Campfire audio Polaris v2 or io

[Charlovski]

Hi, I’m very new to the audio world and am looking to buy a fun high quality sounding IEM. I am very drawn to campfires products as I love the design and reviews are generally very good.

I have a couple of questions and would really appreciate any response.

1. Which IEM is better when it comes to fun and quality sound, Polaris v2 or IO? I like most genres of music apart from classical and jazz

2. I can buy a new Polaris v2 on sale for £375 is this a good price considering the competition ?

3. Are there any other IEMs I should be considering in this price range ?considering I want a fun energetic sound

4. I’m also looking to buy a Christmas present for my GF, I was looking at the 1more quad drivers, how do these compare to the campfire IO ? Any other suggestions as a Christmas gift IEM in that price range.

Thanks, I look forward to any replies

 

[PaganDL]

Hi @Charlovski,

Honestly, based on your preferences in genre & overall sound, I wouldn't exactly call Polaris V2 or IO fun sounding but this is entirely subjective.
Not to mention you can also do better than either Campfire IEM for the money, both less & more.
By the way, not knocking Campfire in anyway, they make decent sounding IEMs but really don't do it for me for various reasons, feel free to check out my profile if there are IEMs there you may be interested in I don't recommend here.
Also, the two you are looking at aren't exactly called fun IEMs, leaning more to cool or cold with serious overtones with a dip into balanced sound though this isn't a good or bad thing, it just is.
Comets are more in line with fun sound but have a bit more bass emphasis than either Polaris V2 (track dependant but slightly bass lean, especially by consumer bass definition) or IO.

In line with your preferences, I suggest the following in no particular order :

iBasso IT 01
iBsso IT 01s (More technical & refined version of IT 01, closer in tuning to IT 04 but depending on genre, still can be classed as fun though some may disagree)
Audio Technica E70 (Pro Audio place will likely have this cheaper than regular retail)
Mackie MP 240 (Basically more affordable version of E70 but with dual BA, similar to IO but tighter control, pro audio places should have these)
Periodic Audio Carbon (5 year warranty negates non detacable cable)
Meze 12 Classics
Vain Sthlm Originals
iBasso IT 03 (Due to ridiculously low impedence, hisses a lot with noisy sources so might not be the best option if you are sensitive to hiss &/or noise)


Subjectively & personally, given the sheer number of IEMs out there, 1mores are among those which have fallen by the wayside, so to speak though some may disagree but they were among the first quality ChiFi to ride the hype train though they still do have good sound, just these days, there are a lot better.
Sonically, they tend to be warmer than Campfire in general so it will come down to taste, tending to be more in line with the fun side of sound & depending on your GF's musical preferences, I suggest Oriveti OH 300 instead.

In closing, the only way to truly know is to find a decent place to demo gear you're interested in then you will know for certain though depending where you are in the UK, this may or may not be a problem.

Feel free to ask more when you need.

Hope you have a great day !

 

[Charlovski]

Hi thanks for your very detailed reply.

I was led to believe that the campfire Polaris v2 was a very hard hitting bass head IEM, is this not the case?

 

[PaganDL]

Hi thanks for your very detailed reply.

I was led to believe that the campfire Polaris v2 was a very hard hitting bass head IEM, is this not the case?

No problem, @Charlovski, happy to help.

Personally & subjectively, Polaris v2 certainly has a heavier bass response than the original Polaris though this is also genre & track dependant but in no way would I call it a basshead IEM.
Subjectively, I find the Frequency Response Curve, as listened to by ear, not measurements, is a little more linear or even.
If you want more hard hitting bass though perhaps not bass head levels though if you listen only to EDM which I presume you don't from your opening query, IT 03 or IT 01 are better options for that hard hitting bass with enough impact but still refined so it won't give you a headache or make your ears sore after a short time.
Not that the Polaris v2 will cause headaches or sore ears either though realistically listening loud will make this happen regardless.

Also, what is your source device, as this will also impact on how an IEM sounds, as gear synergy is definitely more important than most people realise, even those who have been in this a long time.
For example, Astell & Kern DAPs tend to be more clinical to cold than Sony DAPs which lean warmer to organic.
Personally, I like neither for various reasons & much prefer Cowon Plenue D or D2 as for me it gives the best of both the above with its own sound tuning which personally I find superior to both at significantly lower cost, not to mention I don't need fancy features like Bluetooth or WiFi in a DAP either.

Hope this makes sense, feel free to ask more when you need.

Hope you have a great day !

 

[kukkurovaca]

Hi, I’m very new to the audio world and am looking to buy a fun high quality sounding IEM. I am very drawn to campfires products as I love the design and reviews are generally very good.

I have a couple of questions and would really appreciate any response.

1. Which IEM is better when it comes to fun and quality sound, Polaris v2 or IO? I like most genres of music apart from classical and jazz

2. I can buy a new Polaris v2 on sale for £375 is this a good price considering the competition ?

3. Are there any other IEMs I should be considering in this price range ?considering I want a fun energetic sound

4. I’m also looking to buy a Christmas present for my GF, I was looking at the 1more quad drivers, how do these compare to the campfire IO ? Any other suggestions as a Christmas gift IEM in that price range.

Thanks, I look forward to any replies

I haven't heard either the Polaris or the Io, but I don't think anyone describes the Io as fun sounding. I was considering picking up the Polaris recently from the ALO warehouse deals black friday sale (https://aloaudio.deals/shop/polaris-ii-b-stock-by-campfire-audio/) but wound up ordering an Empire Ears Bravado. (Don't have it yet though so can't comment.)

Other options for good bass that I have experience with:

• Advanced GT3 Superbass. A great promo was running recently on these, but I don't know if it's still active. (At full price they are a bit overpriced.) Not super elevated bass frequency response, but very good quality bass, fast and detailed, with good subbass extension in particular. However, the treble is rolled off and a little weird. They are also hard to drive. If you have an amp and don't mind doing some EQ, they're very good. I listen to these more than any of my other earphones/headphones. Advanced also offer the superbass driver plus BAs in the Furai model, which might be a good option if you don't like to mess with EQ & source. But it's pricier.
• BQEYZ Spring 1, a dynamic-BA-piezo hybrid. Also takes some power to drive the bass well, and again they work best with EQ to reduce midbass and sibilance (and also a small semi-destructive mod to remove the material behind the nozzle grill). With the right EQ, really excellent detail and imaging along with powerful bass
• TFZ No. 3 would be an alterntive to Pagan's IT01 recommendation. Both are good IEMs with similar frequency response. The No. 3 has slower, heavier bass, while the IT01 bass is faster and not as impactful. (Depends on your taste.) The IT01 has better soundstage, but it is prone to hiss with some sources, unlike the No. 3.

Regarding gift options, does your GF like wearing earphones with cables that go over the ear? Some folks don't, which would rule out the Io. The Campfire Comet can be worn either way and has a more crowd-pleasing tuning.