Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 Review

 

 

Campfire Audio is a US based company located in Portland – Oregon, which is specialized in the development and production of portable audio equipments such like In-Ear Monitors, cables and headphones.

• Campfire Audio Homepage: https://campfireaudio.com/

The Andromeda 2020 is the successor of the original Andromeda featuring an all-new Solid-Body acoustic design and some sound refinements based on feedbacks from the community. It features a 5 Balanced Armature Driver configuration in form of 2x Treble + 1x Mid + 2x Bass Driver, which are located inside a Zirconium blasted Solid Looking Aluminum Shell with a 3D Printed & Acoustically Optimized interior.

 

 

 

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Campfire Audio for providing the Andromeda 2020 IEM as review sample. I am not affiliated with Campfire Audio or any third person beyond this review and all these words reflect my true, unaltered opinions about the product.

 

 

Price & Availability:

The actual MSRP price for the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 is $ 999,00 USD. More information’s can be found under the link below;

• Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020

 

 

 

 

Package and Accessories:

The Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 came in a square shaped box with a unique design same like the Solaris 2020, Vega 2020 or ARA. It is wrapped with a cardboard that is of USA made “French Paper Company” paper which has a label on the top that features the product illustration of the product.

The box itself is made from the same cardboard material in red color that has the Campfire Audio logo on the top in silver color, set in a scene between a sky full of stars and a mountain surrounded by trees that could represent the nature of Oregon where the company is located.

 

Inside the box of the Andromeda 2020 are the following items;

• 1 pair x Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 Monitors
• 1 piece x Campfire Audio Campfire Audio Smoky Litz Cable with MMCX connectors
• 5 pairs x Final Audio Silicone Ear Tips (extra small, small, medium, large, extra large)
• 3 pairs x CA Silicon Ear Tips (small, medium, large)
• 3 pairs x Foam tips (small, medium, large)
• 3 pieces x Pouch
• 1 piece x Cleaning Tool
• 1 piece x Campfire Audio Pin
• 1 piece x Sustainable Cork Green Dyed Zipper Case
• 1 piece x Print Material (Warranty Card, Final Audio Type E Instruction, User Manual)

 

Campfire Audio offers also a very rich ear tips selection that includes 5 pairs of Final Audio E Style Tips in various sizes (xs/s/m/l/xl), 3 pairs of foam ear tips and 3 pairs of CA silicone ear tips with a relative wide opening.

The Andromeda 2020 comes with a nice looking cork protective zipper case in green color, which is a special attraction and an environmentally friendly update to the past zipper cases. Sustainably harvested Cork surrounds a substantial and protective rubber barrier that ensures that your earphones will remain safe while in transit. The interior is thick faux wool lining that preserves the anodized finish of your earphones. Each case is made in Portugal by a small team of skilled craftspeople that share our commitment to quality.

The cleaning tool and a pin with CA Logo are some nice addition that we also know from past Campfire Audio products.

 

 

 

 

Features, Design and Build Quality:

The Andromeda 2020 features Campfire Audio’s new Solid-Body design that was first used for their custom fit products. It maintains the classic angular monitor shape design and has a Zirconium blasted aluminum shells with an emerald green anodizing, which was specially made for the Andromeda.

Each monitor features 5 Balanced Armature Drivers, which are 2x High Frequency, 1x Mid Frequency and 2x Low Frequency BA Driver that are located inside a new single 3D printed interior body that houses also all other internal components of the Andromeda 2020.

The Andromeda 2020 features also Campfire Audio’s T.A.E.C.™ (Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber) technology. This acoustic expansion chamber has been created to archive an extended high frequency response without to create sibilance or harshness, which should according to Campfire Audio more efficient compared to the typical “Tube+Dampener” system.

On the front of the monitor shell that is also called “the faceplate” of a monitor are 3 screws in metallic silver color and the Campfire Audio brand logo which has been engraved in to aluminum plate.

The rear body sports the sound nozzle and the L (Left) & R (Right) markings of the Andromeda 2020.

