Right now, before our very eyes, there is a new star in the sky of manufacturers of high-quality IEM, this is the company Campfire Audio. Not so long ago they released the first three models of their line, named Orion, Lyra and Jupiter, yet they did not have enough popularity until the end, as Campfire fired two more models: Andromeda and Nova. But we will start from the very beginning, with the younger model in their series, this .
Find in our time a good one-wheel model, using radiators with a balanced anchor is not so simple. In pursuit of mass sound, manufacturers prefer to either use a dynamic radiator, or different multi-driver circuits that compensate for the main feature of the armature: a rapidly decaying bass. It is this rapid fading caused by traditional complaints about the "shortage" of LFs of such radiators. Although in fact this is a deceptive sensation, many bass drivers have a lot of bass, but it's fast and does not give the usual pressure. At the same time, this purist design has a plus in the face of incredible resolution and lack of coordination problems. It is the single-driver models that transmit mid-range frequencies, emotions and micro-parts so well. But about all this a little lower.
In the model Orion Campfire took a good receiver, which is additionally selected in pairs for maximum matching of channels, placed them in cases of anodized aluminum, damped and got a very cool sound. Naturally, taking into account the focus on the premium segment, the developers put out a tangible price tag of $ 350. What do they give for this money?
Specifications
- Emitter: single, with balanced armature
- Impedance: 14Ω @ 1 kHz
- Frequency range: 10 Hz ~ 28 kHz
- Sensitivity: 114 dB / mW @ 1 kHz
- Cable: interchangeable with MMCX connectors, complete with 1.3 m of silver-plated copper
- Plug: 3.5 mm, gold-plated
Packing and delivery kit
The company is trying to maximally unify its line, so the models share many similarities, from the shape of the cases to the box and accessories. Orion are sold in a compact package of loose cardboard dark blue with painted stars. The box is "sealed" with a sticker with the name of the model and a psychedelic pattern to get access inside, this sticker will have to be cut. Inside is a hard case on the snake, in this model it is made of gray cloth resembling a tarp. The headphones and cable to them are located in the case. Under it lie the remaining accessories, including:
- 3 pairs of Comply Tx400 foam nozzles in different sizes;
- 3 pairs of foam nozzles without manufacturer's specification;
- 3 pairs of silicone attachments, of course, in different sizes;
- brush with a loop for cleaning;
- badge with company logo;
- Good instruction and warranty card
In general, the delivery set is very good, there are no excesses and blurring, but it gives an impression of thoughtfulness and a balanced approach.
Design and comfortable wearing
Appearance - the strong side of the headphones Campfire Audio. They are made in the traditional American style of design: an unusual shape, many angles and chamfers, the outer cover is fixed with silver screws, which adds an interesting note to the design. It looks all this is pretty futuristic and does not look like any other model. The cases are cut from a solid aluminum workpiece and dyed anodized in different colors for different models, Orion got black without controversy. The headphones are assembled completely manually with multiple quality control at all stages, the photos of the process on the company's website are confirmed. The resulting build quality deserves all praise: no flaws or problems, Orion looks very solid and reliable.
From the case at a small angle goes a wide sound guide, in this model there is only one hole in it, since the emitter in the headphones is also one. The angle of the sound guide is matched competently, it well enters the ear.
Unfortunately, all these games with an unusual shape of the case were not in vain, some people sharp edges of the inner side can cause discomfort when wearing. They gave me a little pressure for the first 3 days, from which a small turn of the headphones went forward, but after this time, apparently my ears adapted, and I wear Orion a lot of hours without the slightest discomfort. Developers are already aware of this situation and promise to take it into account in the near future. I do not think that this problem is really great, but it is probably worth considering it.
Sound insulation of the headphones is just below the middle with silicone nozzles and slightly better than the average with foam. You can listen to them on the street, but in the subway or airplane it will be noisy.
