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

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

  1. eastboundofnowhere

    eastboundofnowhere Facebook Friend

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    Yes, you can get the standard litz with 4.4 termination or the reference 8 which I assume is thinner and less microphonic than what I bought, probably a good middle ground. I didn’t want to buy the same cable I already had with a different termination.
     
  2. LVF1

    LVF1 New

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    Almost everything about the Andromeda sounds great, but I am worried about fit which has me thinking about ciems. Maybe my issue is that my current iem the Sony xba-z5 fitment is awful and I shouldn't be worried about other universal iems.
     
  3. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Andro fit is definitely ear-shape dependent. Your best bet is to try a pair before you commit. Or buy from a shop that will let you return them.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2018
  4. Ice-man

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    I have NEVER been able to get a good fit from a universal...until I got the andro. Stock silicon (m) slips right in and I've never had to tinker with it again.
     
  5. David Reeves

    David Reeves New

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    Recently picked my own pair of Andromeda when they were made available as B-stock. They are my favorite IEM ever. I even own the Atlas, and prefer Andromeda over them. The Atlas definitely have much more bass, but the Andromeda satisfy and BUMP. I had trouble getting a seal with the Atlas that didn't "suffocate" the sound with silicone tips(my pref). Somehow I was creating a vacuum or something and had to adjust the IEM in my ear to let some air in or something, it was really weird and I have never experienced this with any other IEM. It was a major source of frustration for me in getting to enjoy my Atlas. This problem was not present with foam tips whatsoever. I had been curios about the Andromeda for some time as I had previously owned a pair of Jupiter IEMs but found them a bit anemic and lacking what I was looking for. So when a chance to try Andromeda at a discount I couldn't resist. I AM SO GLAD I PICKED THEM UP. Having spent over a month with the Atlas, I was expecting the Andromeda to come up short. It was anything but short and is a truly awesome IEM. Now someone stop me from ordering a pair of Andromeda S. By the way guys, if you were ever nervous about picking up some B-Stock because they might have some glaring problem. Don't be, CA's B-stock items are in PRISTINE condition. I have bought two items, and seriously can't find the "flaw" or defect. Anyways, just wanted to share my appreciation for the Andromeda. Nicely done.
     
  6. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    Sony is very unique in there shape for iems. I have several Sony iems, including the Z5, they all fit but they are some of the most annoying iems to wear. Andros, are leagues ahead of them fit wise.
     
  7. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Or if you can't do this locally - buy a pair of KZ ZS5, which are copies of the Campfire shape but are very cheap. If those fit you ok, you're good to go. Have to say I thought they'd be uncomfortable, but I found them fine (I take med tips and have med to smallish concha bowls).

    Note I only suggest those if you're really think you need to check fit. You might wish to listen to them out of curiosity - but I'd recommend resisting the temptation.
     
  8. buonassi

    buonassi New

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    I used to look at CA IEMs and reason that it was yet another example of how audiophiles like to suffer for their hobby in pursuit of perfect sound. So I avoided them. Then caved....

    This was exactly my experience after I got some B stock Jupiters (same dimensions as Andro). Deceptively comfortably. Don't look like they would be. I have slightly larger than average concha bowls, so it appears they're fine for all but the smallest of ears.
     
  9. HeartOfSky

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    This is a problem I have as well. I struggled enjoying my Vega (and will have the same issues with the Andromeda S), because silicone tips cause a hard seal (losing sound) and foam tips irritate my ears. I noticed that some other people here "vent" their tips and decided to come up with my own version. I run a strand of 1mm cotton cord through the bore of the tip while placing it onto the IEM nozzle. I then adjust the cord and trim the ends (have pics to show, if you'd like). It's been a life saver for my Vega.
     
  10. Ice-man

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    ^^ I'd like to see a pic when you have time.
     
  11. HeartOfSky

    HeartOfSky Acquaintance

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    Here you go:
    [​IMG]
     
  12. gepardcv

    gepardcv Almost "Made"

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    Agreed with the people saying the Andromeda has an unexpectedly good fit. I had major problems with universals before, to the point that I had a tip from a Westone come off deep in my ear. (I walked to a pharmacy, bought tweezers, and got the damned thing out.) I then bought a CIEM, the original JH13fp, and liked it a lot... Then the Black Friday B-stock Andromeda sale rolled around last year, and I figured I could roll the dice with it.

    Whoa. It fit, and there's no way I'll lose a tip with these well-designed nozzles and the shallow insertion style. And it sounds better than the JH13, though it's not easy to explain why — a more natural treble, maybe? Slightly better bass extension (though the JH13 cannot be accused of being bass-shy)? A CIEM still has an edge in ease of insertion, but I find it more finicky to keep clean. With the Andromeda, I use Comply comfort tips, and the thin layer of foam that Comply puts over the nozzles is fantastic for helping keep everything out of the audio channels.

    I've been using it with the iEMatch, and it makes the Andromeda sound great with all kinds of otherwise-noisy outputs (e.g., laptop for coffee shop use — no external amp needed).
     
  13. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    If wonder if you used red thread would it result in a warmer sound? ;)
     
  14. HeartOfSky

    HeartOfSky Acquaintance

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    I'll have to give it a try and let you know. :p
     
  15. Bill-P

    Bill-P Level 42 Mad Wizard

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    By the way, I just heard a new version of Andromeda with redesigned nozzles. Compared against my older Andromeda, the new nozzles are a lot shinier, and they're fingerprint magnets.

    In terms of sound, I don't think I like the redesign very much. It sounded very congested compared to the older version. Certain regions of the treble are just... absent. Also it sounded weirdly shouty for some reason.

    The redesign almost sounds like an entirely new IEM. @KenBall, please let us know if this is a thing?
     
  16. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Do you mean v1.5 and v2 as shown in this post on AdFi?

    [​IMG]

    @deafdoorknob showed it to me a while ago but I keep forgetting to check mine. I seem to remember my nozzle being longer and shiny (at least the one in my pants is), but I'm not absolutely sure.

    Edit: Hmm ... the subsequent post dates v2 to be post Pacific Blue Edition, which would make mine v1.5. Back to having a short nozzle.
     
  17. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    Mine are V1.5 with bevels and the original nozzle, but with V1 screws FWIW.
     
  18. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    So I guess that would make them v1.25 ...
     
  19. Ice-man

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    All of the sudden my Andro doesn't sound as good since @Bill-P comment. :rolleyes:
     
  20. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Is it that new limited edition Andro with the unique tuning?
     

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