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.
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 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.
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 their attractive high gloss surface finish.
With 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 their attractive high gloss surface finish.
With 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.