With a dual planar magnetic driver configuration and utilizing two all-new planar drivers, the Campfire Audio Astrolith is the vanguard of planar IEM performance.
Wrapped in a semi-transparent, lightweight, 3D-printed acrylic body, and a robust, mirror-finished, stainless steel faceplate, Astrolith is versatile and striking in both appearance and performance.
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The latest from the acoustics team at Campfire Audio, Astrolith represents the next step for Campfire's line of pure planar magnetic IEMs. Astrolith incorporates two new drivers wrapped in our PPR and AAOI tuning elements. Combining the inherent advantages of planar magnetic drivers with decades of acoustic engineering experience brings about an incredible new horizon in the realm of planar magnetic IEMs.Â
"...this is quite simply the best-tuned, most technically-capable IEM Campfire has produced to date…"
- Guy Lerner, The Headphone List
Astrolith: Peak Performance, Inside and Out
Astrolith combines a 14mm planar magnetic main driver that ranges from sub-bass to mid frequencies and blends seamlessly with our 6mm planar true high-frequency tweeter. This internal architecture highlights the purity of the speed, accuracy, impact, and ultimate resolution that only a planar magnetic driver can deliver.
6mm Planar + PPR
With Astrolith, we are excited to reveal our first implementation of our 6mm planar magnetic driver, which is paired with our new Particle Phase Resonator (PPR) tuning chamber to bring truly astounding high-end performance. This driver is very atypical relative to other planar drivers due to its very small size.
Larger planar drivers already move incredibly fast, so shrinking the form down and focusing the response to the high frequencies, creates lightning fast transient response and upper range detail.
14mm Planar + AAOI
Filling out the body of Astrolith's tuning, is an updated generation of our 14mm planar magnetic driver. First seen in our renowned IEM, Supermoon, this updated version features refined mechanics and updated grille patterning.
The raw strengths of this driver have been carefully and precisely shaped by our new Additive Acoustic Optical Inclusion (AAOI) housing to hone the impact, texture, imaging, and layering ranging from the sub-bass to the midrange and gracefully blending with the upper registers powered by its companion, 6mm driver.
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AAOI Housing
Campfire is proud to introduce our new Additive Acoustic Optical Inclusion housing (AAOI). This shell offers unique contributions in both performance and style. With built-in acoustic-shaping geometries, our AAOI housing contributes to the refinement and enhancement of the output of Astrolith’s dual planar magnetic drivers. These chambers are carefully engineered to create precisely controlled acoustic volumes and ensure the targeted vision for Astrolith’s sonic performance.Â
In style, Astrolith’s shell is truly unique with the addition of its optically inclusive internal chambers within a transparent exterior. This creates a unique, gem-like effect, allowing for a changing perspective and internal visibility from various angles, appearing sleek and black at a distance, but revealing light and structure from within.
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Particle Phase Resonator - PPR
Specially designed to couple with and enhance the performance of Astrolith's new and unique 6mm planar driver, Campfire's Particle Phase Resonator is one of our smallest and most precisely engineered driver housings to date. Shaping this driver's performance was an incredible challenge from an engineering standpoint; the size and speed of this driver called for incredibly low tolerances and delicate treatment.
Campfire's PPR smooths and tempers the 6mm driver while still allowing it to shine and do what it does best: create lightning fast transients, resolution, and top-end detail.
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Tuned With Intention
This curve displays relative volume levels at each point across the frequency spectrum, reflecting Astrolith's careful balance and refinement in tuning. Though frequency curves are a great general guide, they can't convey technicalities like soundstage, imaging, layering, etc
Advancing Pure Planar Performance
Until recently, planar drivers were deemed unsuited for IEM applications; held back by size, sensitivity and cost limitations, they were long used in over-ear headphones. However, advancements in this technology have overcome these limitations enough for them to be used in portable, in-ear applications.
Now, the wonderful character and advantages of planar drivers can be brought to IEM lovers; with their unique blend of size and speed and accompanying unique sonic characteristics.
Campfire's first planar IEM, Supermoon's premium, planar sound quickly became a fan favorite and became one of the most renowned planar IEMs on the market. Moon Rover set a new standard for linearity and balance in Campfire's lineup. Now, Astrolith is the modern torch-bearer of Campfire's planar evolution.
New 14.2mm & 6mm Planar Magnetic Drivers
Astrolith blends our new 14.2mm & 6mm planar magnetic drivers in an elegant, crossoverless, tuning.
Our updated 14.2mm driver has updated and improved internal mechanics alongside a new acoustic grille pattern. This driver is carefully shaped by our in-house engineering to focus this driver outputs to the low through mid frequencies.
Another exciting introduction to the CA line, our 6mm planar magnetic driver brings a unique set of technical capabilities, with its lightning fast transient production and soaring high end extension up to 25kHz. This creates ultimate resolution, detail, and top-end imaging.
Speed and Impulse Response
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Planar drivers, despite the large size, are capable of moving incredibly fast. This speed creates a great deal of sharp detail and overall resolution, presenting your tracks with life-like realism and creating a vast canvas on which every layer and element of your music is displayed.
Reflecting this driver's rapid, accurate movement is its outstanding impulse response -the ability of the driver to respond to signal and stop resulting movement quickly- allowing the driver to move from note to succeeding note without overlap or ‘smearing.’Â
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Seen here, a comparison between the impulse response of Astrolith's 14.2mm planar magnetic driver and that of one of our most advanced dynamic drivers. Astrolith's rapid impulse response, refliected by the black curve, demonstrates this IEMs lightning fast signal production.
Even Diaphragm Movement
Planar driver’s serpentine voice coil is distributed evenly over the entire surface of the diaphragm which stimulates driver movement such that the driver does not warp or bend as it moves back and forth. This contributes to the drivers incredible accuracy and rapid impulse response, making each note tight and defined and avoiding smearing seen in other large, dynamic drivers.Â
Coupling the speed and even movement of the drivers diaphragm enables Astrolith to create incredibly accurate representations of the original sound.
Planar Wavefront
Another unique facet of planar performance is its propagation of a plane wavefront, contrasting with the spherical wavefront created by standard cone speakers/dynamic drivers.
The shape of a given wavefront will change the acoustic interaction with the ear canal, changing reflections and altering our perception. The unique wavefront of planar drivers contributes to the special timbre and character of Campfire’s planar IEMs.
Low Total Harmonic Distortion
Yet another advantage of planar technology is the incredibly low overall THD ratio. Campfire’s custom drivers already feature a very low distortion level, and our new planar drivers bring this number to an unbelievable new low.
Combined with the speed, precision, and even movement of the planar driver, this super low THD ratio adds another layer to the planar driver’s crisp, clean, and accurate sonic reproduction.
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Accessories:
Black leather folding wallet - handmade in Portugal, TimeStream cable in 3.5mm & 4.4mm, 'Breezy Bag Micro' two-pocket mesh pouch, Selection of Eartips - Silicone (S, M, L) & Foam (S, M, L), IEM Cleaning Tool, & CA Lapel Pin
Experience the pinnacle of personal HiFi with Astrolith
Astrolith is meticulously hand-crafted by a small team of professionals in Portland, Oregon USA.