Wired IEMs
CrinEar Reference
86Outstanding
$350
Full review dataCrinEar Reference vs Westone W40: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the CrinEar Reference vs Westone W40, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
Westone W40
Not yet scored
$500
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 W40
HearWiki score
86
-
Sound
9.1
-
Value
8.9
-
Price (USD)
$350
$500
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 9 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 9 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Reference20269 yr newer
- W402017
Specifications
ReferenceW40
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $350
- $500
- HearWiki score
- 86
- Not scored
- Released
- 2026
- 2017
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 2DD + 3BA hybrid
- 4× balanced armature
- Driver type
- hybrid
- balanced-armature
- Driver configuration
- 2DD + 3BA
- -
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 5
- 4
- Frequency response
- -
- 10 Hz - 18 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 31 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 104 dB/mW
- 118 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- ANC type
- -
- none
- Transparency mode
- -
- No
- Companion app
- -
- No
- Custom EQ
- -
- No
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Weight
- -
- 12.7 g
- Water resistance
- -
- IPX4
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- MMCX
- Microphones
- -
- 1
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 W40
The Westone W40 is a wired in-ear monitor that uses four balanced armature drivers to deliver detailed, high-fidelity sound. It includes a single-button mic for calls and controls, plus an IPX4 rating for sweat and splash resistance, making it a durable choice for critical listening on the go.
- Pro:Detailed, multi-driver sound
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable fit
- Pro:Sweat-resistant build (IPX4)
- Con:No noise cancellation
- Con:No wireless or USB-C connectivity
- Con:Limited frequency range for an IEM
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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