Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
84Outstanding
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs Etymotic ER4SR Earphones: 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
Etymotic ER4SR Earphones
77Great
$300
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
- Etymotic ER4SR Earphones
HearWiki score
84
77
Sound
8.8
8.7
Value
9.2
6.5
Price (USD)
$170
$300
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 Daybreak is 9 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 9 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Daybreak20259 yr newer
- ER4SR Earphones2016
Specifications
DaybreakER4SR Earphones
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $300
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 77
- Released
- 2025
- 2016
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- balanced armature
- Driver type
- tribrid
- balanced-armature
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- -
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 16 kHz
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 45 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- 98 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- ANC type
- -
- none
- Transparency mode
- -
- No
- Companion app
- -
- No
- Custom EQ
- -
- No
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- none
- Weight
- -
- 20 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Connector
- -
- MMCX
What reviewers said
CrinEar Daybreak
The CrinEar Daybreak is a wired tribrid IEM that delivers a well-balanced, reference-style sound with a focus on accurate reproduction and natural mids. It performs admirably across various genres, though its stock cable and occasionally shouty upper mids may not suit everyone.
- Pro:Balanced, neutral-leaning tuning
- Pro:Natural and lifelike midrange
- Pro:Strong bass texture with sub-bass emphasis
- Con:Stock cable feels cheap
- Con:Can sound shouty on certain tracks
- Con:Not the most exciting or dynamic presentation
Etymotic ER4SR Earphones
The ER4SR is a wired, single balanced-armature in-ear monitor built for critical listening, delivering an exceptionally flat and accurate response that suits studio work and audiophile purists. Its deep-insertion design provides strong passive isolation, but it forgoes all modern conveniences like controls, app support, or wireless features, focusing purely on sonic transparency. With a detachable MMCX cable and multiple ear tips, it offers flexibility for those who prioritize fidelity over everyday usability.
- Pro:Reference-grade neutral tuning with high accuracy
- Pro:Excellent midrange detail and informative sound
- Pro:Strong passive noise isolation due to deep fit
- Con:Limited bass impact and roll-off at high frequencies
- Con:Deep-insertion fit may feel intrusive or uncomfortable
- Con:No inline controls, app support, or wireless options
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.