Great first impressions of Aether R from Deezel!
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/can...tm_source=alert_emails_post_tag#post-14888787
Thanks for sharing this, Piotr! I just published the full article on TheHeadphoneList.com, and here's an excerpt from the Lime Ears section:
Lime Ears
Accompanying Custom Art on their flight were compatriots: Lime Ears. Lime Ears have always held a special place in my heart for popping my flagship cherry, so to speak. So, seeing them year after year and goofing around with their head honcho, Emil Stolecki, always makes for a wonderful time. This year, they brought a refresh of their flagship Aether called the Aether R. Featuring an additional driver for headroom and a slight tuning tweak, here are my thoughts.
Lime Ears Aether R: The Aether R thankfully maintains the Lime Ears house sound through and through. Heaps of clarity and air resonate within its soundscape, paired with a natural, well-balanced and sufficiently-bodied timbre. Among all of Lime Ears’ previous models, I feel they’ve made major strides in spatial performance. The depth that the original Aether had is now paired with stronger resolution, so that distance does not translate to detachment. And, image stability, left-right separation and background blackness all mark career-highs for Lime Ears, due to high extension and coherency.
The balance between the upper-mids and treble is excellent. Vocals sound like they flow from the chest to the mouth in an even-handed, smooth and linear manner. There is more energy towards the upper-registers, so the fuller harmonics sound more laid-back. Hi-hats, cymbals and snare drums continue to be highlight instruments, as they crackle and pop with immense clarity, and zero fatigue. The extra low-end driver intended to add headroom has delivered too. The bass comes across more nimble. Personally, I would’ve loved more warmth to bind the image a hair. Adding a couple dB’s to both the switch down and switch up modes wouldn’t have hurt, especially considering how flat switch down is down low.
All in all, the Aether R succeeds in what it ultimately set out to do: Maintain that gorgeous Lime Ears house sound and package it in a technically-capable, well-defined and transparent soundscape. Being frank, I do have a bias towards their signature tone, so take it with a grain of salt when I say the Aether R is perhaps my favourite all-rounder among the many I’ve heard recently. And without a shadow of a doubt, I absolutely can’t wait to hear the Aether R in custom form.
I'm also glad to announce that the Aether R has taken home a CanJam Cup award! It's one of three in-ears from CanJam SG 2019 to receive the Do-All Good-All award, which recognises the most charming, fun and versatile monitors at the show. Congrats @Lime Ears!