[toranku]

Solaris 2020
27 June 2020
The Solaris 2020 is Campfire's latest release and update of their flagship. With a smaller shell I was able to really deep fit it. Compared to the original Solaris, they've addressed a rather big deal of the suppression and strain in vocal ranges. However a degree of the strain is still present, as such it is a smidgen hollow in its tonality. Has a center midrange that is a little too boosted compared to its lower and uppermidrange, which might explain why vocals don't sound as natural as say, the Andromeda 2020. It's slightly honky but it does do a decett job with staging and separation. I do think this is a worthy upgrade to the old flagship (and its SE variant), but there still exists a gap in its tonality that needs addressing.

Andromeda 2020
27 June 2020
Wow, Campfire made strides to its tonality from the Andromeda pre-2020. Midrange is no longer as hazy and they've also fattened the mid-treble peak. Tonally this sounds warm with tamed uppermidrange and treble. With a low OI source it sounds boxy with the midrange since there's a lowermid hump. This can be alleviated with a higher OI source. I guess there is no more "je ne sais quoi" with the "treble sparkle" that people keep talking about. That treble sparkle pre-2020 is really just a treble peak that sounds very much unnatural to my ears. Sounds like cymbals have a clink clank tonality. It's fixed now, but thats not to say they've completely watered down and killed the treble. In fact they've improved the upper treble response (>10khz) and I do hear a rather nice and even treble filled with great texturing of cymbals.

This one is definitely some of my favourite warm sounding iems. Very much enjoyable and I've to say, this is my favourite Campfire.

Ara
27 June 2020
I do not like its tonality at all. Honky and nasal with the midrange. Singers all sound like they've a flu. Naturally, midrange instruments also don't sound accurate in its tone at all. The presentation is still "balanced" except for the odd midrange. On a technical level this performs very much decent as well.

Added Solaris 2020, Andromeda 2020 and Ara to the Campfire brand overview. Original post. Or you can just expand the quote above.

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

@toranku Have you try the three new Acoustune? I think 1657, 1677, & 1697 ? If not, could you share some impression on them When you get a Chance.

Curious if there's any improvement over the 1650, 1670, & 1695 or the others.

 

[toranku]

@toranku Have you try the three new Acoustune? I think 1657, 1677, & 1697 ? If not, could you share some impression on them When you get a Chance.

Curious if there's any improvement over the 1650, 1670, & 1695 or the others.

They're all really quite similar to each other with differences in tuning choice

 

[littleaboutiem]

Between the qdc gemini and IER-M9, which one is the more 'fun' sounding IEM?

 

[papa_mia]

Between the qdc gemini and IER-M9, which one is the more 'fun' sounding IEM?

Whatchu mean "fun"?

 

[naSzzz]

Between the qdc gemini and IER-M9, which one is the more 'fun' sounding IEM?

m9 is super boring

 

[littleaboutiem]

Whatchu mean "fun"?

Like non-analytical. The 'warmer' sounding one I guess? Looking at Crin's graphs the Gemini has more bass but I'm just looking for confirmation.

m9 is super boring

I see. Thanks for your input!

 

[IEMusic]

m9 is super boring

Mmmm...thanks for the detailed analysis.

 

[himaraya]

@toranku where would you rank the new Andromeda among your personal favorites?

 

[toranku]

Between the qdc gemini and IER-M9, which one is the more 'fun' sounding IEM?

Gonna have to go with Gemini. More energy, less laid back than M9.

@toranku where would you rank the new Andromeda among your personal favorites?

IMO Andro2020 can be up there in people's preference list. It's just a matter of taste. In terms of a solid experience I actually might choose it over my SH3, for instance. Andro2020 is quite the complete package - agreeable warm sound, good treble extension and texture, warm and thick midrange & smooth tone/timbre. It doesn't have gaping flaws since the boxiness of the lower mids can be alleviated with a slightly higher OI source (~2-3ohms). On a technical front its also pretty decent. I AB'd it next to other popular warm IEMs like the VE8 and found myself preferring the Andro due to the treble extension and quality.

I do think its the best work from CFA so far.

 

[buonassi]

the boxiness of the lower mids can be alleviated with a slightly higher OI source (~2-3ohms)

This is true of the 2020 version as well? I guess they have similar impedance curves to the previous versions.

 

[toranku]

This is true of the 2020 version as well? I guess they have similar impedance curves to the previous versions.

I did get less warmth from my phone's output (3 ohm OI) when I tested it. Maybe I'll see if I can get a hold of a graph. My dap is <0.4ohm and the Andro2020 was noticeably warm sounding with lower OI sources

 

[himaraya]

IMO Andro2020 can be up there in people's preference list. It's just a matter of taste. In terms of a solid experience I actually might choose it over my SH3, for instance. Andro2020 is quite the complete package - agreeable warm sound, good treble extension and texture, warm and thick midrange & smooth tone/timbre. It doesn't have gaping flaws since the boxiness of the lower mids can be alleviated with a slightly higher OI source (~2-3ohms). On a technical front its also pretty decent. I AB'd it next to other popular warm IEMs like the VE8 and found myself preferring the Andro due to the treble extension and quality.

I do think its the best work from CFA so far.

Cool, how does it compare to the M9? I imagine soundstage is a big difference?

 

[littleaboutiem]

Gonna have to go with Gemini. More energy, less laid back than M9.

Yeah cool! Do you know any other similarly priced (or cheaper) IEMs that I should look at?

 

[lithiumnk]

@toranku Hello
I tried using your PMEQ values of solaris OG on dx160 2020 UAPP.
The midrange values are very steep:
1. 3.3k: +10db
2. 3.7k: -29db
3.3.9k: + 10db

EDIT: I have noticed that the Q is low.

Do you think the driver will be able to respond to such steep swings?
What about the long term risk to the drivers?

Andromedas on other hand have more sane values.