These $250 earbuds remedy a giant drawback for lossless newbies

For higher, for worse, or detached, lossless audio is a factor. Personally, I believe it is for the higher, however in case you’ve learn my protection, you understand there’s an added expense to getting probably the most out of it. That is the place Campfire Audio is available in. For many who do not wish to carry round a number of gadgets, the Campfire Audio Axion includes a cable with an inline microphone with button controls that terminates in a high quality built-in USB-C DAC—plug-and-play lossless audio entry in a single tight, upgradeable bundle.

Campfire Audio has a stable fame for placing out well-crafted IEMs, so let’s study the Axion, their least costly IEMs up to now, and see how they maintain up.

4/5

Model

Campfire Audio

Further Ideas

3 silicon, 3 foam

Noise Cancellation

Passive

Codecs

32-bit/384kHz by way of USB-C DAC, 15.3Ω

Execs & Cons

• Plug-and-play lossless answer
• Inline microphone
• Replaceable MMCX cable
• Light-weight

• Could not match some small ear canals
• Constructed-in DAC might use extra energy

Value, availability, and specs

The Campfire Audio Axion is accessible from Campfire Audio and Amazon for $249.

What I like in regards to the Campfire Audio Axion

An easy, high-quality on a regular basis carry

Based on Campfire Audio, the Axion makes use of a first-of-its-kind Silicon Dynamic Driver (SDD), which seems extra like a boxy, balanced armature than a conventional dynamic driver. However let’s again up a bit — unboxing the Campfire Audio Axion reveals some good equipment. You may see the IEM our bodies and the cable, in addition to six pairs of eartips — three foam and three silicone — in sizes small, medium, and enormous.

Within the field, you additionally get Campfire’s Breezy Bag Jr. and Breezy Bag Micro. The latter is a dual-chamber soft-mesh bag that retains the 2 IEM our bodies separated in order that they’re nicely cushioned throughout transport. Rounding out the gear inside is an IEM cleansing device and a Campfire Audio collector’s button.

The IEMs themselves are lovely. Their tiny our bodies have brass fasteners and nozzles with gold PVD accents on clear shells with internally dyed parts. Every shell has ergonomic dimples, a pleasant contact when dealing with and putting them in your ears. The connectors on the our bodies are MMCX, so you will discover broad help for cable upgrades on Campfire’s web site and throughout the online — one thing I am going to contact on extra momentarily.

The packaging and accouterments are nice for what you are paying, however what’s most essential is how these IEMs sound. It is comparatively balanced, with a scoop within the decrease mids. These will not be a basshead’s dream, however bass is certainly not lacking from the tuning. When listening to The Roots’ “Do You Need Extra?!??”, the bass and sub-bass hit with the pleasant punch and resonance that they need to. It is this similar observe that additionally exposes the decrease mid scoop because the bagpipes, which are sometimes tuned within the 400-480Hz vary, do not have the presence I’ve skilled with different IEMs. Granted, a few of these IEMs are double, even a number of instances the worth of the Axion.

The soundstage presents with pleasant depth and width when listening to the title theme for the movie “Get Out,” “Sikiliza Kwa Wahenga.” The eerie vocals fill your head, with loads of area to breathe. Ladysmith Black Mombazo’s a cappella intro on Paul Simon’s “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Footwear” additionally shows the expansive soundstage.

Listening to my favourite observe for imaging, Charles Mingus’ “Moanin'”, the stereo imaging is sweet, although instrument separation is not as discreet as I would like, however this can be a difficult observe for imaging attributable to its frenetic jazz improvisation. What additionally will get showcased right here, and once I take heed to “Violin Duel” from the “Chevalier” OST is the sleek higher mids and highs which might be reproduced with pleasant readability, freed from fatigue. This locations the Axion within the realm of entertaining, not analytical listening.

Rounding out the expertise on provide right here, the MMCX-connected cabling options an inline microphone and a three-button distant for calls and audio playback management. I’ve performed with it on both Android and iOS and located that playback management could be a bit finicky, relying on which apps you are utilizing. Audio from the microphone is obvious, if not a bit bottomy, however your conversations and video chats will do nicely.

Better of all, because the cable makes use of the MMCX commonplace, these headphones can develop with you in case you determine to improve to a greater cell DAC. Simply purchase some aftermarket MMCX cables, terminated with a 4.4mm connector as an alternative of the USB-C connector, and you may entry information with greater resolutions than the included DAC helps (32-bit/384kHz).

What might use enchancment

Not small ear canal pleasant for me

The one obvious points I discovered throughout my time with the Campfire Audio Axion are nozzle diameter and DAC energy. The nozzle that the eartips connect with does not match my baby-size proper ear canal, whereas my left ear is a bit higher as a result of it is barely bigger. There are eartips that may mitigate the problem, although. You’ll be able to see the dome eartips within the picture above on the best. They seal higher in opposition to my ear canal regardless of having a shallow canal depth. I generally have this drawback, although, so it is not a knock in opposition to Campfire Audio in any respect.

When taking part in music from my Microsoft Floor Professional 11, the facility output was stable as I listened to lossless audio information utilizing the MusicBee app. In my trials, I discovered that the IEMs profit from extra energy than my iPhone 16 Pro Max and Google Pixel 9 can ship. When taking part in music from my Floor Professional or the FiiO M21 DAP, the Axion’s full capabilities are revealed. In future variations of the Axion, I would prefer to see greater DAC energy output, however the trade-off is that it’s going to drain extra energy out of your smartphone.

Do you have to purchase the Campfire Audio Axion?

For high quality and comfort…

When you’re on the lookout for a turnkey cell lossless audio answer, the Campfire Audio Axion is a stable possibility, with room to develop as your energetic listening exploration does. You get high quality Campfire Audio IEMs, an inline microphone and playback controls, and a DAC to offer you cell entry to music that’s CD-quality or “higher.” And whereas $250 might seem to be lots for earbuds, on this planet of audiophile gear, it is comparatively cheap.

Model

Campfire Audio

Further Ideas

3 silicon, 3 foam

Noise Cancellation

Passive

Codecs

32-bit/384kHz by way of USB-C DAC, 15.3Ω

Drivers

Silicon Dynamic Driver (SDD)

Microphones

Inline microphone