Campfire Audio Alien Brain Review — Headfonics

On this characteristic, Nihal evaluations the Campfire Audio Alien Mind, a brand new hybrid Twin-Magnet 10mm dynamic and 4 BA driver IEM with a cool exterior design. It’s priced at $999.00.

Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in change for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or providers. 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 guidelines, which you’ll learn in additional element right here.

Campfire Audio Alien Mind Overview

Abstract

The hybrid driver Campfire Audio Alien Mind IEM delivers an inoffensive, balanced tuning, more likely to be beloved by many. The large, daring bass, natural-sounding midrange, and a easy but detailed treble vary ought to make a recipe for fulfillment.

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8.7

Professionals

Daring and impactful bass.

Clear timbre and spectacular imaging.

Cool ‘alien’ design, strong construct high quality and considerate equipment.

Cons

Cable high quality could possibly be higher.

Campfire Audio and I am going means again. Again in 2019, I used to personal an Andromeda, which was my first premium IEM.

After the Andromeda, I switched to the Solaris OG, which was an acceptable improve. These two served me properly for a few years.

Quick ahead to right now, I’ve moved forward fairly a bit, however the fondness for Campfire Audio has all the time remained. I’ve all the time tried to demo their new releases every time I get an opportunity.

One factor I admire loads in regards to the model is its eagerness to check out new and daring issues. For me, Trifecta is one becoming instance of such boldness.

Although it’s powerful to maintain up with so many releases from the model, the most recent two IEMs, the Axion and Alien Mind, are fairly thrilling. The Axion is a budget-friendly possibility, whereas the opposite, Alien Mind, which we’ll cowl on this overview, has a really distinctive design and is a premium providing.

Whether or not the sound is exclusive or not, we’ll discover out on this overview. I may even evaluate it to some notable IEMs in its value vary.

Options

Campfire Audio’s Alien Mind is a hybrid IEM with 5 drivers. The drivers comprise a ten mm Glass-PU Twin-Magnet Dynamic Driver and 4 high-performing customized balanced armature drivers.

Two of those balanced armatures cater to the mid-frequency vary, and the remaining two act as super-tweeters, catering to the high-frequency area.

The dynamic driver is a brand new iteration of the motive force launched in Bonneville and Cascara, constructed with a brand new glass-PU diaphragm that includes a glass speaker dome and polyurethane coating. This new design helps in attaining a decent, managed bass with improved bass texture and affect.

Campfire Audio’s Section Concord Engineering exactly controls the frequency spectrum by assigning it to particular drivers and shaping their interplay by way of specialised housings and damping.

This system minimizes section cancellation and enhances sound qualities like imaging and soundstage.

Design

Alien Mind must be one of many quirkiest IEMs I’ve tried in latest instances. Everyone knows Campfire Audio experiments loads with coloration and design, and their IEMs have daring designs, however Alien Mind has gone a step above the prevailing lineup.

The shell includes a sci-fi-influenced design with a futuristic aesthetic, rightly justifying the identify. The shells are related in form to the Solaris 2018 model however are smaller.

The shells are created from matte-finished black steel, providing a rugged but light-weight look. These shells are smaller than the standard ones we come throughout.

The faceplate design features a blue-accented, semi-transparent, glass-like enclosure with a ribbed texture. By means of the faceplate, you possibly can partially see the interior parts like drivers and wiring.

There are components of glitter on the faceplate; thus, publicity to gentle provides a shiny look. This faceplate design resembles a mind, with the interior wiring evoking the looks of a community of neurons.

On the decrease a part of the physique, an elegantly designed venting system is current, coated by a wonderful mesh. Together with the vent and the MMCX port, we have now shiny blue-colored rings round them, including to the aesthetics.

The nozzles are average-sized with a slim and small physique, topped with a mesh grille. The nozzles are positioned at an angle, which is meant to offer a deep and safe insertion. General, the Alien Mind stands out with its distinctive, albeit cool, exterior design.

Consolation & Isolation

I had a tough time getting a correct match with the Alien Mind. With the shell being on the smaller facet, one would anticipate the match to be very easy, however the angled nozzle makes the match tough.

As soon as you’re adjusted to the match, the smaller dimension and weight do make them best for lengthy utilization. The corners of the shells are very easy and don’t create any stress factors.

