As an audiophile always on the hunt for the next great in-ear monitor (IEM), I recently had the opportunity to compare two high-end offerings: the Campfire Astrolith and the Fir Audio E12. Both of these IEMs sit in the premium price range, offering unique features and sound signatures that cater to similar preferences. In this article, I'll dive deep into my experiences with both, comparing their design, comfort, sound quality, and overall value.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

Design and Build Quality

The Campfire Astrolith immediately catches the eye with its Star Trek-inspired chrome design. The triangular faceplate and ergonomic housing give it a futuristic look that's sure to turn heads. However, I found the chrome finish to be a bit ostentatious and prone to fingerprints. While the appearance is subjective, I personally felt it was a bit too flashy for my taste.

In contrast, the Fir Audio E12 takes a more customizable approach. Its CNC gray aluminum shell serves as a blank canvas, allowing users to personalize their IEMs with removable faceplates. The stock abalone faceplate strikes a balance between ornate and organic, but the ability to swap it out is a fantastic touch, especially for an IEM under $2000. This feature gives the E12 an edge in terms of aesthetics, as you can tailor its look to your preferences.

Comfort and Fit

Both IEMs offer excellent comfort, but with slight differences. The Campfire Astrolith provides a flush fit that hugs the ear, and I found it easy to achieve a good seal after some tip-rolling. The cable wraps around the ear comfortably, contributing to a secure fit during extended listening sessions.

The Fir Audio E12 feels very similar to 64 Audio IEMs in its fit. I noticed that Campfire's heavier cable hugs the ear more, while Fir Audio's lighter cable still allows for a good seal. In terms of comfort, I'd say these two IEMs are tied, with fit varying depending on your unique earshape.

Driver Technology

The Campfire Astrolith employs a dual-driver planar magnetic setup, featuring a 14.2mm planar driver coupled with a 6mm planar tweeter. This configuration is impressive for a $2200 IEM, and I'm certain we'll see similar designs in future Campfire products. The use of stainless steel outer components and a 3D printed AAOI Polymer body contributes to its unique sound characteristics.

On the other hand, the Fir Audio E12 opts for a single 12mm Electro-Dynamic driver. The chassis is designed around this driver to deliver deep bass frequencies, while the Atom air venting system extends the bass in a natural yet powerful way. I found this approach intriguing, as it aims to achieve a speaker-like bass response in an IEM form factor.

Connectivity and Accessories

Both IEMs come well-equipped in terms of accessories. The Campfire Astrolith includes both 4.4mm and 3.5mm MMCX cables, allowing for use with various devices. Its ultra-low THD promises transparency and fast transients.

The Fir Audio E12 introduces the SwapX 2-Pin system, which extends the lifespan of the connection. I believe this feature should be standard on any IEM above $1000, as it addresses a common point of failure in expensive IEMs. The E12 also boasts a super sensitive 16-ohm impedance, making it easy to drive from a phone or laptop, though a dedicated DAC or dongle will still bring out its best performance.

Bass

The bass response is where these two IEMs start to diverge significantly. The Campfire Astrolith delivers a deep, forward bass with good extension of low-end frequencies. When listening to "My Meds Aren't Working" by Dystopia, I noticed how the clean guitars and bass perfectly showcase the pushed bass response. It's not the most natural timbre, but it's ideal for bass lovers who don't want to sacrifice detail.

However, this emphasis on bass can sometimes be overwhelming. In Meshuggah's "Broken Cog," I found the downtuned 8-string guitars and deep kick drums could get muddy at times, clearly showing the IEM's focus on bass tuning. The mid-bass forwardness doesn’t pair perfectly with all mixes, but is a welcome addition to live and acoustic tracks.

The Fir Audio E12 takes a more balanced approach to bass. It still delivers a deep low-end, but it doesn't poke out as much as the Astrolith. I appreciated the more natural timbre in the low-end, which doesn't overlap with mid-focused sounds. Revisiting "Broken Cog," I noticed a cleaner delivery of bass and low-pitched drums, with nothing getting lost or muddy the way it sometimes did on the Astrolith.

Mids

In the midrange, I found the Fir Audio E12 to be more impressive. Voices come through clearer than on the Astrolith, with a warm and resounding quality. There's enough clarity from the driver to give some detail to vocals, guitars, synths, and mid-ranged drums. It's not the most analytical sound, but that's not the focus here.

I particularly enjoyed how the E12 handled guitars, giving them a great growl without sounding muddy. When listening to "Photograph" by Def Leppard, the crunchy guitars had a fantastic bite and force without overtaking the mix. The timbre is above average, allowing voices to cut through effectively.

The Campfire Astrolith, on the other hand, can sometimes struggle with its midrange presentation. I noticed that mid layers can get boxy at times due to an emphasis in the 400 Hz - 800 Hz range. Voices can occasionally get lost depending on the instrumentation and mix. However, I found it performed particularly well with live or acoustic recordings, which often lack low-end or are mixed brighter to showcase performance nuances.

Highs

Neither of these IEMs are sibilant, which I appreciate for long listening sessions. The Fir Audio E12 brings enough detail to emphasize the warmth of the IEM without pushing the treble unnaturally. Cymbals have average attack but leave space for other elements in the mix. While it's not the most analytical treble, it's pleasant and helps clear up potential muddiness in bass-heavy tracks.

The Campfire Astrolith's treble response left me wishing for a bit more clarity. While there's still detail added to the bass, some texture or nuances can get lost at times. To be fair, the bass here is something unlike what I’ve ever heard before. It's a highly colored sound that will appeal to a select group of listeners. I found cymbals to have a strong recession, making it difficult to discern stick attacks and micro harmonics in instrumentation.

Soundstage and Imaging

Both IEMs present a relatively intimate soundstage, which might disappoint those looking for a wide, expansive sound. The Fir Audio E12's deep bass response can make the imaging a bit hazy at times, and I didn't find the soundstage particularly impressive for an IEM at this price point. Sounds with lots of reverb or delay had difficulty traveling, though there was good verticality that brought out the best in some music.

The Campfire Astrolith fares slightly better in this department. While it shares similar issues with bass sometimes obscuring clarity in the soundstage, I found it overall wider and more analytical thanks to its 6mm tweeter. However, neither IEM offers particularly impressive holographic qualities.

I tested both IEMs with different sources, including the iFi go-bar and the iBasso D16. With the go-bar, I found the soundstage a bit too shallow, while the D16 provided better width but might be overkill for these sensitive IEMs. Considering most users will likely pair these with small portable amps or dongles, the somewhat underwhelming soundstage performance is worth noting.

Conclusion

After extensive testing, I've come to appreciate both the Campfire Astrolith and the Fir Audio E12 for their unique qualities. The Campfire Astrolith will appeal to bass enthusiasts who want a fun, engaging listen without completely sacrificing detail. Its futuristic design is sure to turn heads, though some may find it a bit too flashy.

The Fir Audio E12, on the other hand, offers a more balanced approach with excellent midrange performance and customizable aesthetics. Its more natural bass response and clear vocal presentation make it a versatile choice for various genres.

Ultimately, the choice between these two IEMs will come down to personal preference. If you're a bass lover who enjoys a colored sound signature and doesn't mind a more intimate soundstage, the Campfire Astrolith might be your perfect match. However, if you prefer a more balanced sound with excellent midrange clarity and the ability to customize your IEM's look, the Fir Audio E12 could be the better choice.

Both IEMs represent the high end of personal audio technology, showcasing what's possible in the world of portable high-fidelity sound. While they may not be perfect, they each offer unique listening experiences that will satisfy discerning audiophiles looking for something special in their next IEM purchase.