Wired IEMs
Campfire Audio Orion
Not yet scored
$350
Full review dataCampfire Audio Orion vs CrinEar Reference: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Campfire Audio Orion vs CrinEar Reference, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
CrinEar Reference
86Outstanding
$350
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
CrinEar Reference leads on 3 of 4 measures.
- Campfire Audio Orion
- CrinEar Reference
HearWiki score
-
86
Sound
-
9.1
Value
-
8.9
Price (USD)
$350
$350
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The CrinEar Reference is 10 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 10 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Orion2016
- Reference202610 yr newer
Specifications
OrionReference
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $350
- $350
- HearWiki score
- Not scored
- 86
- Released
- 2016
- 2026
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- balanced armature
- 2DD + 3BA hybrid
- Driver type
- balanced-armature
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- -
- 2DD + 3BA
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 5
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 16 kHz
- -
- Impedance
- 14 Ω
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 113 dB/mW
- 104 dB/mW
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- Connector
- MMCX
- 4.4 mm balanced
What reviewers said
Campfire Audio Orion
The Campfire Audio Orion is a wired, entry-level universal IEM built around a single balanced armature driver housed in a precision-machined aluminum shell. It delivers a balanced, detailed signature that emphasizes midrange clarity and offers a spacious, wide soundstage for its class.
- Pro:Detailed midrange clarity
- Pro:Wide soundstage for a single-driver design
- Pro:Durable CNC aluminum housing
- Con:Limited frequency response up to 16 kHz
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Single driver may lack bass depth for some listeners
CrinEar Reference
The CrinEar Reference is a wired in-ear monitor with a hybrid 2DD + 3BA driver setup, offering a balanced and detailed sound signature. It features a detachable 4.4mm balanced cable and relies on a tight seal for passive isolation, making it a strong choice for critical listening at its price point.
- Pro:Hybrid driver configuration delivers rich, layered sound
- Pro:Detachable 4.4mm balanced cable for flexible connectivity
- Pro:Good passive isolation from proper eartip seal
- Con:No active noise cancellation, so external noise isn't fully blocked
- Con:Requires a balanced source to fully utilize the 4.4mm connector
- Con:Fit may be finicky for some users to achieve optimal seal
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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