Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
84Outstanding
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs GoldPlanar GL12: 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
GoldPlanar GL12
18Weak
$200
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
- GoldPlanar GL12
HearWiki score
84
18
Sound
8.8
3.8
Value
9.2
-
Price (USD)
$170
$200
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 4 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 4 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Daybreak20254 yr newer
- GL122021
Specifications
DaybreakGL12
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $200
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 18
- Released
- 2025
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- 12.5 mm planar magnetic
- Driver type
- tribrid
- planar
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- -
- Driver size
- -
- 12.5 mm
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 50 kHz
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 20 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- 108 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- -
- 6.5 g
- Connector
- -
- 4.4 mm balanced
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
GoldPlanar GL12
The GoldPlanar GL12 is a lightweight planar magnetic IEM with a warm, bass-forward tuning that some will appreciate for its smoothness. While it is easy to drive and feels solidly built, its heavily recessed midrange and treble create a dark sound that lacks energy and detail. For its price, it faces tough competition and may not satisfy listeners seeking a balanced or lively signature.
- Pro:Strong bass impact and satisfying low-end punch
- Pro:Very lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Pro:Easy to drive with high sensitivity
- Con:Mids and treble are significantly recessed, creating a dark sound
- Con:Limited detail retrieval and soft transient response
- Con:Imaging is weak, affecting spatial accuracy
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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