- Cortini loves Campfire IEMs so much that he reached out to founder Ken Ball
- The result is Clara, an elite set of IEMs with hybrid driver configuration
- 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 about seems too good to be true. The story as told (and according to committed audiophile and mutual friend of both parties, John Darko) involves Alessandro Cortini, longtime lover of Campfire Audio products, member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and celebrated synthesizer and bassist for NIN. The story goes that Cortini humbly proposed the idea of a collaborative in-ear monitor effort to CA founder Ken Ball a little over a year ago. No, not the other way around; this is not like that. And he said yes, friends!
Look, when the resulting product is one of the most impressive pairs of IEMs I’ve seen in many years, not to mention a pair of wired headphones that can be used to support a musician that’s been on constant rotation 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 niche IEM maker’s output since discovering it in 2018, including the excellent Trifecta, Fathom, the Solaris Stellar Horizon (which still sits very well in the buying guide of TechRadar’s best wired headphones) and, most recently, the Lunar Vehicle.
But Campfire Audio x Alessandro Cortini – specifically Ken Ball in design and production; Cortini on head type and overall sound? This is different. This could be the perfect drug.
Clara: No, you can’t stand it.
So what’s (ahem) underneath all this? That will be the last version of Campfire’s dual-magnet dynamic driver. Then, there’s the advanced dual-diaphragm balanced armature midrange driver, plus Campfire’s exclusive dual super tweeters, combined with the brand’s patented Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber (TAEC) technology.
This is Campfire Audio, so you’d expect some visual theater and sure enough, they don’t disappoint aesthetically. The Clara IEM has a printed clear acrylic finish with navy blue internals, so you can see inside and feel closer to its multiple drivers.
Prices? Of course, but take a deep breath. You’re looking at $1999/£1999 (around AU$3900 where it sells).
Something I can never have? Very possibly. But it doesn’t hurt, I would love to try them if possible. Watch this space…
