Short answer: the CrinEar Reference. Both are rated 3.7/5 for sound quality (#635 and #647 of 1291 in-ear headphones), and the CrinEar Reference costs $349.99 against $399.99 for the AFUL Performer 8S, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
What the AFUL Performer 8S does well: The median of 12 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.16 dB spread. The tradeoff: Presence sits about 5.9 dB low with a 6.6 dB dip near 4.0 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
The case for the CrinEar Reference: A very even tilt: the median of 30 measurements has a near zero tonal tilt and the mids hold close to target, giving a relaxed, inoffensive presentation. Watch for: Sub-bass falls about 5 dB short at 30 Hz and bass about 2 dB short, so it lacks the low end weight its two dynamic drivers suggest.
Buy the CrinEar Reference. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $50 less than the AFUL Performer 8S.
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The median of 12 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.16 dB spread.
Amazon $399.99 eBay
A very even tilt: the median of 30 measurements has a near zero tonal tilt and the mids hold close to target, giving a relaxed, inoffensive presentation.
Amazon $349.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| AFUL Performer 8S | CrinEar Reference | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.99 | $349.99 |
| Ranked | #647 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #635 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 6 x balanced armature + 1 x planar + 1 x passive radiator | 2 x 10mm dynamic + 3 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 26 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 2Hz - 44kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (median of 12 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 70 (median of 30 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.16 dB standard deviation | 2.12 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.65 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the AFUL Performer 8S from aden, atechreviews, audioamigo, bassaudio, hobbytalk, jaytiss, kazi, koi, practiphile, precog, soundcheck39, soundignity and superreview; the CrinEar Reference from aden, aftersound, animagus, atechreviews, audioamigo, bassaudio, bloomaudio, boizoff, breampike, dentreviews, dl, doltonius, dvewlsh, elrics, faxepremium, fernandagunsan, flare, hbb, hobbytalk, iemocean, jaraba, jaytiss, lestat, lumerion, practiphile, precog, soundignity, superreview, tdl and tonedeafmonk, all via squig.link.
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