Wired IEMs
CrinEar Reference
86Outstanding
$350
Full review dataCrinEar Reference vs Tangzu Xuan Wu Gate 2: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the CrinEar Reference comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: CrinEar Reference - Outstanding overall at around $350.
Wired IEMs
Tangzu Xuan Wu Gate 2
60Average
$370
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
- Tangzu Xuan Wu Gate 2
HearWiki score
86
60
Sound
9.1
7.0
Value
8.9
6.0
Price (USD)
$350
$370
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
- Xuan Wu Gate 22024
Specifications
ReferenceXuan Wu Gate 2
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $350
- $370
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 60
- Released
- 2026
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 2DD + 3BA hybrid
- 1DD + 4BA + 2EST tribrid
- Driver type
- hybrid
- tribrid
- Driver configuration
- 2DD + 3BA
- 1DD + 4BA + 2EST
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 5
- 7
- Frequency response
- -
- 7 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 10.5 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 104 dB/mW
- 103 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- 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
Tangzu Xuan Wu Gate 2
The Tangzu Xuan Wu Gate 2 is a wired tribrid IEM that leans toward a neutral and highly detailed sound, offering impressive clarity, expansive staging, and precise imaging. Its stock tuning is on the brighter and leaner side, which may not suit bass lovers and could feel fatiguing over long sessions. Build quality is solid, but the fit can be finicky, and the price may seem high for what it delivers out of the box.
- Pro:Excellent technical performance with strong detail retrieval
- Pro:Spacious soundstage and accurate imaging
- Pro:Solid build quality and detachable 4.4mm balanced cable
- Con:Stock tuning is bright and bass-light, potentially fatiguing
- Con:Fit can be finicky and may not suit all ear shapes
- Con:Price feels steep relative to the overall package
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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