Campfire Audio Andromeda in-ear Headphones - Official Thread

IEMs / In-Ear-Monitors Official IEM Model Discussion
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Hey, thanks so much for your insight into this and for the link to the Crinicle database. I had only seen Antdroid’s prior to this, so another data point is always good!

Without some type of showroom/meetup, trying a bunch of different headphones is hard to do. It’s even more challenging with IEMs because you really need your own tips to fit them properly. So bearing that in mind my strategy is the following:

  1. Start buying IEMs that are highly-rated AND match my preferred signature. My current list (in no particular order) is:
  • Sony IER-Z1R
  • Sony IER-M9
  • Thieaudio Monarch
  • 64 Audio U12T
  • 64 Audio Tia Trio
  • Vision Ears VE8
  • UM MEST Mk 2
  • EE Odin
  • Oriolus Isabellae

  1. If they’re as good as my experience with the Andro’s then STOP and keep them. Otherwise sell and move on (may need to keep a couple at a time for comparison)

  2. If I’m “stuck” with the Andro 2020’s, I’ll just file down the case to knock off the point and hope that solves my problem. Of course this option drops the resale value significantly, but if these are my end-all be-alls then it shouldn’t matter!

Again, thanks for all the info!

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That sounds like a great plan! Good luck. I hope you find the perfect replacement. It’d be very interesting to follow your journey - do please post impressions, if you get a chance and don’t mind doing so.

Not to complicate matters for you but Vision Ears has just released a new IEM, the VE7. It might be closer to the Andro’s sound signature than the VE8, and it’s cheaper, I believe - alas used ones may take a while to go on sale…

Since you’re looking at used IEMs, another one to keep an eye out for is the InEar Prophile 8, sometimes referred to as the PP8. It’s a more technically accomplished IEM than the Andromeda (it’s more resolving, I think). The tuning is more neutral, less colored, but it’s not as engaging and musical as the Andro 2020. Since it was a few hundred bucks more than the Andro when new, ruled it out. But in your situation, it might be worth considering.

I’m listening to the Oriolus Isabellae right now and I’m very impressed by it. I need more time to get a proper sense of its qualities but it’s slightly warm, has a bit of a mid-bass boost, like the Andromeda 2020, has strong macrodynamics, and it’s highly engaging and musical. In this respect it’s certainly reminiscent of the Andromeda. Its resolution is a way behind the Andro’s, though, which means it probably wouldn’t be ideal as a replacement for the Andro, for me, and its soundstage is much smaller, but it doesn’t sound congested or closed-in. It’s impressive for the price.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for open box IEMs from retailers; headphonesdotcom often has them, and some retailers, such as Musicteck, also sell used IEMs. Musicteck is also currently selling the Isabellae for $60 off, new, FWIW.

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I had an og andromeda and eventually replaced it with a z1r and pears sh3. I’d highly recommend checking out the sh3. The universal version has a great fit and has a solid build but the sound signature is a bit different from my original andromeda. It is a very neutral sounding iem. An alternative to sh3 would be the inear prophile 8. Very similar in tone and great fitting shell but it is more expensive then the sh3. U12t is great but I have a pretty bad fit with 64’s universal shell.

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This is a great reply @Tchoupitoulas. Open box Iem’s are a great way to be able to try out the more expensive ones. If you don’t like them you can simply pass them on at little to no loss.

It’s also great to see you enjoying Iem’s so much too @Tchoupitoulas.

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Thanks! Yes, I’ve been on a quest to find the right pair - or pairs - for me over the past year and a half. The Andromeda 2020 is a keeper, I love it. I’m looking for a fun, v-shaped or bassy pair of IEMs as well as a more neutral or neutral/bright, reference/analytical pair with outstanding technicalities (and better resolution than the Andros, in particular).

So far I’ve auditioned the InEar Prophile 8; Empire Ears Bravado, Valkyrie, Wraith, Hero and Odin; Jerry Harvey Audio Lola and Angie; Meze Rai Penta; Noble Audio Tux5; Sony IER-M9; Westone W80; 64 Audio U12t; QDC Anole XV; Campfire Audio original Andromeda and the MW10, the Solaris (original and 2020 versions), Dorado 2020, and Vega 2020; Final Audio A800; Dunu SA6, Zen, and EST112, and the Sennheiser IE 900.

I also had a chance to check out three wonderful IEMs that aren’t well known, the Soranik Bastille Signature, Bastille Audiophile, and Versailles. (Impressions here). The Bastille Audiophile is my favorite IEM so far. The Odin is probably the single most impressive one, particularly for its bass, musicality, and wondrous resolution, but its tuning isn’t quite for me.

Between now and CanJam next February, I’m hoping to check out the Campfire Audio Ara; Empire Ears Legend X or Legend Evo; Unique Melody MEST; Vision Ears V7, V8, and Elysium; Gaudio Nair and Clariden; ThieAudio Monarch and Clairvoyance; Moondrop Variations and S8; Sony IER-Z1R; 64 Audio U6t and now the Duo; Hidition Viento, JH Audio Jolene, Penon Volt, Dunu Luna, and Symphonium Helios. Those should keep me busy!

