Campfire Audio Axion Review — Headfonics

Right this moment, Nihal opinions the Campfire Audio Axion, a brand new full-range SDD or silicon dynamic driver IEM with a 384kHz-capable USB-C DAC terminated inventory cable. It’s priced at $249.00.

Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in change for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I thank Campfire Audio for his or her assist.

Click on right here to be taught extra about Campfire Audio merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.

This text follows our present scoring guidelines, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.

Campfire Audio Axion Overview

Abstract

The Campfire Audio Axion is a single dynamic driver IEM that gives on a regular basis comfort with a tuning that’s balanced throughout the frequencies. The bass has a satisfying stage of punch, the midrange is pure, and the treble is delicately prolonged. The Axion delivers an immersive sound, which I feel is the actual win.

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8.4

Execs

Light-weight shells, snug for lengthy periods.

Constructed-in DAC and USB-C connection.

Balanced tuning with punchy bass and immersive soundstage.

Cons

Decision may very well be higher.

One of many issues I discover thrilling about Campfire Audio is their steady product launch cycle. As a consumer, the anticipation of a brand new Campfire IEM across the nook is all the time current.

The joy is even higher as a result of the releases really feel thoughtfully crafted and well-targeted, hinting that Campfire Audio understands the kind of listeners they’re designing their merchandise for.

Final month, Campfire Audio introduced the discharge of two new merchandise: the Alien Brain and the Axion.

The Axion is a budget-friendly possibility meant for on a regular basis listening, but it packs some spectacular options. Axion was first launched as an idea mannequin in the course of the 2024 Campfire Multiverse Occasion.

The newer model now includes a extra refined tuning geared toward on a regular basis HiFi use, together with a extra ergonomic form and dimension.

On this overview, we’ll take an in depth take a look at what the Axion has to supply and the way it stacks up towards IEMs such because the ALBA, Volume S, and the Project M on this crowded funds market.

Options

The Axion includes a silicon dynamic driver that has a compact, box-like type issue just like a balanced armature, but it capabilities and seems like a conventional dynamic driver.

Campfire Audio is supposedly the primary to develop this distinctive sort of dynamic driver.

Initially constructed for the Axion: Multiverse III, which got here round in late 2024, the driving force’s inside design stays unchanged, although the tuning has been barely adjusted for this launch.

Design

The Axion includes a very simplistic design centered on offering consolation throughout prolonged listening periods. The shells have a bullet-style form with a slim type issue.

In contrast to the standard over-the-ear IEM design, these IEMs are worn straight down with the cables hanging from the perimeters, just like conventional earphones. The shells are clear with some black detailing on the within.

The golden brass nozzle appears fairly premium and enhances the shell design properly. These golden accents, together with a contact of glossiness, add to the general richness of the aesthetic.

The shells use an MMCX connection, which is Campfire Audio’s most well-liked system, discovered on nearly all their IEMs. The shells are usually not labelled L or R, so be sure you be aware their orientation when swapping cables.

Consolation & Isolation

Given the small dimension and ultra-lightweight shells, the Axion is a breeze to make use of; you barely really feel it in your ears. One factor to be aware of is selecting the best ear suggestions for the very best match.

Additionally, the IEM nozzles are a bit angled, thus not as simple to suit as a straight one. As soon as you discover the precise ones, the IEMs sit very securely and don’t come off simply.

A standard concern with this sort of design is {that a} cumbersome cable may pull the IEMs down, however fortunately, the included cable is sort of light-weight.

The isolation supplied by the Axion is spectacular and higher than many different IEMs in its value vary. It blocks a major quantity of ambient noise, making it very best for on-the-go use.

Throughout my time with the Axion, I didn’t expertise any strain build-up, nor did I discover any driver flex.

Ear Suggestions

The Axion comes with two units of ear suggestions, foam suggestions and silicone ear suggestions, each in three completely different sizes: S, M, and L. I’m not notably fond of froth ear suggestions, so I didn’t use them a lot.

Nonetheless, the included silicone ear suggestions are simply nice, and I used them recurrently throughout my time with the Axion.

It’s necessary to decide on the right-fitting ear suggestions rigorously, as a poor match could make the sound really feel leaner and fewer immersive. A bigger-sized ear tip will help present a safe and cushty match.

Inventory Cable

The selection of cable makes the Axion a really versatile product. It includes a high-quality built-in DAC chip with a pattern price of as much as 32-bit/384 kHz. When in use, this DAC bypasses the often-low-quality DACs present in smartphones or lower-spec sources.

The cable additionally has USB-C connectivity, making it fairly handy to be used with smartphones, tablets, and laptops, which appears to be the meant use case.

Nonetheless, the USB-C connectivity limits compatibility with dongles and sure audio sources that won’t assist USB-C audio. I’d have liked to see a modular cable with swappable connectors to cater to a wider vary of gadgets.

The cable additionally options built-in microphones, including to its utility issue. The microphone panel contains three buttons: two for quantity management and one for name capabilities.

The cable has a skinny construct, which I admire, as extra weight may probably pull the IEMs out of your ears. I don’t discover the skinny cable to restrict the audio high quality in any approach.

