Symphonium Helios SE VS Campfire Audio Alien Brain
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Symphonium Helios SE and Campfire Audio Alien Brain use 4BA and 1DD+4BA driver setups respectively. Symphonium Helios SE costs $1,150 while Campfire Audio Alien Brain costs $1,000. Symphonium Helios SE is $150 more expensive. Campfire Audio Alien Brain holds a slight 0.3-point edge in reviewer scores (8 vs 8.3). Campfire Audio Alien Brain has significantly better bass with a 1-point edge, Symphonium Helios SE has better mids with a 0.5-point edge, Symphonium Helios SE has slightly better treble with a 0.3-point edge, Campfire Audio Alien Brain has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge, Symphonium Helios SE has significantly better details with a 1-point edge and Symphonium Helios SE has better imaging with a 0.5-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Symphonium Helios SE | Campfire Audio Alien Brain |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 7 | 8 |
| Mids | 8 | 7.5 |
| Treble | 8 | 7.8 |
| Details | 8 | 7 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 8 |
| Imaging | 7.5 | 7 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 8 |
| Tonality | 8 | 7.8 |
| Technicalities | 8 | 7.7 |
Symphonium Helios SE Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8Very Positive
Campfire Audio Alien Brain Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
8.3Very Positive
Reviews Comparison
Symphonium Helios SE (more reviews)
Symphonium Helios SE reviewed by Jays Audio
8.5
Reviewer Score
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Symphonium Helios SE reviewed by Nymz
8.1
Reviewer Score
Symphonium Helios SE reviewed by Yifang
8
Reviewer Score
Symphonium Helios SE reviewed by Precogvision
7.4
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Symphonium’s Helios arrives as a four-BA flagship with a spartan unboxing: a solid aluminum, waterproof “hockey-puck” case, multiple tip sets, and a standard 0.78 mm cable. Build is plain but substantial, and the shell is large with a wide nozzle—fit and comfort will be the biggest variable. The stock case’s rough threading and the cable’s lack of ear guides are minor gripes, but the overall presentation feels purposeful rather than flashy.
Tonally, Helios tracks Harman through the low mids, with a sub-bass-focused shelf and almost no mid-bass for maximum cleanliness—bass stays out of the mids and still slams impressively for BA. The midrange is clean and slightly lean (200 Hz dip, relaxed pinna gain) but well balanced. Treble is the showpiece: linear, extended, and airy to the edge of audibility, delivering uncommon “air” for the price. With Azla-style tips that air can verge on abrasive; swapping to the included silicone tips smooths the top end and improves coherence without dulling the sparkle.
Technicalities punch at the front of the kilobuck pack: resolution that hangs with class leaders, incisive imaging with uncanny “backwards” cues, and lively macro/micro-dynamics that give transients real snap. It may trail ultra-high-end sets by a hair in bass texture, but overall performance is compelling enough to edge out many peers. Verdict: an easy recommendation on sound alone, with the caveat to demo for fit—the shell size and nozzle girth will decide whether this brightest kilobuck star truly shines for you.
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Campfire Audio Alien Brain (more reviews)
Campfire Audio Alien Brain reviewed by Jaytiss
8.8
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Alien Brain arrives as a single-DD + 4BA hybrid around $1,000 with a truly peculiar shell: the rounded, “alien cortex” faceplate is magnetic, uses MMCX, and can be tricky to seat. The unboxing is lavish—two cables (including 4.4 mm), a compact magnetic leather case, a USB-C DAC/amp, foams plus “sticky” tips, cleaning tools, and extras. Fit is the hurdle; tip-rolling is essential, but once positioned correctly, comfort and seal fall into place.
Tonally, this set pursues a balanced, all-rounder tuning with a near-ideal bass shelf, lively but controlled upper mids, and sparkly yet composed treble. There’s punch and detail without drifting into fatigue; extension is strong, but staging isn’t the most expansive and note weight isn’t “thumpy”—this isn’t a bass-head cannon, more a clean, grounded presentation. The FR shows a touch of 1 kHz energy and smooth ripples through presence/air that favor natural timbre over hyper-etched brilliance, making it a long-session, non-fatiguing listen.
Versus Campfire’s own lineup, it’s far more normalized than the colorful Trifecta, better extended than the warm Axion, and closer in poise to Moon Rover but with a bit more bass and refinement. Compared to peers like Dunu Glacier or DA Mecca, Alien Brain trades V-shaped excitement for cohesive neutrality, and avoids the upper-mid glare that can scare off listeners. Net result: a strong recommendation for those who can manage the fit and want a high-end Campfire that does something new—not the classic house warmth, not sterile flatness, but a realistic, well-rounded signature with broad appeal.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Campfire Audio Alien Brain reviewed by Smirk Audio
7.5
Reviewer Score
Campfire Audio Alien Brain reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.5
* score rescaled + normalized
Symphonium Helios SE Details
Driver Configuration: 4BA
Tuning Type: n/a
Brand: Symphonium Top Symphonium IEMs
Price (Msrp): $1,150
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Campfire Audio Alien Brain Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: Campfire Top Campfire IEMs
Price (Msrp): $1,000
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Symphonium Helios SE User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Campfire Audio Alien Brain User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Symphonium Helios SE Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7Gaming Grade
A-Campfire Audio Alien Brain Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.7Gaming Grade
B+Symphonium Helios SE Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- Tuning feels well executed, keeping a natural flow across the spectrum. Switching genres feels seamless.
Average Technical Grade
A+- The balance of resolution and space feels assured, keeping complex passages coherent. Layering is convincing on most studio mixes.
Campfire Audio Alien Brain Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- The response is even and composed, lending itself to effortless genre hopping. Voices sit comfortably in the mix.
Average Technical Grade
A- The balance of resolution and space feels assured, keeping complex passages coherent. Layering is convincing on most studio mixes.
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