Speaking extra in regards to the match, it’s good to select ear ideas that assist with a deep insertion and assist the IEMs keep put contained in the ears. I’d counsel utilizing bigger ear ideas.

Upon getting a good insertion and a safe match, you don’t have to fret a lot in regards to the IEMs being pulled out or needing frequent readjustment.

The isolation stage is respectable, blocking out a good quantity of exterior noise. Throughout my time with the Alien Mind, I didn’t expertise any stress buildup.

Ear Ideas

The Alien Mind comes with three units of ear ideas: normal silicone, foam ideas, and clear silicone ideas. These all are available three sizes: small, medium, and huge.

The beneficiant choice of ear ideas ranges from wide-bore to medium-bore to narrow-bore, catering to a variety of ear sorts. All these ear ideas have a gentle end, differentiating them from the standard ones we see.

The usual silicone ear ideas have a really gentle texture, however their smaller stems make them unusable for me. Because the match could be very tough, it’s a must to experiment with quite a lot of ear tricks to see if the IEMs match properly. The angled nozzle makes the match a bit difficult.

With many of the ear ideas, the seal is improper, finally resulting in shallow insertion. I discovered that bigger ear ideas gave a greater match. Among the many ones I attempted, the Divinus Velvet ideas and the Azla SednaLight ear ideas match properly. I lastly settled for the Azla ear ideas.

Inventory Cable

Campfire Audio has included two Time Stream cables with the Alien Mind, with totally different terminations of three.5mm and 4.4mm.

The cable was initially launched as a part of the Chromatic Sequence Cables and is available in totally different colours. The one included with the Alien Mind has black adapters and Campfire’s favored MMCX connectors.

The wire is enamelled silver-plated copper, whereas the jacket is constructed with clear insulation. The braiding is a bit totally different from the standard cables. It has a flat-style braiding the place the wires lie side-by-side somewhat than being twisted.

The adapters and the Y-split are constructed of plastic materials, as a result of which the cable doesn’t really feel premium. What they might have achieved is maintain the cable modular and make the cable higher as a substitute of together with two cables. For the value of this IEM, the cable simply feels too generic and cheaply constructed.

Packaging & Equipment

Campfire Audio excels at together with considerate, high-quality equipment in a remarkably compact package deal. Alien Mind is not any totally different, and surprisingly, it is likely one of the most closely accessorized IEMs from the camp.

The IEM arrives in a small field, which is predominantly black on the entrance panel with electrical orange, white, and neon blue accents. The facet of the field has a light-weight gray tone, giving it a contrasting, premium really feel.

A big, stylized picture of the IEM and the brand on the highest, with radiating circuit-like orange and white strains flowing within the background, provides a futuristic vibe. There are tons of equipment inside, so unboxing takes some time.

You get a pair of IEM cables in 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations and a USB-C moveable DAC dongle, which can be utilized with cell gadgets and laptops.

There are three packs of ear ideas. Two are packed in paper pouches, and one is inside a small plastic case. You additionally get a cleansing device, a microfiber cleansing fabric, and a Campfire Audio pin.

Campfire Audio has all the time included mesh pouches for securely storing the IEMs, so I’m elated to see my favourite accent right here too.

I can not consider any lacking equipment with the Alien Mind. For its value level, the consumer expertise is implausible, one thing Campfire Audio has constantly delivered with their releases.

Carry Case

With Alien Mind, we get a vibrant mustard yellow, magnetic closure IEM case. It’s compact and rectangular with rounded edges and a flap-style closure.

The leather-based used within the case feels premium, with its gentle texture and pebbled end. There may be an embossed “Campfire Audio” emblem on the entrance flap, giving it a delicate and chic model presence.

This case isn’t too large however has sufficient house to retailer the IEM with its cable. You may simply carry it round, making it usable whereas on the go.

Sound Impressions

The next sound impressions of the Campfire Audio Alien Mind have been accomplished utilizing a mix of my principal supply, Lotoo’s Paw Gold Touch, and Astell&Kern’s SP3000. I paired the IEMs with the 4.4mm terminated inventory cable and the Azla SednaFit Mild ear ideas, dimension M.

