Kiwi Ears Aether VS Ziigaat Lush
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Kiwi Ears Aether and Ziigaat Lush are in-ear monitors. Kiwi Ears Aether costs $170 while Ziigaat Lush costs $180. Ziigaat Lush is $10 more expensive. Kiwi Ears Aether holds a slight 0.1-point edge in reviewer scores (6.8 vs 6.8). Ziigaat Lush has significantly better mids with a 1.5-point edge, Kiwi Ears Aether has significantly better treble with a 1.5-point edge and Kiwi Ears Aether has better soundstage with a 0.5-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Kiwi Ears Aether | Ziigaat Lush |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 6.8 | 7 |
| Mids | 6 | 7.5 |
| Treble | 8 | 6.5 |
| Soundstage | 7.5 | 7 |
| Dynamics | 6 | 6 |
| Tonality | 7 | 6.8 |
| Technicalities | 7.5 | 7 |
Kiwi Ears Aether Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Ziigaat Lush Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Kiwi Ears Aether Details
Driver Configuration:
Tuning Type: n/a
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $170
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Ziigaat Lush Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA
Tuning Type: n/a
Brand: ZiiGaat Top ZiiGaat IEMs
Price (Msrp): $180
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Kiwi Ears Aether User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Ziigaat Lush User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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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
7.5Gaming Grade
AZiigaat Lush Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.1Gaming Grade
A-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.
Ziigaat Lush Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.
Average Technical Grade
A-- Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Kiwi Ears Aether Reviews
7.9
Reviewer Score
Not for bassheads, but one of the best planars I've ever heard. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
7
Reviewer Score
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 Youtube Channel
6.8
* score normalized
Gizaudio Axel
2025-07-25
6.5
Reviewer Score
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
6.5*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
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 IEMSuper* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
Ziigaat Lush Reviews
8
Reviewer Score
As of 4/21/25, these are my pick for best value in IEMs and also one of the best implementations of the JM21 meta. Everything sounds right. Bass quantity is just right with decent quality - there is a good amount of physicality and it doesn't overwhem. Mids are tasteful - perhaps slightly laid back but not egregiously so. Treble is well extended and very smooth. It won't wow anyone looking for a very large stage but it is on the larger size. Dynamics and transients are pretty good on this set, lending to a pretty good sense of instrument separation and imaging. Personally, I would like a little bit more elevation in the mids to upper mid range to make it a bit more snappy and engaging but as is, the tuning makes for an excellent all-day IEM. One thing to note is that build quality is a bit lacking and the packaging/accessories are fit for a $20 IEM. Previously Owned
7.5
Reviewer Score
Mid mid focused set, I dig it. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
7
Reviewer Score
A cleaner more technical AFUL Explorer with a more open sense of space and airier treble. High volume set. Very smooth and balanced at higher scaling - has a "Lush" and full sound. Mid-volume sounds kinda anemic and too inoffensive, wouldn't rec at lower volumes unless you're using as background music while working, but very immersive with scaling like the Odyssey, but less v and more chill. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
6
Reviewer Score
Very niche relaxed tuning Too compressed sounding for me Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
6*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
The Ziigaat Arcanis and Lush IEMs offer distinct flavors at their price points, both featuring resin builds with eye-catching faceplates—sparkly green for the Arcanis and silver-black for the Lush. Fit is familiar to other Ziigaat models, and accessories include a basic cable, ear tips, and carrying pouch. Sonically, the Arcanis delivers a holographic, punchy presentation with emphasized sub-bass and upper mids, making footsteps, slides, and distant gunfire pop with urgency. The Lush leans darker and smoother, relaxing upper mids to tame gunfire harshness while maintaining clean bass and excellent separation.
For gaming, performance varies by title. In Valorant and CS2, the Lush shines with precise imaging and a smoother, fatigue-free experience—gunfire feels controlled without sacrificing detail. The Arcanis excels in COD, where its aggressive tuning highlights critical cues like footsteps and slides with greater potency. However, in Apex Legends, the Lush’s relaxed profile struggles with subtle audio cues (e.g., light taps or shield cells), earning a B rating. The Arcanis fares better (B+) with superior depth reads and emphasis on environmental sounds, though complex fights can overwhelm its separation compared to top-tier sets like the Mangird Tea Pro.
Ultimately, the Arcanis is a versatile all-rounder, slightly favored for both music and most gaming scenarios. The Lush carves a niche for smooth, non-fatiguing sessions in Valorant/CS2, filling a unique spot in Ziigaat’s lineup. Both IEMs offer exceptional resolution and layering for their prices, but the choice hinges on preference: the Arcanis for its energetic clarity, or the Lush for its refined, relaxed signature.
6
* score normalized
6*
* score normalized
Nice take on new-meta tuning. A little bit more relaxed but nice.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
Ziigaat Lush lands at $180 with a hybrid 1DD + 4BA setup and the brand’s familiar accessories: a slim case, silicone tips (S/M/L), and one foam pair. The cable is lightweight but tangly, and the all-plastic shells feel light yet a bit cheap. Fit is stable yet not ideal— the long nozzle can bottom out, tip selection becomes important, and there’s some driver flex. Aesthetics are decent, though the logo and overall build leave room for improvement.
Sonically, this is a “new meta” take: fuller lower mids, relaxed upper mids, and laid-back treble that can read a touch dark. The tonality is warm, smooth, and low-contrast; vocals sit a bit back and busy mixes can feel smoothed over. Treble avoids sharpness but can be inconsistent (sometimes blurred, sometimes a little chunky), and overall incisiveness depends heavily on tip choice. Bass isn’t overblown on the graph, yet comes across stronger in practice because the top end is subdued—impact is fine, definition is average. Imaging isn’t razor-sharp, though the stage can feel surprisingly wide.
Against peers, EPZ P50 sounds more contrasty with tighter bass, crisper treble, better imaging, and much better comfort. Kiwi Ears K4 brings more sparkle and sharper imaging (bass can dominate at times), again with superior fit. A cheaper alt, the AFUL Explorer, offers a similarly laid-back vibe with tighter bass, more consistent/airy treble, and an easier fit. Net: Lush is a pleasant, relaxed alternative for the treble-sensitive, but build and comfort hold it back. Rating: 3/5.
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