Disclaimer
Hello everyone! I want to start by letting you know that Kiwi Ears sent me the Aether to review. I’m not getting paid for this, and they haven’t asked me to write anything specific, check my review before I post it, or given me any deadlines for publishing.
Everything I share here is based on my own experience with the Aether. I always do my best to be as fair as possible, but in the end, this is just my opinion. We all have different tastes, and that’s what makes this hobby so interesting!
A big thanks to Kiwi Ears for giving me the opportunity to try out the Aether, and of course, a huge thank you to all of you for reading. Your support truly means a lot to me!
Introduction
When I first heard about the Kiwi Ears Aether, I was pretty excited. Planar IEMs have been getting more popular lately, but finding one that really nails both tuning and technical performance isn’t always easy. Kiwi Ears is known for making well-tuned IEMs, and now they have stepped into the planar game, so I was curious to see what they could do with a 15.3mm planar driver, especially at this price ($169.99).
I’ve spent some solid time with the Aether, testing it with different genres and sources and swapping out some eartips to see how it performs. So, is this the planar IEM that finally gets everything right? Let’s dive in and find out.
Unboxing
The Kiwi Ears Aether comes in a medium to small size box with a pink color design on it, and you can see the IEMs themselves right on the front. Sliding it open, the inside has a full silver design with the Kiwi Ears logo stamped on every section. Right on top, there’s a cardboard box that holds the user manual and warranty card. Underneath, there are the Aether IEMs sitting nicely in a foam cutout, and next to them are two separate boxes with the accessories.
The smaller box contains the included eartips:
- White eartips (S/M/L)
- Black eartips (S/M/L)
- Grey+red eartips (S/M/L)
They’re all pretty similar and feel very basic, but they will surely get the job done.
The second box got the carrying case inside, which is actually a pretty nice, hard, and good sized one. Inside the case, you will find the included cable. It’s a black 2-pin (0.78mm) cable that feels soft and doesn’t tangle, which is great. But it only comes with a 3.5mm connector, and honestly, I think it’s a bit too simple for this price.
Overall, the unboxing experience was pretty nice. The presentation is clean, and while the accessories are decent, I would have liked a bit more, maybe some better eartips or a more premium and modular cable with the option for a 4.4mm connector.
Technical Specifications
Specs:
- Sensitivity: 105 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Impedance: 14Ω at 1 kHz
- Driver Type: 15.3mm planar magnetic
- Cable Connector: 2-pin (0.78mm), detachable
Build quality and design:
The Kiwi Ears Aether feels really well-built, with a smooth, solid shell that is made out of medical-grade resin. It has a sturdy feel in hand, and the materials feel premium. The shells are also on the larger side and may cause some discomfort for those who have smaller ears.
The faceplates, OH BOY! Those faceplates are stunning! They have a glittery, color-shifting texture that catches the light in different ways, making it look amazing. The metallic border around it adds a bit of contrast, and so does the silver Kiwi Ears logo in the center.
The nozzle is made of metal, and the opening is covered with a metal mesh, and there’s a lip to keep the eartips securely in place. There are also a few small vents on the shell to help with airflow, preventing any pressure build-up. And the connectors on them are 2-pin connectors.
The drivers:
The Kiwi Ears Aether uses a large 15.3mm planar magnetic driver, which is quite big for an IEM, and the shell size lets you know this. This size should help it deliver a more open and full sound, with more air movement, almost like a pair of full-sized headphones. The driver is powered by strong N52 neodymium magnets, and Kiwi Ears claims that the Aether has a special chamber design with improved airflow. This chamber is supposed to give it a more natural and spacious presentation.
The cable:
The cable that comes with the Aether is a detachable 2-pin (0.78mm) design, so you can easily swap it out if you want to upgrade or replace it later. It’s lightweight but sturdy, and it doesn’t tangle easily, which is always a plus. The cable works well, but looks a bit too simple in my opinion and comes only with a 3.5mm connector, so if you are the type who likes to experiment with different cables, the option is there.
Sound performance
Bass
The bass on the Aether is quite tight and well-controlled. I’d say that it has a focus on clarity rather than sheer impact power. The sub-bass reaches actually very deep, and it does give me that satisfying low-end rumble when it’s needed on some tracks, but it also never gets too crazy, so don’t expect a basshead level of bass.
The mid-bass is more on the neutral to slightly warm side of things, so it doesn’t add too much warmth or thickness to the sound, but it’s definitely not a thin mid-bass, and it actually has a nice warmth to it. That’s good if you want a clean and detailed presentation, but if you are looking for a heavy, thumpy bass, this probably won’t hit hard enough for you. Personally, I like how it keeps everything precise without muddying up the mids.
