Earphone Review

Campfire Audio Solaris

Of the Sun!

PROS: natural detailed tonality, hybrid design combining the tech of all previous Campfire releases, high quality premium cable, excellent selection of accessories including premium leather case.

CONS: the fit of the larger universal shell might not be for everyone (custom is not available), hissing with some of the sources due to sensitivity.

The product was provided to me free of charge for the review purpose in exchange for my honest opinion.

Manufacturer website: Campfire Audio. Available for sale directly, as well as from Audio46.

Intro.

If you have been following Campfire Audio releases in the last few years, you can clearly see the evolution of their designs which led to Solaris.  From 5BA Andromeda (reviewed here), which set a high bar in build and tuning quality and introduced their patented T.A.E.C. tech, to a single DD Vega (reviewed here), with a unique 8.5mm A.D.L.C. diaphragm driver which later evolved into 10mm used in Atlas.

Ken Ball, the man behind ALO and Campfire Audio, along with his VP Caleb Rosenau, are well known in audiophile circles for thinking outside the box and not being afraid to take a risk by pushing the envelope with new drivers, new shell materials, and other new design elements while continuing to hand assemble all IEMs in the house, crafted in their local US workshop.  But when you look at the spec of their latest hybrid flagship Solaris, it feels like “the greatest hits” album since it combines the best of all their previous releases.

So how is Solaris hybrid design turned out to be?  Let’s find out in the following review of Campfire Audio latest flagship release.

Unboxing and Accessories.

Not every audio product unboxing experience is fun, and I’m aware that some of my readers skip that section of the review.  But I feel it’s a different story with Campfire Audio IEMs because of a unique nature of Ken’s astronomy-themed compact packaging boxes and their custom artwork touch which makes you feel like a kid, unboxing a Xmas present.

Inside, you will find a lot of goodies, starting with a premium leather case (more about it later), a custom premium cable (will go into details of Super Litz cable in the follow up section), a set of foam “marshmallow” campfire eartips (S/M/L), a set of generic silicone eartips (S/M/L), a set of premium brand name Final Audio Type-E eartips (XS/S/M/L/XL), a cleaning tool, Campfire Audio pin, and a protection sleeve for IEM storage.  That protection sleeve has a very simple yet brilliant idea of using two individual pockets to keep the shells separated during transportation.

I’m sure many are familiar with Campfire Audio signature leather cases, included with many of their IEMs, but Solaris case is doubled in size to a square shape instead of a smaller rectangular one.  It’s still has a vintage look, zippered, premium quality leather, lined with a soft fleece material on the inside.  The case has a hard shell to protect IEMs during transportation, and once you unzip it – opens like a coin wallet with enclosed sides, so nothing falls out.

Cables.

By now, everybody expects ALO cables with all Campfire Audio IEM releases since Ken is behind both companies.  Their stock cable went through a few transformations with some of the early releases featuring tinsel wire design and the latest ones using Litz SPC (silver plated copper) wires.  In this release Ken decided to introduce an updated Super Litz SPC cable which doubled the strand count of a standard Litz cable.  As a result, each of the four conductors of Super Litz cable is thicker in comparison to the original one, reducing the cable impedance, though the cable itself is still relatively flexible and comfortable to use with IEMs, and nearly microphonics free.

The stock Solaris cable is 3.5mm TRS terminated, with a translucent 90-deg connector mold and a gold plated jack, and a rubbery housing that has a nice grip and extended strain relief.  The 4 twisted wire conductors have silver finish with a medical grade PVC jacket.  The y-splitter is slim and aluminum, like a silver bullet, and has a clear plastic chin slider which retracts from the splitter.  The wires going to each earpiece after the splitter are twisted, and closer to mmcx connector housing you will find a memory wire section.  Here you a have a traditional stiff piece of a memory wire wrapped around in a soft clear tube which you can shape for over-the-ear fit.  The mmcx connector itself uses a high quality beryllium copper material, and the housing of the connector has red/blue dots corresponding to Right/Left sides.

If you prefer a balanced termination, ALO/Campfire offers Super Litz SPC cable with 2.5mm and 4.4mm plugs which could be purchased here.

The same matching mmcx beryllium copper alloy connectors are used in the shell of Solaris, and you get a snappy and a secure joint.  Mmcx connectors have a bad rep due to intermittent contact issues or accumulated specks of dust or just premature wear off.  Here, an extra attention was paid to choose components with a premium quality material.

