Wired IEMs
CrinEar Daybreak
84Outstanding
$170
Full review dataCrinEar Daybreak vs TRUTHEAR NOVA: 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
TRUTHEAR NOVA
75Great
$160
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
- TRUTHEAR NOVA
HearWiki score
84
75
Sound
8.8
7.8
Value
9.2
8.0
Price (USD)
$170
$160
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
- NOVA2023
Specifications
DaybreakNOVA
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $160
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 75
- Released
- 2025
- 2023
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 1DD + 2BA tribrid
- 1DD + 4BA hybrid
- Driver type
- tribrid
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 2BA
- 1DD + 4BA
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 3
- 5
- Frequency response
- -
- 8 Hz - 40 kHz
- Sound signature
- -
- warm
- Impedance
- 20 Ω
- 14.8 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
- 123 dB/mW
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- -
- 123
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- -
- 5.6 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- 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
TRUTHEAR NOVA
The TRUTHEAR NOVA is a wired hybrid IEM that pairs a 10mm dynamic driver with four balanced armatures to deliver a warm, well-balanced sound with clean vocals and smooth treble. It offers strong resolution and good imaging for its price, though its larger shell and slightly thin lower mids may not suit everyone. This is a capable, feature-rich option for listeners seeking detail without fatigue, provided they can manage the fit.
- Pro:Excellent resolution and clarity for the price
- Pro:Smooth, non-fatiguing treble with good extension
- Pro:Strong imaging and instrument separation
- Con:Large shell may cause fit issues for smaller ears
- Con:Lower mids can sound thin, affecting male vocals
- Con:Occasional upper-mid glare on poorly mastered tracks
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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