Campfire Audio Fathom Review – Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness

Comparisons –

Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 ($1099): The Fathom and Andromeda are more alike than different, and I can see one choosing either depending on preference. The Andromeda chiefly provides a bit more treble clarity and holography while the Fathom offers slightly better technical ability and a more natural timbre. The bass voicing is almost identical, the Fathom having a hint more weight and structure due to having slightly better extension. The Andromeda is lighter-footed but has a touch more separation due to having less sub-bass.

The midrange is also very similarly voiced, being a touch cleaner on the Fathom and slightly more coherent on the Andro. The Fathom has much better layering, however. Treble is brighter on Andro and notes are thinner but have higher clarity. The Andro brings small details more to the fore while the Fathom has a more balanced albeit still crisp presentation. While the Andro is airier, the Fathom is much cleaner with slightly better extension. It has more texture and a more authentic note presentation. The Fathom has a wider stage and more accurate imaging while the Andro has a more holographic but less organized stage.

Campfire Andromeda Emerald Sea ($1499): The Emerald Sea has a more V-shaped sound due to its bigger bass and brighter treble that leaves its midrange more laid-back. With that said, the Emerald Sea is a technically impressive package and has an edge in general over the Fathom. The Fathom, however, is more balanced and therefore, has wider appeal. The Emerald Sea has a bigger and bolder bass with more sub-bass especially. The Emerald Sea offers a bit more weight and extension and a thicker note structure. The Fathom sounds cleaner and quicker with better separation. However, it lacks the same dynamics and depth. The midrange is noticeably cleaner and clearer on the Fathom. Vocals sit in better balance. The Emerald Sea has a more laid-back midrange, and it has an even thicker and warmer character.

This can make it sound a bit congested on certain tracks but those wanting something richer and more laid-back will appreciate the tuning here. The treble is an area where the Emerald Sea has a notable advantage. Treble stands out a touch more due to the more laid-back midrange, but it showcases better linearity and extension than the Fathom. There is noticeably more fine detail in both the foreground and background in addition to greater sparkle. It’s more energetic than the Fathom which has a darker background and a slightly more natural note presentation but misses out on the superb resolving power of the Emerald Sea. The soundstage holds up very well, however. Width is quite similar, but the Emerald Sea has more depth and is more holographic. It positions just as well as the Fathom all the while.

Fir VxV ($999): The VxV offers a hybrid driver platform and a more transparent tonality whilst upholding an energetic and sparkly top-end. Its bass tuning and overall sense of balance is similar albeit the dynamic driver creates a noticeably different presentation despite this. Chiefly, it has a weightier, thicker note presentation and greater sub-bass power and pressure. The VxV has a more authentic texture to its mid-bass while the Fathom is slightly warmer and fuller but quicker decaying. While the Fathom lacks the same dynamics, it offers a faster and more responsive bass in return.

The midrange is slightly more present on the VxV and it has a cleaner tone and a slightly higher vocal bias. The Fathom has a warmer voicing combined with a more articulate top-end. In turn, it sounds more coloured but it also means clarity is almost as high despite the added richness. The VxV has more air up top and slightly higher fine detail presence while the Fathom has a more focused, defined leading edge. The Fathom has a bit more sparkle but both offer excellent extension. The Fathom has a slightly larger stage and layers better while he VxV offers slightly better separation.

MMR Gae Bolg ($1199): The Gae Bolg is a nice alternative to the Andro for those who are treble sensitive for it has a similar richness but a smoother top-end. The bass is equally well extended on both but has a slightly cleaner tone on the GB. The Fathom offers a touch more warmth and fullness in addition to a slightly higher decay speed. This gives it slightly better separation while the Gae Bolg has a bit more texture and authenticity to its mid-bass. The GB also has a more present midrange which gives it a more balanced character overall.

While the Gae Bolg is lightly warm and dense, the Fathom is more vibrant with greater warmth but a clearer top-end. The Fathom is breathier while the Gae Bolg is more coherent and vocal-forward, delivering higher definition and less sharpness. The Fathom has a brighter treble in general and it is crisper and sparklier. The GB doesn’t extend quite as well but has a more organic note presentation with a more authentic sense of body and texture. It has good extension but doesn’t highlight micro details quite like the Fathom. The Fathom offers a wider stage while the GB has better layering.

Audeze Euclid ($1299): The Euclid offers a planar dynamic driver setup that brings a delightfully resolving sound. The Euclid also has a far more pleasant tonality than many planar IEMs, hence, the price premium by comparison. The Euclid offers a more neutral leaning sound but with a similar overall voicing. The Euclid has a much more neutral bass presence, it is well extended and offers more weight and slam in the sub-bass but has less mid and upper bass fullness. The Fathom is richer and fuller. Both are quickly decaying, responsive and well-defined with the Fathom having a slight advantage, the Euclid offering more authentic texture and timbre. The Fathom is more coloured in the midrange by extension of its bass tuning.

Accordingly, it is warmer, fuller but also more articulate. The Euclid has more vocal presence and it is far more transparent. The Euclid shares a similar sense of coherence but derives this form greater smoothness and density in the upper midrange rather than body in the bass and lower mids. The Fathom has a brighter top end with greater crispness and sparkle but also a darker background. The Euclid has a nice sense of crispness in the foreground and an airier mid-treble but a darker upper-treble. While it still has a nice sense of detail, the Euclid offers an airier response while the Fathom sounds more contrasted and focused in its detail delivery. The Fathom has a larger soundstage, and both have sharp, accurate imaging. The Euclid offers superior separation.  

Verdict –

The Fathom represents an evolution of the Andromeda formula that feels highly familiar yet changed in a meaningful way that earns the new title. The same beloved traits are apparent; that being a warm, rich bass, articulate midrange, and detail-forward treble. However, they are now enhanced with a much cleaner background and more accurate imaging alongside a more authentic treble instrument portrayal. For the same asking price, the Fathom also delivers the improved design and accessories from the pricier Emerald Sea alongside improvements to resolving power and bi-directional extension. There is ultimately little to add to the narrative as the Fathom appeals to those wanting an upgrade over the previous Andromeda variants and successfully fills the gap created by the more radically changed Emerald Sea as Campfire Audio’s premium all-rounder. Though visited mostly by small revisions over the years, the sum has added up to a product that remains very relevant and competitive in the modern market with a unique identity that hasn’t been replicated elsewhere.

The Fathom is available from Campfire Audio (International) for $1049 USD at the time of writing. I am not affiliated with CFA and receive no earnings from purchases made through these links.

Track List – 

Billie Eilish – dont smile at me

Bob Seger – Night Moves

Courtney Barnett – Rae Street

Cream – Wheels of Fire

Dire Straits – Communique

Dirty Loops – Next To You

Eagles – Hotel California

Elton John – Honky Chateau

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

H.E.R – I Used To Know Her

Jasen – BYE

John Mayer – Continuum

Kanye West – Ye

Missy Higgins – The Sound of White

Radiohead – OK Computer

TALA – ain’t leavin` without you

The Beatles – Abbey Road

The weeknd – After Hours

Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride