In this feature, Lynn reviews the Drop + Campfire Audio Dark Star, a collaborative hybrid dual magnet 10mm dynamic and triple BA driver universal IEM. It is priced at $699.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank Drop for their support.
Click here to learn more about Drop products previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our current scoring guidelines which you can read in more detail here.
Campfire Audio’s (CFA) ultra-successful Andromeda “line” allowed the company to branch out with many other IEMs charting different courses. We have reviewed many, and Thomas has reviewed most of the lineup.
When DROP paired with CFA to launch a mid-fi IEM that shared its venerable (but new) dynamic driver along the lines of the standout Black Star, the Dark Star was born.
I have also reviewed many of the models and consider the Supermoon and Solaris 2020 among my personal favorites.
Features
The Dark Star uses a dual-magnet 10-millimeter dynamic driver with an innovative bio-film membrane, touted as brand new along with 1 Sonion midrange balanced armature, and 2 Knowles tweeter balanced armatures putting forth the sound.
Using something called Phase Harmony Engineering, CFA designed the Dark Star using the technology which “segments the frequency spectrum, sculpting the acoustics of the earphones themselves all taking place at the same time.”
This coupled with engineered shell housings that match the driver acoustically, and you end up with the signature of the Dark Star.
The typical CFA Litz cable terminated in 3.5mm single-ended comes standard, but a cable switch is only an MMCX cable away.
Design
Sized to about ¾ of what the Solaris range is (more closely related to the 2020 range), the Dark Star also shares the teardrop pear shape and color of the Solaris. Still using the MMCX connection, the Dark Star can be manipulated for a good fit with ease.
That MMCX connection also bears a long, bendable ear hook for a proper fit around one’s ear. I will admit that readjusting the fit if you take one of the IEMs out takes a bit, kind of like an old-school IEM.
However, once properly bent, the fit is quite good, without the nozzle dropping too deep into my average-sized ear canals.
I like the subtle black color of CFA IEMs such as this, and fingerprints are mostly kept in check, but still present.
Highlighted with silver rings around the nozzle, MMCX area (beryllium copper connection inside), and a vent hole on both the top and bottom add accent to the black adding a bit of demure to the look.
The inlaid “CF” logo on the flat faceplate is the only giveaway that this is another CFA product. Except of course for the familiar shape.
Thomas mentions that the shape of this nozzle fits him well, and I agree. Some of late have had overly large diameter nozzles with fat lips to hold the tips in place. CFA continually seems to get it just right. And they have on the Dark Star for me.
The size of the Dark Star is one that not only fits but allows for ease of use while doing that ingress/egress thing.
Comfort & Isolation
The Dark Star lies in the small-medium size for IEMs, especially compared to the lineage-linked older Solaris. Lying slightly smaller than the Solaris 2020 iterations, the fit feels just right.
After attaining the proper angle (down to the front) for proper bending of the ear hook, the Dark Star can be worn for long listening sessions.
The stability of the Dark Star holds up very well to head movement, and if you desire you can adjust the cinch on the cable. I did find it was quite hard to move, so I left it alone yet had no movement issues.
Passive isolation, especially with the Mushroom foam tips is very good, working into the excellent range. With the shape and depth of that nozzle, the ear tip of choice fills the necessary gaps without issue, creating a nearly silent seal when properly mounted in your ear.
I did find that the Dark Star sticks out from my ear more than I would like, but coupled with the isolating purposes, provided a solid, quiet listening environment.
Ear Tips
Using the provided silicon tips afforded a slightly deeper insertion into my canal, which was offset by a lesser degree of isolating capabilities, compared to the Mushroom foam tips. The Dark Star not only fit a bit deeper, but more flush with my ear as well.
Sound characteristics were changed moving from the Mushroom to silicon tips, as one would expect with a thinner material and slightly larger bore on the correspondingly same-sized tips (large in both Mushroom and silicon).
I usually have a clear preference in tip choice when reviewing IEMs, but the Dark Star takes me back to see the benefits of each type. The Mushroom tips provide a deeper reach, with more bass and better control of the sparkle up top.
The silicon provided more transparency, and midrange clarity while enhancing the sparkle in the treble region. But not so much as to make it increasingly piercing.
This is a rare case where the silicon tip does not enhance that top-end sparkle to me but rather compliments it instead. I appreciated this response since my treble-intolerant tendencies can become bothersome, even with the best treble treatment.
I did bounce between the medium and large Mushroom tips for sonic characteristics, especially since the preferred large size seemed a smidge too large in diameter for me.
Stock Cables
The typical CFA Litz braided cable comes in one choice: MMCX and 3.5mm single-ended. CFA has stood long on the rigidity of such a connection, and durability. There is a reason most musicians use MMCX (or the custom equivalent) connections, and CFA holds fast to that.
A tightly woven 4-strand cable, with black protective sheathing, lays well, with little microphonics. That slightly stiffer plastic sheathing also means the cable lays quite well without tangling. A right-angled plastic-coated 3.5mm jack rounds out the source end.
As mentioned above, the cinch above the Y-splitter is very hard to move, and I left it alone, relying upon the proper bending of the plastic-sheathed ear hook for proper placement around my ear.
I ended up with something similar to the old glasses professors wore, with the ear hook around my ear. The cable lay straight down from the bottom of my ear as a result, and out of the way.
Packaging & Accessories
Campfire Audio has always gone its own direction when it comes to packaging. Ranging from simple boxes, which carry cork-based cases, to the venerable “opening flower” packaging they come across as unique, but efficient and with purpose.
The Dark Star is no different. Coming in a labeled “western-flair” box, which has a burned-in-like look to the lettering, the opening reminds me of a bicycle company of yore (tied to a world-known tire company), that went its own route, before people fell for other brands.
Simple, with a nod to history, the box is exactly what I expected from the DROP x CFA model.
Opening the lid, you find mesh string bags, instead of a cork case, but this fits the theme to me quite nicely. Inside those string bags, you find the following:
- DROP x Campfire Audio Dark Star
- MMCX Cable
- Mesh carrying pouch
- Cleaning cloth
- Cleaning brush
- Mushroom Foam ear tips (S, M, L)
- Silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
The mesh carrying pouch can hold the IEM mesh bag, and various tips along with another cable of your choice and be worn like a coin pouch if you desire. The long string attached allows the user to keep the pouch under their clothing or off to the side if desired.
There is enough to like in the packaging that you can consider the Dark Star to be complete without any additional items needed.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
