The discovery thread!

[Redcarmoose]

​

Alien Brain​

Out of this world five-driver hybrid in-ear-monitor​

Available Friday, April 11

Close-Encounters of the HiFi Kind​

Alien Brain is Campfire's latest in our long legacy of premium hybrid-design IEMs with a new five-driver internal architecture. Drawing from over a decade of engineering, experimentation, and innovation, Alien Brain.

New Hybrid Internal Architecture​

Alien Brain's new, five-driver, internal architecture is built on the long legacy of Campfire's world-class hybrid IEMs.

A new iteration of our renowned Dual Magnet Dynamic Driver forms the bedrock of Alien Brain's powerful sonic performance. Alongside this incredible new bass driver are four, high-performance balanced armatures; two dedicated to mid frequencies, and two for highs.

These drivers coalesce to form a smooth, musical, and engaging listen through Campfire's careful treatment and tuning.

New Dual-Magnet DD Iteration​

First introduced in Bonneville and Cascara, our Dual Magnet DD quickly became a fan-favorite. This latest iteration features an exciting new glass-pu diaphragm; with a glass speaker dome and polyurethane coating.

Experience incredible bass texture and impact, without being over-bearing or too forward. Giving you just the right amount of low-end power to infuse energy into your tracks without crowding out the rest of the frequency spectrum.

Peak Performance​

Alien Brain​

Tuned With Intention​

This curve displays relative volume levels at each point across the frequency spectrum, reflecting Alien Brain's careful balance and refinement in tuning. Though FR curves are a great general guide, they can't convey technicalities like soundstage, imaging, layering, etc​

Phase Harmony Engineering​

At Campfire Audio, our philosophy regarding driver treatment informs a considered approach that emphasizes quality over quantity. In the arms-race to fit a higher and higher number of drivers into an earphone, we find that a results-driven technique to driver treatment produces superior results with less room for pitfalls and ever-expanding variables that can undermine product consistency.

One of the products of this approach is our Phase Harmony Engineering, that allows us to segment the frequency spectrum and assign these segments to specific drivers, and allows those drivers to apply their strengths to that area. Using a combination of precision engineered driver housings and shell geometry, coupled with custom damping values we are able to physically shape the tuning and response of the drivers, and further, their interaction with one another. This driver-to-driver interaction is crucial to eliminating points of potential phase cancellation and creating the intangibles that don’t show on a frequency response curve; imaging, separation, resolution, and soundstage.

All-New Portable DAC​

Alien Brain comes equipped with Campfire's all-new, high-performance, portable USB-C DAC dongle. Enjoy streamlined, lightweight, high-res audio on the go, right out of the box. With 32 bit / 384 kHz resolution, plug and play your Alien Brain and ascend to new musical heights on your commute, in your workday, or anywhere you may be listening.

Premium Build​

Alien Brain's precious cerebrum is firmly protected in a black PVD stainless steel shell made from full billet CNC capped off by our new, transparent, iridescent, lightweight dome lid, revealing the inner-workings of each neuron.

Crafted with Care​

Each unit of Alien Brain was fully designed, engineered, assembled, tested, QC'd, packed, and shipped by Campfire's small team of professionals from our singular location in the heart of Southeast Portland, Oregon, USA.

Alien Brain - Premium HiFi Earphones​

Time Stream Cables - SPC Conductor cables in 3.5mm & 4.4mm balanced
New Portable DAC Dongle -32 bit / 384 kHz - 1 Vrms
New Compact IEM Case - Portable, magnet-closure case in Solar Yellow
Breezy Bag Micro - Black two-pocket IEM pouch
Silicone Eartips - Small, Medium, Large
Foam Eartips - Small, Medium, Large
New 'High & Clear' Eartips - Small, Medium, Large in high traction silicone
Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
IEM Cleaning Tool

 

[PeacockObscura]

Muse hifi M5 Ultra is an easy rec IF you don't intend to use it as a BT DAC/Amp, but wired instead. BT range is laughable - that said, there is no interference at any point in either of the modes.



It sounds fantastic and looks the part too. Tubes make some sets so much more emotional it's crazy. And I don't feel as if that comes at a real deficit in technicalities either. In SS, it sounds noticeably sweeter and more resolving than my good ol' BTR7.