The only thing I’m not too crazy about is combination of memory wire hook spinning around the connector as you trying to put these monitors in your ears.  Could be a matter of personal preference, but I like to put earpieces in first and then put the cable over my ears without distraction of a moving ear hook.  For those who are into DIY, be careful if you decide to remove wire by yourself because you can damage the connector housing since the memory wire is jammed tight inside.  Here is how it looks after removing the memory wire.

Aftermarket cables.

I’m a cable believer because I hear the difference, either a subtle or a more pronounced, and I have mentioned in many of my other reviews that intent of my testing with different cables is not to stir up a controversy, but rather to share my experience of what I hear.  Feel free to skip this section if the talk about cables offends you.  In this test, I used Solaris with a stock Super Litz SPC and compared it to a few other cables.  I did volume-match to make sure the setup is consistent.  Also, as I usually mention, despite the sound changes during cable rolling, nothing is night’n’day.  In theory, cable shouldn’t function like an EQ to drastically change the sound, it’s there for refinement of it.

Super Litz SPC vs Litz SPC – very similar sound performance except I hear a small difference where a regular Litz has a little more sub-bass rumble and leaner lower mids with a slightly more distant presentation, while Super Litz has a more balanced bass tuning,  and more body in the lower mids with a slightly more forward presentation, making vocals sound fuller and more organic.  I assume the difference in impedance, with thicker Super Litz bringing the impedance lower, is what accounts for a sound change I’m hearing in this comparison.

Super Litz SPC vs ALO Ref8 hybrid – in this comparison I hear a little more difference where Ref8 boosts both sub- and mid-bass, slightly pushing mids a little back (at least the perception due to elevated bass), and adds more sparkle and airiness to the treble.  I liked this pair up, except Ref8 cable has some memory effect and more microphonics in comparison to Super Litz.  In comparison, Super Litz bass is more balanced and less boosted, and mids are a little more forward.

Super Litz SPC vs iBasso CB12s hybrid – very similar sound performance with the main difference of CB12s having a little deeper sub-bass extension and a little more mid-bass impact.  Also, with Super Litz the mids/vocals are just a touch more forward.  iBasso cable is soft and comes without a memory wire, convenient upgrade if you prefer to remove it from Super Litz but don’t feel comfortable to DIY.

Super Litz SPC vs Linum SuperBaX – nearly the same performance, where it’s actually hard to tell these apart.

Super Litz SPC vs EA Leo II – Leo II improves the soundstage, making it wider and more holographic, and also brings up mid-bass impact and sub-bass rumble, giving bass more authority.  Mids are still natural, organic, but with some improvement in retrieval of details.  A rather pricey upgrade, plus you have to be sure to get mmcx since many EA cables come by default with 2pin connector (I was using  2pin to mmcx Rhapsodio adaptor).

Super Litz SPC vs EA Ares II – Ares II lifts the bass a little higher, especially in sub-bass region, pushes mids slightly back, and also has a little less sparkle in treble.  Was testing it with Rhapsodio 2pin to mmcx adaptor.

Super Litz SPC vs PlusSound Tri-Copper – very similar sound performance with the main difference of Tri-Copper adding more sub-bass to the sound and slightly more mid-bass impact.  The rest is very similar.  Also, this one was tested with Rhapsodio 2pin to mmcx adaptor.

Super Litz offers a unique sound signature, but if you want some improvement in bass impact, the most cost efficient upgrade is iBasso CB12s (I was using their 4.4mm version).  For an ultimate refinement in sound, Leo II really steps it up, but at a significant cost.

cfa_solaris-33

Page 2 – Design and Sound Analysis.

Page 3 – Comparison, Pair up, and Conclusion.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

45 thoughts on “Campfire Audio Solaris”

  1. Great review as always Alex! Nearly perfect seems a big word but I would agree with you since I have tried them myself and not have tried TIA Fourte which what they say as the holy grail. So would you say Solaris is your most fave iems to date? Hope to get an update with a comparison of Andro SS – Solaris. Cheers!

