Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
84Outstanding
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs MOONDROP ARIA 2: 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
MOONDROP ARIA 2
75Great
$90
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
- MOONDROP ARIA 2
HearWiki score
84
75
Sound
8.8
8.0
Value
9.2
7.2
Price (USD)
$170
$90
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
- ARIA 22023
Specifications
DaybreakARIA 2
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $90
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 75
- Released
- 2025
- 2023
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- dynamic
- Driver type
- tribrid
- dynamic
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- -
- Drivers per side
- 3
- -
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 33 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- -
- 12 g
- Connector
- -
- 2-pin 0.78 mm
What reviewers said
CrinEar Daybreak
The CrinEar Daybreak is a well-rounded wired IEM that delivers a balanced, natural sound with a slight sub-bass emphasis, making it a strong contender around the $170 price point. It excels at reproducing acoustic music with lifelike mids and offers a non-fatiguing treble, though its overall presentation may feel too subdued for those seeking a more colored or dynamic experience. While not class-leading, it competes effectively as a reference-style option with minor trade-offs in build and technical performance.
- Pro:Natural, lifelike midrange especially for acoustic tracks
- Pro:Balanced tuning with solid bass texture and non-fatiguing treble
- Pro:Good value for the price in its category
- Con:Stock cable feels cheap and flimsy
- Con:Can sound shouty on certain recordings
- Con:Lacks excitement for listeners wanting more coloration
MOONDROP ARIA 2
The Moondrop Aria 2 is a wired dynamic-driver IEM that refines the original's tuning with clearer mids and a more balanced tonal character, though it trims the low-end punch. Its build quality and cable are solid for the price, and it offers good imaging and soundstage, but the large nozzle and heavier shells may affect comfort for some listeners. Overall, it's a well-rounded performer for its class, though not a major technical leap forward.
- Pro:Excellent clarity and detail for the price
- Pro:Solid build quality and good stock cable
- Pro:Coherent sound with good dynamics and imaging
- Con:Bass is leaner than expected, not for bassheads
- Con:Upper mids can sound shouty on some tracks
- Con:Large nozzle may be uncomfortable for some
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.