LETSHUOER S12 2024 ANNIVERSARY EDITION: Final Refinement, Closer to Perfection

The number 8 or “Ba” has a strong connotation with Chinese numerology as it signifies a lucky number as it brings luck and prosperity. And also if you put the “8” into X axis position, it looks like an infinity symbol (∞) which might translate as an unlimited cycle of wealth.

LETSHUOER celebrate their 8th year on the audio industry and in their years of existence as an audio company, they already establish themselves as one of the sought after audio companies in the current audio market as they are known for their excellent craftsmanship and refined tuning that puts them in a pedestal to be a reputable and trustworthy one in the audio community. On their every anniversary event, they will release some celebratory product models which are either new or some revisions.

The product that will be featured here is rather a revision one but LETSHUOER assured that it has some distinctive characteristics compared to its predecessors. This is LETSHUOER S12 2024 ANNIVERSARY EDITION, and this is the third variant of the S12 family series, and like the previous S12 sets, it still has planar magnetic driver inside but LETSHUOER do some tweaking to further refine its tuning.

The S12 2024 AED still retains that large 14.8mm planar magnetic driver for an earphone-size scale that were used on previous S12 models which has a neodymium magnet suspended next to thin wafer diaphragm with some embedded wires running through it in which if it is power up, the electromagnetic signals will travel on those embedded wires and move to the diaphragm to create some electromechanical motion and reaction between the diaphragm and magnet to deliver a precise, consistent movement and better responsive on transient speed for clearer and more detailed sound.

The planar magnetic driver then encased in a solid CNC-milled titanium alloy chassis with a rose-gold colourway on its faceplate with anodising black coloured cavity base chamber gives a classy and glamorous aesthetic vibe. Overall, it still follows the design language of the S12 which is actually well-thought in terms of ergonomic fitting, durability and also a hypoallergenic one which makes it more skin-friendly. The S12 2024 EDITION still utilises a 0.78mm bi-pin connector as its interlocking mechanism for its detachable cable.

As for fitting and comfort, it is the same experience with the S12 PRO which really rests and seals well into my lugholes and offers an excellent passive noise isolation that is able to block some unnecessary external noises.

LETSHUOER includes a premium stock cable and the best facet on this one is that it features a modular termination plug system for audio output flexibility that will be useful to audio enthusiasts. The cable is composed of 2-core multi-strand monocrystalline silver-plated copper wiring and it is quite durable, flexible and soft which is also resistant to entanglement. The detachable termination plug of this one is quite hefty and its surface was anodised and coated with rose gold colour to give that lustre and glossy look and it comes with 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm.

On how LETSHUOER presents this product to the audio market and make the unboxing experience even more special to its consumers, it was packed in a bulky rectangular box in a gold colour scheme. The contents inside were meticulously organised and divided into sections.

Here are the following contents inside of its packaging box:

• Pair of LETSHUOER S12 2024 ANNIVERSARY EDITION IEM transducers.
• Stock cable with modular features
• Detachable termination plugs; 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm.
• Circular TPE carrying case
• Ear tips tray
• Three (3) pairs of white-coloured  balanced bore silicone ear tips in different standard sizes
• Three (3) pairs of black-coloured narrow bore silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
• Three (3) pairs of memory foam ear tips.
• Commemorative small plaque
• Commemorative leatherette keychain
• Paperwork like postcard, Q.C stub, instruction manual and warranty card.

As for power scaling, as we are already aware that this one has a planar magnetic and planar magnetics demands more power output to have an optimal performance to drive this set. If properly amplified, this device is capable of delivering a clean, detailed and full dynamic sound that encompasses across both ends of the frequency range.

The LETSHUOER S12 2024 ANNIVERSARY EDITION has a mild U-shaped sound profile in which both low frequency and high frequency are just slightly elevated but retains a well-balanced sounding midrange.

 (FR graphs were provided by [USER=516219]@baskingshark[/USER] and [USER=553763]@koyawmohabal[/USER], credits to them on their effort)

LOW/BASS:

The overall bass response of this one is quite well-balanced as it has an ample punchiness, tactile and rumbly as both sub bass and mid bass sections are registered equally although the former has more presence as I hear a bit more deep rumbling than texture or volume.

On the sub bass part, I clearly perceive those rumbling and reverberations generated by some instruments like synthesisers, drum machines, low tuned bass guitars and double basses. Meanwhile on the mid bass section, it has a sufficient texture and volume to add more note weight on bass-clef instruments and some male vocals while maintaining a clean and well-separated bass response. Both bass guitars and double basses sound sombre and resonant on every pluck on their strings while bass kick drums have a thudding and resonant sound on every stroke, and then bass trumpets have enough full and dark timbre on them. On male vocals particularly on bass and bass-baritone types, they have a sufficient weight and deep resonant voice as it sounds dusky and woolly.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange presentation of this one is a bit recessed on its overall frequency range but somehow it retains a well-balanced sound with some fullness on its note weight that makes it more of an all-rounder sound for vocals and instruments. This particular frequency section also carries a clean, spacious and sufficiently energetic sound.

On male vocal section, baritones have a smooth and adequate warm sound which are excellent on light and lyrical baritone types while tenors have a spicy and dazzling sound which is excellent for leggero, lyric and spinto as I can enjoy on listening to some of the best operatic tenors in world. Countertenors sound pretty well-rendered on this one as it sounds emotive and tender to my ears with their captivating voice. As for female vocals, the contraltos appear to have enough volume but still not the most ideal natural sound that I want but it still has some richness and smoky on their voices, while mezzo-sopranos have an expressive voices with velvety and golden sound on them, and lastly, the sopranos have a shimmering and gleaming sound on their vocals in which most planar magnetic drivers will excel upon on this one.

