Here's my first impression of the Campfire Audio Solstice CIEM.
But first a bit of background.
Headphone:
After auditioning a couple of model at my local shop in Montreal, I end up with the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H7. I really like how they sound. Very balance to my ear. But turns out, I prefer wearing IEM. Headphone are too big, too heavy. Just to inconvenient. I still use them from time to time for the bluethoot
IEMs:
I'm a longtime Sennheiser user. I had previously the CX300-II. Cable broke after 4-5 years. Like them so much for the price, I got the same. Cable broke again after 2-3 years. Now discontiued. I decide to try the CX3.0 which are suppose to be the replacement model. Got rid of them after only an hour. Very very dissapointed. They doesn't sound at all like the CX300-II.
Went to my local shop again, and they had the Sennheiser IE80 for sale at 40% discount. Since they had a demo too, I give them a shot. They were much better than anything I had before ... but...
But I'm not a basshead. And they focus a lot on bass, and it's not that good, it's a lot muddy. It overlap too much over the mids. Anyway, after 50+ hours using them, plus playing with EQ on my Fiio X5-II I end up liking it A LOT. To get a better fit/comfort, I also got custom silicon eartip. Expensive, but so much better. I could wear them for hours without noticing it.
After only 10 months, the nozzle broke. So Sennheiser replace them for the IE80s. Same ok sound, but a terrible cable. And the service was very slow. Got sick of it, and very disapointed by the cheap plastic casing for 300$. So I immediately look up for something better/sturdier.
Everything pointed me at the CA Andromeda. There's basically not bad reviews. Since the hole of my custom tip had stretch, I wasn't sure if it would still fit well. So when I reallize CA makes a Custom version base on the Andromeda, the Solstice. I thought, well, why not give it a try... Even at 2000$ CAD.
So to avoid change rate, I have order via HeadphoneBar, base in Vancouver. Sent my ear impression on June 11. On june 23, I got the bad news. CA told them they won't be able to make my Solstice for at least a month. It's unclear why, technical problem, low staff due to Covid. Don't know. Anyway, here comes the best customer service I ever had.
Hats off to HeadphoneBar. They gave me x options.
1- Will refund you, and let you know when CA would be able to process your order.
2- You can wait, and will give you a discount for the inconvenience ( don't know how much they were thinking of )
3- They could send me a modified version of the Solstice that fit regular Universal tip that they use as a demo.
I opted for option 3. 2 Hours later I got the tracking number for the shipping. And I got them this morning
So here my impression after only two hours or so of testing.
Gear to test:
FIIO X5-II : output impedance of <0.2 ohm
Samsung Galaxy S7: output impedance of 5.7 ohm
NAD D 3045 USB DAC: output impedance of 2 ohm
And I have compare with the IE80s.
First of all, I read a lot that BA drivers don't produce as much bass as DD drivers. Well, I have to say, I don't understand. This is the most powerfull bass I ever got from IEMs. Especially with the X5, since it's output impedance is almost innexistant. On the Galaxy S7, it a lot thinner but still stronger than the IE80.
Some people complaint about the noise, since they are super sensitive. On my end, with the X5 and Galaxy S7, it's pitch black. On the NAD, whoah, I got a lot of hiss. No matter at what volume. But when the music start, it almost unnoticeable.
Since my main player for IEM is the X5, I don't really care.
I'm a bit surprise by the loudness compare to the IE80s. To get a proper level with the IE80s, I have to crank up the volume at, at least 70 ( on a maximum of 120). Even if they are rated at 116 dB SPL sensitivity. The previous IE80 were very loud past 60. And the Solstice, 112.8 dB SPL/mW Sensitivity plays very strong at only 40. I guess the impedance of only 12.8 ohm compare to 16 ohm for the Sennheiser has something to do with it. I very please. I tend to prefer high sensitivity for my earphone and speakers. More headroom for my amps and lower risk of getting distortion.
The clarity of the Solstice is PHENOMENAL. Playing the introdution for Dark Side of the Moon, Speak to me, I get a very strong kick of drum after only 2 seconds at the begining, which I only start to really notice after a much longer time with any other earphone.
The bass is stronger and punchier than ever before. No muddy bass AT ALL. Mids and High are super detailed. Sound is very crisp. I got all the richness I can get with my standfloor spearkers ( DALI Zensor 7) I can't believe how good the Solstice can deliver. Every single track of my test playlist sound exceptional.
My only complaint. Yes, sometime they can be a bit too sensitive. I pick up all the noise on song like Pink Floyd - Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, which is a quiet song. Still, I can hear details the IE80s are not able to render.
My note for first impression: 9.8/10 ( Nothing is perfect )
I can't wait to receive my CIEM, even if I have to admit, they have the best fit for IEM I ever had. Using them Medium Silicon tip provided by HeadphoneBar ( Final Edge Stype series, Type E) Only other one that gave me a seal that good ( besides my custom silicon ) was the foam tips of the Shure SE215.
If you have the money to afford the amazing Campfire Audio Solstice, you won't be disapointed.