Campfire Audio Clara IEM Review & Comparison
Read Time: Approx. 17 min.
A Smooth & Musical Campfire Audio IEM with a Surprising Presentation
Campfire Audio, a well-known In-Ear Monitor manufacturer and one recently added to Moon Audio's collection, has released the Clara Hybrid Universal IEMs–a collaboration with Nine Inch Nails bass/synth player and solo EDM Musician Alessandro Cortini and Campfire's Founder Ken Ball. It's always a treat when an IEM collaboration lands on your desk, especially with an audio professional. Having only been on the market for a few short months, the Campfire Audio Clara IEMs have already received several accolades for 2024 as fantastic-sounding IEM. With a rush of anticipation and excitement, we're diving into Campfire Audio's breakout IEM of the new year–the Clara.
PROS
- Unique translucent shell design
- Musical, yet detailed
- Excels sonically in almost all genres
CONS
- Low-end can be too impactful for sensitive ears
Design
Despite being around for a decade, Campfire Audio is a relatively new brand to me. We recently picked up a variety of their universal models, from tried-and-true favorites to new releases like the Clara. I've listened to my fair share of IEMs from the usual suspects: Empire Ears, Astell&Kern, Sennheiser, 64 Audio, etc. Each manufacturer has a signature, and Campfire Audio is known mostly for its iconic design and attention to detail. Well, they take attention to detail to the next level, from the outside of the box to every intentional accessory included inside. Quite frankly, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning trying to rip through the packaging–delicately–but with overwhelming excitement.
As someone fairly new to the brand I was surprised to see how exuberant the packaging of each IEM model is. You've got colorful boxes with unique illustrations to match their equally exotic names. Compared to the Astrolith IEM, also sitting at my desk, Clara's packaging was tame, but yet unique in its own regard. For the Clara IEM, Campfire Audio strayed from crazy and funky to bring us something futuristic and minimalist. Upon opening the box, I'm greeted with what looks like the suitcase Marsellus Wallace's soul should've been in. Hard-shelled and all-black, this is Campfire Audio's hardshell touring case with an ABS plastic exterior and foam-padded interior. Campfire Audio: 1. Everyone Else: 0.
It only gets better when I uncover not one, but two more cases! A mini dimensional folding case made of handmade leather–similar to an eyeglass case, and a zippered case–the Breezy Bag Jr. mesh zipper case in charcoal gray. Equipped with a strap you can throw that mini case over your shoulder and walk out of the house hands-free. Included with the mesh zippered bag is a matching tiny, two-pocket IEM pouch. It's not unheard of for IEM manufacturers to include a case, but to come with multiple options is practically unheard of. Additionally, included in the box was a portable hi-fi DAC dongle, three ear tip types in multiple sizes, a microfiber cleaning cloth, an IEM cleaning tool, a Campfire Audio lapel pin, and two IEM cables–a 3.5mm and 4.mm. So if accessories are a big deal to you, you won't be disappointed with Campfire Audio.
Jumping right into IEM design, the Clara is pretty unique. The shape and natural curves of the earphone resemble a custom IEM and provide a dedicated spot for your thumb and index finger to firmly grasp when inserting it into your ear. And speaking of proper insertion, the inside lid of Clara's box has detailed instructions on achieving the perfect fit and seal. The Clara's body is constructed of a 3D-printed housing with internally dyed elements, allowing you to peer into the IEM and see the inner components. Black PVD Stainless Steel is used on the faceplate with the CA logo engraved in the middle. The combination of the black faceplate with a teal, deep turquoise-colored interior lends a futuristic, sleek look. While it's not super tiny, it's also not an overly large IEM. If most universal IEMs fit your ears, you'll have no problems with the Clara.
Sound
Before we dive into the Clara IEM's sound quality, it's worth touching on the origin story. The Clara was designed in collaboration with renowned musician and audiophile Alessandro Cortini. Cortini is an Italian musician best known for his work with the industrial band Nine Inch Nails. His sound is kind of ethereal, falling into the category of contemporary electronic. Lending his creative genius, Cortini and Campfire Audio banded together to create an IEM that suits both the audio professional and every day listener.
"Clara is not only the tangible result of my preference in tuning and spatial portrayal, but also a reflection of the deep bond with Ken and I, musical and philosophical, that lead to it. I have been a fan of Campfire Audio for a long time, and having the chance to share the creative process with a likeminded individual as Ken has made this journey a fantastic one.