The sound nozzle is made of stainless steel material in metallic silver color, which has Campfire Audio’s new signature grill pattern that prevents the insertion of unwanted particles such like earwax.

On the top of each monitor shell is the Beryllium Copper MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) connector that looks pretty robust with the mating mechanism.

The overall build quality of the monitors and the MMCX connectors is top notch same like any other Campfire Audio product that I have reviews before.

 

 

Campfire Audio Smoky Litz Cable:

The Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 comes with the Campfire Audio’s Smokey Litz Cable, which is a 4 core braided silver plated cooper wire cable that features pretty soft, flexible and durable jacket (insulation) in grey color.

This cable features beryllium copper MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) connectors. Beryllium Copper provides a robust mating mechanism; one that is typically made from soft brass. The connector housings are made of semitransparent plastic material in grey color and do sport left and right indicators. The cable features also transparent heat shrink ear guides for extra comfort on the go.

The cable sports a metal Y splitter and chin slider in black color.

The 3.5mm single ended headphone jack has a plastic housing in black color with an L angled profile.

What I like about the cable is the very low microphonic effect and that it is not prone to mixings.

The Smokey Litz cable is also separately available under the link below;

 

• SMOKEY Litz cable: https://campfireaudio.com/shop/smoky-litz-cable/

 

 

 

Comfort and Isolation:

The Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 fits perfectly to my ears with an average sized ear concha thanks to the angular monitor shape that offers a comfortable fit, however people with smaller ear concha’s will may not get the same fit like me.

The passive noise isolation of the Andromeda 2020 is above average that makes it ideal for the use in fairly noisy environments such like a bus, train or metro.

 

 

 

Drivability & Pairing:

The Andromeda 2020 is a very easy to driver In-Ear Monitor thanks to its pretty low impedance of 12.8 Ohms @ 1kHz and a sensitivity of 94 dB, which makes it ideal for the use with sources like Smartphone’s, Tablets or smaller DAP’s with relative weak amplification.

However, if you have a bad source with high background noise, Andromeda 2020 won’t forgive it.

 

 

Technical Specifications:

 

• Driver Configuration   : 5 Balanced Armature Drivers + T.A.E.C.™ Chamber
• Freq. Resp.                 : 10 Hz – 28 kHz
• Sensitivity                   : 94 dB SPL @ 1kHz: 7.01 mVrms
• Impedance                  : 12.8 Ohms @ 1kHz

 

 

 

Some Remarkable Features:

1. 3D Optimized Acoustic Construction:

The Andromeda 2020 features an acoustically optimized interior design that improves the sound performance of each Balanced Armature Driver.

 

2. Solid Body Design:

Campfire Audio’s new solid body design provides optimized acoustic performance by incorporating the tuning chambers of the earphone directly into the final earphone print.

 

 

 

Equipment’s used for this review:

• In Ear Monitors         : Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020, Meze RAI Penta, Oriveti O800
• Sources (DAP/DAC) : HiBy RS6, iBasso DX220 MAX, iBasso DX300, FiiO M11 Pro

 

 

 

 

Albums & Tracks used for this review:

• Adele – My Little Love (Spotify)
• Randy Crawford – On Day I Will Fly Away (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Hayley Westenra – Odyssey Album (Dezzer HiFi)
• Dionne Warwick – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Really Slow Motion – Deadwood (Deezer HiFi)
• Jo Blankenburg – Meraki (Spotify)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lorde – Royal (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush’s – Leave That Thing Alone (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)s
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)

 

 

 

 

The Sound:

The Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 is a quite musical and highly versatile sounding In-Ear monitor with a decent technical performance that deserves its popularity in the audiophile community. It shows a close to W shaped sound signature and a slightly warmer than neutral tonality. The overall presentation is nicely controlled from the lows up to the highs thanks to some audible tweaks along the whole frequency spectrum, which proofs that the sound engineers have spent great efforts to create the Andromeda.

 

Please note that I have used the stock Final Type E ear tips along with the stock Smoky Litz cable that are included to the standard packaging of the Andromeda 2020. My main sources during this review was the iBasso DX220 MAX, HiBy RS6 and FiiO M11 Pro. The selected list of audio track has been listed above.