The wire of this model, of course, interchangeable, uses standard MMCX connectors. Campfire set a very high quality silver-plated copper cable, which is sold on the ALO Audio website under the name Tinsel Wire for $ 150. The cable insulation is made of fluorinated ethylene-propylene and the manufacturer says it provides protection from the effects of temperature, sweat, moisture and sunlight. The wire is very beautiful, light with a silvery spark. It is quite stiff, so it rustles a little from the friction about the clothes, but it's compensated by the BTE headset. Absolutely get rid of the microphone effect will help any clothes clip to fix the wire to the clothes.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- NuPrime DAC-10H and Resonessence Labs Concero HP as DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Fiio X7 and Luxury & Precission L5Pro as portable players
- Ambient Acoustics AM10, Lear BD4.2, Campfire Audio Jupiter and Dunu DN-2000J as headphones for comparison
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were warmed for 48 hours. I usually do not need to warm up the armatures, but I decided that there would be no harm from this, but it's worth doing the formalities.
In general, the filing Orion - very characteristic single-armature headphones, just very good. Their frequency response is practically linear from 50 Hz and up to 2 kHz, the decrease of deeper low frequencies is slightly less than 10 dB, which is very good. HF, in turn, is set aside to avoid the typical sharpness of the reinforcement bar. Since the emitter is only one, in this model there are no problems typical for multi-driver drivers matching in the area of overlapping their frequency ranges, which gives incredible detail and microdynamics.
The bass of the headphones is very fast, embossed and textured, it is not bad quantitatively, and its depth is quite good. The main feature of the low-frequency feed of this model is a rapid attenuation, which leads to the fact that the bass is losing its usual massiveness. Where other headphones play with density, Orion gives permission and an incredible sense of detail. At first, it seems that the bass is not enough, but after getting used to it, you understand that the information in the low-frequency range plays out much more "average", just accents are placed differently. Of course, fans of the bass genre, these headphones will not work, but here's fans of microdynamics and amateurs to hear the nuances - they will come to the court, especially since the LF is really not small. When necessary, Orion can play and hit, but their blows - more dry and less booming than other models. In fact, it's very unusual to "listen" to the bass guitar part in Fear of the Dark Iron Maiden or to feel the whole volume of the double bass in Quam Dilecta Musica Nuda.
The midrange range is the main hobby of this model, causing the jaw to fall and falling in love at first sight. In Campfire managed to achieve that exact balance, in which a high-speed and full-scale microcontrast feed does not crumble, turning into a dry and cold. Vocal connoisseurs in general will fall in love with these headphones at first sight, like a magnifying glass, Orion collect and amplify the slightest nuances of emotions invested in the track by a vocalist and present them to the listener's court. The features of the instruments are also perfectly passed, they all sound not point-wise, but with their inherent volume and features. For example, on good harp records one can position individual strings in space, this gives a really strong effect of immersion. The imaginary scene is more average in width and depth. Prior to the record-breaking performance Orion does not hold out, but the results show very, very good.
The upper frequencies are neatly placed in the background to rid the headphones of the main problems of the rebar emitters - the sharpness and metal deflection on the VCR. Developers managed to remove the "top" so that to eliminate the slightest hints of harshness, but do not make the sound squeezed and flat. Personally, I like it when the HF is a little bit bigger, it gives the recordings airiness and lightness, and this is not enough Orion. Most likely, when creating this model, they deliberately placed emphasis on the MF, and the upper frequencies could spoil it, then nothing else pulls on the blanket, and people sensitive to HF, these headphones will like. Another plus of this solution is a greater tolerance of Orion to not very high-quality records and sources.
A few comparisons with other headphones, which are either with the Orion in one niche, or just seemed to me quite interesting for comparison.
Dunu DN-2000J. More dense LF and more bright HF distinguish the hybrid model Dunu. Orion on their background sound calmer, but it is better for the resolution and emotionality of the MF.