I’m very proud of what the CA team and I have achieved: Clara injects emotion into accuracy , allowing audiophiles to enjoy both a precise and engaging sonic portrayal, and musicians to amplify their creativity through the vibrant and physical emotional transfer that it provides."
- Alessandro Cortini
The Clara IEM has been tuned specifically to Cortini's liking–and his favorite genres. While scrolling the Clara's forum thread on Head-Fi, I came across a comment from Alessandro Cortini about the IEMs tuning. He said the idea behind the Clara's tuning was to be neutral yet engaging with an emphasis on the lower spectrum and a polite, yet detailed higher range.
Electronic music was a standout genre during my listening sessions, delivering an incredible amount of energy and musicality to support those house sounds. Pairing the Clara IEM with the Astell&Kern SP3000M DAP, I moved down my favorite tracks: Hip-Hop, R&B, EDM, Rock, and so on.
Right away I noticed how great the Clara is at low volume levels. What's most fascinating is how it changed with different genres. I sat comfortably at around 17 which is on the low end for the SP3000M when listening to EDM, Hip-Hop, and R&B. Moving to a lighter, more acoustic genre, I dropped it down to 8 to enjoy River Whyless, a folk indie band from North Carolina's Appalachian region. I got to see them live during a summer concert series at the local park and I was blown away by how talented they were playing various string instruments while belting their hearts out. The two main vocalists, a man and woman, riff off each other beautifully and their vocals were center stage during Michigan Cherry on the Clara. The SP3000M DAP never felt like it had to "work" to drive the Clara efficiently.
Big takeaways: The Clara has an incredible low end. As a bass fanatic I'd like to think I'm a pretty good judge of when an IEM or headphone has a good bass response. The Clara IEM didn't disappoint at all, delivering a visceral bass that was impactful with a satisfying mid-bass slam. It was the perfect amount of low-end response that never felt bloated, overwhelming, or fatiguing on the ears. In fact, it was perfect. The sub-bass had that nice, deep rumble to it, akin to that of the Astell&Kern NOVUS IEMs, but cleaner and tighter.
Detail retrieval was on par. It didn't scream analytical but I never felt like the details and nuance were hidden. The orchestral version of the song Mad About You by the Belgium group Hooverphonic was recently released and has been playing on repeat around the office. If you haven't heard it I highly recommend giving it a listen. It sounds like something that should be playing during the final scene of a James Bond movie–Intense, emotional, sultry, you name it. When I listened to it with the Clara I felt like I was thrown right into the action, sitting in the pit of a concert hall. Great top-end extension that evoked a sense of realism that you'd only experience from listening live. That combined with the incredible imaging and nice sense of space had me falling in love. It's addicting to say the least.
Mad About You (Orchestra Version)
By Hooverphonic
Woman's World
By Katy Perry
(Album Title)
Baby Brother
By River Whyless
(We All the Light)
What We Do
By SZA
Features
- Dual Magnet Dynamic Driver with Bio-cellulose Diaphragm (Low)
- Dual-Diaphragm Balanced Armature (Mid) with Clear Wave tuning chambe
- Two High-Frequency Super Tweeters with TAEC
- 3D printed housing with internally dyed elements
- Black PVD Stainless Steel
Hybrid Driver Design
Inside the Clara's housing sits a dual-magnetic dynamic bio-cellulose driver for the bass response, a dual balanced armature driver from Knowles for the mids, and aa Knowles’ dual-diaphragm BA balanced armature driver for the highs. Using a hybrid driver configuration, Campfire Audio was able to achieve a smooth and meditative listening experience. The Knowles dual BA drivers are paired with Campfire's Clear Wave Tuning Chamber that sculpts the mid-range frequencies to be pleasant yet sonically rich. By combining the latest in armature technology with the tuning geometries of the Clara's unique housing, listeners enjoy a refined sense of balance while maintaining that satisfying, musical sound.
It wouldn't be a Campfire Audio innovation if they didn't include their famous Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber (T.A.E.C). This combined with the speed and precision of the dual super-tweeter creates an expansive soundstage, heightened imaging, and a crisp, detailed high-end that's smooth and listenable for extended sessions.
Comparisons
Close in price and conveniently sitting at my desk, I chose to compare the Clara to the Campfire Audio Astrolith IEM. There are many clear differences between the two: The Clara is a hybrid driver IEM while the Astrolith is a planar magnetic driver IEM. Clara has a unique, sculpted body. The Astrolith is more in line with a standard universal IEM. The Clara uses Campfire's Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber while the Astrolith sports Campfire's Particle Phase Resonator Tuning Chamber.
