Campfire Audio - Introducing 2 new models Hello Andromeda and Nova

[mashuto]

These are easily the most beautiful IEMs I've ever owned. Unfortunately I don't know how helpful my impressions will be as I've never spent any significant time with the OG Andromeda and haven't heard the 2020 in a few months. Suffice to say the MW10 sound amazing...but they are very very close to what I remember the 2020 sounding like. At this point I would tentatively say that all my impressions of the 2020 basically apply here (however it's early days and I may have more to say on this later). Regarding the question of whether the MW10 has the "missing" treble sparkle of the 2020 I can't confirm or deny absolutely without listening to the 2020 (or the OG) again. That said it's noteworthy that, coming from 2.5 straight weeks with the MEST, which is known for its highs, sparkle and air, I don't find anything lacking or suffocating with the MW10 Andromeda. It could very well be that the MW10 takes the lows and mids of the 2020 and combines it with the relative brightness and treble profile of the OG...but I would have to hear the 2020 again to verify this for sure. Man oh man they are nice to look at though.

Glad you got them and are enjoying them! Now I certainly want to read some direct 2020 to mw10 impressions. I do like that blue color scheme, though personally I would likely choose something other than gold for the screws. Either way, that at least tempers my jealousy since if they are close enough to the 2020, if I do ever find myself wanting to spend another grand on some iems, I could at least go that route and hopefully not miss out on much more than the color scheme.

Now the real question... I know you liked the 2020, but ultimately sold it on. Even if these are very similar, is the color scheme enough on its own to push them fully into keeper territory?

 

[Rockwell75]

Glad you got them and are enjoying them! Now I certainly want to read some direct 2020 to mw10 impressions. I do like that blue color scheme, though personally I would likely choose something other than gold for the screws. Either way, that at least tempers my jealousy since if they are close enough to the 2020, if I do ever find myself wanting to spend another grand on some iems, I could at least go that route and hopefully not miss out on much more than the color scheme.

Now the real question... I know you liked the 2020, but ultimately sold it on. Even if these are very similar, is the color scheme enough on its own to push them fully into keeper territory?

The blue and gold was what sold me on the color scheme. I love the combo in general and the darker blue gives it a nice "stars in the sky" vibe. Regarding whether they are "keepers" or not will depend on a multiple circumstances-- ultimately I sold my 2020 for financial reasons. That said the rarity of these and all the work my friend in Osaka put in to procuring them for me will certainly give me a greater-than-normal degree of pause before even considering letting them go, so we'll see.

 

[Tchoupitoulas]

That said the rarity of these and all the work my friend in Osaka put in to procuring them for me will certainly give me a greater-than-normal degree of pause before even considering letting them go, so we'll see.

I suspect that the MW10 will keep its value for a good long while, so you'll have plenty of time to make up your mind! (Unlike, say, the 2020, which, as a general release IEM, appeared on the used market pretty quickly when early-adopters and the curious moved on to other things).

Is the logo made with abalone?

Looking forward to more impressions as you get used to them - and it's great that you got them safely and so swiftly!

 

[Rockwell75]

Yes the logo is Abalone...it's quite a stunning little package. Here are the specs for anyone interested:


I got number 23...probably one of the lowest I've ever gotten. (I heard getting a low serial number helps with soundstage expansion.)

 

[Damz87]

Thanks for sharing your impressions @Rockwell75

You have piqued my interest in the 2020 Andro even further. If the 2020 sounds as good as the MW10, then I’d seriously consider picking up a preowned 2020 down the line when they inevitably drop in price to keep as an edc so the MW10 can stay pristine.

 

[Tristy]

Glad you got them and are enjoying them! Now I certainly want to read some direct 2020 to mw10 impressions. I do like that blue color scheme, though personally I would likely choose something other than gold for the screws. Either way, that at least tempers my jealousy since if they are close enough to the 2020, if I do ever find myself wanting to spend another grand on some iems, I could at least go that route and hopefully not miss out on much more than the color scheme.

