About Campfire Audio
Campfire Audio, established in 2015 in Portland – Oregon, was founded by Ken Ball, also known for ALO Audio. From the start he wanted to combine refined expertise with true audiophile sound. The company has built an impressive reputation, achieving milestones that many brands take much longer to reach.
At their Portland workshop each in-ear monitor is carefully assembled. From quality control and acoustic tuning to building the housings and matching each driver. Every detail is managed by a dedicated team. This hands-on approach guarantees products that meet their uncompromising standards.
August 8, Campfire Audio proudly launched its latest innovation in earphone design: Grand Luna. Continuing their highly regarded line of planar magnetic IEMs, this all-new model is the company’s first planar-balanced armature hybrid. It combines a customized, new iteration of the popular 14mm planar magnetic driver with two custom, precision-tuned balanced armatures.
Being a big Marvel fan, the moment I laid eyes on the Grand Luna, my first thought was: if Stark Industries ever made an IEM, it would probably look like this. Now, let’s meet this ‘Superhero’, the Campfire Grand Luna.
Design & Build Quality
The shells are sculpted from brushed stainless steel with sharp, geometric facets. First flame treated and then brushed by hand, leaving a colorful organic looking CA logo. A design that instantly relates to the sleek plating of high-tech armor.
The small, precise vents and engraved Campfire Audio logo add to the impression of a device engineered for both performance and style. Each unit is housed in a vibrant transparent and internally dyed red 3D-printed shell, revealing the Grand Luna’s inner workings like the exposed tech of a miniature arc reactor.
The Grand Luna uses Campfire’s Additive Acoustic Optical Inclusion (AAOI) housing which isn’t just a gimmick. It is a precisely engineered acoustic chamber that spatially shapes the performance and frequency response of its high-performance drivers.
The aesthetic is modern but not flashy. Under certain lighting, the faceplates reflect subtle curves, It’s a design that looks powerfull, clean and made to last. The MMCX connectors are snug and secure.
Launched alongside The Grand Luna is Campfire’s new high quality swappable cable system, featuring six conductors of pure copper and silver. Its swappable terminations 3.5 mm single-ended, 4.4 mm balanced and USB-C DAC, makes it a versatile match. (This cable will be available separately later this year)
Comfort & Fit
Despite housing a large 14 mm planar driver, the Grand Luna sits comfortably in the ear. The acrylic shell is smooth and free of edges and the overall shape conforms well to most ear profiles.
The stainless-steel nozzles are slightly on the wide side, so smaller ear canals might prefer foam tips for a gentler seal. The depth of insertion is moderate, deep enough for isolation, shallow enough for long-term comfort. Weight is balanced, so they don’t feel heavy or fatiguing over long listening sessions. In short, you can wear the Grand Luna for hours to come…
Technical Specifications
The Grand Luna combines a custom-tuned 14 mm planar driver for low and midrange with two premium balanced armatures for treble. Together delivering a deep impact, smooth detail and extended highs up to 30 kHz without harshness. Drawing on Campfire’s experience with planar IEMs like Astrolith and Supermoon, it offers fast transients, rich texture and precise imaging in an easy-listening presentation.
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Drivers: 2 Balanced Armatures for + 1 x 14 mm Planar Magnetic
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Impedance: 8 Ω @ 1 kHz
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Sensitivity: 94 dB @ 1 kHz (44.9 mVrms)
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Shell Material: 3D printed Acrylic body with stainless steel faceplate
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Nozzle Material: Stainless steel
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Cable Terminations: 3.5 mm & 4.4 mm included
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Connector: MMCX
Sound quality
The Grand Luna’s tuning is clear about its priorities: massive low-end authority, crisp highs and a stage that can handle complex mixes without turning into a mess. Vocals are present but sit a little further back, letting the bass and treble shape the spotlight.
The Grand Luna isn’t about subtlety. It’s about sub-bass rumble that makes EDM drops hit like a freight train, low-end crunch that turns heavy metal riffs into a wall of sound and the kind of slam that has hip-hop beats punching you right in the chest. But the amazing part is not the bass itself, it is how ‘out of this world’ smooth it all sounds. I don’t consider myself a fan of bass-head iem’s, yet this one kept me hooked and coming back.
Treble
The two BA drivers bring speed and clarity to the treble. Cymbals and hi-hats shimmer with good definition, details like reverb tails or subtle percussive elements are easy to pick out. There is no hint of sharp brightness.
The treble complements the bass, it keeps the sound from feeling heavy or closed in, adding air and openness without becoming harsh.
Midrange
The mids are slightly recessed compared to the bass and treble. Vocals, particularly male, sit a bit behind the beat, giving the sound a ‘stage-forward’ bass and treble presentation.
