Introduction to the Campfire Audio Grand Luna Review
Campfire Audio is one of the most covered companies here at Ear Fidelity. Dating back as far as the Dorado 2020 and Vega 2020.
My experience with Campfire Audio has been nothing short of excellent. Their latest releases were all pretty impressive in my book, and their Astrolith even won our “Best IEM of 2024” award.
So, the moment Campfire Audio reached out to me with their newest Grand Luna, I immediately felt excitement. Especially after seeing the first product photos. This might just be the prettiest IEM in the history of this Oregon-based company, and to say that their previous releases were bad-looking would have been the biggest lie in the industry.
Looks can be deceiving, though, so we need to test the Grand Luna and see if they’re just pretty or are they actually as good-sounding as they are looking. Shall we?
Packaging
Let’s get one thing out of the way – Campfire Audio makes the best packagings in the IEM market. Period. There’s not even a discussion.
However, they somehow managed to outdo themselves here with the reviewed Campfire Audio Grand Luna.
At first, you’re greeted with their classic cosmic theme. The graphic on top of the actual box is just superb – quality, well-designed, and just elegant.
The box itself is a drawer type, so you don’t really “open” it, but just pull on the tab, and you’re inside. And speaking of the inside, you’re in for a treat.
First of all, my feedback from the last few years has finally been addressed. I was constantly unhappy with their soft carrying cases. While pretty, handmade, and good-quality, they didn’t offer a good level of protection. And let’s be honest, these are quite expensive, so you want the maximum level of protection.
Here enters the all-new carrying case by Campfire Audio, and damn…this thing is just NEXT LEVEL. It’s actually so pretty that my girl actually tried to steal it from me. True story…I obviously told her “no”.
But Campfire Audio made us used to the fact that their cases are pretty. What changed now? The fact that it’s a hard-type case, offering the top level of protection for your precious Campfire Audio Grand Luna. You can actually throw these in your backpack and not worry about them getting absolutely destroyed like with their previous cases. It’s just such a relief.
You just have to respect these guys. From giving us a case that left some to be desired for years, they just randomly appeared with the sexiest case in history. I’m about to make a “Thug Life compilation” video on YouTube dedicated to this bold move. DAMN.
What else? Well, we’re just getting started. The included cable is simply extraordinary. It’s a blend of pure copper and silver, and it sports a modular system. This means that you’re getting 3 cables in one. In the box, you’ll find both 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations. Additionally, you’re getting a USB-C termination equipped with the Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC inside. You don’t have to pay for it or order it separately; it’s already in the box. Sweet.
Next up, you’re getting a collection of eartips, which is to be expected. There’s a set of silicone eartips, a set of foam eartips, and the all-new clear silicone set. The latter actually feels a bit sticky to the hand, and they do offer excellent comfort and grip inside your ear. I’m digging those big time, and that comes from a die-hard comply foam fan for about 10 years now.
Lastly, there’s your standard CFA pin, a cleaning cloth, and an IEM cleaner. Pretty much long-time essentials if you’ve ever had Campfire Audio IEMs in the past.
Overall, the unboxing experience and the quality of it are just spectacular here. As I said, Campfire Audio has outdone themselves here, and you’re getting the wonderful experience right from the first moment with their Grand Luna.
Design, Build Quality, and Comfort of Campfire Audio Grand Luna
It all doesn’t end with the packaging, though. The Grand Luna might just be the prettiest IEM in the history of Campfire Audio. And they are well-known for releasing some pretties in the past.
Over the last few years, CFA has been experimenting with a few subtle but meaningful touches when it comes to IEM design. The combination of acrylic and metal, the heat-treated details, and the subtle yet refined color accents.
Now, they seem to have combined all of those into a single IEM, and boy oh boy, this has turned out so well.
Reviewed Campfire Audio Grand Luna looks sexually appealing, if you can even say something like that about an audio product. The burgundy color of the acrylic shell, the polished metal faceplate, the logo with a beautiful gradient of color…it all gives you an IEM that you can look at for hours.
It’s not all just design, however. The actual build quality is something that you might be used to when it comes to CFA IEMs. The Grand Luna is Solid with the capital S. The finishing is perfect, the materials used are of great quality, and while I can’t yet confirm that, I have no reason to think that these won’t last you years and years of moderate abuse (it’s acrylic after all, they won’t be indestructible).
Comfort is yet another major thing when it comes to IEMs’ design. I’m happy to report that the Grand Luna is a comfortable set of IEMs. Regardless of its rather bulky design, they sit pretty flush in my ears, and I have rather small ears.
Tech
The technology inside the Grand Luna is quite interesting as well. There has been so much effort put into making this IEM, it’s actually incredible.
