Disclaimer:
The Letshuoer S12 Pro was sent to me as a review sample from Ivy from LETSHUOER, for which I thank!
You might be thinking that I’m a little late, in fact, you’re right.
I am very happy to have had the opportunity to try another planar IEM like the Letshuoer S12 Pro, and I will make a comparison with the other planar models I own.
The price has dropped significantly given the imminent release of the new model, but I think it’s still worth talking about.
However, the review will still be 100% honest and, in no way biased.
I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs and DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music.
So I’m not going to use super-technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.
Tech Specs:
- Sensitivity 102db
- Distortion 0.5% ±0.1%
- Impedance 16Ω±1Ω
- Connector 0.78 dual pin
- Jack 2.5mm / 3.5mm / 4.4mm swappable
- Chassis material Aluminum alloy
- Machining process CNC
- Driver Planar magnetic 14.8mm
- Frequency response 20-20kHz
- Cable 392-strands monocrystalline copper
Packaging:
The box of the Letshuoer S12 Pro is quite simple but very robust. All in thick cardboard protects and presents the product correctly.
The range of accessories is surprising:
- Modular cable with 3 adapters: 2.5mm / 3.5mm / 4.4mm
- 3 sets of 6 tips each: 1 Memory foam, 1 standard and 1 transparent ear tips.
- Faux leather carrying case
- Manuals, warranty and quality control
We find 3 types of tips for a total of 18 tips of very good quality, so you will hardly need to buy them separately. The modular cable is incredibly comfortable, I had never tried one thinking they were too delicate but I have to admit that this included one has excellent quality! The interchangeable jacks are definitively convenient. They can switch between connectors in less than 3 seconds and change sources just as quickly.
The cable is just a little too stiff but otherwise I love it!
Design/Build quality:
As with the DZ4, the S12 Pro also has excellent build quality; there is a lot of attention to detail in the product and in its presentation. The shell is made of CNC-machined aluminum with a purple/blue color and some shiny, rounded edges. The shape is definitely more compact than I would have expected. Inside, we find a huge 14.8mm planar driver, probably the largest possible. The nozzle is of normal size, perhaps a little shorter than it should be. On the body, we find two holes for ventilation and pressure relief, one near the pin and the other on the inside of the headset.
“LETSHUOER S12 PRO’s chassis design is a continuation of the predecessor. Multiple vent holes on both sides are effective in alleviating negative pressure build up within the ear canal, and thus protecting the hearing. The independent rear acoustic chamber design makes channel matching to be more consistent. In terms of sound performance, the structural design of the front and rear acoustic chamber effectively discharges the pressure inside the chassis, thereby attaining a more natural sound.”
The only problem encountered with the Letshuoer S12 Pro is due to the rigidity of the cable and the bend that the cable has around the ear, which in my case pushes the headphones outwards. I am therefore forced to use the included tips similar to the Kbear 07 in large size. The other tips in the set, having a smaller hole, sacrifice the soundstage, while the foam ones take away detail but are recommended if the highs bother you.
Comfort/Fit:
As mentioned previously, the Letshuoer S12 Pro cable is a little stiff and forces you to position it in the ear a little, but if you find the correct position, they are very light, and you don’t even feel like you are wearing them. The shape of the shell does not bother me at all, as it is much smaller than expected. The Hidizs MP145, for example, is much larger and heavier. As for the isolation from external noise, it is not as total as on other IEMs, but they still isolate reasonably well. With Divinus Tips, you can improve a lot.
Initial sound impression:
When you experience the sound of the planar driver you will find it hard to go back! The Letshuoer S12 pro also puts a large and detailed soundstage in front of you. No frequency overpowers the others so clearly as to make them secondary. I immediately felt the difference with the Hidizs MP145 where I will dedicate a detailed comparison later.
Final sound impression:
Equipment used for testing above.
Device:
- iMac
- Redmi Note 7 Snapdragon
- Poco M4 Pro Mediatek
Software:
- Foobar2000 24bit 192khz (iMac)
- Amazon music UHD 24bit 96khz (Both)
- Tidal Hifi Plus
DAC:
- Less Da1 (AK)
- Less Da2 (AK)
- F.audio KS01 (ESS)
- EPZ TP20 3.5 mm (Dual Cirrus)
- Hidizs S9 Pro Plus (ESS): Most Used
- EPZ TP30 (ESS)
My impressions are given using mostly the original accessories.
Unlike many other planar drivers that require a lot of power, Letshuoer has managed to make them easily to drive, even with DACs with 3.5mm output. You can easily use the phone directly, given its only 16 ohms and 102 db sensitivity. However, if you want to squeeze 100%, using a balanced output is always recommended.
