LETSHUOER S12 PRO: Bursting With Shimmer And Sparkle
LETSHUOER is an audio company based in Guangdong Province, China and it was founded in 2016 by an engineer that was formerly working at a prestigious Japanese multinational company along with his business partner who also happens to be an experienced engineer in a particular field. With their long years of experience that they have accumulated in the audio industry, they decided to put up their own company to provide the best possible audio products with fine workmanship, innovative implementation of new acoustic technologies and superb tuning.
What I have here right now is a LETSHUOER S12 PRO, this is an updated version of the original S12 and this model was particularly a special one as it is the chosen product to carry the deluxe edition for the 6th anniversary of LETSHUOER's founding. The difference between this one and its regular version was its new colourway and an improvement of its nozzle filter.
LETSHUOER S12 PRO uses a rather large, 14.8mm custom-made planar magnetic driver as its transducer. Planar magnetics are known to deliver an excellent sound quality with its fast driven, punchy bass response, clean and crisp midrange then a clear, energetic treble but the expense of requiring more power output just to optimise its peak performance. The planar magnetic of S12 PRO also gives the best possible technical performance like resolution, wider sound/speaker stage and coherency performance.
The planar magenetic drivers were enclosed in a solid aluminium shell chassis. These shell chassis were undergone in a CNC-milling process to give a seamless, smooth and better ergonomics of its contours. It has anodized cosmic blue-coloured matte-like finish for scratch resistance and minimising fingerprint marks on its surface. The overall design profile of its shell chassis is rather utilitarian and minimalistic in my opinion. There are two vent holes on S12 PRO's shells, one is at the centre of the cavity base while the other one is near the connector area that releases some excess air pressure coming out from high performance planar magnetic drivers to alleviate listening fatigue. Like all LETSHUOER products, it has detachable structure and uses a proven and more rigid 2-pin connector as its interlocking mechanism to swap cables.
Wearing these in-ear earphones into my lug holes is quite comfortable and cosy despite its slight heft on it. I don't feel any listening fatigue or any discomfort as I was able to use them for a long listening session. It also has a good passive noise isolation as it was able to block some external noises from the outside surroundings.
Another good feature of LETSHUOER S12 PRO was its stock cable. The said stock cable is of a modular design where we can swap different types of termination plugs. The wirings of its cable is composed of multi-strand monocrystalline silver plated copper that were weaved together for better conductivity flow. The available termination plugs for interchangeability are 3.5mm single ended, 2.5mm balanced and 4.4mm balanced adapters. In my humble opinion, the concept of modular cables is to minimise the wear and tear of cable swapping for different types of termination plugs that the different sources of multimedia devices may have varying types of output jacks.
Like all LETSHUOER products, The S12 PRO packaging is commendable on its product presentation. It has a hard bound rectangular box with a quantity of inclusions included inside.
Here are the following contents inside of LETSHUOER S12 PRO's packaging box:
■ a pair of LETSHUOER S12 PRO IEMs
■ 3 pairs of black-coloured memory foam ear tips.
■ 3 pairs of black-coloured, narrow bored ear tips.
■ 3 pairs of transparent, balanced bored ear tips
■ a multi-banded, 2-core modular stock cable.
■ 3.5mm termination plug adapter.
■ 4.4mm termination plug adapter.
■ 2.5mm termination plug adapter.
■ an oval-shaped, black-coloured zippered faux-leather IEM case.
■ Some paperworks like instruction manual, quality control certification, warranty card and contact card.
■ Product catalogue booklet.
On amplification and scaling on power output, it is quite a common knowledge among us that planar magnetic transducers are quite feisty and demand more current output just to power it up properly to deliver an even more dynamic and full-range sound. But this is what make LETSHUOER S12 PRO standout and somehow different among its contemporaries with similar driver set-up, it is currently the easiest one to drive among the planar IEMs out there that even my LG smartphones with built-in high performance Hi-Fi DACs able to amplify it decently. Tricking the LG phones impedance mode on either medium gain or high gain, using DAC/Amp dongle, DAPs with proper power output and desktop DAC/Amp will maximise S12 PRO's potential to the fullest extent of its sonic performance.
LETSHUOER S12 PRO's tonality takes a more U-shaped sound profile; it has more prominent low frequencies, particularly on the sub bass, a neutral and linear midrange and accentuated upper mids up to the brilliance part of the high frequencies. Surprisingly, among the planar magnetic IEMs that I've tested, The S12 PRO is one of the most natural sounding out there and it manage to minimise the "Planar Sheen" that I usually experience when I'm testing planar sets whether its an IEM or a full-size can.
