BEST EARPHONES UNDER £50

1. final E500 Wired Earphones – £19.99

Designed with gaming and VR users in mind, the E500 delivers impressive spacial awareness and pin point accuracy. These qualities don’t only favour gamers – they give music an edge with clear imaging and a soundstage that brings you right into the mix. All of this for under £20 makes them a no brainer for those looking for a budget wired earphone.

READ MORE: Final E500 In-Ear Headphones Review

2. SoundMAGIC E11/E11C Wired Earphones – £34.98/£39.98

With various SoundMAGIC models already available, what can the E11/E11C bring to the table? Well, Everything! We have found the E11 to be a grown-up earphone with a keen knack for giving a clear and accurate presentation across the board.  A truly impressive earphone for the price and in 2024 it is still the wired budget king.

READ MORE: SoundMAGIC E11C In-Ear Headphone Review

3. SoundMAGIC E80D USB-C Wired Earphones – £34.98/£39.98

Modern technology requires modern solutions. No headphone jack on your new phone? The SoundMagic E80D has you covered. These earbuds deliver exceptional comfort and impressive passive noise isolation at a budget-friendly price. With a reliable USB-C connection, they provide seamless compatibility with modern devices. Lightweight and elegant, they’re perfect for long listening sessions, offering great value without compromising on audio clarity or design quality.

READ MORE: SoundMAGIC E80D

BEST EARPHONES UNDER £100

4. final VR2000 Virtual Reality In Ear Isolating Gaming Earphones – £59.99

The VR2000 builds on the immense success of their gaming earphone predecessor the VR3000, which is known for their overwhelming spatial expression. The VR2000 focuses on the rapid response and aims to make object sounds within game audio more noticeable. Many typical gaming earbuds and headphones emphasize an exaggerated sound quality, aiming to accentuate sound effects for a more dramatic experience for the user. But in competitive gaming such as arcade fighting (Tekken), FPS (Apex Legends), Third person shooters such as Fortnite or rhythm games sich as Osu! it’s no exaggeration to say that the player’s quick judgment in reacting to sound effects can largely influence the outcome of each round. The VR2000 is a set of professional-grade earbuds developed specifically for players who are serious about winning.

READ MORE: final VR2000 Gaming Earphones

5.1MORE Aero ANC TWS Earphones – £70.00

The 1MORE Aero offers a solid mix of great audio quality, effective ANC, and a comfortable fit for an exceptional price. The Aero stands out by bringing the premium head-tracked spatial audio to the table, something that currently is only usually found in much pricier models. If immersive audio for movies and TV is your thing, the Aero is a fantastic value choice.

READ MORE: 1MORE AERO

BEST EARPHONES UNDER £200

6. final ZE3000 True Wireless Earphones – £119.00

True wireless earphones for the audiophiles and purists out there. The final ZE3000 don’t have many of the bells and whistles. They have no ANC, no ambient mode nor wireless charging. However they were designed from the bottom up for ultimate sound quality and in that they totally succeeded. They also look abolutely fantastic and fit perfectly. What more could you ask for at £119!

READ MORE: final ZE3000 True Wireless Earphones Review

7. 1MORE Penta P50 – Five Hybrid Driver IEMs – £179.00

The Penta P50 offers a smooth, natural sound with standout bass texture and crisp treble, perfect for those who prefer a relaxed and fatigue-free listening experience. Its compact, comfortable design adds to the appeal, making it a strong choice for audiophiles seeking balanced tuning.

READ MORE: 1MORE Penta P50

8. Final ZE8000 MK2 – ANC TWS Earphones £199.00

Finals flagship TWS earphone combines striking aesthetics with top-tier performance. They deliver sound quality that rivals the best wired earphones as well as providing all the modern features you’d expect from TWS earphones. The distinctive shape of the buds also provides insane levels of comfort and the app is a treat to use. All the bells and whistles are there, a great overall package.

READ MORE: Final ZE8000 MK2

BEST EARPHONES UNDER £500

9. Westone Audio AM Pro X20 Professional Earphones – £400.00

Stage musicians rejoice! Musicans of the past were limited to selecting either an isolated in-ear monitor mix or an immersive wedge based experience for monitoring. With the Am Pro X20 you can now enjoy both the energy and input from the audience, as well as from other performers and the stage. With Westone Audio’s exclusive StageSense Ambient Technology you are in total control of your musical environment. You can enjoy full-range frequency response from your in-ear monitor signal, hear and feel your surroundings and engage with fellow performers and your audience like never before. The AM Pro X series is a recommended universal solution for on-stage monitoring and band practice.

