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
    Have you considered/auditioned the existing alternatives? InEar PP8, AAW W900, EE Bravado/Phantom, Sony EX1000? These are just some that I or others have heard that are competitive with Andro, depending on your tastes and preferences. And most (all?) aren't as source-sensitive as Andro.

    Anyone feel free to correct or suggest other possibilities.
     
  2. TheBarnard

    TheBarnard Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    64
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    South Florida
    I've heard good things about most of them. The InEar PP8 gets compared favorably pretty often, but it depends on what you're after. I haven't heard any of 'em (never had the money to freely experiment with IEMs like I did when I was full-sized oriented, but I'd love to hear the PP8 and EX1000. PP8 from what I gather is more bass/mid oriented vs detail/sound stage/ fullness oriented

    I've come to like the source variation from the Andro. I use the IEMatch with X5 III, and I frequently swap between high and ultra z depending on my mood and tips. Its like a hardware EQ for me
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2018
  3. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    Got to put the PP8s up against the Andros and to my ears it was no competition. Yes, the PP8s had excellent mids, some of the best I've heard, but the Andros just do everything well. Nothing sticks out and distracts you, and that's one of the reasons they don't knock people's socks off to start. Had a friend who bought both the Vegas and Andros and in the first week talked about how great the Vegas were, and then a month later he admitted he only listens to the Andros now. Exactly my experience as well. YMMV blah, blah, blah.
     
  4. LunaC

    LunaC New

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    3
    For a long time now I have been using the tips that came with RHA t20i and cut foam earplugs to fit inside. Adjusted the size of the insert for best balance of sealing and ear canal comfort. Getting closer to two years this way!
     
  5. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    Make your own Symbios! Nice
     
  6. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2015
    Likes Received:
    946
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Malta
    Currently considering buying the Campfire audio litz TRRS ended cable.

    Does the Sony ZX2 TRRS driving Andros through Campfire Audio litz cable really sound better compared to stock Litz TRS?

    Lots of positive vibe on the the ZX2 driving IEMs via the pseudo-balanced connection on hype-fi but some experienced SBAFers noting little if any difference.
     
  7. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2015
    Likes Received:
    946
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Malta
    I took the plunge and answered my own question at last. I compared the SE and balanced TRRS connection (reterminated stock Campfire Audio Litz cable) on the Sony ZX2 with the Andromedas and the differences are real!

    Balanced is the way to go on the Sony ZX2 - Andromeda combo if a vastly improved soundstage, imaging and instrumental separation is sought.

    The Andromedas have reached new heights despite my initial skepticism.

    More details here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...x2-w-ca-andromeda-iem.3245/page-2#post-213511
     
  8. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,078
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Home Page:
    Hey Guys.

    [​IMG]

    While supplies last, we love you, thank you for your support and happy 4th!!

    Ken
     
  9. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2016
    Likes Received:
    8,193
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Surprised this hadn't been posted already (or if it has, I didn't see it) ... but a new, limited edition "Andromeda S" in polished stainless steel (and it seems with a modified tuning) ...
     
  10. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,151
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Valencia, CA
    Damn, those look nice. Although I would like an explanation of the "special tuning".
     
  11. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2016
    Likes Received:
    8,193
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    I'll be interested to see what they've changed, given how good the standard model is with the right source.

    Sadly the nozzles are just too big for a comfortable/reliable seal for me with the CA stuff in this series, otherwise I'd order them to find out.
     
  12. roscoeiii

    roscoeiii Acquaintance

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2016
    Likes Received:
    80
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Think all we know right now is that it is a new BA in the mids which gives "better performance in vocals and density"
     
  13. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,151
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Valencia, CA
    When I tried them at can jam LA last year, I had to use the foam tips to keep them inserted, but that's generally the case with almost any IEM for me. I like that he is selling them for the same price as the standard Andromeda. Good on Ken Ball
     
  14. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    Dang those look nice. Also super curious about the new tuning.

    @KenBall - Any thoughts on the differences between these T1000 liquid-metal looking Andros and the stock units?
     
  15. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2016
    Likes Received:
    746
    Trophy Points:
    113
    They are already on backorder. Is that because they aren't available, or are they sold out already? Definitely interested in these, they look beautiful. I'm hoping for a boost in the sub bass. If so, I'm definitely in. Doesn't need to be basshead level, just 5-6db in the 20-50hz range. ;)
     
  16. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,697
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Arizona
    Damn - I didn't need a third Andromeda. Sorry about my wallet.
     
  17. Metro

    Metro Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,590
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    San Francisco
    It says "Starts Shipping Mid-September". It would be better if they said preorder instead of backorder.
     
  18. eyeshield21

    eyeshield21 New

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2018
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    I think the existing pairs were all sold during the Hong Kong high-end audio show that is till happening rn, hence 'backordered'. Also yes, I read from some chinese sources that mid BA driver is 'improved for better vocals'.
     
  19. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2016
    Likes Received:
    746
    Trophy Points:
    113
    If these are out in the wild already, maybe someone will offer some impressions of them. Hoping improved for better vocals means more sub bass. Seriously though, from memory, vocals already sounded quite good. Perhaps these are more of an audio side grade and visual upgrade (if you like the design/style better)?
     
  20. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,078
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Home Page:
    Hey Guys,

    Here in HK at the show having a great time, love HK.

    The Andro-S. I was really careful about not fixing something that is not broken so the change is subtle and as most keep golden ear folks that have been posting the main diff is indeed the vocals / mid centric tweak. The HF freq is identical to the classic Andromeda but some might perceive the HF being different but this is just a effect of the mids being a little fuller. I have said too much and should let users make their excellent impressions.

    We are pre selling the main bulk of the Andro-S in right now on the CFA website. We are only doing one production run of this model and will not make it again. If your into it please I hope you will consider placing your order before we run out. Once the limited #s of them are pre ordered we will remove all trace of the Andromeda S. Sorry to sound like a sales person but we got hammered when we sold out of the previous special edition runs and for like 12+ months after they were all gone we still had customers asking for them, so just a fair warning.

    Thank you all for your support!

    Ken

    Pic from our booth.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     

Share This Page