Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
84Outstanding
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs CrinEar Project Monolith: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the CrinEar Daybreak comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: CrinEar Daybreak - Outstanding overall at around $170.
Wired IEMs
CrinEar Project Monolith
76Great
Price n/a
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 Monolith
HearWiki score
84
76
Sound
8.8
8.0
Value
9.2
6.0
Price (USD)
$170
-
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
CrinEar Project Monolith (2026) against CrinEar Daybreak (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 Monolith20261 yr newer
Specifications
DaybreakProject Monolith
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- -
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 76
- Released
- 2025
- 2026
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- 2-driver hybrid
- Driver type
- tribrid
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- -
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 2
- Frequency response
- -
- 2 Hz - 38 kHz
- Sound signature
- -
- bass-heavy
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 14 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- 98 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- -
- Weight
- -
- 16 g
- Connector
- -
- 4.4 mm balanced
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 Monolith
This wired in-ear monitor showcases a bass-forward tuning with impactful low-end punch while keeping vocals and treble realistic, making it a niche choice for bass lovers rather than a universal pick. Its engineering stands out through a brass build and custom dual drivers, but with only 999 units made, finding one means scouring the secondhand market.
- Pro:Deep, powerful bass response
- Pro:Natural mids and highs despite bass focus
- Pro:Innovative brass shell construction
- Con:Bass-heavy tuning not for everyone
- Con:Very limited production run
- Con:Only available used due to 2026 release
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.