They sounded good right out of the box, But I still did about 60 hours of burn-in.
The Letshuoer S12 Pro has exactly the speed and low distortion typical of planar drivers. The resolution is very high, the image is extremely sharp and precise, rich in macro and micro details, and perhaps you can slightly feel (sometimes) the famous cold note of the planar drivers, but only a slight sensation.
The sound is neither cold nor warm but well balanced to give the correct tone. Once you’ve tried some planars, and I don’t mean that rubbish of the KZ PR2 V2, which doesn’t even seem like a similar driver compared to these,
Tips Rolling?
Out of curiosity I wanted to try different tips from those included. In my case I used the Divinus velvet ones which have a slightly elongated shape and significantly improve the angle compared to the ones included. The insertion is probably also decidedly deeper and I must say you can feel the difference.
The improvements range from superior comfort to even fuller bass but also the soundstage opens up considerably. I recommend you experiment with all the tips you have at home on every IEM you own.
Personally I think the tips included don’t do it justice in some cases.
Bass
The bass is fast, precise, detailed. Their consistency is consistent enough to make you perceive a vague sensation of enveloping without overpowering the other frequencies. The Sub-bass is also well represented and is only noticeable if the track really requires it.
Mids
Even with regards to medium frequencies the Letshourer S12 Pro does an excellent job. Here too we have crystal clarity that allows us to capture all the nuances of the voices and musical instruments. The shade is correct, it appears slightly warm. There is also a certain airiness and brilliance.
Treble
High frequencies are well represented by planar drivers. The S12 Pro works very well; the highs are bright, and the tonality is correct. In my case, I think they are slightly borderline and could be tiring after about an hour. This occurs faster if you like to listen to loud music. Good amount of macro and micro details.
Soundstage and Imaging
The Letshuoer S12 Pro soundstage is wide, but not as wide as I would have expected. To describe it a little more precisely, the sound is not excessively expanded but maintains a natural shape that is more than enough to allow you to hear the direction each sound is coming from.
Obviously you could certainly ask for more from a planar driver. The image is very clear and full of detail, you will have no problem identifying each instrument, layering here is pretty rich.
It could have been done better? Probably for an Planar IEM from a year ago this result was excellent, indeed it is still excellent. As with all technology, just one month’s can make a huge difference.
Comparison:
Vs Hifiman He400Se
The Hifiman He400Se, for being over ear headphones and considering their price, are certainly entry level ones to definitely take into consideration. Being openback they may not appeal to everyone, personally I find that there is a lot of dispersion outside the headphones which doesn’t happen with IEMs. As for the sound they are much warmer but quiet across the entire sound spectrum. I will do a detailed review later.
vs Hidizs MP145
The Hidizs MP145 is decidedly more recent than the Letshuoer S12 Pro, and the solutions adopted by the latter make it particularly different from all the other IEMs currently on the market. Their particular construction and pressure damping system can be felt, especially with regard to low frequencies, which discharge their pressure externally and not inside the ear canal. The result is a sound that cuddles you and a bass that envelops you in a truly remarkable soundstage.
Keep in mind that the size of the MP145 is important; the nozzle is considered by several users to be large. The Letshuoer S12 Pro is practically the opposite and therefore suitable for everyone.
It must be admitted that a very light driver flex is felt, similar to what happens on the He400se.
Conclusion:
In every aspect, the Letshuoer S12 Pro planars that were introduced over a year ago are superb. On the planar driver side, the market is getting more competitive, prices are dropping, and the level is rising each month. These days, you can purchase sets for just more than 100 euros that were unimaginable only a few years ago. I’ll say it again: once you go planar, there’s no turning back. You get speed, clarity, clear images, and spacious soundstages. The S12 Pro is brighter and has a few more details than the MP145, which stays in the comfort zone. They’re totally different!
I personally slightly prefer the Hidizs MP145, but a italian friend of mine who is equally expert in the audio sector clearly prefers the Letshuoer S12 Pro. That said, it really depends on personal taste, but both are excellent pairs, and given the price, the S12 Pro deserves a place in my reference collection. Honestly, the S12 Pro and the MP145 complement each other, so if you have the opportunity, both should be tried.
There are also numerous S12 fans out there but unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to try the previous version and compare them with the Pro.
I’m extremely curious about the new S15 that will be released soon. I think 2024 we will see a lot of planars!
8.5/10
Pros:
- Great build quality
- Quite good isolation
- Nice packaging
- Modular cable
- Many and Nice quality tips
- Macro & micro details
- Layering
- No driver flex
- 102db sensitivity = Quite easy to drive
Cons:
- Stiff cable and earhook
- Tips length (just in my case)
- Treble can be too much for someone
- Not the biggest Soundstage
