On this function, Lynn opinions the Drop + Campfire Audio Darkish Star, a collaborative hybrid twin magnet 10mm dynamic and triple BA driver common IEM. It’s priced at $699.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in alternate for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I thank Drop for his or her assist.
Click on right here to study extra about Drop merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring guidelines which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
Campfire Audio’s (CFA) ultra-successful Andromeda “line” allowed the corporate to department out with many different IEMs charting completely different programs. We’ve reviewed many, and Thomas has reviewed many of the lineup.
When DROP paired with CFA to launch a mid-fi IEM that shared its venerable (however new) dynamic driver alongside the strains of the standout Black Star, the Darkish Star was born.
I’ve additionally reviewed lots of the fashions and take into account the Supermoon and Solaris 2020 amongst my private favorites.
Options
The Darkish Star makes use of a dual-magnet 10-millimeter dynamic driver with an progressive bio-film membrane, touted as model new together with 1 Sonion midrange balanced armature, and a couple of Knowles tweeter balanced armatures placing forth the sound.
Utilizing one thing referred to as Section Concord Engineering, CFA designed the Darkish Star utilizing the expertise which “segments the frequency spectrum, sculpting the acoustics of the earphones themselves all going down on the similar time.”
This coupled with engineered shell housings that match the motive force acoustically, and you find yourself with the signature of the Darkish Star.
The standard CFA Litz cable terminated in 3.5mm single-ended comes customary, however a cable swap is barely an MMCX cable away.
Design
Sized to about ¾ of what the Solaris vary is (extra carefully associated to the 2020 vary), the Darkish Star additionally shares the teardrop pear form and colour of the Solaris. Nonetheless utilizing the MMCX connection, the Darkish Star may be manipulated for a superb match with ease.
That MMCX connection additionally bears a protracted, bendable ear hook for a correct match round one’s ear. I’ll admit that readjusting the match for those who take one of many IEMs out takes a bit, type of like an old-school IEM.
Nonetheless, as soon as correctly bent, the match is sort of good, with out the nozzle dropping too deep into my average-sized ear canals.
I just like the refined black colour of CFA IEMs resembling this, and fingerprints are largely stored in verify, however nonetheless current.
Highlighted with silver rings across the nozzle, MMCX space (beryllium copper connection inside), and a vent gap on each the highest and backside add accent to the black including a little bit of demure to the look.
The inlaid “CF” emblem on the flat faceplate is the one giveaway that that is one other CFA product. Besides in fact for the acquainted form.
Thomas mentions that the form of this nozzle matches him effectively, and I agree. A few of late have had overly massive diameter nozzles with fats lips to carry the guidelines in place. CFA frequently appears to get it excellent. They usually have on the Darkish Star for me.
The dimensions of the Darkish Star is one which not solely matches however permits for ease of use whereas doing that ingress/egress factor.
Consolation & Isolation
The Darkish Star lies within the small-medium measurement for IEMs, particularly in comparison with the lineage-linked older Solaris. Mendacity barely smaller than the Solaris 2020 iterations, the match feels excellent.
After attaining the right angle (right down to the entrance) for correct bending of the ear hook, the Darkish Star may be worn for lengthy listening periods.
The steadiness of the Darkish Star holds up very effectively to move motion, and for those who need you’ll be able to regulate the cinch on the cable. I did discover it was fairly arduous to maneuver, so I left it alone but had no motion points.
Passive isolation, particularly with the Mushroom foam suggestions is superb, working into the wonderful vary. With the form and depth of that nozzle, the ear tip of alternative fills the mandatory gaps with out problem, creating an almost silent seal when correctly mounted in your ear.
I did discover that the Darkish Star stands out from my ear greater than I would love, however coupled with the isolating functions, supplied a stable, quiet listening atmosphere.
Ear Suggestions
Utilizing the supplied silicon suggestions afforded a barely deeper insertion into my canal, which was offset by a lesser diploma of isolating capabilities, in comparison with the Mushroom foam suggestions. The Darkish Star not solely match a bit deeper, however extra flush with my ear as effectively.
Sound traits had been modified transferring from the Mushroom to silicon suggestions, as one would count on with a thinner materials and barely bigger bore on the correspondingly same-sized suggestions (massive in each Mushroom and silicon).
I often have a transparent choice in tip alternative when reviewing IEMs, however the Darkish Star takes me again to see the advantages of every sort. The Mushroom suggestions present a deeper attain, with extra bass and higher management of the flicker up high.
The silicon supplied extra transparency, and midrange readability whereas enhancing the flicker within the treble area. However not a lot as to make it more and more piercing.
This can be a uncommon case the place the silicon tip doesn’t improve that top-end sparkle to me however fairly compliments it as a substitute. I appreciated this response since my treble-intolerant tendencies can turn out to be bothersome, even with the most effective treble remedy.
I did bounce between the medium and huge Mushroom suggestions for sonic traits, particularly since the popular massive measurement appeared a smidge too massive in diameter for me.
Inventory Cables
The standard CFA Litz braided cable is available in one alternative: MMCX and three.5mm single-ended. CFA has stood lengthy on the rigidity of such a connection, and sturdiness. There’s a purpose most musicians use MMCX (or the customized equal) connections, and CFA holds quick to that.
A tightly woven 4-strand cable, with black protecting sheathing, lays effectively, with little microphonics. That barely stiffer plastic sheathing additionally means the cable lays fairly effectively with out tangling. A right-angled plastic-coated 3.5mm jack rounds out the supply finish.
As talked about above, the cinch above the Y-splitter may be very arduous to maneuver, and I left it alone, relying upon the right bending of the plastic-sheathed ear hook for correct placement round my ear.
I ended up with one thing much like the previous glasses professors wore, with the ear hook round my ear. The cable lay straight down from the underside of my ear because of this, and out of the best way.
Packaging & Equipment
Campfire Audio has at all times gone its personal route relating to packaging. Starting from easy packing containers, which carry cork-based circumstances, to the venerable “opening flower” packaging they arrive throughout as distinctive, however environment friendly and with function.
The Darkish Star is not any completely different. Coming in a labeled “western-flair” field, which has a burned-in-like look to the lettering, the opening jogs my memory of a bicycle firm of yore (tied to a world-known tire firm), that went its personal route, earlier than individuals fell for different manufacturers.
Easy, with a nod to historical past, the field is precisely what I anticipated from the DROP x CFA mannequin.
Opening the lid, you discover mesh string baggage, as a substitute of a cork case, however this matches the theme to me fairly properly. Inside these string baggage, you discover the next:
- DROP x Campfire Audio Darkish Star
- MMCX Cable
- Mesh carrying pouch
- Cleansing fabric
- Cleansing brush
- Mushroom Foam ear suggestions (S, M, L)
- Silicone ear suggestions (S, M, L)
The mesh carrying pouch can maintain the IEM mesh bag, and numerous suggestions together with one other cable of your alternative and be worn like a coin pouch for those who need. The lengthy string hooked up permits the consumer to maintain the pouch below their clothes or off to the aspect if desired.
There is sufficient to like within the packaging that you could take into account the Darkish Star to be full with none further objects wanted.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
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