MEEAudio P1. An unusually interesting model from MEE. Orion is better at getting deep bass and midrange resolution, and P1 is leading in high-frequency and scene volume.
Ortofon e-Q8. The unusual Siren Armature emitter gives the Japanese a more dense bass, but the Orion is in the lead at medium frequencies, and the HFs are more tolerant of the listener.
Campfire Audio Jupiter. The former top four-wheel model of the company, of course, costs twice as much, but offers improvements in the field of deep bass and high-frequency, although due to the microdetality of the Orion a little better on the VChF.
Trinity Audio Atlas. This model here acts as a representative of "model hybrid models" - more bass, though slower, more HF, although due to possible sharpness on some sources. Hybrids initially give more "wow-effect", although having rasprobovav odnodyvernuyu armature, you begin to appreciate purism.
Lear LHF-AE1d. The same representative, this time a typical "dynamo", offering a more percussive bass and slightly more extended HF, though losing in resolution and microdynamics.
Etymotic ER-4S. Well, where is it without the standard of single-armature fittings? Orion is better at low frequencies, about at parity on the MF, but the HF of the "motoches" are longer, although they may sound sharper.
Compatibility
Naturally, to use these headphones with phones and tablets - the idea is not reasonable, they are created for good players, capable of revealing their strengths. Of the budget decisions with them well played Cayin N5, of the more expensive models I liked the Fiio X7 and Questyle QP-1R. Orion has low impedance and high sensitivity, so they show a good source noise, consider this moment if you are critical of the background.
Genre I would call the headphones universal, after a little accustoming, I listened with pleasure to them everything from black-metal to goa trance, the main condition - good records. But headphones are especially good for serious music: jazz, classical, blues, vocal works - something that they can really shake. To the quality of the recording model is quite critical, I would rate them in 7 points out of 10.
Traditionally, several examples
Ephel Duath - New Disorder. The music of this collective is always an examination of the boundary states of consciousness. Ragged melodies, filled with painfully fragile beauty. Constant breakdowns in aggressive almost-black and return to harmony, unusual effects and very-very interesting melodic findings. To play such a complex and multifaceted composition can only the fastest headphones, and Orion - obviously from their number.
Reckless Love - Monster. There are in commercial rock its own charm: good tunes, tightly knocked down reefs, driving choruses, all that you want to hear the usual office worker on vacation. It seems to be almost rebellious music, but "comes in" and "lies down" very smoothly. Reckless Love - a successful example of a professional AOR team, who keeps a balance of hit and drive. I specially included this track in the review, as I was thinking for a long time if Orion is suitable for rock. After sometime a day of "adjusting" the brain to their sound, I came to the conclusion that a slightly dryish lap feed I rather like than not.
Sigurdur Rögnvaldsson's Dark Forest - Raging Raptosaurus. This Icelandic guitarist who now lives in Helsinki, of course, positions himself primarily as a jazz musician, but in his work there is so much stuff that it's not very similar to jazz in the classical sense. Personally, I would not have articulated the name of his style even at gunpoint, but it clearly does not prevent him from creating chic semi-abstract sound canvases in which madness is woven with genius in equal parts, forming an incredibly interesting alloy. The compositions of the project Dark Forest are very complex and as rich, but at the same time perfectly recorded, a real feast for the ears. And, of course, Orion is very good at coping with all their nuances.
conclusions
The single-door reinforcement models are a dish for sophisticated gourmets, far from being massive and not universal. Their sound is what you need, perhaps, to grow, to want to discard the superficial effects added by the headphones and catch the tiniest nuances that the musicians have put in the record. Are not deprived Orion and some of the shortcomings, both ergonomic and sound, but this does not prevent them from being an incredibly interesting and original model.
By the way, Campfire Audio recently presented Nova, a two-wheel model, which, they said, retains all the advantages of Orion and compensates for shortcomings. So it or not, I hope to learn in the near future.
The article is based on materials .
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