Campfire Fathom vs Supermoon Comparison Review

If you’ve been looking at IEMs around $1,000, then you’ve probably already seen the Campfire Audio Supermoon, as well as their new Fathom. Under the hood, these two in-ears don’t have much in common. Their driver configurations and designs couldn’t be more different. Yet they are strikingly similar in price and sound signature. In this article, we’ll break down what’s similar and what’s different in the two IEMs. 

What’s in the box: 

Fit & Feel

As long as I’ve known of Campfire, they’ve been producing some of the best-built IEMs on the market. The Fathom and Supermoon are no different. However, they are different beasts entirely. The Fathom goes for a more traditional Campfire look. It’s crafted from machined aluminum in a dark, black, bright-dipped anodized finish and its MMCX connectors are painted in a purple/blue reflective color. They are durable like any other Campfire IEM and, in my opinion, a sight to behold. They fit very nicely in the ear and are lightweight enough to be comfortable for long listening periods. 

The Supermoon, however, skews away from the classic Campfire aesthetic. Pulling from its CIEM roots, it eschews tradition for a more ergonomic design. I should mention that this IEM was dropped as part of the “Chromatic Series” and thus comes in a beautiful orange color. However, our review unit is the black version. The body is 3D printed to get its ergonomic housing, but unlike the Fathom, the Supermoon is quite big as it houses a 14mm planar magnetic driver (we’ll get to that in a bit). 

In my listening, I found the Supermoon to be a bit more cumbersome than the Fathom. That said, the Supermoon’s fit is a bit more flush in my ear. If I had to choose based on fit alone, I would probably lean towards the Fathom, but I think the ergonomics of the Supermoon make it a solid choice as well. 

Design

Okay, this is where the IEMs get quite different. The Fathom uses six custom made balanced armature drivers to get its sound. It’s a wildly different approach than the 14mm planar magnetic driver found in the Supermoon. Both IEMs come with Campfire’s Time Stream cables (both balanced and unbalanced options), which is a really nice touch. They don’t tangle, have no microphonics, and sound pretty darn good too. 

Soundstage

The Fathom and Supermoon have different approaches to soundstage. The Supermoon is wide and has a great sense of depth. I was impressed with its sense of space and ability to put detail in the proper locations. On the other hand, the Fathom is a little bit more intimate. It doesn’t quite go as wide or deep as the Supermoon. However, it does still maintain a good sense of imaging within the stereo field it creates. All in all, if you want an IEM that gives you a wider soundstage, the Supermoon is probably a better option. But if you like a more intimate soundstage with accurate imaging, the Fathom does a great job with that. 

Lows

Given the differences in driver design, you’d think the sound signatures of these IEMs would be quite different. However, these IEMs are closer in sound than you’d think. However, they’re not exactly the same. The Fathom goes for a rounder, less emphasized bass. They’re a smooth IEM so the bass notes come in as rather rounded off and deliberate. This isn’t a slamming low end experience like other IEMs Campfire produces. It’s an accurate and delicate bass response that looks to relax rather than create a scene. 

On the other hand, the Supermoon is a bit punchier and dynamic in its low end rumble. With its more linear sound signature, the bass takes up more space relative to other frequencies and thus feels a bit more forward. The sub bass, though, is what is most impressive on the Supermoon. It can get way down there when called for. 

Overall, I’d describe the bass as a bit polite on the Fathom and somewhat punchier and deeper on the Supermoon, though they aren’t too different when all is said and done. 

Mids

The Fathom is a mid-forward IEM. With that, you get great vocal detail and instrument separation in the midrange. However that also makes these a bit on the warmer side and prone to bloat, specifically in the midbass transitional area. That said, if you like a mid forward IEM, this will definitely do it for you. Listening to vocals on the Fathom made for an incredible experience.

Comparatively, the Supermoon has a more laid back midrange. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still there with great detail as well. But due to the more linear nature of the Supermoon, you don’t get the same mid-forward experience as you do with the Fathom.

Frankly, the midrange is the great separator of these IEMs in my opinion. A midrange lover will definitely want to opt for the Fathom, whereas someone who wants the mids to sing but without being too forward will probably like the Supermoon better. 

Highs

Finally, we get to the top end of the IEMs. Like I’ve said earlier, the Fathom is a warm IEM, and that means that highs are a little rolled off. This is a very smooth listening experience with the treble getting a little bit of a veil. This can be nice to the midrange aficionado who wants that smooth, delicate sound. But if you’re looking for an even or forward treble response, you’ll want to look elsewhere. 

That elsewhere may just be the Supermoon. With its planar-magnetic driver, it’s just a bit airier and more crisp than the Fathom. That said, I wouldn’t say this is a treble-head’s IEM. Like the bass and mids, this is a linear IEM. You’ll get an accurate and present treble response, but nothing that will blow your mind. 

Summary

To the naked eye, Campfire Audio’s Fathom and Supermoon bear little resemblance to each other. There are some design features that you’ll definitely want to take into account like fit and ergonomics. However when it comes to sound, I felt that both go for a neutral-warm sound signature, just to different depths. That means if you want a mid-forward and soft approach that leans closer to warm, the Fathom is more up your alley. And if you want things to lean more towards neutral, with more bass and treble presence, then your best bet is the Supermoon.