Dorado 2020
Hybrid Hero
Since 2016 – Dorado’s original release – we have developed a remarkable series of high-fidelity hybrid IEMs that have gone from niche to popularized as some of the very best in the world.
The Campfire Audio Dorado 2020 breathes new life into the name and the legacy of the original with a fresh take on its classic hybrid design. One balanced armature and one dynamic driver. No cross-over, no complications. We’ve found these distilled pairings reproduce sound more faithfully, with improved resolution and better cohesion than those with over-complicated cross-over schemes.
The result is a detailed yet natural sound. They are resolving and emotionally engaging—a true hybrid in design and sonic presentation.
Frequency Response
Listening: Pop, Funk, RnB/Soul, Rock, Psych Rock, Blues, Indie, Alternative, Metal, Hip-Hop, Techno, IDM, Reggae, Country, Folk, Jazz, Classical, Soundtrack, Podcast, Experimental
Production: Monitoring, Drums, Guitar, Keys, Bass
Hi, Hybrid.
Greater than the sum of its parts.
A single balanced armature augments our custom-tuned 10mm A.D.L.C. diaphragm dynamic driver. Leaving the sparkling highs to the B.A., this dynamic driver is afforded the space to dig in a bit deeper, reach a bit lower, and deliver rich and satisfying bass. Its vocal delivery is precise and pronounced. Dorado 2020 is very much a hybrid high-fidelity earphone.
Hi, Hybrid.
Greater than the sum of its parts.
A single balanced armature augments our custom-tuned 10mm A.D.L.C. diaphragm dynamic driver. Leaving the sparkling highs to the B.A., this dynamic driver is afforded the space to dig in a bit deeper, reach a bit lower, and deliver rich and satisfying bass. Its vocal delivery is precise and pronounced. Dorado 2020 is very much a hybrid high-fidelity earphone.
Ceramic is Zirconia
Super Sintering Process
In 2015, Campfire Audio was the first company to introduce a ceramic body earphone with the original Lyra. With our new Dorado and Vega, we’ve returned to this excellent material.
Ceramic is a dense material. That’s part of its appeal when designing an earphone. The density pairs well with dynamic drivers because it doesn’t let vibrations run wild. It also has the added benefit of ownership by being extremely scratch-resistant.
Our ceramic shells get their strength through a sintering process. Two days are spent at 600 degrees, followed by three days at 1200 degrees. This extended exposure to high heat dramatically reduces the parts’ size and increases their density as a result.
The shells then spend up to 3 days in a tumbler along with small alumina stones and water. This polishing process gives them an attractive high gloss surface finish.
With the Campfire Audio Dorado 2020, we’ve turned to a machined brass spout with a ‘gunmetal grey’ P.V.D. finish. The conical shape and reduced diameter of the spout provide further tuning enhancements while also improving wear comfort. The super small balanced armature sits centrally in the spout, and its proximity to the exit gives it an enhanced presence in just the right proportion.
Ceramic is Zirconia
Super Sintering Process
In 2015, Campfire Audio was the first company to introduce a ceramic body earphone with the original Lyra. With our new Dorado and Vega, we’ve returned to this excellent material.
Ceramic is a dense material. That’s part of its appeal when designing an earphone. The density pairs well with dynamic drivers because it doesn’t let vibrations run wild. It also has the added benefit of ownership by being extremely scratch-resistant.
Our ceramic shells get their strength through a sintering process. Two days are spent at 600 degrees, followed by three days at 1200 degrees. This extended exposure to high heat dramatically reduces the parts’ size and increases their density as a result.
The shells then spend up to 3 days in a tumbler along with small alumina stones and water. This polishing process gives them an attractive high gloss surface finish.
With the Campfire Audio Dorado 2020, we’ve turned to a machined brass spout with a ‘gunmetal grey’ P.V.D. finish. The conical shape and reduced diameter of the spout provide further tuning enhancements while also improving wear comfort. The super small balanced armature sits centrally in the spout, and its proximity to the exit gives it an enhanced presence in just the right proportion.
Fun for All
True ‘North of Neutral’
Give yourself the freedom to have fun listening to music again.
Dorado’s acoustic design shares a relatively simple philosophy with Vega; use the best components possible and let them shine. Similar to Vega 2020, there isn’t a cross-over or other electronic clutter in the signal path to endanger the driver’s musical performance.
Being a hybrid IEM Dorado 2020 is unique from Vega in adding another component; a single high frequency focused balanced armature. Dorado uses a custom-tuned dynamic driver as well – one that shares similar elements to its full range sibling found in Vega.
