The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first page. All welcome.

[fejnomit]

As far as I know, CA actually tunes the IEMs with foams in mind and also recommends listening them like this. There was once a reference to an interview where this was also claimed. When I asked why this was the case and what was behind this preference, there was no answer. I have asked that at least twice on several occasions. This silence is very strange. My guess? Sorry to put it this way, but I have no other explanation than that CA can't get the metallic mids and even worse the hot treble under control other than with foams which unfortunately plagues many CA iems. I would be a really big fan of CA if both problems were fixed. Trifecta would then be without doubts my favorite totl.

@CFA Chris (this question for the third or fourth time)

Yeah but you have the guy who tuned the Claras telling you otherwise.

Also I personally never felt this hot treble problem with my Trifectas and do not like at all what the foamies do to their signature - they neuter what I consider to be great treble....

I remember Ken always having a bucket of foam tips at shows so each person got their own to try out his wares. Then they got tossed. Had nothing to do with tuning - it had to do with the cost analysis of going through hundreds a day...

 

[Rolu]

I have the Trailli Ti and the Trifecta too and I’m a little hesitant to get the Claras Ti.
Please could you help me comparing all these 3 little monsters?

Please message me and I'll try to advise.

 

[mark88888]

I have a pair of 64 Audio U12t and Sennheiser IE 900.

I have relatively small ears and I love the fit of the IE 900. They sit well inside the canal and don't slip out. However I think the U12t is a better sounding IEM. It's a bit bulkier and gradually slips out of my ear canal, especially when active.

Is there an IEM on the water cooler list that fits like the IE 900 but sounds at least as good as the U12t? Price isn't really a concern, maybe under around $5,000.

Thanks

I had the same issue with the U12t until I finally tried the SednaEarfit Max Azla standard tips, and after experimenting found the perfect size for each ear. And also, and this is key, in the shower I soap up a finger and do a quick twist in each ear and get 'em squeaky clean. And I clean the tips with alcohol swabs once in a while. If I do these simple things, with these tips, its perfect and doesnt slip. The Max medical grade silicone creates a bond with the squeaky clean inside of the ear and it doesnt move, as long as they are exactly the right size for each ear. (And I agree about the IE 900 vs u12t, I much prefer the u12t).

 

[Kiats]

A blast from the past: the Final Audio AKR02. A collaboration that Final did with AK back in the day, based on their stellar single BA IEM, the FI-BA-SS.

View attachment IMG_9318.jpeg

 

[Kiats]

A blast from the past: the Final Audio AKR02. A collaboration that Final did with AK back in the day, based on their stellar single BA IEM, the FI-BA-SS.

View attachment IMG_9317.jpeg

 

[Silverlinings]

Yeah foams installed by default certainly feels like a CFA move. I immediately switched to Baroque.
It sounds great! Doing all well right now! Smooth treble and lower treble is gentler than upper. Very relaxing listen with clear vocals and great bass heft.

No need to answer any more questions on the Clara. I just ordered the Ti's directly from Campfire. I'm terrible. I should have them early next week. Merry f'n Xmas to me. Oh I guess Hanukkah in my case

 

[Rolu]

No need to answer any more questions on the Clara. I just orederd the Ti's directly from Campfire. I'm terrible. I should have them early next week. Merry f'n Xmas to me. Oh I guess Hanukkah in my case

Congrats! They are amazing and a definite keeper for me! Immaculately tuned and definitely the best IEM I bought the whole year (and I bought a LOT)!

 

[Silverlinings]

Congrats! They are amazing and a definite keeper for me! Immaculately tuned and definitely the best IEM I bought the whole year (and I bought a LOT)!

Thx and yes u have bought a lot. I’ll have to put them through the metal paces. No soft vocal music for me. It’s all prog metal, death, prog rock, with some occasional jazz in the mix.

 

[Rolu]

I don't listen much to those genres but the Clara is rocking it at everything else I'm throwing at it- EDM, hip hop, modern pop.

 

[KB]

As far as I know, CA actually tunes the IEMs with foams in mind and also recommends listening them like this. There was once a reference to an interview where this was also claimed. When I asked why this was the case and what was behind this preference, there was no answer. I have asked that at least twice on several occasions. This silence is very strange. My guess? Sorry to put it this way, but I have no other explanation than that CA can't get the metallic mids and even worse the hot treble under control other than with foams which unfortunately plagues many CA iems. I would be a really big fan of CA if both problems were fixed. Trifecta would then be without doubts my favorite totl.

