Campfire Audio - Andromeda (Original/Base Model)

3-8 months, depending on frequency-of-use, compression rate, ear climate (wax, moisture, etc). IMO, if you find them comfortable, it's well worth the cost of re-buying new ones. I recommend Comply. If you want a similar level of seal that lasts a little longer, check out the Plussound Hybrid eartips. Pricey, but worth it. That's what I use on my Andromeda 2019s.

Don't underestimate the Andromeda. They’re an older set and have been surpassed by many newer IEMs in terms of sheer detail. But it’s the sound signature that deserves its legendary status. It’s still one of the most spacious and smooth-sounding IEMs, and I would love to listen to it again just for that.

My bad, I never tried the Emerald Sea. But the Andromeda V2 was so good. I remember going to the local shop almost every week just to listen to them until I finally bought it lol.

List is $2k, and I haven't seen any advertised lower than that. While I'd love to get a pair, it's definitely a luxury product. I have a pair of Andromedas that I got used a few years back. They sound great, but I'm smart enough to know that it's a hobby I don't need to pursue as it's just too costly. I do believe there are noticeable differences, but at a certain point, there are diminishing returns.

I think around 300$ is the sweet spot. I have tea pros (349$), a noble k10u (1600$) and a campfire andromeda S (1059$) and the difference is just around 20-30%

Cheapest endgame to me would be tea pros (349$) they sound so good and that bass is 👌 I also have kilobucks from before like the Andromeda S (1049$) and noble k10ua (1600$) they are better in resolution and soundstage but not that big of a difference compared to the tea pros.

Look I own about 10 or so pairs of iem's and it still remains the pair that impressed me the most but I highly doubt that it's the best in its price range to this day. It's just the best I own in this regard.

I’d say the first break point is somewhere around $300ish, then the next break point is “entry” kilobucks around $1k. So for the first break point IEMs like Dusk, anything Xenns, Thieaudio, Softears, so on and so forth, and for the second break point you have a lot of solid options like Monarchs, Dunu Glacier, CFA Andromedas, 64 Audio U4S, etc. Edit: to clarify, those are the points where I think you get the biggest jumps in quality relative to price points around them. So I don’t think it’s as worth it to move beyond that $300-$400 price point unless you’re jumping up to $1k.

For the most part yes, although entry kilobucks start to get pretty unique. Good example could be something like the Andromedas, I’m not aware of anything else that really gets similar to the tuning of the Andromedas (not even the later versions of Andromedas themselves lol)

64 Audio 12T and Campfire Andromeda is another. I'd say that even old school stuff like the Aurisonics ASG 2.5 might still be perfectly good today and Shure SE846 still has its fans.

Yeah - Campfire Andromeda, JH 13V2 Pro, QDC Anole VX, 64 Audio U12T, Campfire Moon Rovers

Tested nearly over 250+ iem, Impressed me positively or negatively recently, sorted by price Positive: KZ EDC Pro - for less than 10USD you get something easily rival up to $40\~$50 bracket KZ PR2 - first version with the mesh, toe to toe against my Z12 (S12 bass-boost variant) for less than half of its price EW300 - easily sounding like a $150 set for this, a must get for V-shape/treblehead around the budget Truthear Hexa - best in class neutral, imaging and technically for the price, extremely capable and non offensive but might sound "boring" to some Aful Explorer - best warm/relaxing sounding IEM at its price bracket, uniquely tune sound i would say its a rare find EPZ P50 - easily the best natural slight U shape signature at its price point Mega5EST (first version) - neutral, musical with good technically and resolution, one of the closer pre-end game set Negative (mostly are pricier sets disappoint me the most): Moondrop Chu - died after a month, replacement came then died after 2 months Kiwi Ears Quartet - its all bass, muddy, too warm. (Quintet is a lot better, i know its different) Softears RSV - tonality is wonky and the treble is a mess Softears Volume - combination of warm + popping midrange + peaky treble is not really what i prefer at all (i like the volume S by a lot more) Campfire Andromeda - never really get the hype for this back then. it just sounds awful, hollow, bassless, lifeless to me. Thieuadio Oracle Mk2 - identity crisis of the OG Oracle, sounds like a straight downgrade for me Thieaudio Monarch Mk 3 - weird tonality (its like W-shape sound), too technical and extremely fatiguing lastly of course its price tag (bass is SLAMMING in a good way though) These are what i can remember so far

For someone who is into any hobby, that extra level of performance is not linear in terms of price. So $2k iem or headphones are not 2 times better than $1k iem/HP. This is true for any hobby. Is a Ferrari Daytona SP3 really worth $2.25 million vs a $200k Porsche? (ie 10x better?) Not in terms of just performance from a linear perspective, but if you have the money than maybe. Also made in the US, or Italy (for the Ferrari) etc...that is a factor. I am not a Campfire fanboy, but I do have a few pairs that I bought used. I think they are great, especially at a pre-owned price. I also do own some chifi gear and that is also great sounding. I have not heard these, but they are getting high praise, as they should for that price! I think they might be comparable to the HD-800s, which are also not cheap. But it depends, putting that much performance into a tiny little iem is not as easy vs full-size HP. I know some people comment on other Campfire products not being great. I do agree that they should pair back their sub-performers and stick with the iems that are great, the Andromeda, Solaris etc... and I suppose this pair as well. This approach would be the Ferrari approach, each vehicle is fantastic. Porsche, is there really a lot of love for the Panamera? Fugly.... I don't think people are saying Porsche is a trash company because the Panamera is ugly. Granted, it's more attractive than the old Pontiac Aztek, but that is a low bar ha! All I'm saying, who cares what others think. If you have the money and like what you hear, just buy it and enjoy :)