The discovery thread!

[pk4425]

@mrsergey's impressions line right up with Paul's, with jaytiss, and with most of the folks who bought them or got them after the initial HOOPLA. Safely tuned, bassy, lacks treble sparkle, large stage, and not the best IEM ever sold. Now if you're a fan of the KE4, the PRX, or the Dusk, then this just might be a bullseye though? If you're into that kind of "vanilla" or inoffensive tuning?

Moi? Haven't heard the Aether yet. Eager to sample it.

But I did hear the caboose of the recent Kiwi Ears hype train, the Airoso, courtesy of our righteous friends @thaslaya and @Jaytiss. Gave them a listen for about an hour today, so these are VERY early impressions.

I think the Airoso is a better value proposition at $130 than the Volume S is at $320 -- with a BIG catch. If you want any meat on your sonics, skip the Airoso. If you want any richness to your sound, skip the Airoso. If you want a sound signature that leans bright, has OK mid-bass with the right tips and almost no sub-bass with any tip I tried, then the Airoso is for you.

Not trying to be sarcastic. The two words that bounced around my head while listening to the Airoso today were "dry" and "thin." We're talking Mojave dry and reed thin. I thought the BrainDance was clinical in its tonality yet still pleasing. It was CLEAN but had a proper Body Mass Index for the sound it was trying to achieve.

The Airoso needs a buffet line. Stat. Its sound was borderline emaciated for me with Penon Liqueurs and Divinus Velvets. Tissue only started showing up on the bone when I switched to Final Type E and DUNU S&S.

Even then, the sound lacked the note weight that I crave. I'm not a classical guy, so maybe this sound signature would work well with orchestral pieces, but you're still not going to get the impact of bass or percussion. These might be very good with vocals, as the tuning is well balanced. No crazy treble spikes, shouty upper mids for vocals or bass bleed into the mids. Pleasing, airy tuning (it's called the Airoso, after all) -- but just so damn thin.

I'm not a basshead. Far from it. But I like my mid-bass and note weight throughout the spectrum, and these don't deliver that.

But the construction is solid, and the fit was excellent with all the above-mentioned tips. The stock cable, though ... what a cheap piece of scrap provided by KiwiEars. Way too thin -- a mirror of the sound!

Perhaps more impressions to come, but I'm not grooving with this set. It does thin, airy, bright tuning pretty well and is a consideration at $130 for anyone who desires a twiggy set. That's not what I want.

 

[cqtek]

I have experimented with the Simgot ET142 and all the nozzles. I have also tried using the foam cylinders that come inside the two pairs of long nozzles. And the truth is that it has been a success. Simgot tends to like splashy upper mids and the two long mouthpieces are in that ballpark. It is true that this is a tuning with clarity and transparency. But I think that with the short filters it matches the tuning of other planar rivals and loses that sparkling, more technical edge of the Simgot. But that's where those little foams come in, helping to place the tuning in the center of the two groups of mouthpieces. I think it's very well thought out.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Moi? Haven't heard the Aether yet. Eager to sample it.

But I did hear the caboose of the recent Kiwi Ears hype train, the Airoso, once again courtesy of our righteous friend @thaslaya. Gave them a listen for about an hour today, so these are VERY early impressions.

I think the Airoso is a better value proposition at $130 than the Volume S is at $320 -- with a BIG catch. If you want any meat on your sonics, skip the Airoso. If you want any richness to your sound, skip the Airoso. If you want a sound signature that leans bright, has OK mid-bass with the right tips and almost no sub-bass with any tip I tried, then the Airoso is for you.

Not trying to be sarcastic. The two words that bounced around my head while listening to the Airoso today were "dry" and "thin." We're talking Mojave dry and reed thin. I thought the BrainDance was clinical in its tonality yet still pleasing. It was CLEAN but had a proper Body Mass Index for the sound it was trying to achieve.

The Airoso needs a buffet line. Stat. Its sound was borderline emaciated for me with Penon Liqueurs and Divinus Velvets. Tissue only started showing up on the bone when I switched to Final Type E and DUNU S&S.

