Kiwi Ears Aether VS Letshuoer S12 Ultra
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Kiwi Ears Aether and Letshuoer S12 Ultra use 1Planar and 1Planar (14.8 mm) driver setups respectively. Kiwi Ears Aether costs $170 while Letshuoer S12 Ultra costs $169. Kiwi Ears Aether is $1 more expensive. Letshuoer S12 Ultra holds a slight 0.1-point edge in reviewer scores (7.9 vs 8). Kiwi Ears Aether has significantly better mids with a 1-point edge, Letshuoer S12 Ultra has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge and Letshuoer S12 Ultra has better soundstage with a 0.5-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Kiwi Ears Aether | Letshuoer S12 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 7 | 6 |
| Treble | 7 | 7 |
| Soundstage | 7.5 | 8 |
| Dynamics | 6 | 7 |
| Tonality | 6.9 | 7 |
| Technicalities | 7 | 7 |
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.
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Letshuoer S12 Ultra reviewed by
2025-10-05
8
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
LETSHUOER S12 Ultra wraps up the S12 line with a 14.8 mm planar driver and a familiar metal shell in gunmetal or mocha. The housing is vented, comfy for long sessions, and solidly built with a flat 2-pin interface that grips tips well. The stock package is practical: a soft case, a fair tip spread, a braided cable with swappable 4.4 mm termination, and even a plug-and-play USB-C DAC that performs capably for on-the-go use.
Sonically, this set aims for a mild V-shape with tasteful tweaks that elevate it over prior S12 iterations. There’s a touch more sub-bass than the S12 Pro and a smoother 10 kHz zone, reducing fatigue while keeping upper-treble reach for air. The presentation favors balance over sparkle: detailed without the brittle edge many planars flirt with, and notably non-fatiguing over longer listens. Technical chops are strong for the class—clean, clear, and “planar-fast”—though instrument separation can lag behind pricier hybrids, and the topmost “crispy” sheen is slightly restrained.
On graphs and in practice, S12 Ultra reads as a refined take on modern planars—more bass weight, tidier 4–6 kHz, and better treble behavior than its siblings. Listeners hypersensitive up top may still prefer something like the S15 for a softer treble contour, while those chasing maximal separation may lean to sets like AFUL Performer 7 (with a spicier treble). With the usual planar caveat about unit variance and fit, this edition comes through as the standout of the S12 series: a clean, engaging, and genuinely high-value recommendation under $500.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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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Letshuoer S12 Ultra Details
Driver Configuration: 1Planar (14.8 mm)
Tuning Type: U-Shaped
Brand: Letshuoer Top Letshuoer IEMs
Price (Msrp): $169
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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.
Letshuoer S12 Ultra Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A-- It balances warmth and clarity well, showing only minor quirks along the way. Timbre feels believable with most instruments.
Average Technical Grade
A-- The presentation feels orderly, balancing workable detail retrieval with acceptable imaging cues. It keeps momentum without smearing transients.
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