Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
84Outstanding
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs FiiO F9: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the CrinEar Daybreak vs FiiO F9, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
FiiO F9
Not yet scored
$100
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
CrinEar Daybreak leads on 3 of 4 measures.
- CrinEar Daybreak
- FiiO F9
HearWiki score
84
-
Sound
8.8
-
Value
9.2
-
Price (USD)
$170
$100
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 7 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 7 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Daybreak20257 yr newer
- F92018
Specifications
DaybreakF9
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $100
- HearWiki score
- 84
- Not scored
- Released
- 2025
- 2018
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- 1DD + 2BA hybrid
- Driver type
- tribrid
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- 1DD + 2BA
- Driver size
- -
- 9.2 mm
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 3
- Frequency response
- -
- 15 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 28 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- 106 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Weight
- -
- 21 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
FiiO F9
The FiiO F9 is a triple-driver in-ear monitor that combines a 9.2mm dynamic driver with two balanced armatures for a detailed, balanced sound with a treble emphasis. It comes with detachable MMCX cables, including both 3.5mm and 2.5mm balanced options, and offers a comfortable fit with a lightweight build. Priced around $100, it's a solid choice for those seeking a hybrid sound without active noise cancellation.
- Pro:Balanced sound with clear treble detail
- Pro:Detachable MMCX cables with multiple connection options
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
- Con:Treble peak may be too bright for some listeners
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Requires a source with enough power to drive efficiently
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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