Campfire Audio Astrolith Review

 

Introduction:

Hand-crafted in Portland, Oregon by a dedicated team of professionals, the Campfire Audio Astrolith is the latest flagship planar IEM of the company. It features a dual planar magnetic driver system, combining a 14mm planar magnetic main driver for sub-bass to mid frequencies with a 6mm planar high-frequency tweeter. This setup is engineered to provide precise sound with notable speed, accuracy, and resolution in mind.

The IEM is crafted with a semi-transparent, lightweight 3D-printed acrylic body paired with a mirror-finished stainless steel faceplate, offering both durability and a distinct look. The Astrolith integrates Campfire Audio’s Particle Phase Resonator (PPR) for high-frequency enhancement and Additive Acoustic Optical Inclusion (AAOI) for fine-tuning mid and low frequencies, ensuring refined and enhanced audio performance.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the design, features, and sonic performance of the Campfire Audio Astrolith. This will give us a detailed understanding of what makes this flagship planar IEM stand out in the world of high-fidelity audio.

 

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Campfire Audio for providing the Astrolith as review sample. I am not affiliated with Campfire Audio beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered, opinions about the product.

 

Price & Availability:

The Campfire Audio Astrolith is priced at $2,199.00 USD. This price reflects the product’s high-quality build, the advanced dual planar magnetic driver system, and the innovative design elements incorporated by Campfire Audio. More infromation can be found under the link below;

• Campfire Audio Astrolith

 

Package & Accessories:

The Campfire Audio Astrolith arrives in a visually captivating box. The packaging is made of sturdy cardboard and features a deep green hue, complemented by a retro-futuristic illustration of a lone explorer on an alien world. This design creates a sense of wonder and mystery. The bold, futuristic font for the product name adds to the overall aesthetic, setting high expectations for the innovative technology inside.

Upon opening the box, the contents are thoughtfully organized and include the following items:

• Campfire Audio Astrolith Dual-Planar Magnetic IEM
• 1x Silver-plated Time Stream cable in 3.5mm with terminations
• 1x Silver-plated Time Stream cable in 4.4mm with terminations
• 1x Black dimension folding leather case w/ magnetic closure
• 1x Breezy Bag Jr. small mesh zipper case
• 1x Breezy Bag Micro Two-pocket mesh protective IEM pouch
• 3x Marshmallow “Foam” tips (S/M/L)
• 3x Silicone tips (S/M/L)
• 1x Cleaning tool
• 1x Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
• 1x Campfire Audio lapel pin

 

Features, Design and Build Quality:

Holding the Campfire Audio Astrolith, it’s apparent that this In-Ear Monitor (IEM) is a well-crafted piece of audio technology. Designed with care in Portland, Oregon, the Astrolith merges refined design elements with high-quality components to offer a premium audio experience.

The IEM has a semi-transparent, lightweight, 3D-printed acrylic body that looks modern and sleek. It is complemented by an eye-catching, mirror-finished stainless-steel faceplate, blending robustness with a nice touch of elegance.

The faceplate of the Campfire Audio Astrolith features a geometric design with angular lines and an opening in the form of a slit near the center. It also prominently displays the Campfire Audio logo, adding a touch of brand identity and sophistication to the overall look.

The rear surface features the slightly angled sound nozzle made of stainless-steel material with 7 small and 1 large opening on the top. This is a common design element for Campfire Audio IEM’s, aimed at delivering audio directly into the ear canal while minimizing resonance and distortion for clearer sound quality.

At the top of the Astrolith, the MMCX connector provides a secure and reliable connection, allowing for easy cable attachment and detachment.

Inside, the Astrolith incorporates a dual planar magnetic driver system. It features a 14mm planar magnetic main driver for sub-bass to mid frequencies and a 6mm planar high-frequency tweeter. This setup is designed for speed, accuracy, and impact in sound reproduction. The 14mm driver, placed within the Additive Acoustic Optical Inclusion (AAOI) shell, enhances impact, texture, and imaging. Meanwhile, the 6mm driver, combined with the Particle Phase Resonator (PPR) tuning chamber, is designed to deliver high frequencies with fast transient response and a better level of detail.

The planar driver’s serpentine voice coil is distributed evenly over the entire surface of the diaphragm, which helps prevent warping or bending during movement. This results in accurate and rapid impulse responses, delivering tight and defined notes. The even diaphragm movement enables the Astrolith to produce accurate sound representations.

Planar drivers also generate a plane wavefront, unlike the spherical wavefronts from standard cone speakers or dynamic drivers. The shape of the wavefront affects how sound interacts with the ear canal, altering reflections and perception. This unique wavefront contributes to the distinct timbre and character of Campfire Audio’s planar IEMs.

