Review - Campfire Audio Solaris 2020
Website – Campfire Audio
Specifications
- Frequency Response: 5Hz–20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 94 dB SPL @ 1kHz: 6.54 mVrms
- Impedance: 15.5 Ohms @ 1kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 1%
Features
- Durable Black PVD Finished Body
- Dual Custom Balanced Armature Drivers + T.A.E.C. (High)
- Single Updated Custom Balanced Armature Driver (Mid)
- Specially Tuned 10mm Dynamic Driver (Mid + Low)
- Plasma enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (C.V.D.) Amorphous Diamond Like Carbon (A.D.L.C.) Diaphragm.
- Beryllium / Copper MMCX Connections
- Stainless Steel Spout
Price:
U$ 1499.
The Solaris 2020 arrives in the same package previously introduced with the 2019 models (Andromeda, IO, and Polaris 2). A compact cardboard box with an extra outer paper layer. Inside, the same kind of portable case, now of cork material with a finish that fits more the ‘campfire’ theme over the fancy leather ones of the 2019 models. Also, two small boxes containing three kinds of ear tips, generic single silicone tips (3 sizes), final E tips (full set of 5 sizes) and foam tips (3 sizes). The earphones themselves are properly arranged inside the case with each earpiece inside the dual mesh bag for extra protection and medium size foam tips already installed. There is also a cleaning tool and the usual little Campfire Audio pin. Maybe not a luxury unboxing experience to brag about as found on other brands’ flagships, but there is nothing missing.
Design
The new Solaris 2020 version strikes with its unique design,
excellent build and nice aesthetics. Like previous Solaris iterations, it
differs from any other of the Campfire Audio earphones line – like the
distinctive Andromeda and others’ polygonal shape and the more compact rounded
Vega/Dorado. The Solaris is still the company's highest (universal) model and
as such features the best build quality, well worth its ‘flagship’ tag. And
even among many other top-tier IEMs, the Solaris may be close to set a
benchmark being one of the best built and finished earphones. While the
original Solaris shells were substantially large, compared to the Andromeda and
siblings or to several other IEMs, this 2020 version has been shrunken to a
more acceptable, less challenging dimensions – about 20% smaller than the
original. Still, it holds the exact same outer design and inner special
structure, BA and dynamic drivers and rest of components, though missing the
attractive gold faceplates (or more artistic SE’s ones). I must say that this
is a very welcomed take from Campfire Audio, as for many people the so large
housings were nearly impossible to fit properly.
All the materials applied here feel really very premium. Main
body is of PVD coated metal alloy (aluminum, CNC machined), all in a more
discreet black color theme. The faceplates do pick a bit of fingertips, but not
as much as some shiny mirror-like stainless steel IEMs. The spout is of stainless
steel with a round shaped base and fairly long body finished with a grill at
its opening (instead of multiple bores), if a bit wider than standard. There is
a small vent located at the upper part of the body close to the cable
connection, logically needed for the dynamic driver. There is no driver flex.
Tech inside consists of a common hybrid driver setup of one
large 10mm dynamic driver for lows and mids, one BA for mids and dual BA for
highs. Moreover, they are all installed in a resin 3D-printed mold which not
only holds them more securely than the traditional hollow shells, but (in
theory) should also allow a higher acoustic performance.
The Solaris 2020 earpieces are still rather voluminous and hold a significant weight to them. The good part is that they are all smooth and well rounded, unlike the sharp corners found on the Andromeda, Polaris, etc. While I personally prefer the fit and comfort of the Solaris over those and a couple of other flagship IEMs, the use of proper ear tips is essential, more than with other earphones; primarily to achieve the best seal and fit, but also for optimal audio performance. The inclusion of final E tips is nice, but personally neither those, the more generic silicone tips, or even the memory foam tips provided the best results. As mentioned in a previous review, my preferred tips for the Solaris were the new final E tips for TWS and the Sedna (or alternatively, JVC Spiral Dot). They all have a softer body and wider bore that allow a more secure and quicker seal on the ear canal. Yet, the fit is not too deep and the earpieces stick out of the ears. Isolation level is rather good, despite the proper venting, as the large design covers a wide area of the outer ear.