Listening to BGVP NS10 Pro currently, and I listened to VE Zen 3.0 earbuds for 4h+ at work earlier. @bithalver, thanks for lending me this blue box of joy.

I've been looking at the BGVP NS10 Pro can you give me a short impressions please. Does it have sufficient bass to excite ?

 

[o0genesis0o]

I know the price is not what is on Hifigo.com at the moment. Anyone know what it will be?

I think it’s $185

Your prior posts about this set and others have got me feeling "bud-curious." I feel like I should have at least one pair laying around!

While I respect the fact that DIYers have "cracked the code" on tuning, I just can't get behind the build quality and aesthetics of DIY sets. For that reason, I'm currently floating between this set, the BGVP DX7, the Yincrow RW-3000, and the Penon Conductor as my first (only?) set of flathead earbuds. I'm in no rush to decide so I figure I'll wait to hear from more reviewers/listeners on the PolarNight.

Make your own buds you seem handy with a technical mindset, so I don’t think you would have any problem. Components are on aliexpress.

 

[Redcarmoose]

 

[WAON303]

Is that new Kbear the most expensive so far in their lineup? I forget they are a KZ-esque company in terms of pricing.

 

[SushiiFi]

I think this will be the most expensive iem in their lineup. If they tune it right they have the opportunity to enter the mid-fi segment.

 

[jbfps116]

I think this will be the most expensive iem in their lineup. If they tune it right they have the opportunity to enter the mid-fi segment.

Yea… same driver count as the HS80… hmm. Looks awesome though.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Is that new Kbear the most expensive so far in their lineup? I forget they are a KZ-esque company in terms of pricing.

I think this will be the most expensive iem in their lineup. If they tune it right they have the opportunity to enter the mid-fi segment.

Yea… same driver count as the HS80… hmm. Looks awesome though.

https://keephifi.com/collections/in...phone-with-4-4mm-jack-5n-occ-detachable-cable

This ^^^^^^^^ would be the most expensive of their 72 IEM line at $219.00. And........my review sample just became lost in the mail. No worries, as it has only been two since July 2019, that haven't made it to my desk. Things happen!

 

[SushiiFi]

https://keephifi.com/collections/in...phone-with-4-4mm-jack-5n-occ-detachable-cable

This ^^^^^^^^ would be the most expensive of their 72 IEM line at $219.00. And........my review sample just became lost in the mail. No worries, as it has only been two since July 2019, that haven't made it to my desk. Things happen!

When customs get involved things are bound to get haywire someday.

 

[dbboy]

​

Alien Brain​

Out of this world five-driver hybrid in-ear-monitor​

Available Friday, April 11

Close-Encounters of the HiFi Kind​

Alien Brain is Campfire's latest in our long legacy of premium hybrid-design IEMs with a new five-driver internal architecture. Drawing from over a decade of engineering, experimentation, and innovation, Alien Brain.

New Hybrid Internal Architecture​

Alien Brain's new, five-driver, internal architecture is built on the long legacy of Campfire's world-class hybrid IEMs.

A new iteration of our renowned Dual Magnet Dynamic Driver forms the bedrock of Alien Brain's powerful sonic performance. Alongside this incredible new bass driver are four, high-performance balanced armatures; two dedicated to mid frequencies, and two for highs.

These drivers coalesce to form a smooth, musical, and engaging listen through Campfire's careful treatment and tuning.

New Dual-Magnet DD Iteration​

First introduced in Bonneville and Cascara, our Dual Magnet DD quickly became a fan-favorite. This latest iteration features an exciting new glass-pu diaphragm; with a glass speaker dome and polyurethane coating.

Experience incredible bass texture and impact, without being over-bearing or too forward. Giving you just the right amount of low-end power to infuse energy into your tracks without crowding out the rest of the frequency spectrum.

Peak Performance​

Alien Brain​

Tuned With Intention​

This curve displays relative volume levels at each point across the frequency spectrum, reflecting Alien Brain's careful balance and refinement in tuning. Though FR curves are a great general guide, they can't convey technicalities like soundstage, imaging, layering, etc​

Phase Harmony Engineering​

At Campfire Audio, our philosophy regarding driver treatment informs a considered approach that emphasizes quality over quantity. In the arms-race to fit a higher and higher number of drivers into an earphone, we find that a results-driven technique to driver treatment produces superior results with less room for pitfalls and ever-expanding variables that can undermine product consistency.

