Drop + Campfire Audio Darkstar Review

In today’s article, we review the new $699 USD Drop + Campfire Audio Darkstar, a new hybrid IEM.

 

Disclaimer: Drop sent the Darkstar IEM in exchange for our honest opinion.

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 fair. We recently reviewed the Astrolith, a very successful IEM, as below:

Drop

Drop, formerly known as Massdrop, is a San Francisco-based e-commerce company that specializes in community-driven product development. By gathering insights and feedback from its dedicated community, Drop designs and curates high-quality audio equipment and mechanical keyboards tailored to the interests of enthusiasts.

Darkstar

The Drop + Campfire Audio Darkstar IEM, the spiritual successor to the acclaimed Black Star, builds upon its predecessor’s strengths while introducing innovative upgrades. Retaining the 3D-modeled enclosures, it features a Sonion balanced armature for mids and two Knowles balanced armatures for highs, delivering precise and refined sound.

In a world cluttered with IEMs, sometimes you have to search the stars for something great.

The standout addition is a newly developed 10mm dual-magnet dynamic driver with an advanced bio-film membrane engineered to provide a rich, impactful, low-end response. This driver, combined with the carefully tuned high-end components, ensures the Darkstar delivers densely detailed audio, offering a fresh and immersive listening experience.

Packaging

The Drop + Campfire Audio Darkstar arrives in a small cardboard box. Inside, the IEMs are neatly stored in a pocket bag, with a paper bag containing various ear tips, a cleaning cloth, and a cleaning tool for maintenance, ensuring the IEMs stay pristine. The compact and essential packaging for a Drop release is understandable, but this is less than what you get with the previous Black Star or the flagship Astrolith. So it’s not an excellent unboxing experience; it’s just average, and that’s okay.

Design & Build Quality

The Darkstar IEM retains Campfire Audio’s iconic design language while honouring its name with a completely black finish. This sleek and professional aesthetic is complemented by a futuristic edge, creating a visually striking yet understated style. Its robust construction features a monoblock chassis and durable metal nozzles, offering a solid and premium in-hand feel.

Craftsmanship is a standout feature of the Darkstar, with seamlessly integrated metal components forming a durable and stylish structure. The metal nozzles enhance longevity, while stiff MMCX connectors provide a sense of rugged reliability. Although the included stock cable offers decent comfort, it falls short of being remarkable. Nevertheless, the Darkstar reflects Campfire Audio’s commitment to top-tier build quality, delivering a durable, refined design that upholds the brand’s legacy.

Fit

The Darkstar excels in fit and comfort. Its snug, flush placement in the ear highlights Campfire Audio’s refined approach to ergonomic design. The well-contoured shape ensures that the IEM remains comfortable and unobtrusive even during long listening sessions even during long listening sessions.

The Darkstar achieves excellent isolation when paired with foam tips, 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 IEM, nearing the levels typically associated with custom-fit monitors when foam tips are used. Overall, the Darkstar’s fit is secure, comfortable, and highly commendable, delivering a seamless wearing experience.

Sound General

The new Darkstar features a new dynamic driver that delivers a balanced sound marked by its natural tone. It leans towards a darker, more musical signature throughout the range, with the treble offering a smooth and forgiving character. The bass region stands out for its organic and textured presentation; even with its darker profile, the IEM excels in technical performance. Its frequency control provides a cohesive and pleasant listening experience, free from harshness. Nothing is irritating, as all aspects remain well-managed. The Darkstar is an appealing option if you’re looking for a soft, dark IEM with a rich mid-range.

 

Page 2: Sound Quality

Page 3: Technical Performance, Comparisons, Conclusion

4.5/5 - (40 votes)
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A keen audiophile and hobby photographer, Berkhan is after absolute perfection. Whether it is a full-frame camera or a custom in-ear, his standpoint persists. He tries to keep his photography enthusiasm at the same level as audio. Sometimes photography wins, sometimes his love for music takes over and he puts that camera aside. Simplistic expressions of sound in his reviews are the way to go for him. He enjoys a fine single malt along with his favourite Jazz recordings.

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