Campfire Audio | Hand-Built IEMs & Audiophile Earphones

How to Match Eartips to Your Campfire Audio Earphones

How to Match Eartips to Your Campfire Audio Earphones

By Campfire Audio | Hand-Built IEMs & Audiophile Earphones | Published: 2026-10-13

Category: How-to Guides

A step-by-step guide to choosing eartips for Campfire Audio IEMs. Learn how to size, seal, and test tips to improve bass, comfort, and isolation.

Quick answer

Start with the stock medium eartips, then test small and large sizes in both ears. Aim for a seal that lets you hear a faint thump when you press the tip in and removes most outside noise without deep insertion. If bass feels thin or the earphones slip, try a different size or material before assuming the earphones are the problem.

Why eartips change what you hear

Eartips do more than hold the earphone in place. They create the air seal between the nozzle and your ear canal, and that seal controls how much low-frequency energy reaches your eardrum. A poor seal leaks bass and makes the whole tuning sound thinner and brighter. A good seal restores the intended balance and improves isolation, so you hear more detail at lower volumes.

Because every ear canal is shaped differently, the tip that works for one listener may fail for another even with the same Campfire Audio model. This is why tip matching is a personal process, not a spec you can copy from a review.

Sizing basics: small, medium, large, and in between

Most eartips come in small, medium, and large, but the difference between sizes is often only about 1 mm. That small change can be the difference between a leak and a seal. Start with the size that feels comfortable and fills your ear canal without needing to jam it in. If you have to push hard, go smaller. If the tip slides out or feels loose, go larger.

Your two ears may need different sizes. It is common to use medium in one ear and large in the other. Test each ear separately rather than assuming symmetry.

Material and shape: silicone, foam, and hybrid tips

Silicone tips are durable, easy to clean, and usually give a slightly brighter sound with a secure fit once you find the right size. Foam tips compress before insertion and expand to fill the canal, which can help if your ear shape is irregular or if you want maximum isolation. Foam tends to soften treble slightly and may need replacement more often.

Hybrid tips combine a silicone core with a softer outer layer. They can offer a middle ground: easier insertion than pure silicone with more consistency than foam. The right choice depends on whether you prioritize isolation, comfort, or a specific treble response.

How to test a seal without guessing

Play a familiar track with steady bass, like a simple kick drum or bass line. Press the earphones gently into your ears. If the bass gets noticeably stronger when you press, your seal is not secure. Adjust the tip size or try a different material until pressing makes little difference.

You can also cup your hands over your ears. If outside noise drops significantly when you do, your tips are not isolating well. A proper seal should already block a good amount of ambient sound before you cup your hands.

When to consider custom-fit options

If you have tried multiple universal tip sizes and still cannot get a consistent seal, a custom-fit IEM may be the better path. Custom-fit models are molded to your ear shape and eliminate the tip-rolling process entirely. The Campfire Audio Supermoon - Custom Fit IEM uses a personalized fit with a 14mm planar magnetic driver, so you get the same driver technology in a shell made for your ears.

Custom-fit is not a quick fix for a universal model you already own, but it is worth considering if fit issues keep you from enjoying your music. The tradeoff is ordering time and the need for ear impressions, which your audiologist can provide.

Step-by-step eartip matching process

  1. 1. Start with the stock medium tips: Most Campfire Audio earphones ship with medium silicone tips installed or in the box. Use them for a baseline listen before changing anything. Common mistake: jumping straight to foam or aftermarket tips without knowing how the stock sound behaves.
  2. 2. Test small and large in each ear: Swap one size at a time and listen to the same bass-heavy track. Note whether bass increases or decreases and whether the tip feels loose or tight. Checkpoint: if one ear feels different, try a different size for that ear only.
  3. 3. Check the seal with a gentle press: Press the earphone into your ear. If bass gets stronger, the seal is incomplete. Resize or switch material until pressing changes little. Common mistake: confusing a deep, uncomfortable insertion with a good seal.
  4. 4. Try a different tip material if needed: If silicone will not seal, try foam or hybrid tips. Foam can fill irregular canals; hybrids can balance comfort and isolation. Checkpoint: foam may soften treble slightly, so compare before committing.
  5. 5. Live with the best candidate for a few days: Comfort issues often appear after 30 minutes, not 30 seconds. Wear your top choice for several listening sessions before deciding. Next step: if no universal tip works, consider a custom-fit model like the Supermoon - Custom Fit IEM.

Campfire Audio models and tip compatibility

  • Supermoon - Custom Fit IEM: Supermoon - Custom Fit IEM uses a personalized, custom-fit shell with a 14mm planar magnetic driver. If universal tips never seal well for you, this model removes the eartip variable entirely by using a mold of your ear.
  • Dorado 2020: Dorado 2020 is a hybrid design with a 10mm ADLC dynamic driver and a single balanced armature, with a ceramic housing and brass PVD spout assembly. The spout shape and housing weight can affect how tips sit, so test a few tip styles to find one that stays put and seals consistently.
  • Supermoon: Supermoon uses a custom 14mm planar magnetic driver and is available in multiple colors. Planar drivers can reveal tip-related seal issues clearly, so a proper fit helps you hear the intended speed and versatility.

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