Abstract

The Alien Mind has a balanced sound signature that instantly grows on you with its clear and pure timbre. It is likely one of the tunings the place musicality is well-preserved, maintaining the main points intact with out sounding dry or analytical.

With the Alien Mind, you get a deep, impactful bass vary that continues to be properly separated from the remainder of the upper frequencies.

Within the midrange, there’s sufficient heat and fullness, which provides the devices and vocals good presence. The treble stays calm with out sacrificing particulars and maintains a good stage of vitality.

The tuning doesn’t emphasize excessive element or sparkle; as a substitute, it prioritizes a wealthy and full-bodied sound, focusing extra on musicality and heat than on analytical precision.

Bass

Bass is one robust side of the Alien Mind. In a nutshell, the bass is tight, articulate, hits fairly arduous, goes deep, and stays well-separated from the remaining frequencies.

In contrast to a thick and heavy bass vary that eclipses the remainder of the frequency spectrum, resembling that discovered on the Bonneville, the bass on the Alien Mind is sort of managed.

There’s a well-judged steadiness of each sub-bass and mid-bass, neither of which you’d discover missing in affect. The sub-bass, although not too deep, provides sufficient rumble and physicality to the low finish.

Mid-bass has strong affect as properly, imparting sufficient punch to fulfill bass lovers. For somebody in search of the enjoyable issue within the sound, you’d be rightly served.

On bass-heavy tracks, there’s an ample quantity of affect, so genres like hip-hop and R&B are very pleasing. The bass has a fast velocity and doesn’t possess a really gradual, sluggish decay. This helps in sustaining a clear bass and bettering the readability of the low finish, prohibiting the smudging of subsequent notes.

Speaking in regards to the high quality of the bass, the feel and layering make it very resolving, presenting the main points clearly. There may be hardly any overlapping within the bass notes, so the notes produced from totally different devices are simply discernible.

Midrange

With a non-intrusive bass response, the midrange stays clear and has a nice decision. There may be sufficient heat within the midrange, making the expertise immersive but avoiding extra to stay very pure and uncolored.

There may be an satisfactory steadiness of accuracy and musicality, so it caters properly to individuals who get pleasure from some bits of neutrality with out sacrificing musicality.

The midrange is ahead in nature and locations itself nearer to the ear. The decrease midrange has satisfying physique and depth to it, which makes devices like cello, guitar strings, and lower-register devices sound pure and interesting. The clear timbre provides room for particulars to shine.

The vocals are very nuanced and convey out emotion very naturally. The higher midrange has a slight forwardness and is devoid of being sharp, offering extension to the midrange with a way of openness. Alien Mind does justice to virtually all of the genres you throw at it.

Treble

In hindsight, the Alien Mind does an incredible job of balancing the frequencies. Nothing feels overly ahead or emphasised, but there’s sufficient presence throughout the spectrum that you simply don’t really feel like something is lacking.

The treble isn’t pushed up entrance, however it nonetheless delivers on element with spectacular accuracy and a pure really feel. There’s simply the correct quantity of vitality, shimmer, and sparkle, which by no means feels exaggerated or peaky, making it best for lengthy listening periods.

Trebleheads would possibly discover it a bit restrained, however I feel most listeners will admire the steadiness Alien Mind strikes.

In comparison with different Campfire Audio IEMs just like the Trifecta or Solaris, which have a tendency to emphasise the treble, the Alien Mind dials it again to a extra refined, easy, and managed stage.

Staging & Dynamics

Alien Mind delivers a soundstage that feels sensible and pure. The stage is just not artificially extensive, however it has considerable depth and a tall vertical attain. It’s not essentially the most holographic presentation, however it’s immersive sufficient, thanks largely to the depth that attracts you in.

What stands out much more than the stage itself is the imaging. The spatial accuracy is superb, permitting you to pinpoint devices clearly inside the combine.

Instrument separation is dealt with effortlessly; thus, nothing feels congested or overlapping. Paired with a clear and pure timbre, the general sense of house is properly rendered. Even on complicated or busy tracks with a number of layers of sound, the IEM holds its floor. Y

ou can simply decide up particular person particulars with out them smearing into one another. The exact layering and strong instrument separation make sure that every component stays distinct, making it straightforward to understand the finer nuances and dynamic swings within the music.

Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.

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