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Ray Stewart (verified owner) –
I’ve been in the market for an IEM for months now, and in particular, something from Campfire Audio. Based on both my prior experience with the Campfire Comet, and also the reputation of the rest of the product line that’s hard to miss on YouTube I have been on sort of a holding pattern, waiting for something to come along that best matched my needs as a music listener since none of Campfire Audio’s offerings seemed to really check that box. Everything else seemed too analytic or too biased towards bass-heads. I needed something that would engage me emotionally rather than something that would put a microscope on the music or be too neutral. I listen to music for pleasure and the Dorado 2020 is EXACTLY the experience I have been looking for. Almost from the first note, I felt emotionally drawn into the music, very much like what I experience from my stereo system. There’s a nice roomy soundstage and set within it is all the clarity and detail I need, not to mention plenty of good bass. The Dorado 2020 is kind to badly recorded music, something else I appreciate greatly because it allows me the freedom to listen broadly across any genre and bounce back and forth between HiRes and compressed without being punished for it. I give it only four stars because the cable that’s included with it is no where near as good as the Dorado itself. It very quickly becomes a rat’s nest when taking the Dorado out of its case. Four and a half stars would be more appropriate, since the cable is mostly just an annoyance. I’m so pleased to have bought the “right” IEM for me the first time, rather than wind up with a small collection of expensive IEMs that mostly collect dust.
Stephen A. (verified owner) –
This is my second CA IEMs, first being Lyra II which I bought in lieu of original Dorado or Vega because of price a few years ago. I own lots of other IEMs but I’m always in search of “the next best thing” at prices that won’t prevent the kids getting their university educations. The Lyra were pretty much my favourite IEM for comfort and long-term listening. I decided to get Dorado 2020 because of the hybrid set up as opposed to the single driver that Vega 2020 offer as well as the Lyra.
Sound-wise Dorado 2020 tick all the boxes I need: good wide soundstage, great low end bass (I’m not a bass head), easy-listening treble and midrange, and precise separation of instrument/vocal. These are also as comfortable as the Lyra even with slightly larger nozzle port. The included tips are good enough to find the perfect fit and isolation. The storage case has a cheap feel to it (probably because it’s made from recycled material) and glue lines are showing. I won’t be using it.
I bought the Super Smokey Litz cable w/ 2.5mm balanced plug to use with these. The stock cable is nice but for the price of the IEM I think CA should have included the 3.5mm SE variant of the Super Smokey as default. A minor quibble because in the end I think the Dorado 2020 are worth the expenditure.
Now compared to the other IEMs in my collection, Dorado 2020 are the reigning champs. I’m happy and the kids can still learn stuff in school.
turksonturkson (verified owner) –
Im thoroughly enjoying this, in terms of sound and beauty of the iem. Im on the verge of calling in sick to work so I can listen to my whole music collection. The sound is nothing like my old earphones (AirPods pros). There is just detail in the music that I can now hear. Although they don’t sound like $1000 I definitely love them and would buy again.
Jeff Rockwell –
I can’t get enough of these IEMs. CFA here has taken a really basic tuning and refined to absolute perfection. With Dorado 2020 you get modestly basshead level bass with a supremely textured and natural midrange that feels open, inviting and veil-free and a sweet natural treble that is sharp but never unpleasant, sibilant or fatiguing. Couple all that with an instantly accessible, insanely engaging versatile tuning I have a feeling these could eventually overtake, or at least equal the Andromeda as CFA’s most storied release. They are that good in my opinion.
Dorado 2020 excel with (often less well recorded) pop and rock music that the bulk of us grew up with during the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, an on into the present really. Exile on Main Street, James Brown recordings from the 60s, Metallica, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads– anything with the label “pop music” that I can think of– sound incredible on these. All in all a very dynamic and “in your face” sound that I’m currently finding rather insanely fun to listen to—not since the Atlas have I experienced an IEM so totally devoted to quality fun.
Where the Dorado knocks it out of the park, however, is with its natural timbre– voices, strings, horns, percussion– all have a depth, density, realism and, fundamentally, a deceptive naturalism that, to my ears is, utterly captivating. I think it will emerge that the Dorado’s ceramic shell and its unique acoustic properties is in some part responsible for how sure footed and disciplined the bass is on the whole while granting the signature on the whole a somewhat raw and wild character. More than with any other IEM I’ve tried the Dorado hooks me in with what is ultimately a sense of playfulness– I just want to tap my feet, bop my head, sing, dance, express myself in some way when I listen to these. Putting them on is a passport to a musical Disneyland.
At the moment the Dorado 2020 is my favorite Campfire IEM. I love that CFA plays around with different tuning ideals. I have always been a fan of their more fun and bassy excursions and with the Dorado 2020 I feel they’ve finally reached a laudable level of perfection with that sort of tuning in that they’re allowing me to totally rock out and not feel like I’m missing anything substantial in terms of staging or details. I’ve had these in my ears for days straight and they have not hit a false note for me yet– in fact I can barely wipe the smile off my face most of the time. Nicely Done.
Charles Miller (verified owner) –
I’ve used Shure SE535 for many years, very happy with the smooth balanced sound but not so much with their quality. Was looking for both much better build and sound quality. Tried Andromeda, very nice and well worth the money but a bit big and industrial looking. Andromeda are incredibly detailed but in a obvious sort of way. When I described the sort of smooth and balanced yet detailed sound I was looking for the excellent Campfire customer service recommended Dorado. I was a little concerned at first because they described the midrange as “scooped out” and so I kept Andromeda until Dorado came, just in case.
