Campfire Solaris 2020 Mini-Review and Measurements

Did you see the Solaris Limited Edition? I can't access the web page for it (password protected) but its announcement was up for a hot second on ALO's website.
Looks like the 2020 Solaris with a nice engraved black pattern on the outer shell. I believe it said something about a different tuning?

 

It's a combination of the 2020 Solaris and the Solaris SE in a way. New drivers in larger chamber for better placement.

 

I'm not sure how the drivers in the SE/OG were different than in the 2020 (beyond layoutplacement). I thought it was the same 10mm DD in both and (presumably) the same sort of BAs. Unless I'm missing something...

 

I remember that. Right around that time there was a request for a "cease and desist" issued and the OG Solaris was suddenly out of stock everywhere (at least at all North American distributors I am aware of-- including CFA itself). Some time later it was back in stock, only this time it was shipping with a different, softer shell case. I had always assumed that this thing with the Bellsing/Knowles drivers was sorted out at that time too (and later with the SE) as the OG was still around for many months after that.

 

There’s a new version already? Dear God. Can someone post screenshots?

 

Damn, didn't even have to wait a full 30 days from my post.

It's been about 7 months since the 2020 launched.

 

Here are the images.


Below: Pilot

 

Just when I was about to try to buy an og Solaris SE. f**k me

buying campfire iem’s is like buying an iPhone now.

 

I love my Comets. I wanted to upgrade to Solaris as I love the experience IEMs provide. I’m just poor, I’m here torturing myself.

I had a transcendent experience today with my Chord Mojo and Comets. Can’t wait to eventually upgrade.

 

I got to try the 2020 Solaris loaner. I really enjoyed my time with them and overall for many of the genres I listen to (such as electronic) they are better than my OG Andromeda. They have more of an aggressive tone however which I think is due to more pronounced lower treble energy.

Pros:
- Awesome bass and very pronounced treble that's very fun for many genres of music.
- My Andromeda on 0 - output impedance amp can have nearly as much bass, but it's muddier and also loses sparkly treble. Solaris has fantastic bass and and doesn't sacrifice treble performance at 0 output impedance.
- A bit wider soundstage and better separation and imaging from the OG Andromeda.
- Great looks and build quality. The all black is very appealing. Awesome overall package from build and design.

Cons:
- Bass can be too much for some genres. Mids recessed due to elevated bass and treble.
- Output impedance sensitivity just like the Andromeda.
- Can sound a bit too aggressive for some genres (elevated lower treble and bass output combined). Not a laid back 'nuanced' listen, a bit like a sledgehammer in approach.

Overall I liked them enough I could see myself purchasing them. I do like them better than the Andromeda for most genres of music I listen. However Campfire pushes out too many models (Solaris Limited Edition already?). Surely great for their business model or else they wouldn't do it (caters to the IEM collector crowd?) but turns off a customer like myself. I also hate how different Campfire IEMs sounds with varying OI. My Andromeda at 0 OI sounds very different from 3 OI.

I'm looking for something to replace my Andromeda, these come close but I think I'll try the 64Audio U12t next. It seems 64Audio has LID (Linear Impedance Design) so it sounds the same with different output impedance. I'm also a fan of the Adel/Apex tech, it really does make a difference in soundstage and IEM fatigue. Additionally they don't push half a dozen different models in a short period of time. I hate the feeling of purchasing something then wondering if the Limited Edition, then Special Edition, then Japan Edition, then Gold edition, etc would have been a better fit from a tuning perspective. It's even worse than HIFIMAN.

Still, they do have enough strengths that if the U12t don't work out for me I'll consider coming back around and consider these or one of the many variants that will soon follow.

 

Great impressions thank-you for sharing. I was struck by the fact that you cited "electronic" as a genre the Solaris excels in-- this has been my experience as well. When the strengths of this IEM are brought up stuff like acoustic and live jazz is often what is mentioned however the Solaris, with its dense, deep and dynamic bass coupled with "Andromeda like" sparkle, air and staging make it absolutely perfect for a lot of electronic (and since about 60-70% of the music I listen to fall into this category this goes a long way to explaining why the Solaris has remained my personal favourite IEM for so long).

Regarding the mids being recessed due to elevated bass and treble-- I have heard many of the big name hybrids of the last few years (Solaris, Z1r, Legend X, MEST, Trio) and in my experience they are all guilty of this to one degree or another and imho of the IEMs I've listed there it is the Solaris that best balances the needs and presence of a DD with the rest of the FR.

The u12t is a great IEM with a fairly safe tuning that is hard to fault in terms of FR...but imho it's not very exciting to listen to. II feel it would be a great IEM for a programmer or someone who needed to have their mind focused on some task without the sound of their IEMs constantly grabbing their attention...but if you crave dynamics or want to be moved and engaged by what you're listening to then (for me anyway) it may not be the best option. 64's proprietary tech is a huge selling feature though. Looking forward to your impressions if you decide to go that route. Have you ever tried the Andromeda 2020?