 

Bass:

The lower frequency region of the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 is produced with a Dual BA setup, which means that 2x of the 5 Balanced Armature Divers are responsible for this area. The general bass character of the Andromeda 2020 can be described as fast, controlled and pretty detailed, from the subbass up to the midbass area, along with a decent technical performance.

The subbass region of the Andromeda 2020 may not show the timbre of a classical dynamic driver, but also doesn’t sound plastical like many IEM’s with a Balanced Armature Driver setup. The subbass reaches pretty low and offers a decent sense of rumble and control when I do listen to songs like Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama, Lorde’s “Royals” or to Massive Attack’s “Angel”.

The midbass region of the Andromeda 2020 is nicely textured, tight and impactful when called upon. The real hallmark of the midbass area is the clarity, speed and general control when I do listen to complex passages Charly Antolini’s “Duwadjuwandadu” or Gogo Penguin’s “Raven”. Instruments like bass guitars and cellos are reproduced with a good level of weight and fullness, while snare and kick drums do sound tight and impactful without to show any negative conditions such like muddiness or mixings.

The bass of the Andromeda 2020 is able to add the overall presentation a good sense of body and warmth without to overshadow the rest of the sound spectrum, especially the midrange.

 

Midrange:

The Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 has a slightly warmer than neutral midrange tonality that shows fairly pronounced midrange character with decent level clarity and resolution. The general midrange presentation is transparent, airy and quite musical, which is a pig plus for instruments and vocals.

The lower midrange Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 shows a good level of body and depth, which is an advantage for both male vocals and instruments like violas, trumpets or acoustic guitars. The Andromeda 2020 has reproduced vocals from Sting to Barry White, from Elton John to David Bowie in a highly intimate and emotional manner that I very enjoyed during my auditions with this impressive IEM.

The upper midrange tuning is another highlight of the Campfire Audio Andromeda that is, crisp, energetic yet controlled that is audible while listen to both female vocals and instruments such like pianos, violins or flutes. The pretty precise boost in the upper midrange adds female vocals such like Aretha Franklin, Sertap Erener and Edith Piaf a nice level of clarity and energy in form of brightness, that is not overdone.

Guitar solos with high level of distortion in Megadeth’s “Sweating Bullets”, Slayer’s“Angel of Deaths” and Rush’s “Leave That Thing Alone” do sound quite controlled and detailed. Side flutes on the other hand are reproduced in a fairly lively and enthusiastic manner.

 

Treble:

The treble range of the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 can be described as mildly bright, controlled and quite detailed. The transitions from the upper midrange towards the lower treble area do sound in general pretty controlled due to a slightly alleviation around the 3kHz and 4 kHz region that smooths out instruments or voices with high level of distortion.

The lower treble region is slightly less highlighted and energetic compared to the upper midrange and upper treble area. The sense of clarity and definition is in general quite successful, while the extension is a bit short when I do listen to soprano vocals or instruments such like hi-hats or snare drums. I really like the level of, presence, authority and smoothness of the lower treble region that fulfils my expectations from an In-Ear Monitor at this price range.

The upper treble region of the Andromeda 2020 is energetic yet controlled and offers a good performance in terms of extensions, intensity and airiness when I do listen to instruments such like hi-hats in metal music or to synthesizers in electronic music. Percussion instruments such like crash cymbals or snare drums are quite countable, controlled and are show with a quick sense of decay. It is also a pleasure for me when I do listen to pianos in jazz music or in songs with fast and complex passages such like GoGo Penguin’s epic song “Raven”.

 

Soundstage & Imaging:

The Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 offers an impressive soundstage atmosphere and great level of headroom for quite natural and precise placement and separation of both instruments and vocals. The soundstage is airy and open and shows a decent sense of wideness and depth. The stage has slightly more wideness than its depth due to the fairly intimate vocal placement.

 

 

 

 

Comparisons:

 

Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 versus Oriveti O800:

The Oriveti O800 features an 8 Balanced Armature setup per side and comes with a semi-custom monitor shell made of resin material.