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    1. It’s hard to name “one fave” IEM because they pair up differently with various sources, and depending on the music, I might prefer a tuning which is more neutral or more revealing or with more bass impact, etc. But I would say that right now Solaris, U18t, and Mellianus are in my Top 3. Hopefully will get a chance to hear Andro S at Canjam NYC.

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  2. Thanks for the Review! I tried the Tia Fourte and U18t. Really really like the U18t sound and almost bought it but thought it was a bit north of my budget.

    How do Solaris VS U18t? Please give some opinion Twister thanks!

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    1. U18t is brighter, more mid-forward, faster bass (typical BA performance), leaner lower mids, brighter upper frequencies. U18t is better to analyze sound details, Solaris has a more natural smoother tonality. These two don’t overlap, imho.

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  3. Pingback: First Look (in pictures) at Campfire Audio Solaris – Twister6 Reviews

  4. Thanks for the review.
    What would you choose as a source for Solaris if you only had like 500-650$ budget? (DAP or a portable DAC/AMP).
    Mojo / DX150 / AK SR15 / R6+IEMatch / ZX300 / something else?
    (I already have a iFi Micro iDSD BL but it’s too big and heavy to use as a portable source)

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    1. N5iiS would be a good source, but also there is an upcoming R6 Pro which has low output impedance, doesn’t require iematch. Haven’t heard it yet, but curious about it myself. The sources you mentioned above are on a warmer side, except R6. I like Solaris with more neutral, more revealing sources, like LPGT. R6 is fine, so makes me wonder if R6 Pro be even better.

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      1. Thanks for the reply. R6 Pro would be great if it costs less than 700$. How do you think Solaris will pair with something like Fiio X7MII/Q5?

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      2. Not a big fan of fiio daps. X7ii should be fine, probably more neutral, more clean, usually this DAP doesn’t have as full body, but I haven’t used X7ii in a while, need to charge the battery.

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  7. Great review! And finally somebody who supports what I have written about Sirius and Solaris some time ago on Headfi!
    When I first tried out the Solaris at the Tokyo Headphone Show (right when it came out), I had my Sirius with me and thought exactly like you: these sound really similar! This is interesting, because when Sirius came out, I remember some people were complaining about its “slightly weird tuning”. Now it feels more that Sirius was ahead of its time, because these kind of signatures have become state of the art. I agree that Solaris is on a bit better technicals level, especially in terms of detail retrieval – still I feel Sirius is a wonderful and underestimated earphone with a fantastic built quality!

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  8. This review is not accurate. The LX soundstage is narrower and not balanced well. Solaris has a wider and balanced sound.

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    1. Hmm, not sure where you read in my review that LX has a balanced sound? Unless you misread it, LX has L-shaped tuning with a heavy emphasis on bass, which I mentioned in half a dozen of my last reviews where I compared LX, and even in my LX review where I said that I can’t even listen to LX without EQing down 60Hz by about 6dB. Regarding soundstage, not sure which source you are using, could be some variations due to that, but I do hear LX wider (and I have the final pre-production LX unit, unless they changed it in the production model?).

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  9. Thanks for the review. Helped me a lot into ordering Solaris. Now I have U12t which I basically love. Blows my Angie, Ie800s, Se846 and Xelento out of the water. Solaris and Kaiser Encore are on their way out of curiosity and good reviews. I also have a craving for Tia Fourté. Would you say that Fourté will complement this lineup or overlap with others and someone has to go? Or would you say as a hybrid Solaris is better than Fourté so no need for extra purchase? Fyi I have Wm1z and Sp1000m and U12t is a love affair with Wm1z even with se.

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      2. U18t is my favorite IEM, but I like it with Leo II cable, to add more body and improve the bass. But personally, my top 3 are U18t, Solaris, and Mellianus (they cover different sound tuning). But I also like U12t and Trio, and N8 😉 Yep, 64audio fanboy.

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    1. always a personal preference, but Fourte sounds too harsh to my ears in the upper mids, lower treble. I would recommend you to hear them first before making a purchase. It’s all depends on your tolerance. They will give you super resolution, and their bass is amazing, but they culd sound harsh. U18t sounds more natural to my ears, more mid-forward, but if you want more bass – it doesn’t have as big punch.

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  12. Just now I received Kaiser Encore and listening to Aerosmith ”Hole In My Soul” and Steven Tyler Vocals are so harsh even with the foam tips and silicons are unbearable. This song is my harshness detector. If Fourte is even harsher then Kaiser Encore then it is a no go for me. Have you had the chance to listen to Encore ?

