Disclaimer: I formally thank Kimberly from CrinEar for providing us with a unit in exchange for an impartial and honest review. On behalf of the team at the Headphone List, we thank her for her generosity and patience.
Summary
The Reference lives up to the tremendous hype that preceded its release. A near-seamless iteration of the vaunted population-average JM-1 curve, it exhibits an eerie midrange and near-perfect timbre, correcting the upper-mid aberrant Daybreak.
However, the conservative bass and treble response with gentler divets and peaks results in a flat (no pun intended) and unexciting sound — a byproduct of deliberate tuning.
Score
9/10 – Build Quality
7/10 – Comfort
8/10 – Sound
Pros:
+ Best build in price class
+ ‘Pefect’ midrange presentation
+ Top-down neutrality perfect baseline for PEQ
Cons:
+ Mid-bass tuck results in drier tonality
+ Above-average but sufficient technicalities
+ Weak top-down dynamics
Introduction
Crinacle’s reputation has spread throughout the far corners of the audiophile realm. A legend in his own right, his database filled to the brim with IEM measurements, ranging from the obscure to the mainstream, is the IEM world’s ‘Library of Alexandria’.
His sheer commitment to measurements and falsification of bad tuning practices has no doubt influenced the trajectory of this globe-spanning hobby. For those sitting in the ‘measurebator’ camp (which forms 70% of the hobby), his contributions cannot be understated.
CriNear, a portmanteau of his online handle and ‘ear’, epitomises the motivations underpinning his philosophy on tuning: neutrality. His golden ratio, the JM-1 target curve, is an amalgam of population average hearing preferences (I won’t go into clinical detail about the actual experiments, for I sit outside the periphery of the measurement community).
Fondly referred to as the ‘new meta’, it forms a strong benchmark curve for controlled deviations and tweaks for manufacturers who want to present a colored derivative of this FR. His growing catalog IEMs fall within the borders of the JM-1 curve, albeit with subtle ‘flavors’.
The latest release, the Reference, is strictly adherent to the JM-1 like biblical scripture. Apart from a minuscule elevation in the sub-bass floor, this is a 1-for-1 replication. Neutrality often comes with negative connotations, widely described as boring or lifeless.
Is this characterisation true? Let’s see if the Reference proves the naysayers wrong.
The CrinEar Reference can be purchased directly from Hangout Audio.
Specifications
- Driver configuration: 2DD (HODWS) + 3BA
- Impedance: 16Ω @1kHz
- Sensitivity: 104dB/mW @1kHz
- Frequency Response Range: 2Hz ~ 44,000Hz
- Nozzle Width: 6.0mm (lip)
- Cable Material: Silver-plated Copper
Unboxing
The CrinEar Reference, like the Daybreak, shares a near-exact cardboard packaging with minimal typography. Printed in silver, it’s a thematic unboxing experience that shares a coherent design language.
Open the box, and you’ll be greeted by these accessories:
- CrinEar Reference IEM (2DD + 3BA)
- Detachable 2-pin silver-plated copper cable
- Interchangeable 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4 balanced connectors for universal compatibility
- 3 pairs of “standard bore” silicone tips, 3 pairs of “shorter bore” silicone tips, and 4 pairs of shortwide silicone tips in a variety of sizes (XS/S/M/L) + 1 pair of M-sized foam tips
- Premium leatherette zip case
I was caught off guard by the luxurious inclusions. Crinacle’s storefront, ‘Hangout Audio’, constantly espouses the importance of ‘value for money’ as an index of quality. The Reference’s package lives up to that claim.
The included leatherette case with its high-polished accents and faux cowhide finish is eerily reminiscent of Campfire Audio’s Portuguese leather cases. The abundance of high-quality accessories deserves praise.
Design and Build
The CrinEar Reference is fully sheathed in a 5-axis CNC aluminium shell in a sleek silver colorway. Along the seam tracing, where the shell and faceplates meet, are adorned with mirror-polished trims — similar to the hand-finished chamfers (anglage) found on higher-end watchmaking.
The CrinEar Reference is a huge step up from the Daybreak, albeit sharing a similar modern design DNA. Apart from the obvious leaps in build quality, the Reference also feels more refined in aesthetics, with a homogenous silver color that’s discreet for vanishing into the foreground of day-to-day life.
Crinacle has long criticised IEMs at the $500 mark for still deferring to the fragile and soft hypoallergenic resin as the material of choice.
If you’re a fan of non-garrish designs with a tough-as-nails exterior to boot, the CrinEar Reference is arguably the ‘best’ design I’ve ever encountered at the $500 price point.
Comfort and Ergonomics
The CrinEar Reference is fashioned from population average ear impressions for a flush fit. Unfortunately, the inner-ear bump to the left of the spout/nozzle presses against my inner-ear cartilage, leaving it prone to mild soreness and discomfort after two hours.
While your mileage may vary (YMMV), this makes it a poor substitute for long-term mixing in a studio environment. As a hobbyist, this is irrelevant.
In terms of spout length, there is zero issue with achieving a perfect bass seal with the included M-sized tips. As per my headshake test, it was very difficult to displace the shells from my ears. Because of its oversized chassis, expect the shell to sit a bit further outside the ear while worn.
Isolation is also excellent, withstanding a good amount of noise ingress when exposed to external wind noise and traffic — keep in mind that it doesn’t completely mitigate ambient noise pollution, but it does a good job.
Cable Quality
The CrinEar Reference’s cable is strewn from two silver-plated copper (SPC) cores with an attractive silver gleam. Embellished with satinised metal hardware at the Y-split and treaded termination, the whole CrinEar Reference’s svelte design remains entirely cohesive.
The length of the cable is sheathed in a thick yet flexible material (a bit like heatshrink), retaining a suppleness and flexibility for ease of stowage and outdoor wear. It never got in the way of my daily commute, conforming to my gait or walk patterns.
The threaded collar/cap provides a snug fit when swapping between the included 4-pin terminations (4.4mm, 3.5mm). This is everything a cable should be for source adaptability, durability, and overall flexibility. Again, there’s nothing much to nitpick here. Its thoughtful design leaves nothing to be desired.
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