Campfire Audio Andromeda Review: Holy Cow, This is a Dream, Awesomesauce!

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by purr1n, May 13, 2016.

  1. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,773
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    small island claimed by China
    I highly doubt you could use them with the Andro-size CA IEMs. Unless you have unusually deep conchas, they're going to stick out at least a little. And the edges are more likely to catch and pull when you put the helmet on than a rounded shell. You'd probably be limited to deep insertion tips to keep them secure, which doesn't work sonically for everyone.

    I don't have a bike anymore, but if your helmet is snug enough to provide proper head protection, I wouldn't recommend them. A buddy has used Shures and Westones under his helmet with good results.
     
  2. TeskR

    TeskR New

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2017
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Tasmania
    Bugger, I figured that might be the case with the CA IEMs. Especially after that photo you recently posted haha.
    Thanks for the heads up, I might have to look at other brands then.
     
  3. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,877
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Sactown-ish
    For comfort, you're not going to get anything better than at least some type of CIEM. Even small profile universals seems to extend wide enough to make contact with well-fit helmets, causing pressure fatigue over longer periods of use.

    That said, spending good money on a helmet audio is a bit of an act of diminishing returns (IMO). You're never able to overcome the ambient noise to a level to delineate the difference between a $50 piece of gear and a $500 piece of gear. It's either the bike noise, road noise, wind or buffeting that works against you.

    I settled on a set of CIEMs made locally at a motorcycle rally. They sound like shit standing still, but fair/good while riding. It's the comfort and isolation that wins here.

    Just my $.02
     
  4. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,697
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Arizona
    +1 to captkirk. Custom would be the best bet, but don't spend big bucks. I'd look for something bassy, but not fatiguing. I don't know if there are any cheap dynamic driver customs.
     
  5. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    Have to admit I’m not a motorcycle guy at all, but wouldn’t wearing IEM/CIEMs while riding significantly reduce your ability to hear what’s going on around you? (Horns, sirens, etc.)
     
  6. eastboundofnowhere

    eastboundofnowhere Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    202
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Possible yes, but between wind noise and the exhaust most of the people I know who ride a lot wear earplugs anyway. I used to ride daily and at highway speeds you may not hear someone honk who is right behind you. Your eyes are your best friends here, always be alert and checking mirrors cause with or without a helmet you only hear a steady roar above about 45mph.
     
  7. TeskR

    TeskR New

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2017
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Tasmania
    Yeah your eyes tend to be the most important sense by far while riding due to engine and wind noises.
    However, that being said, I wouldn't be using IEMs on all trips just those to and from work on roads I am familiar with and know all the dangerous spots.
    Either way, doesn't look like these CA ones are going to work (at least for the motorcycle part of my day), so I'll end this motorcycle related derail here thanks for the help all!
     
  8. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,877
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Sactown-ish
    You nailed it.

    ** Sorry, beginning off topic rant:

    The only other caveat is the isolation will impair any ambient noise from alerting you to what's going on. As others have mentioned, vision takes on a higher priority as the only meaningful method of determining WTF is going on; that, and one's familiarity with the surrounding environment - though that argument can be tossed with all the variables outside of your control.

    Rule of thumb while riding....

    You are more at risk with every additional ounce of distraction. That could be the a passenger, a comm device and/or cell phone, and media (music/GPS) and you need to weigh that distraction with your life.

    I listen to music while riding, because it increases my perceived level of enjoyment and I understand the risks.

    I do not carry a passenger, because I do not want to deal with the responsibility and I'm selfish and do NOT want anyone with me. Riding is for ME y'all.

    I do not use a GPS or cell phone (to talk to people), because both of these belong nowhere while operating a motorcycle.

