Kiwi Ears Aether VS Crinear Daybreak
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Kiwi Ears Aether and Crinear Daybreak use 1Planar and 1DD+2BA+2mPT driver setups respectively. Kiwi Ears Aether costs $170 while Crinear Daybreak costs $170. Kiwi Ears Aether holds a clear 0.5-point edge in reviewer scores (7.9 vs 7.4). Crinear Daybreak carries a user score of 7.4. Kiwi Ears Aether has significantly better treble with a 2-point edge, Crinear Daybreak has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge and Kiwi Ears Aether has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Kiwi Ears Aether | Crinear Daybreak |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 7 | 7 |
| Treble | 7 | 5 |
| Soundstage | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| Dynamics | 6 | 7 |
| Tonality | 6.9 | 6.4 |
| Technicalities | 7 | 5 |
Jaytiss Reviews Comparison
Kiwi Ears Aether reviewed by
7.9
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Kiwi Ears Aether arrives as a ~$170 planar with a classy, comfortable shell that seals well despite its larger size and visible venting. The accessories are familiar—typical Kiwi Ears case, okay tip selection—while the cable feels like a real upgrade: soft, pliable, and tidy with a solid 3.5 mm termination. Fit can be great, but smaller ears should note the chunkier housing.
Sonically, Aether leans neutral-bright with a clean midrange, airy treble, and standout micro-detail retrieval for the price. There’s adequate measured bass, yet the added brightness trims some perceived slam, so it’s not for bassheads. Compared with earlier Kiwi planars, it feels more tonally correct, carrying that planar crispness without the shout or glare that often trips sets up around the mid-treble.
In A/Bs, Aether trades blows with Aöso: the latter reads a touch better tuned, but Aether pulls ahead in technicalities—micro-nuances, textural cues, “whispers.” Melody is warmer but less accurate; S08 is darker and cheaper but less balanced; S12 variants push more 5–6 k energy; MP145 is impressive yet bulkier. Overall, Aether scores roughly an 8/10 with a clear note: choose it for a mid-focused, detailed presentation and excellent value in the planar field, skip it if the priority is big bass weight.
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Crinear Daybreak reviewed by
2025-07-31
7.4
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The CrinEar Daybreak features a metal nozzle and metal faceplate with comfortable contours, though the fit is noted as a bit dainty and small. Isolation is practically non-existent, and the fit isn't particularly secure. The included cable looks nice and photographs well, featuring interchangeable terminations for versatility, but its chin slider moves too easily and isn't recommended for those needing a functional one. The case is deemed aesthetically pleasing and feels good, though not especially premium, magnetically shutting with adequate space.
Sonically, the Daybreak leans boring and somewhat sterile or dry. It offers nice bass and a lot of upper mids, which are done decently with a standard 3K peak. However, the combination of this upper-mid focus and an incisive peak around 8K contributes to a perceived harshness and sharpness, lacking in overall detail retrieval. Graph comparisons reveal its signature has significantly more upper mids and often more bass than competitors like the Moondrop Dusk or TruthEar Nova, resulting in a less engaging listen. Sets like the Defiant, Chopin, and Performer 7 are cited as more engaging alternatives at similar or lower prices, with the Defiant specifically recommended over the Daybreak. Even the Punch Audio martillo and Moondrop Meteor, sharing driver configurations, are considered more fun or better tuned.
Ultimately, the Daybreak is a solid A-minus IEM, well-packaged and a commendable first effort for the brand, but it's not hypeworthy or a benchmark. It lacks imagination and falls short against numerous compelling alternatives around its price point, such as the Performer 7, ZOS Defiant, Chopin, or discounted planar options like the Aether. While a good value, especially if found on sale via Linsoul or the used market, its piercing upper mids and failure to truly excel make it hard to fully recommend over the competition.
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Kiwi Ears Aether Details
Driver Configuration: 1Planar
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $169.99
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Crinear Daybreak Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+2BA+2mPT
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: CrinEar Top CrinEar IEMs
Price (Msrp): $169.99
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Kiwi Ears Aether Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- A mostly enjoyable signature keeps things listenable despite a handful of quirks. It handles most playlists without major complaints.
Average Technical Grade
A-- You get a controlled, composed performance, marrying decent clarity with a still-modest sense of space. A safe technical performer for the price bracket.
Crinear Daybreak Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B- A mostly enjoyable signature keeps things listenable despite a handful of quirks. It handles most playlists without major complaints.
Average Technical Grade
C+- The presentation is steady if unspectacular, holding onto essential details when the music stays simple. Fine details occasionally slip through the cracks.
Kiwi Ears Aether User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewCrinear Daybreak User Reviews
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewA well-toned, easy-listening IEM that excels at midrange clarity even if it doesn’t dazzle technically.
Pros
Balanced and non-fatiguing tuning with smooth, natural mids.Cons
Bass lacks slam and treble can feel veiled or lacking crisp sparkle.Find your next IEM:
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