One of the products of this approach is our Phase Harmony Engineering, that allows us to segment the frequency spectrum and assign these segments to specific drivers, and allows those drivers to apply their strengths to that area. Using a combination of precision engineered driver housings and shell geometry, coupled with custom damping values we are able to physically shape the tuning and response of the drivers, and further, their interaction with one another. This driver-to-driver interaction is crucial to eliminating points of potential phase cancellation and creating the intangibles that don’t show on a frequency response curve; imaging, separation, resolution, and soundstage.

All-New Portable DAC​

Alien Brain comes equipped with Campfire's all-new, high-performance, portable USB-C DAC dongle. Enjoy streamlined, lightweight, high-res audio on the go, right out of the box. With 32 bit / 384 kHz resolution, plug and play your Alien Brain and ascend to new musical heights on your commute, in your workday, or anywhere you may be listening.

Premium Build​

Alien Brain's precious cerebrum is firmly protected in a black PVD stainless steel shell made from full billet CNC capped off by our new, transparent, iridescent, lightweight dome lid, revealing the inner-workings of each neuron.

Crafted with Care​

Each unit of Alien Brain was fully designed, engineered, assembled, tested, QC'd, packed, and shipped by Campfire's small team of professionals from our singular location in the heart of Southeast Portland, Oregon, USA.

Alien Brain - Premium HiFi Earphones​

Time Stream Cables - SPC Conductor cables in 3.5mm & 4.4mm balanced
New Portable DAC Dongle -32 bit / 384 kHz - 1 Vrms
New Compact IEM Case - Portable, magnet-closure case in Solar Yellow
Breezy Bag Micro - Black two-pocket IEM pouch
Silicone Eartips - Small, Medium, Large
Foam Eartips - Small, Medium, Large
New 'High & Clear' Eartips - Small, Medium, Large in high traction silicone
Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
IEM Cleaning Tool

The faceplate looks terrible like car lamp housing.

 

[Barndoor]

The faceplate looks terrible like car lamp housing.

I thought it was something from TRN not campfire!

 

[SushiiFi]

The faceplate looks terrible like car lamp housing.

Why is the faceplate giving me creeps

 

[Barndoor]

Why is the faceplate giving me creeps

because you are host to an internal alien and it's brains are coming out of you ears?

 

[Hypops]

Make your own buds you seem handy with a technical mindset, so I don’t think you would have any problem. Components are on aliexpress.

Uh oh. Even though I haven’t said a thing to her, I think my wife already hates you for suggesting the idea. My last DIY audio stint was like a cocaine binge. Two months of not sleeping, huffing dangerous amounts of solder fumes, smelling like flux everywhere I went, solder iron burns all over my fingers and pants. Not a good scene…

But seriously, the thought had crossed my mind. I’ve done speakers, which are basically just bigger versions of the same thing. But seeing the kind of acoustic tech that Aful and others are now starting to add to their flathead releases, I know I couldn’t compete with that, especially at their prices. If I thought I could do better for less, I’d totally go for it.

EDIT: I just browsed through a bunch of DIY build guides. Those look stupid easy! And also most of them look surprisingly good, especially with metal shells. As I think you said earlier though, it's not a big challenge to build these. The tough part is in tuning them. I'd need measurement gear and a good familiarity with earbud measurements to do a passable job of it. I'm awfully tempted. It would cost me $30 in materials to give one of these builds a shot, so no great loss other than time and brain cells. Hmm.

 

[FastGecko5]

Nah dude, I think it's a damn good set even when put up against something like Punch. It's insane that I got it at $120.

Punch has great EST treble and more sub-bass quantity for $230 more.

Phoenixia brings a more balanced signature. Sub-bass quality is equal, maybe even slightly better textured. You can really feel how deep it goes. Mid-bass is definitely snappier and hits harder. Mids are a bit more forward without ever being shouty, and I think this set has some of the best BA treble implementations I've heard. It's got sparkle and extension, and it never sounds unnatural even when you turn it up.

You're bad for my wallet, sir.