By aspect — in detail
Soundstage
Strong consensus · 6 srcThe Andromeda's signature and its least-argued strength. Reviewer after reviewer describes a stage that is genuinely a class above most IEMs — spacious, layered, with unusual depth and an out-of-head openness that made it the set people reach for when they want scale. The one honest caveat is calibration, not dissent: the most measurement-minded voices note it isn't literally 'holographic' or as large as an open-back headphone — it just manages an IEM's limits better than almost anything else.
“the stage is startlingly open, sonic-wall free.”
Precogvision, Headphones.com
“The width and depth afforded on the Andromeda are a class above the vast majority of other IEMs.”
Fc-Construct, Headphones.com
“The Andromeda has a very spacious stage for an in ear monitor, giving a sense of scale to the sound that pushes out of the ear in all directions.”
Jackpot77, Head-Fi
Measured
Fc-Construct qualifies the praise: impressive as the stage is, it 'isn't out-of-your-head good, nor is it holographic' and is nowhere near an open-back — an IEM's limits still apply, the Andromeda just manages them better than most. Precog attributes the effect partly to tuning — the vocals sit further back on the stage, which aids the sense of depth.
Imaging
Strong consensus · 5 srcPraised almost as consistently as the soundstage, and by the same voices. Sources single out precise positional placement and clean separation/layering, with the measurement-minded editorial voice rating its imaging among the best he has heard from any IEM. This is the technical trait that reviewers say justifies the flagship billing more than the frequency response does.
“its imaging capability is up there with the best I’ve heard.”
Precogvision, Headphones.com
“Imaging is precise, helped by the clarity of the presentation and the only-slightly-thicker-than-neutral note weight”
Jackpot77, Head-Fi
Measured
Crinacle grades the Andromeda’s technical performance B+ (overall B). Precog credits its 'positional cues' specifically — where each sound sits on the stage — as an area it excels at, tied to the same tuning that opens the soundstage.
Everyone describes roughly the same shape — warm-neutral, gently U-shaped, musical rather than reference-flat — and no one calls it truly neutral. The labels drift (warm-neutral, warm U, slightly warm) but the description underneath is consistent, and measurements place it well below the Harman IEM target in both bass and pinna gain. The catch that dominates every write-up is that this tonality is not fixed: the Andromeda is extremely source-sensitive, so its balance shifts with the source's output impedance and it hisses easily on less-than-clean outputs.
“The tuning of the Andromeda is best described as warm-neutral with a splash of treble brilliance.”
Fc-Construct, Headphones.com
“Andro has lower ear gain tuning from 2k comparing to most Chi-Fi, Harman-inspired IEMs that people are used to today. This tuning is a reason behind its large soundstage.”
o0genesis0o, r/headphones
Measured
Crinacle files the 2020 under 'Warm neutral' (Tone B), and the original/(S) as 'Warm U-shape' — 'Basically an Andromeda without the treble spike and slightly boosted midrange.' The defining objective fact is the source interaction: with a ~12.8 Ω, multi-BA impedance swing and very high sensitivity, the FR leans out on high-output-impedance sources and gains bass/warmth as impedance drops — reviewers recommend a source under ~1 Ω (or an impedance-matching adapter) to hear the intended tuning and kill the hiss.
The most-argued sonic aspect, and the split is partly taste and partly which Andromeda you heard. One camp — the original-unit reviewer and owners — hears clean, textured, well-controlled BA bass with enough weight for anyone who isn't chasing quantity. The other — the measurement-minded 2020 reviewers and the set's critics — hears a soft, light low end that lacks sub-bass authority and slam, calling it the weak link or outright anemic. Both are describing the same all-armature trait: quality and speed without a dynamic driver's physical push.
Measured
Measurements put the Andromeda below the Harman IEM bass shelf, and its low end is carried by two balanced armatures, not a dynamic driver — so the 'clean but light' character is a driver-type limit, not only a tuning choice. Even the positive camp concedes the sub-bass rolls off in quantity: Head-Fi's Jackpot77 calls it 'one of the areas that the Andromeda is weaker in,' and antdroidx's single complaint is that 'it did not have an elevated deep sub-bass.' The split is over whether that matters, not over what's there.
⚠ vs. listeners — The graph doesn't settle it because the disagreement is about preference: the same modest, no-slam low end reads as tasteful restraint to a non-basshead and as a deal-breaking lack of authority to someone who wants rumble. It also tracks the source — a low-impedance output adds back some of the bass a high-impedance one strips away.