READ MORE: Westone Audio AM Pro X20

10. Final A5000 – £259.00

Final’s new addition to the “A” series, The A5000 is a wired IEM that punches far above it’s price in terms of sound quality. Style aside, the bass is powerful and tight, the mids and the highs fabulous. Final have proven time and time again that you do not need to spend an arm and a leg for a quality earphone. For anyone looking to upgrade their gear on a budget, look no further. Final Magic for £259.00? Yes please.

READ MORE: Final A5000

BEST EARPHONES OVER £1000

11. 64 Audio U4s -£1,099.00

The U4s is 64 Audio’s new, blue & cheapest UIEM coming in at £1099.00. The hybrid construction delivers a richer and deeper sub-bass then their next cheapest universal model the U6t (which is made up from a full BA driver set up) thanks to the dynamic driver under its hood. The U4s comes with 64 Audio’s all new M12 Apex module, meaning you essentially get four different sound signatures out of the box. You are after an open sound with as wide an image as possible? Then slot in the MX or the M12. Want more bass? Say hello to the M20 or M15. The versatility of these is great and the energetic sound from the U4s will keep your attention for years to come.

READ MORE: 64 Audio U4s

12. final A8000 Audiophile Custom-Driver Earphones – £1999

With the A8000, final prove that multiple drivers aren’t necessary for producing mind blowing audio. One driver is all that’s needed! Final don’t settle with any old drivers either. For the A8000, Final has developed their custom made ultra thin Beryllium foil driver. Along with Final’s four chamber housing design, the A8000 gives high resolution a whole new meaning. These need to be heard to be believed.

READ MORE: final A8000 Custom-Driver Audiophile Earphones Review

13. 64 Audio Volür – £2369.05

What started out as the Nio 2 evolved into a whole new word (and a UIEM) that never existed before. The Volür. The newest Universal IEM from 64 Audio. The pulsating heart of which is made up of two new custom 9mm dynamic drivers set in a True Isobaric configuration that delivers unprecedented low-frequency capability. The low end of the Volür will simply blow you away. It is easily one of the best technical performing earphones that has a “fun” sounding signature. Those purple abalone faceplates also look fabulous.

READ MORE: 64 Audio Volür

Have We Missed Anything Out?

Honourble mentions to the, Fourté , LCD i3, OV800, and many more out there! What is your favourite? Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know…

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Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’: Improved Ownership Experience

Not only have the earphones been given a makeover, the entire ownership experience has been enhanced. The main addition here is the wooden presentation box that the Andromeda is packaged in. Reminiscent of a cigar box, this packaging is like no other. Remove the lid and slot it into the base, then attach the bronze hand and you have the most original earphone presentation stand I have ever come across. In the words of Campfire Audio, nicely done.

As for accessories, the selection provided is equally impressive. You get a wide range of eartips with a mixture of foam and silicone. You get two carry pouches. One for the earphones and one to store the extra cables that come with the Andromeda. Campfire Audio has included three Time Stream cables: 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm. These new cables feel great and house silver plated copper conductors. Providing three shows how dedicated Campfire Audio is to the experience.

Complete Re-Design

The earphones themselves is where Campfire Audio really make their statement. Gone is the severe, angular shape of the old Andromeda. For the ‘Emerald Sea’, the housings are smaller, smother and more streamlined. This is also a new shape for Campfire Audio, and this really adds to the comfort of the earphones. This shape works perfectly for me, nestling nicely into my ears with no feeling of pressure even after a long listening session.

Low distortion and superior stability.

Internally, the engineers have also gone to work, using brand new drivers and also redesigning the interior chamber. Five custom, dual-diaphragm balanced armature drivers are housed inside each earphone. These drivers have been chosen for their low distortion and superior stability. These drivers have been placed within a newly designed internal 3D-printed chamber.

Less Sensitivity. More Flexibility.

Another change that I think is worth mentioning is that the Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ is less sensitive than previous Andromeda versions. This is a big change, as one of the issues I found previously is that the Andromeda was always very picky about which devices it worked well with, and part of that pickiness was down to its sensitivity. The new ‘Emerald Sea’ is less picky, meaning there will be more people out there who can enjoy this stunning earphone.

An overall more balanced and believe it or not; an even more enjoyable listen.

Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ – How do they sound?

Now, what does all of this mean? The result of this overhaul is a listening experience that has taken an already sublime sound provided by the older Andromeda, and added a new layer of fluidity and finesse in the ‘Emerald Sea’. Bass is as present as ever, this time with an improved roundedness and coherence which allows the mids to sound more effortless than before, especially in the higher end.

