Immediately, Nihal evaluations the Campfire Audio Axion, a brand new full-range SDD or silicon dynamic driver IEM with a 384kHz-capable USB-C DAC terminated inventory cable. It’s priced at $249.00.
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 be able to learn in additional element right here.
Campfire Audio Axion Evaluate
Abstract
The Campfire Audio Axion is a single dynamic driver IEM that provides on a regular basis comfort with a tuning that’s balanced throughout the frequencies. The bass has a satisfying stage of punch, the midrange is pure, and the treble is delicately prolonged. The Axion delivers an immersive sound, which I believe is the actual win.
Execs
Light-weight shells, snug for lengthy classes.
Constructed-in DAC and USB-C connection.
Balanced tuning with punchy bass and immersive soundstage.
Cons
Decision might be higher.
One of many issues I discover thrilling about Campfire Audio is their steady product launch cycle. As a person, the anticipation of a brand new Campfire IEM across the nook is at all times current.
The thrill is even better as a result of the releases really feel thoughtfully crafted and well-targeted, hinting that Campfire Audio understands the kind of listeners they’re designing their merchandise for.
Final month, Campfire Audio introduced the discharge of two new merchandise: the Alien Mind and the Axion.
The Axion is a budget-friendly possibility meant for on a regular basis listening, but it packs some spectacular options. Axion was first launched as an idea mannequin throughout the 2024 Campfire Multiverse Occasion.
The newer model now contains a extra refined tuning geared toward on a regular basis HiFi use, together with a extra ergonomic form and measurement.
On this evaluate, we’ll take an in depth take a look at what the Axion has to supply and the way it stacks up towards IEMs such because the ALBA, Quantity S, and the Challenge M on this crowded funds market.
Options
The Axion contains a silicon dynamic driver that has a compact, box-like kind issue much like a balanced armature, but it features and feels like a standard dynamic driver.
Campfire Audio is supposedly the primary to develop this distinctive sort of dynamic driver.
Initially constructed for the Axion: Multiverse III, which got here round in late 2024, the driving force’s inside design stays unchanged, although the tuning has been barely adjusted for this launch.
Design
The Axion contains a very simplistic design centered on offering consolation throughout prolonged listening classes. The shells have a bullet-style form with a slim kind issue.
Not like the standard over-the-ear IEM design, these IEMs are worn straight down with the cables hanging from the edges, much like conventional earphones. The shells are clear with some black detailing on the within.
The golden brass nozzle appears fairly premium and enhances the shell design nicely. These golden accents, together with a contact of glossiness, add to the general richness of the aesthetic.
The shells use an MMCX connection, which is Campfire Audio’s most popular system, discovered on virtually all their IEMs. The shells usually are not labelled L or R, so you’ll want to word their orientation when swapping cables.
Consolation & Isolation
Given the small measurement and ultra-lightweight shells, the Axion is a breeze to make use of; you barely really feel it in your ears. One factor to be conscious of is selecting the best ear suggestions for the most effective match.
Additionally, the IEM nozzles are a bit angled, thus not as straightforward to suit as a straight one. As soon as you discover the proper ones, the IEMs sit very securely and don’t come off simply.
A standard concern with this sort of design is {that a} cumbersome cable may pull the IEMs down, however fortunately, the included cable is kind of light-weight.
The isolation provided by the Axion is spectacular and higher than many different IEMs in its value vary. It blocks a major quantity of ambient noise, making it superb for on-the-go use.
Throughout my time with the Axion, I didn’t expertise any stress build-up, nor did I discover any driver flex.
Ear Suggestions
The Axion comes with two units of ear suggestions, foam suggestions and silicone ear suggestions, each in three totally different sizes: S, M, and L. I’m not significantly fond of froth ear suggestions, so I didn’t use them a lot.
Nevertheless, the included silicone ear suggestions are simply wonderful, and I used them usually throughout my time with the Axion.
It’s necessary to decide on the right-fitting ear suggestions rigorously, as a poor match could make the sound really feel leaner and fewer immersive. A bigger-sized ear tip can assist present a safe and cushty match.
Inventory Cable
The selection of cable makes the Axion a really versatile product. It contains a high-quality built-in DAC chip with a pattern fee of as much as 32-bit/384 kHz. When in use, this DAC bypasses the often-low-quality DACs present in smartphones or lower-spec sources.
The cable additionally has USB-C connectivity, making it fairly handy to be used with smartphones, tablets, and laptops, which appears to be the supposed use case.
Nevertheless, the USB-C connectivity limits compatibility with dongles and sure audio sources that will not help USB-C audio. I’d have cherished to see a modular cable with swappable connectors to cater to a wider vary of gadgets.
The cable additionally options built-in microphones, including to its utility issue. The microphone panel contains three buttons: two for quantity management and one for name features.
The cable has a skinny construct, which I respect, as extra weight might doubtlessly pull the IEMs out of your ears. I don’t discover the skinny cable to restrict the audio high quality in any manner.
Packaging & Equipment
The Campfire Audio Axion is available in a colourful black field with a vintage-inspired aesthetic, that includes a matte black exterior and gold-accented detailing. On the high of the field, the “AXION” emblem is framed by a refined gradient glow, together with an image of the IEMs.
