Kiwi Ears Aether vs Letshuoer S12: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Kiwi Ears Aether comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Kiwi Ears Aether - Great overall at around $170.

Wired IEMs

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Neither pulls ahead overall - they trade wins across the measures.

Kiwi Ears Aether
Letshuoer S12

HearWiki score

Sound

8.5

Value

8.0

Price (USD)

$170

$150

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The Kiwi Ears Aether is 3 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 3 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

Aether20253 yr newer
S122022

Specifications

AetherS12

Type: Wired IEMs; Wired IEMs
Price (USD): $170; $150
HearWiki score: 82; 79
Released: 2025; 2022
Availability: Sold new; Discontinued
Driver: 1 planar; 14.8 mm planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver configuration: 1 planar; -
Driver size: 15.3 mm; 14.8 mm
Drivers per side: 1; -
Impedance: 14 Ω; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 105 dB/mW; 102 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: No; -
Weight: -; 12 g
Detachable cable: Yes; -
Connector: 2-pin 0.78 mm; -

Specification comparison of Kiwi Ears Aether vs Letshuoer S12
Spec	Kiwi Ears Aether	Letshuoer S12
Type	Wired IEMs	Wired IEMs
Price (USD)	$170	$150
HearWiki score	82 / 100 Great	79 / 100 Great
Released	2025	2022
Audio
Driver	1 planar	14.8 mm planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver configuration	1 planar	-
Driver size	15.3 mm	14.8 mm
Drivers per side	1	-
Impedance	14 Ω	16 Ω
Sensitivity	105 dB/mW	102 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	-
Design
Weight	-	12 g
Detachable cable	Yes	-
Connector	2-pin 0.78 mm	-

What reviewers said

Kiwi Ears Aether

The Kiwi Ears Aether is a single 15.3mm planar driver IEM that delivers a punchy, well-extended bass response and a smooth, non-fatiguing treble, all wrapped in a premium, comfortable shell. Its tuning leans toward a fun yet mature presentation with precise imaging and a wide soundstage, making it a strong contender in the sub-$200 planar market. While its large housing and stock cable pose minor drawbacks, the overall sonic performance and build quality offer excellent value for wired audio enthusiasts.

Pro:Strong, impactful bass with good depth
Pro:Smooth and refined treble without harshness
Pro:Excellent imaging and spacious soundstage

Con:Recessed lower mids may lack warmth for some
Con:Large shell size can be problematic for smaller ears
Con:Stock cable feels below par for the price

Letshuoer S12

The Letshuoer S12 is a wired planar magnetic IEM that delivers impressive detail, punchy bass, and strong technical performance for its price point. Its tuning leans bright, which enhances clarity but may be too intense for treble-sensitive listeners, and it benefits from a good source and proper eartips to shine. Overall, it's a capable, energetic earphone that offers excellent value under $200, though its soundstage is modest and vocals can come across as slightly lean.

Pro:Excellent resolution and note definition
Pro:Tight, well-defined bass response
Pro:Energetic and engaging tuning

Con:Bright treble can be fatiguing for some
Con:Vocals may sound a bit thin or lean
Con:Average soundstage width

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparison Kiwi Ears Aether Letshuoer S12