Campfire Audio IO Review: Gemstudio Double-Arm Perfume Earphones

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Editorial staff thanks Era in Ear online store for earphones kindly provided for review.

Last year

we introduced great readers to our readers.hybrid headphones Campfire Audio Polaris. From that moment on, the editors of this extremely interesting American manufacturer did not make it. We will correct the situation, today we have Campfire Audio IO. This model was introduced in the spring of this year along with an updated and slightly “cheaper” version of the Polaris and has already gone on sale. Campfire Audio traditionally uses space names for its headphones. This time the satellite of Jupiter IO (Io) was chosen. Apparently, the name was chosen for a reason: this is a two-driver reinforcement model, and earlier Campfire Audio had four-driver “fittings” Jupiter. Campfire Audio IO is one of the most affordable companies in the range, despite it being collected in Portland, Oregon.

What is it?
What are they interesting for?
What is in the box?
What does Campfire Audio IO look like?
How comfortable and what's soundproofed?
How does Campfire Audio IO sound?
In the dry residue

What is it?

Campfire Audio IO is a two-driver rebar in-ear headphones with metal housings, an ear muff and an interchangeable cable with a standard MMCX connector.

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What are they interesting for?

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Campfire Audio IO uses a configuration withtwo reinforcing radiators: one enlarged for reproduction of low frequencies and the second for medium and high frequencies plus a tuned acoustic chamber Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber (T.A.E.C.). The body is made of anodized aluminum, the sound guides are made of stainless steel, and the MMCX connectors are beryllium-copper insulated. The cable, as you might have guessed, is removable, and the MMCX connector will allow you to easily replace it in case of a breakdown, or use a balanced if you want.

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What is in the box?

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Campfire Audio always packs up a lotheadphones. IO is no exception. Headphones are packed in a relatively small square box with a bright red cover, which shows the headphones themselves and the necessary technical information. Inside is a box of mustard-colored cardboard with a golden pattern. Included are the headphones themselves, a Litz cable made of silver-plated copper, a leather case, 3 protective covers made of mesh material (for headphones and accessories), 5 pairs of Final Audio tips (with a narrow opening), 3 pairs of foam tips, 3 pairs of silicone tips ( with a wide hole), a company logo icon, a tool for cleaning and brief instructions.

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What does Campfire Audio IO look like?

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Campfire Audio IO got already well recognizableangular design with a minimum of smooth lines. The body is made of anodized aluminum with gorgeous red garnet color. The outer part is screwed with 24k gold screws and Campfire Audio logos engraved on it. Headphones are large and weighty enough:

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Unlike the aforementioned Polaris of the first generation, on the IO there are no pads from another material, and the metal bodies themselves lack the longitudinal traces of processing:

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The sound systems are made of stainless steel andplaced at an angle to the main part of the headphone (which is anatomically correct). Instead of standard grids, as in most headphones, at the end of the sound guide are longitudinal holes, this design is used in most current CA models. Along the perimeter there is a small protrusion, due to which the nozzles are well fixed and do not slide off. The sound drivers themselves are long, which allows for deep headset placement:

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MMCX connectors without any constructivefeatures. Standard design that allows you to easily use any third-party cables. The cable fixing is reliable: it does not crash, but scrolls:

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Campfire Audio IO comes updatedsilver coated Litz copper braided cable with gray insulation. For the ears, only additional elastic insulation is provided, no wire inside. According to personal impressions, the cable became more pleasant than it was bundled with the Polaris. He became softer and more pliable:

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Campfire Audio IO look gorgeous. However, like most models of the manufacturer. There are no complaints about the build quality either. The only question that remains is the durability of the coating. Over time, the Polaris slightly erased the paint on the protruding corners. But it feels that the processing in the new Campfire Audio IO is completely different and there is a hope that they will please the owner for a long time with its bright red color.

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How comfortable and what's soundproofed?

Campfire Audio is good at making headphones withThe “angular” recognizable design is comfortable. Despite not the most compact size and weight, Campfire Audio IO is very comfortable and does not strain during prolonged use. Landing in the ears is deep, which completely suits me. As it turned out in practice, nozzles with large holes can be pushed right up to the end of the sound guide and by the same to reduce the landing depth. If necessary. Given my absolutely average ears, I think that the headphones will suit most, if not all, of the potential owners. The cable and the ears are comfortable, they do not press anything anywhere and do not rub it.