This Andromeda has kept the organic quality that made has made the Andromeda so successful over all these years, yet there is something new here, a new smoothness in the higher peaks which now allows other frequencies to show themselves even more for an overall more balanced and believe it or not; an even more enjoyable listen.

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Campfire Audio Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’

The Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ has been completely redesigned inside and out. While drawing from their past experience, the tides of the Emerald Sea bring both fond memories and warm waves of optimism for the future.

New Ergonomic Shell Design

An all-new machined aluminium shell in the classic Andromeda Green. Updated with a smaller shape and smooth contours, this is arguably the most comfortable Andromeda yet. The new shape, coupled with their new stainless-steel fasteners and MMCX capture, creates a sleek, striking, wearable earphone while staying true to the legacy of the Campfire flagship.

New Acoustic Design

Five all-new, custom, dual-diaphragm balanced armatures bring the latest in driver technology to the Andromeda. With lower distortion and greater stability and resilience. Coupled with re-engineered internal acoustic geometry and newly designed 3D-printed driver housings, this iteration of Andromeda delivers an exceptional sonic experience.

New Sound

Andromeda ‘Emerald Sea’ features an expanded acoustic range. Lower sensitivity that puts the listener in control, and a sweet analogue glow to its sonic signature.

Technical Specs:

• Frequency Response: 5Hz – 20kHz
• SPL: 94dB @1K = 11.84mVrms
• Impedance: 6.375 Ohm @1K
• THD: <0.5%

Campfire Audio Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’

The Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ represents a full re-envisioning of another classic Campfire Audio IEM. This top-to-bottom revolution captures the essence of what makes the Solaris the legend it is today. While simultaneously elevating it to a brand-new horizon.

New Ergonomic Shell Design

The Solaris ‘Stellar Horizon’ combines elegance and durability with precision machined and brushed stainless steel housing. Accented by brass fasteners and MMCX capture. A custom gold PVD inlay contrasts with black, laser-cut acrylic to round out Solaris’ stunning presentation and immaculate build quality.

New Acoustic Design

Revolutionising Solaris’ internal components are two new pieces of driver and driver treatment technology. Three custom dual diaphragm balanced armatures create more output, high-end extension and less distortion. This is coupled with their new Radial Venting surrounding the 10mm ADLC dynamic driver. Creating a greater air volume and expanding the physical space in which the driver operates. This creates a greater soundstage and a more even dynamic driver performance.

New Sound

Ascending to a new peak of sonic performance, this iteration of Solaris creates an undeniable energetic flow. Incredible versatility means that Solaris will melt through any genre in its way. Powerful, accurate bass drives rhythm to your core. Tracks erupt into a massive chasm of soundstage, with high-end extension, detail, and imaging unprecedented in the lineage of Solaris.

Technical Specs:

• Frequency Response: 5Hz – 20kHz
• SPL: 94dB @1K = 9.145mVrms
• Impedance: 4.40 Ohm @1K
• THD <0.5%

Accessories and More

Both models are supplied with an impressive amount of accessories (as seen below). They are also supplied with Campfire‘s new Time Stream cables. Silver-plated copper conductors with Berylium copper MMCX connectors. You get three cable types: 2.5mm balanced. 3.5mm stereo and 4.4mm balanced terminations.

To complete the experience, the new Andromeda and Solaris are both shipped in a completely unique presentation box. Created individually by the Campfire Audio team in their Portland Oregon workshop. This is something that has to be seen to be fully appreciated.

All Models are Now Available via Hifiheadphones!

More News about Campfire Audio and their latest releases here

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Aesthetics and Build Quality

Campfire Audio’s Andromeda is about as bold as you can get when it comes to its design. The housings are made from machined aluminium, with a deep forest green anodised finish. The finish has been updated in this new version of the Andromeda, with a much smoother coating and a slightly richer shade of green.

The sound tube is made using stainless steel, which I am sure not only benefits the acoustics. It looks very striking too. Overall the Andromeda feels robust and built to last, while managing to stand out with its unique character.

Features and Comfort

Campfire Audio earphones have a very distinctive look, and the Andromeda is their champion. The design is very unusual, with a slightly futuristic shape to them. The shell’s design allows it to catch the light at different angles, which gives off a multitude of different shades of green. That is not the only purpose of this shape, the angled design provides superb comfort. The Andromeda sits perfectly in my ear, and with the included Final silicone eartips – the fit is snug and they seal extremely well which also helps towards isolation.

