In this review, I’ll look at the Kiwi Ears Aether IEMs and figure out whether I’d like to wake up from them. The unit costs $169.99 USD and can be bought from Linsoul, and other retailers.
Disclaimer: Linsoul is not related to Headfonia. They sent me the Kiwi Ears Aether free of charge to be featured on Headfonia.com.
Kiwi Ears
The personal audio brand Kiwi Ears was founded in the early 2020-ies by unidentified industry enthusiasts. Like many other similar companies, they sell primarily through the Chi-fi marketplace, Linsoul, to reach a wider audience worldwide.
Unlike most, Kiwi Ears have dabbled in just about every personal audio category, be it IEMs, full-size headphones, dongles, or accessories like cables. They’ve also done audio influencer collabs, but are most known for their multi-driver IEMs like the Orchestra and Orchestra Lite.
Kiwi Ears Aether
It’s likely that we’re seeing the second budget planar IEM wars, with Timeless II being the first salvo fired by 7Hz. While there’s no answer from the regulars like Hidizs and Letshuoer, an unlikely contender from Kiwi Ears has appeared.
The main sales pitch of the Kiwi Ears Aether planar magnetic IEMs is the 15.3mm driver. While 7Hz, Hidizs, and Letshuoer are stuck in the past with their puny 14.5mm and 14.8mm planar drivers, Kiwi Ears have managed to squeeze an extra 0.5mm over them. What does it realistically mean? Honestly, it could mean that Kiwi Ears are using a different planar driver. Or maybe their calipers are a bit out of calibration.
When it comes to the basic acoustic formula, the Aether uses a positively humongous ear shell with both front and back ports. While the front port is a small pinhole, likely to aid pressure relief upon insertion, the back port is more significant, with three holes. The planar driver is ventilated well enough to have zero flex or crinkle when the IEMs are being inserted.
Features
- 15.3mm planar magnetic driver
- Medical-grade resin shell with a composite faceplate
- 20Hz-20kHz effective frequency response
- 14-ohm impedance
- 105dB/mW efficiency
- 123.5dB/V sensitivity
- 0.78mm 2-pin flush connectors
- 1.2m copper cable
- Fixed 3.5mm jack
Design, Build & Haptics
Casing
Kiwi Ears Aether IEMs are delivered in a sleeved hard cardboard box, like many others at this price point and sometimes even above. Once we remove the sleeve, a faux-brushed aluminum box presents itself to us. Inside, we first get an envelope with the paperwork, which needs to be put aside to get to the goods.
The IEMs themselves are sitting snugly in a foam cutout, and right beside them, we get a box with the carrying case and a smaller one where the ear tips are kept. In three baggies, we get three variations of tips. After a closer examination, I have to say that all of the tips are adequate, but very similar, save for the looks.
Build Quality
Most of the budget planar usual suspects have distinct ears hells, and the Kiwi Ears Aether is no different. It looks like a regular acrylic shell affair until you take a look from the side. The basic shape of the shell seems familiar, but the thickness is almost silly.
The top of the acrylic shell is adorned with a metal-rimmed faceplate. Inside the faceplate is a Kiwi Ears logo under which an intricate 3D texture can be seen. Likely, it’s made by mixing various powders into a resin and then cutting out a piece appropriate for the IEM. I kind of wish they’d kept the plates cleaner without the logo.
The build of the ear shells is quite good with no visible imperfections. How well the faceplates hold, only time will tell. I’m also happy that Kiwi Ears opted for metal nozzles, which hold the eartips rather securely thanks to the retaining lip.
To power the IEMs, we get a pretty regular-looking 1.2m cable with 4 conductors and a paracord braid for most of its length. After the Y-splitter, the wires follow a twist braid to stay together. It’s a decent cable, but nothing really to write home about.
Comfort and Ergonomics
Largely due to the huge earshells, the ergonomics of the Kiwi Ears Aether are tricky. The shell will probably fit into most ears, but its geometry allows for only a shallow insertion. I had to fiddle around a lot with eartips to find a pair that would provide a stable seal and keep the IEMs inside my ears.
During the day, I’d have to push these IEMs in my ears because occasionally I’d get a feeling like they’re not sitting right. It’s not a deal-breaker for me, but other IEMs have no such issues. And I’m not sure how the Aether would work for people with smaller ears.
Despite looking quite pedestrian, the cable never caused me trouble as it’s not too prone to tangling. The braid also does a good job at keeping the microphonics at bay, so on-the-go use is more than fine.
Isolation
Ported shell IEMs usually isolate quite well and only fall below the now-rare fully sealed models like those from Etymotic and some custom IEMs. The isolation I get with the Kiwi Ears Aether is a bit lower than I’d expect, likely due to the quite shallow fit. With that said, the isolation is adequate for keeping the noise out during commute and office hours when music is playing.
Sound Signature and Technicalities
My main testing system for the Kiwi Ears Aether was the Topping x Holo Centaurus driving the DROP + SMSL HO150, Aune S17 Pro EVO, Heritage Audio OHM, and two portable rigs – the (trans)portable FiiO Q15 and the cheerful Snowsky Retro Nano.
Like most of the planar driver IEMs out there, the Kiwi Ears Aether needs a bit more juice from the driving electronics. Nowadays, of course, even the simplest cable dongles have enough power on tap to drive them at around 66% of my smartphone’s volume.
Medium sensitivity also means that the Aether isn’t too picky when it comes to sources, as noise is less of an issue. The nature of the planar driver also means that it’s a purely resistive load on the amplifier, so output impedance shouldn’t change the tonal balance of the Aether. A lack of impedance swings also keeps amplifiers happier, so it’s likely that they’ll perform better.
The part on sound continues on the second page. Click here or use the jumps below to go there.
