Wired IEMs
CrinEar Reference
86Outstanding
$350
Full review dataCrinEar Reference vs V-Moda Zn: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the CrinEar Reference vs V-Moda Zn, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
V-Moda Zn
Not yet scored
$200
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
- V-Moda Zn
HearWiki score
86
-
Sound
9.1
-
Value
8.9
-
Price (USD)
$350
$200
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 8 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 8 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Reference20268 yr newer
- Zn2018
Specifications
ReferenceZn
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $350
- $200
- HearWiki score
- 86
- Not scored
- Released
- 2026
- 2018
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 2DD + 3BA hybrid
- 8 mm driver
- Driver type
- hybrid
- -
- Driver configuration
- 2DD + 3BA
- -
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- 8 mm
- Drivers per side
- 5
- -
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 104 dB/mW
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- 3.5 mm
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
V-Moda Zn
The V-MODA Zn is a wired in-ear headphone designed for listeners seeking accurate, high-fidelity audio without the complexity of active noise cancellation. Its compact 8 mm driver and low 16-ohm impedance make it easy to drive from a wide range of portable devices, delivering a clear and detailed sound signature.
- Pro:High-fidelity, detailed sound reproduction
- Pro:Lightweight and portable wired design
- Pro:Low impedance for easy pairing with phones and DAPs
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Wired only, so no wireless freedom
- Con:Limited accessory options compared to newer models
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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