Kiwi Ears Aether VS Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Kiwi Ears Aether and Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke use 1Planar and 1DD driver setups respectively. Kiwi Ears Aether costs $170 while Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke costs $199. Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke is $29 more expensive. Kiwi Ears Aether holds a slight 0.3-point edge in reviewer scores (7.9 vs 7.6). Kiwi Ears Aether has significantly better mids with a 2-point edge, Kiwi Ears Aether has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge and Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke has significantly better dynamics with a 2-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Kiwi Ears Aether | Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 7 | 5 |
| Treble | 7 | 6 |
| Soundstage | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Dynamics | 6 | 8 |
| Tonality | 6.9 | 6.6 |
| Technicalities | 7 | 6 |
Jaytiss Reviews Comparison
Kiwi Ears Aether reviewed by
7.9
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Kiwi Ears Aether arrives as a ~$170 planar with a classy, comfortable shell that seals well despite its larger size and visible venting. The accessories are familiar—typical Kiwi Ears case, okay tip selection—while the cable feels like a real upgrade: soft, pliable, and tidy with a solid 3.5 mm termination. Fit can be great, but smaller ears should note the chunkier housing.
Sonically, Aether leans neutral-bright with a clean midrange, airy treble, and standout micro-detail retrieval for the price. There’s adequate measured bass, yet the added brightness trims some perceived slam, so it’s not for bassheads. Compared with earlier Kiwi planars, it feels more tonally correct, carrying that planar crispness without the shout or glare that often trips sets up around the mid-treble.
In A/Bs, Aether trades blows with Aöso: the latter reads a touch better tuned, but Aether pulls ahead in technicalities—micro-nuances, textural cues, “whispers.” Melody is warmer but less accurate; S08 is darker and cheaper but less balanced; S12 variants push more 5–6 k energy; MP145 is impressive yet bulkier. Overall, Aether scores roughly an 8/10 with a clear note: choose it for a mid-focused, detailed presentation and excellent value in the planar field, skip it if the priority is big bass weight.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke reviewed by
2025-09-20
7.6
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Hidizs MK12 x DucBloke arrives as a limited-edition single-DD collab with a 12 mm pure magnesium diaphragm, dressed in a striking red shell/nozzle. Pricing sits around $260 (about $240 on pre-order). The package is handsome: a plush, roomy case, a red flat 2-pin cable with clear L/R indicators and a tidy Y-split, plus a 3.5 mm option. Swappable nozzles exist for the MK12 line, but the supplied red nozzle is the standout for the mids—and the one trusted by multiple ears in the scene. Comfort is strong, the shell is vented, and it ships with Divinus Velvet tips.
Tonally, this is an organic, warm, downward-sloping tuning with a thumpy, fun bass, generous width, and an overall rich timbre. It suits R&B and hip-hop especially well; stage feels broad and “concert-like,” vocals come across analog and full. Treble is agreeable rather than flashy—on tracks like “Thriller” the cymbals could use a touch more bite—yet detail retrieval and resolution remain respectable. Not a dead-neutral monitor; more a musical, engaging daily driver for listeners who embrace warmth.
Against peers and prior Hidizs sets, MK12 x DucBloke carries the brand’s better traits with cleaner treble energy than some earlier efforts and a bass shelf that avoids muddle. It echoes the warmth of certain high-end references while adding a bit more upper-treble air. EQ is a playground here: presets like Sparkle (air lift), Neutral (slight sub-bass bump), and Hard-Hitting (more bass, more linear) all work well, and the Jaytiss-tuned profile adds extra air without breaking balance. Final take: a solid “A” fun set with 9/10 bass & dynamics, warm-leaning mids, polite treble, big stage, and strong technical underpinnings—an easy recommendation for those wanting a rich, vented, EQ-friendly single-DD in a gorgeous red suit.
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Kiwi Ears Aether Details
Driver Configuration: 1Planar
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $169.99
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Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Warm, U-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $199
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Kiwi Ears Aether Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- A mostly enjoyable signature keeps things listenable despite a handful of quirks. It handles most playlists without major complaints.
Average Technical Grade
A-- You get a controlled, composed performance, marrying decent clarity with a still-modest sense of space. A safe technical performer for the price bracket.
Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- It sounds pleasant overall, with some uneven spots that hint at room for refinement. Vocals remain pleasant despite the imperfections.
Average Technical Grade
B- Technical ability is serviceable, keeping basic detail intact across simpler tracks. It keeps up with acoustic tracks without much fuss.
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