Nihal critiques the Campfire Audio Grand Luna, a brand new high-end hybrid IEM that includes 14mm planar magnetic and twin balanced armature drivers. It’s priced at $1399.00.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in alternate for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I thank Campfire Audio for his or her help.
Click on right here to study extra about Campfire Audio merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring tips, which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
Campfire Audio Grand Luna Evaluate
Abstract
The hybrid Campfire Audio Grand Luna is maybe the least planar-sounding IEM I’ve ever heard. You don’t get the standard quick planar bass, sharp treble, or metallic edge. As a substitute, it delivers a really relaxed presentation with a punchy and deep bass and a tuning not like another in Campfire’s lineup.
Professionals
Deep sub-bass, punchy low finish.
Modular cable system provided together with a USB-C Hifi DAC.
Interesting IEM design and celestial-themed premium packaging.
Cons
Not the cleanest midrange.
Treble can really feel a bit missing in air and sparkle.
A brand new Campfire Audio launch is at all times thrilling. The makers at Campfire Audio appear to have a penchant for planar drivers, with the brand new Grand Luna that includes a hybrid design with a planar magnetic driver and twin balanced armature drivers.
This driver configuration is exclusive sufficient to excite those that observe their releases. The opposite planar IEMs, such because the Astrolith, Supermoon, and Moon Rover, have all obtained numerous reward locally, which is probably going why they’ve chosen a planar-hybrid configuration for a brand new launch.
The Grand Luna’s price ticket of $1399 locations it beneath the Astrolith and above the opposite planar choices, positioning this launch within the premium class.
On this assessment, I’ll take an in depth have a look at the tuning and different points of the Grand Luna. I can even evaluate it with the Campfire Alien Mind, the 64 Audio Solo, and the Moritz Audio ENZO, a tri-brid IEM that features two planar drivers.
Options
The Grand Luna is the primary IEM from the Campfire Audio lineup to characteristic a planar-balanced armature hybrid configuration. It makes use of a brand new era 14mm planar magnetic driver and two balanced armatures.
The brand new iteration of the customized 14mm planar magnetic driver helps the low finish and the midrange, whereas the 2 balanced armatures help the high-frequency areas.
Based on the model, with these two high-frequency balanced armatures, the Grand Luna achieves frequency extension as much as 30 kHz. This configuration could be tempting for many who have some reluctance towards planar highs.
The shell implements Campfire Audio’s signature AAOI housing with venting, which consists of acoustic chambers designed to form the airflow and resonance of the drivers.
This total construction helps improve driver efficiency, additional refining the general tuning.
Design
The Grand Luna’s design takes cues from each the Astrolith and Clara. The physique combines deep ruby-red acrylic shells with a geometrical, angular steel faceplate.
The acrylic shells are clear, faintly revealing the interior driver construction of the IEMs. This clear, clear look additionally resembles Clara’s shells, which characteristic a darkish blue shade scheme.
The faceplate has a brushed metal end with a polygonal reduce. This design with bevelled edges provides the Grand Luna a glossy and fashionable look.
You don’t have to fret about scratches on the faceplate, because the steel is sort of resistant. The extremely polished ones are extra susceptible to scratches.
The model’s emblem, positioned on every faceplate, deserves particular point out, as it’s flame-treated and has an eye catching look. It contrasts effectively with the steel plates.
There are vents on the heart of the faceplates, permitting airflow and assuaging stress buildup. The steel construction, together with the shells, has a really clean end and avoids sharp edges across the corners.
The nozzle is made from chrome steel with a perforated round grill on the tip. The scale is common, so it shouldn’t be a trouble to search out matching ear ideas and obtain a cosy match.
The smaller nozzles can have a difficult match at occasions. The IEMs use the model’s long-favored MMCX connections to hook up with the inventory cable.
Consolation & Isolation
The shells of the Grand Luna are of common measurement and thus aren’t fussy for match. The graceful edges everywhere in the physique, together with a light-weight weight, assist in offering a really cosy and safe match.
The flat design of the faceplate and the shell beneath give it a glossy construction with out bulking up the general design.
The shells don’t stick out a lot, and I don’t suppose they’d pose any problem for individuals with small ears both.
I’ve used the IEMs for hours and by no means felt drained or skilled any discomfort as a result of match. Even on the transfer, I by no means needed to battle with the match. The inventory cable is gentle sufficient to not put any added stress on the IEMs.
The isolation issue is spectacular on the Grand Luna. Upon getting a pleasant, cosy match, you’ll hardly be bothered by any chit-chat from the environment. I discover it splendid to hold them to my work, as there may be at all times some noise from individuals speaking round me.