Even then, the sound lacked the note weight that I crave. I'm not a classical guy, so maybe this sound signature would work well with orchestral pieces, but you're still not going to get the impact of bass or percussion. These might be very good with vocals, as the tuning is well balanced. No crazy treble spikes, shouty upper mids for vocals or bass bleed into the mids. Pleasing, airy tuning (it's called the Airoso, after all) -- but just so damn thin.

I'm not a basshead. Far from it. But I like my mid-bass and note weight throughout the spectrum, and these don't deliver that.

But the construction is solid, and the fit was excellent with all the above-mentioned tips. The stock cable, though ... what a cheap piece of scrap provided by KiwiEars. Way too thin -- a mirror of the sound!

Perhaps more impressions to come, but I'm not grooving with this set. It does thin, airy, bright tuning pretty well and is a consideration at $130 for anyone who desires a twiggy set. That's not what I want.

I'm starting to think you've been "poisoned" by the rich and well tuned midrange of PENON AUDIO?! From your fortunate parade of recent impressions, I'm also starting to think that your true next step up, and logical upgrade to your Penon Fan 3 is the ISN H60. I'm willing to bet your next gig dollars (the whole band! Not just you!) that this would be the IEM that in combination with the Fan 3, would put a stop to your frugal but still wandering eye? Might be time to sell some stock, and take the plunge on something from 2024 instead of all these 2025 MISSES.

---

Loving this jam and loving this band. Alternative rock with a smidge of smooth funk, with a spritz of R&B. Cousin Kula jams! Vitamin D is a good album.

Cousin Kula - Clothes Off (2025).

---

So in my experience in this hobby, there are few certainties, but in the case of releasing a stinker to reviewers, and then pulling it and re-tuning it, seldom works out in favor of the manufacturer. Now there's the rare exception to everything, including this notion, but mostly, it's a wash. Now this does not include prototypes, as many prototypes have garnered negative reactions, but redeemed themselves upon refinement and commercial release. The death trap happens when a company releases something commercially, gets backlash, then things re-tuning it and re-releasing it will get a new lease on life. Again, maybe 5% will actually resurge. 95% though, will just fade. If you couldn't get it done the first time...???? I think the Timeless 2 was one that worked out? Maybe? But that had a legacy!

@SIMGOT ET142.....

 

[Rambone]

Good gears remain good. Maybe we just got bored of them at some point, or we didn't have good enough DAC or amp back then.

Edit: how the heck are your photos so nice. Do you setup lighting and get your DSLR out for just a snapshot for headfi?

So true! Getting bored of stuff happens and upgrading beyond poverty tier dacs, amps and dongles can offer up that edge that could give your old gear a new life.

you think the Aethers sound normal? Have you tried breaking in those BIG planers? IMHO you have not heard them yet, 100 to 150 hours of break in advised or sell them tomorrow.

I think for me, just time behind the wheel is the best medicine when I come across something I don't initially enjoy. There are times you run into headphones and IEMs that simply don't click right away and can take days before your brain decides that it likes what it is listening to. I try to not to be too critical about something until I've had it at least a week with it and let it run for as long to work out any kinks or failure. Ideally though, I want my socks to be knocked off within the first few minutes of listening and maybe Aether just isn't it him.

 

[Hypops]

Was the Volume S depicted as a neutral set upon release? I honestly can't remember with the feverish pace of Chi-fi IEM releases these days. If so, then I guess Softears succeeded. But the Volume S are not special neutral, especially at $325. They're ordinary neutral. Not boring, as there is some note weight and bass linearity. But not worth the money, at least to me.

For sure. Softears has been on the JM-1 ("new meta") train before there even was such a thing. I haven't heard the Volume S myself, but based on measurements and reviews, it seems like it's much more of a revision of the Studio 4's subdued neutral tuning than it is of the OG Volume. The Volume S just adds a bit more mid-bass and knocks down some of the treble vs the Studio 4. Talking only about low-impedance mode obvs. Of course, they're totally different driver configs, but tuning-wise, there's a strong resemblance. Here is the Volume S compared to the Studio 4 against the JM-1 target (MRS's measurements).

