EarAcoustic VSA-MAX VS Kiwi Ears Aether

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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EarAcoustic VSA-MAX and Kiwi Ears Aether are in-ear monitors. EarAcoustic VSA-MAX costs $149 while Kiwi Ears Aether costs $170. Kiwi Ears Aether is $21 more expensive. Kiwi Ears Aether holds a decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (5.8 vs 6.8). Kiwi Ears Aether has significantly better mids with a 1-point edge, Kiwi Ears Aether has significantly better treble with a 5-point edge, EarAcoustic VSA-MAX has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge and Kiwi Ears Aether has significantly better soundstage with a 2.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Kiwi Ears Aether
Mids 5 6
Treble 3 8
Soundstage 5 7.5
Dynamics 7 6
Gaming capabilities 3.5 7.5

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Aggregated Review Score

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

5.8

Mixed


Kiwi Ears Aether Aggregated Review Score

Kiwi Ears Aether Average Reviewer Scores

Gizaudio Axel Fresh Reviews Z-Reviews Super* Review
Jays Audio Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

6.8

Cautiously Favorable


EarAcoustic VSA-MAX User Review Score

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Kiwi Ears Aether User Review Score

Kiwi Ears Aether Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

3.5

Gaming Grade

D+

Kiwi Ears Aether Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7.5

Gaming Grade

A

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C
  • Significantly flawed tuning. Noticeable frequency imbalances and unnatural timbre distract from music. Lacks versatility across recordings.

Average Technical Grade

D
  • Limited resolution; finer nuances are masked. Soundstage feels narrow, and complex passages cause muddiness. Transitions lack finesse.
Mids C+
Decent midrange performance - balanced but unremarkable. Adequate clarity for most genres without notable flaws.
Treble D
Uneven treble response with noticeable peaks and dips. Can sound both dull and occasionally harsh simultaneously.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage C+
Decent spatial presentation with noticeable width. Some depth perception but height dimension remains underdeveloped.
Gaming D+
Compromised imaging significantly impacts gameplay awareness. Directional cues often lack accuracy or consistency.

Kiwi Ears Aether Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

Average Technical Grade

A
  • Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Mids B
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble A+
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Soundstage A
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Gaming A
Clear spatial presentation handles directional cues effectively. Distinguishes key gameplay sounds while maintaining decent immersion.

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX Reviews

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX reviewed by:

2025-07-20
Jaytiss 5.8 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
D Tech
Warm fun set, but Has a lot of upper trebble for me to love.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: C+ Treble: D Dynamics: A- Soundstage: C+

Kiwi Ears Aether Reviews

Kiwi Ears Aether reviewed by:

2025-07-25
Gizaudio Axel 6.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
One of the best planar IEMs out there. The treble is smoother and easier on the ears than most planars. Balanced sound with clean bass, smooth mids, and detailed treble. Great clarity, wide soundstage, and natural timbre for a planar. Bass might be a bit light, and treble can be a little forward for some.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel
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Price: $169

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Kiwi Ears Aether reviewed by:

Fresh Reviews 6.5* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score

Kiwi Ears Aether reviewed by:

Z-Reviews 6.8 * score normalized

Kiwi Ears Aether reviewed by:

Super* Review 6* * score normalized
A little bit spicy in the treble (like the other planars). Relaxed upper mid-range. Warmer tuning than S12. It's a decent IEM

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review

Kiwi Ears Aether reviewed by:

Jays Audio 7 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A Tech
Clean, balanced, with slight air boost in the treble. Bass sounds like a DD with great texture. Cheaper better tuned P5+2. Not as smooth as Timeless 2 with more dynamic contrast with a slight sizzle from the treble boost. Good value for a planar.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio

Kiwi Ears Aether reviewed by:

Jaytiss 7.9 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Not for bassheads, but one of the best planars I've ever heard.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: B Treble: A+ Dynamics: B Soundstage: A
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Price: $169

Buy Kiwi Ears Aether on Aliexpress

EarAcoustic VSA-MAX User Reviews

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Kiwi Ears Aether User Reviews

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