Astell&Kern Pathfinder Hybrid IEM Earphones

Astell&Kern Pathfinder Hybrid IEM Earphones

The Hybrid IEM Redefined

Campfire Audio and Astell&Kern have earned the recognition of audiophiles around the world thanks to their excellent technology introduced with the first collaboration model, AK Solaris X, which is a celebrated product that recreates the deep, rich sound of Astell&Kern. Now, Astell&Kern and Campfire Audio join forces once again to present PATHFINDER, a new hybrid IEM that offers amazing technology and sound.

Astell&Kern and Campfire Audio take innovation to a new level by combining their advanced technologies and designs to create a product worthy of the name PATHFINDER. To realize this dream, they repeatedly tested numerous designs to produce a structure different from existing IEMs and added an innovative Dual-Diaphragm Balanced Armature Driver, finally achieving the best sound. Enjoy a unique experience through PATHFINDER, a more advanced Hybrid IEM.

Campfire Audio springs from a passionate focus on refined audio reproduction. Each model in theirr earphone line is designed and assembled by hand in a Portland, Oregon workshop; their earphones are second to none in performance and finish.

With a small team of highly skilled and dedicated craftspeople, Campfire Audio continuously experiment with materials and techniques to create some-thing unique and special for the people who care most about it.

The Combination for Perfect Balance

A completely new IEM design was needed for a wider frequency range, realistic reproduction, and a perfect balance.
To achieve this, PATHFINDER has a new Dual-Diaphragm Balanced Armature (BA) Driver from Knowles for the key part of the midrange, dual BA drivers for high frequencies, as well as two dynamic drivers with a hybrid diaphragms that create bass and midrange.

A Radial Venting Acoustic Chamber, newly developed by Campfire Audio, is applied to the two Custom 10mm Dynamic Drivers. The 3D-printed chamber design naturally expresses the intense low-frequency sound produced by the two dynamic drivers while preserving the unique sound of the Dynamic Driver.

Internal Structure

	Precision-Milled Aluminum Shell The precision-milled aluminum shells made with high-quality aluminum are anodized into a pitch-black “Night Sky” color. The stainless steel parts and aluminum shells used in the body increase the product's durability and suppresses unnecessary vibrations for minimal noise and offers a secure fit so that users can enjoy a comfortable audio environment.
	New Level of Performance, Custom Dual Balanced Armature Drivers + T.A.E.C. The newly customized Dual Balanced Armature Drivers present clearer and more precise expressions with T.A.E.C. (Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber) that expresses high frequencies without fatigue or sibilance through a specially designed audio technology.
	The World's First, All-New 'Dual Chamber' Balanced Armature Driver Technology To create a higher quality acoustic performance and listening experience, we needed a new technology that previous products did not have. Knowles’ new ‘Dual Chamber’ Balanced Armature Driver, used for the first time ever in PATHFINDER, is an innovative driver in which a single coil operates two individual diaphragms. It’s like a twin cylinder engine – delivering more horsepower and smoother operation compared to one with a single, larger piston. Compared to a traditional BA with a single, larger diaphragm, the all-new design incorporates two chambers, each housing its own diaphragm and drive rod actuated by a single coil, resulting in a higher, more powerful output for its size than any other BA and is excellent at expressing a warmer and more natural midrange. Find out more about the amazing performance of this brand-new Dual Chamber BA Driver unique to PATHFINDER.
	Rich and Visceral Bass, All-New Dual Custom 10mm Dynamic Drivers Dual Custom Dynamic Drivers with PU + LCP Hybrid Diaphragms present a clean and balanced low to midrange with quick response. The Dual 10mm Dynamic Drivers contained in the innovative 3D-printed chamber design provide a rich and high-definition low to midrange. The acoustic chamber is an all-new design by Campfire Audio, creating a faster and more powerful low frequency response without unnecessary pressure or exaggeration. Each dynamic driver is vented through a specially designed opening located at the face of the driver. This new design dramatically improves the expression of the drivers. With this design, we are able to create a magnificent low-note frequency while preserving the unique sound of the dynamin driver.

Beryllium / Copper MMCX Connections

Custom Beryllium Copper MMCX connectors are more resilient against wear and tear than regular brass connectors, providing a robust mating mechanism; one that is typically made from soft brass. This selection of a harder material extends the life of the component and the earphone.

Silver-Plated Copper and Flat Cable Design

PATHFINDER comes with three silver-plated copper cables allowing the earphones to reach their full performance potential. The silver-plated OFC copper Litz cable is a newly produced flat cable, with enameled silver-plated copper wire conductor to offer clearer, extended sounds.
The flat cable prevents tangling, can be wound for easy storage, and has minimal cable distortion. It is over-molded for increased durability and finished with a metal housing.

	Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber The tuned acoustic expansion chamber technology allows these IEM earphones to deliver extended high frequencies without sibilance or fatigue. A&K optimize their driver performance by adjusting the volume of space available in front of the driver. This is superior to the typical “Tube+Dampener” system because it provides a direct passage from the driver to your ear, which results in unsurpassed clarity and extension.
	3D printed acoustic tuning for dynamic drivers This allows the dynamic drivers to vent to the entire circumference of the driver. The practical impact is a larger soundstage and more presence without increasing pressure or bass bloat.
	Carefully Designed for Optimum Sonic Performance Close attention to detail is critical to delivering you the superior musical experience from our earphones. Solaris features an acoustically optimized interior model that allows each driver to deliver the very best sound quality. When heard together, the drivers offer a seamless musical experience as a result of this process.

Handcrafted IEM Made in the USA

PATHFINDER is hand-assembled in Portland, Oregon, USA by skilled craftsmen, ensuring each individual earphone manufactured to the highest quality standards.

Components

• 2.5mm Silver-Plated Copper Cable
• 3.5mm Silver-Plated Copper Cable
• 4.4mm Silver-Plated Copper Cable
• 5 pairs of Final Audio E-Type Tips (XS/S/M/L/XL)
• 3 pairs of Campfire Audio Marshmallow Earphone Tips (S/M/L)
• 3 pairs of Silicon Earphone Tips (S/M/L)
• Earphone Cleaning Tool
• Leather Zipper Case
• Earphone Protection Sleeve
• Earphone Tips and Cable Storage Pouch

Design

PATHFINDER combines Astell&Kern’s design philosophy, which expresses the purity of original sound with its philosophy of ‘light and shadow’, with Campfire Audio’s design philosophy, which expresses its awe of nature, gave birth to the ‘Mountain Peak’ inlay design. The inlay is individually produced from stainless steel and consists of six different sides that depict light and shadow. Together, these luminous sides form the shape of a brilliant mountain that rises from the earth. PATHFINDER, with its precision production, expresses dynamic beauty and displays the value of the premium craftsmanship and innovation that Campfire Audio and Astell&Kern pride themselves in.

Specification

• Model: PATHFINDER
• Transducer Type:
  
  • [High] Custom Dual Balanced Armature Drivers + T.A.E.C.
  • [Mid] All-New 'Dual Chamber' Balanced Armature Driver Technology from Knowles
  • [Mid-Low to Sub-Bass] All-New Dual Custom 10mm Dynamic Drivers paired with Radial Venting Technology
• Cable:
  
  • 2.5mm Silver-Plated Copper Cable
  • 3.5mm Silver-Plated Copper Cable
  • 4.4mm Silver-Plated Copper Cable
• Material / Design: Aluminum shell / Hand polished stainless steel threaded spout / Stainless steel Inlay and Parts
• Frequency Response: 5Hz-20kHz
• SPL: 94dB @ 1kHz 13.49mVrms
• Impedance: 6.2 Ohm @ 1kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 1%

About Astell&Kern

Astell&Kern is the ultimate digital music source that brings you Mastering Quality Sound or MQS. Astell means ‘Stars’ in Latin and Kern means ‘Center’ in German. We believe Astell&Kern is the center of music.

Today, original music performances can be captured in digital almost exactly as they were performed due to new, advanced recording technology currently available. However, these high quality recordings are mainly listened to through inferior sound formats, such as MP3 or through streaming services. With the debut of the MP3 format, music lovers sacrificed sound quality for the convenience of being able to carry their music collection wherever they went. Because the MP3 format heavily compresses files for the sake of convenience, the vocals and instruments you hear are only an inferior version of the original. The soundstage and the ambience of the original performance often disappears when listening to compressed MP3 music. After pondering these issues, Astell&Kern was our solution to poor sound quality for the sake of portability, and our way in reviving the original sound quality of music, MQS, for music artists, recording engineers, and professionals.

Astell&Kern's pursuit is to provide natural and original sound without distortion. It showcases the presence of the original recording with miniscule details you may not have noticed from other music systems, while playing back high-resolution music bit by bit, exactly as it was recorded. The ability to play back the exact recording of any live performance is what Astell&Kern is known for.

The power of true sound from Astell&Kern can now be experienced and has been part of many famous audio exhibitions around the world. Astell&Kern is now admired by music lovers from many countries, including the USA, China, Japan, UK, France, and many more around the world.