A thing that a lot of these self-described "neutral" tunings keep getting wrong is in taming the bass and treble too much (again, speaking generally, not about the Volume S specifically since I haven't heard it). The thing that the JM-1 target gets right is the midrange, but the science behind the target gets pretty wonky in the bass and treble. People's ear anatomy is too varied for there to be a reliable, one-size-fits-all "neutral" in those other regions. Just using different measurement mics, you see huge variations in how different sets measure in the treble especially. Multiply those differences by the number of different ear canal shapes in actual people, and you get far more variety than any single IEM could ever possibly please. So manufacturers play it safe by pulling those areas (too far) down IMO. These sets are less likely to hit someone the wrong way, but they're also less likely to sound correct--let alone genuinely neutral.

That's why I think so many of these sets end up sounding boring to so many of us. They're not actually neutral. They are neutral in the midrange, but merely "safe" in the bass and treble.

 

[Waqar]

that's just how KE tuned this particular IEM. So if you dig that sorta tuning method (KE4, Mega5EST, KZ PRX, Moondrop Dusk), then the Aether will stroke your audio bone. If not, then no burn in will turn the tide.

---

What other iem have this mea tuning, i need one in my life. Just to try, any insight would med niioce

 

[o0genesis0o]

A thing that a lot of these self-described "neutral" tunings keep getting wrong is in taming the bass and treble too much (again, speaking generally, not about the Volume S specifically since I haven't heard it). The thing that the JM-1 target gets right is the midrange, but the science behind the target gets pretty wonky in the bass and treble. People's ear anatomy is too varied for there to be a reliable, one-size-fits-all "neutral" in those other regions. Just using different measurement mics, you see huge variations in how different sets measure in the treble especially. Multiply those differences by the number of different ear canal shapes in actual people, and you get far more variety than any single IEM could ever possibly please. So manufacturers play it safe by pulling those areas (too far) down IMO. These sets are less likely to hit someone the wrong way, but they're also less likely to sound correct--let alone genuinely neutral.

That's why I think so many of these sets end up sounding boring to so many of us. They're not actually neutral. They are neutral in the midrange, but merely "safe" in the bass and treble

The way industry throws around the term “neutral”:

It has to sound “real” and even across the band. Previously, we need to swallow our tongue and accept that Harman “neutral” despite their odd sounding midrange becauee “science” says so. You know what, the coupler itself was not correct

Now, we finally settle that the slightly thicker lower midrange and less aggressive upper mid is actually “neutral” according to “science” (“I told you so” to folks who always screamed BLOATED when the lower mid does not follow Harman). That’s progress. Now manufacturers can focus on adjusting bass and treble to taste. So many things we can adjust in those region when we know the midrange would not be messed up (too badly) if we follow the target.

 

[AmenoUzume]

Was the Volume S depicted as a neutral set upon release? I honestly can't remember with the feverish pace of Chi-fi IEM releases these days. If so, then I guess Softears succeeded. But the Volume S are not special neutral, especially at $325. They're ordinary neutral. Not boring, as there is some note weight and bass linearity. But not worth the money, at least to me.

I also don't understand the hype of Volume S . I tried it during CanJam, it is just… mid.
EPZ P50 is much cheaper and I prefer it instead of Volume S.

 

[d m41n man]

Wow! The upcoming Flipears Legion looking awe-inspiring with the Effect Audio Ares S II. This combo is eye-catching and matches well. Can't wait for the retail version launch of these soon. To me, one of the current best BC implementations without messing up the rest of the frequency and natural tonality.

 

[pk4425]

I'm starting to think you've been "poisoned" by the rich and well tuned midrange of PENON AUDIO?! From your fortunate parade of recent impressions, I'm also starting to think that your true next step up, and logical upgrade to your Penon Fan 3 is the ISN H60. I'm willing to bet your next gig dollars (the whole band! Not just you!) that this would be the IEM that in combination with the Fan 3, would put a stop to your frugal but still wandering eye? Might be time to sell some stock, and take the plunge on something from 2024 instead of all these 2025 MISSES.

