Campfire Audio Vega IEMs & ALO Audio Reference 8 Cable
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- After the success of the Andromedas, Campfire Audio has another hit with the dynamic-driver Vegas and Reference 8 IEM cable.
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For a written review with pictures, check out hear.audio
Equipment used for most of my listening:
Chord Mojo
ALO Audio Continental V5
Astell & Kern AK380
Cozoy Rei
iPhone 6+ (which sounded terrible compared to the above!)
#CampfireAudio #IEM #Vega
Vega = TH900 IEM. The second thing that struck me about the Vega, aside from its bass, is its resolution. I was exclusively listening to my Utopia for a week on the same rig, and I have to admit that I didn't feel shortchanged for resolution when I got the Vega. Of course, I'm not claiming that the Vega is on par with the Utopia in this regard (nothing is), but its overall technical abilities are undeniably reference quality even though its sound signature isn't.
Just wanted to drop a quick thank you for your great videos. It would be helpful if you provide a disclaimer in your videos, stating that you are or are not giving unbiased reviews, or being compensated by the company’s you are reviewing.
I don't get paid by any companies to review their products and refuse to review products where financial compensation is offered (usually by small companies trying to get known), so I'm not sure what disclaimer I need to provide. As for bias: I'm biased towards good people trying to make genuinely good products.
What would be the best IEM"S in your opinion to pair with Cowon Plenue M2 for my first pair in $200-$300 range? I own HIFIMAN HE400! and have an the new Mr. Speakers Aeon on order? Great Reviews
I haven't used any of the Cowon players at all. However assuming the Cowon has a low output impedance (necessary for balanced armature IEMs) you have a LOT of choices in that range. It would really come down to what best suits the music you like.
how should i affort these :( im a student.
Try the Meze 11 Neo instead. I've reviewed that too and it's only around $60.
Hi, I have the mojo, but currently looking for a good DAP to pair with the Vega, between the Hiby r6 and 300r, w.c would you recommend?or any DAP that you would recommend?:)
Why not just get the Poly for the Mojo and use it with your smartphone?
Just bussed down the Portland a few days ago to try these out and buy them. I'm 3 days into burning them in and am so madly in love. Your review was very helpful, because you've also reviewed the RHA T20. Thanks!!!
Great sound is an understatement on the Vega's, when paired with ALOs CDM the sound signature is as close to perfect for my tastes. Still waiting on the ref 8 to arrive to move to balanced out on the CDM. Good review, though I wouldn't call the Vega's a traditional V sound shape personally i find the mids to only be very slightly behind the highs and lows Could be that it's the CDM helping even out the sound but even just using a Pixel XL as a source it's not overly noticeable like it would be when using hybrid dynamic driver BA IEM.
Would those be on par with Sennheiser ie800s (that I like very much) in terms of performance and sound signature?
How do these compare to iSine20? Actually, I want to know how do the whole Campfire series compare to iSine 20 with Cipher cable? What would be a good upgrade to iSine20?
I only hear the prototypes just before they were released, so I'm overdue to review the iSine range.
Out of curiousity, how would you compare them to the IE800, which I'd on first sight think these might be rather similar to?
I've only ever listened to the IE800 at shows and the last time was a while ago.
Lord Victor Halgaard if you get to audition one of these please let me know your opinions of these against ie800! Both seem to be on the same side of Tonality..
informative and thorough review, as usual, Currawong...i'm really interested in these...love it that ALO hasn't gone crazy in $$$$ like Zeus, etc.
suggestion: hope you'll also check out the well regarded FLC 8S...Forrestwei is now soon coming out with his TOTL 'Celeste'....price point unknown at this time. Forrestwei felt the FLC 8S was underpriced for his mainly Chinese consumer so he lost alot of sales...will be interesting how he prices the Celeste...anyway, long story short: many people who've heard the FLC 8S at various Canjams, and who also have more $$$ Noble (etc) iems, mentioned they held up very well against iems 2-4x the price.
Would love to ask whether you personally favor the vega or andromeda? Willing to buy one of them for all-around use and I listen to broad range of genres and have the amps to do justice to either.