I’m also interested in the other Oriolus IEMs now, beyond the Isabellae, although my bank manager won’t let me anywhere near the expensive ones.

I’ve said it before: I think we’re in the middle of a golden age of IEMs!

EDIT: Sorry, I went back and re-read this and it came across as entirely too self-involved. My apologies. I just wanted to emphasize how many great IEMs are out there these days. And I meant to make the key point, relevant to this thread, that the Andromeda is still highly competitive and still does its thing very well.

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When I was stuck inside for Covid I focused exclusively on headphones and larger amps/dacs. Now that things have changed a bit :crossed_fingers: I’m back to traveling fairly regularly for work (Ohio to California, every few weeks) and IEMs make a lot more sense. I don’t think I have the stamina to plow through a ton of different models so that’s why I’m focusing on a select few to audition. Honestly though, if the Andros didn’t bother my ears I’d probably just stick with them and call it done. The good thing is it takes a few hours for the pressure from that one little corner to start bothering me - so at least I can listen to them for the majority of a flight leg.

I just bought a pair of used U12t’s so hopefully they’ll arrive before my next trip a week from now. I’ll definitely follow up with my impressions!

@Tchoupitoulas thanks again for your tips and insight. Looking forward to hearing more about your journey!

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No it’s not too self involed at all. Wow you’ve certainly had some experience with iem’s. The Andromeda’s are an excellent iem and I can certainly see why like them so much.

Aswell as having Andromeda’s in my collection my favourites are the Odins. In regards to you wanting a pair to suit your criteria have you tried the EE Hero’s I also own these and they sound like you may enjoy them. They are much more fun than the Odin’s in a tuning sense. These are what I use for when I fancy something of a different flavour.

I totally agree regarding being in a ‘Golden Age of iem’s’. Were blessed with some fantastic offerings. Though you require deep pockets if you wish to sample them all. Unless you have somewhere close that allows you to try them out. With th pandemic and lack of Audio shows it’s been very difficult.

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For those curious, @Fc-Construct’s review of the Campfire Andromeda 2020 is live on the headphones.com main page:
Campfire Andromeda 2020 Review: The Hi-Fi Experience

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@Resolve That was a more “critical” review than I typically read about the Andromeda 2020’s… which is a good thing! It’s interesting to hear how different people balance out various aspects of performance.

On the home front I received my U12t’s today. I don’t want to derail this topic so I’ll post my initial impressions on the U12T thread. Suffice to say they definitely lived up to their reputation… but they certainly didn’t blow the Andromedas out of the water.

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While I have limited modern IEM experience (I was monogamous with a pair of UM50Pros for over a decade until they died), I do know music, recordings, and what I want to hear. I have to say the Andromeda 2020s just sound better to me every day. I hear little details that previously were opaque. It is like every listening session with a good recording is xmas, with new aural presents to unwrap.

Perhaps not a detailed or particularly eloquent review, but I can say that instruments sound like I what I know they sound like, and musicians sound like what I know (or think) they sound like, and that’s about the highest praise I can give sound reproduction gear.

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It’s good to hear that you like the Andro 2020!

I love the evocative description of unwrapping aural xmas presents! Here’s wishing you many happy, excited xmas mornings!

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Thanks - your input was helpful when I was pondering options. Paring the Andro 2020 with RME ADI-2 DAC and lossless files from Apple Music makes me happy. I use the IEM jack (which is lower output and dead quiet), and just add a bit of bass at 85hz. Listening to Snarky Puppy at the moment, so pretty I could cry.

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It sounds as though you’ve landed on an excellent setup. My desktop setup is the Bifrost 2 → THX 789, which I dislike for any transducers other than BA or BA/hybrid IEMs. It’s decent but I’m considering upgrading to the RME ADI-2.

I’m glad you’re liking your setup so much!

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Andromedas are pretty good from the new iFi Zen Signature Hfm stack. As with the iFi Micro iDSD Silver the Campfire Audio Andromeda seem to pair well with the iFi Burr Brown sound. Even with the Hifiman tuning button. Is it my best combo for the Andromeda? I have no idea. But I like this one. Not much volume play though, need to try out that iEMatch+

ZEN_Hfm_Andromeda
ZEN_Hfm_Andromeda1920×1564 148 KB

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Beautiful! I’m getting an Andro 2020 again myself soon, and look forward to trying this combo.

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Hi, how does the width and depth of its soundstage compare to Focal Clear or LCD-X?

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I’d be very cautious when comparing soundstage on a headphone to soundstage on an IEM.

It’s very hard to do so accurately. That said, the Andromeda has one of the widest out there and if that’s what you’re looking for you won’t be disappointed.

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Congratulations. I hope you like it. Interesting name. In horseracing you have a Winner, Perfecta, Trifecta, and Superfecta. So there is potentially an even higher end IEM coming.

(For those who never bet on the ponies, Perfecta is chosing 1-2 correctly, Trifecta 1-2-3, and Superfecta 1-2-3-4)

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For that person with three ears to fill: Trifecta!


The man with an ear on his arm

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That must be the next evolutionary step for the audiophile species.

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