Campfire Audio wants to enter your Orbit with its first ever true wireless earbuds
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Campfire Audio has received countless praise from audiophiles for its IEM-esque wired earbuds, but the dedicated earphone specialist is finally entering the world of cable-free audio, with the new true wireless Orbit.
As much a luxury lifestyle brand as it is a high-end headphone maker, the Orbit upholds the Portland company’s custom of out-there design. The two-tone buds have a somewhat unorthodox geometric shape that the company says promotes comfort and contributes to their firm, heavy feel.
The enclosures contain 10mm dynamic drivers with a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) film diaphragm, which Campfire says provides a “dynamic listening experience” with plenty of low-end power, while their LCP diaphragms provide clarity, spaciousness and energy for a ” compelling and rhythmic splendour”.
The Orbit is compatible with Bluetooth 5.2 and supports wireless streams up to 24-bit/48kHz thanks to AAC and aptX Adaptive codec support.
There’s a fairly standard claimed battery life of 8.5 hours on a single charge, while the charging case offers a further 30 hours of playback via USB-C or Qi wireless charging.
You won’t find any physical buttons on the earbuds, but all display and volume are managed by touch controls on the housings. In the box you get a selection of different sized foam and silicone ear tips for a perfect fit, as well as a USB-C to USB-C charging cable and a fun Campfire Audio pin badge.
There’s no noise reduction, but there are dedicated Android and iOS apps that let you adjust a seven-band EQ, create and recall presets, and perform firmware updates.
The Campfire Audio Orbit is now available directly from the Campfire website (opens in new tab) for $249 / £249 (about AU$450).
Analysis: Campfire wireless earbuds are long overdue – but where’s the ANC?
Ever since we were amazed by Campfire Audio’s sumptuous Trifecta deluxe wired in-ear monitors (now officially available for $3375/£3399 (opens in new tab)), we hoped that the brand would one day expand into the world of true wireless Bluetooth models.
That day has finally arrived with the launch of the Orbit – and what’s more, with a surprisingly affordable mid-range price tag.
That MSRP looks a little less impressive when you note that active noise cancellation is conspicuous by its absence in Campfire audios, ahem, Orbit. It’s a feature we’ve come to expect at this price point, especially when it’s a major selling point for the likes of the Sony WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds – our current pick of the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market.
Campfire Audio’s reputation for performance precedes it, though, and we’re curious to see how the Orbit compares to those on our list of the best earbuds for 2022 in terms of sound.