Campfire Audio is a Portland-based audio producer that makes a speciality of the high-end class. Whilst maximum of its IEMs value north of $600, it now gives 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 is no scarcity of superb choices on this class, and for its phase, the Satsuma has a singular design that sticks out, 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 spanking new IEMs and are eyeing the $200 class, here is what you wish to have to grasp concerning the Satsuma.
Campfire Audio Satsuma: Worth 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 The united states, and it’s to be had from Amazon, B&H, Newegg, and different main outlets. You’ll be able to purchase it immediately at Campfire Audio.
The Satsuma prices £199 ($250) in the United Kingdom and is to be had at Amazon and native audio outlets. In India, it’s these days promoting for ₹15,999 ($206). As is in most cases the case for IEMs, you get a two-year guaranty as same old.
Campfire Audio Satsuma: What you’ll be able to love
Campfire Audio’s IEMs stand out because of their unique designs, and that is the reason specifically true for the Satsuma. The earbuds have a shiny orange hue that appears beautiful, and they are mild and comfy. The shell design options numerous sculpted edges at the faceplate, however the inside hollow space is ergonomic, and the are compatible is comfy for all-day use.
Rather than the Campfire Audio brand at the faceplate, the design is devoid of any branding, and the comfy are compatible makes the Satsuma nice for on a regular basis listening. Those earbuds are at the smaller aspect, and as such I used to be in a position to discover a protected are compatible with nice sound isolation.
The primary explanation why for the light-weight design is that the shell is constituted of ABS plastic and now not metal or aluminum just like the Fiio FA7S or different merchandise on this phase, however you aren’t getting the sensation that those are funds IEMs — a ways from it.
The are compatible and end is on par with merchandise that value 3 times as a lot, and Campfire Audio did a very good process bringing its distinctive design aesthetic over to the sub-$200 class. Whilst the shell itself is plastic, the sound nozzles are milled out of metal, and you’ll be able to in finding a wide array of reminiscence foam and Ultimate Audio silicone eartips within the field. You additionally get a high 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 results in a stereo 3.5mm jack and connects to the Satsuma by means 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 just a little extra energy than different IEMs on this phase. That stated, using those earbuds is not a subject, and portable DACs like the Bolt with integrated amplification organize to do an good enough process. 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 overall-range BA ported motive force is housed in a 3-d published acoustic chamber that is designed to maximise the driving force’s doable, and it makes numerous distinction. For something, bass is full of life, and also you get a punchy low-end that is nice in case you pay attention to bass-heavy tracks. There’s a respectable 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 reality delivers, with quite a few presence, readability, and element. The tonality is at the hotter aspect, and vocals some thru with excellent trees and frame. There may be an airiness to the sound that lends itself really well to jazz and classical recordings.
The treble is clean with quite a few element, and whilst the Satsuma favors upper frequencies, it does not get too shiny or harsh. That makes it an ideal 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 will not be to everybody’s tastes, however the construct high quality is superb, and they are light-weight to make use of.
Coming to the sound, the one space the place I discovered any deficiencies was once the decrease treble; it is not as detailed as the opposite frequencies, and because of this it loses out to its opponents on this class.
Campfire Audio Satsuma: The contest
If you need $200 IEMs, there is not any scarcity of selection at the moment. Meze Audio’s Rai Solo value $200 and have a steel shell with comfortable edges that is designed for a comfy are compatible. The dynamic motive force delivers a good bass that will get specifically full of life, and the large soundstage makes the IEMs nice for numerous genres.
If you need just a little extra nuance, Campfire Audio’s Honeydew must be a excellent choice for $250. Those in-ear screens include a 10mm motive force, they usually ship a much broader soundstage than the Satsuma in addition to a extra pronounced bass.
Campfire Audio Satsuma: Will have to you purchase it?
You must purchase this if:
- You wish to have $200 IEMs that glance and sound excellent
- You want a light-weight design that is nice for all-day listening
- You wish to have an impressive bass and full of life mid-range
- You wish to have IEMs that include numerous bundled equipment
You should not purchase this if:
- You want IEMs which can be value-focused
With the Satsuma, Campfire Audio controlled to distil the essence of its high-end IEMs right into a extra inexpensive bundle with out shedding the sound traits. You get a full of life low-end that is tough, making the IEMs an ideal selection for bass-heavy track.
The mid-range is splendidly detailed and wealthy, and whilst you aren’t getting the similar exuberance from the treble, the entire sound signature is balanced and extremely attractive — it outshines anything else you’ll be able to in finding within the best wireless earbuds class.
The Satsuma even have a flashy design that permits the earbuds to face out, and whilst they are constituted of plastic, they are simply as sturdy and well-made as different IEMs on this class. Total, those are an ideal possibility if you are out there for $200 in-ear screens.
The Satsuma delivers attractive sound in a colourful design that sticks out from its opponents. The light-weight design approach the IEMs are nice for all-day listening, and the construct high quality is on par with the most productive on this class.
