Have You Seen These IEMs? Campfire Audio Iris Review

The highly anticipated Campfire Audio Iris IEMs have arrived at Audio46. This is an in-ear monitor that people have been excited about ever since its release was announced. Now, I've had the privilege to listen to it and give my full analysis of the Iris. This IEM retails for only $349, and it boasts incredible value for being under the $500 price point. Does the Iris outperform other high-end Campfire Audio IEMs? Or does it stand in its own class as a midrange device? This review will do a deep dive into all the details and give a comparison to what Campfire already has on the table. 

Like every other IEM in the Campfire Audio lineup, the Iris displays expert craftsmanship. The shell is compact and smaller than Campfire's other models, also displaying a transparent design that allows you to see the wiring inside. The look is more industrial and definitely mechanical, but it is still subtle so as not stand out too much during use. The Time Stream cable matches the silver on the Iris and makes the whole set look sleek and uniform. I found the Iris to be super comfortable during use, and with the variety of eartips provided, finding the right seal was simple and easy. The included silicone tips were a favorite, though I very much liked using the Final Type E eartips as well for personal comfort and familiarity. 

As mentioned before, the Iris comes with a lot of different accessories. With this IEM, you'll be set for easy integration into whatever your listening setup looks like. There are two cables, one with a 3.5mm and the other with a 4.4mm. You can easily change them by connecting the Iris via the MMCX connection. I used a couple different DACs and amplifiers with this IEM, such as the FiiO KA11 and the iFi GO Blu Air. Both were perfect for driving the Iris with ease. 

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Now onto the listening. I listened to the Iris all day, and I have to say: this was a fun one. The Iris has a fairly wide signature, though I noticed it was narrower than some other IEMs I have listened to. The width was good for instrument placement, as it was easy to pinpoint their positions in the sound signature. There wasn't a huge separation of instruments in the soundstage, but it was enough distinction between frequency ranges so you could appreciate all the elements of the signature. One element that was separated out nicely was the punchy bass, and the vocals got pushed forwards so you could hear the main melodies of a lot of modern tracks. 

My first thought after beginning to listen was how dynamic the signature was, especially with the punchy bass and sharp highs. The Iris is nowhere near neutral, and is definitely made for those who want a fun listening experience. The midrange was only slightly recessed, but it didn't make instruments hidden or lost completely. I wouldn't be recommending the Iris for studio use or mixing on the go; instead, the Iris would be perfect for the budding audiophile trying to build their collection of IEMs. It is a great addition as a fun tuning to engage you in your music more than the average IEM. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

The Iris has a bass that is super strong. Especially at loud volumes, there is a noticeable added punch in the low end. In genres like pop, EDM, or rock, the bass extends out to fill out the bottom of the signature and create a really thick low end. I liked the sub-bass extension in modern tracks, where strong MIDI drums hit low notes that would otherwise be imperceptible. People who like strong bass responses will certainly be a fan of the Iris. The coloration of bass drums and low guitars is clear and distinct. Instruments are honest to their timbres with added precision to grab your attention throughout listening. I found myself really liking bass guitars in the Iris. The separate notes and tonal clarity made it really enjoyable to listen to for long periods of time. I could see how the strong bass may become overwhelming, but if you have the right DAC to dampen it slightly, the detail and clarity is still there with slightly less attack. 

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

The midrange on the Iris is really well detailed. I was a big fan of the vocal clarity and forwardness of voices. Everything else was kind of transparent and almost got pushed a bit backwards, which was an interesting thing to listen to. It kept my attention and had me focused on my listening more than I anticipated. I will say, it was a bit odd to hear other melodic instruments fall backwards, and the U-shaped signature was something I had to get used to. Over time, I found that my ears became more accustomed to where to find certain instruments and began to enjoy the placement more and more. I appreciated how timbres were honest and while they may not have been the most neutral, they were dynamic. Vocals stood out amongst everything with powerful precision and presentation. I appreciated that the Iris didn't go completely flat or typical in its tuning, and found away to keep listeners engaged and intrigued. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

To round out the signature, the Iris has a treble end that is bright and very colorful. The high end has powerful brightness that lightens what would have been a very bass-heavy overall signature. The treble is sharp with detail and does not shy away from highlighting the minute elements in a track. If you are sensitive to sharp treble, the Iris may be a bit overwhelming on a first listen. The sharp attack of strings and high cymbals was something I had to get used to. Still, this harshness balanced out the punchiness and low thrum from the bass frequencies. The dynamic balance and drive matches from one extreme to the other, so the overall listening experience is fun and entertaining above all. 

As one of Campfire more affordable IEMs, it wouldn't feel fair to put it up against other monitors in their line. Still, there are some options you could put it up against to see how it compares. The Campfire Axion, retailing for $249, offers great value for being an IEM that terminates right to USB-C. For a lower price point, the Axion offers more day-to-day office use than the Iris does. The Iris puts itself in the category of a listening IEM more than something for your daily phone calls or direct phone usage. 

Once we put the Iris in that circle, we next look at what you could get for more. Is the Iris a better value? Does it offer just a good of a listening experience as some of the higher end Campfire IEMs? I listened to IEMs like the Bonneville and the Supermoon, and its clear that those two IEMs are superior to the Iris. You get more detail, clarity, and the soundstage is far more immersive at the higher price. Against models like the Alien Brain or the Moon Rover, the Iris wins points for better comfort and a sleeker design. After all my listening, I would put the Iris in its own class and say its an excellent value for the under $500 price point. It is a closer race against IEMs at the same price by Final Audio or Letshuoer. 

The Campfire Iris is truly a one-of-a-kind IEM. While its dynamic and finely tuned sound signature may not be everyone's cup of tea, I am sure there will be listeners who enjoy the punchy bass and forward vocals. The treble detail expands throughout the signature, and the powerful bass makes any high-energy song get an extra boost. For under $500, the Iris is a great listening experience for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. 

You can get the Campfire Iris at Audio46 today.