Another great feature of the Andromeda is the supplied cable. An upgrade on the older version, this time the Andromeda comes with their popular Silver Plated Copper Litz wire covered in a new smoky jacket. The cable is also more flexible than the previous version and uses a lightweight moulded ear hook design instead of memory wire – a definite improvement.

Campfire Audio don’t stop there, the Andromeda comes supplied with a newly designed leather carry pouch, foam and silicone eartips, a cleaning tool and even a fancy Campfire Audio lapel pin.

Sound Quality

The best way I can describe the sound of the Andromeda is organic. Sound comes across effortless, well balanced and with an impressively natural soundstage.

Bass

Bass comes across with authority and punch. It goes low and manages to keep controlled, even with more bass heavy tracks. Bass performs equally well with intricate instrumental, heavy rock and electronic music. This shows that the bass has been tuned to do what is needed, letting the quality of the production do the talking.

Midrange

Thanks to the controlled bass, there is no risk of the midrange getting over shadowed. Mids come across extremely clear with a musical richness – this is a welcome change from the analytical sound that is common amongst high-end earphone models. Vocals have presence and whether male or female, they sound uncoloured, engaging and with emotion.

Treble

Campfire Audio uses their very own Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber in the Andromeda, designed to improve treble extension and soundstage. This is very clear and noticable. Thetreble provides just the right amount of definition without going harsh or sibilant. Then, in addition the extension provided by the T.A.E.C. goes on and on, creating width and space with superb separation.

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As the title states, Campfire Audios Caleb Rosenau has sat down with Omar once more to broaden his musical horizons.

“As part of Omars IEM journey Caleb suggested it was a good idea to have a listen to their highest end products. It didn’t take a lot of convincing for me. Brew a cup and join Omar and Caleb for a chat about high-end IEMs. What goes in to making them and what kind of audio experience can you expect for a £1500 IEM.”

Without further ado, the whole podcast can be listened to via Spotify here.

Oscar and John have obviously also spent some time with many Campfire Audio models. You can read Johns review of the Andromeda here and Oscars of the Solaris here. If videos are more your thing then we also have you covered! We have video reviews of all models on our youtube channel here.

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Campfire Audio is quite possibly the hottest boutique IEM brand out there, already gaining a name for themselves for their superbly built, beautifully designed IEMs with sound quality packed full of passion and character.

Having already become well known for their universal models, Campfire Audio has now released the new Solstice custom IEM – and along with the Equinox, Campfire Audio has two seriously good custom options available.

Superb Build Quality

The build of both the Equinox and Solstice are very similar, with slight detail differences. Both are made with a polished stainless steel housing and then moulded solid black acrylic, for that smooth and comfortable custom fit. The combination of black and silver is unique and very striking. The shape of the back plate is different for each model. The Equinox is circular, and the Solstice is angular – almost hexagonal. Then inside is where the models really differ.

The Campfire Audio Equinox is based on their Atlas universal IEM. Like the Atlas, the Equinox uses a single full range 10mm dynamic driver, and the A.D.L.C. or Amorphous Diamond Like Carbon driver has been tweaked slightly – so there is a touch less thumping sub-bass when compared to the Atlas.

The newest addition to Campfire Audio’s custom range is the Solstice. This time they have decided to draw on the Andromeda model, with 5 balanced armature drivers inside each housing. The Solstice also comes with Campfire’s very own T.A.E.C. or Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber which gets the very most out the higher frequencies.

Both models are supplied with a choice of cables, which can be chosen during the buying process. The standard smokey litz cable options are 3.5mm stereo, 2.5mm balanced and 4.4mm balanced. Then there are two artist options. Both use the smokey litz cable, but the artist version is 18” longer, and there is the choice of replacing the grey MMCX moulds with red and blue moulds for the right and left connectors.

Made-to-fit Perfectly

Being a custom IEM, you can expect the fit to be as close to perfect as possible. Campfire Audio are very confident in their build process, and as long as the ear impressions are done well – the IEMs are made to a very high and consistent standard.

Campfire Audio is aware that custom IEMs are not just for pro users, music lovers use them too. With this in mind, Campfire offers two types of fit – Artist Fit and Audiophile Fit.

The audiophile fit has a shallow seal depth, so they won’t go as far into the ear canal as traditional pro customs do. This makes the IEMs more comfortable for longer listening sessions, and easier to wear for a range of different uses from home listening, to a work commute or studio mix-down.

