[Deezel177]

My Aether has arrived. Those who own it, did you subject it to burn in before using it for normal playback?

I personally didn't. Why delay joy?

 

[tkteo]

Thanks for replying.

May I also inquire, in your experience, did swapping to a non.stock cable -- if you did do so -- lead to improvements in clarity?

 

[rushofblood]

My Aether has arrived. Those who own it, did you subject it to burn in before using it for normal playback?

Yes of course, use proper burn in tracks to maximise its performance. 
 
As for cables, interestingly the stock cable pairs very well with the Aethers, more so than with other monitors, but a cable like the Effect Audio Leonidas or the Plussound Tri-Metal will make your Aethers absolutely sing...

 

[Deezel177]

Thanks for replying.

May I also inquire, in your experience, did swapping to a non.stock cable -- if you did do so -- lead to improvements in clarity?

 
I've tried a number of cables with the Aether and I've found that the plussound X-series (X6 or X8; can't remember) offered the greatest improvement in clarity. However, I found the cable "cleans" up the sound so much, and emphasises the upper mids, such that IMO the Aether loses some of the body and fullness that makes it sound so magical.
 
I find the plussound Echo+ to offer the best balance between clarity improvement, a more impactful sub-bass punch, and price. So far though, my favourite cable to pair with the Aether (that I can afford *flips bird at Leonidas*) is the Effect Audio Ares II (Note: Haven't heard the II+ yet). It adds some clarity (not as much as the Echo+), a significant boost in separation, a powerful sub-bass punch/rumble, and a rich, sumptuous midrange.

 

[MrButchi]

It's BA, hence no burnin.

 

[rushofblood]

It's BA, hence no burnin.

I've found in my experience that even BA based IEMs benefit from burn in...not so much of the balanced armatures themselves burning in but more like the electrical components that surround them in the IEM circuit.

 

[Tiddlesworth]

What are the soundstage/imaging performance of these compared to the Spiral Ears SE-5 Ultimate?

 

[MrButchi]

Never heard SE5 Ultimate, but it is SIGNIFICANTLY bigger than my SE5.

 

[Tiddlesworth]

Never heard SE5 Ultimate, but it is SIGNIFICANTLY bigger than my SE5.

Hello MrButchi, yeah it was from your review that convinced me to consider it, if nothing sways me in 3 months I'll probably get it. You mentioned you were a Soundstage whore and you described what i was looking for in a CIEM, and the bass switch is just the icing on the cake. I know that CIEMs can't compete with full size open backs in terms of width but imaging and airiness was what I was looking for. There are so many CIEM choices and it was really hard finding one with the sound signature and airiness I want <.> 
 
I think I found the one.

 

[tkteo]

 

[MrButchi]

 

Never heard SE5 Ultimate, but it is SIGNIFICANTLY bigger than my SE5.

Hello MrButchi, yeah it was from your review that convinced me to consider it, if nothing sways me in 3 months I'll probably get it. You mentioned you were a Soundstage whore and you described what i was looking for in a CIEM, and the bass switch is just the icing on the cake. I know that CIEMs can't compete with full size open backs in terms of width but imaging and airiness was what I was looking for. There are so many CIEM choices and it was really hard finding one with the sound signature and airiness I want <.> 
 
I think I found the one.

Well thanks for the nice comments. I hope you won't be disappointed.
In all fairness, unless you're in a crazy hurry, I would wait for H8.2 to come out if I were you. It's only two months away, and who knows how Piotr will surprise us ?

 

[Tiddlesworth]

  Well thanks for the nice comments. I hope you won't be disappointed.
In all fairness, unless you're in a crazy hurry, I would wait for H8.2 to come out if I were you. It's only two months away, and who knows how Piotr will surprise us ?

Yeah I was looking at that too, now I need comparisons for both <.> I'm in no hurry to get one so it should be alright.

 

[tkteo]

  Yeah I was looking at that too, now I need comparisons for both <.> I'm in no hurry to get one so it should be alright.

I already committed to the 8.2 so welcome to ask for my impressions in July.

 

[Tiddlesworth]

  I already committed to the 8.2 so welcome to ask for my impressions in July.

Awesome, looking forward to it!

 

[TheMadcap]

How is it compared to the LE3 or LE3B ?