The cable is the new Super Smoky Litz. Included only with the
Solaris (or sold separately for $200!), while all the other earphones models
arrive with the standard Smoky Litz. It looks pretty much like the standard
Smoky, but doubles the inner wire strands count and thus is about 30~50 %
thicker. The overall design is still the same: four separated strands tightly
twisted on the lower half and two to each side on the upper part. Wire material
is silver-plated copper, which is pretty standard with most IEMs. There are
fixed preformed ear hooks (no memory wire). The plug is terminated on a
standard 3.5mm. The connectors are of the usual and good own Campfire Audio
MMCX type, beryllium copper coated, and provide a very secure connection to the
earphones. However, there is one main complaint about this cable. While thicker
and more robust than the standard one, it is much stiffer and even holds a very
mild memory effect. Kind of disappointing for the price and a top-model
earphone; though not as awful as other few (very proud of themselves) companies
are including in their much more expensive IEMs, but still below what you can
find on decent Chinese brands at a fraction of the Solaris’ price. Nonetheless,
it is still comfortable to wear, and while the ear hooks feel tighter, they
actually help to keep the earphones in place with their large size and weight.
Sound
The Solaris is a very well balanced IEM and one of the most
enjoyable I’ve tried. Each of the many Campfire Audio earphones I could try has
its own specific tuning that differentiates strongly from the other, and the
Solaris is well worth its ‘flagship’ model tag having the best all-rounder
response of all them. It is an excellent example of how a hybrid IEM can
combine the good characteristics of both dynamic and armature drivers. That
said, the Solaris deviates from a pure ‘reference’ kind of tuning, and instead
provides a very easy to like presentation that comprises very little in any of
its frequency response areas. Overall, it can be described as a very mild
u-shaped response with very solid bass impact and energetic and lively treble
while the midrange still has plenty of body and weight.
One thing worth noting. The Solaris is very ear tip
dependent, more than the source it is paired with. As commented above, none of
the included tips did justice to the Solaris, and that includes the final E
tips which I do find very good on many other IEMs. My preferable option would
have been dual-flange tips, but those didn’t help to the fit, and SpinFit
didn’t provide the most optimal sonic results, either. Best results I found
were with the new final TWS E tips and, alternatively, the Azla Sedna tips. The
softer material of these tips helped a lot to achieve a better seal and
comfort, and ultimately, the wider bore opening contributed for the most
optimal sound quality in bass, mids, treble and stage. Regarding drivability,
sensitivity has been lowered to below the 100dB mark and impedance raised to a
more rate, even so the Solaris doesn’t really demand extra amplification or
very powerful source. A little hiss was still hearable from the iBasso DX300,
but only when music was not being played. And yet, it is an earphone that tends
to shine paired with a better audio source.
One of the first things to notice on the Solaris is the bass.
It is inclined towards a warm tonality, very rich and very engaging. The whole
bass is enhanced, forward but not overwhelming. It may not be sufficient for
true heavy-bass fans, but otherwise it is well emphasized and presents one of
the most enjoyable balance of quantity and quality. Extension is remarkable,
with good depth and rumble. Dynamics, decay and texture are as expected from a
good and large dynamic driver; very natural timbre and high speed that, while
not reaching that of multi-BA sets, will suit fast music tracks without much struggle.
While sub-bass reach is effortless and very present, there is a bit more bias
and power towards the mid-bass area. In pure quality, the bass responds well
according to the source, and the better it is the better layering and
separation it will reach. Quantity-wise, it is less source dependent, but
surprisingly it has excellent synergy with richer sounding DAPs such as the M8
and DX300. Regardless, it is a very engaging and enveloping bass performance.
The midrange is very rich, full and generally very smooth.