Overall, the build quality of the Astrolith demonstrates Campfire Audio’s commitment to high standards. Each unit is hand-crafted to ensure durability and refinement, combining advanced internal components with a solid exterior.

 

Campfire Audio Time Stream Cables:

The Campfire Audio Astrolith comes with the company’s new Time Stream Cables, offering flexibility in both cable choice and connection termination. Inside the package are two versions one with 3.5mm Single-Ended and 4.4mm Balanced headphone plug.

Each Time Stream Cable is made from 8-core Silver Plated Cooper copper conductors in ribbon configuration, which has a soft, flexible and durable transparent insulation with a flat profile. The MMCX connectors do have metal housings in with L (Left) / R (Right) indicator. Transparent heat shrink ear guides near the connectors enhance comfort during over-ear wear. The Y splitter is made from metal material with a gold surface finish that sport the CA (Campfire Audio) brand logo on the top, while the chin slider is made from transparent plastic material.

Both cables do have the same straight profiled headphone housing design made from metal material with a silver finish.

 

Fit, Comfort and Isolation:

The Campfire Audio Astrolith is designed with a focus on user comfort and acoustic performance. The ergonomic design and included Marshmallow “Foam” tips ensure a secure and comfortable fit, minimizing ear fatigue during extended listening sessions. The compact size of the IEMs makes them portable and convenient to use.

The Astrolith’s design also incorporates effective noise isolation, reducing external distractions and enhancing the overall listening experience on the go.

 

Technical Specifications:

• Model                          : Astrolith
• Driver Setup               : 14.2mm + 6mm Dual Planar Magnetic Driver Configuration
• Frequency Response : 5 Hz – 25 kHz
• Sensitivity                   : 94 dB (SPL) @ 1kHz 44.9 mVrms
• Impedance                  : 8.2 Ω @ 1 kHz
• THD                            : less than 3%
• Connector                   : MMMC (Micro Miniature Coaxial Connector)
• Headphone Plug        : 3.5mm Single Ended & 4.4mm Balanced

 

Drivability & Pairing:

Despite having a relatively efficient impedance of 8.2Ω and a sensitivity of 94 dB, the Campfire Audio Astrolith, with its planar magnetic drivers, demands more power compared to other highly efficient models from the company.

While the Astrolith performs admirably with less powerful sources such as USB dongles like the Shanling UA6, it truly shines when paired with high-quality Digital Audio Players (DAPs) like the FiiO M23 and HiBy R6 Pro II, or portable DAC/Amplifiers such as the iBasso D16. These more powerful sources enable the Astrolith to reach its full potential, delivering an exceptional audio experience.

  

Equipment’s used for this review:

• In Ear Monitors         : Campfire Audio Astrolith, Campfire Audio Supermoon
• Sources (DAP/DAC) : HiBy R6 PRO II, FiiO M23, iBasso D16 Shanling UA6

 

Albums & Tracks used for this review:

• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Adele – My Little Love (Deezer HiFi)
• 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)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• 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)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Radiohead – Live in Berlin “Album” (Deezer HiFi)
• Radiohead – Pyramid Song (Deezer HiFi)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Bear McCreary’s – Valkyries (Deezer HiFi)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Daft Punk – Instant Crush (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Spotify)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
• Miles Davis – So What (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)
• Dream Theater – Fall into the Light (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Metallica – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush’s – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Apple Lossless)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Apple Lossless)
• Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon (Flac 24bit/48kHz)

 

The Sound:

The Campfire Audio Astrolith has a well-rounded and articulate sound signature, with punchy and energetic bass highlighted by a defined mid-bass and deep, analog-like sub-bass. Its midrange emphasizes clarity and detail, presenting vocals and instruments in an engaging and intimate way. The treble is smooth and refined, balancing detail and brilliance without harshness, while the soundstage of the Astrolith is expansive and immersive, providing a wide and deep listening experience.

The review for the Campfire Audio Astrolith has written after a burn-in period of about 120 hours. I have used the stock CFA Marshmallow Foam Tips that do offers the best synergy fro my preference. The main sound sources are the HiBy R6 Pro II, FiiO M23, iBasso D16 and the Shanling UA6.

 

Bass:

The Campfire Audio Astrolith’s bass response stands out with its depth and impact. The sub-bass frequencies offer a significant extension, adding a solid low-end presence to the overall sound signature. This extension ensures that electronic and hip-hop genres deliver a full-bodied, immersive low end. Tracks like Daft Punk’s “Doin’ it Right”, Lorde’s “Royals”, and Bear McCreary’s “Valkyries” highlight the sub-bass response, showcasing its depth and presence. The sub-bass decay is well-controlled, ensuring a clean and precise sound without lingering or muddiness.

