Campfire Audio Satsuma evaluate: Unique design, fabulous sound

Campfire Audio is a Portland-based audio producer that specializes in the high-end class. While maximum of its IEMs value north of $600, it now provides a couple of merchandise that retail for less than $300. The Satsuma is the most recent addition in that class, with the IEMs retailing for $200.

There’s no scarcity of superb choices on this class, and for its phase, the Satsuma has a novel design that stands proud, and the balanced armature (BA) motive force delivers a full of life bass and colourful mid-range. 

So if you are out there for brand new IEMs and are eyeing the $200 class, here is what you wish to have to understand in regards to the Satsuma.

Campfire Audio Satsuma: Price and world availability

Campfire Audio introduced the Satsuma again in July 2021 along the Honeydew, with each merchandise aimed on the sub-$300 class. The Satsuma retails for $199 in North America, and it’s to be had from Amazon, B&H, Newegg, and different primary shops. You should buy it at once at Campfire Audio.

The Satsuma prices £199 ($250) in the United Kingdom and is to be had at Amazon and native audio shops. In India, it’s recently promoting for ₹15,999 ($206). As is generally the case for IEMs, you get a two-year guaranty as usual.

Campfire Audio Satsuma: What you can love

Campfire Audio’s IEMs stand out due to their unique designs, and that is the reason in particular true for the Satsuma. The earbuds have a shiny orange hue that appears beautiful, and they are gentle and comfy. The shell design options numerous sculpted edges at the faceplate, however the inside hollow space is ergonomic, and the have compatibility is comfy for all-day use.

Other than the Campfire Audio brand at the faceplate, the design is devoid of any branding, and the comfy have compatibility makes the Satsuma nice for on a regular basis listening. These earbuds are at the smaller aspect, and as such I used to be in a position to discover a protected have compatibility with nice sound isolation. 

The primary explanation why for the light-weight design is that the shell is produced from ABS plastic and no longer metal or aluminum just like the Fiio FA7S or different merchandise on this section, however you do not get the sensation that those are finances IEMs — some distance from it.

The have compatibility and end is on par with merchandise that value three times as a lot, and Campfire Audio did a very good task bringing its distinctive design aesthetic over to the sub-$200 class. While the shell itself is plastic, the sound nozzles are milled out of metal, and you can to find a big selection of reminiscence foam and Final Audio silicone eartips within the field. You additionally get a top quality wearing case.

The Smoky Lite Litz cable that is bundled with the IEM has silver-coated copper conductors encased in an outer sheath that is sturdy, and the cable leads to a stereo 3.5mm jack and connects to the Satsuma by way of MMCX connectors.

The Satsuma characteristic a ported BA motive force, and with an impedance of 46.4 Ohms and sensitivity of 94dB, they want slightly extra energy than different IEMs on this section. That mentioned, using those earbuds is not a subject, and transportable DACs just like the Bolt with integrated amplification set up to do an ok task. I used the Satsuma with the Fiio K5 Pro and the Schiit Modi 3/Magni Heresy, and with those resources, the earbuds got here alive.

The full-range BA ported motive force is housed in a 3-d revealed acoustic chamber that is designed to maximise the driving force’s attainable, and it makes numerous distinction. For something, bass is full of life, and also you get a punchy low-end that is nice for those who concentrate to bass-heavy tracks. There is a good quantity of rumble right here, however on the similar time, it is not overbearing or competitive. The mid-bass specifically may be very delicate, with snares and drum kicks shining thru.

The mid-range is the place the Satsuma in point of fact delivers, with a number of presence, readability, and element. The tonality is at the hotter aspect, and vocals some thru with excellent bushes and frame. There’s an airiness to the sound that lends itself really well to jazz and classical recordings.

The treble is clean with a number of element, and whilst the Satsuma favors upper frequencies, it does not get too shiny or harsh. That makes it a really perfect selection if you need detailed highs that do not sound too overbearing.

Campfire Audio Satsuma: What wishes paintings

There is not anything else at fault with the Campfire Audio Satsuma at a technical degree. The design is slightly at the flashy aspect and might not be to everybody’s tastes, however the construct high quality is excellent, and they are light-weight to make use of. 

Coming to the sound, the one house the place I discovered any deficiencies used to be the decrease treble; it is not as detailed as the opposite frequencies, and in consequence it loses out to its opponents on this class. 

Campfire Audio Satsuma: The pageant

If you need $200 IEMs, there is not any scarcity of selection this present day. Meze Audio’s Rai Solo value $200 and have a steel shell with cushy edges that is designed for a comfy have compatibility. The dynamic motive force delivers a decent bass that will get in particular full of life, and the large soundstage makes the IEMs nice for a lot of genres.

If you need slightly extra nuance, Campfire Audio’s Honeydew will have to be a excellent choice for $250. These in-ear displays include a 10mm motive force, and so they ship a much broader soundstage than the Satsuma in addition to a extra pronounced bass. 

Campfire Audio Satsuma: Should you purchase it?

You will have to purchase this if:

• You need $200 IEMs that glance and sound excellent
• You desire a light-weight design that is nice for all-day listening
• You desire a tough bass and full of life mid-range
• You need IEMs that include numerous bundled equipment

You should not purchase this if:

• You want IEMs which are value-focused

With the Satsuma, Campfire Audio controlled to distil the essence of its high-end IEMs right into a extra reasonably priced package deal with out dropping the sound traits. You get a full of life low-end that is tough, making the IEMs a really perfect selection for bass-heavy song. 

The mid-range is splendidly detailed and wealthy, and whilst you do not get the similar exuberance from the treble, the total sound signature is balanced and extremely enticing — it outshines anything else you can to find in the most productive wi-fi earbuds class. 

The Satsuma actually have a flashy design that permits the earbuds to face out, and whilst they are produced from plastic, they are simply as sturdy and well-made as different IEMs on this class. Overall, those are a really perfect choice if you are out there for $200 in-ear displays.