The Andromeda if I really want an all-rounder. The Vega is a great deal of fun, but thundering bass isn't always necessary.
Thanks man!!!!!
The MMCX connector on Andromeda is really too tight for me :( My Litz cable is fast dead but I can't remove it =(
Great review and I think ALO has nailed it here. ALO also makes unbelievable ly good cables. I have a reference 16 myself. :)
Since someone asked: I wouldn't recommend using these IEMs just out of a phone, you wont experience what they are capable of. For that, I'd suggest one of the cheaper models, like the Lyra II.
What is the difference btw Vega and Lyra II?
I can't believe anyone would do that. Lol. That would be a disgrace. Deserves a nice DAP. :)
If you've by chance tried the Vega's with the AK JR let me know. :)
Thanks man.
Nephilim 81 convenience
How does it compare to lyra? Any sibilance on lyra? And will it suit jazz, pop, edm?
Have you had the experience to compare the original Alo Ref 8 vs the fake one? Really curious about the differences since they look very similar. Unfortunately cant find the discussion about this, so would love to hear it from you...🙌
I didn't know that there was one. That being said, I wouldn't get any fake versions of products, as it promotes dishonest manufacturers.
What’s the highest end earbuds for iPhone?
What do you think of the single BA er4sr?
Imo er4sr is pretty much one of the best under 1 grand.
Do you agree that single BA is better than multiple BA is done right?
Great video as always.
And i agree that in ear actually is better than full size headphones to test dac and sound signature of amps.
A single BA can't cover the full frequency spectrum, but does have the advantage of a lack of phase issues, which is the usual culprit for IEMs sounding unnatural. That's why I liked the BA/dynamic combos in the past, when done well. A single dynamic driver can cover the full spectrum well, which is why we're seeing even $50 IEMs that sound good (they all likely use the same good OEM driver).
Currawong Well if done properly single BA can cover quite a wide range of the spectrum. If you actually look into the frequency response only(i know other things are important as well but just to follow your point), many iems that seems to cover wide range actually can't do well under 14khz even 10k for many of them. You might say etymotic only got 16-17khz frequency response. But it is actually because their strict standard, if you can follow the regular standard it actually can produce 19khz without problems.
There is another interesting thing i found. When you look back to 20 even just 10 years ago. er4 sounds super super unique and nothing(except electrostatic) was like it. But today suddenly we have some more high end headphones like hd800 utopia ether flow that give much closer characteristic to the er4, which is very weird. But when you look at the measurements you may have an better idea than just listen to them.
It is true that I am an er4 lover etc etc I admit it. But you have to agree that they have done a really great job long time ago. They did many tricks actually. If you insert deep you will have much flatter high frequency response. And much better high extension when added a resistor in series to balance the high impedance in high frequency.
Also new BA like rab(used in er4sr/xr) and wbfk series actually provides way way wider frequency range(especially wbfk) than any moving coil drivers.
The only thing I can think of that dynamic driver is "better" is the more conventional bass response, which is more punchy and more like speakers in a sense.
But anyway these are really good earphones, I am not bsing that these are not good. These are really awesome iems. And you have been one of the best reviewer on UA-cam. Cheers.
I hadn't seen the measurements of the Etys. Looks quite different to what I've seen in the past, though the Harman target compensated result you linked before at clarityfidelity.blogspot.com/2016/09/etymotic-research-er4sr-iem.html?m=0&view=flipcard gives a typical, mid-forward result that I would have expected. I'd also be a bit concerned about the non-flat phase response, as that I've had affect the quality of instrument reproduction in the past. I'll add them to my list of IEMs to check out again at the next Tokyo show, as I remember some of their inexpensive models sounded quite good.
Currawong Good to know.😀
Hi :) I'm currently choosing between Andromeda and Vega and can't decide, what is your 2020. opinion on these two? I had the chance to listen to Vega and Dorado and I felt that VEga were much more emotional experience for me and Dorado were just ok.
The Andromeda has a more flat FR, whereas the Vega is more V-shaped. So the Vega are more exciting to listen with, if you like that kind of sound. The Andromedas are better all-rounders.
Currawong What about the vocals, which would you say are better in that regard?
Why not japan?
