd love to use it to calibrate my Veritas.  I'm reasonably happy with the way it measures below 4 kHz - but beyond that you're 100% right - measures way too low. I could do it manually - but would be very time consuming, and not as accurate as using your measurements as a calibration guide.
 
Re the shells - I've worked out why a few have issues and others don't.  Tip dependent. If I use a narrower tip, I have to try and insert further, the housing presses on the ear, and it's uncomfortable.  A wider tip, and they sit slightly off the ear, and the edges aren't an issue.  With a shallow fitting ergonomic design it can be an issue I guess.  Another option might be to lengthen the nozzle slightly.  Just food for thought.
 
Oh and to shockwaver, the Andromeda I heard wasn't V shaped.  Quite balanced overall.