Mids
The mids of the Aether are pretty good, but they have a slight drawback, which is present in most of the planar IEMs. Vocals and instruments sound super clean and natural, without any weird dips or boosts messing with them. Male vocals come through nicely, staying detailed without feeling too forward or pushed back, but female vocals can sometimes sound thin to me, and it is probably because of the slightly more recessed 3kHz to 6kHz region.
Instruments like guitars, pianos, and strings all have a nice, realistic presence, but sometimes they can feel a bit behind, slightly thin, and not so upfront. Sometimes I wish for a bit more forwardness in the upper mids, but overall it is done very nicely. If you are into vocal-heavy music, acoustic, or anything that relies on clear mids, the Aether does a great job overall, but you might want to slightly boost the upper mids with EQ.
Highs
Treble is actually very smooth and detailed without being too aggressive. There’s enough sparkle to make things like cymbals and hi-hats sound crisp, but it doesn’t go into harshness or sibilance. It’s tuned in a way that gives a very good sense of air and space, making everything sound more open but without making bright recordings uncomfortable to listen to.
Some planar IEMs push the treble too hard, which can get tiring after a while, but the Aether keeps it in a good territory, still letting you hear all the little details up top.
Technicalities
Detail Retrieval
The Aether leans more on the musical side rather than being a detail monster, but it still brings out plenty of small nuances. It doesn’t overemphasize microdetails, but they come through naturally without getting lost. The sound stays clean and resolving, letting you hear little details in vocals and instruments without feeling too sharp or clinical.
Soundstage
The Aether has a surprisingly spacious sound for an IEM, especially for a planar. It feels more layered and three-dimensional than most IEMs I’ve tried. It creates an open and natural stage, making music sound less boxed-in. Of course, how big it feels depends on many things, including the ear canal shape, so it may be different for some people, but overall, it avoids congestion and gives instruments and vocals plenty of space to breathe.
Separation & Imaging
The Aether does a solid job keeping different sounds distinct. Even in busy tracks, instruments and vocals don’t get jumbled together. It’s not the absolute best in its price range, but it’s still a single driver, although a planar, but still a single one, so it’s not the easiest task to keep everything super separated. It’s still clean and precise enough that you can easily pick apart layers in a song. Imaging is also strong; you can clearly tell where sounds are coming from.
Aether ($169.99) vs. TinHiFi P1 MAX II ($139)
Bass
The Aether has a more powerful bass, that’s for sure. It feels deeper, and the sheer volume is higher, while the P1 MAX II is a bit lighter but faster in response. Maybe it’s because of the bigger size of 15.3mm in the Aether compared to the 14.2 that’s inside the P1 MAX II. So if you like a fuller and stronger bass, the Aether is the way to go. The P1 MAX II still has good bass, but it doesn’t have the same weight or impact.
Mids
Both are pretty similar in the mids, with a nice amount of detail and clarity. Vocals and instruments sound good on both, and neither feels too pushed back or too forward. There’s not a huge difference here, so whichever you pick, you’ll get a solid midrange.
Treble
This is where they also sound quite different. The Aether is smoother and more balanced in the treble. The P1 MAX II, has a more bumpy treble; it has a peak around 15kHz that makes some sounds really stand out, while other parts of the treble (around 10-13kHz) feel a bit dipped. This makes the P1 MAX II sound more energetic but also a little less refined compared to the Aether.
Comfort & Fit
Both fit pretty well, and they are close in size. The main difference is that the Aether is a bit thicker, so it sticks out more. It doesn’t really change the comfort much, though, unless you have really small ears.
Conclusion
The Kiwi Ears Aether is a really good planar IEM, and I can very confidently say that it is one of the best planar IEMs that I have heard. The bass is deep and powerful but doesn’t drown out the rest of the sound, and the mids and treble are smoothly done, and it does pretty much everything right. Maybe just the upper mids could use some tweaks, but it’s mostly a nitpick.
In terms of comfort, it’s pretty good. The Aether is a little thick and chunky because of the 15.3mm driver, but it’s still comfortable, unless you have small ears.
All in all, the Aether is a great pick if you want an IEM that has a balanced and detailed sound. For the price, it really holds its own and would be a great choice if you are looking for a planar IEM that sounds great and is fun to listen to.
Pros
- Deep and powerful bass without overpowering the rest of the sound.
- Clear and detailed mids, making vocals and instruments sound natural.
- Smooth, non-harsh treble with great detail.
- Spacious soundstage with good depth and width.
- Beautiful design.
- Well made and very high quality.
Cons
- A bit thick and chunky, which might be uncomfortable for some.
- The eartips are very basic and not so great.
- No 4.4mm balanced option.
Where to buy:(Non-affiliated! None of my reviews use affiliated links!)
