Wired IEMs
CrinEar Reference
86Outstanding
$350
Full review dataCrinEar Reference vs FiiO FH15: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the CrinEar Reference vs FiiO FH15, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
FiiO FH15
Not yet scored
$230
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
- FiiO FH15
HearWiki score
86
-
Sound
9.1
-
Value
8.9
-
Price (USD)
$350
$230
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 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.
- Reference20262 yr newer
- FH152024
Specifications
ReferenceFH15
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $350
- $230
- HearWiki score
- 86
- Not scored
- Released
- 2026
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 2DD + 3BA hybrid
- 1DD + 3BA hybrid
- Driver type
- hybrid
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- 2DD + 3BA
- 1DD + 3BA
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 5
- 4
- Frequency response
- -
- 10 Hz - 40 kHz
- Sound signature
- -
- neutral
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 104 dB/mW
- 112 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- none
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- MMCX
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
FiiO FH15
The FiiO FH15 is a wired, hybrid in-ear monitor that combines a 10mm dynamic driver with three balanced armatures for a neutral, detailed sound. Its CNC-machined aluminum housing features a dragon-scale aesthetic, and it comes with swappable sound filters plus a silver-plated copper cable with interchangeable plugs. Designed for purists, it lacks ANC, controls, and wireless connectivity, focusing instead on acoustic performance.
- Pro:Neutral, resolving hybrid sound with 1DD+3BA setup
- Pro:Interchangeable sound filters for tuning flexibility
- Pro:Sturdy CNC aluminum shell with unique dragon-scale design
- Con:No inline controls or microphone on cable
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless support
- Con:MMCX connector may be less secure than 2-pin for some users
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.