The artist fit sticks to a more traditional, deeper fit. This is important for pro users as it provides a much greater seal, giving a more secure fit and improved isolation for live settings.

Sound Quality

With the Equinox and Solstice, Campfire Audio has created a custom IEM to suit a number of different needs. For those who prefer a big and luxurious sound, with low end thump and rich detail that’s packed full of smooth layers – then the single dynamic driver Equinox will be the one to consider.

On the other hand, the Solstice is for those who favour transparency and cleanliness. Like the Andromeda, the five balanced armature drivers provide a well balanced sound that leans towards the higher frequencies. Sound comes across effortlessly with an organic and natural feel to it.

Having only tried universal versions of the custom range, I can’t go into more detail when it comes to the sound. Saying that, if you already have an understanding of the Atlas and Andromeda models, then that will give you a very clear idea of what to expect from the Equinox and Solstice customs. And we will be holding the universal version of both the Equinox and Solstice – so you could always book a demo with us to try them.

Final Thoughts

Here’s where I normally mention the competition, and even though brands like 64 Audio, Ultimate Ears and JH Audio are all making some of the finest pro IEMs out there – none are doing what Campfire Audio has managed to achieved. Not only is the design of the Equinox and Solstice completely unique – breaking the all too familiar mould of custom IEM design. They also offer a lot more than their competitors. Whether you’re a musician or music lover, there’s an option for you. And I’m not aware of any other high end custom IEM brand making a single dynamic model – this is definitely something that Campfire Audio has perfected.

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It’s Hifiheadphones’ pleasure to announce that the full range of Campfire Audio products is now available from our outlet!

..and it’s a real test of our professionalism to be able to stop listening to one of these excellent models in order to try another one.

• Comet

This entry-level model features a vented, full range single balanced armature driver; we say ‘entry level’ as it’s the cheapest of the range, but it sounds as good, or better than a few more expensive models from other makers.

Warm and natural sounding, excellent detail, decent treble presence yet smooth. The Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber System (TAEC) helps to keep realistic and convincing imaging and wide soundstage.

• Orion

Next up, the Orion sports a single full-range balanced armature provides well controlled bass without going overboard. It’s a little more V shaped, with great soundstage and separation. There’s more treble presence but it preserves a smooth feel.

• Polaris

The Polaris features a hybrid balanced armature and dynamic driver design; the 8.5mm dynamic driver is housed in a ‘Polarity Tuned Chamber’ which increases performance, whilst the single BA benefits from the Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber System. Bass is warm and textured but restrained with midrange offering excellent vocals, and treble adding some well judged glitter.

• Lyra II

With a single full-range custom Beryllium PVD dynamic driver, the Lyra II exchanges some of the smoothness of the previous models for a little more cleanness in the treble region. Bass is very impressive with some good extension and midrange is very rich and natural sounding.

• Jupiter

The Jupiter’s two high and two low balanced armature drivers, plus the TAEC in this design dials the sharpness down a little, and provides a very engaging and musical presentation. Bass abounds, but only in a way which is fitting to the music played. Midrange has amazing clarity which is not forced, and treble is fully present but well tuned for those who may find listener fatigue a problem.

• Dorado

With hybrid dual balanced armature and beryllium PVD single dynamic driver/TAEC, the Dorado gives a little more bass presence and a midrange which is well suited for vocals. Treble is smooth, with good extension and an excellent sense of space.

• Vega

Featuring a single full-range 8.5mm non-crystalline diamond dynamic driver, the Vega packs a punch in the sub bass region, with some great texture down here. Mids are clear and snappy, with treble giving a little bit of sparkle and air. Soundstage and imaging are very impressive.

• Andromeda

The Andromeda sports a five BA design, with two for the lows, one for the mids and two for

the highs which benefit from the TAEC treatment. The result is an earphone that has become very well known in the industry recently, with lows feeling fleshy and palpable, mids smooth and natural, and treble strikes a good balance between being revealing and laid back.

• Atlas

With a full-range dynamic driver made from A.D.L.C. (Amorphous Diamond-Like Carbon), the Atlas model heads up the current in-ear range with some masterfully controlled bass presence, a warmish and clear midrange and a crisp, natural treble.

• Cascade

Not ones to rest on their laurels, Campfire have also produced a portable over-ear model in the Cascade. It’s user-tuneable to some degree using the supplied dampeners in the earcups but is sure to please all who try it. The dynamic drivers produce some excellent and well controlled sub-bass, with well balanced midrange and treble which draws the listener in to enjoy all that detail!

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