Kiwi Ears Aether VS Moondrop KXXS / KXXX

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

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Kiwi Ears Aether and Moondrop KXXS / KXXX are in-ear monitors. Kiwi Ears Aether costs $170 while Moondrop KXXS / KXXX costs $189. Moondrop KXXS / KXXX is $19 more expensive. Kiwi Ears Aether holds a decisive 1.8-point edge in reviewer scores (6.8 vs 5). Moondrop KXXS / KXXX has significantly better mids with a 1-point edge and Kiwi Ears Aether has significantly better treble with a 2-point edge.

Insights

Metric Kiwi Ears Aether Moondrop KXXS / KXXX
Bass 6.8 7
Mids 6 7
Treble 8 6
Soundstage 7.5 5
Dynamics 6 5
Tonality 7 5
Technicalities 7.5 7

Kiwi Ears Aether Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

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

Average Reviewer Score:

6.8

Cautiously Favorable


Moondrop KXXS / KXXX Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Tim Tuned

Average Reviewer Score:

5

Mixed to Negative


Kiwi Ears Aether User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Moondrop KXXS / KXXX User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

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

Moondrop KXXS / KXXX Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.4

Gaming Grade

B

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.

Moondrop KXXS / KXXX Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C+
  • 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.
Bass A-
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble B
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues.

Kiwi Ears Aether Reviews

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

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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
Z-Reviews 6.8 * score normalized

Gizaudio Axel

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
Fresh Reviews 6.5* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
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
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Price: $169

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Moondrop KXXS / KXXX Reviews

Tim Tuned 5 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
A- Tech
Great bass control Out performed by Kato

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: B

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