No need, I knew immediately Dorado are the IEMs for me! Andromeda let me hear the fingerprints plucking the guitar string, Dorado gives me the full body and texture of each note. With Shure I never played around with the tips but with Dorado the sound is so refined it is a pleasure to be able to fine tune it- the response changes pretty much as described in the included flyer.
The space age ceramic is dense, vibrationally dead, and drop dead gorgeous! The bass is even a little more full-bodied impressive than Andromeda, the midrange is to die for, and the treble is perfect- there when it should be, not there when it shouldn’t. They will play frighteningly loud, but sound great at all levels, are comfortable, and block out noise exceptionally well. I have been showing them off to people and what a trip to watch their eyes go wide when they hear these beauties! Nicely done? Oh, yeah, you could say that.
Aleksandr –
Наушники премиум качества об этом говорит качество полиграфии, дизайна на упаковке да и сама она это какое произведение искусства) Коробочку внешнею выкидывать не хочется. Материал самих наушников тоже очень интересный красивый, надёжный, ток собирает отпечатки на ура. В ушах сидят как влитые после 6 драйверных китайцев это настоящая услада для ушей, в них реально можно сидеть часами. А захочется ли, вопрос хороший. Звук одновременно огорчил так и обрадовал, слышно все возможности фирменного динамического драйвера это просто шикарная тональность, сцена, и даже детальность нижнечастотного и среднего регистра, этот динамик дают пендиля всем сдвоенным арматурам knowless, и почти не уступает по скорости. ВЧ арматура тут выполняют роль компаньона, хотя акцент на ВЧ есть. Но, не понимаю как можно было так настроить данные наушники, бас очень раздут в массе, иногда мешает восприятию среднечастотного диапазона и тупо не слышно того что можно было услышать. Про акцент на ВЧ тоже в некоторых треках идёт на пользу а где то перебор. Потенциал техничности этих наушников убили уж слишком резкой V. Инструменты чересчур раздутые и не натуральные, в некоторых треках , низкие частоты своей повышенной амплитудой глушат все. Стоит ли данные уши своих денег безусловно да, вот играют ли они на свои деньги тут однозначно нет, конечно все на любителя но подобный тюнинг в наушниках за 1000$ это по моему перебор, хотя такой же звук скорее всего найти дешевле будет очень сложно, но все же разумным выбором за эти деньги будет Adromeda 2020.
andy-9622 (verified owner) –
Expressive sound in a comfortable package.
I was intrigued with Dorado 2020 from reading the product description. After listening, the words fun, lively and engaging are all apt. There are so few tools at our disposal to represent the vastness of what we experience through our senses. I think Campfire Audio managed these constraints beautifully with the simple design philosophy of the Dorado.
Why did I buy them, and what was the criteria used to guide my purchase? For me it was the promise of the musical experience. As musicians and choir members, we’re tasked with contributing our part to produce a desired effect. If all goes well, realizing this goal is apparent in live settings. But capturing it as recorded detail is another matter. These IEMs help me make out parts that I couldn’t register before – subtle passages of altos, horn or bassoon, for example.
Measurements and targets aren’t really my thing. But when a live pipe organ or string bass plunges deep, you can feel it. I want that sensation to the extent possible in my home listening. The Dorados deliver. I use them with my mobile devices and laptop, usually with an attenuator for better control of volume level. I enjoy ambient, electronic and experimental music. With headphones and IEMs, I find myself in a good place. The Dorado 2020s are now a big part of that adventure.
Anders Sederholm (verified owner) –
Received them today.
Replaced cable to Effect Audio Ares II+ and tips to Spinfit CP100.
Very fun sounding with good bass and clear highs.
Slightly recessed mids (as expected).
Fits perfectly between my Empire Ears Legend X and Lime ears Aether R
Jonathan Bangayan –
Didn’t think I could love anything more than the Andro 2020. I guess I was wrong.
Jono M (verified owner) –
This is my first foray into higher-end IEMs. Having been a Tidal Premium user for some years now I wanted to get more out of my listening experience and initially bought a Dragonfly Cobalt just to improve my Sony WH1000XM4. As a follower of Darko Audio, he had prompted me to look at Campfire Audio given his original review of the Polaris, and the follow up on the Vega and Dorado prompted my purchase of the latter. The Dorado is a game changer – it seems to bridge the wide complex of music I listen to extraordinarily well, and brings to life parts of the music that I missed before. For an audiophile with a low technical knowledge base, the experience is like drinking a fine wine versus 2-buck chuck, or drinking an 18 year old malt versus a 5 year old whiskey. Not only am I very pleased with my purchase, but once you make the step, it’s very difficult to go back. For someone wanting to supercharge their listening experience but perhaps is concerned about dropping $900 on a pair of headphones, you will not be disappointed. Dorado 2020/Dragonfly Cobalt/Roon Arc/Tidal or your CD collection… living life at 11! Treat yourself.