Female vocals, when well-recorded, still have bite and presence. Electric guitars crunch with satisfying grit and synths in electronic tracks cut cleanly through the mix. Listen to something like Armin van Buuren or Tiesto and you know what I mean.
However, if you live for lush, romantic mids, this isn’t the tuning for you. The Grand Luna’s midrange is clean, detailed, and quick, but it’s not the emotional core of the sound.
Bass
Now the star of the show. The 14 mm planar driver digs deep into the sub-bass and I mean really deep!, delivering physical rumble that you feel in your jaw and ribcage. EDM tracks sound amazing!
Mid-bass punch is equally satisfying, giving kick drums real impact without smearing over the mids. There’s texture here too, the planar driver isn’t just about volume, it’s about cleanly rendering bass.
This is basshead territory, but it’s controlled enough not to completely overshadow everything else. In EDM, hip-hop and metal, it’s addictive.
Soundstage & Imaging
The Grand Luna stages wide and deep, creating a ‘live venue’ feel for EDM and rock. Instrument separation is excellent, even in dense mixes, you can place elements in space without strain.
Imaging is precise, making it easy to track panning effects in electronic music or pick out layered guitar tracks in metal. The extra air from the treble helps maintain spaciousness, even with the dominant bass presence.
Genre Performance
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EDM: This is where the Grand Luna thrives, massive drops, tight kick drums and treble energy that keeps the party going.
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Hip-Hop: Sub-bass rumble is amazing while vocals stay intelligible.
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Metal: Double-kick drums punch through cleanly and guitar riffs have bite without turning muddy.
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Pop: Fun and engaging, though vocal lovers may want more forward mids.
- Blues: Smooth guitar licks and warm bass lines flow effortlessly, while the harmonica cuts through with just enough edge. Vocals carry a soulful presence without sounding too sharp, making for an easy, toe-tapping listen.
- Jazz and Classical When you’re after warm smoothness and deep bass, in that case, the Grand Luna delivers beautifully. If you’re looking for a different more neutral/balanced presentation, something like the Alien Brain might suit you better. Read my review of the Campfire Audio Alien Brain.
Pairing & Tips
The Grand Luna should be paired with a good source, to get the best out of the them. They also respond well to power; the moment I pushed up the gain on the Shanling M8T, they scaled instantly, with everything becoming even more controlled and refined.
Power-wise, it’s not demanding, but the planar driver benefits from a source with good current delivery, portable amps and DAPs with robust output will tighten the bass and improve dynamics.
LISTENING IMPRESSIONS
When it comes to reviewing a high-end IEM’s, the true measure lies in how well it conveys nuances, spatial depth and tonal balance. The following selection of music was chosen by me to explore a wide range of sonic attributes; from microdetail and imaging to rhythm and textures. The music illustrates what I’ve tried to convey above.
Armin van Buuren – Live at Tomorrowland 2024
Live albums like these truly come alive on the Campfire Audio Grand Luna. They captured the wide airy soundstage with the full scale of the venue, while the precise imaging placed you right among the crowd. They gave a lifelike presence and the deep textured bass adding weight to every kick. The Grand Luna really made you feel like you’re right there at Tomorrowland! Quite impressive.
Bob Marley – Legend – The best of Bob Marley
On the Campfire Audio Grand Luna this album was warm and rich. The deep rounded bass lines flow effortlessly, carrying that signature reggae groove without overpowering the mids or highs. Bob’s voice came through smooth and soulful, with a natural warmth that draws you in. The crisp yet relaxed treble let every guitar skank and percussion detail breathe. The Grand Luna’s spacious soundstage made the rhythms sway around you.
John Lee Hooker – Best of 1965 – 1974
John Lee Hooker’s ‘One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer’ oozed that raw blues atmosphere. His deep, textured voice felt almost within arm’s reach, every gravelly nuance laid bare. The steady guitar rhythm had a rich body, while the bass lines rolled in with satisfying warmth and weight. All Subtle room echoes and background textures were rendered with clarity, pulling you right into that smoky, late-night bar setting where the blues hit deepest.
Joe Bonamassa – Sloe Gin
Joe Bonamassa’s ‘Sloe Gin’ delivered an emotional punch, with his powerful vocals soaring over a richly detailed instrumental backdrop. The guitar work was crisp and full of texture. The bass adding depth and weight, though at times it leaned a touch too forward, giving the track a slightly heavier bass foundation than intended. Still, the overall warmth and spaciousness made this performance captivating from start to finish.
Hans Zimmer Live in Prague – Interstellar medley
The Grand Luna really captured that vast soundstage of the orchestra and choir with cinematic scale, placing you right in the heart of the performance. The low-end swelled with power and authority, adding immense drama. The soaring strings and shimmering highs remained clear and smooth, letting the piece build from delicate moments into towering crescendos.
