- Cortini loves Campfire IEMs so much that he approached founder Ken Ball
- The result is Clara, a set of hybrid driver configuration elite IEMs
- The Clara IEMs are available now, priced at $1,999 / £1,999 (around AU$3,900)
Sometimes the story of a beautifully symbiotic hi-fi partnership and how it came to be seems a little too good to be true. The story as told (and according to committed audiophile and mutual friend of both parties, John Darko) involves long-time lover of Campfire Audio products, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and famed synthesizer/bassist NIN, Alessandro Cortini. The story goes that Cortini humbly presented the idea of a collaborative in-ear monitor effort to CA founder Ken Ball a little over a year ago. No, it’s not the other way around; it’s not like that. And he said yes, friends!
Look, the resulting product is one of the most stunning pairs of IEMs I’ve seen in many years – let alone a set of wired headphones that can be worn to support a musician who’s suffered heavy spinning in my ears. since 1988 – I don’t care if the story has been embellished a little.
I’ve also long been a fan of the Portland Oregon IEM manufacturer’s niche output since discovering it in 2018, including the excellent Trifecta, Fathom, the Solaris Stellar Horizon (which still ranks high in the buying guide of the best wired headphones from TechRadar) and more recently the Lunar Rover.
But Campfire Audio x Alessandro Cortini – specifically Ken Ball for design and production; Cortini on the type of headphones and the general sound? It’s different. It might just be the perfect medicine.
Clara: no, you can’t stand it
So what’s (ahem) underneath it all? This will be the latest iteration of Campfire’s dual-magnet dynamic driver. Then there’s the advanced dual-diaphragm balanced armature driver for the midrange, plus Campfire’s signature dual super-tweeters, paired with the brand’s proprietary Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber (TAEC) technology.
These are Campfire Audio, so I would expect some visual theater, and sure enough, they don’t disappoint aesthetically. The Clara IEM has a clear acrylic finish printed with navy blue internals, so you can see inside and feel closer to its multiple speakers.
The price? Sure, but take a deep breath. You’re looking at $1,999 / £1,999 (around AU$3,900 where sold).
Something I can never have? Most likely. But it doesn’t hurt – I’d absolutely love to try them out if possible. Watch this space…
