Wired IEMs
CrinEar Reference
86Outstanding
$350
Full review dataCrinEar Reference vs Etymotic EVO: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the CrinEar Reference vs Etymotic EVO, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
Etymotic EVO
Not yet scored
$310
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
CrinEar Reference leads on 3 of 4 measures.
- CrinEar Reference
- Etymotic EVO
HearWiki score
86
-
Sound
9.1
-
Value
8.9
-
Price (USD)
$350
$310
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 Reference is 5 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 5 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Reference20265 yr newer
- EVO2021
Specifications
ReferenceEVO
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $350
- $310
- HearWiki score
- 86
- Not scored
- Released
- 2026
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 2DD + 3BA hybrid
- 3× balanced armature
- Driver type
- hybrid
- balanced-armature
- Driver configuration
- 2DD + 3BA
- -
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 5
- 3
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 47 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 104 dB/mW
- 99 dB/mW
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- -
What reviewers said
CrinEar Reference
The CrinEar Reference is a wired in-ear monitor with a hybrid 2DD + 3BA driver setup, offering a balanced and detailed sound signature. It features a detachable 4.4mm balanced cable and relies on a tight seal for passive isolation, making it a strong choice for critical listening at its price point.
- Pro:Hybrid driver configuration delivers rich, layered sound
- Pro:Detachable 4.4mm balanced cable for flexible connectivity
- Pro:Good passive isolation from proper eartip seal
- Con:No active noise cancellation, so external noise isn't fully blocked
- Con:Requires a balanced source to fully utilize the 4.4mm connector
- Con:Fit may be finicky for some users to achieve optimal seal
Etymotic EVO
The Etymotic EVO is a wired universal in-ear monitor featuring three balanced armature drivers inside a stainless-steel shell, paired with a Linum BaX T2 cable. Its sound signature is neutral and natural, with a slight bass boost for added warmth. Priced around $310, it targets audiophiles seeking accurate reproduction in a durable, compact design.
- Pro:Neutral, natural sound with subtle bass enhancement
- Pro:Sturdy stainless-steel construction
- Pro:High-quality Linum BaX T2 cable included
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Requires a source with sufficient power due to 47-ohm impedance
- Con:Limited soundstage compared to larger multi-driver IEMs
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.