Crinear Meta VS Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Crinear Meta and Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua use 1DD+2BA and 2DD+4BA driver setups respectively. Crinear Meta costs $250 while Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua costs $299. Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua is $49 more expensive. Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua holds a slight 0.4-point edge in reviewer scores (7.3 vs 7.7). Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua has better bass with a 0.6-point edge, Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua has significantly better details with a 1.3-point edge and Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua has significantly better imaging with a 1.3-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Crinear Meta | Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 7 | 7.6 |
| Mids | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Treble | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| Details | 7 | 8.3 |
| Soundstage | 7.3 | 7.9 |
| Imaging | 7 | 8.3 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 7.2 |
| Tonality | 7.7 | 8 |
| Technicalities | 7.5 | 7.8 |
Crinear Meta Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7.3Generally Favorable
Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7.7Strongly Favorable
Reviews Comparison
Crinear Meta (more reviews)
Crinear Meta reviewed by Super* Review
8*
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
CrinEar Project Meta lands as a genuinely significant release: a new brand from Crinacle at an aggressive $250, limited to a small run, with a compact metal shell that fits securely and comfortably. Accessories are sensible (two eartip sets, chunky but protective case), while the swappable termination cable looks great in black/copper yet feels too long and relies on a friction fit that can be cumbersome and a bit kink-prone. Logos are plain, but overall build and ergonomics impress; a slightly shorter tip can improve seal and sound.
Tuning targets the tilted diffuse-field “Meta” profile: essentially neutral from the mids up, coupled with a deliberate, mostly sub-bass boost. The result is more contrasty than many peers—dense low end plus a touch of upper-treble sparkle—without turning sharp or sibilant. Bass is the standout: tighter and more textured than typical “new-meta” sets, though still a hair elevated and capable of sounding heavy on bass-laden tracks. Vocals sit a bit relaxed rather than forward; timbre is excellent, imaging is incisive, and the stage favors depth over width. Tip rolling (slightly shorter or attenuating tips) can tame the sparkle and lock in the balance.
Against rivals, Meta consistently punches up: it edges EPZ P50 and Kiwi Ears K4 with cleaner bass and more transparent timbre; versus AFUL Performer P5+2/P7 it trades that set’s wider stage and vocal presence for better overall naturalness. Pricier options can still win on preference: Softears Volume S brings more addictive mid-bass physicality and forward vocals; HiSenior Mega5EST nails the low-contrast, open midrange (though with softer bass); and Moondrop × Crinacle Dusk remains more vocal-centric with greater lateral openness. Verdict: a solid 4/5 and likely the pick at its price—slightly V-tinged, expertly executed, and a very promising first step for CrinEar.
Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube ChannelCrinear Meta reviewed by Jays Audio
7.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
CrinEar Meta lands as a clean, balanced, slightly bright-leaning all-rounder with a distinctly sparkly treble. The top end carries a “special sauce” — sharp attack, quick decay, airy cymbal splash and strong micro-detail — creating an open sense of space with tidy separation and layering at around mid-volume (~65 dB). Bass and vocals sit at a “normal” distance: clear and resolving but not emphasized; expect punch rather than deep sub-bass rumble or chesty slam. Fit is tip-dependent: stock silicones can sound peaky; clear soft EPZ tips keep the shimmer without harshness, while “white” Tongu Senai tips smooth the treble further.
Technically, Meta punches above its $250 bracket, hanging with sets like Dusk 3.5 and Estrella for resolution and imaging despite not using ESTs. Timbre stays natural and the build/accessories feel solid. Trade-offs appear when cranking volume: the treble rise can turn fatiguing past ~75–80 dB, especially on bright, electronic-leaning tracks. Genre picks lean toward pop, J-/K-pop, rock, metal, and indie instrumentals at mid-volumes, where the upper-mid cut reins in hot mixes and the sparkle makes cymbals addictive; for hip-hop/rap/EDM, some will want more rumble, slam, and note weight.
Versus Ziigaat Estrella, it’s apples to oranges: Estrella brings more low-end authority and smoother treble with vocals popping forward, while Meta counters with a brighter, sparklier presentation better for K-/J-pop and bands. Against other bright-neutral sets (Dusk, P5+2, Brain Dance), Meta sounds fuller in the low end with a more natural, less sizzly treble; compared to Canon Pro, it’s the more energetic and less laid-back choice. For pure vocals, Volume S, EPZ P50, or Cadenza 4 remain stronger. Scaling champs like Ziigaat Odyssey and AFUL Explorer take higher volumes better but trade away some of Meta’s detail sparkle. Limited-run caveat aside, this is an easy recommendation for listeners wanting a balanced daily driver with distinct, glittery treble at sensible listening levels.
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Crinear Meta reviewed by Smirk Audio
7.1
Reviewer Score
Crinear Meta reviewed by Z-Reviews
7
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
CrinEar Meta lands as a limited-run, $250 bass-tilted collab that’s already sold out—and feels like a “little baby bass monster” in the best way. Build is clean and understated: aluminum shells with rose-gold accents, a nice interchangeable cable, and an overbuilt hard case that embarrasses most sets at this price. The nozzles are chunky (think Chronicle’s Red/Daybreak vibes), so foam or “render”-style tips help with seal and comfort. Specs are oddly opaque—driver configuration isn’t listed anywhere—yet the package still screams more value than expected.
