How does the CAMPFIRE AUDIO ANDROMEDA 2020 compare to the U6T?
First let me say that both the Andro2020 and U6t are outstanding IEMs in their own right. If I didn’t know other IEMs existed, I could walk away from the hobby with either one of them and be happy for a very long time.
As far as comparing them, well it’s probably more an exercise in contrasting them, as they are rather different from each other in many ways. Which one is better for you will come down to your preferences, music library, and how you listen to music.
Starting with sound, the U6t like many 64Audio IEMs is a neutral, reference-like tuning with a sub-bass emphasis. I was actually a little surprised with how much bass they do have, they extend very deep and deliver plenty of quantity. In the mids and treble the U6t presents everything to you in a smooth pleasing manner that is very easy on your ears, but with little colour or emphasis. Just the music, to use the cliche, ‘as the artist intended’. The Andro2020 however is much more forward in the upper midrange and treble, and has a shimmery, almost sparkly quality to it’s presentation that is very intoxicating. I think it’s this along with it's technical ability that makes it a more musical, engaging, and spine-tingling listen, one of the best in the game imho. The Andro2020 has a reputation for being bass-lite, and I find this generally the case vs the U6t. However, the Andro is also sensitive to the output impedance of different sources; those with low OI like my HiBy RS6 and Schiit desktop amps have a significant effect to increase bass response from the Andro to the point where it is not of course bass-head level, but it is still very rich and detailed.
On the technical front, the Andro2020 comes out in front for me with a wider stage, and with more defined instrument placement and separation. Again, I think it is these factors that give the Andro its more life-like, musical and engaging nature. The U6t is by no means deficient in these areas, but it’s more of a "just the facts, ma’am" kind of approach that does everything correctly without drawing attention to itself.
Getting back to source sensitivity it’s worth pointing out the U6t uses 64Audio’s LID technology which removes source output impedance from the equation. This means you can use the U6t with pretty much anything and know that it will always sound great; this is not true of the Andro2020, it is prone to hiss on some sources, and as I mentioned above it’s FR will change depending on the source OI. I leave a cheap Apple dongle in the U6t case for those times when I just want something to grab-and-go, the U6t is perfect for that. Or if I’m going to the office with just my laptop I’ll take the U6t and not worry/care about any dongle, DAP, DAC or anything. And, if you want to use an IEM on an airplane the U6t works great, even with the in-seat entertainment system. Andro2020, not so much.
I use IEMs/headphones for extended periods every day, at least 6 hours, sometimes 10 or 12, so fit and comfort are important to me. This is a clear strength of the U6t as it is with any of the 64Audio IEMs, they are designed with extended use in mind. The APEX modules do a great job of relieving pressure in your ear canal improving long-term comfort. The Andro2020 is comfortable enough for me up to 2 hours or so, but can become a bit fatiguing after that, and can start to exert pressure inside my left ear-canal. The U6t I can listen to all day and is just as comfortable after 10 hours as it is after 10 minutes.
SO, which do you choose? It’s probably obvious by now that I love both these IEMs very much, and I’m fortunate I don’t have to choose. If I could summarise, I suppose I would say that if you listen with your head, get the U6t; if you listen with your heart, get the Andro2020.
