Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
81Great
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs CRINEAR Project Meta: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the CrinEar Daybreak comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: CrinEar Daybreak - Great overall at around $170.
Wired IEMs
CRINEAR Project Meta
76Great
$250
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
CrinEar Daybreak leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- CrinEar Daybreak
- CRINEAR Project Meta
HearWiki score
81
76
Sound
8.8
8.2
Value
9.2
-
Price (USD)
$170
$250
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
Both shipped in 2025. These are 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.
- Daybreak2025
- Project Meta2025
Specifications
DaybreakProject Meta
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $250
- HearWiki score
- 81
- 76
- Released
- 2025
- 2025
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- 1DD + 2BA hybrid
- Driver type
- tribrid
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- 1DD + 2BA
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 3
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 19 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
What reviewers said
CrinEar Daybreak
The CrinEar Daybreak is a well-rounded wired IEM that delivers a balanced, natural sound with a slight sub-bass emphasis, making it a strong contender around the $170 price point. It excels at reproducing acoustic music with lifelike mids and offers a non-fatiguing treble, though its overall presentation may feel too subdued for those seeking a more colored or dynamic experience. While not class-leading, it competes effectively as a reference-style option with minor trade-offs in build and technical performance.
- Pro:Natural, lifelike midrange especially for acoustic tracks
- Pro:Balanced tuning with solid bass texture and non-fatiguing treble
- Pro:Good value for the price in its category
- Con:Stock cable feels cheap and flimsy
- Con:Can sound shouty on certain recordings
- Con:Lacks excitement for listeners wanting more coloration
CRINEAR Project Meta
The CRINEAR Project Meta is a wired hybrid IEM with a single dynamic driver and dual balanced armatures, tuned for a refined midrange-forward sound with a subtle diffuse-field tilt and a tasteful bass lift. Its compact aluminum shell and ergonomic design deliver strong comfort and durability, making it a solid pick for its price, though its limited retail availability may be a hurdle for some buyers.
- Pro:Comfortable, lightweight aluminum build
- Pro:Refined midrange-focused tuning with natural vocals
- Pro:Good accessory package and overall design
- Con:No longer widely available at retail
- Con:Limited bass impact for bass-heavy listeners
- Con:Requires a quality source to shine due to low impedance
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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