Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
84Outstanding
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs Moondrop MAY: 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 MAY
75Great
$100
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 5 measures.
- CrinEar Daybreak
- Moondrop MAY
HearWiki score
84
75
Sound
8.8
7.9
Calls
-
7.0
Value
9.2
8.2
Price (USD)
$170
$100
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
CrinEar Daybreak (2025) against Moondrop MAY (2024). 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.
- Daybreak20251 yr newer
- MAY2024
Specifications
DaybreakMAY
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $100
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 75
- Released
- 2025
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- 2-driver hybrid
- Driver type
- tribrid
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- -
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 2
- Frequency response
- -
- 7 Hz - 39 kHz
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 30 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- 105 dB/mW
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- -
- 120
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- -
- 4 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- USB-C
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 MAY
The Moondrop MAY is a budget-friendly hybrid IEM with USB-C connectivity and a warm, bass-forward sound that suits relaxed listening. It delivers a smooth, easy-going tuning with good midrange presence, though its technical capabilities and DSP-related quirks hold it back from competing with pricier options.
- Pro:Warm, bass-rich sound that's easy to enjoy
- Pro:Comfortable fit with lightweight design
- Pro:Convenient USB-C connection
- Con:Limited technical performance in detail and dynamics
- Con:DSP behavior can be inconsistent
- Con:Vocal clarity and soundstage are not standout
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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