The balance is shifted more towards the upper midrange region. That’s not to
say the low midrange sounds distant or thin. It is actually thick and well
bodied, and mostly neutral in position next to rest of the frequencies, being
the bass and upper-mid and low treble more elevated. If anything, the
transition from bass to low-mids is not tight enough (considering the price),
and the layering on the low-mids is not as good as it is on the bass, and
dynamics, while very good, still have that BA limitation compared to dynamic
drivers. But otherwise the midrange is very well weighted, with a correct and
rather natural timbre, a bit of warm tonality on its low region and more energy
towards its upper side. The texture is just right for vocals – male voices are
weighty enough, though female voices are more highlighted. Sibilance is rare,
but still hearable on selected tracks. Quality is excellent – high level of
detail with a wide sense of space and air. Instruments are very well separated
and positioned, if a bit pushing upper instruments forward. It is not tuned for
ultra micro details, but the finest details are easy to pick up within the rich
and smooth tuning.
Treble balances perfectly with the rest of the sound, and on
its own is quite even with just a little priority on the lower-treble area,
whereas the upper is a tad more laid back. Yet, the extension is great on the
Solaris, almost mirroring the low-end extension from the dynamic driver
counterpart. Quantity wise, it is plenty; very energetic, sparkly and still not
tiring, sharp or harsh. There is some sibilance occasionally when paired with a
more neutral-to-bright source (e.g. PAW 6000), but most of the time it is an
engaging and comfortable treble presentation. If being picky, then there is
that kind of BA timbre (especially compared to the Anole VX or ProMission X,
but less compromising than the sharper Hyla Sarda with its piezoelectric
ceramic unit for highs). The speed and resolution are superb, and in pure
quality, is among the best I’ve heard on a IEM.
Soundstage is one of the strongest aspects of the Solaris, if
not the best part. Among the largest and most expansive out of an IEM, with
great width and very equal height and front to back distance. The Hyla Sarda is
still wider in its right to left separation but doesn’t reach the depth, height
nor does it have a surrounding 3D-effect as the Solaris is capable of, breaking
the standards of the in-ear monitors and mimicking the open and large
presentation of large headphones. Even though it already sounds impressive out
of more affordable entry players, I do think it requires a proper audio source
to really shine in its staging and imaging. On a (arguably) portable setup, the
best combination I found was with the Shanling M8 and DX300, which is to be
expected considering these sources excel in stage and dynamics. Surprisingly,
the synergy is very favorable in terms of tonality, despite the less neutral
and richer presentation of these two DAPs. The bass is particularly powerful
and engaging and presents a fuller lower-midrange out of the M8. On the DX300
it is almost as wide but not as large sounding, though more linear and neutral
through bass to midrange, fast speed on lows and with a bit more sizzling
treble.
Comparisons
qdc Anole VX (10 BA w/tuning
switches)
In its most neutral
setup (all 3 switches off) the Anole VX is indeed more neutral sounding than
the Solaris. The VX is still one of the most detailed earphones with extreme
micro-detail, highest speed and impeccable resolution. Bass is less impactful,
full or dense than the Solaris, and not as extended or rumbly at the lowest
sub-bass registers. Midrange is less thick yet more forward on the VX, clearer
and more balanced through low to upper mids. Solaris can give more density on instruments,
whereas the VX has better separation and more air. Treble, while really good on
the Solaris, is beaten by the VX’s. While a bit brighter on the VX, it performs
with further extension, treble dynamics, quality and balance. On the other
hand, the Solaris wins when it gets to soundstage, by a noticeable margin,
being simply larger and more surrounding. Lastly, the qdc VX is lighter and
much more comfortable, while the Solaris is much better built.
final A8000
Current flagship from
final with a single pure Beryllium dynamic driver. The A8000 has greater
extension on both ends and sounds more cohesive in its whole presentation – not
surprising having a single dynamic driver versus the Solaris’ hybrid setup. A8000
is also faster, more precise and sharper in layering and superb dynamics.
