Nihal reviews the Campfire Audio Grand Luna, a new high-end hybrid IEM featuring 14mm planar magnetic and dual balanced armature drivers. It is priced at $1399.00.
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 Campfire Audio for their support.
Click here to learn more about Campfire Audio products previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our current scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
A new Campfire Audio release is always exciting. The makers at Campfire Audio seem to have a penchant for planar drivers, with the new Grand Luna featuring a hybrid design with a planar magnetic driver and dual balanced armature drivers.
This driver configuration is unique enough to excite those who follow their releases. The other planar IEMs, such as the Astrolith, Supermoon, and Moon Rover, have all received a lot of praise in the community, which is likely why they have chosen a planar-hybrid configuration for a new release.
The Grand Luna’s price tag of $1399 places it below the Astrolith and above the other planar offerings, positioning this release in the premium category.
In this review, I will take a detailed look at the tuning and other aspects of the Grand Luna. I will also compare it with the Campfire Alien Brain, the 64 Audio Solo, and the Moritz Audio ENZO, a tri-brid IEM that includes two planar drivers.
Features
The Grand Luna is the first IEM from the Campfire Audio lineup to feature a planar-balanced armature hybrid configuration. It uses a new generation 14mm planar magnetic driver and two balanced armatures.
The new iteration of the custom 14mm planar magnetic driver helps the low end and the midrange, while the two balanced armatures support the high-frequency regions.
According to the brand, with these two high-frequency balanced armatures, the Grand Luna achieves frequency extension up to 30 kHz. This configuration can be tempting for those who have some reluctance toward planar highs.
The shell implements Campfire Audio’s signature AAOI housing with venting, which consists of acoustic chambers designed to shape the airflow and resonance of the drivers.
This overall structure helps enhance driver performance, further refining the overall tuning.
Design
The Grand Luna’s design takes cues from both the Astrolith and Clara. The body combines deep ruby-red acrylic shells with a geometric, angular metal faceplate.
The acrylic shells are transparent, faintly revealing the internal driver structure of the IEMs. This clean, transparent appearance also resembles Clara’s shells, which feature a dark blue color scheme.
The faceplate has a brushed steel finish with a polygonal cut. This design with bevelled edges gives the Grand Luna a sleek and modern look.
You don’t have to worry about scratches on the faceplate, as the metal is quite resistant. The highly polished ones are more prone to scratches.
The brand’s logo, placed on each faceplate, deserves special mention, as it is flame-treated and has an eye-catching appearance. It contrasts well with the metal plates.
There are vents at the center of the faceplates, allowing airflow and alleviating pressure buildup. The metal structure, along with the shells, has a very smooth finish and avoids sharp edges around the corners.
The nozzle is made of stainless steel with a perforated circular grill at the tip. The size is average, so it should not be a hassle to find matching ear tips and achieve a snug fit.
The smaller nozzles can have a challenging fit at times. The IEMs use the brand’s long-favored MMCX connections to connect to the stock cable.
Comfort & Isolation
The shells of the Grand Luna are of average size and thus are not fussy for fit. The smooth edges all over the body, along with a light weight, help in providing a very snug and secure fit.
The flat design of the faceplate and the shell underneath give it a sleek structure without bulking up the overall design.
The shells do not stick out much, and I do not think they would pose any challenge for people with small ears either.
I have used the IEMs for hours and never felt tired or experienced any discomfort due to the fit. Even on the move, I never had to struggle with the fit. The stock cable is light enough not to put any added pressure on the IEMs.
The isolation factor is impressive on the Grand Luna. Once you have a nice, snug fit, you will hardly be bothered by any chit-chat from the surroundings. I find it ideal to carry them to my work, as there is always some noise from people talking around me.
During my time, I did experience occasional pressure build-up issues, especially due to the tight seal from larger-sized ear tips or when pushing IEMs deep inside; otherwise, none.
Ear Tips
The Grand Luna is stocked with three sets of ear tips: standard silicone, foam tips, and clear silicone tips. All of these come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. These are the same set of ear tips that are included with the Alien Brain.
These ear tips range from wide-bore to medium-bore to narrow-bore, catering to a wide range of ear types. They are well-built with a soft, premium finish.
The standard silicone ear tips have a very soft texture and pair quite well with the IEMs. I am not very fond of the ultra-clear silicone ear tips, as they tend to become sticky for me, but I do find them quite premium.
The other black silicone ear tips are not sticky, and I have spent enough time with the larger size of these.
Among the aftermarket ones I tried, the Divinus Velvet tips and the Azla SednaLight ear tips fit quite well. Since the fit of the Grand Luna is not challenging, one won’t have to struggle much with finding the right-fitting ear tips.
Stock Cable
What makes the Grand Luna release special is the inclusion of a modular stock cable. If I am not wrong, this is the first time Campfire Audio has included such a cable system, and as someone who has always preferred a modular cable, this makes me excited.
This saves on including multiple cables for different termination types, thus saving space and effort as well.
The Time Link Cable System, as Campfire Audio calls it, is a blend of high-purity silver and copper wires. The sleeve is transparent, through which you can see the internal wires.
The adapters and the Y-split are made of metal. I would have preferred more premium hardware on the cable, but that’s just a nitpick.
The cable is not very thick, and I find the handling quite easy. It also doesn’t take up much storage space and doesn’t tangle either, making it a comfortable cable.
The swappable cable terminations include 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced connectors. You can easily swap the terminations; that is done by simply pulling out the connector.
Additionally, the brand has included a high-performance DAC with a Cirrus Logic Master CS43131 chipset, which can handle high-resolution PCM audio up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD formats up to DSD256. This DAC has a USB-C termination, making it easy to connect to devices such as smartphones and laptops.
Overall, it’s quite a relief to see Campfire Audio adopting a modular cable system along with a usable DAC. This ensures that a wide variety of devices and sources are supported.
Packaging & Accessories
The Grand Luna arrives in large packaging, which has a celestial-inspired design. The artwork on the outer box features a red planetary sphere resembling the moon, with smaller celestial bodies around it.
The name “GRAND LUNA” is displayed across the planet in the middle. The inner box slides out in a drawer style.
Opening this box, we find a cutout that holds the two IEM shells attached to the cable. A similar celestial artwork panel is found on the top of this inner box. Removing this cutout, we find the contents arranged in different sections.
The top right corner section contains the carry case, while the left section contains the cable’s modular termination plugs. Below are the sections that contain other accessories, such as the cleaning cloth, mesh pouch, and the warranty card for the IEMs.
The carry case contains the ear tip packs. This packaging is both protective and elegant, providing a satisfactory experience. I really liked a good number of accessories popping from different sections.
The entire experience feels plush and themed. The planetary theme visibly aligns with the “Grand Luna” name. From the planetary artwork to the ruby carry case and ruby IEM shells, every detail supports the cosmic theme.
Overall, the unboxing experience feels apt for the price tag and matches some of the premium IEMs in this range.
Carry Case
As with all of the Campfire Audio IEMs, the carry case has always been about style and a vibrant look, and the Grand Luna version is no exception. It perfectly embodies Campfire Audio’s design philosophy.
The case has a deep red shade that matches the color of the IEM shells. It is built of soft, genuine leather with a matte finish and a slightly grainy texture.
The stitching around the edges is done in a matching color and is neat and visible. It uses a flap on the top to close the case. The brand’s logo is stamped in gold on the top of this flap.
The case is compact and rectangular with rounded edges, making it pocket-friendly. It has a robust and sturdy build and can perfectly protect the IEMs. The space inside is ample to store the IEM with the cable, but I still find it a bit cramped.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
