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Campfire Audio Lyra IEM Review – Beryllium Powered IEM To Enjoy Your Music

Testing and Subjective Listening

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My initial experience with the Campfire Audio Lyra was actually not a smooth sailing at first. Right out of the box, I had to test each different tips to see which one will best fit my ears. With universal IEMs, I usually go for soft silicone tips as they the most comfortable to my ears and they seal better compared to foam tips. I’m not used to foam or even Comply tips. But this time, I won’t be using the silicone tips with the Lyra. Allow me to explain further.

Right out of the box and using the silicone tip, I didn’t like how the Lyra sounded. The highs were sharp, the mids sound like it’s out of place and the bass seemed off. I am aware that IEMs like this needs a good amount of burn in period, so I let it “burn” for several hours and days. In my experience, there are three things that you need to do in order for you to fully enjoy the Lyra. First was the burn in process, a really good amount of burn in period, at least for this specific Lyra (which I have done already). Second, is making sure that the tuned port or the vent holes are not covered when you are wearing them. You have to wear them in such a way that no part of your ear gets in the way of the tuned port. It’s not so difficult to achieve thanks to the location of the tuned ports. If the tuned ports are covered, the bass becomes thin. That means so have to slightly adjust the position of the Lyra on your ear. Finally, you have to decide which tips you would prefer aside from choosing the right size for your ears. Why? Because the overall sound characteristic of the Campfire Lyra is somehow unique, in a good way, and the tips somehow has an effect on its sound quality.

The Campfire Lyra is overall a warm sounding IEM. It’s fun to listen with, rich and musical with a good amount of extension from the bass region that extends well to the high frequencies. Using the silicone tip will reveal more of the higher frequencies, and to my ears some notes on some tracks are just sibilant. Well not too sibilant, but I think it’s in the border line or at least near. I’m not fond of treble spikes and sharp sound. Now using the Comply Tx-400 foam tips (with filters) actually helped tone down the high frequencies without losing much on the details. To my ears I think the Lyra is best paired with the Comply tips.

The bass on the Campfire Lyra is rich, full bodied and well rounded. It’s low enough to produce that deep voice, low resounding notes, and rumbling sounds. It’s also smooth and controlled so it doesn’t interfere with the mids and higher frequencies. The bass doesn’t bleed and are very much tamed to my ears. However, if you are a bass head I think you might find the bass lacking or you might be missing that boomy-ness. I’m not a basshead so to my ears the bass is just right with a good amount of impact and slam. It’s enough to make your body moving and it’s definitely well suited to genres like EDMs, techno, dance, trance and the likes.

The mids are clear, lush sounding, rich and full bodied as well. It’s not too forward and certainly not veiled. The mids are tuned in such a way that the Lyra will make your ears enjoy the artist’s voice and have an intimate experience. Vocals are definitely enjoyed thanks to its clarity and is no way muddled by the lower frequencies. When I used the silicone tip, there is already a hint of sibilance specially on the upper midrange to lower-highs. That’s why my preference is to stick with the Comply Tx-400 to smoothen those sudden spikes in the upper frequencies. Don’t get me wrong, the Lyra is not a sibilant IEM, and it’s not analytical or technical as well. But like I said earlier, using the silicone tips may reveal some of those spikes. The highs on the Lyra also exhibit a good amount of sparkle with fast decay.

Soundstage and imaging are surprisingly good in the Campfire Lyra. I don’t usually expect this on an IEM, but while listening to the The Witcher III Wild Hunt OST, there are sounds that just pops from left and right, top and bottom; as if those sounds where coming from my shoulder area. The Lyra also exhibits a good amount of layering and 3-dimensional feeling. This is probably why Campfire Audio insisted on using a ceramic enclosure to achieve this level of detail, soundstaging and imaging.

With the Campfire Lyra I definitely enjoyed Lindsey Stirling’s music; it’s surprisingly fun, lively and musical. Forget critical listening, I think the Lyra is not made for that anyway.

Price and Availability

The Campfire Lyra earphone comes with a retail price of $749 and can be purchased directly from Campfire Audio site here. The Lyra also comes with a 1 year warranty from the company.

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Campfire Audio Lyra Review: Conclusion

When ALO Audio decided to venture on IEMs or earphones, they did their R&D right. The Campfire Audio Lyra is a well-designed and well thought earphone. The sound quality is there, it’s really there and I am impressed. I became addicted with IEMs driven with balanced armature drivers, and I thought I wouldn’t look back at dynamic driven IEMs anymore. The Lyra is definitely different and unique, and has made me enjoy and experience my music from a different perspective. Something that I have not heard before.

Build quality is top notch and the craftsmanship is superb. It’s great that the Lyra features a detachable cable; unlike some (more expensive) IEMs that doesn’t have a removable cable. At this price range, I think it’s a must for an IEM to have a removable cable. So that when cable breaks, you can easily replace it. Even the included cable and the leather pouch are of high quality and premium grade.

The Lyra is generally a musical, enjoyable and fun earphone, and it’s very dynamic. It was created so that people could enjoy and listen to the music, and not the earphone. It’s not an analytical IEM that most audiophiles used to audition and evaluate a source, but it’s an IEM for audiophiles and music lovers who want to enjoy their music and relax. I personally enjoyed the Lyra, and it has been my to-go IEM since.

Overall, the Campfire Lyra is among my top picks and it certainly deserves the award. If you are out there, looking above the stars, thinking what earphone should you try or get next. Don’t look above, Campfire Audio has forged the Lyra. Go ahead and give it a try.

thepcenthusiast editor's choice award

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Author
Peter Paul
Peter is a PC enthusiast and avid gamer with several years of hands-on experience in testing and reviewing PC components, audio equipment, and various tech devices. He offers a genuine, no-nonsense perspective, helping consumers make informed choices in the ever-changing world of technology.

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