Campfire Audio’s Alessandro Cortini collab IEMs are everything my Nine Inch Nails-loving heart needs
- Cortini likes Campfire IEMs so much that he approached founder Ken Ball
- The result is Clara, an elite set of IEMs with hybrid driver configuration
- Clara IEMs are available now for $1,999 / £1,999 (about AU$3,900)
Sometimes the story of a beautiful symbiotic hi-fi partnership and how it came about feels a little too good to be true. The story as it is told (and according to dedicated audiophile and mutual friend of both parties, John Darko) includes longtime enthusiast of Campfire Audio products, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and celebrated NIN synth/bassist, Alessandro Cortini. The story goes that a little over a year ago, Cortini humbly presented the idea of a joint in-ear monitor to CA founder Ken Ball. No, not the other way around; this is not so. And he said yes, folks!
Lo and behold, if the resulting product is one of the most stunning-looking IEM pairs I’ve seen in many years – not to mention a set of wired earbuds that can be worn to support a musician who’s been playing heavy in my ears since 1988 – I don’t care if the story is embellished a bit.
I’ve also been a long-time fan of the niche Portland Oregon IEM maker’s production since discovering it in 2018, including the excellent Trifecta, Fathom, the Solaris Stellar Horizon (which still rank nicely in Ny Breaking’s best buying guide for wired earbuds) and more recently the Moon Rover.
But Campfire Audio x Alessandro Cortini – specifically Ken Ball on design and production; Cortini on headshell type and general sound? This is different. This could be the perfect medicine.
Clara: no, you can’t stand it
So what’s (ahem) underneath it all? This will be the latest version of Campfire’s dynamic double-magnet driver. Then there’s the advanced dual-diaphragm balanced armature driver for midrange, plus Campfire’s signature dual super tweeters, combined with the brand’s proprietary Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber (TAEC) technology.
This is Campfire Audio, so I’d expect some visual theater, and sure enough, aesthetically they don’t disappoint. The Clara IEM has a printed transparent acrylic finish with navy blue internal elements so you can see inside and feel closer to the multiple drivers.
Prices? Sure, but take a deep breath. You’re looking at $1,999 / £1,999 (about AU$3,900 if sold).
Something I can never have? Very possible. But I’m not offended by them – I’d really like to test them if possible. Watch this space…