Wired IEMs
CrinEar Reference
86Outstanding
$350
Full review dataCrinEar Reference vs Westone AM Pro X30 Earphones: 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
Westone AM Pro X30 Earphones
68Good
$510
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
- Westone AM Pro X30 Earphones
HearWiki score
86
68
Sound
9.1
7.4
Value
8.9
4.8
Price (USD)
$350
$510
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
- AM Pro X30 Earphones2024
Specifications
ReferenceAM Pro X30 Earphones
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $350
- $510
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 68
- Released
- 2026
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- 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
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 18 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 56 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 104 dB/mW
- 124 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- none
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- 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
Westone AM Pro X30 Earphones
The Westone AM Pro X30 is a wired, triple balanced-armature in-ear monitor designed primarily for stage use, offering a clear, vocal-forward sound with a transparent, monitoring-style tuning. Its standout feature is the ambient pass-through design, which lets performers hear their surroundings, though its technical performance and isolation are only adequate. It suits musicians and engineers seeking function over purely audiophile flair.
- Pro:Clear, detailed midrange with strong vocal focus
- Pro:Ambient pass-through design aids stage awareness
- Pro:Good bass control and smooth treble
- Con:Limited soundstage and detail retrieval
- Con:Average isolation for an IEM
- Con:Not ideal for critical listening or dynamic music
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.