The midbass region is equally notable, offering a tight and punchy response. This part of the bass is dynamic and lively, contributing to the overall energy and drive of the music. For instance, Gogo Penguin’s “Raven” showcases the Astrolith’s ability to handle fast bass passages with control and precision. Bass instruments such as kick drums and bass guitars have a distinct and authoritative presence, adding a robust texture to the mix. The bass layering is meticulous, providing a clear distinction between different low-frequency elements, which is crucial for complex arrangements in genres like orchestral and progressive rock.

The bass response of the Astrolith is fast due to the 14mm planar magnetic main driver, which effectively handles frequencies from sub-bass up to parts of the midrange. This internal architecture highlights the quality of speed, accuracy, impact, and resolution that a planar magnetic driver can deliver. Despite its power and depth, the Astrolith’s bass maintains remarkable control. It avoids the common pitfall of bass bloat, ensuring that the low frequencies do not overshadow the midrange and treble. While the midbass adds a nice energy to the overall presentation, it can sometimes feel a bit too much for certain tracks. This warmth generally enhances the low end but may occasionally come across as excessive for specific genres. The overall bass performance of the Astrolith is both dynamic and detailed, making it suitable for a wide variety of musical genres.

 

Midrange:

The midrange of the Campfire Audio Astrolith is transparent and detailed, bringing vocals and instruments to the forefront with clarity and precision. The lower midrange provides a mildly warm foundation, enriching the sound of instruments like cellos, guitars, and male vocals. This mild sense of warmth adds a natural timbre that makes the reproduction of these instruments and voices sound realistic and engaging. Listening to David Bowie’s “Heroes” or Elton John’s “Rocket Man”, the Astrolith presents male vocals with a rich, full-bodied presence that enhances their emotional impact.

As we move into the upper midrange, the Astrolith continues to deliver clarity and precision. This region is where vocals, particularly female vocals, and lead instruments such as pianos and violins shine. The Astrolith handles these frequencies with finesse, ensuring that the intricate details and textures are clearly rendered. For instance, tracks like Diana Krall’s “So Wonderful” and Aretha Franklin’s “I Say A Little Prayer” showcase the Astrolith’s ability to present female vocals with clear and natural timbre. The transitions between the lower and upper midrange are smooth and controlled, avoiding any abrupt changes that could lead to harshness or sibilance.

Instrument separation in the midrange is decent, allowing each element to stand out distinctly in the mix. This separation is crucial for complex musical passages where multiple instruments play simultaneously. The Astrolith excels in creating a coherent and well-balanced midrange that does not feel crowded or congested. The texture and timbre of the midrange are natural and engaging, ensuring that both instruments and vocals sound lifelike. Whether you’re listening to acoustic, classical, or vocal-centric music, the midrange performance of the Astrolith ensures an immersive listening experience. However, in very dense mixes, there might be a slight loss of midrange separation.

 

Treble:

The treble range of the Campfire Audio Astrolith is both extended and airy, providing a sense of openness and space that enhances the overall soundstage. The treble extends smoothly into the upper frequencies, allowing high-frequency instruments such as cymbals, flutes, and synths to be rendered with clarity and precision. This extension ensures that the brilliance and presence of the treble are maintained without sounding harsh or piercing. Dream Theater’s “Fall into the Light” is an excellent track to test the Astrolith’s treble response, especially the percussions, which are crisp and well-defined.

Detail retrieval in the treble is noteworthy, allowing for the subtle nuances of high-frequency sounds to be easily discerned. Instruments such as triangles, hi-hats, and bells are particularly well-rendered, adding a shimmering quality to the mix. This level of detail is particularly beneficial for genres like jazz and classical, where the intricate play of high-pitched instruments plays a vital role. The treble’s precision ensures that these details are not lost in the mix, providing a clear and defined presentation.

One of the most important aspects of the Astrolith’s treble is its control. It manages to deliver an airy and detailed sound without becoming overly bright or sibilant. This balance is essential for long listening sessions, as it reduces listener fatigue. The clarity and definition in the treble add to the overall sound quality, making it easy to distinguish between different high-frequency elements. The 6mm planar tweeter enhances these qualities, providing purity and resolution that elevate the listening experience. The treble is refined, contributing to a cohesive and well-rounded sound signature that complements the bass and midrange effectively. Occasionally, certain tracks might come across as slightly bright, but this is a minor observation in an otherwise balanced performance.