But, do they differ sonically? That's the real question.
Campfire Audio Astrolith Dual Planar Magnetic Universal IEMs
At first listen, the Clara and Astrolith sounded pretty similar. In fact, I had a hard time deciphering between the two during the first few songs. But it wasn't until I listened more intently, and for longer, that I noticed they're more like cousins than siblings.
The Astrolith's response is fast. It has a great sense of immediacy with nice texture, layering, and treble extension that lended to some good detail retrieval. It's got a bass response that's more tight and punchy than it is deep and impactful, making it a great choice for electric guitars, snare drums, etc. The sub-bass isn't nearly as deep as the Clara, so if you don't enjoy a visceral bass response, the Astrolith is a great pick. Both IEMs have a nice soundstage, but the Clara has more depth and width. To me the Astrolith is taller than it is wide.
Sonically, it's a close call between the two. I think the deciding factor here is what type of music you like to listen to. The Astrolith is the perfect IEM for rock, alternative, and any music that demands speed. It has great technical performance, but if you're someone looking for that "exciting" wow-factor presentation, the Clara will deliver. The Clara resonates with listeners who enjoy emotive, impactful music. Think R&B, Jazz, folk, EDM. The Astrolith's strength is detail and precision. It picks up on all the little things–nuances, instrument separation, layering, texture, etc.
If you're on the fence, you can't go wrong with either IEM–and really any IEM in Campfire Audio's lineup.
Dragon Cables
[Silver Dragon IEM Cable for Campfire Audio (MMCX)]
While the Clara's stock IEM cable delivered great sound, there were times I felt the bass response was a little too heavy, so I opted for the Silver Dragon IEM Cable to tighten up that low end. The second I made the switch I noticed a difference in the bass response. The sub-bass was still present and thumping, but it wasn't taking away from some of the other elements I appreciate–like detail and clarity. The Silver Dragon IEM Cable brought the detail and resolution of the Clara to the center, tightening that low-end without taking away from the visceral bass response.
Silver Dragon IEM Cables Explained
Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Verdict
When the Campfire Audio Clara IEM first landed on my desk and I read a few things about it I was expecting a high-energy, fun, fast, bass-heavy IEM. I experienced all of that and more, but it wasn't until I ventured beyond the genres of EDM and Hip-Hop that I got a true representation of what the Clara offered. Lying underneath all of the hype is an IEM that's accurate, balanced, and easy to love. It's got the fun factor that's great for Pop, Rock, EDM, Hip-Hop, and so on, but at the drop of a hat you can switch gears to something more mellow and experience a highly accurate, detailed, and balanced IEM.
There are plenty of versatile IEMs out there that can "do it all" but, there's really something special about the Clara that sets it apart from the others. Alessandro Cortini's comment on the tuning is spot on: It's neutral yet engaging. Polite yet demanding. It can run laps around some of these IEMs priced at $3,000 plus. Each and every time I listened, I kept gravitating to our Silver Dragon IEM Cable. For times when the low-end felt a little too intense, the Silver Dragon tightened it up, adding even more detail and resolution than what's already present.
Campfire Audio has really hit their sweet spot with the Clara IEM. Hats off to an incredible collaboration with Alessandro Cortini, and a big thank you to Campfire for setting the precedent of what we all want included with our IEMs. I felt giddy like a child again ooing and awing over each accessory as I pulled it out the box. Whether you love EDM, classical, or soft rock, the Campfire Audio Clara IEM will deliver you a listening experience that's just shy of ethereal.
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What's in the Box
- Clara Professional Universal In-Ear Monitor
- Time Stream Duet in 3.5mm and 4.4mm
- Pilot Portable HiFi DAC Dongle
- Spacious, durable hardshell touring case with ABS plastic exterior and foam padded interior
- Mini dimensional folding case made of handmade leather
- Breezy Bag Jr. mesh zipper case in charcoal gray
- Two pocket IEM Breezy Bag Micro pouch in charcoal gray
- Foam (s,m,l), Silicone (s,m,l) and Final Type E (s,sm,m,ml,l) Ear Tips
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
- IEM Cleaning Tool
- Classic CA Lapel Pin
Specifications
Frequency Response: 5 Hz - 20 kHz
SPL: 94 dB @ 1 kHz: 9.95 mVrms
Impedance: 13.30 Ohms @ 1 kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 0.3%