    ** End of rant.
     
  9. eastboundofnowhere

    eastboundofnowhere Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    202
    Trophy Points:
    43
    No, I don't think you've derailed anything really. I own andromeda's and ride. Would not suggest them for that though. Acoustically, from a low z output source they are pretty much ideal(you want the mids and bottom end elevated more than normal). The problem is of course... price, fitment and durability. I am not trying to suggest they are fragile because definitely not, but if you are daily pulling a helmet on and off over them something will give and they are simply too expensive, for me, to treat that way and as others have said you want form fitting or deep insertion. The best I ever had for this were Aurisonic rockets for everything but the lows, or shures due to their fitment.

    Ultimately I ended up buying a windshield and just buying cheaper sub $30 IEMS. The cords will break more often than you think from pulling a helmet over them and the screen makes a hell of a lot of difference. This is after partially disassembling my bike, installing an amplifier, power cords on the frame after the fuel tank and bodywork where removed, and modifying it for speaker pods. Really, you cannot get the fidelity on a motorcycle you are looking for unless you cruise around at school zone speeds, it just does not work. I tired everything from asking the same question you have years ago, to tearing a brand new bike down to the frame and engine to experiment. Being an audiophile and a biker is a hell of a lot of fun but the two just don't mix at the same time.
     
  10. eastboundofnowhere

    eastboundofnowhere Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    202
    Trophy Points:
    43
    One last thing. As with several things in life…If you don't do it now, you wouldn't understand. If you ride, again much like many other things, you are more interested in living than being alive. The safest idea is to not listen to music at all on a bike. Really, ultimately that is no joke. But safer still is to not drive at all or to drive solo in an 8 person SUV. Me, I want to go out on the highway listening to Black Sabbath with a hooker in my lap, a beer in my hand and a smile, or another hooker, on my face.

    Hope I don't get banned for the above, but by god motorcycles are a sick lot to fun. And realistically I gave a lot of that dream up when I decided to be normal and have a family. It really is a lot like music when you hit that perfect curve/scenery situation. All of course enhanced by the friends with you at the time. Enough with the thread derailment. The andros are a terrible choice for a ride but wonderful if you want them after you reached your destination.
     
  11. TeskR

    TeskR New

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2017
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Tasmania
    The IEMs would be used 95% of the time while actually at work, I was just hoping to get one pair that I would be able to use both at and while traveling to work.
    I might look into some Shures, or pick up something from CA for work and get something cheaper for the commute.
     
  12. Returnity

    Returnity Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2017
    Likes Received:
    22
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Istanbul
  13. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,019
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Anaheim, CA
    Can anyone affirm if the while Cerakote finish is actually more durable?

    Also, I was reading reviews again last night... I'm a little worried as the description of U-shaped keeps coming up. Are there any over-ear or in-ear universals that have a similar frequency response you could point me to? Not for accuracy, but for ballpark?
     
  14. TheBarnard

    TheBarnard Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    64
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    South Florida
    After some back and forth, I decided to go with white. Figure if I miss green, I can always trade with someone down the line
     
  15. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,697
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Arizona
    The green is awesome - you just have to treat it like jewelry if you want to to stay that way. I went for white this time around. I think I still prefer the Andro to the PP8 and UE18+.
     
  16. Returnity

    Returnity Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2017
    Likes Received:
    22
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Istanbul
    I'm quite conservative regarding this color issue I guess. Although the white CK certainly looks fabulous, for me the equation is: andromeda=green. I think that's iconic! And that's from someone who despises those fancy colors :)
     
  17. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,697
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Arizona
  18. Sharkhunter

    Sharkhunter Always on the hunt.

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2016
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    8
    If B-Stock troubles you, CA Andromeda New ones are discounted and are up on sale for 999 at their website.

    I ordered a white b-stock version.

    edited:
     
  19. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    Those CK Blue ones at Headphone Bar are pretty darn sweet looking!
     
  20. roscoeiii

    roscoeiii Acquaintance

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2016
    Likes Received:
    80
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Mmmmmm, that white!

    Crossing my fingers that the Andro works well with the LG V10. Posts here and elsewhere suggest it should, even though I can't seem to find info on the V10 OI anywhere online...
     

Share This Page