In the past, Campfire Audio has released two Planar-Magnetic IEMs in the form of the Supermoon and our awarded Astrolith. Now, they’ve added a third one, the Grand Luna.
Additionally, this planar driver is accompanied by two balanced armature drivers that handle high frequencies. As Campfire Audio stated, this combination allowed them to reach a treble extension of 30kHz. The planar driver itself handles low frequencies and the midrange.
Apart from the drivers used, we also have an interesting thing called the AAOI housing.
It is an acoustic routing, which is spatially shaping the performance and frequency response of the IEMs. Think of it as an acoustic chamber of a sort that gives Campfire Audio endless possibilities of tuning their products.
The shape, length, and diameter (and much more actually) of this element all give a certain response when it comes to how the IEM sounds. This gives their engineers more control over the frequency response of their IEMs, which they know exactly how to make use of.
Sound of the reviewed Campfire Audio Grand Luna
Now let’s get to the sound of the Grand Luna. Let me tell you something right from the get-go – these are quite unique, and they require you to test them for an extended period of time.
If you expect a wow factor right from the first note, the Grand Luna will just leave you unimpressed. These are nowhere close to being a crowd-pleaser or “fun” sounding.
Actually, the Grand Luna might be the most unusual tuning from the entire Campfire Audio offering, at least the ones I’ve tested myself (take note that I tested most of their products).
I’m a big fan of “different”, though. As a reviewer, I’ve heard the “correct” sound so many times that I tend to appreciate a bold and unique approach to the sound more. But was the Grand Luna a step in the right direction for me? Let’s dig in.
The bass is thick-sounding, has a good extension, and you can just feel its presence. Actually, it sounds quite surprising for a planar-magnetic driver used with low frequencies.
It gives you that big foundation to the entire sound, which works excellently with rock and metal. I’m listening to Breaking Benjamin right now, and the bass really gives this music that fun and energy.
Take note, though, that it’s often on a looser side, which actually works great with some music genres. However, if you’re a fan of a bass response that is hyper-controlled and firm, this might not be the best pick for you.
The midrange is soft, colorful, and thick. The thickness partially comes from that big bass response, as the bass and midrange really do sing together here.
However, I must admit, this is my kind of midrange. A bit on the heavy side when it comes to the lower mids, which gives vocals that beautiful weight and natural timbre.
The higher midrange/lower treble has a slight boost to it, giving the Grand Luna a bit of sparkle for the vocals. It’s going to be a hit or miss. However, this is quite easily countered by choosing the right equipment to use with the Grand Luna. A softer, slightly darker-sounding DAP or DAC/AMP combo is what I consider as best pick for these IEMs.
The treble is interesting. The lower portion of it, as I just explained, might come as a bit bright, but the rest of it is smooth and delicate, even calming. This gives an interesting feeling of the treble being both dark and bright at the same time.
It does shine and gives you that chilling moments, but at the same time, it could use a bit more air and separation, mainly due to the top portion of treble being recessed.
However, this type of tuning works well with the rest of the Grand Luna. Its character works best for rock, metal, and pop, and these genres sound better with a more intimate-sounding soundstage. Because of that, I’m not taking it as a con, but as a pro, actually.
The Grand Luna does sound highly focused, with that big, bold bass and charming midrange, combined with a high-contrast treble response. This is definitely a unique blend of styles, and an IEM that is going to be either loved or hated, with no in between.
I’m not gonna lie – these are really tricky. Not often you find products that you can describe as both bright and dark at the same time. Doesn’t make any sense, does it? But after an extended (I’m sorry it took so long!) testing period, there’s no other way to explain it for me.
I definitely have to give points for trying new things. I’ve had a moment when I designed and tuned my own product in the audio industry, and it’s really not easy to come up with something fresh. At the end of the day, Campfire Audio has many neutral or V-shaped IEMs in their portfolio. Instead of doing the same thing over and over again, they actually said “bet”, and decided that the Grand Luna will be…different.
Of course, as always, a more contrasty and unique product will cause more polarity. Instead of being a great choice for everybody, these are going to be more of a “whether you like it or not” type of situation. This is more than fine though…don’t we all miss old times, when different headphones/IEMs really varied from each other?
I know, I know. I’m a reviewer. I should be as objective as possible and not let my personal preference or beliefs interfere with my judgment. But who cares? I like different, I like bold, and I like changes. The Grand Luna is all of it…and I highly appreciate it.
Comparisons
This comparison is quite interesting because these two share some similarities, but at the core, they are vastly different.
Both offer that high-contrast, big and bold sound signature. However, the Grand Luna is definitely warmer and less tactile-sounding.