Where it splits
Clean, quality BA bass — controlled and textured, and plenty unless you're a basshead.53%
“I love how CA tuned the Andromeda bass. Thick, weighted, and more forward sounding but resisting any temptation to overcook the mid-bass and instead it keeps everything controlled and deep.”
Marcus, Headfonics
Soft and anemic — light on sub-bass, lacking a dynamic driver's authority and slam.47%
“Andromeda 2020’s low-end simply lacks authority, presence relative to a good dynamic driver IEM.”
Precogvision, Headphones.com
Generally a highlight, with a revision wrinkle. The original Andromeda's TAEC-fed treble is its calling card — sparkly, airy and extended, 'the star of the show' to reviewers who love it, though a mid-treble peak made it polarizing and occasionally sibilant for the treble-sensitive. The 2020 revision deliberately smoothed that peak into a more relaxed response. Net across sources the treble is a strength; how hot it reads depends on which version you heard, your source, and your own sensitivity.
“the treble tuning of the Andromeda is the star of the show.”
Fc-Construct, Headphones.com
“if you are a fan of clean, sparkling treble, you won’t find much on the market that can do it better than the Andromeda.”
Jackpot77, Head-Fi
“Campfire Audio has removed that polarizing, mid-treble spike, and I hear a fairly smooth treble response.”
Precogvision, Headphones.com
Measured
Crinacle describes the 2020 as 'Basically an Andromeda without the treble spike' — the original measured a mid-treble peak (around 8–9 kHz on IEC-711 rigs, where coupler resonance also inflates that region) that the revision tames. The TAEC tubeless resonator is credited by every source for the extension and air up top; Fc-Construct notes some peaks 'may lead to some sibilance' depending on your sensitivity.
Broadly liked, and improved by the revision. Reviewers describe a natural, clear, warm-neutral midrange with body — vocals rendered life-like and sitting neither forward nor buried. The main nuance is historical: the original Andromeda's upper mids were recessed enough that some heard vocals as pulled back, which the 2020 lifted with proper pinna compensation. A minority still find the lower mids a touch thick or the tuning a shade too warm.
“the midrange is an exceptionally accomplished piece of tuning, presenting body and detail in equal measure.”
Jackpot77, Head-Fi
“the Andromeda 2020’s upper-midrange notes are delivered with quite the clarity while maintaining sufficient body.”
Precogvision, Headphones.com
“Spacious, smooth, and with plenty of detail.”
Marcus, Headfonics
Measured
Fc-Construct ties the improvement to the revision: 'The upper mids has been elevated compared to the original Andromeda to a level such that vocals have clarity and aren't totally buried.' Precog, who disliked the original's mids, credits the 2020's added pinna compensation — the same lift Crinacle notes as the 'slightly boosted midrange.'
Rated good, resolving and clean — but not the class-leader its price implies, which reviewers are candid about. Sources credit strong clarity and transient speed, helped by the open presentation, yet the measurement grade and the most price-conscious editorial voice both place its resolution a rung below the true kilobuck detail kings. It resolves well; it doesn't out-resolve the field.
“The sound produced by the 5xBA setup from the Portland manufacturer is beautifully balanced, tonally accurate and superbly clear.”
Jackpot77, Head-Fi
“Resolution is excellent but not to the next level when coming from mid-fi like you would expect when crossing the thousand-dollar threshold.”
Fc-Construct, Headphones.com
Measured
Crinacle grades its technical performance B+ — strong, not top-of-class. Precog independently praises the transient speed and layering ('layering has ample air to distinguish between notes') while framing the Andromeda's real edge as imaging rather than raw resolution.
Comfortable for most, polarizing for some — and it comes down to the angular shell. Many reviewers find the light aluminium body disappears in the ear for hours; others are bothered by the sharp machined edges, which can dig in over long sessions. It's tip-dependent and ear-shape dependent, so it rewards trying before buying more than a rounded shell would.
“I find the Andromeda to be one of the most comfortable IEMs I’ve tried. Once I put them on, they practically disappeared except for the tight seal of the IEM.”
Fc-Construct, Headphones.com
“there is something about the sharp metal edges that just gives a little reminder every now and again that you have something stuck in the holes around the side of your head.”
