1. Build Quality & Comfort
From what I understand, building CIEMs with a switch incorporated in the faceplate isn’t the easiest from a technical point of view and I know of several companies that would rather not go there. Lime Ears however has no problems doing that. The recessed sockets and the faceplate closing are really well done but there do are a couple of “bubbles” in the acryl and you can see some traces of glue on the inside. As a result the Aether isn’t the best made monitor in my collection but it’s fairly good.
When comparing left to right you will find the Aether to have non-symmetrical insides. To me that’s less important because it only shows with see-through shells but some people find that really important. What is more important to me is that there is a good fit. Goof it means good comfort and Lime Ears delivers, I have no issue whatsoever with wearing them for hours. With some monitors I manage to break the seal when putting on weird faces but this simply is impossible with the Aether. I just hope no one saw me trying at the office.
2. Personalization
I usually don’t have any requests when it comes to personalization but when I saw these fancy looking brushed aluminum face plates on Lime’s Facebook page, and I was sold right away. I also suggested putting both our logos on the faceplate and I very much like how the monitors turned out. (see pics) .
Like with most companies you can personalize your monitors but it will as usual cost you extra. Simple artwork, laser engraving, wooden/carbon/steam faceplates: it’s all possible. Just email Lime Ears and work something out together.
I have several really good looking monitors in my collection like the full steam by Cosmic Ears and the wooden design by Rhines just to name two, but I also really like these brushed aluminum plates. The typical grey in combination with the green Lime Ears’ logo just gives me this summer-ish feeling. Call me crazy.
3. Cables
All of Lime Ears’ monitors come with a grey/white-ish detachable 3.5mm gold-plated jack cable. The cable is a pretty basic quad cable with a bendable piece of metal to put around your ears. While there’s nothing special about the cable at all it actually sounds pretty good.
I always like trying different cables to find the one with the best synergy for a specific IEM. I only used the stock cable for a very short time as I soon found Linum’s balanced cable to be perfect for the Aether. I have a feeling the balanced SuperBaX might be even better but unfortunately my prototype can only be used with flush sockets.
When using the Linum balanced cable the balance, stereo image and texture improves to an unbelievably high level, but more on that in the “Sound” and “Source” parts. The Linum cables aren’t that expensive compared to other aftermarket cables and if you plan on getting the Aether, I would certainly recommend giving the balanced Linum a try. That being said, the stock cable – as reported – sounds really good already and you will enjoy the Aether for sure.
4. Price & Accessories
Most of the 5-driver CIEMs don’t come cheap and the Aether isn’t any different. It is priced at €1150 (more or less $1250) and that puts it almost at the same level as the Stage5 and the VE5 CIEMs (Rhines Stage 5 – 1379€, Vision Ears VE5 – 1399€). And that’s for the basic version, customization costs extra. The Cosmic Ears CE5 monitor still is cheapest, starting at €580. That’s still impressive.
My Aether came in a black personalized 1015 Pelican case holding a drying cap, the stock cable and a cleaning tool which I have lost in the train in the meantime. For the price they could maybe add a cleaning cloth and spray just like Rhines and VE do, but maybe paying customers get exactly that, I couldn’t tell.
If you look at other CIEM companies you will see most of the 5-driver monitors cost over €1000, so there’s nothing wrong with Lime Ears’ price setting. At the same time the other companies have a bigger (note I didn’t say better) reputation and I’m afraid a certain number of potential clients might be scared away by that. Sound wise however these are really worth their price and you won’t hear me complaining about the price/quality ration at all. (see below)
5. Customer Service
Dealing with Lime Ears always goes by email. They do have a contact form on the site but there at the moment is no automated way to process your order. Earlier this month Emil told me they are working on a new website with a simple shop. That would make ordering a whole lot more convenient than by exchanging e-mails. It should be up around the publication of this review. If you go to Lime Ears’ website right now, you won’t find any reference to the Aether model, I guess they’re keeping that for the new version as well. The only reference to the Aether in fact is on their Facebook page .
Dealing/emailing with Emil/Lime Ears has always been a pleasure and his excitement about his products really showed and pleased me. I always love hearing motivated people talk about their products and based on his excitement I have a feeling the new website and order form will be quite the improvement. I’m pretty sure Lime Ears’ customer service won’t disappoint you.
Sound starts on Page 3, right after the click as usual
Raphaël G.
Great review, Lieven. As I understood on facebook… happy Birthday.
Did you plan to review the 64 Audio A10/12 ?
Thanks !
Headfonia_L.
Not right now but I’ll see what I can do. And Thank you!
Coll. IEm
I wish in 2016 you review Spiral Ear SE5 Ultimate.
one of the most overrated Ciem I ever heard ,many positive review but sound fall short to compete with very good ciem .
Tay Victor
I currently have the U12 and has just demoed the Aether. I must say, these 2 IEM complement each other well. The U12 have slightly richer mids and the soundstage is slightly wider. The separation on the U12 is also slightly more. However the Aether have a much neutral and reference sound with similar characteristics and is also more dynamic than the U12. I must say I’m really impressed with the Aether and will consider getting it as one of my CIEM.
Coll. IEm
thanks,what’s your fav. ciem and dap ?
Victor Tay
Currently, I’m using my U12 with my Onkyo DP-X1 using DHC Symbiotide SE full SPC 2.5mm balanced cable. My Shozy Alien Gold Edition is arriving soon. I will see how my U12 pairs with it. Anyway i have yet to get the Aether as I’m out of budget to get any TOTL ciem currently.
Coll. IEm
I have many ciem ,but my fav. right now are roxanne and Heir 10 pair with hm901. I have K10 before but sold it after I get heir 10 .
I don’t I need dac/amp with this hm901 dap it sound extremely musical .
Have you heard any ciem or iem that impress you ?
Joshua Chew
Aether vs the K10s! hehe.
Headfonia_L.
I don’t have the K10 but I do know someone who thinks it’s better than his K10
Joshua Chew
I know, that is what I have been hearing from others too. I have the K10 and was wondering how they sound against it; and if i should buy one.
simplicyk
I know that some people have sold their K10s and bought Aether!
yuntingz
Really interesting review. Would you say that the Aether’s
vocal presentation is fairly intimate or is it more distant? Also, is the
Aether’s sound more on the smooth side or dynamic/lively? Thanks.
Headfonia_L.
Vocals are more intimate and not distant at all. It’s right in between smooth and dynamic. This is one of the monitors in my collection that I enjoy most, I absolutely recommend it
yuntingz
Thanks, are there any other earphones it has a similar sound to as a reference?
Headfonia_L.
Cosmic CE6, Empire Legend R
Coll. IEm
One of the best review I read in headfonia .
I want to see review of :
1- Hier 10A and 2- SE5way please.
Headfonia_L.
Thanks! Feel free to set that up 😉
Coll. IEm
ok adress please
Headfonia_L.
Please go here if you’re serious
http://www.headfonia.com/contact-us/
Thanks!
Brian L. Clark
Have you heard the Rhapsodio Solar’s and able to compare the two?
Headfonia_L.
I have not, sorry
Kris
I am about to order a pair :). Being myself a co-founder of a Studio Monitor company here in Poland I am happy there are companies like this one that bring us to the world stage of high quality sound reproduction.