The Oriveti O800 shows a slightly warmer and fuller tonality compared to the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020. The subbass region of the Andromeda 2020 has a higher level of depth and rumble, while the decay is quite close with both IEM’s. The bass region of the O800 has more intensity and body, while both are on par when it comes to the resolution and control of this area. The Andromeda 2020 has a tighter and faster midbass response, while the O800 sounds slightly more impactful in this area.

The midrange of the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 has a slightly more transparent and airy presentation, compared to the Oriveti O800 that sounds a tad warmer and fuller in this area. The lower midrange of the O800 shows a bit more depth and body, especially when I do listen to male vocals or instruments like cellos or violas. The Andromeda 2020 on the other hand has the upper hand when it comes to the clarity and resolution of this area. The upper midrange of both In-Ear Monitors is pronounced, while the Andromeda 2020 has the slightly edge when it comes to the micro detail retrieval and extension of this area.

Both the lower and upper treble regions of the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 are more highlighted than those of the Oriveti O800. The lower treble region of the Andromeda 2020 shows a better sense of clarity and definition. The upper treble region of the O800 shows an audible roll-off, which gives the Andromeda 2020 the upper hand in terms of airiness, sparkle and extension of this area.

Both IEM’s are successful in terms of separation and placement of instruments and vocals, while the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 is superior in terms of soundstage wideness and airiness of the stage. The Oriveti O800 on the other side has a slightly advantage when it comes to the depth of the stage.

 

 

Campfire Audio ARA versus MEZE Audio Rai Penta:

The Meze RAI Penta is a hybrid IEM with a 4BA+1DD configuration. It has a solid metal housing same like the Andromeda 2020.

Both IEM’s do offer a deep, rich and detailed bass response, while they show some different characters. The subbass region of the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 has the upper hand in terms of depth and extension, while both do offers a good level of control. The Andromeda 2020 offers a better sense of subbass decay. The midbass region of Meze RAI Penta is slightly less highlighted and impactful compared to the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020, while both IEM’s do show a decent performance in terms of resolution.

The Andromeda 2020 has a tad warmer midrange presentation with slightly better level of clarity and headroom that is especially audible in the lower midrange register. The lower midrange of the Andromeda 2020 shows more body and depth but is offer also a better level of clarity while listen to male vocals or to instruments like elector guitars, cellos or trumpets. The upper midrange of the Meze RAI Penta sounds slightly more crisp and energetic, however the lower treble makes it feel not that airy and open than those of the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020.

The treble range of the Meze RAI Penta pronounced and detailed with focal point towards the upper treble area with an audible peak around the 8 kHz region. The Andromeda 2020 on the other hand shows more presence in the lower treble register, which makes is a slightly more airy and gives it an advantage in terms of definition. The RAI Penta has the edge when it comes to the upper treble extension when I do listen to instruments like snare drums or cymbals.

Both the Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 and the Meze RAI Penta do offer a decent performance in terms of separation and placement of instruments and vocals. The main difference is that the Andromeda 2020 has the upper hand in terms of wideness, while the RAI Penta shows a slightly better sense of depth.

 

 

Conclusion:

The Andromeda 2020 is a pretty musical and highly versatile sounding In-Ear monitor with a decent overall technical performance that deserves its popularity in the audiophile community. It is clear that the engineers of Campfire Audio have spent great efforts to create a product with both a solid look and impressive sound performance that fulfils my expectation from a product at this price level, which is now even more affordable.

The Andromeda 2020, a TOTL IEM that I Highly Recommend!

 

 

 

Pros and Cons:

• + Outstanding Technical Performance from the Lows to the Highs
• + General Bass Response (Speed, Control, Layering)
• + Transparent, Airy and Detailed Upper Midrange & Treble Tuning
• + Impressive Soundstage Performance
• + Rock Solid Build Quality
• + Rich accessories package

 

• – It won’t forgive sources with high/poor background noise
• – Metal surface maybe a bit prone to scratches
• – Won’t may fit ears with small ear concha

 

Thank you for the Read!