Campfire Audio Vega, Dorada, Lyra 2 Discussion/Impressions

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by purr1n, Oct 29, 2016.

  1. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    Yes, correct.sorry still dizzy from last night.
    KB
     
  2. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Ken,
    Did you check the FR of the Vega at the meet?
     
  3. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    Mini Review - Lyra 2 - Electric Boogaloo

    First of all the thoughts I'm about to put forth should be qualified with what I have written previously on the CA Jupiter. While I can't seem to find my original comparison of the Jupiter vs the Lyra1, the gist of it was that I felt the Jupiter manhandled the Lyra1 with both superior tone and technical ability. It should also be noted that tips and fit make a huge difference here. I was originally at fault for hearing the CA stuff at launch (at THE SHOW 2015 IIRC) without settling on the right tips and dismissing them too early.

    Based on what I'm hearing now, I don't feel the Lyra2 has changed all that much from what I remember. I'm not even sure what exactly has changed on paper. If anything I would say the Lyra2 is smoother in the treble although I still hear a slight bright spot in the sibilance region. EQ optional, unless your name is Hands (and you're not already running some diarrhea sounding NOS DAC to smooth it out.) Besides that I think the tone of the Lyra2 (as well as other CA DD's) has been well established as a unabashed U shape signature, with a healthy helping of bass thickness but still lively enough to remain entertaining for those of us who don't like to feel like we're listening underwater. Those who know me know I don't really care for this signature. Nonethless, my biggest issues are on the technical side actually, with the Lyra2 having a severe lack of clarity and having what I describe as a "double-take" midrange. This is a similar effect that the AQ Nighthawk, where the reproduction decides to take your mids for some sick twist and your brain requires you to hit the reset button in order to reckon what is appearing before it. The clarity issue is probably overstated, as it's a different issue than the lack of clarity that BA"s have. BA's tend to impart a grit or grain that prevents true clarity. The Lyra2 is infected by more of the fuzzy or rounded effect that prevents things from being perfectly clear. Pick your poison, but I'd rather not kill myself any time soon.

    Another thing about the Lyra2 that's worth noting is its ability to sound forceful....constantly forceful. This is especially contrasted with the Jupiter which I remember having a more delicate touch to its rendition. Ultimately I find the Lyra2's constant forcefulness to be unnatural when faced with music that just sounds more accurate and more enjoyable when rendered with a more delicate touch. But I fully recognize this might be a preference thing and I make no claims as to which is actually more faithful to the source in this case.

    To sum up, I don't really see much use for the Lyra2 in CA's lineup for someone like me. It makes sense to try to fit in DD IEMs with a different signature, but it's hard to say what the Lyra2 covers that the Jupiter and Andro don't already have covered. The Lyra2 gives up too much resolution to my liking while not having much tonal benefits except for someone who desires this specific signature and is willing to give up a lot in other arenas. I find both the Jupiter and the Andro to have healthy and robust bass, with the Jupiter offering a more laid back upper mid and the Andro having a more forward and "studio" sound. I find both Jupiter/Andro to be more extended, clean and ultimately transparent in relationship to the Lyra2. While no one wants a great DD IEM more than me, this one just can't be the one for me. We're just going to have to wait for Ken to get his pants on straight and give us a neutral DD :D
     
  4. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    Ojneg,

    I have always liked the Lyra and also the Lyra II, we are very happy with it. We make things to really fit to what me and Caleb like so its sometimes hard to go outside these parameters. We also want to have a spread of varying flavors and sounds sigs to choose from, which is why we offer dynamic driver IEM and BA IEMs. Now I am tinkering with hybrids and in the future what ever technology I can get my hands on. I personally tend to be rather board and uninspired with anything flat which is why many people will either really love what we are doing or hate it. Mind you I dont want to go overboard but tend to push the IEM to something away from flat.

    Comparing the Lyra to the Jupiter, or rather DD vs BA is kind of charged and weighted with some preferences on these technologies inherent strengths and weaknesses. We here feel like the Lyra II and the Jupiter are really price points that are the best milage per dollar given the line up over all, the Orion I think however is overlooked here also.

    I have stated before here on SBAF that the Lyra was not really well received here by the majority of members and of course I respect all well laid out and thoughtful impressions, just like yours. So in that I thank you for your feedback. Can you please mention a or some single DD IEMs that you prefer over the Lyra II?

    Thanks guys.

    ken
     
  5. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    Off the top of my head, I can't think of a better DD IEM that I've heard at this point in time. So folks who are set on the DD sound should take that into account. I just feel the need to compare to the BA stuff because I ultimately care most about the maximum performance regardless of the technology.

    Also worth noting that while I usually skip over aesthetics and build quality, the Lyra is top notch in both regards. Comfort varies from ear to ear but I had no problem or irritation with the sleek design.

    Otherwise we all appreciate the gracious response to what could be interpreted as a negative review of your baby. I hope the fact that I will continue to recommend some of your even higher end models will give you some solace. :cool: And I very much hope you will continue to tinker and bring us even more awesome stuff :)
     
  6. Hiflight

    Hiflight New

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    Just a comment to KB that I also very much enjoy my original Lyra. Hard to beat for just chilling and absorbing the music!
     
