If you're shopping for a wired IEM around $170, two 2025 releases sit close together: the CrinEar Daybreak and the Letshuoer S12 Ultra. Both are wired, both lack wireless features, and both aim for high fidelity rather than convenience. The Daybreak uses a tribrid driver setup, while the S12 Ultra runs a single planar magnetic driver. They ask almost the same price, but they tune and behave differently. This head-to-head works through what each asks for, what published reviews say, and which one fits your listening habits.
Price and positioning
The CrinEar Daybreak costs $170, and the Letshuoer S12 Ultra costs $169. That one-dollar gap is effectively a tie. Both are wired in-ear monitors with no active noise cancellation, no Bluetooth, and no battery to speak of. You are paying for the drivers, the tuning, and the build, not for features.
The Daybreak positions itself as a reference-style tribrid, with a 1DD + 2BA configuration. The S12 Ultra is a planar, with a single 14.8mm magnetic driver in an aluminium-alloy shell. The S12 Ultra pairs a lightweight aluminium build with a refreshed design over the earlier S12 series. The Daybreak is pitched at balanced, neutral-leaning sound with natural mids. Neither product lists an IP rating, multipoint, wireless charging, transparency mode, wear detection, or a microphone count, so you should not assume any of those exist.
The scores, side by side
HearWiki's headline scores are buyability ratings based on published review consensus, price, and availability. The CrinEar Daybreak scores 84/100, and the Letshuoer S12 Ultra scores 83/100. That one-point gap is effectively a tie. Do not read it as a clear winner.
The sub-scores tell a similar story. Sound: Daybreak 8.8/10, S12 Ultra 8.6/10. Value: Daybreak 9.2/10, S12 Ultra 8.9/10. Both are strong, and the differences are small. Neither product lists sub-scores for ANC, battery, or calls, because neither has those features. The headline score is not a weighted average of sub-scores, so don't try to reverse-engineer it.
Sound
The Daybreak's sound sub-score is 8.8/10, and the S12 Ultra's is 8.6/10. Published reviews describe the Daybreak as balanced and neutral-leaning, with a natural midrange and strong bass texture, including sub-bass emphasis. Reviewers note that it can sound shouty on certain tracks and that the presentation isn't the most exciting or dynamic. The S12 Ultra, by contrast, is described as detailed and fast, with accurate bass response and low distortion, which is typical of planar drivers. The trade-offs are that it requires a wired connection and that its open-back style may leak sound in quiet settings.
If you want a neutral, reference-style listen that handles vocals well, the Daybreak leans that way. If you want speed, detail, and planar clarity, the S12 Ultra leans that way. Neither is a dramatic step ahead of the other; the gap in sound scores is 0.2 points, which is within the noise of review consensus. The real difference is in flavour, not quality.
Noise cancelling and battery
Neither product has active noise cancellation. Both are wired IEMs, so neither has a battery, a charging case, or wireless operation. HearWiki has no figures for battery hours, battery with ANC, or battery with case for either product, because those fields are not listed. If you need ANC or wireless freedom, neither of these is the right choice. You'd be better served looking at true wireless earbuds or ANC earbuds instead.
Calls and everyday use
Neither product lists a microphone count, and neither has call-related sub-scores. In practice, wired IEMs without an inline mic won't be your first pick for calls, and HearWiki has no record of one for either model. The S12 Ultra's open-back style may leak sound in quiet settings, which could be a concern in an office or library. The Daybreak's stock cable feels cheap, according to reviewers, which matters if you plan to use it on the go. Both are wired, so you'll need a device with a headphone jack or a USB-C dongle. If you're comparing with cheaper options, check our budget earbuds under $50 or earbuds under $100 lists, but at this price you're paying for driver quality, not portability.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the CrinEar Daybreak if you want a neutral, reference-style tuning with natural mids and strong bass texture, and you can tolerate a cheap stock cable and occasional shoutiness in the upper mids. It scores slightly higher on value, at 9.2/10 versus 8.9/10, and its sound sub-score is a hair ahead.
Buy the Letshuoer S12 Ultra if you want planar speed, detail, and low distortion in a lightweight aluminium shell, and you're fine with a wired-only, open-back design that may leak sound. It's the more technically impressive driver, but the Daybreak's tuning may be easier to live with day to day.
If you're torn, look at the full comparison table at /compare/crinear-daybreak-vs-letshuoer-s12-ultra to see the specs side by side. For more options in this price range, browse our best wired IEMs guide.
FAQ
Can I use these with my phone?
Yes, both are wired IEMs, so you'll need a headphone jack or a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. Neither has Bluetooth, so there's no wireless option. The Daybreak has 20 ohms impedance and the S12 Ultra has 16 ohms, so both should work fine with most phones and dongles.
Which one has better bass?
The Daybreak has strong bass texture with sub-bass emphasis, according to reviewers. The S12 Ultra has accurate bass response with low distortion, typical of planar drivers. The Daybreak may feel more impactful, while the S12 Ultra may feel tighter and faster. It's a matter of preference.
Do either of these have noise cancelling?
No. Both are wired IEMs with no active noise cancellation, no transparency mode, and no battery. If you need ANC, look at wireless earbuds instead. Neither product lists an IP rating, so don't assume they're water-resistant.{
