Community Insights: Campfire Audio Trifecta Review

The time has come for me to review a TOTL IEM – the Campfire Audio Trifecta. Will I love it? Will I call it out? And most importantly, did I get it for free? Absolutely not! I bought this beauty second-hand, with some great luck and savings, and immediately started testing it with my HiBy RS8.

First off, the Trifecta finally delivers the impact I crave. Sure, accuracy and technicalities matter, but if the sound feels dry, it’s just not my thing. The first thing I noticed about the Trifecta is how it gives the notes real “weight” — a rare feat for an IEM. After all, we’re comparing it to full-sized headphones that have far more surface area to drive the sound. But who cares? I spent my own money, so it better give me what I want!

The Trifecta nails that “impactful” sound: drums hit just right, vocals pack power, and the mix of sounds comes together perfectly. It’s the magic that sets this IEM apart. Technically speaking, I’m impressed with both the frequency response and the overall performance. Layering and positioning are right up there with high-end headphones, which is no small feat. I suspect the three dynamic drivers combine to create the “space” needed to produce that same level of impact.

For those with little time on their hands, here’s a pros & cons summary:

Pros

• Powerful sound with an emphasis on bass
• Excellent detail reproduction
• Compact, lightweight shell design
• Offers the convenience of headphone-like performance in a portable IEM

Cons

• The cables aren’t ideal, though this is a personal preference
• High frequencies lack some detail and extension
• Struggles with orchestral music, especially in terms of separation

Now, let’s dive into the details with my song choices:

Don’t Stop me Now – Queen | Canned Heat – Jamiroquai
Voice is powerful and intimate, bass notes are a pleasure and instrument separation is good, these IEMs really shine with emotional and hard hitting songs, making them stand out. I would say these were made for any music genre that emphasizes strong bass and powerful voices.

Relax – Frankie Goes to Hollywood
The bass, vocals, and soundstage are all excellent. The Trifectas are designed to offer a deeply engaging sound. However, I do notice a slight tapering of the higher frequencies.

Haven’t We Met? – Chesky Record 30th Anniversary Collection
Jazz, especially with plenty of bass, really makes these in-ears shine. The intimate vocals and rich note weight turn every jazz session into a pure pleasure. You’ll truly sink into the sound, creating a deeply relaxing experience.

Believer – Imagine Dragons
Another song that sounds amazing with the Trifecta, though there’s still a slight dip in the highs. Of course, the vocals and drums are exceptional, but the only blindspot for the Trifecta remains the treble.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125, conducted by Herbert Von Karajan
While the listening experience is quite pleasing and the emphasis on the lower end is enjoyable, I’ve had more “fun” with planar drivers when it comes to this type of music. It’s not that the Trifecta is bad—it’s actually excellent—but since my reviews are both subjective and comparative, I’d suggest that if you’re primarily into classical music, you might want to explore other IEMs. In my opinion, the Trifecta falls just short of the TOTL mark for classical music. Instrument separation is adequate, but not exceptional.

For a TOTL IEM, I think it’s important that it’s at least adequate for every genre. The Trifecta is more than adequate for classical, but it doesn’t quite reach the level I’d expect from a top-tier all-rounder.

Conclusion

To sum up my experience, the Campfire Trifecta is truly “TOP OF THE TOP”, but just shy of being an “ace of aces”. In my opinion, they’re a great option for those who are often on the go and need an IEM as a substitute for full headphones, offering the obvious benefits of portability and reduced bulk. The Trifecta acts as a “missing link” between the convenience of portable sound and the full experience of larger headphones.

So, if, like me, you’re looking for a portable IEM that doesn’t make you miss your headphones too much, the Trifecta sets a gold standard.

Would I change anything? Maybe. I think the dynamic drivers (DDs) can’t quite match planars in terms of pure detail and treble extension. But maybe, just maybe, if Campfire Audio were bold enough to create a Trifecta with planar drivers…

All in all, this IEM is excellent – possibly one of the best available right now. It does suffer slightly from recessed highs and less instrument separation than you’d expect from a TOTL IEM, especially with congested genres like orchestral music. It may sound like nitpicking, but at this price point, these details are to be expected.

Update

Since I recently bought the HiBy R8II, I decided to compare the RS8 vs. R8II pairing. As you may know, the RS8 is R2R (resistor ladder), while the R8II is Delta-Sigma, so I wanted to see how the more analytical sound of the R8II would affect the areas I previously described as less than stellar in the Trifecta. I went back to Beethoven, and after switching to the R8II, I noticed improvements in instrumental separation and higher frequencies. The tradeoff was a slight reduction in bass impact and power, but the higher frequencies benefited from the R8II’s smoother presentation, addressing the “deficit” I noticed when using the RS8.

After this comparison, I can confidently say that if you prefer a more “impactful” sound, the RS8’s R2R design will enhance that experience, but with a slight tradeoff in resolution. On the other hand, the Delta-Sigma R8II complements the Trifecta by evening out its character and making it a more versatile all-rounder. I highly recommend testing both types of sources to fine-tune your listening experience to your personal tastes!

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Many thanks to our community-author Elvezio.