Helo, great review, thank you, I have a Sony WM1A and I listen to oldschool classic rock, which iem would be better for me, Andrameda or Vega?
Possibly the Andromedas. The Vegas are great if you want thumping bass though, but that doesn't bring out the instruments as strongly.
The Andromeda with the 4.4 litz are a heavenly match for the WM1A,the litz may be a very direct almost clinical clear but perfect for the sublime silkiness sound of the WM1A, can`t get enough.
sstfairstar because of the perfect fit I went with the vegas, I already have a Reference 8 cable as well as a Peterek ballanced cable so Im set pretty good now!
I'm considering upgrading my Westone W30s that I use on the commute, to a set of IEMs that will also be used at home in place of full-sized headphones.
My first thought would be the W80s but I was recommended to take a look at these as well. With an iPhone 7, what exactly is wrong with these? Are they really not a big step up, despite not being able to show their true capability? Can you elaborate on "sounded terrible" please?
Out of an iPhone, you're just going to hear the distortion of the electronics in greater detail. They would, IMO, be a waste of money if you weren't going to use them with better electronics.
Thanks. The plan was to just have a single pair of very good IEMs that would take over the two roles of my current W30s and also my home headphones. I figured I'd get more value for money that way, rather than just using them at home. I could even add a Dragonfly Red at a pinch for mobile use
Currawong what about iphone7plus + dragonflyred + CA vega does this work well?
kind of curious on how these compare to your Laylas ?
The Laylas and Andromedas are similar. The Vegas have more focus on the bass and treble.
I have an aeon, will i like vega lyra2
The Vega is more V-shaped, so if you want something different... The Andromeda is more like the Aeons I reckon.
Does the Vega pair well with Mojo ?
Most definitely. That is what I was mainly using them with.
I have the Lyra II. The memory wire on the stock cables is terrible IMO. I swapped in a $30 Chinese 4 core SPC 2.5mm balanced cable and it improved the overall sound as well as the comfort.
Hi mate. Thanks for the review. How do you compare these against Shure SE846? In doubt which one I should get. Appreciate if you respond with your opinion.
I found another review online, before this one came out, where the reviewer shelved his SE846 for the Vega, he was that impressed.
I haven't tried the SE846 for ages, but I remember it as being dark with good bass. It'd be interesting to compare them, that's for sure.
I'm extremely against dark sounding goodies. From the measurements, it looks to be dark too.
Julian Alexander Get Andromeda instead then.
Julian Alexander Or er4sr lol. I love these.
In terms of soundstage, andromeda or vega bigger ?
IEMs don't have a soundstage. Tuning can somewhat fake it, such as by making the bass and treble a bit stronger than the mids, as then you feel singers and mid-range instruments are further away. So in that sense, the Vegas, depending on tips used, can sound a bit more spacious, depending on the music.
Avoid these don't spend your parents money on these shit..
So these are their flagship IEM's currently - if you had to choose between these and the Andromeda which would you choose?
I know it depends on an individuals preference in tone but these seem to be more neutral than the Amromeda's - they're also just under $2000 with the current exchange rate lol a hefty purchase on the blind without being able to test..
That's really hard to choose. For me, it'd be sound signature (Andromeda's more neutral balance) versus entertainment value (Vega's bass). I'd want to audition the Dorado first.
Yup they're quite thunderous alright :P
I personally like the Andromeda more, but the Vega can potentially be equally as good to my ears if burn-in can kill-off some of that fat in the bass.
Earphones/headphones do have sibilance. You may spend some more time on measurements. But don't over do it until actually knowing measurements.
These are super neutral and more for monitoring the foam tips are the best tips I ever tired on any iems
The Vegas are neutral?
Does the reference 8 cable increase detail retrieval in the mids considerably?
I found, on my set-up, which is TOTL, it improved everything over the stock cable. I don't know what "considerably" is for you, or what gear you have and music you listen to, which makes me a bit hesitant to answer that. :)
Vega sound horrible on handphone.. and "so so" on pioneer DAP.
Extremely overpriced IEM, in my opinion. Sloppy, muddy, extreme bass with brutal unforgiving highs. Recessed midrange without any resolution. They sound like a 50 $ budget IEM.