@CFA Chris (this question for the third or fourth time)

Phiemon,

I have been designing all Campfire IEMs, I think over 80 models now as its been over a decade now. We take a lot of pride in the fact that we do all the engineering in house and really try and offer something unique and different. Also we try and spread the types and sounds out as much as we can, so I am thinking about a spread of sounds. For instance the Ara was super technical and flat while something like the Mammoth or Polaris was far more bass heavy, or Nova dark heavy etc.... When we design a IEM Im not trying to please everyone, rather I am trying to find the a specialized sound for certain customers. I feel if I try and make a IEM that appeals to everyone it would end up being bland or unremarkable. If you look at how polarizing the Trifecta is you know what I mean. But that is my goal, to go for it, to find something special that resonates with customers. Therefore its okay that someone dose not like this or that model, that is baked into the design and with it the goal of making something unique and special.

The process is long and involves mostly using my Audio Precision APx517 and doing countless 3d prints of deigns and measuring slowly walking the model to mold the frequency response. When I get to a point I like then the listening phase begins, here various tips are used but I am not trying to use foam to fix something . I am sorry your not a fan of some of the recent tunings, its noted! And I mean that I do very much like to listen to everyone, particularly at CanJam shows as many will attest to.

To answer your question I do like foam tips but only because I tend to get a proper fit using foams than silicon and fit is as we all know super important. That does not mean there is some conspiracy going on I also as use various types of silicone or hybrid foam silicone when we get to the listening stages as Slumberman indicated.

I think its a mistake to paint Campfire IEMs with such a broad brush here as again over 80 models all of which are very different in many ways. We have been in business since (2006 my garage, than basement) 2009 proper shop! yay! via ALO and 2014/15 CFA. We are so grateful and fortunate to have been in business this long doing it our own way and making everything by hand piece by piece here in Portland Oregon. I cant thank the HiFi community enough for allowing us to be working our dream jobs, thank you.

Ken

 

[phiemon]

All I can tell you is that I tuned it with silicone tips. I don’t think there’s any conspiracy to undo a tuning decision at the last minute, with Campfire installing foams. They always did it, that’s all.

Well, that could be a special case since you're involved.

Yeah but you have the guy who tuned the Claras telling you otherwise.

Also I personally never felt this hot treble problem with my Trifectas and do not like at all what the foamies do to their signature - they neuter what I consider to be great treble....

I remember Ken always having a bucket of foam tips at shows so each person got their own to try out his wares. Then they got tossed. Had nothing to do with tuning - it had to do with the cost analysis of going through hundreds a day...

I'm really the last person who wants to spread any conspiracy theories. You personally have no problem with hot trebles, but it is generally the case that Trifecta is considered hot. It's a general opinion, but of course there are always exceptions.

In any case, I could well be wrong with my explanation, it says in this interview that foams are “preferred”, but nothing about tuning around them.

Phiemon,

I have been designing all Campfire IEMs, I think over 80 models now as its been over a decade now. We take a lot of pride in the fact that we do all the engineering in house and really try and offer something unique and different. Also we try and spread the types and sounds out as much as we can, so I am thinking about a spread of sounds. For instance the Ara was super technical and flat while something like the Mammoth or Polaris was far more bass heavy, or Nova dark heavy etc.... When we design a IEM Im not trying to please everyone, rather I am trying to find the a specialized sound for certain customers. I feel if I try and make a IEM that appeals to everyone it would end up being bland or unremarkable. If you look at how polarizing the Trifecta is you know what I mean. But that is my goal, to go for it, to find something special that resonates with customers. Therefore its okay that someone dose not like this or that model, that is baked into the design and with it the goal of making something unique and special.

The process is long and involves mostly using my Audio Precision APx517 and doing countless 3d prints of deigns and measuring slowly walking the model to mold the frequency response. When I get to a point I like then the listing phase begins, here various tips are used but I am not trying to use foam to fix something . I am sorry your not a fan of some of the recent tunings, its noted! And I mean that I do very much like to listen to everyone, particularly at CanJam shows as many will attest to.

To answer your question I do like foam tips but only because I tend to get a proper fit using foams than silicon and fit is as we all know super important. That does not mean there is some conspiracy going on I also as use various types of silicone or hybrid foam silicone when we get to the listening stages as Slumberman indicated.

