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 our readers to magnificentCampfire Audio Polaris hybrid headphones. Since then, the editors have not included any models from this extremely interesting American manufacturer. We will correct the situation, today we have Campfire Audio IO. This model was presented in the spring of this year along with an updated and slightly “cheaper” version of Polaris and is already on sale. Campfire Audio traditionally uses space names for its headphones. This time, Jupiter's moon IO (Io) was chosen. Apparently, the name was chosen for a reason: this is a two-driver armature model, and previously Campfire Audio had a four-driver “armature” Jupiter. The Campfire Audio IOs are some of the most affordable in the company's lineup, although they are assembled 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 armature drivers: one of increased size for reproducing low frequencies and the second for mid and high frequencies, plus a specially tuned acoustic chamber called the 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 allows you to easily replace it if it breaks, or use a balanced one if you wish.

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What is in the box?

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Campfire Audio always supplies itsheadphones. IO is no exception. The headphones are packaged in a relatively small square box with a bright red cover, on which the headphones themselves are depicted and the necessary technical information is written. Inside is a mustard-colored cardboard box with a golden pattern. The set includes the headphones themselves, a Litz cable made of silver-plated copper, a leather case, 3 protective mesh covers (for headphones and accessories), 5 pairs of Final Audio tips (narrow hole), 3 pairs of foam tips, 3 pairs of silicone tips ( with a wide opening), a company badge with the company logo, a cleaning tool and brief instructions.

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What does Campfire Audio IO look like?

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Campfire Audio IO have already received a well-recognizedangular design with a minimum of smooth lines. The body is made from anodized aluminum in a chic garnet red color. The exterior is screwed on with 24k gold plated screws and has Campfire Audio logos engraved on it. The headphones are large and moderately weighty:

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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 with an updatedLitz copper braided cable with silver coating and gray insulation. The earhooks only have additional elastic insulation, no wire inside. According to personal impressions, the cable has become nicer than what was included with Polaris. He became softer and more pliable:

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Campfire Audio IO look great.However, like most of the manufacturer’s models. There are no complaints about the build quality either. The only question that remains is the durability of the coating. Over time, the paint on the Polaris has worn off a little on the protruding corners. But the processing in the new Campfire Audio IOs feels completely different and there is hope that they will delight the owner for a long time with their bright red color.

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How comfortable and what's soundproofed?

Campfire Audio is good at making headphones with...“angular” recognizable design and comfortable. Despite not the most compact size and weight, Campfire Audio IO is very comfortable and does not strain during prolonged use. The fit in the ears is deep, which suits me completely. As it turned out in practice, nozzles with large holes can be pushed all the way to the end of the sound guide and thereby reduce the seating depth. If necessary. Considering my absolutely average ears, I believe that the headphones will suit, if not all, then most potential owners. The cable and earhooks are comfortable, nothing presses or rubs anywhere.

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The kit includes a sufficient number of attachmentsof different sizes and shapes, and the standard (or almost standard) diameter of the sound guide allows you to use third-party ones. There is plenty to choose from and achieving 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 did not notice any significant advantages of the Final Audio attachments. 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 players. Mostly manufacturers try to make their most affordable headphone models “mainstream”, with slightly raised lows and a warm, dynamic presentation. This does not apply to Campfire Audio IO: the headphones sound more “armature”, without obvious distortions in frequencies, but with their own, rather finicky character. They are very sensitive to both the sound source and the quality of the material. This applies not only to the format of the tracks themselves, but also to the flaws of the original mix. In poorly mixed/mastered compositions this all comes out.

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The headphones sound “light” And“bright”, which is what you expect from the fixture. 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, plane separation and plenty of detail. But there is very little sub-bass, the bass lacks a little massiveness, density and impact, as a result, some styles of music lose their drive and emotionality. The midrange is full and balanced, with good precision and attention to detail. The vocals and instrumental parts sound very convincing. The Campfire Audio IO's high frequencies were particularly surprising. They manage to sound incredibly bright, sparkling, colorful, with excellent plane separation, sufficient air, excellent microdynamics and attenuation. At the same time, do not go beyond the limits of reason and do not “cut” over the ears, which is not uncommon with reinforcement models. The drums sound very impressive and lively with an abundance of different cymbals. The imaginary stage of the headphones is very good, wider and deeper than you expect from such a model. In my personal experience, the headphones are best suited for listening to jazz, not too heavy rock, classical music and (possibly) pop music. For heavier instrumental styles, electronica or hip-hop, the Campfire Audio IO will not be the best solution: there is a lack of weight and massiveness in the low frequencies.

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In the dry residue

Campfire Audio IO is one of those modelsheadphones, which cannot be unequivocally assessed, but is definitely worth a try. The headphones do not sound quite as one might expect when reading the characteristics and clearly do not strive for the “mass market”. The sound is very interesting, detailed and bright, with its own character and emotions. Some will be delighted, while others will find it a little dry. But this sound significantly depends on many factors, from the source to the genre characteristics of the music. I think that Campfire Audio IO is definitely worth listening to for lovers of detailed, fast and bright sound, without booming low frequencies. In terms of looks, quality, materials and packaging, the IOs are well made, although you wouldn't expect anything less from a Campfire. The price tag in relation to audio is an extremely relative thing and really for the average listener8700 UAHit will seem like a lot. But for CA this is very modest: the model is the second lowest in 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.