Cascade by Campfire Audio

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by KenBall, Feb 1, 2018.

  1. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    Introducing the all NEW

    [​IMG]


    By CFA

    Years in the making; we've finally captured the Campfire Audio sound in a portable, closed-back headphone.

    Cascade delivers exceptional musicality and openness. Sonic traits not found in typical ‘closed-back’ headphone designs.

    A powerful and impactful sound with excellent speed and micro detail retrieval. Superior highs extend over the precisely controlled bass.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Cascade by Campfire Audio;
    We started with great materials to reach our goal of a great headphone:

    • Custom crafted 42mm beryllium PVD dynamic drivers.
    • Aluminum and stainless steel construction.
    • Premium sheepskin earpads.
    • Detachable silver plated copper Litz cable with cloth jacket.
    • Exceptional musicality and openness.
    • Closed-back design.
    We spent a lot of time and effort to achieve the Campfire DNA into these closed back HiFi headphones. The sound is something we wanted very much to be in line with what our customers expect out of a product from CampFire Audio, not easy but we think we nailed it. We hope you will like the CFA house sound out of these wonderful headphones we have made.

    For more information and how you can own a pair Of CampFire Audio Cascade headphones please go here.

    CASCADE HEADPHONE BY CFA

    [​IMG]

    (Ken and Caleb with some of the early prototypes of the Cascade, Ken levitating the Cascade!)



    Thank you!

    Ken
     
  2. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Looks schwifty. Definitely an OPPO vibe, which is a good thing. Which IEM do you think Cascades tone most closely aligns to?
     
  3. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    These look nice, and I've enjoyed many of the CA products I've tried.

    I'll admit though - I'm usually not a fan of square headphone pads. For example, the PM3 is just too small for long term comfort for me. So it begs the question @KenBall - can you post the inner LxW of the ear pads please?

    Looks great, and thanks. =)
     
  4. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    Looks great!
    Which are the ear cavity dimensions of the earpads?

    EDIT:
    @Elnrik is the fastest gun in the west :D
     
  5. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Very interesting- look forward to some reviews (since it's nigh impossible to audition your stuff in the UK). One question, what is the cable connector used?
     
  6. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    Vega / Dorado...

    But I have to say that were are super happy with the tuning. When I let the Sony engineers listen to them one of them asked me "Are these open?" great complement and were impressed with how open they sounded despite being totally closed.

    Ken
     
  7. ald0s

    ald0s Facebook Friend

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    Yes I am also worried about my giant ears / head fitting in those squares. I have faith in CFA though. Are these meant to be easily driven by a number of sources / phones Ken?
     
  8. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    Out side OD approx - 2.75 inch wide x 4 inch tall

    Inside ID is approx - 1.5 inch wide x 2.5 inch

    The pads are magnetically attached for easy replacement. Also we have acoustic dampers that customers can tune up the low freq... comes with 4 values to play with.

    Cheers,

    Ken
     
  9. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    Super easy to drive... the pads are very soft and stretchy.

    We will bring a bunch to the NYC CanJam show so please come and listen.

    Ken
     
  10. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    @KenBall, is there a 2.5 mm balanced cable for these?
     
  11. Vansen

    Vansen Gear Master (retiring)

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    Those are HD800 connectors, too. Throw on any HD800 cable.
     
  12. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    We are almost done with our upgrade cables for the Cascade. So we are offering the new SXC8 wire (22awg x 8) in various terminations and lengths..... 3.5mm 4 pole balanced, 4.4mm 5 pole (Sony) balanced, 2.5mm balanced and 1/4 plugs ;-)

    https://www.aloaudio.com/shop/new-sxc-8-headphone-cable/

    Please stand by, these will be available very soon.. Also our new SXC8 wire is killer.

    Ken
     
  13. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    Oh right, yes 100% compatible with the HD800.

    Ken
     
  14. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    So the open will be the Andromeda tuning...;) Guess we'll have to wait...
     
  15. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    [​IMG]

    The case is pretty sweet also.

    Ken
     
  16. brencho

    brencho Friend

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    Dude @KenBall you had me at "levitating" (great pic btw). Been using the Andromeda since they came out and I'm looking forward to hearing these too.
     
  17. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    Just when I thought my portable days were over......time to start saving up.
     
  18. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    See you there! Looking forward to hearing the improvements from the prototype I heard during the big SBAF Nov LA meet. Any projected price point yet?

    I dislike the decision to use the HD800 connectors though. They're fragile and difficult to work with for DIYers.

    Edit: $800 from the product page: https://www.aloaudio.com/shop/cascade/
     
  19. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Congrats Ken! They look great and can't wait to hear the production versions. Cheers
     
  20. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    I agree with you on the HD800 connectors in terms of cable making they are not easy to use. Let me explain why I choose these connectors. As a cable maker for like, ever ;-) I have made a un countable amount of headphone cables over the years. Of all the connectors we made cables with, the HD800s connector was hands down the most reliable connector of them all. With very very few intermittent issues and bullet proof construction it was just the the safest selection. I do not like how hard they are to use when making cables (agreed) I also hate the price, they are stupid expensive. However they are so robust we will (hopefully) get zero RMAs or problems.

    Ken
     

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