I think its a mistake to paint Campfire IEMs with such a broad brush here as again over 80 models all of which are very different in many ways. We have been in business since (2006 my garage, than basement) 2009 proper shop! yay! via ALO and 2014/15 CFA. We are so grateful and fortunate to have been in business this long doing it our own way and making everything by hand piece by piece here in Portland Oregon. I cant thank the HiFi community enough for allowing is to be working our dream jobs, thank you.

Ken

… this! I really respect that, I mean it seriously. Thank you very much for your detailed answer .

Obviously, there is a misunderstanding here: I am actually a very, very big fan of CA. My totl journey started 2016 with the Andromeda and Vega. That's also how I got to know Thomas personally. Then Solaris and finally Supermoon gave me the motivation to invest more in the hobby, so I bought Trifecta. Note: until Trifecta, I only looked at CA and no others. I loved Trifecta (for a long time when I heard it with foams) and Trifecta is the IEM I've had (and sold) the most. I really wanted the blue edition because I was such a fan and wanted it to be special. Despite other totls I have, I still have Trifecta in my thoughts and had even toyed with the idea of buying it again. It's precisely because of such a love for CA that I'm personally a little… frustrated (?) that I'm having trouble in this case with Trifecta. I still would like to have Astro, but even here I read everywhere about the hot trebles.

In summary, my critical comment is very well-meant, result of a big passion for CA.

 

[Rolu]

Phiemon,

I have been designing all Campfire IEMs, I think over 80 models now as its been over a decade now. We take a lot of pride in the fact that we do all the engineering in house and really try and offer something unique and different. Also we try and spread the types and sounds out as much as we can, so I am thinking about a spread of sounds. For instance the Ara was super technical and flat while something like the Mammoth or Polaris was far more bass heavy, or Nova dark heavy etc.... When we design a IEM Im not trying to please everyone, rather I am trying to find the a specialized sound for certain customers. I feel if I try and make a IEM that appeals to everyone it would end up being bland or unremarkable. If you look at how polarizing the Trifecta is you know what I mean. But that is my goal, to go for it, to find something special that resonates with customers. Therefore its okay that someone dose not like this or that model, that is baked into the design and with it the goal of making something unique and special.

The process is long and involves mostly using my Audio Precision APx517 and doing countless 3d prints of deigns and measuring slowly walking the model to mold the frequency response. When I get to a point I like then the listening phase begins, here various tips are used but I am not trying to use foam to fix something . I am sorry your not a fan of some of the recent tunings, its noted! And I mean that I do very much like to listen to everyone, particularly at CanJam shows as many will attest to.

To answer your question I do like foam tips but only because I tend to get a proper fit using foams than silicon and fit is as we all know super important. That does not mean there is some conspiracy going on I also as use various types of silicone or hybrid foam silicone when we get to the listening stages as Slumberman indicated.

I think its a mistake to paint Campfire IEMs with such a broad brush here as again over 80 models all of which are very different in many ways. We have been in business since (2006 my garage, than basement) 2009 proper shop! yay! via ALO and 2014/15 CFA. We are so grateful and fortunate to have been in business this long doing it our own way and making everything by hand piece by piece here in Portland Oregon. I cant thank the HiFi community enough for allowing us to be working our dream jobs, thank you.

Ken

Absolutely LOVE the Clara Ti, Ken! This is a masterpiece at this price and much beyond.
Haven't been so excited to listen to music (and truly enjoy it) like this in a very long time!

Bravo CFA and @slumberman!

 

[KuroKitsu]

Tonight's fun time: Jewel > Gladiator Nobilius Aurum (8 wire ofc) > 1Z

 

[NYanakiev]

Thank you!
Feeling 100% what I was feeling while demoing these at Canjam- they are extremely musical! Soothing yet fun listen.
They've closed my search for a bass-heavy (but still an all-rounder) set to compliment my Traillii Ti.
I can finally take it easy for a while in this hobby with my Titanium toys

Tempting! Good to know they complement the Ti Bird as well!! *reaches for beaten up wallet*

 

[slumberman]

Absolutely LOVE the Clara Ti, Ken! This is a masterpiece at this price and much beyond.
Haven't been so excited to listen to music (and truly enjoy it) like this in a very long time!

Bravo CFA and @slumberman!

This makes me so happy. @KB and I really spent a lot of time making sure the emotional connection would be first in line when it comes to the listening experience, so reading this really is a pleasure. Thank you so much.