The midrange presentation is where the biggest difference occurs. The Astrolith offers a neutral, fast, and very precise midrange presentation. On the other hand, the Grand Luna has a calmer soul, offering thick, romantic, and smooth-sounding mids.
Because of this, they do offer a different type of experience, suited for different audiophiles. Astrolith is all about that raw, technical superiority, while the reviewed Campfire Audio Grand Luna offers more color and a generally smoother type of experience.
However, the Astrolith is more refined, especially in the treble department. It’s more conventional, proper, and real. At the same time, the Grand Luna adds something new to your music. A level of involvement and a timbre that just gives you a specific type of performance.
Overall, I personally see the Astrolith as a better IEM, there’s no way around it. But the beauty is in individuality, and in this regard, the Grand Luna takes the cake.
The Moon Rover might be the most neutral and “easy” tuned Campfire Audio IEM in the current lineup. On the other hand, the Grand Luna is just nothing like it.
When it comes to one being particularly more mature and mass-appealing-sounding, it’s the Moon Rover, no questions about it. It sounds neutral, technical, yet smooth and easy on the ear.
On the other hand, the Grand Luna feels more unique with its bold and warmer sound signature. It’s thicker, darker, and more substantial in general.
Technical stuff is quite interesting. The Moon Rover is more revealing and detailed, but the Grand Luna has more texture. I know it might be a bit illogical, but that’s just how I can describe it.
The Moon Rover gives you a touch more information in general. The more you try to find the finest details, the more you’ll actually uncover. The Grand Luna, on the other hand, seems more detailed at first, but it’s due to its great texture. Behind it, the amount of information is slightly behind the Moon Rover. It’s subtle, as both are really good when it comes to technical performance.
The Moon Rover is definitely a safer “blind buy”, but the Grand Luna has more personality and is more unique, more flavorful. It’s completely down to your personal preferences and expectations. I feel like I’m repeating myself, but that’s how I see it.
Pairings
As I previously mentioned, pairing is very important when it comes to the Grand Luna. Its elevated upper-midrange and lower-treble region could get a bit too much if you pair them with a source component that is doing the same.
However, if you pair the Grand Luna with a refined and full-bodied device like the Cayin N6iii, you’ll get great results, to say the least.
This specific combo works great with everything I throw at it. A significant amount of power that the Cayin can squeeze into these IEMs definitely helps bring that raw energy and level of excitement.
Makes sense to use the Grand Luna with a good-quality DAP, but we’re not talking any DAP. Cayin has a house sound that just works wonders in this case. A more neutral-oriented, or even bright-sounding device, wouldn’t have been as good here.
Here comes the ultra-clean, neutral, and absolutely flat-sounding DO300EX by SMSL. For me personally, while the sound in general was great, the elevated upper mids were a bit too much.
On the other hand, the amount of air and the texture of this combo were absolutely exceptional. You get some, you lose some, I suppose?
Well, it’s just my personal preference at this point. I can definitely see you just loving this type of presentation and enjoying this combo A LOT. It has the quality and the uniqueness that you can really appreciate.
Just remember that the Grand Luna is so unconventional and interesting that choosing a neutral source component will give you exactly what they are supposed to be offering. Their character might require you to play around with different setups and find one that just clicks. With products like the DO300EX, you’re accepting the Luna in all its glory.
Campfire Audio Grand Luna Review – Summary
Campfire Audio has been a company that plays it safe, at least for the past couple of years. They have been venturing into new philosophies and testing different approaches recently, though.
The Grand Luna is like a jewel in the crown of their latest experiments. It’s an IEM that is so unique and interesting that it’s definitely going to be polarizing.
However, when it comes to how good this product is in general, I must admit – Campfire Audio really pulled a wild card here. The Grand Luna is one of the most beautiful IEMs ever made; it’s incredibly well-made, supplied with class-leading packaging and accessories.
On top of all of that, it offers a polished, yet interesting, unusual tuning that sounds intentional and fun. I strongly recommend giving yourself some time to really appreciate those. As I said in the beginning, the Grand Luna won’t give you a wow factor right from the start. However, the longer you listen…the more you’ll be mesmerized.
This has been the hardest review I’ve done in a while, and I’m really grateful for that. It was refreshing, eye-opening, and just a unique experience for me. I hope that you feel partially the same while reading it.
Big thanks to Campfire Audio for providing us with the Grand Luna for this review. I wasn’t paid or asked to say anything good or bad about this product, all of the above is just my personal, unbiased opinion.
Founder of Ear Fidelity. I’ve been into audio for many years, working in production, distribution, retail, and marketing throughout my career. Now trying to revolutionize the art of reviewing audio gear, but one thing will never change: Music is the most important.
