ThieAudio Hype 2 VS Kiwi Ears Aether

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

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ThieAudio Hype 2 and Kiwi Ears Aether are in-ear monitors. ThieAudio Hype 2 costs $299 while Kiwi Ears Aether costs $170. ThieAudio Hype 2 is $129 more expensive. Kiwi Ears Aether holds a clear 0.6-point edge in reviewer scores (6.2 vs 6.8). ThieAudio Hype 2 has better mids with a 0.5-point edge, Kiwi Ears Aether has significantly better treble with a 1.8-point edge, Kiwi Ears Aether has better dynamics with a 0.5-point edge and Kiwi Ears Aether has better soundstage with a 0.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric ThieAudio Hype 2 Kiwi Ears Aether
Bass 6 6.8
Mids 6.5 6
Treble 6.3 8
Details 6 6.8
Soundstage 7 7.5
Imaging 5.5 6.8
Dynamics 5.5 6
Tonality 6.3 7
Technicalities 6.4 7.5

ThieAudio Hype 2 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Z-Reviews
Nymz
Jaytiss Precogvision Tim Tuned Gizaudio Axel
Jays Audio
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

6.2

Mixed to Positive


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


ThieAudio Hype 2 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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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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ThieAudio Hype 2 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 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

ThieAudio Hype 2 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

B
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Bass B
Good bass foundation with decent impact. Maintains acceptable control while providing satisfying thump in most tracks.
Mids B+
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble B
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics B-
Decent dynamic performance. Good macro-contrast but micro-dynamics could be more nuanced. Satisfactory impact.
Soundstage A-
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Details B
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances. Reveals recording nuances and maintains clarity in complex passages.
Imaging B-
Decent positional accuracy. Good left/right placement with acceptable center image, though depth positioning is approximate.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues. Value-to-cost may not be optimal for gaming-focused users.

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.

ThieAudio Hype 2 Reviews

Super* Review 8* * score normalized
Imagin is fantastic and stands out. Hype 2 is a pretty good place to start in the hobby

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review
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Price: $303

Buy ThieAudio Hype 2 on audio46
Jays Audio 7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A Tech
Mini-Monarch MK3 with less bass and details. 80% there. Harmanish tuning, and best all-rounder before Studio 4.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio
Jaytiss 6.8 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
C+ Tech
Just not right for me, but solid.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: B Treble: C+ Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: A-
Precogvision 6.1 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B Tech
Poor bass performance and sounds like surface-level detailing due to mid-treble recession despite great frequency response.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: B Mids: A- Treble: B Dynamics: B Details: B Imaging: B
Tim Tuned 6 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
A+ Tech
check links for more info:

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A+
Gizaudio Axel 6 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel
Nymz 5.7 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
B- Tech
Good sub-bass but lackluster impact in the mid-bass. Mid-range is fine, but could use more separation/layering. Good techs for the price.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

- Nymz
Bass: C+ Mids: B Treble: B Details: B Imaging: C+
Z-Reviews 4 * score normalized

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
Ad
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Price: $169

Buy Kiwi Ears Aether on Aliexpress

ThieAudio Hype 2 User Reviews

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Kiwi Ears Aether User Reviews

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