You might be on to something, man. I still haven't heard a set that tops the Fan 3, even loaners. I've had the H60 in the "Models To Try" bookmark folder in my browser since last fall. Just might have to act upon that soon ...

So in my experience in this hobby, there are few certainties, but in the case of releasing a stinker to reviewers, and then pulling it and re-tuning it, seldom works out in favor of the manufacturer. Now there's the rare exception to everything, including this notion, but mostly, it's a wash. Now this does not include prototypes, as many prototypes have garnered negative reactions, but redeemed themselves upon refinement and commercial release. The death trap happens when a company releases something commercially, gets backlash, then things re-tuning it and re-releasing it will get a new lease on life. Again, maybe 5% will actually resurge. 95% though, will just fade. If you couldn't get it done the first time...???? I think the Timeless 2 was one that worked out? Maybe? But that had a legacy!

All good points. You know what drives me nuts even more than the above scenario? Companies that release a very solid or banger first set and then completely f*ck it up with the sequel or subsequent tuning flavor variation. Moondrop, I'm looking at you with the Starfield. Artti, I'm looking at you with the T10. Kefine, I'm looking at you with the Delci. I'm sure there are other examples.

I think for me, just time behind the wheel is the best medicine when I come across something I don't initially enjoy. There are times you run into headphones and IEMs that simply don't click right away and can take days before your brain decides that it likes what it is listening to. I try to not to be too critical about something until I've had it at least a week with it and let it run for as long to work out any kinks or failure. Ideally though, I want my socks to be knocked off within the first few minutes of listening and maybe Aether just isn't it him.

This is a good message for everyone, but it's one I don't heed as much anymore. Maybe I should, but I'm starting to trust my ears and brain a lot more with IEMs than I did when I dove headfirst into in-ear models instead of my usual, long-beloved over-ears about 15 months ago.

There still are a few models that I misjudge negatively when I first put them into my ears and grow on me with more hours of listening. But most of the sets I detect as duds or mediocre after a couple hours of listening to various genres and tip rolling usually stay that way.

But we all know the best feeling possible in this hobby, the time you put a set into your ears, and it sings like a horny virgin into your ears from the opening seconds of the first song. It happens so rarely that it's pure magic that must be savored. Only has happened to me with the Fan 3, Explorer and Hype 2 for me, and only the Fan 3 was with the stock tips. I LOVE my MagicOne, but I HATED them until I tip rolled.

The Volume S just adds a bit more mid-bass and knocks down some of the treble vs the Studio 4.

Man, I just don't hear that mid-bass. The Volume S doesn't have much punch or slam to me. It has some, but it's very linear from the sub-bass grunt, which also isn't ample.

That's why I think so many of these sets end up sounding boring to so many of us. They're not actually neutral. They are neutral in the midrange, but merely "safe" in the bass and treble.

BINGO. So well said. I was all meta, all the time last summer when the tuning became ascendent because I loathe Harman so much. Can't stand the excessive bass and elevated upper mids that lead to shouty vocals in Harman.

But I'm also starting to see the limitations of meta tuning that you so eloquently described above. That's probably why if someone told me the Hype 2 was lightly V-shaped and I would love it, I would have asked them to pass the bong over here. But that's what happened, and it's just a further evolution and adaptation of my preferred tuning.

I'll always have preferences, but I sure as hell hope I never lock into one style of tuning. That would be SO boring and reduce the great fun of this wonderful hobby.

I also don't understand the hype of Volume S . I tried it during CanJam, it is just… mid.

Perfect description. Mid. Not great, not terrible. Also not worth $330.

