LETSHUOER S12 2024 LIMITED EDITION REVIEW
When it comes to reasonably priced planar magnetic single-driver in-ear monitors, the Letshuor S12 PRO has long been a standard. It is particularly praised for producing superb bass performance and has a large 14.8mm driver.When it comes to reasonably priced planar magnetic single-driver in-ear monitors, the Letshuor S12 PRO has long been a standard. It is particularly praised for producing superb bass performance and has a large 14.8mm driver.
You can read my full review of the S12 PRO here.
In honor of Letshuoer’s eighth anniversary and the popularity of the S12, they have unveiled the S12 2024, a Limited Edition model that will only be produced in 2,024 pieces. The 14.8mm planar magnetic driver is still there in this version, but the tuning is different from the original.
An improvement over the original aluminum alloy, the titanium alloy used to make the CNC-machined housing has a stunning golden finish. With 392 strands of oxygen-free copper that have been silver-plated, the cable essentially stays the same, but it is now available in a new, dark hue to match the golden earphones.
The normal S12 PRO has a MSRP .
LETSHOUR S12 2024 SPECIFICATIONS
- Planar-magnetic driver, 14.8 mm
- 16Ω±1Ω is the impedance.
- 102 dB is the sensitivity.
- Regularity Reaction: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Dual-pin connector IEM: 0.78 Interchangeable cable termination: 2.5, 3.5, and 4.4 mm
- 392-strand monocrystalline copper cable with a silver plating
- Chassis: titanium alloy CNC-machined
Disclaimer: Letshuoer kindly donated the review unit for an objective and truthful assessment. Regardless of the product that is bought using an affiliate link, commissions are still made to support our efforts.
LISTENING IMPRESSIONS
Related equipment: I used the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as a source and the Topping A90 as an amplifier. The Spinfit CP145 tips were installed on the S12 2024.
My impressions, track per track, are as follows:
Module 55 by Nik Bärtsch
The S12 SE is incredibly well-balanced and roomy. The piano and saxophone sound textured but not dry, the treble is clear and very natural, and it’s spacious and detailed. The bass is present and tight.
Georgia Lee by Tom Waits
Although Waits’ extremely prominent and textured vocals are the main focus of the mix, I also think the S12 2024 does a great job of capturing the ambient background noises, which are abundant in this track.
Graceful Touch by Tord Gustavsen Trio
The display is really detailed and well-balanced. There is a medium, but it is neither too hot nor too cold. The organic liquid touch of the treble is pleasant.
Merciful by Molvær and Endresen
Though a tad less dynamic than I would like, the vocals are delicate and layered. Although noticeable, the vocal sibilance is not annoying.
Midnight City by M83
Nothing sticks out in this rather hectic and intricate indie-pop song. It has a somewhat dry tone and feels fairly neutral.
Sit Down, Stand Up by Radiohead
Once more, a presentation that sounds neutral and well-balanced. The treble sounds really crisp. The soundstage has good layering and is fairly spacious and open-sounding.
Rambling Man by Laura Marling
The vocals are not warm or dry; they are nuanced, well-textured, and neutral. It’s well isolated from the drums and guitars. Once more, the soundstage is quite open.
Sunrise by Norah Jones
Jones has incredibly strong, complex, and present vocals. Other than that, it’s a well-balanced and roomy version.
Jambi by Tool
The texture of the guitars is excellent. The bass is really well-defined and tight. Sibilance, which is frequently a problem with many headphones, is never an issue with the vocals, which are somewhat courteous.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
The tone feels quite neutral—neither dark nor overly bright. There is texture and presence to the strings. The soundstage is large and spacious, but the visual depth isn’t the best I’ve heard.
Young Vivaldi Violin Concerto RV 820 III by Modo Antiquo
Once more, the presentation is rather neutral, the sound stage is open, and the strings have a lot of texture.
Maple Noise by Greene Serene
The S12 2024 delivers on this tune, which is quite energetic. The bass is really detailed, and the percussion isn’t very clear.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
Subjectively, the frequency response is seen as being highly even and balanced, with nothing standing out above the rest of the sound signature.
Treble
The treble offers a pleasing amount of fluidity, a clean tone, and an organic touch. Though not the most articulate or dynamic, it is well-presented.
Midrange
Not too warm, not too recessed, and not particularly dry, the midrange is incredibly neutral and well-balanced. It frequently produces a very textured sound that is rich in clarity and richness without coming across as sterile or dry. It emphasizes neutrality without being unduly colorful or clinical, yet it isn’t very dynamic.