 

Soundstage & Imaging

The soundstage of the Campfire Audio Astrolith is expansive and immersive, providing a wide and deep listening experience. This characteristic is particularly noticeable in live recordings and orchestral music, where the sense of space and placement of instruments significantly enhances the listening experience. Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” is an excellent example of a recording with an excellent soundstage, creating a sense of immersion and space that takes the listener on a sonic journey through the songs

Imaging is another area where the Astrolith excels, allowing for accurate localization of instruments and vocals. This precision is beneficial for complex tracks where multiple elements compete for attention. The Astrolith’s ability to separate and position these elements clearly contributes to a more engaging and realistic listening experience

 

Comparison:

Campfire Audio Astrolith versus Campfire Audio Supermoon:

The Astrolith leverages its dual planar magnetic driver setup, featuring a 14mm driver dedicated to bass, to deliver a powerful and deeply extended bass response. This configuration provides excellent sub-bass extension and a satisfying rumble, all while maintaining control and clarity. Conversely, the Supermoon, equipped with a single 14mm planar magnetic driver, offers a punchy and energetic bass performance. Although not as deep or controlled as the Astrolith, the Supermoon still delivers a satisfying low-end presence.

The Astrolith excels with its natural and detailed midrange, balancing warmth and clarity beautifully. Its fuller lower midrange and natural upper midrange bring vocals and instruments to life with excellent texture and emotion. On the other hand, the Supermoon presents a slightly forward midrange, emphasizing vocals and instruments. While it can be more aggressive than the Astrolith, it maintains a high level of detail and clarity. The dual-driver configuration of the Astrolith gives it an advantage in delivering a more nuanced and realistic midrange.

In the treble range, the Astrolith stands out with its vibrant and extended response, featuring excellent detail retrieval and airiness, thanks to its 6mm planar tweeter. This ensures well-controlled high frequencies, avoiding harshness and fatigue. Conversely, the Supermoon offers a smooth and refined treble with a good balance of detail and warmth. Although less extended than the Astrolith, it still provides a pleasant and engaging listening experience. The Astrolith’s specialized planar tweeter allows it to deliver clearer and more precise high frequencies.

The Astrolith creates a wide and immersive soundstage with excellent instrument separation and depth, resulting in a realistic and holographic listening experience. This is enhanced by its dual-driver configuration, allowing for precise imaging and accurate localization of instruments. In contrast, the Supermoon offers a narrower soundstage but still provides a good sense of space and air. Its soundstage is more intimate and focused, which some listeners may prefer. However, the Astrolith’s broader soundstage and improved imaging capabilities make it superior in creating an expansive auditory environment.

In summary, both the Campfire Audio Astrolith and Supermoon are exceptional IEMs, catering to different listening preferences. The Astrolith, with its advanced dual planar magnetic driver configuration, delivers a more powerful and dynamic sound with superior bass and treble extension. Its wide soundstage and precise imaging make it ideal for those seeking an immersive and impactful listening experience. The Supermoon, with its single-driver design, provides a more balanced and refined sound, emphasizing midrange clarity and detail. While the Supermoon may be engaging for certain genres, the Astrolith’s enhanced control, refinement, and overall performance make it a higher-end model suited for a wide range of musical styles.

 

Conclusion:

The Campfire Audio Astrolith is a finely crafted IEM that combines advanced technology with premium materials. Handcrafted in Portland, Oregon, it features a dual planar magnetic driver system with a 14mm main driver and a 6mm high-frequency tweeter, ensuring accurate and swift sound reproduction. Its lightweight 3D-printed acrylic body with a mirror-finished stainless steel faceplate offers durability and a sleek look. Enhanced by proprietary technologies, the Astrolith delivers dynamic bass, a clear midrange, and smooth treble, with an expansive soundstage and precise imaging for an immersive listening experience.

The ergonomic design and effective noise isolation make the Astrolith ideal for extended listening sessions. When paired with good sources, the Astrolith provides an exceptional audio experience. Overall, Astrolith impresses with its clarity and dynamic range, offering a top-notch listening experience. It’s a reliable choice for both critical listeners and casual music lovers who demand quality sound.

 

Pros & Cons:

• + Dynamic bass, a clear midrange, and smooth yet detailed treble
• + Expansive soundstage and precise imaging
• + Overall clarity and resolution
• + Impressive speed and control
• + Eye-Catching Design
• + Solid build quality
• + Decent Fit and Comfort
• + Comes with two Time Stream cables

 

• – The added midbass weight may not be ideal for certain genres
• – Comes with a rich set of accessories BUT just with 6 pairs of ear tips
• – Would wish for a cable with a modular headphone plug design

 

Thank you for the Read!