Campfire Audio has unveiled the Chimera, a new flagship in-ear monitor that combines four distinct driver technologies within a single design. Hand-built in Portland, Oregon, the luxury earphones bring together a dynamic driver, balanced armatures, electrostatic tweeters and, for the first time in a Campfire Audio product, a bone-conduction driver.
The idea is to deliver an immersive listening experience that combines detailed sound reproduction with a greater sense of physical impact.
The Campfire Audio Chimera was previewed at CanJam Singapore and represents the most technically ambitious in-ear monitor the company has produced to date.
Housed in a CNC-machined magnesium shell with carbon fibre and brass Damascus faceplates, the Chimera is aimed squarely at the high-end market. It ships with Campfire’s new ALO Audio Valence-6 cable and a comprehensive accessories package, including a leather carry case and multiple ear-tip options.
But the Chimera doesn’t come cheap…
Chimera represents the most technically ambitious in-ear monitor the company has produced to date…
Pushing portable Hi-Fi into ultra-luxury territory
The Chimera shows just how far portable wired audio can be pushed when cost is not the primary concern.
While mainstream wireless earbuds prioritise portability, noise cancellation and smart features, high-end in-ear monitors, known as IEMs, focus on absolute sound quality.
A wired connection removes the need for Bluetooth transmission and battery-powered amplification, allowing designers to concentrate entirely on acoustic performance. As interest in dedicated music players, headphone amplifiers and wired listening continues to grow among enthusiasts, products such as the Chimera are finding an increasingly receptive audience.
According to Campfire Audio founder Ken Ball, the Chimera represents a new benchmark for the company.
“Chimera is the most advanced in-ear monitor we’ve developed at Campfire so far,” he said. “It reflects a new horizon in the performance of Campfire products and expands on what is possible from compact, portable audio systems.”
At the heart of the Chimera lies a highly ambitious nine-driver architecture. Rather than relying on a single driver type, Campfire has employed four distinct technologies, each tasked with handling different parts of the audible spectrum.
Low frequencies and lower midrange duties are managed by a newly developed 10mm True-Glass dynamic driver. Midrange detail comes from a dual-diaphragm balanced armature driver, while two additional balanced armatures focus on high-frequency reproduction. Beyond these sit four electrostatic super-tweeters designed to extend treble performance and add greater air, openness and precision.
Perhaps the most intriguing element is a technology making its debut in a Campfire Audio design. The Chimera incorporates a bone-conduction driver embedded directly into the earphone shell. Rather than relying solely on sound waves travelling through the air, this driver transfers vibration through the structure of the earpiece itself. The result is intended to make bass frequencies not only audible but physically perceptible, adding a greater sense of sonic immersion.
The exterior of the Chimera is every bit as elaborate as its internal design. The shell is precision-machined from billet magnesium, chosen for its low weight, rigidity and suitability for the integrated bone-conduction system. Each earpiece is finished with a durable PVD coating and offered in either gold or black.
The faceplate is particularly striking. Campfire combines carbon fibre with folded brass Damascus layers, creating a patterned surface that shifts subtly under changing light, says the company. Because of the manufacturing process, no two pairs are exactly alike.
Further detailing includes machined brass nozzles, reinforced brass fasteners and standard two-pin cable connectors, allowing owners to experiment with aftermarket cables if desired.
The Chimera ships with the new ALO Audio Valence-6 cable, marking the return of Campfire’s sister cable brand. The design combines four high-purity copper conductors with two hybrid copper and silver-plated copper conductors, all terminated within black anodised aluminium hardware.
The Campfire Audio Chimera begins shipping in June 2026. Pricing has been set at £6,999 ($7,500 in the United States).
The 1000X The Collexion is the most indulgent headphone yet from Sony. Crafted in celebration of its award-winning, and best-selling, WH-1000XM series, and marking a decade of the brand’s flagship wireless line, the 1000X has been created with the sole aim of delivering Sony’s most engaging headphone experience yet. But has it succeeded? Certainly, the…
The latest JBL wireless headphones are clearly made for those who want their personal audio to make as much of a style statement as their dress sense. Arriving as part of a wider refresh of the brand’s lifestyle audio range, the new JBL Live 780NC and JBL Live 680NC combine adaptive noise cancelling and extended…
Personal audio specialist SIVGA hopes to capitalise on the growing trend back to wired earphones, with the launch of the M260, a retro-inspired in-ear model that combines the simplicity of traditional tethered listening with modern acoustic engineering. There are no batteries to charge, no Bluetooth pairing routines to navigate and no concerns over latency. Instead,…
The Luxe Review 
Campfire Audio has unveiled the Chimera, a new flagship in-ear monitor that combines four distinct driver technologies within a single design. Hand-built in Portland, Oregon, the luxury earphones bring together a dynamic driver, balanced armatures, electrostatic tweeters and, for the first time in a Campfire Audio product, a bone-conduction driver.