LOWS/BASS:
As I expected on bass response from a planar magnetic driver, S12 PRO possesses some of its usual sonic characteristics; tight, incisive, precise and agile that emits a very clean, detailed and deep bass. It gives a more prominence on the sub bass but mid bass have an ample texture to give definition on instruments to have an enough slam.
It has an excellent sub bass performance that synthesisers, drum machines, low tone guitars and octabasses have discernible reverberations and rumbling sounds generated from them. Mid bass on this one is rather sufficient just to give a sense of balanced representation on low frequencies. It has ample texture just to give decent note weight on bass instruments like bass drum kick, bass guitars, bass-baritones vocals and cello. bass kick drums has a sonorous and thudding sound on them while bass guitars have rasping with enough resonant for every plucking and strumming from bassists, bass-baritone vocals have just enough deep and heft but i just noticed that it isn't woolly enough and sort of lack of strength especially when I listen to Andrew Eldritch, Barry White and Peter Steele. And then on cellos, they have such lively and eloquence that I was able to feel its bowing and fingering notations.
MIDRANGE:
The midrange presentation of S12 PRO has some slight recession that I noticed especially on male vocals but it still has enough texture and depth not to sound too hollow. It has a clean, neutral and detail that will give more vividness on female vocals and most instruments especially on strings.
Male vocals like baritone have this smoothness, a bit smooth that somehow affects the warm and lush characteristic of some vocal qualities from the likes of Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and Lenny Kravitz. Countertenors fares better on this one as I hear that velvety and light vocal texture from King Diamond of Mercyful Fate, Andreas Scholl and Yannis Papadopoulos of Beast in Black. Tenor singers like Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant when hitting their highest note have this spiciness, tinny and brightness on them while classical ones like Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo have this strength and brassy on their vocal quality. On female vocals, Contraltos like Tracy Chapman, Annie Lennox and Anggun have rather a less deep and a bit transparent than a usual rich and darker tone that their vocal quality should sound like, Mezzo-sopranos and sopranos fares better on this one as it sounds fiery and sweet on the former while it sounds shimmering and silvery on the latter one.
Meanwhile on instruments, it gives a more crisp and brighter tone on acoustic guitars and a metallic and vibrant sound on violins. Percussion like toms and snare drums have deep, penetrating and resonant sounds on them while pianos seem to have a more vivid and brighter tone. On brasses, trumpets have shrill and penetrating sound while trombones have eruptive and intense sound, and then on horns have a coarse to bright sound depending on note register. Woodwinds like flutes have a brilliant and shrill sound while saxophones have that lively and reedy timbre on them.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
Like almost planar sets that I have tested, LETSHUOER S12 PRO is indeed bright. That gleaming nature gives a good amount of details and crisper notes. The upper mids to presence part of the treble region is indeed elevated to give an energetic and openness on female vocals and percussive but there's a noticeable sibilance especially when I listened to more sibilant-laden tracks. That bright nature might be a concern for treble-sensitive listeners that might cause listening fatigue in the long listening session.
On the sounds of cymbals, it has a shimmering and sizzle to the point that it might be a bit exaggerated to the point that it might be a tad splashy but nonetheless, it will give more joy and smile to treble-lovers. Hi hats have this shortened, buzzing sound which I think is passable enough. It has an excellent treble air extension with a substantial amount of harmonics that gives me a sense of spaciousness.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
Almost all planar sets, it will deliver excellent technical capabilities owing to the electro-mechanical principle performance of planar magnetics and S12 PRO is no different like its most contemporary with similar implementation of transducer.
It has an above-average to wide sound field, good height reach and up to mark depth as I was able to perceive it within my aural sphere as spacious. It has a concave presentation as I was able to pinpoint the location of instruments and vocals on its spatial points. It has a good separation of elements and well-defined dynamic and frequency layering on its sonic canvas.
Coherency is excellent given its planar magnetic performance that delivers a blazing fast transient speed and good handling on decay without any distortion or might sound "out of phase".
It has good resolution capabilities as it has precise and solid macro-dynamics while it has a sharp definition on extracting a substantial amount of micro-details and nuances. Like all planar magnetics, it has this typical characteristics which I classify as "Planar Sheen" as it has this buzzing and tinny sound that sounds a bit artificially boosted to my ears.
