Disclaimer: I have a preference for an open, lush/smooth/warm sound with some definition, texture and soundstage — none to excess. I am not into an analytical or clinical sound. Keep this in mind when reading this review.
For as long as I can remember, Campfire Audio (CA) has been synonymous with their Andromeda IEM and vice-versa. This remains true to this day even though the Andromeda lost its flagship status in Campfire Audio’s line.
Now, I never tried the original Andromedas. Every review I read about them had me look the other way although they often concluded with an award. Cons listed usually were some comfort/fit issues due to the shell’s design, a lack of bass and highs which could sound harsh to some. In all honesty, I also wasn’t ready to spend such an amount of money for a pair of IEMs — original or special edition, these are expensive — although I quickly ended-up spending their price in other portable Hi-Fi devices… something worth reflecting on.
With that being said, when I saw the announcement for the Andromeda Special Edition: Gold (Andromeda Gold from here onwards) I took the plunge and bought my first pair of high-end IEMs and I was in for a lesson I won’t forget anytime soon.
Believe it or not, these are the lines which sold me on the Andromeda Gold. From a technical standpoint, the fact that the design was cross-over-less also appealed to me. The previous — and most expensive — pair of IEMs I owned were the Empire Ear’s Bravado featuring a hybrid design with one balanced armature, one dynamic driver and a 4-way crossover which sounded so much in your face that it was downright annoying. So how do the Andromeda Gold sound?
SOUND
The Andromeda Gold sound engaging and musical, without being in your face. Small details and audio cues can be heard here and there without any annoyance that details can sometimes bring. Their soundstage is excellent and just right. The lows are there in the sense that one can feel them though not at the expense of the mids or highs which truly shine with no coloration impacting one or the other. I also (re)discovered that instruments and music have texture. In summary they are open, transparent and have the warmth which I believe music should have — unless you are into analytical/clinical sound.
COMFORT, TIPS AND SEAL
In terms of overall comfort, they’re good. The shell’s design wasn’t an issue for me but I can see it being one for some. These are tiny IEMs though, I didn’t expect them to be so small. Three sets of tips come with the Andromeda Gold:
CONCLUSION
In summary, the Andromeda Gold put a smile on my face. They are so well-rounded that I struggle to find some flaws, as you surely noticed. Since I bought them, they have been my daily pair of IEMs which I bring pretty much everywhere and use with any source. Until another pair knocks them down, they will be my point of reference for high-end IEMs.
SOURCE
Sony NW-ZX300 / Uncapped – Firmware: 2.02 – Audio effects: none enable and direct mode disabled – Official site
CABLE & TIPS
Campfire Audio Smoky Litz Cable, 3.5mm, Single-ended (stock cable)
SONGS
BURN-IN
None
· · ·
For as long as I can remember, Campfire Audio (CA) has been synonymous with their Andromeda IEM and vice-versa. This remains true to this day even though the Andromeda lost its flagship status in Campfire Audio’s line.
Now, I never tried the original Andromedas. Every review I read about them had me look the other way although they often concluded with an award. Cons listed usually were some comfort/fit issues due to the shell’s design, a lack of bass and highs which could sound harsh to some. In all honesty, I also wasn’t ready to spend such an amount of money for a pair of IEMs — original or special edition, these are expensive — although I quickly ended-up spending their price in other portable Hi-Fi devices… something worth reflecting on.
With that being said, when I saw the announcement for the Andromeda Special Edition: Gold (Andromeda Gold from here onwards) I took the plunge and bought my first pair of high-end IEMs and I was in for a lesson I won’t forget anytime soon.
Andromeda Special Edition: Gold expands on the best elements of the Andromeda’s sonic signature with dramatic flourish. The bass is punchy and deep. The highs sparkle and the mids are present and unfiltered. This earphone is musical with ease all while delivering superior top-to-bottom coherence.
— Campfire Audio’s official description of the Andromeda Special Edition: Gold
Believe it or not, these are the lines which sold me on the Andromeda Gold. From a technical standpoint, the fact that the design was cross-over-less also appealed to me. The previous — and most expensive — pair of IEMs I owned were the Empire Ear’s Bravado featuring a hybrid design with one balanced armature, one dynamic driver and a 4-way crossover which sounded so much in your face that it was downright annoying. So how do the Andromeda Gold sound?
SOUND
The Andromeda Gold sound engaging and musical, without being in your face. Small details and audio cues can be heard here and there without any annoyance that details can sometimes bring. Their soundstage is excellent and just right. The lows are there in the sense that one can feel them though not at the expense of the mids or highs which truly shine with no coloration impacting one or the other. I also (re)discovered that instruments and music have texture. In summary they are open, transparent and have the warmth which I believe music should have — unless you are into analytical/clinical sound.
COMFORT, TIPS AND SEAL
In terms of overall comfort, they’re good. The shell’s design wasn’t an issue for me but I can see it being one for some. These are tiny IEMs though, I didn’t expect them to be so small. Three sets of tips come with the Andromeda Gold:
- Final Audio tips (xs/s/m/l/xl)
- Silicon earphone tips (s/m/l)
- Campfire Audio Earphone (foam) tips (s/m/l)
CONCLUSION
In summary, the Andromeda Gold put a smile on my face. They are so well-rounded that I struggle to find some flaws, as you surely noticed. Since I bought them, they have been my daily pair of IEMs which I bring pretty much everywhere and use with any source. Until another pair knocks them down, they will be my point of reference for high-end IEMs.
SOURCE
Sony NW-ZX300 / Uncapped – Firmware: 2.02 – Audio effects: none enable and direct mode disabled – Official site
CABLE & TIPS
Campfire Audio Smoky Litz Cable, 3.5mm, Single-ended (stock cable)
SONGS
- Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, Never Going Back Again
Quality: 24-Bit 192.0 kHz – Stereo, FLAC - Joni Mitchell, Blue, California
Quality: 24-Bit 192.0 kHz – Stereo, FLAC - Nina Simone, Pastel Blues, Sinnerman (Live In New York/1965)
Quality: 24-Bit 192.0 kHz – Stereo, FLAC - Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here, Wish You Were Here
Quality: DSD / SACD - Plüm, You’re the one, You’re the one
Quality: 16 bit 44.1 kHz – Stereo, FLAC - Simon & Garfunkel, Sounds Of Silence, Anji
Quality: 24-Bit 192.0 kHz – Stereo, FLAC - Stevie Wonder, Talking Book, Superstition (Album Version)
Quality: 24-Bit 192.0 kHz – Stereo, FLAC - Various Artists, Atlantic Jazz: Soul, Comin’ Home Baby (LP Version)
Quality: 16 bit 44.1 kHz – Stereo, FLAC
BURN-IN
None
· · ·
— Yes, I tried them with the best tips I ever had which are the blue, balanced tips, which came with the Dunu Titan 6. They also came with red, vocal, tips. I found the sound to be in-between the silicone and Final Audio tips.