The idea is to deliver an immersive listening experience that combines detailed sound reproduction with a greater sense of physical impact.
The Campfire Audio Chimera was previewed at CanJam Singapore and represents the most technically ambitious in-ear monitor the company has produced to date.
Housed in a CNC-machined magnesium shell with carbon fibre and brass Damascus faceplates, the Chimera is aimed squarely at the high-end market. It ships with Campfire’s new ALO Audio Valence-6 cable and a comprehensive accessories package, including a leather carry case and multiple ear-tip options.
But the Chimera doesn’t come cheap…
Pushing portable Hi-Fi into ultra-luxury territory
The Chimera shows just how far portable wired audio can be pushed when cost is not the primary concern.
While mainstream wireless earbuds prioritise portability, noise cancellation and smart features, high-end in-ear monitors, known as IEMs, focus on absolute sound quality.
A wired connection removes the need for Bluetooth transmission and battery-powered amplification, allowing designers to concentrate entirely on acoustic performance. As interest in dedicated music players, headphone amplifiers and wired listening continues to grow among enthusiasts, products such as the Chimera are finding an increasingly receptive audience.
According to Campfire Audio founder Ken Ball, the Chimera represents a new benchmark for the company.
“Chimera is the most advanced in-ear monitor we’ve developed at Campfire so far,” he said. “It reflects a new horizon in the performance of Campfire products and expands on what is possible from compact, portable audio systems.”
At the heart of the Chimera lies a highly ambitious nine-driver architecture. Rather than relying on a single driver type, Campfire has employed four distinct technologies, each tasked with handling different parts of the audible spectrum.
Low frequencies and lower midrange duties are managed by a newly developed 10mm True-Glass dynamic driver. Midrange detail comes from a dual-diaphragm balanced armature driver, while two additional balanced armatures focus on high-frequency reproduction. Beyond these sit four electrostatic super-tweeters designed to extend treble performance and add greater air, openness and precision.
Perhaps the most intriguing element is a technology making its debut in a Campfire Audio design. The Chimera incorporates a bone-conduction driver embedded directly into the earphone shell. Rather than relying solely on sound waves travelling through the air, this driver transfers vibration through the structure of the earpiece itself. The result is intended to make bass frequencies not only audible but physically perceptible, adding a greater sense of sonic immersion.
The exterior of the Chimera is every bit as elaborate as its internal design. The shell is precision-machined from billet magnesium, chosen for its low weight, rigidity and suitability for the integrated bone-conduction system. Each earpiece is finished with a durable PVD coating and offered in either gold or black.
The faceplate is particularly striking. Campfire combines carbon fibre with folded brass Damascus layers, creating a patterned surface that shifts subtly under changing light, says the company. Because of the manufacturing process, no two pairs are exactly alike.
Further detailing includes machined brass nozzles, reinforced brass fasteners and standard two-pin cable connectors, allowing owners to experiment with aftermarket cables if desired.
The Chimera ships with the new ALO Audio Valence-6 cable, marking the return of Campfire’s sister cable brand. The design combines four high-purity copper conductors with two hybrid copper and silver-plated copper conductors, all terminated within black anodised aluminium hardware.
The Campfire Audio Chimera begins shipping in June 2026. Pricing has been set at £6,999 ($7,500 in the United States).
Sony 1000X The Collexion headphone review: Luxurious comfort, premium styling, yacht rock sound
The 1000X The Collexion is the most indulgent headphone yet from Sony. Crafted in celebration of its award-winning, and best-selling, WH-1000XM series, and marking a decade of the brand’s flagship wireless line, the 1000X has been created with the sole aim of delivering Sony’s most engaging headphone experience yet. But has it succeeded? Certainly, the…
JBL Live 780NC hands-on: fashionable Live ANC headphones put catwalk colours centrestage
The latest JBL wireless headphones are clearly made for those who want their personal audio to make as much of a style statement as their dress sense. Arriving as part of a wider refresh of the brand’s lifestyle audio range, the new JBL Live 780NC and JBL Live 680NC combine adaptive noise cancelling and extended…
SIVGA M260 wired earbuds blend vintage style with sonic sophistication
Personal audio specialist SIVGA hopes to capitalise on the growing trend back to wired earphones, with the launch of the M260, a retro-inspired in-ear model that combines the simplicity of traditional tethered listening with modern acoustic engineering. There are no batteries to charge, no Bluetooth pairing routines to navigate and no concerns over latency. Instead,…
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