Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
84Outstanding
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs Kiwi Ears Melody: 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 Melody
63Good
$89
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
- Kiwi Ears Melody
HearWiki score
84
63
Sound
8.8
6.9
Value
9.2
7.1
Price (USD)
$170
$89
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 2 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.
- Daybreak20252 yr newer
- Melody2023
Specifications
DaybreakMelody
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $89
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 63
- Released
- 2025
- 2023
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- 1 planar
- Driver type
- tribrid
- planar
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- 1 planar
- Driver size
- -
- 12 mm
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 1
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 18 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- 102 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
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 Melody
The Kiwi Ears Melody is a wired, single-planar IEM that delivers a lively and engaging sound with strong bass presence. It offers a lightweight, comfortable fit and good value for its price, though its technical performance and accessories are fairly modest. Its energetic tuning makes it a fun pick for listeners who favor a bass-forward, dynamic presentation.
- Pro:Powerful, well-extended bass
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable shell
- Pro:Energetic, fun tuning
- Con:Treble can be overly bright for some
- Con:Average micro-detail retrieval
- Con:Basic accessories and packaging
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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