Opening the field, you’re greeted with a smooth black Breezy Bag that accommodates all of the equipment. It’s a mesh zipper carrying case with ample house inside. Equipment similar to foam and silicone ear suggestions, a cleansing instrument, and a Campfire Audio pin are packed in small paper packets.
The cable and IEMs are neatly organized alongside mesh pockets. Campfire Audio has at all times included mesh pouches for securely storing the IEMs, so I’m glad to see my favourite accent right here.
Carry Case
The Axion doesn’t include a separate carry case; somewhat, the Breezy Bag serves as one. This bag is included with high-end Campfire Audio IEMs, similar to Clara.
I discover it an thrilling and considerate addition, and it serves the aim nicely. It has sufficient house inside, permitting you to retailer the IEMs together with the cable fairly comfortably. It additionally comes with an hooked up string, which could be useful if you wish to sling it over your shoulder.
Given the very small kind issue of Axion, the bag is available in very helpful. Even in the event you have been to retailer different IEMs, I believe the house inside is greater than enough. The bag is well-padded, so it feels safe for storing your IEMs.
Sound Impressions
The next sound impressions of the Campfire Audio Axion have been accomplished utilizing a combination of my major supply, Lotoo’s Paw Gold Contact, an Apple iPad, and an Apple MacBook Professional. I paired the IEMs with the inventory cable and the inventory ear suggestions, measurement M.
Abstract
The Axion has a balanced tuning that doesn’t place an excessive amount of emphasis on any explicit frequency vary. It gives a spacious sound with a thick and heat bass and a pure midrange that prioritizes clear timbre.
The midrange reveals a heat character with a lush and dense decrease midrange. The treble has ample vitality and extends nicely.
General, the sound is clean with none exaggerated peaks. The thick bass provides a component of enjoyable, making genres like hip-hop and digital significantly pleasant. The built-in DAC provides a contact of readability and definition, making notes really feel extra vivid and real looking.
Bass
The bass on the Axion maintains a good steadiness between amount and high quality. It reveals a heat character with the thick texture usually discovered in lots of Campfire Audio IEMs.
This bass is extra aligned with the Bonneville than the Alien Mind. Axion’s bass delivers satisfying affect and punch within the mid-bass, whereas the sub-bass has stable depth and extension. Fortunately, the daring bass vary stays fairly managed and inside limits.
The general bass doesn’t intrude a lot into the midrange, and it imparts a contact of lushness into the mids. It by no means overpowers however stays in management with a good response.
In case you get pleasure from a heat, thick bass with out sacrificing element and readability, the Axion will fulfill you. This bass isn’t designed to impress bassheads, nevertheless it leaves little or no to be desired.
Simply be sure to get the very best match; in any other case, the bass might come off as impartial and missing in punch.
Midrange
The midrange reveals a heat character but retains a clear timbre, leading to a powerful stage of decision. It’s neither too ahead nor recessed, sitting at simply the proper place, near the ears.
Because of the bass shelf, the decrease midrange has satisfying physique and depth, making devices just like the bass guitar and cello sound genuine.
Every so often, the bass and decrease midrange can really feel thick and dense, however they by no means overwhelm the combo, retaining the midrange clear and detailed.
One space that left me wanting extra was the higher midrange’s vitality, which doesn’t lengthen a lot; because of this, vocals and devices can often miss out on finer nuances and extension.
With a sound this clear, a bit extra extension and vitality within the higher mids might have made it really immersive. General, the decrease and higher midrange mix to current a coherent, wealthy, and lifelike tonality.
Treble
I couldn’t nitpick a lot with regards to the treble area on the Axion. The treble possesses all the proper qualities, as it’s clean but extremely detailed, the sort of treble one needs for lengthy listening classes.
Treble notes resolve nicely, with pure decay and a beneficiant quantity of element and sparkle. There’s a way of airiness and openness within the higher treble area.
At no level does the treble turn into harsh or exaggerated, which helps protect element and naturalness. Initially, I had some reservations that the thick bass may overshadow a few of the treble’s element and air, however due to the balanced tuning, the treble stays adequately emphasised.
Cymbal strikes and ethereal devices like flutes and strings all carry a pure treble tonality that makes the general sound pleasant.
Staging & Dynamics
The technicalities of the Axion got here as a little bit of a shock to me. The soundstage has a really real looking and interesting presentation. It spans fairly nicely in width and gives a way of depth. Y
ou get a nice holographic stage round your head, not overly giant, however sufficient to maintain you immersed. The imaging is kind of passable, delivering a good stage of spatial accuracy. I really feel the photographs might be a bit sharper, however that’s lots to ask from a funds set.
Devices and vocals are properly separated, and even in advanced tracks, I by no means felt any sense of congestion. I believe the Axion does justice to virtually all kinds of tracks, be it steel, stay music, or some other style.
The decision might be higher, however the stage of element is ample; nothing feels lacking, although some parts might be sharper and extra exact. General, the Axion meets and even exceeds the extent of technical efficiency you’d count on from an IEM at this value level.
Click on web page 2 under for my advisable pairings and chosen comparisons.