  7. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    Understood, 10-4...I try not to listen to what other vendors are making typically so I can focus on keeping our own idea clear. Sometimes I like to know what others like so I can have something to shoot more for and I am really in my own bubble. This is why its really cool to get feedback from you guys.

    kb
     
  8. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    @OJneg Have you heard the ex1000? That is one of the more well received DD iems. I am a huge fan of DD iems, and the ex1000 is amongst my favorites. I haven't compared directly with my Vegas, but I think the ex is right under my Vegas as one of my favorites.
     
  9. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    I had the option to but Marv told me how it sounded and that I would be liable if I attempted to feed it to my dog.
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Ken, you are doing fine. There's no way you can make every one of your IEMs pleasing to everybody. The fact that you make your IEMs sound a bit different from each other is a good idea because it captures as much audience as possible. Also, don't mind us. Many of the folks here are neutralheads, and as such will probably gravitate toward the Andromeda. I think most IEM consumers will prefer a bassier sound. I'm a closet basshead, or have been known to like some very strange sounding headphones like the W3000, so I'm probably easier to please than @OJneg or some of the others.
     
  11. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Getting caught up on some work after the normal Thanksgiving and Black Friday distractions, and have been rocking out tonight to some classics using the Vega's with the Reference 8 cable. Such awesome stuff. Have never heard Phil Collins and Queen sound so good. Cheers Mr. Ball - well done.
     
  12. muse

    muse Facebook Friend

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    Finally got around to auditioning the Dorado last night.

    I prefer it to the Vega. Less bloom in the low freqs. Very detailed. Great extension on both ends. Slight v-shaped signature. Overall presentation is very upfront. Coherency / tonal balance for a hybrid is without question the best I've heard thus far, a league ahead of the Ibasso IT03.

    In a side-by-side comparison with the Andromedas, the Dorado had better bass definition. Andromedas still won out overall though. It had the more articulate(?) treble. A notch above in spaciousness and air around instruments. A greater perceived sense of clarity, likely down to leaner note density.

    This is somewhat controversial, but I'm almost now convinced that the high frequencies on the Andros are the best I've ever heard out of any IEM or headphone. In fact, I might go as far as to say the Andromedas are overall the best things I've ever put in/around my ear.
     
  13. deafdoorknob

    deafdoorknob Almost "Made"

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    Agreed regarding Andro, perhaps it's the new toy syndrome, Andro is probably one of the best non-loudspeakers transducer for me, there are still things others do better but holistically, it is fantastic.

    I was planning on getting the Jupiter or the Dorado originally, but the black friday sale was too tempting for me not to take bait.

    Thanks for the impressions on the Dorado, perhaps same time next year there would be some B-stock as well ;)
     
  14. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    I can't wait to hear my Vegas with the Ref 8 cable. I'm dying!!! Lol.
     
  15. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Was playing with the fit of my Vega's tonight and tried a deeper insertion. Pushed them in until the plane of the side of the IEM was flush, with or even slightly deeper the edge of my tragus.

    I'm finding a slightly different imaging with the insertion, a bit wider sound-stage, although it might just be a product of the anatomy of my ear. Suggest playing with depth when fiddling with different tips. I'm using Ken's foamies, although I now cheat and use the red/blue tips so I don't have to look at the IEMs closely to see which is R or L.

    Cheers
     
  16. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I found it sounded better when I had it placed so the tips just sealed.
     
  17. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Yeah, I guess with different shaped ear canals everyone should experiment and see what works best for them.

    Also it might just be my brain processing a new form of sound from what I'm used to, and seeing that difference as "better" - who knows. My brain likes to screw with me know and then just to keep things interesting.

    Cheers
     
  18. hifi01170

    hifi01170 Acquaintance

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    @Warrior can you please make a comparo of the vega with the mdr ex1000 please? I'm very much interested by your feedback.
    with the ex1000 it has been a love / hate relationship. Too thin sounding is my major grip with them. Is the Vega thin sounding? what about the sibilance?
    i'm looking for great bass, superb mids, and extended/non grating treble with "meat on the bone"...
     
  19. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    I can only go on memory at this point, both are on tour...

    I think they are definitely similar, but the Vegas add more bass, and the treble is not as hot on most recordings. The mids, tough to remember, but I want to say they are slightly thicker on the Vegas, but Vegas mids are not thick by any means. To my ears, they are just about perfect in the mid range for most of my moods. There is a rare appearance of sibilance with the Vegas, but i feel it's more recording dependent than any fault of the Vegas.

    Basically if you want an ex1000 with a little more bass, less hot treble, and slightly thicker mids The Vegas would be a great choice.

    Again, all of this is going from memory and I've never abed the Vegas and ex1000. I should have both back in a few weeks, and will be able to do some detailed listening.
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2016
  20. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

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    @Warrior

    Which one have a bigger soundstage between ex1000 and vega?
     

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