Mid-bass is more forward, impactful and weightier on the Solaris. On the other
hand, sub-bass quality is better on the A8000. On the midrange, the A8000 is
more neutral and linear, with equal positioning between low and upper mids. It
does sound a bit leaner and cooler in tonality. Instruments’ separation is more
precise on the A8000 and there is more air. But in result, it is much less
forgiving and critical. On the treble, the A8000 has the upper hand in pure
quality, detail and resolution, but it is also brighter and sharper and can
become easily more fatiguing. The Solaris is less compromising in sound
presentation, more fun and easy to listen to with a wide variety of genres. As for
soundstage, I’d say it is a draw, and both scale higher with better sources.
Also in build quality and overall comfort they’d score the same rating.
Fir Audio VxV
Despite being a
5-driver hybrid IEM, the Fir VxV acts differently than one would expect from a
hybrid model. Tuned for more accuracy and detail, the VxV has a neutral to
slightly midrange forward presentation, and sparkly, quality treble. The lows
are quick, realistic in a good ‘dynamic driver’ texture, but much lighter in
body and impact; extension is shorter and lacks the rumble of the powerful and
rich Solaris. Midrange feels more forward, compared to the reserved low-end,
though still lighter, leaner than the thicker midrange on the Solaris, and then
goes brighter on its upper mids. Treble is energetic with great quality and
micro detail, though less forgiving than the smoother Solaris. In pure
technical abilities on their treble, both IEMs are not too different, though
the Solaris has a more engaging presentation – or ‘musicality’, if you prefer.
The Solaris is simply a clear, and excellent, example of the ‘traditional’
hybrid setup.
Fit is easier on the
VxV and so is comfort. The lighter housings and more the relaxed vented fit
works better for longer listening time (probably thanks to the ATOM system).
Oriolus Reborn LTD
Both the Solaris and Reborn LTD are four-driver’ hybrids of 1 Dynamic
& 3 BA. The bass on the Reborn, while present enough, is softer in mid-bass
and much less deep, shy and limited in sub-bass reach. Dynamics are below as
well, and the Reborn is also quicker in decay. As a result, it leaves a cleaner
transition to the low-midrange. In fact, the midrange is more forward on the
Reborn, and has a very nice texture on it that specially shines in vocals. The
Solaris is more all-rounded when it gets to instruments-vocals balance. Treble
is more relaxed on the Reborn, and below in quality, though less prone to
sibilance next to energetic Solaris. Soundstage is not even a competition – the
Reborn is average and intimate, the Solaris is large and wide.
Hyla Sarda
The Sarda has a more
complex hybrid configuration. Triple driver type hybrid (or tri-brid, as some
may call it) of one dynamic (10mm) for lows, two BA (dual Sonion) for mids and
one Piezoelectric Ceramic for highs, and presents a very pronounced v-shaped
signature. The bass is greater than the Solaris, stronger mid-bass punch and
even more elevated sub-bass. The Sarda has actually one of the best sub-bass
presentations: it has the extension, depth, rumble and sheer power. Treble,
while it extends very well, is sharper, less natural and easier to show signs
of sibilance. Midrange is more distant – thicker and darker in tonality on the
low-mids and less presence of upper-mids. The main issue with the Sarda lies in
its midrange timbre: it sounds unnatural and incoherent compared to several
competitors (at the $1~1.5K price bracket), and clearly against the Solaris.
Soundstage is large and even wider on the Sarda, but doesn’t show the same
front to back distance nor the height of the Solaris, which feels more
spherical and 3-dimensional.
Conclusion
To sum-up, the Campfire Audio Solaris
2020 is one of the best built in-ear earphones with a very premium look and
finish. The earpieces are still large but fortunately less compromising than
the original shells. The case is nice, though the included tips may not help to
achieve the best fit or do much justice to the sound, and ultimately, the cable
could have been more comfortable. That aside, the sound presentation is very
easy to like. It sounds very rich, with strong bass, full midrange and great
treble quality, and the soundstage is among the best found in an IEM form.
Pretty much an all-rounder sound; easy to drive, and yet more impressive with a
good quality source.