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  13. Hi again, I received my U18t and Solaris. Man u18t has so amazing separation, clarity and soundstage with m15. Solaris despite the price is in the same league with U12t and U18t. U18t has more details but Solaris is more musical and I think it has something to do with the lows. Anyone buying a Solaris, U18t or U12t will not regret the purchase.

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    1. Trio bass hits harder, more sub-bass rumble as well, mids have a similar tonality, but Solaris is more forward (more balanced with lows and treble). With treble, here they are similar, still on a brighter crisper side, but less harsh than, let’s say, Fourte… One thing to note, Trio shells are more compact and easier to wear, while some people have issues with larger Solaris shells.

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  15. thanks Tw6, yeah, besides the, fit the Solaris is more ostensious… KB mentioned that he acknowledges ppl would like a more discreet version… looking forward to the “Eclipse” version of it…

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  17. Hey twister I wanted to know where you rank the solaris against the fourte and legend x, as well as u18t and u12t, I currently have been listening to the u12, and faudio major to sort of take over from my fitear togo 334,u12 amazing seperation and clarity just a bit soft on details how much different is u12 from u12t and also I prefer a more organic,lusher sound with more focus on details as similar to the fitear tg 334 due to my music being more rock, hippop, triphop which out of the above inears would you say is closest to having a more mid-forward good bass and overall organic sound, sorry for the loaded question

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    1. These are totally different iems, Fourte, Solaris, LX, U12t… I reviewed U12t and Trio very long time ago, with lots of comparison to U18t, Fourte, U12. That would be a good review for the reference. And btw, U12 is very source dependent, it was originally tuned for high output impedance sources, U12t is different… As for my personal ranking, U18t and Solaris are two of my favorite iems. LX has too much bass and I need to eq it down, and Fourte mids/treble are too bright and analytical for my taste. I like a more natural revealing tuning, not too smooth or too analytical.

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      1. So between the legend x,u18t, ,u12t and the solaris which one would have a more organic lush mid-range or sound (I dont like thin sound) which would be good for vocals,rock,hippop etc and still have good bass and treble as well, as you have stated because the fourte is bright I will not even bother taking that into consideration

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  18. I think the U18t has a tunning for more soft oriented music, it has a high leveled micro detail and soundstage…
    And Solaris has more upfront tunning, more agressive, good retrieval of details but not on pair to U18t, good soundstage and works for more rock oriented music…
    Strange is that i think the highs in U18t are more detailed but more soft than the Solaris, the Solaris is not a brighter IEM, but is more agressive in the highs (i’m right or i’m broke my U18t 😅??)…
    In my setup, the best match for the U18t is the SP1000cu balanced (perfectly detailed and slightly warm sound)
    And for Solaris the best match is the old AK380 balanced, is the exact step forward for the brighter Andromeda, it sound very similar but with more tridimensional bass and less brighter highs, with better definition than the SP1000…but less soundstage

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  19. Hi Alex ,
    Would you say ibasso cb13 cable will pair nicely with the Solaris ? . I’d like to purchase a balanced cable but i really hate the memory wire of the stock Slitz cable . Thanks

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    1. It will, but I had issues with CB13 mmcx connector housing with some of the iems. You can fix it by trimming a little piece off plastic at the edge.

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  20. Hi twister6,

    Great review, particularly the cable rolling (of which I am a big fan). I have just acquired an OG Solaris. I use a DX228EX and some generic short foam tips (silicones are a little too bright for me). I have a homemade Cosmic cables 6N SPC which is a great match for the Solaris. Unfortunately the Penon OS849 was not – completely neutered the bass (but fantastic mid and treble detail and separation). I have a CEMA 8W hybrid (Hakuzen 175) which sounds like it might fit the bill, if your assessment of the CB12 is anything to go by. I have a Satin Audio Hyperion on the way. Any other cable suggestions?

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    1. using 2020 version of Solaris now, prefer the new smaller design better, but sound tuning of OG Solar had “more personality” 🙂 Tbh, don’t have too many mmcx cables, and I like Ken’s original ALO cables. The new smokey litz has a much better ergonomics than original super litz. And overall, I prefer Ken’s cables with both solaris and andro.

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