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Includes enough attachmentsdifferent size and shape, and the standard (or almost standard) diameter of the sound guide allows the use of third-party. There is something to choose from and to achieve good sound insulation is not a problem at all. “Foams” traditionally provide the best sound insulation and a little more bass. Final Audio with a narrow opening just a little "cut" high (according to personal impressions). In general, I have not noticed any cardinal advantages of Final Audio accessories. But this is completely subjective.

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How does Campfire Audio IO sound?

Campfire Audio IO used with USB DACsCentrance DACport HD, iBasso DC01, Ficusrite 2i2 USB audio interface, FiiO X5 III and iBasso DX200. Predominantly, manufacturers try to make their most affordable headphone models “mainstream”, with slightly elevated low and warm, dynamic pitch. This does not apply to Campfire Audio IO: headphones sound more “reinforcing”, without obvious frequency distortions, but with their own, rather picky character. They are very sensitive to both the sound source and the quality of the material. This concerns not only the format of the tracks themselves, but also the flaws of the original mix. In poorly mixed / mastered compositions, this is all the way out.

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Headphones sound “light” and “bright”, which is whatexpect from rebar. But the sound came out with emotions and its own unusual character. And not faceless or analytical, which could also be expected. Low frequencies are well developed, with good speed, control, separation of plans and an abundance of parts. But, the subbasa is very little, the woofer is a little lacking in massiveness, density and stress, as a result, some styles of music lose in driving and emotionality. The mid-frequency range is well-balanced and balanced, with good accuracy and attention to detail. The vocals and instrumental part sound very convincing. The high frequencies in Campfire Audio IO are especially surprised. They manage to sound incredibly bright, with a spark, colorfully, with an elegant separation of plans, a sufficient amount of air, excellent microdynamics and attenuation. At the same time not to go beyond the limits of reasonable and not “cut” over the ears, which is not uncommon in reinforcement models. The drums with an abundance of various plates sound very impressive and lively. The imaginary scene at the headphones is very good, wider and deeper than you expect from such a model. According to personal impressions, headphones are best suited for listening to jazz, not too hard rock, classical music and (possibly) pop music. For heavier instrumental styles, Campfire Audio IO hip-hop or electronics will not be the best solution: there is a lack of weight and massiveness in low frequencies.

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In the dry residue

Campfire Audio IO is one of those models.headphone, which can not be estimated uniquely, but definitely worth a try. Headphones do not sound exactly as expected when reading the characteristics and clearly do not tend to the “mass market”. The sound is very interesting, detailed and bright, with its own character and emotions. Someone will be delighted, but someone seems dryish. But this sound significantly depends on many factors, starting with the source and ending with the genre features of the music. I think that definitely listen to Campfire Audio IO is for fans of detailed, fast and bright sound, without rolling low frequencies. In terms of appearance, quality, materials and equipment, IOs are made in the best possible way, although you would expect nothing else from Campfire. Price tag in relation to audio - a thing extremely relative and really for the average listener. 8700 UAH seem a lot. But for CA - this is very modest: the second model is lower for the price in the range.

4 reasons to buy Campfire Audio IO:

very detailed and bright sound;
excellent fit and good sound insulation;
replaceable cable;
cool appearance, materials, assembly and equipment.

2 reasons not to buy Campfire Audio IO:

“Taste” sound and demands on the source / materials;
You are not ready to pay $ 300 for headphones.

Campfire audio io

Intra channel reinforcement earphones fromAmerican manufacturer. Two reinforcing radiators are responsible for the sound: an increased reinforcement woofer and an accurate mid-to-high tweeter plus a unique acoustic chamber design (T.A.E.C.). Headphones are made of metal and are equipped with a removable cable with a standard MMCX connector.

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We recommend

Campfire Audio IO:

Emitters
2 reinforcement + acoustic chamber Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber (T.A.E.C.)

Frequency range
5 Hz - 22 000 Hz

Way of wearing
behind the ear

Impedance
26 ohm

Sensitivity
109 dB

Cable type
Removable MMCX, balanced, L-shaped connector

Length of cable
1.2 m

For those that want to know more:

IBasso DC01 Review: Turning a Smartphone into a Hi-Fi Player
Campfire Audio Polaris Review: The Brightest Star Among Hybrid Headphones
Whizzer A-HE03 Kylin review: “cozy” in-channel hybrid headphones
Audeze Mobius Review: Planar Magnetic Gaming Headphones with 3D Sound and Motion Tracking
Kinera SEED Review: Universal Hybrid Headphones With A Delicious Price Tag