Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
84Outstanding
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs Kiwi Ears Astral: 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
Kiwi Ears Astral
82Outstanding
$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
- Kiwi Ears Astral
HearWiki score
84
82
Sound
8.8
8.6
Value
9.2
8.3
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
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
- Astral2025
Specifications
DaybreakAstral
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $300
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 82
- Released
- 2025
- 2025
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- 1DD + 6BA hybrid
- Driver type
- tribrid
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- 1DD + 6BA
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 7
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 23 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Water resistance
- -
- IPX4
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
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
Kiwi Ears Astral
The Kiwi Ears Astral is a wired hybrid IEM that pairs a 10mm dynamic driver with six balanced armatures to deliver a rich, bass-forward sound with clear, extended treble. It offers strong resolution and instrument separation, making it a solid value in the $300 price range, though its large shells and elevated bass mean it isn't a purely neutral or universally comfortable option.
- Pro:Deep, impactful sub-bass with controlled punch
- Pro:Clear and detailed treble that avoids fatigue
- Pro:Strong instrument separation and overall resolution
- Con:Large shells may cause discomfort during long sessions
- Con:Mid-bass punch is somewhat reduced, and lower mids can sound thin
- Con:Limited included eartip selection
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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