Tonally this is unapologetically V-shaped: elevated bass that punches on cue, crisp treble that reaches in and gets attention, and a clear midrange that can read V because the ends are lively. The stage is intimate/narrow, giving a “small loud room” energy that’s exciting but can trend fatiguing over long sessions. Crucially, it passes the body-movement test—put on a groove and there’s immediate “wiggly-wigglies”—where a safer, cleaner sibling like Daybreak can feel a bit too polite. Meta sounds less filtered, more gusto, more fun; Daybreak is the seat-belted version.
Chain matters: with spatial enhancement (think soundstage wideners on a fancy DAC), the main gripes fade and the presentation breathes, though even stock the tuning remains engaging and lively. Net take: this is the version of Daybreak many wish existed—more out of the box, more toe-tapping—so it gets the nod on sheer enjoyment. New? It was a steal at $250. Used around $200? No-brainer collector keep if that energetic, bass-forward V is the target.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
Crinear Meta reviewed by Audionotions
7
Reviewer Score
Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua (more reviews)
Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua reviewed by Jaytiss
8.3
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua is a Japan-only edition (~$400) built on the B3 platform with a 2DD + 4BA array. The shell mirrors the Blessing 3—comfortable, durable, translucent, and tastefully styled with the Aqua faceplate—while the accessory pack is standard fare. The weak link is the microphonic cable (the same type used on other Moondrop models), which begs for a swap to something quieter.
Sonically it’s slightly V-shaped and bright-leaning yet surprisingly natural: smooth, clean, and fun with a linear bass shelf that avoids bloat. Versus the regular Blessing 3, Aqua subtly fills the “bass tuck,” trims the upper-mids a hair, and adds a hint of upper-treble sparkle—engaging for treble-heads and mid fans, but not the pick for bass impact seekers. In graph terms it reads coherent and tasteful, though that added air can push into brightness on sensitive ears. Compared with Moondrop’s own lineup, it edges the B3 on balance but can’t quite match the Meteor’s treble elegance.
In the value maze, availability hurts: outside Japan, alternatives like a Dusk + DSP bundle or the Kiwi Ears Astral may be easier grabs and offer a bit more warmth and sub-bass. Still, Aqua stands out as one of Moondrop’s better-tuned releases—technically solid, musically lively, and highly competitive if obtainable. Verdict: a high recommendation for those who enjoy a crisp, airy tilt; roughly 3.5–4 stars overall.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua reviewed by Kois Archive
7.8
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Japan-only limited edition revision that keeps the 2DD+4BA architecture, the same unboxing, and swaps in a mirror-aqua faceplate that’s a fingerprint magnet plus a transparent shell to show the internals. The new soft 4-core fabric cable with interchangeable 3.5/4.4 plugs and a working chin slider keeps microphonics lower than most fabric leads, though they’re not gone. The shell runs a bit large yet stays snug and comfortable; those with small ears should test a Blessing 3 fit first.
Tuning shifts toward more sub-bass and lower mids with less lower treble, trading the original’s brightness for a more relaxed, less clinical balance. The focus is a natural midrange—fuller male vocals and smooth upper mids for female vocals—while the upper treble is slightly rolled off, which some will find easier on the ears. Resolution and micro-detail remain strong with solid imaging; the soundstage is about average.
Versus Blessing 3, Aqua adds bass and body and tames shout; against Dusk Analog it’s similar, but Dusk can swing warmer with the DSP cable; compared with Meer SL224 the Aqua’s bass is bigger/slower with more natural vocals, while the YU9 Que brings brighter treble extension and broader versatility. Recommended if natural, vocal-centric tonality is the goal rather than basshead slam or sparkling top-end. Strong revision, but limited availability and pricing dent the value next to rivals, so it earns a two-star recommendation on value.
Kois Archive Youtube Channel
Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua reviewed by Web Search
7
Reviewer Score
The Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua retains the Blessing 3’s 2DD+4BA hybrid platform with Moondrop’s horizontally-opposed dual-dynamic bass module, then applies a light retune and a deep-sea blue faceplate aimed at the Japanese market. Moondrop lists the Aqua as a new variant released in Japan on August 1, 2025 with a street price around ¥59,000, and retailer pages note “driver retuning” while keeping the series’ core design intact.
Tonally, Aqua remains broadly neutral-bright with clear upper-mid focus; reports point to subtle bass adjustments versus the original B3 rather than wholesale changes. Resolution and imaging are still the headline strengths carried over from the Blessing 3 platform, with precise placement and good separation for the price class.
Practicalities are favorable: sensitivity and impedance figures make the Aqua easy to drive from modest sources, and isolation is typical for sealed resin shells—effective in the mids/treble but limited for low-frequency rumble. Value is solid but no longer class-leading given the higher price versus the standard Blessing 3, which launched around $320; Aqua earns its keep with refined tonality and technical competence rather than sheer price/performance.
Crinear Meta Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+2BA
Tuning Type: n/a
Brand: CrinEar Top CrinEar IEMs
Price (Msrp): $250
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Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+4BA
Tuning Type: Neutral, Bright
Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs
Price (Msrp): $299
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Crinear Meta User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Crinear Meta Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.5Gaming Grade
AMoondrop Blessing 3 Aqua Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.9Gaming Grade
ACrinear Meta Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- It presents a smooth, well-integrated tonal balance that plays nicely with many styles. It maintains natural timbre across the range.
Average Technical Grade
A- Overall technical control is strong, presenting instruments with clarity and sensible staging. Textures are portrayed with satisfying clarity.
Moondrop Blessing 3 Aqua Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- It delivers a coherent, natural timbre that remains captivating across genres. Acoustic instruments sound lifelike and textured.
Average Technical Grade
A- Overall technical control is strong, presenting instruments with clarity and sensible staging. Textures are portrayed with satisfying clarity.
Crinear Meta User Reviews
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