Bass
The bass has the same neutral quantity as the treble and midrange. It’s quite active, but what really sticks out is how well-defined and detailed it is.
Soundstage and Imaging
The open soundstage is towering and spacious. Despite having good instrument separation, it isn’t the deepest and doesn’t lead its class.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
Across the frequency range, I think the detail level is really high. Although the dynamics are not class-leading, they are more than adequate, and the S12 SE is undoubtedly powerful when called upon. More than anything, I think it has a fairly neutral tone that doesn’t sound clinical or dry.
COMPARISONS
My desktop configuration, which included the RME ADI-2 DAC FS and the Topping A90 amp, was used for all comparisons.
LETSHUOER S12 PRO vs. S12 2024
Possibly the most interesting comparison is this one. Although the two versions have many similarities and use the same driver, there is a noticeable difference in their sound profiles. While the S12 PRO produces a sharper tone with increased treble intensity and less bass presence, the S12 LE produces a warmer, richer, and smoother sound.
Perhaps the most notable distinction between the two is the treble. The S12 LE preserves detail while producing a smoother, less sharp high end. Rather, it produces a more subtle and controlled presentation by enhancing the S12 PRO’s raw, harsher treble.
Both versions have a fairly comparable midrange, and the variances I hear are more likely to be caused by changes in the treble and bass presence than by the midrange itself.
The bass in both models is identical, but the S12 LE has a somewhat fuller, warmer sound. It may be simpler to listen to at higher volumes without getting tired because of its less pronounced treble.
There aren’t any notable variances between the two models’ soundstage and imaging. As anticipated, the amount of detail is likewise equal. But the sound of the S12 LE is more sophisticated, especially in the treble. Similar dynamics are provided by both: the S12 LE has a punchier bass, but the S12 PRO has a more expressive treble.
The two have different timbres as a result of the tuning discrepancies. In comparison to the S12 PRO, the S12 LE offers a warmer, smoother, and more natural sound that makes it feel more at ease and natural.
Despite having a similar base, Letshuoer’s tuning efforts have been very successful, highlighting the contrasts between the two IEMs. Despite its many advantages, the S12 PRO’s sharp treble and rather dry tone might occasionally feel less than optimal. By resolving these problems, the S12 LE improves the sound quality overall and practically outperforms the S12 in every way.
KIWI EARS KE4 vs. S12 2024
Just like the S12 SE, the Kiwi Ears KE4 costs $199. This unique hybrid driver IEM has a balanced armature driver for the mids and lower highs, a dedicated balanced armature tweeter for the highest frequencies, and two 10mm dynamic drivers for the bass.
Both the S12 2024 and the Kiwi Ears KE4 are superb earphones, with unique advantages. With a more personal yet profound soundstage, the KE4 produces a warmer, richer, and fuller sound. The S12 2024, on the other hand, has a tighter, more controlled bass and a wider, taller soundstage, providing a more neutral, balanced presentation. Although they serve distinct tastes—the Kiwi Ears KE4 is more colorful—I think they offer similar overall sound quality.
SIMGOT EA1000 vs. S12 2024
Since its release, the Simgot EA1000, a $219 single dynamic driver IEM, has received a lot of attention.
According to my desktop configuration, the S12 SE and the EA1000 are quite comparable, however the S12 PRO and EA1000 sound somewhat different. The EA1000 is significantly more sensitive, it should be noted.
There are minor variations between the two IEMs, despite their quite similar sounds. The S12 SE has tighter, more defined bass, while the EA1000 has somewhat superior dynamics and imaging.
AMPLIFICATION
So far, my desktop setup has been used for all listening testing. The majority of users, however, would probably combine the Letshuoer S12 2024 with portable amplifiers and sources.
My POCO F5 phone sounds okay when I use Qobuz on the headphone output, but it doesn’t have the same black backdrop dynamics and subtlety as my desktop setup. It remains between 60 and 80 percent volume.
The Jade/FiiO JA11 has a more pleasing sound. Additionally, the Letshuoer DT03, the xDuoo Link2 Bal, and the FiiO KA3 all have decent sounds, but I don’t think they have the strength to bring out the most in them. Both the Dragonfly Cobalt and the THX Onyx appear to perform admirably and are quite close to my desktop setup.
CONCLUSION
The S12 SE, in my opinion, is superior to the S12 PRO in every way, albeit I did find a few minor issues. It produces a sound that is more subtle and forgiving all at once.
It functioned really well in comparison to other IEMs in the same price range, and I sincerely hope Letshuoer would use this tuning in a future S12 model.
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