Wired IEMs
CrinEar Reference
86Outstanding
$350
Full review dataCrinEar Reference vs Sony MDR-E252: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the CrinEar Reference vs Sony MDR-E252, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
Sony MDR-E252
Not yet scored
Price n/a
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
CrinEar Reference leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- CrinEar Reference
- Sony MDR-E252
HearWiki score
86
-
Sound
9.1
-
Value
8.9
-
Price (USD)
$350
-
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 44 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 44 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Reference202644 yr newer
- MDR-E2521982
Specifications
ReferenceMDR-E252
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $350
- -
- HearWiki score
- 86
- Not scored
- Released
- 2026
- 1982
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 2DD + 3BA hybrid
- -
- Driver type
- hybrid
- -
- Driver configuration
- 2DD + 3BA
- -
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 5
- -
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- -
- Sensitivity
- 104 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
Sony MDR-E252
The Sony MDR-E252, launched in 1982, marks the debut of Sony's 'NUDE' line of in-ear headphones. This wired model offers a vintage, straightforward listening experience without active noise cancellation, appealing to those seeking a classic, minimalist design.
- Pro:Pioneering design as the first NUDE series model
- Pro:Lightweight and compact wired form factor
- Pro:Historical significance for early in-ear audio
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Outdated technology by modern standards
- Con:Likely limited bass and sound isolation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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