Packaging & Equipment

The Campfire Audio Axion is available in a colourful black field with a vintage-inspired aesthetic, that includes a matte black exterior and gold-accented detailing. On the prime of the field, the “AXION” emblem is framed by a delicate gradient glow, together with an image of the IEMs.

Opening the field, you’re greeted with a smooth black Breezy Bag that accommodates all of the equipment. It’s a mesh zipper carrying case with ample area inside. Equipment similar to foam and silicone ear suggestions, a cleansing software, and a Campfire Audio pin are packed in small paper packets.

The cable and IEMs are neatly organized alongside mesh pockets. Campfire Audio has all the time included mesh pouches for securely storing the IEMs, so I’m glad to see my favourite accent right here. 

Carry Case

The Axion doesn’t include a separate carry case; somewhat, the Breezy Bag serves as one. This bag is included with high-end Campfire Audio IEMs, similar to Clara.

I discover it an thrilling and considerate addition, and it serves the aim properly. It has sufficient area inside, permitting you to retailer the IEMs together with the cable fairly comfortably. It additionally comes with an hooked up string, which might be useful if you wish to sling it over your shoulder.

Given the very small type issue of Axion, the bag is available in very useful. Even in case you have been to retailer different IEMs, I feel the area inside is greater than adequate. The bag is well-padded, so it feels safe for storing your IEMs.

Sound Impressions

The next sound impressions of the Campfire Audio Axion have been accomplished utilizing a mix of my most important supply, Lotoo’s Paw Gold Touch, an Apple iPad, and an Apple MacBook Professional. I paired the IEMs with the inventory cable and the inventory ear suggestions, dimension M.

Abstract

The Axion has a balanced tuning that doesn’t place an excessive amount of emphasis on any specific frequency vary. It gives a spacious sound with a thick and heat bass and a pure midrange that prioritizes clear timbre.

The midrange displays a heat character with a lush and dense decrease midrange. The treble has ample power and extends properly.

General, the sound is clean with none exaggerated peaks. The thick bass provides a component of enjoyable, making genres like hip-hop and digital notably pleasant. The built-in DAC provides a contact of readability and definition, making notes really feel extra vivid and life like.

Bass

The bass on the Axion maintains a good steadiness between amount and high quality. It displays a heat character with the thick texture usually discovered in lots of Campfire Audio IEMs.

This bass is extra aligned with the Bonneville than the Alien Mind. Axion’s bass delivers satisfying impression and punch within the mid-bass, whereas the sub-bass has stable depth and extension. Fortunately, the daring bass vary stays fairly managed and inside limits.

The general bass doesn’t intrude a lot into the midrange, and it imparts a contact of lushness into the mids. It by no means overpowers however stays in management with a good response.

When you take pleasure in a heat, thick bass with out sacrificing element and readability, the Axion will fulfill you. This bass isn’t designed to impress bassheads, however it leaves little or no to be desired.

Simply be sure to get the very best match; in any other case, the bass could come off as impartial and missing in punch.

Midrange

The midrange displays a heat character but retains a clear timbre, leading to a formidable stage of decision. It’s neither too ahead nor recessed, sitting at simply the precise place, near the ears.

Because of the bass shelf, the decrease midrange has satisfying physique and depth, making devices just like the bass guitar and cello sound genuine.

Now and again, the bass and decrease midrange can really feel thick and dense, however they by no means overwhelm the combination, maintaining the midrange clear and detailed.

One space that left me wanting extra was the higher midrange’s power, which doesn’t prolong a lot; because of this, vocals and devices can sometimes miss out on finer nuances and extension.

With a sound this clear, a bit extra extension and power within the higher mids may have made it actually immersive. General, the decrease and higher midrange mix to current a coherent, wealthy, and lifelike tonality.

Treble

I couldn’t nitpick a lot in the case of the treble area on the Axion. The treble possesses all the precise qualities, as it’s clean but extremely detailed, the type of treble one wishes for lengthy listening periods.

Treble notes resolve properly, with pure decay and a beneficiant quantity of element and sparkle. There’s a way of airiness and openness within the higher treble area.

At no level does the treble turn into harsh or exaggerated, which helps protect element and naturalness. Initially, I had some reservations that the thick bass may overshadow a number of the treble’s element and air, however because of the balanced tuning, the treble stays adequately emphasised.

Cymbal strikes and ethereal devices like flutes and strings all carry a pure treble tonality that makes the general sound pleasant.

Staging & Dynamics

The technicalities of the Axion got here as a little bit of a shock to me. The soundstage has a really life like and fascinating presentation. It spans fairly properly in width and gives a way of depth. Y

ou get a nice holographic stage round your head, not overly giant, however sufficient to maintain you immersed. The imaging is sort of passable, delivering a good stage of spatial accuracy. I really feel the pictures may very well be a bit sharper, however that’s so much to ask from a funds set.

Devices and vocals are properly separated, and even in advanced tracks, I by no means felt any sense of congestion. I feel the Axion does justice to nearly all varieties of tracks, be it metallic, reside music, or every other style.

The decision may very well be higher, however the stage of element is ample; nothing feels lacking, although some components may very well be sharper and extra exact. General, the Axion meets and even exceeds the extent of technical efficiency you’d count on from an IEM at this value level.

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

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