Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
84Outstanding
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs MOONDROP KXXS: 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 KXXS
54Average
$190
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
- MOONDROP KXXS
HearWiki score
84
54
Sound
8.8
6.8
Value
9.2
-
Price (USD)
$170
$190
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 6 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 6 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Daybreak20256 yr newer
- KXXS2019
Specifications
DaybreakKXXS
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $190
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 54
- Released
- 2025
- 2019
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- 1DD
- Driver type
- tribrid
- dynamic
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- 1DD
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 1
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- 110 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- -
- Connector
- -
- 2-pin 0.78 mm
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
MOONDROP KXXS
This wired in-ear monitor from MOONDROP, launched in 2019, is built around a single 10mm dynamic driver to deliver a balanced, versatile sound for music listening. With a lightweight design and standard 2-pin connector, it aims to be a reliable all-rounder for everyday use.
- Pro:Balanced tuning works well across genres
- Pro:Solid build with a metal shell
- Pro:Detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable
- Con:No noise cancellation or wireless support
- Con:Single-driver design may limit detail in busy tracks
- Con:Fit may not suit all ear shapes
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.