Wired IEMs
Campfire Audio Lyra II
Not yet scored
$700
Full review dataCampfire Audio Lyra II vs CrinEar Reference: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Campfire Audio Lyra II vs CrinEar Reference, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
CrinEar Reference
86Outstanding
$350
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
CrinEar Reference leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- Campfire Audio Lyra II
- CrinEar Reference
HearWiki score
-
86
Sound
-
9.1
Value
-
8.9
Price (USD)
$700
$350
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The CrinEar Reference is 8 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 8 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Lyra II2018
- Reference20268 yr newer
Specifications
Lyra IIReference
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $700
- $350
- HearWiki score
- Not scored
- 86
- Released
- 2018
- 2026
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 8.5 mm dynamic
- 2DD + 3BA hybrid
- Driver type
- dynamic
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- -
- 2DD + 3BA
- Driver size
- 8.5 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 5
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 22 kHz
- -
- Impedance
- 17 Ω
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 103 dB/mW
- 104 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- -
- Weight
- 14 g
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- -
- Connector
- MMCX
- 4.4 mm balanced
What reviewers said
Campfire Audio Lyra II
The Campfire Audio Lyra II is a wired, over-the-ear in-ear monitor with a custom 8.5mm beryllium dynamic driver housed in a liquid metal alloy shell. It delivers a warm, lush, and smooth sound signature with enhanced clarity and a wider soundstage compared to its predecessor. This model is designed for listeners who value a rich, musical presentation without active noise cancellation.
- Pro:Warm, lush tuning with smooth highs
- Pro:Beryllium dynamic driver offers detailed sound
- Pro:Lightweight at just 14g with a durable metal build
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless support
- Con:17 ohm impedance may require a dedicated amplifier for optimal performance
- Con:Buttons on cable offer limited control (no volume or mic options mentioned)
CrinEar Reference
The CrinEar Reference is a wired in-ear monitor with a hybrid 2DD + 3BA driver setup, offering a balanced and detailed sound signature. It features a detachable 4.4mm balanced cable and relies on a tight seal for passive isolation, making it a strong choice for critical listening at its price point.
- Pro:Hybrid driver configuration delivers rich, layered sound
- Pro:Detachable 4.4mm balanced cable for flexible connectivity
- Pro:Good passive isolation from proper eartip seal
- Con:No active noise cancellation, so external noise isn't fully blocked
- Con:Requires a balanced source to fully utilize the 4.4mm connector
- Con:Fit may be finicky for some users to achieve optimal seal
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.