Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
84Outstanding
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs TFZ Series 5: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the CrinEar Daybreak vs TFZ Series 5, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
TFZ Series 5
Not yet scored
$200
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
- TFZ Series 5
HearWiki score
84
-
Sound
8.8
-
Value
9.2
-
Price (USD)
$170
$200
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 7 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 7 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Daybreak20257 yr newer
- Series 52018
Specifications
DaybreakSeries 5
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $200
- HearWiki score
- 84
- Not scored
- Released
- 2025
- 2018
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- 11.4 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- tribrid
- dynamic
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- -
- Driver size
- -
- 11.4 mm
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Connector
- -
- 2-pin 0.78 mm
- Model code
- -
- FORCE 5
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
TFZ Series 5
The TFZ Series 5 is a wired in-ear monitor built around a single 11.4mm dynamic driver, tuned for high-resolution audio reproduction across a wide 20Hz-40kHz range. It offers a low 16-ohm impedance for easy driving with portable sources and features a detachable 0.78mm two-pin cable with a standard 3.5mm plug for user customization. This model focuses on pure, unadulterated sound without active noise cancellation, appealing to listeners who prioritize clarity and detail.
- Pro:Wide frequency response for detailed highs and deep lows
- Pro:Low impedance makes it easy to drive with phones or DAPs
- Pro:Detachable 0.78mm cable allows for aftermarket upgrades
- Con:No active noise cancellation for noisy environments
- Con:Wired design limits portability convenience
- Con:May require a quality source to fully resolve its high-resolution capabilities
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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