Now the real question... I know you liked the 2020, but ultimately sold it on. Even if these are very similar, is the color scheme enough on its own to push them fully into keeper territory?

Sounds like we are safe for now with our Dorados haha they still get A LOT of eartime... more than any other IEM I have.

 

[Rockwell75]

Thanks for sharing your impressions @Rockwell75

You have piqued my interest in the 2020 Andro even further. If the 2020 sounds as good as the MW10, then I’d seriously consider picking up a preowned 2020 down the line when they inevitably drop in price to keep as an edc so the MW10 can stay pristine.

Take all my impressions with a grain of salt as, again, I have no real experience with earlier versions of the Andro and haven't heard the 2020 in months. Further I'm coming off close to 3 weeks of near exclusive time with the MEST, an IEM known for its insane technicalities and top end air and sparkle.

I may even consider getting another pair of MW10 down the road-- they are truly a phenomenal product across the board and given how sweet their sound is I imagine demand and value will remain steady over time. The more time I put on these the more the overly emotive side of me wants to start gushing and waxing poetical. I find myself wondering if the MW10 does indeed contain some secret sauce-- in addition to the already speculated treble sparkle-- in the form of improved technicalities and dynamics over the 2020. There is something truly magical and enchanting about the Andromeda's sound-- I find myself captivated and "swept off my feet" more than with any other IEM...but I remember saying this about the 2020 too so who knows. I am working on a plan, in the new year, to tour this through a very select group of Andro enthusiasts for some measurements and impressions/comparisons...which will put the exact standing of this thing on less mythical ground.

 

[aaf evo]

Well, I took inspiration from @Damz87 and @Rockwell75 and bought a MW10 also from Japan. Had to use a third party purchaser and shipping company but all should go well. Will report back when I have them

 

[Damz87]

Well, I took inspiration from @Damz87 and @Rockwell75 and bought a MW10 also from Japan. Had to use a third party purchaser and shipping company but all should go well. Will report back when I have them

The #MW10gang is growing

 

[Rockwell75]

Nice...we are growing stronger. Can’t wait for your impressions!

 

[KuroKitsu]

Unexpected MW10 hype train!

Don't be too eager y'all lest you spike up the aftermarket value.

@mashuto iirc I compared the 2020 to MW10 in Nic's thread. I may need to revise the conclusion however having had more time with both, the MW10 ends up coming and top. You know how the Gold is only an Andromeda in name? The MW10 is like that as well.

 

[rantng]

Unexpected MW10 hype train!

Don't be too eager y'all lest you spike up the aftermarket value.

@mashuto iirc I compared the 2020 to MW10 in Nic's thread. I may need to revise the conclusion however having had more time with both, the MW10 ends up coming and top. You know how the Gold is only an Andromeda in name? The MW10 is like that as well.

What are your thoughts on MW10 vs Andromeda Gold?

 

[Rockwell75]

You know how the Gold is only an Andromeda in name? The MW10 is like that as well.

Really? How so? I remember the 2020 being very similar (though, again, it's been a few weeks and I haven't compared them directly).

 

[KuroKitsu]

What are your thoughts on MW10 vs Andromeda Gold?

MW10 has a much more dynamic bass and treble sparkle. Fairly wide soundstage, resolution sounds closer to a normal 8+ BA setup, and very good layering. The only "big" issue was the forwardness of the mids, but I would attribule that to the Super Litz than the tuning.

AG is much more mid bass focused, but also not as dynamic as well. Treble leans on the smooth side, soundstage width and resolution are comparable to the MW10. However the entire signature feels much more laid back. You could call the MW10 more lively.

 

[KuroKitsu]

Really? How so? I remember the 2020 being very similar (though, again, it's been a few weeks and I haven't compared them directly).

For me at least, I associate the Andromeda title with the u shaped signature with the distinctive bass and treble sparkle with slightly recessed mids. Generally laid back but capable of all genres. Stuff like the S and 2020 tweak that but generally follow that same formula. With the TAEC it sounds greater than the sum of their drivers.

But with the MW10 and AG, you take a look at how it sounds and the price tag and you go "this is an acceptable price"