Campfire Audio Trifecta IEM Review: A Bass Lovers' Dream
Read Time: Approx. 12 min.
Visceral Sound Quality for the Warm & Musical Listener
I'll be candid. When I first became an audiophile, I wasn't that interested in IEMs. I have small ears, wear earrings every day, and could never get the cable to sit just right under my blue light glasses. Fortunately, as one does, I grew, and as my tastes changed, I gave IEMs another shot. I found a few ear tips that fit just right, got into the habit of taking my earrings out, and learned the proper technique for insertion.
Now, here I am, a proud IEM listener. My admiration for them has grown, and I finally understand what makes them so sought-after. I've explored the collection of IEMs we carry at Moon Audio, listening to universal pairs from brands like 64 Audio, Astell&Kern, Campfire Audio, and so on.
Campfire Audio is one IEM manufacturer that needs no introduction. We carry a wide selection of Campfire Audio IEMs, with each pair being more unique than the last. The Campfire Audio Trifecta Universal IEM stepped onto the scene in 2022, and since then, it's become one of Campfire's most reputable products. Delivering what Campfire refers to as a "visceral, bombastic, and massive" sound quality, the Trifecta is a force to be reckoned with and a product I recently had the pleasure of reviewing.
PROS
- Practically a perfect fit
- Big, bold presentation
- Great choice for hip-hop, EDM, pop
CONS
- Premium price tag
- Not a lot of detail retrieval
- Genre specific IEM
Design
Like all brands, Campfire Audio IEMs have a signature look. The unique shape, size, and color choices of their IEMs never cease to surprise me, and the Trifecta is no different. Currently, we carry three finish options for the Trifecta IEM: Chrome Sky, Amber Radiance, and Dark Prism. All three finishes have a transparent nylon shell allowing you to peer inside and see the internal mechanics of the Trifecta. I spent my time with the Dark Prism finish, which I guaked over for roughly 30 minutes. Peering into the shell, I can see the three dynamic drivers with a rainbow casing facing one another in a triangle-shaped chamber. The color of the driver's casings will depend on the finish.
Chrome Sky
One thing about Campfire Audio IEMs: Don't be deceived by their shape. The Trifecta has a clearly defined geometric shape with slightly rounded corners. Its unorthodox physical design would leave you to believe it's uncomfortable and ill-fitting, but I had quite literally zero problems. In fact, it borders on being the perfect fit. If you're someone like me who has small ears, universal IEMs can be tricky and quite frankly annoying. During my listening sessions, I walked around, used the restroom, and chewed gum all without having to adjust the Trifecta. This IEM deserves an award solely for its exceptional fit and comfort. No qualms here.
The Trifecta is a fully-equipped IEM, meaning it comes with everything (and more) that you'll need to enjoy them right out of the box. Campfire Audio never skimps when it comes to packaging, presentation, and accessories. I'm always blown away by their ability to make a cardboard box beautiful–and I mean that sincerely–have you ever seen a cardboard box plastered with bright colors, out-of-this-world designs, and intentional messaging.
Inside the box, you'll find written instructions on how to properly insert and get the best fit from your IEMs. Included with the Trifecta are three IEM cables, 3.5mm and 4.4mm connectors, in a handmade black leather case, and a 2.5mm cable in a smaller cloth folding case. To care for your IEMs, Campfire Audio includes a two-pocket protective pouch for storage, marshmallow and silicone ear tips in various sizes, a microfiber cleaning cloth, an IEM cleaning tool, and a fun CA lapel pin for out-of-this-world swag.
Sound
As audiophiles, we generally fall into two buckets: Warm and musical listeners or analytical, detail-oriented listeners. Sure, you can be both, as our preferences are always changing, but more often than not, you'll fall into one category. Personally, I'm a warm and musical listener. Always have, always will be. It's with great sadness that I announce, analytical listeners, this is not the IEM for you.
In just about every way imaginable, the Trifecta is THE IEM for warm and musical listeners. As a dynamic driver IEM, the Trifecta was everything I expected and more. At its core, the Trifecta is a bass-centric IEM. It's got a full-bodied, lush sound quality that leans on the warm side, but boy, does that bass response take center stage. It's impactful and almost thunderous at times.
As a bona fide basshead, I'm all ears for a high-end headphone or IEM that can knock my socks off. The Trifecta's frequency response dips down to 5Hz, and while the human ear technically stops hearing audible tones below 20Hz, we can instead experience physical sensations. Listening to the Hip-Hop artist Don Toliver's song Way Bigger, I enjoyed a low-end response akin to a subwoofer. The Trifecta delivered a deep, low-end extension that articulated the attitude and energy in Toliver's song.
With a large and in charge bass response, I was anxious to see how the Trifecta performed in the midrange and treble. Male and female vocals were musical and rich. While the Trifecta had nice detail retrieval, I wouldn't consider detail retrieval one of its strengths. Its ability to capture details and nuance felt song-specific. Here's an example. EDM artist Charli XCX's song 365 is synth-heavy but features a fair amount of vocals. Multiple times while I was listening to 365, I paused the song because I kept hearing a clicking sound. I was convinced it was something in my office, and after the fourth time pausing the track I realized "wait, maybe this is a fine detail." I have listened to this song over a thousand times–kid you not–but I have NEVER heard that detail before. So, while on one hand, the Trifecta brought out a fine detail I've never heard before in a song, on the other, songs full of instrumentation and nuance felt congested.
