Campfire Audio Solaris - raising the bar?

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by mscott58, Oct 10, 2018.

  1. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    4998D7B7-FD5A-44A8-A308-FE263767A4A2.gif
     
  2. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    So anyone wonder how the following system would sound?

    DAC - Solaris - Crane Song
    AMP - Solaris - Audio Valve
    IEM - Solaris - Campfire Audio

    S cubed might allow hearing into the nth dimension.
     
  3. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    This sounds like a recipe for some From Beyond shenanigans.
     
  4. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Seems like it would be at risk of going supernova and then collapsing into a neutron star...
     
  5. Mimouille

    Mimouille Facebook Friend

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    I really appreciate the fact that Campfire is keeping prices low versus competition, and with great build quality and (apparently) customer service. What I am a bit more perplexed about is the speed of new models coming out are we not barely out of the Atlas being the TOTL? I know it is not the same but still.
     
  6. AvijitS25

    AvijitS25 Acquaintance

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    I guess the frequency of new releases is what I have a gripe with, I saved up and bought them
    I guess the goal has always been to have a totl model for each group, Hybrid, Dynamic, and BA,
     
  7. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    T-minus 3 days and counting! (given the time difference between here and Tokyo)
     
  8. LVF1

    LVF1 New

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    Accessory Jack has the Z1R at $1,699.99 so I'd hope it would be less than this amount and not the Sony USA retail price or the Z1R would then be a bargain. Either way consumers win.
     
  9. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Hoping for a balanced tuning finally again from CFA instead of yet another bass cannon.
     
  10. AdvanTech

    AdvanTech Friend

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    To be fair, there never was a balanced tuning, we just found that Andromeda's were more neutral with a higher OI.
     
  11. deafdoorknob

    deafdoorknob Almost "Made"

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    https://campfireaudio.com/shop/solaris/

    Dual Custom Balanced Armature Drivers + T.A.E.C. (High)

    Single Custom Ported Balanced Armature Driver (Mid)

    Specially Tuned 10mm Dynamic Driver (Mid + Low)

    $1,499
     
  12. Spl4tt

    Spl4tt New

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    Oh man, just when I thought my wallet was safe.
    There will be a convention in Zürich on the 9./10. november (Finally something like this in switzerland!), Campfire will also be present. Would be amazing if I could test the Solaris out there..
     
  13. xsuperxapplex

    xsuperxapplex Acquaintance

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    Jumped on the wagon since I loved CFA's past hybrids. Looking forward to this for sure.

    It's also good to add that the DD uses the same ADLC diaphragm as the one in the Atlas, and the BA configuration is the same as the Andromeda for high/mid. I love my Andro and my Atlas, so hoping their love child will be the best of both worlds :)
     
  14. Dash

    Dash Friend

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    Based on specs and color, I'm guessing this is the Dorado replacement.
     
  15. AvijitS25

    AvijitS25 Acquaintance

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    Also, the new mid-BA might be the new one in the andromeda S, unless all the BAs are new
     
  16. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    As much as I’m intrigued by these, I don’t think I can put any money down without seeing the FR and impedance curve.
     
  17. bengo

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    Totally understand where you're coming from. Your buddy Werner was plagued by uncertainty too.
     
  18. mscott58

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    More to come, but now that the embargo is off I can share some about my experience with the Solaris.

    Units themselves are beautiful and appear to be very well made.

    [​IMG]

    Again Ken has done well with his packaging. I like the larger faux shearling case - feels like you're not cramming the IEMs into too small of a space. It's about the size of two of his prior cases.

    [​IMG]

    Also the neat little double pocket mesh bag helps keep the units from hitting each other and risking dinging the finish.

    [​IMG]

    And here's the spec list from the card included with the Solaris.

    [​IMG]

    Here's a closeup of the machined and anodized internal surface. Shape fits quite well on my ears, although I've never had issues with any of CFAs IEM designs with my ears.

    [​IMG]

    Left and Right labeling is not subtle!

    [​IMG]

    Gold face-plates are more matte so not too shiny. Good ear-candy, but not too over the top in terms of bling IMO.

    [​IMG]

    Units are clearly deeper/thicker than other CFA IEMs, but not too bad. Stick out further, but hasn't been an issue so far. Couldn't sleep with them in like I could the Equinox.

    [​IMG]

    Very well put together. And I think that Ken's pricing at $1499 is solid. He clearly could have gone much higher, but he remains committed to sanity and not taking prices up just because he could.

    I've really enjoyed these, and am still burning them in. More to come shortly regarding initial sound impressions, but they're quite impressive so far.

    Cheers
     
  19. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    I'd say the Solaris is more of it's own beast versus any type of replacement. It's more like the Andro and Equinox/Atlas had a love child.

    Ken has clearly stated that this is the best he knows how to do with the tools/technology he currently has access to.
     
  20. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Some very early first impression thoughts for anyone interested in the Solaris. Only a day in, so won't make any critical listening statements quite yet, but know some people are eager for some info on the SQ.

    Also, here's another early impression I saw posted - https://audioprimate.blog/2018/10/26/campfire-audio-solaris-unboxing-and-initial-reaction/. Don't know the author, so can't vouch for anything, but their impressions are fairly similar to mine.

    Anyway, here's my early listening notes in raw form:

    Texture & resolution – fingers sliding on guitar strings along the frets. Can make out individual instruments clearly, different hits on the snare drum, individual cymbals (with significant sustain). Piano sustain as well.


    Dimensionality/depth – lots here, which I haven’t seen as much from an IEM – mostly from 2-channel speakers. Solid soundstage placement/direction. Best to date was the Andros – these seem to take that further. Really unusual to get this type of imaging from full sized HPs, let alone IEMs.


    Slightly confusing as there’s a lot more going on than I’m used to hearing in certain tracks. Wait, were there always strings in the background there? Are those real violins? Thought they were synthesizer versions. Did the sustain on that piano really last through to the very end of the song? Did that singer always take a breath there? And this isn’t an audiophile “look for the details” type of treasure hunt, but rather more of an immersion into the music. It all works together.


    Not “bass canons” per se (at least IMO), but good impact – some will see them as being bassier than they want, but that’s individual preference. Could likely be controlled with EQ for those who don’t have as much love for the low-end as I do.


    More upper-end energy as compared to Equinox/Vega. Not harsh or tinny, but clearly the BAs add more to the DD.


    Vocals are somewhat laid back, not too forward or in your face – might change with burn-in of the DD? Instruments take the forefront. Wait, maybe that’s how it’s mixed, as other recording have the vocalist front and center.


    It’s all there to see, good recordings are great, bad recordings are, well, bad – you see it all and there’s nowhere hide.


    Is there more for these to open up? Seems like some extra air could be breathed into them – maybe the DD still needs to burn-in to get the best integration with the BAs? Talked to Ken and indeed he’s recommending a number of days of burn-in to make them sing the best.


    For some reason the left one is slipping out of my ear a bit. Used a new set of the hybrid silicone/foam tips I got from the guy in Eastern Europe (can’t remember the name!). Will have to swap out with the ones that I’ve already broken in and see if it keeps it from slipping. Might switch back to foam?


    Great stuff again from Mr. Ball – I’m honestly loving these things.

    Edit - Tips are Symbio W's, finally remembered!
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018

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