Campfire Audio Andromeda IEM Measurements

Discussion in 'IEM Measurements' started by purr1n, May 14, 2016.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Campfire Audio Andromeda Measurements

    General discussion here: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...a-holy-cow-this-is-a-dream-awesomesauce.2075/

    Campfire Audio Andromeda Frequency Response (0db REL = 100db SPL)

    Andromeda FR.png
    Resonant peak near 8k is a measurement artifact caused by the coupler. Take anything after 8-9kHz with a grain of salt because of the limitations of the coupler.

    Campfire Audio Andromeda Distortion (at above FR levels)

    Andromeda L HD.jpg
    Andromeda R HD.jpg

    Campfire Audio Andromeda Impedance and Phase (electrical)
    Andromeda Z.png

    Note: There is a 20 degree phase shift at 20kHz (starting at 10kHz) and 10% impedance roll off at 20Hz (starting at 50Hz) inherent with the impedance measurement apparatus. When I have more time, I'll build a proper system for this measurement; but the current results should still give us the gist of things.

    Impedance measurement seems interesting. High output Z amps will make this IEM sound bright. I will follow up on the effects of output Z to validate.

    P.S. You know this has to be good when I making excuses to keep measuring every aspect of it so I can keep it around for as long as I can. :p
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2016
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Effects on frequency response from different devices with different output impedance. As inferred, the Andromeda is extremely sensitive to amps.

    From Schiit Magni 2 High Z Setting
    Magni 2 Hi Z.png

    From Schiit Magni 2 Low Z Setting
    Magni 2 Low Z.png

    From Schiit Vali 2 Low Z Setting
    Note rolloff because Vali 2 is cap coupled. Schiit probably did not expect anything nuts with impedance curves that go down to 4 ohms.
    Vali 2 Low Z.png

    I actually prefer the Andromeda with a few ohms output Z. The iPhone output is perfect for my tastes. It actually brings down the bass a few db. From Magni 2, low Z setting is too bassy for me.
     
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Additional sets of Andromeda Frequency Response measurements from more sources - in order from lowest source impedance to highest.

    Chord Mojo
    Mojo.png

    Sony ZX2
    zx2.png

    AK100II
    AK100II.png

    iPhone 6 Plus
    iPhone 6 plus.png


    As I like to emphasize so much, frequency response does not tell us everything. Subjectively, the ZX2 sounds the bassiest, the AK100II sounds the leanest. There is some correlation though.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2016
  4. zachchen1996

    zachchen1996 Friend

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    Would you say the ZX2 / Andromeda pairing is also the best for electronic music?
     
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'm starting to write the four way comparison right now, but in nutshell, the ZX2 is my favorite source among them with the Mojo followed very closely behind. The Mojo is priced significantly less than the ZX2 though; however, it is not a self-contained portable source like the ZX2.

    Hahaha. I've been listening to 80s and 90s techno and synth pop on the Andromeda quite a lot in the past two weeks. The ZX2 has the best driver control, bass impact, and bass weight of them all. Actually, it has the best everything. Stay tuned. I don't want to ruin it all. Give me about 30 minutes to make the satanic octagons and gather up my notes from the past few weeks.
     
  6. zachchen1996

    zachchen1996 Friend

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    I mainly listen to electronic and am secretly a closet bass head. This is all I needed to know, now I need to run out and get me a ZX2 xD.
     
  7. Vent

    Vent Friend

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    Why does the Chord Mojo remind me of this:

    [​IMG]
     
  8. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    I had a bias against Fisher Price Chord until I actually tried a Mojo. It sounds great, is well built and the pricing is about right (in the context of the market).

    In a way it's an odd device though; not a DAP and not the most portable form-factor, but it suits my needs (transportable setup with laptop, Mojo and IEMs). I am looking forward to trying it with Andromeda.

    I can't see myself buying any of the other current Chord products though...
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2016
  9. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    ^ agreed, pretty nice for the price and size. I sold mine after a brief tryst but I'd consider getting it again with the Andromeda on the way. We'll see what the listening habits dictate. At the time I didn't like that it was battery run since I wasn't listening on-the-go and I forget to charge it. Thankfully Marv's tests indicate that the iPhone 6 isn't half bad for andromeda!
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    rejiggered measurements posted.
     
  11. Chipless

    Chipless New

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    Thank you so much for posting these measurements. In regards to pairing the Andromeda with a balanced, portable USB DAC, which would you recommend: LH Labs GO2A, or RAP KEB02iP? Or, is there another option in the same price range I should consider? Thanks again for all of your work.
     
  12. landroni

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  13. Kunlun

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    @Marvey May we have a waterfall graph of the andro sometime, please?
     
  14. Muse Wanderer

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    Last edited: Jan 1, 2017
  15. Chipless

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  16. econaut

    econaut Almost "Made"

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    Does anyone know where that comparison and the satanic octagons went?
     
  17. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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