The Trifecta's treble was incredibly smooth and fatigue-free. It's a great IEM for anyone with sensitivity to upper mids and high frequencies. You'll get a nice amount of detail in the treble region but it in no way delivers any level of sibilance.
The Astell&Kern SP3000M DAP handled the demands of the Trifecta with ease, so much so that it delivered a powerful sound at low volume levels. If I can avoid bursting my eardrums, I will. Because the Trifecta delivers such a powerful, bold sound, it is genre-specific, and I found that pop, hip-hop, percussion-heavy jazz, and R&B sounded the best. That's not to say you can't enjoy them with country, alternative, indie, and every genre in between, but it wouldn't be my first recommendation for acoustic, strings, and classical music. Think hard-hitting, high-energy songs.
Homies (feat. YG Hootie, Popa Smurf & Ice Burgundy)
By Waka Flocka Flame
(Flockaveli)
Fire On The Horizon
By Stick Figure
(Set In Stone)
Girl, So Confusing
By Charli XCX
(BRAT)
Way Bigger
By Don Toliver
(Life of a Don)
Features
- Expansive Soundstage: Immerse yourself in a live concert experience wherever you go.
- Vivid Sound: Hear your music in rich, new vibrant tones that bring every track to life.
- Effortless Connectivity: Plug into any device with ease and experience pure, uninterrupted sound with the 3 Time Stream Metal cables.
- Luxury On-the-Go: Carry a touch of elegance with our handcrafted leather case, a statement of style.
- Superior Craftsmanship: Feel the passion for precision in every note with earphones crafted for the purest audio journey.
Three 10mm ADLC Dynamic Drivers
Pushing the limits of sonic performance, the Campfire Audio Trifecta IEM is the company's first and only (as of the date of publication) IEM to feature three full-range 10mm dynamic drivers. The three drivers are engineered in Campfire's triangular additive acoustic chamber. Rather than a single pressure release for the Trifecta's driver configuration, each driver is individually vented, creating balanced air pressure to the front and rear of the driver. This ensures the driver's full range of motion, even speed, and greater accuracy, for elevated performance across the frequency spectrum.
Dragon Cables
[Silver Dragon IEM Cable for Campfire (MMCX)]
The bold, high-energy presentation of the Trifecta IEM calls for the Silver Dragon IEM Cable, with MMCX connectors. The Silver Dragon IEM Cable uses UP-OCC silver conductors to add clarity, detail, and top-end resolution to the Trifecta.
You might be asking yourself, "Why would I upgrade my cable when it comes with three?" Great question! Our Dragon Audio Cables allow you to alter the tonality of your IEMs. If there are times when the Trifecta's bass is too overwhelming, our Silver Dragon IEM Cable will clarify instrument separation, increase the soundstage, and find lost high and mid-frequency sounds.
Verdict
Audiophiles who prioritize musicality, impact, and emotional connection to their music will be delighted with the Campfire Audio Trifecta Universal IEMs' performance. With its thunderous bass response, rich midrange, and unique three-driver configuration, the Trifecta delivers a concert-like experience that will delight warm-leaning listeners and self-proclaimed bassheads. It excels with bass-forward genres like EDM, hip-hop, and pop, providing physical impact and presence rarely found in such a tiny IEM. At $3,299, the Trifecta is a flagship-level IEM that will grow with you over the years. As your music tastes change and your hi-fi audio gear collection grows, you will have no trouble finding the complementary mates for the Trifecta.
For those seeking to tailor the Trifecta's bold sound signature, our Silver Dragon IEM Cable with MMCX connectors makes an ideal companion, using UP-OCC silver conductors to enhance clarity, detail retrieval, and top-end resolution while helping to control that powerful low-end when desired. If you're looking for a comfortable, luxuriously crafted IEM that delivers visceral energy and emotional weight to your favorite music, the Trifecta stands as one of Campfire Audio's most compelling offerings.
Featured Products
Related Videos
Campfire Astrolith IEM Review: Otherworldly Dual Planar Magnetic IEMs
Campfire Clara IEMs Review: The Chameleon for Every Genre
Silver Dragon IEM Cables Explained
What's in the Box
- Trifecta IEM
- Time Stream Cables–Metal Series–Eight silver plated copper conductors in ribbon configuration: 3.5mm / 2.5mm / 4.4mm Terminations included
- Handmade Leather 'Dimensional Folding' Case
- Two-Pocket Breezy Bag Micro
- Earphone Tips: Marshmallow and Silicon–Various Sizes
- IEM Cleaning Tool
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
- CA Lapel Pin
Specifications
Frequency Response: 5Hz - 20kHz
SPL: 94 dB @ 1kHz: 16.91 mVrms
Impedance: 6.3 Ohms @ 1kHz
THD: Less than 1% Total Harmonic Distortion