 

[gadgetgod]

Sounds like an absolute BA dream team! Mystic8 for angelic vocals, Supernova bringing the deep, rich tones, and Prismatica sneaking in with that DD-like bass—love the variety! Can’t wait for the video. Any surprise favorites so far, or is it too early to pick a champion?

too early to pick a champion haha

 

[Redcarmoose]

Lately i was very positive.
I enjoyed so much iems like shanling ME600, Tangzu Gate, Sound Rhyme SR8 and ISN H60 (after a friend figured out that i have reverse polarity).
All this time the bass was bad on the ISN H60 because those idiots printed "R" on the wrong side of the cable .
Anyway, i got today the Aether and...
They are just ok.
Not bad but also not amazing.
It still early to talk about their sound in details but my first impression is that they sound "normal".
They have "safe" tuning.
Pretty warm with relaxed treble, nice soundstage, a lot of details and decent bass. Nothing that gonna make you jump out of your seat.
Are they one of my best iems? Hahahah .
Not even close.
But at least they are not boring as the CK2V and the Dusk.
So yeah, they do sound better in my opinion than both of them.

The Aether can sound average from just a phone. But when I use the WM1A and aftermarket 4.4mm cable they truly come alive. It would be interesting to list your sources here. Not trying to argue, but just trying to help your situation. The source is super important to finding the paradise the Aether offers routinely. And yes, the Aether doesn’t need burn-in, they were correct and thrilling out-of-the-box.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

I also don't understand the hype of Volume S . I tried it during CanJam, it is just… mid.
EPZ P50 is much cheaper and I prefer it instead of Volume S.

Is the EPZ P50 bright? Does it have lifted bass? Like too much mid bass? Because the Volume S is very balanced. Very technical. That's why it appeals to many. Technical, nothing peaky or too boomy, and wide stage. This is it's appeal. It's not a fluke.

For sure. Softears has been on the JM-1 ("new meta") train before there even was such a thing. I haven't heard the Volume S myself, but based on measurements and reviews, it seems like it's much more of a revision of the Studio 4's subdued neutral tuning than it is of the OG Volume. The Volume S just adds a bit more mid-bass and knocks down some of the treble vs the Studio 4. Talking only about low-impedance mode obvs. Of course, they're totally different driver configs, but tuning-wise, there's a strong resemblance. Here is the Volume S compared to the Studio 4 against the JM-1 target (MRS's measurements).



A thing that a lot of these self-described "neutral" tunings keep getting wrong is in taming the bass and treble too much (again, speaking generally, not about the Volume S specifically since I haven't heard it). The thing that the JM-1 target gets right is the midrange, but the science behind the target gets pretty wonky in the bass and treble. People's ear anatomy is too varied for there to be a reliable, one-size-fits-all "neutral" in those other regions. Just using different measurement mics, you see huge variations in how different sets measure in the treble especially. Multiply those differences by the number of different ear canal shapes in actual people, and you get far more variety than any single IEM could ever possibly please. So manufacturers play it safe by pulling those areas (too far) down IMO. These sets are less likely to hit someone the wrong way, but they're also less likely to sound correct--let alone genuinely neutral.

That's why I think so many of these sets end up sounding boring to so many of us. They're not actually neutral. They are neutral in the midrange, but merely "safe" in the bass and treble.

Well said. Agree.

@Waqar - Well, the cheapest option of this type of tuning is the KZ PRX (planar). The most popular one that's affordable is the Kiwi Ears KE4. The next step up and most versatile due to DSP is the Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk, and the most expensive of the well known meta's is the Hisenior Mega5EST.

 

[Jamsblast]

Brother @FreeWheelinAudioLuv2 I'm kind of mild tolerant to treble sibilance, In the case of the Jaws is an Icarus but with resistant wings to fly higher and "safer", lol
The ZA12 is in my cart, but what is more appealing to me is the ISN H20 ...

 

[AmenoUzume]

Is the EPZ P50 bright? Does it have lifted bass? Like too much mid bass? Because the Volume S is very balanced. Very technical. That's why it appeals to many. Technical, nothing peaky or too boomy, and wide stage. This is it's appeal. It's not a fluke.

Not bright to me. Bass is enough but never too much. Technical level of P50 is on a par with Volume S if not even better.

BTW I sometime EQ my EPZ 530 to Softears Studio 4, which is very enjoyable.