PEER COMPARISONS:
KZ PR1 BALANCED
◆ KZ claims that their planar magnetic driver is self-developed and that they are able to offer a cheaper price compared to its more pricey competitors like S12 PRO but at the expense of a rather cheap product packaging and a barebone inclusions. The shell chassis of it looks quite cheap too.
◆ KZ PR1 has a more V-shaped sound signature. It has a punch bass but there are some instances of bass bleeding across the midrange frequencies. A more recessed and somehow a tad warmer midrange and similar treble response but there are some occurrences that there are times that cymbals sounds a bit rounded and lack of snap.
◆ Technicalities capabilities are comparable on both sets but compared to S12 PRO, KZ PR1 is more of an above average when it comes to sound/speaker stage width. The micro-detail is also less well-defined compared to the S12 PRO which has a sharper and well-delineated one. It is also noted that PR1 is a bit harder to drive.
MUSEHIFI POWER
◆ MUSEHIFI POWER is a bit pricey compared to the S12 PRO. Like S12 PRO, it has similar dimensional sizes of their transducers but the shells of POWER are rather chunky and large and it is made of high quality resin materials. Inclusions on MUSEHIFI POWER is somehow decent enough.
◆ Like S12 PRO, The POWER has a U-shaped sound signature. It has more punchy and slamming bass but on some peculiarity, the bass kicks sound a bit hollow, it has a warmer midrange and bright treble that has more noticeable peaks on the upper mids up to the presence of the high frequencies.
◆ On technical aspect, The POWER has a rather above average sound/speaker stage dimensions, a two-dimensional imaging presentation and layering is somewhat unrefined as it struggles a bit on more complex tracks like jazz and orchestra.
TANGZU ZETIAN WU HEYDAY(First impression)
◆ HEYDAY is more pricey with an equally good amount of inclusions. Like S12 PRO, its shell chassis is made of solid aluminium alloy and it has a more intricate and aesthetically eye pleasing face plate. It also has a modular cable
◆ HEYDAY has a warmer, U-shaped sound profile. It has a more punchy and solid mid bass response, a warmer midrange to give more texture on male vocals and brass instruments. The treble register is rather safe and balanced which exudes less shimmering and less sparkling compared to S12 PRO.
◆ It has similar technical performance but among the planar magnetic sets that I have tested. It has less "Planar Sheen" that it sounds closer similar to a high quality dynamic driver.
As I end my assessment on LETSHUOER S12 PRO, Its looks like S12 PRO is one of the best among the planar sets that I have tested so far with a more solid construction and more utilitarian design that appeases the minimalists and a well-thought out tuning as it tries to balance the tonal aspect of its frequencies with excellent technical performance.
With good amount of inclusions and a modular cable that will be more versatile to use to all existing type of sources with different output jacks, LETSHUOER knows the sentiment of some audio enthusiasts that too much cable swapping might lead to wear and tear issues on the receptacles of cable. The tuning of S12 PRO might not for everybody that it might be unbearable to treble-sensitives out there.
Overall, LETSHUOER again delivers a set that is competitive and a reliable product in the ever-expanding portable audio market that solidify its reputation and credibility as one of the best and a coveted audio companies out there.
LETSHUOER S12 PRO is currently available on their official online store. Just check the link below.
◆◆LETSHUOER S12 PRO - OFFICIAL SITE◆◆
And also checkout my other full reviews and first impressions on LETSHUOER products:
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: LETSHUOER S12 PRO
IMPEDANCE: 16Ω
SENSITIVITY: 102dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.25M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTORS
PLUG TYPE: MODULAR 3.5MM, 2.5MM, 4.4MM
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) PLANAR MAGNETIC DRIVER
PROS:
△ Solid metal alloy structure on its shell chassis with well-thought minimalist design.
△ It has a true, miniaturised planar magnetic transducer inside.
△ Quantity amount of inclusions inside the box.
△ A high quality, modular stock cable with three included termination plugs of different outputs.
△ Currently, among planar magnetic IEMs, this one is the easiest to drive.
△ Well-done U-shaped tuning that will be a more all-rounder tonality
△ Punchy bass response.
△ Clean and clear midrange
△ Energetic and a sufficiently open-sounding female vocals.
△ Shimmering and airy treble response.
△ Overall well-proportionate sound/speaker stage dimensions.
△ Up to par resolution capabilities.
CONS:
▽ Noticeable planar sheen (subjective).
▽ A bit recessed midrange.
▽ Instances of sibilance especially on sibilant-laden tracks.
Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
P.S.
I am not affiliated to LETSHUOER nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to LETSHUOER for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
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