Today’s article reviews the new $249 USD Campfire Audio Axion, a daily carry IEM with a full-range SDD driver.
Campfire Audio
Campfire Audio, founded by Ken Ball of Audio Line Out fame, is a boutique audio brand renowned for its innovative earphones that feature patented technologies and deliver performance. Based in Portland, Oregon, a dedicated team of skilled craftspeople designs and hand-assembles each product.
The brand thrives on experimentation, using unique materials and techniques to redefine the listening experience. Every earphone undergoes countless design iterations, extensive listening sessions, and rigorous performance tests, ensuring audiophile-grade quality.
Campfire Audio has been known for putting musical enjoyment to the front, and that’s why they have a distinct fan base. We recently reviewed the Darkstar, a very special IEM, as follows:
Campfire Audio Axion
According to CA, Axion is the first earphone to use a full-range SDD (silicon dynamic driver). Initially presented as a concept model at the 2024 Campfire Multiverse Event, the Multiverse edition offered a preview of a future that is now realised, along with tuning enhancements and an exciting new housing design.
The main version of Axion includes further tuning improvements. On the outside, the shell has been redesigned for form and function, showcasing a highly ergonomic shape, a sturdy brass fastening system, and a stylish transparent housing with dyed-in components.
Furthermore, the new Axion targets people who like to have a daily-driver IEM to use with various devices through a USB-C connection. The USB-C has a built-in DAC so smartphone users can enjoy high-quality sound without extra dongles.
The Silicon Dynamic Driver looks like a balanced armature unit (BA). However, as you can see in the diagram below, it has various components that differ from a typical BA. Campfire Audio claims this driver is much fuller-sounding than a basic BA.
Packaging
The Campfire Audio Axion arrives in a small cardboard box. Inside, the IEMs are neatly stored in a pocket bag, with a paper bag containing various ear tips and a cleaning tool for maintenance, ensuring the IEMs stay pristine. The compact and essential packaging for this entry-level daily IEM release is understandable, but this is less than what you get with Campfire’s higher-end offerings.
So it’s not an excellent unboxing experience, it’s just average, and that’s okay.
Design, Build Quality, Experience
The Axion IEM retains Campfire Audio’s iconic design language with a dark finish. This sleek and professional aesthetic is complemented by a futuristic edge, creating a visually striking yet understated style. Its robust construction combines acrylic and brass, offering a solid and premium in-hand feel.
Craftsmanship is a standout feature of the Campfire IEMS, and the Axion is no exception, with a seamlessly integrated composite solution. The brass nozzles enhance longevity, while stiff MMCX connectors provide a sense of rugged reliability. Although the included USB-C cable offers decent comfort, it falls short of being remarkable.
Still, the USB connector feels rigid. Overall, the Axion reflects Campfire Audio’s commitment to top-tier build quality, delivering a durable, refined design that upholds the brand’s legacy.
The CA Axion has a USB-C DAC and playback/volume controls inside the cable. The DAC inside is capable of 32/384 kHz decoding. The unit on the cable also has a microphone for phone calls.
Fit
Since I started using IEMs that go behind the ear in 2013, I have never liked straight-down earphones. However, the Axion provides good ergonomics, and the lightweight shells offer great comfort for long periods. The design makes sense for an earphone intended to be a daily driver, especially considering that not-so-hardcore audiophiles would use the Axion.
When paired with foam tips, the Axion achieves excellent isolation, effectively sealing out external noise for an immersive listening experience. Its compact design strikes the perfect balance between comfort and functionality, and the thoughtfully engineered chassis further enhances wearability.
The isolation performance is remarkable for a universal earphone with foams, nearing the levels typically associated with actual in-ear monitors. Overall, the Axion’s fit is secure, comfortable, and highly commendable, delivering a seamless wearing experience.
Sound General
The new Axion offers a very smooth, non-fatiguing and non-bothering sonic experience. The unit sounds full-bodied, with a distinctive mid-bass focus. The presentation is meaty and dark, which isn’t the best type of tuning in technicalities or sheer resolution. But it gets the job done if you look at it as a daily earphone, fulfilling its purpose through and through.
The bass area is notable for its natural and detailed delivery; despite its deeper tone, the IEM performs well musically. Its frequency management ensures a harmonious and enjoyable listening experience without any harshness. Nothing comes off as bothersome, as every element is well-controlled. The Axion presents an attractive choice if you’re searching for a smooth, darker IEM with a lush tonality.
