CAMPFIRE AUDIO CASCADE Guide

Campfire is still a relatively new company in the portable audio world, but what they have done quickly is quite incredible. We have numerous reviews of Campfire Audio IEM's up on the site, and every time, we have come away impressed. Outstanding build, slick design, and wonderful tuning are what draw us to this brand, and it's a huge reason that we were super excited to see them enter the world of full-size headphones.

The Campfire Audio Cascade is the first headphone from the Oregon-based company, and what an absolute banger for them to kick things off with.

WHAT IS THE CAMPFIRE AUDIO CASCADE HEADPHONES
As mentioned, the Cascade is the first headphone from Campfire Audio, but you wouldn't know it from looking at them. These have all the hallmarks of a mature and experienced build, so much so that they manage to make other manufacturers look a little bit silly.

Campfire Direct's price is $799, which puts them right in among some very respectable competition from Fostex, Audeze, and others.

THE PACKAGING

Campfire Audio Cascade

I say it every time, but the packaging of Campfire Audio's headphones is by far my favorite of any premium audio manufacturer. It’s tastefully simple and cohesive right across the brand's entire range. There is little in the way of waste if you choose not to keep the box and the way the products are presented greatly enhances the feeling that you are getting into something special.

Like with all other Campfire Audio products, the setup is the same. A simple, high-quality paper box with the starry night sky printed on it. Peel off the lid, and you are faced with another of the companies staples. The incredible quality custom carries case.

This one is obviously larger in scale than those that come with the IEM's, but it’s essentially the same setup. A gorgeous leather outer stamped with the company logo, ridiculously over-engineered zippers, and wool interior. The headphones sit inside, awaiting you.

Beneath the carry case, one will find the bundled accessories.

It is a simple yet premium feel to it. Consistent over-engineering and attention to detail really make Campfire stand out in a sea of companies taking shortcuts to service their bottom lines.

Last week when attending High End 2018 in Munich, I was speaking to Caleb from Campfire. You could see a thoroughly nice guy with people like him on board why people rate their products so highly.

He explained that they even go as far as ensuring that the card the boxes are made from is dyed right through instead of printed.

Honestly, you wouldn't notice this yourself unless you deliberately ripped the packaging, but they know they care about it. That, if anything, is an indication of a company out to make the absolute best products they can. Compromises in quality are damned!

THE ACCESSORIES - GOING THE EXTRA MILE.

Campfire Audio Cascade

We understand that it’s hard to put together a comprehensive accessory pack with a set of headphones. There really isn't a lot you can do, but what we do give bonus points to is the quality. Accessories should be worthy of inclusion but not just an afterthought.

Campfire Audio included some very nice little extras with the Cascade headphones, and the best of the lot is, of course, the carry case.

To this day, I don't understand how some companies choose to neglect the inclusion of a carry case with their headphones—especially given some of the prices being charged. You would think it a nice gesture to give clientele somewhere nice to store their headphones when not in use.

The carry case for the Cascade is far beyond our expectations. It’s a scaled-up version of the one you get with Campfire Audio earphones. A rigid clamshell design made from premium materials and beautifully finished. Leather exterior, sheep wool style interior. This is a beautiful place to keep your headphones when not on the head and at the same time keep them safe from knocks when in transit.