I agree that it can sound a touch aggressive on some genres, but me the Andromeda works well in these situations.

Agreed-- it's the tuning bit that drives me nuts. Curiosity can be both a blessing and a curse in this hobby.

 

I've not tried the Andromeda 2020. I see some tweaks to the tuning from my OG Andromeda but I don't see myself buying it so won't be able to give it a try unless a loaner goes around. I would love to get away from the output impedance sensitivity of CA IEMs. Thankfully less of an issue with Solaris 2020 as near 0 OI worked well for me, but on the Andromeda it's a bit bass bloated/muddy for me and loses the sparkle so I have a 3ohm resister in line with my output.

Great info on the U12t, looking forward to trying that one.

 

I’m going to loan out my Andromeda 2020 soon

 

TL;DR:
The 2020 Solaris is smaller, fits better and surely looks better when worn. But it sounds worse in every way. You should only buy a 2020 if you love a good hybrid iem and the og doesn’t fit you. Otherwise get an og for less money. They’re on sale right now on campfire audio for 1100$.

Fit

The 2020 Solaris is much smaller than the og. I knew this but was still surprised by how much smaller when it came. I have no fit issues with the og Solaris but the 2020 definitely felt nicer in the ears and also the tips hold it in the ear better for whatever reason- maybe a shorter nozzle. It surely looks better when worn as well. I don’t know how Kevin fit the same dynamic driver in there.







Sound

I’m not sure I’m going to break this down into treble midrange and bass like I usually do. I’m going to assume you’ve heard the og and just want a comparison.

I was expecting the 2020 to have improved technicalities as well as improved voicing and a smaller size. Truth is it’s just smaller. It in fact has inferior voicing and much inferior technical abilities. Switching back and forth, the midrange is recessed on the 2020 in a way that isn’t easily correctable by the simple EQ of the Loki. The 2020 also just sounds worse in every way. The bass seems looser, it’s much less expansive sounding with less space between notes. And the og has a much more resolving, nuanced sound with subtleties in the music reproduced with more fidelity. Switching from the 2020 to the og, notes are suddenly more isolated in their own space, and I can hear details that are less noticeable in the 2020. Microdynamics are much better in the og. Macrodynamics maybe the same or close enough. I also find the og to have a more cohesive sound. Not in terms of DD integration with BA drivers but just in general the 2020 FR seems more wobbly. Less even.

The og is also more - what I call "transparent" buy I think that term is used for different things. I don’t mean it in the sense of being transparent of upstream gear though it is more transparent in this way. I mean it in a more descriptive sense. Transparent as opposed to opaque or something. It’s a sound characteristic that involves a sense of air and space in notes. They aren’t solid sounds being blasted at you with walls around them but spacious sounds full of air. There’s a feeling of being able to put your hand through the note because it’s transparent. Whereas the 2020 sounds more like you will hit the edge of the note if you tried to put your hand through it. That may make no sense but it’s a characteristic that I often hear and the term transparent is all I can think of to describe it.

Ok WTF else do you want me to say? The og just sounds better. And it’s not subtle. The og sounds much better.

I would pay more for the og than the 2020. I think current used market prices should probably be reversed if we’re taking SQ for money.

I was expecting to want to buy one but now feel absolutely no desire to.

I think if you have fit issues with the og, the 2020 is still a great iem. When not comparing them directly I still like the 2020. With EQ. Or maybe a high output impedance source makes it work. I only have an ieMatch adapter but that kills dynamics and resolution.

With regards to brightness, I’m very sensitive to this and with a zero output impedance source it is definitely not bright. It’s a bit brighter than the og mostly in the treble. But I still turn the treble and upper midrange UP with my Loki with the 2020 and turn the bass down. But I don’t turn the treble up as much. I turn the bass down more with the 2020.

Gold bling FTW!


TL;DR 2

I had the Solaris 2020 here for 5 days and I only listened to them to write this and evaluate them. Whenever I was just listening to music I used the og Solaris. I think that says a lot especially since this is my only chance to hear them.

 

It will be interesting to get your take on the SE should you eventually get to hear one (mine perhaps). I only heard the 2020 briefly but apart from notable extra sparkle up top the two didn't sound all that different to me...or at least it was apparent to me that they were fundamentally the same IEM. I am curious if different source pairings can have an effect on quality/perception of sound. If/when I wind up sending either of my Campfire IEMs out on tour I might send my PAW S1 out with them as I feel it brings the best from both of them. Thanks for sharing your impressions.

 

I think this is a great idea

I’d love to compare to my iFI Nano