Throughout my time, I did expertise occasional stress build-up points, particularly as a result of tight seal from larger-sized ear ideas or when pushing IEMs deep inside; in any other case, none.
Ear Ideas
The Grand Luna is stocked with three units of ear ideas: normal silicone, foam ideas, and clear silicone ideas. All of those are available in three sizes: small, medium, and enormous. These are the identical set of ear ideas which can be included with the Alien Mind.
These ear ideas vary from wide-bore to medium-bore to narrow-bore, catering to a variety of ear varieties. They’re well-built with a tender, premium end.
The usual silicone ear ideas have a really tender texture and pair fairly effectively with the IEMs. I’m not very keen on the ultra-clear silicone ear ideas, as they have a tendency to turn out to be sticky for me, however I do discover them fairly premium.
The opposite black silicone ear ideas aren’t sticky, and I’ve spent sufficient time with the bigger measurement of those.
Among the many aftermarket ones I attempted, the Divinus Velvet ideas and the Azla SednaLight ear ideas match fairly effectively. For the reason that match of the Grand Luna shouldn’t be difficult, one received’t need to battle a lot with discovering the right-fitting ear ideas.
Inventory Cable
What makes the Grand Luna launch particular is the inclusion of a modular inventory cable. If I’m not mistaken, that is the primary time Campfire Audio has included such a cable system, and as somebody who has at all times most well-liked a modular cable, this makes me excited.
This protects on together with a number of cables for various termination varieties, thus saving area and energy as effectively.
The Time Hyperlink Cable System, as Campfire Audio calls it, is a mix of high-purity silver and copper wires. The sleeve is clear, by which you’ll see the interior wires.
The adapters and the Y-split are made from steel. I might have most well-liked extra premium {hardware} on the cable, however that’s only a nitpick.
The cable shouldn’t be very thick, and I discover the dealing with fairly straightforward. It additionally doesn’t take up a lot cupboard space and doesn’t tangle both, making it a cushty cable.
The swappable cable terminations embrace 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced connectors. You possibly can simply swap the terminations; that’s executed by merely pulling out the connector.
Moreover, the model has included a high-performance DAC with a Cirrus Logic Grasp CS43131 chipset, which might deal with high-resolution PCM audio as much as 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD codecs as much as DSD256. This DAC has a USB-C termination, making it straightforward to hook up with units comparable to smartphones and laptops.
Total, it’s fairly a aid to see Campfire Audio adopting a modular cable system together with a usable DAC. This ensures that all kinds of units and sources are supported.
Packaging & Equipment
The Grand Luna arrives in massive packaging, which has a celestial-inspired design. The art work on the outer field incorporates a purple planetary sphere resembling the moon, with smaller celestial our bodies round it.
The identify “GRAND LUNA” is displayed throughout the planet within the center. The inside field slides out in a drawer fashion.
Opening this field, we discover a cutout that holds the 2 IEM shells connected to the cable. An analogous celestial art work panel is discovered on the highest of this inside field. Eradicating this cutout, we discover the contents organized in several sections.
The highest proper nook part incorporates the carry case, whereas the left part incorporates the cable’s modular termination plugs. Beneath are the sections that include different equipment, such because the cleansing fabric, mesh pouch, and the guarantee card for the IEMs.
The carry case incorporates the ear tip packs. This packaging is each protecting and stylish, offering a passable expertise. I actually favored a great variety of equipment popping from completely different sections.
Your entire expertise feels plush and themed. The planetary theme visibly aligns with the “Grand Luna” identify. From the planetary art work to the ruby carry case and ruby IEM shells, each element helps the cosmic theme.
Total, the unboxing expertise feels apt for the worth tag and matches among the premium IEMs on this vary.
Carry Case
As with the entire Campfire Audio IEMs, the carry case has at all times been about fashion and a vibrant look, and the Grand Luna model is not any exception. It completely embodies Campfire Audio’s design philosophy.
The case has a deep purple shade that matches the colour of the IEM shells. It’s constructed of soppy, real leather-based with a matte end and a barely grainy texture.
The stitching across the edges is finished in an identical shade and is neat and visual. It makes use of a flap on the highest to shut the case. The model’s emblem is stamped in gold on the highest of this flap.
The case is compact and rectangular with rounded edges, making it pocket-friendly. It has a sturdy and durable construct and may completely shield the IEMs. The area inside is ample to retailer the IEM with the cable, however I nonetheless discover it a bit cramped.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my sound impressions and advisable pairings.