Jackpot77, Head-Fi
“some friends have mentioned that the Andromeda’s fit is still uncomfortable to them”
Precogvision, Headphones.com
Measured
The shell is a single machined-aluminium body with a short 6 mm nozzle; Campfire chamfered the edges over the years to soften the fit, but the geometry stays angular. Every source that raises comfort ties it to that shape and to tip choice, not to weight.
Premium and distinctive, with one recurring gripe. The single machined-aluminium shell earns steady praise as robust, tank-like and unmistakably industrial, and the 2020's single-body process is meant to reduce failure points. The standing complaint is the finish: the emerald-green anodizing is widely reported to chip with use — Campfire includes a protective pouch for exactly that reason.
“The build gives off a very robust impression”
Precogvision, Headphones.com
“it is a known issue that the paint chips on Campfire Audio’s products, hence the reason for the included protective shell pouch.”
Fc-Construct, Headphones.com
“The Andromeda 2020 has a tighter, mored dampened and more controlled feel.”
Gabby Bloch, MajorHiFi
Measured
The shell is anodised aluminium (Campfire's 'zirconium-blasted' green) with stainless nozzle grilles and beryllium-copper MMCX sockets; the 2020 moved to a single printed body. MajorHiFi, an OG owner, notes both the reliability rationale and that the practical sonic gains from the revision are real but marginal — 'the tuning hasn't changed.'
Isolation
Moderate · 3 srcGood, if lightly covered. The sealed aluminium shell isolates well for a universal IEM — enough for office or library noise to disappear once music plays — and stays put once seated. Only a few sources rate it directly, so treat it as a solid pointer rather than a headline.
“Isolation is also quite good. For low level noise like in a library or office, you likely won’t hear anything once music is playing.”
Fc-Construct, Headphones.com
“the Andromeda design is very good in terms of stability and isolation”
Jackpot77, Head-Fi
Measured
A fully sealed, non-vented BA design — isolation is passive and tip-dependent. Marcus rates the seal 'well above average,' ahead of the SE846 and IE800 he compares it against.
Dynamics
Contested · 6 srcA genuine split, and it tracks who's listening. The measurement-minded reviewers hear dynamic compression — an all-BA set that struggles with quiet-to-loud swing and lacks slam, always 'firing at full-tilt.' Owners and the original-unit reviewer hear something engaging and lively enough to carry the music. Both are downstream of the same thing: BA drivers deliver speed and control but not a dynamic driver's macro-dynamic push.
Measured
The dynamics knock comes from the two highest-weight, most measurement-minded sources (Precog and Fc-Construct, who calls the dynamics 'nothing to write home about'); the defenders are owners and the 2016 review. The mechanism both sides describe is the all-BA setup — fast and controlled, but without the physical slam a dynamic driver provides.
Where it splits
Compressed and flat — it doesn't do slam or dynamic swing as well as a kilobuck IEM should.56%
“The Andromeda 2020 simply doesn’t do dynamics - either detail or slam oriented - as well as I’d expect.”
Precogvision, Headphones.com
Engaging and lively enough — the technical presentation carries the music.44%
“I am impressed most by it's technical performance in the area of layering of instruments, dynamics and imaging.”
antdroidx, r/headphones
The 'is it still worth it?' debate in miniature, and the largest camp says the unique staging earns it. Supporters — including the reviewer who calls the imaging an experience nothing else replicates — argue the Andromeda's soundstage/imaging X-factor is what a flagship is for, and it has held its price and reputation for years. The dissent is explicitly about the calendar: the market has matured, sub-$1,000 sets close much of the gap, and it is no longer the game-changer the original was. The light bass recurs on the skeptical side.
Measured
Priced $1,099 from 2016 launch and still around that today — unusually stable for a flagship IEM. Crinacle ranks it overall B. Even its supporters hedge the price: Fc-Construct reckons that 'if the Andromeda was $700, it'd be very competitive,' and that the kilobuck ask is buying the unique experience rather than raw performance-per-dollar.
Where it splits
Worth it — the staging and imaging are an experience nothing else quite replicates.67%
“No other IEM has the same stellar combination of soundstage, imaging, and layering.”
Fc-Construct, Headphones.com
Hard to justify now — the field caught up and it's no longer the game-changer the original was.33%
“it would be a stretch (a fat one) to consider the Andromeda 2020 a game changer like the original was.”
Precogvision, Headphones.com
