Campfire Audio Solaris - raising the bar?

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

  1. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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    Sigh, just when I was starting to think you were just being polite. I was feeling relieved you hadn’t been as excited as when Andromeda came out. Now i must hear.
     
  2. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

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    Oh f**k. Well, it's this or the Sony IER-Z1r.

    Hope to hear both.
     
  3. AdvanTech

    AdvanTech Friend

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    I’m praying to the personal audio gods that this might also be offered as a CIEM in the future. Any and all tips just aggravate my ears.
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    As a Sony fan boy, I say we wait for the price of Sony's latest piece of shit to go down. I didn't make that "POS" thing up, Onion News did.

    In the meantime, let's try to ascertain WTH HF, k.e., and others have to say about it. Been burned too many times from Sony gear losing 70% of value in 6 months.
     
  5. LVF1

    LVF1 New

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    My family and I have lost a lot of money on Sony products. At least 5 betamax machines because we couldn't lose the videos on all of the tapes we made, a couple of trinitron tube tvs, several walkmans so old that make Star Lord's walkman look new, several other cd walkman, and too many to count headphones, earbuds, and IEMs. I think that I'll like the Z1R, but to honest, I want to hate it and end the cycle of giving Sony money. This ends with my generation.
     
  6. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Same. Andros are still my reference. Loaner program?
     
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Limited loaner on this one. Usual IEM suspects. I don't want this away from me too long. Small changes in frequency response depending upon the source Z out, but a lot more flexible. Works from my phone.
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I see this really as complementary to Andromeda rather than a straight replacement. There are still strengths to an all BA or all DD IEM, and the tuning is slightly different. The incremental advancement and integration of the Campfire DD and BA drivers is really something though.
     
  9. seamon

    seamon Acquaintance

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    Can you please tell me a bit more about the midrange on this one? I prefer a thick and warm midrange like an Audeze. So would you say this would satisfy me? I really enjoyed the Andromeda but though that the midrange was a little thinnish. How does Solaris mids compare to Andro? Sorry if I am out of place
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    You'll love it. This I am 98% certain. You can even go for good sample Audeze with the silicone tips or bad sample Audeze with the foam tips. I'm horrible, I pick on Audeze so hard even though I like their stuff.

    FYI, measurements show more 2nd order distortion in the mids, but still low overall THD compared to the Andromeda. 2nd order is good in the sense of warm and inviting.
     
  11. MarkF786

    MarkF786 New

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    Thanks, purr1n for posting the frequency response; I was waiting to see that to be sure the bass wasn't elevated like on the Vega and Atlas. Order now placed.

    My current favorite IEMs are the Andromeda, EX1000, and SE846 (yeah, I know the Shure's are second string, but I still enjoy their sound), and the Solaris should provide something new, hopefully combining flavors of the Andromeda and EX1000.
     
  12. seamon

    seamon Acquaintance

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    Good to know. I think Imma hop on the hype bandwagon.

    Audeze is still a hit or miss with QC. I have personally heard the difference in samples. My LCD 4 sounds quite a bit different(for the better) from a show pair I heard extensively.
     
  13. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LOL, you and a million other people here. Many of us begged @KenBall for a less bassy Vega. I think we got something we wanted. I don't blame Ken for making bassier IEMs - it's what most of his customers want - and I'm not communist. Let those dudes help Ken's R&D. I am glad he gave us a treat. He didn't need to and he would have done just as well.
     
  14. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Over at HF in the Solaris thread someone mentioned LH Labs and the Stella and I threw up in my mouth a little.

    I've also heard rumors that LH has been bad-mouthing KB/CFA over in China. That makes we want to full-on hurl.
     
  15. KenBall

    KenBall Owner - Campfire Audio

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    eh... I am hoping to put the past behind me and look more to the future. I hope that everyone can let all that go and there is no more drama about it.

    Purr1n, your read is well articulated and especially the early impressions are spot.. I have a hard time explaining as you have done. I am glad there are good ears to articulate the subtle things and am thrilled people are digging them so far.

    I am happy to send some SBAF member to be custodian over a Solaris to pass around so Purr1n can hold on to it for more of a spin. Its really cool to get others takes here.

    Thanks

    Ken
     
  16. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Our trusty custodian of gear is @Vansen. I will have him contact you to get a loaner going.
     
  18. BeerNuts

    BeerNuts New

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    Ah man these sound amazing. I just got my andros 4 months ago now and I have to worry about the upgrade bug already! You guys are killing me. The only hook up i guess i have now is the black and gold colouring on these. Ive got a silver nx300, copper/silver pwaduio cable and then black/gold IEM? Things are going to be a bit all over the place. Anyone want to guess the odds that this model will get different color sets like andros?
     
  19. Returnity

    Returnity Acquaintance

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    I wish they had a cheaper version with a regular CK finish. I genuinely hate gold color and having to pay extra for something I dislike is illogical.

    Anyway, at the end of the day we pay for sound and this probably won't change my mind, but I wish CA had an option for these situations.
     
  20. LVF1

    LVF1 New

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    How does one get on the loaner program? I'd give my cc information or rent it for a week if it's possible. I'm in the market for a $1,500 to $2,000 IEM. I was thinking 64 N8 or A12t after being on the HF 64 audio tour for the Trio and U12t, but the Solaris is definitely making me rethink my choice. The sony is not really a consideration any more. It just looks too heavy and uncomfortable and I've been burned by sony one too many times with bad fitting IEMs even if they do sound good.
     

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