CrinEar Daybreak

Well, where to start... *Takes a sip of coffee*

Stepping into the world of IEMs for the first time has been a revelation. While I initially set out to find a pair of wireless earbuds, these wired monitors have completely redefined my expectations for audio quality.
The level of transparency and immersion is honestly breathtaking—it’s the kind of performance that gives you physical goosebumps the moment the first track starts playing.

I was initially worried about the fit, as I have small ears. However, I’m happy to report that the included size XS silicone ear tips provide a perfect seal.

I really appreciate the refined bass, the clarity, and the well-rounded tonal balance.

There are, however, two "downsides":
- You can never truly replicate that initial "wow" factor of the first listen.
- They are so revealing that you start noticing the poor production quality in tracks you used to enjoy.

Verdict: Honestly, I find myself enjoying music more with these Crinacle daybreaks than I ever did with my Sennheisers or Beyerdynamics. For the sheer effortless listening experience and musicality, it’s a solid 5/5.

*Last sip of coffee*

first iems and they are amazing!

This is the first pair of higher end IEMs I've purchased and I've been nothing but impressed so far. I'm by no means an audiophile so my opinion doesn't come from a lot of experience in the space but I love what I've been hearing from them so far! They've been awesome for everything from music to movies to gaming.

I had this iem in one of the early batches, which broke and got replace recently. I previously did not have the short and wide bore ear tips. But now using them, it removes the need for subtle EQ tweaks I used to make on my original pair.

The sound is very balanced, definitely an all-rounder, all genres are far more informative. Vocals were neither forward or recessed, just where it sounds "right".

There have been comments or comparisons of Daybreak's sound to that of speakers. I can see where that is coming from - when certain sub bass frequencies, at a certain level, play, the DD "subwoofer" kicks in, creating the rumbling sensation you typically get from speakers. It creates the impression of a very "full" sound which Planar's certainly (used to) struggle with replicating.

The resolution of the iem is on a similar level to Planar's, like the Timeless. Maybe slightly less resolving in the higher frequencies, but this is hardly noticeable. Tuning-wise, the treble is balanced; however, people who are used to dynamic-only or warm-tuned IEMs may need to take some additional time to adjust.

I think the sole issue I have is the timbre; it can be metallic and zingy (but to clarify, since the new ear tips, this timbre issue has been reduced). Possibly it relates to the BAs and Planar tweeters, but when listening to songs across all genres, though balanced, they do not sound completely natural.

Conclusion:

For approximately $150 or so, this IEM certainly competes among others priced under $200. It excels in certain areas, but I believe it is not a market-breaker, but a very good iem at a very decent price.

In my opinion, the weakest aspect of the Daybreak is its timbre. Perhaps future iterations could use different drivers to reduce the metallic "zing" that I often experience with balanced armatures (BAs).

The crossover with the Sub-bass DDs could be refined a little further. I found the drivers need to start kicking in at higher frequencies. I found, particularly with 808s, the drivers kick in for some 808s but not others within the same song, which is jarring.

Probably the best IEMs I've used so far, music sounds clear and accurate, and they fit perfectly into my ears. Only giving it 4 stars as I am sceptical of the build quality. Did have a scare where I cleaned the tips off my jumper and suddenly they turned pure bassy, but then giving a quick blow into them fixed it?
I've been using them for 3 months now, and I do hope they last long for hiw much they cost, but for the time being I will be keeping this pair safe at home.