When it comes to instruments, on string instruments, guitars have the crisp and adequate bright sound on every plucking of its strings while violins have a vibrant and clear sound, and then cellos have that lustrous and silky sound. The woodwinds with the likes of concert flutes, clarinets, piccolos and saxophones, the concert flutes have that ethereal and airy sound while piccolos have a graceful and light sound, then clarinets have lustrous sound and saxophones have lively and reedy sound. On brasses, trumpets have that metallic brilliance, trombones have full and solid sound, and horns have a resounding and resonant sound. As for percussives, tom-toms have that warm and resonant sound, snare drums have a clear and penetrating sound, field drums sound full and sonorous and kettledrums have that venerable and resonant sound. The pianos appear to have an even and balanced sound as it has a clean, clear and sweet tone on them.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

While it seems that this part of frequency range appears to be slightly accented but the treble response of this one is quite well-balanced as it has lustre characteristics that it wouldn't sound inoffensive at all. While I notice that there are some accentuation in the upper-mids and also presence part, it gives a clarity and definition on vocal presence and at the same time, it gives some clarity on the attack of instruments. The sibilance was kept under control and not a hint of stridency that will cause some unpleasant piercing and shrill sound.

It has a sufficient airy extension on its brilliance section with an appropriate intensity on its sparkle and more presence on its harmonics. Cymbals have a shimmer and sizzling sound while hi-hats have its short buzzing tone to give its distinctive chick-y sound. Celestas have a glistening and lustrous sound on every pressing of its sound bars  and then glockenspiels have a sweet and shimmering sound.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

The S12 2024 AED is capable of delivering a moderately spacious sound field dimension as I can perceive an above-average to wide lateral span, excellent height reach and good depth for a planar set. On stereo imaging, it still retains that concave-like presentation like its predecessor with a well-layered soundscape that I was able to pinpoint the exact placement of vocals and instruments in a clean sonic canvas with some excellent separation.

The driver coherency of this one is up par given that planar drivers are known to deliver a fast transient response and clarity. As for resolution capability, this set excels in both macro-dynamics and micro-detail retrieval as it is relatively resolving as it has solid dynamics while its micro-detail retrieval has reasonable sharp definition on extracting some details and other nuances in an audio track.

PEER COMPARISONS:

LETSHUOER S12 PRO

• Shares the same design language and planar driver technology.
• It is also pretty stacked with inclusions.
• Stock cable with modular features.
• Has a bright u-shaped sound profile.
• Tighter bass response, noticeable  more recessed midrange and brighter treble response but susceptible to sibilance and shrillness.
• Apparently it has similar technical performance but it has sharper definition on sharper definition on its micro-detail retrieval capability.

HIDIZS MP143

• It has a larger shell chassis and a marginally smaller planar magnetic driver technology inside.
• Sufficiently packed with accessories.
• Its stock cable doesn't have a modular option and also a tad leaner in texture.
• It has a detachable nozzle system that offers more tonal versatility from warm up to a brighter sound profile.
• On the rose gold nozzle, it has a balanced bass response similar to S12 2024, a tad warmer midrange and smoother and less brighter sound profile, although this one has a more planar-y sound which is a buzzing, energetic and zingy timbre.
• On technicalities, while it has a more 3D stereo presentation, its layering aspect is rather less impressive and I'm struggling a bit on pinpointing the placements of vocals and instruments.

HIDIZS MP145

• Still considered as the reigning planar champ in under $300 and it has larger profile size with its whale-theme aesthetics.
• Pretty well accessorised but its carrying case is a PU-leather purse type.
• Its stock cable doesn't have a modularity option.
• It has a detachable nozzle system that offers three types of sound profiles that makes this set even more versatile.
• On the rose gold nozzle, it has more sub-bass focused bass response with a leaner mid bass texture, a neutral, less warmer but a tad more energetic midrange and a brighter and more airier treble response although this one has more presence of planar sheen timbre.
• It has a wider sound/speaker stage, a stereoscopic imaging presentation and even more resolving micro-dynamics aspects.

SHOZY P20

• It has a larger shell chassis profile and is also equipped with a similarly sized  planar magnetic driver.
• This one is cheaper as it was priced under US$200/£150.
• It is sufficiently accessorised with a large hardbound PU-leather case for storage.
• It doesn't have a modular cable.
• This one also has a U-shaped sound profile but more aligned with balanced-warmish tonality.
• The bass response is a tad boomy as it has more mid bass texture, a warm and richer midrange and a smooth and a tad darker treble response but still has an airy presence.
• On technical performance, it has a narrower sound field, similar stereo imaging presentation but it has a rather modest layering and less resolving micro-dynamics capabilities.

The S12 2024 ANNIVERSARY EDITION is indeed the total refinement and probably the last evolution of the S12 series as it is able to sort out some issues that S12 PRO have. This set is one of the few planar magnetic IEMs out there that can be considered a true versatile beast.

This also showcases the prowess of LETSHUOER as an audio company as they are capable of further improving one of their successful line-up series models and this set truly sets itself apart from its predecessors.

The LETSHUOER S12 2024  AED has one of the best product packaging presentations with some good amount of accessories included inside. The quality of the contents are indeed superb and feels premium, from solid carrying case up to sturdy stock cable. Tonal aspect on this one is unbelievably excellent even for its asking price on how well-balanced it is, with some polishing touch on its tonal colour aspect that a very few planar magnetics able to achieve and a quite competent technical capabilities, this set is one of the few sets that will set a new standard for a well-tuned planar magnetic IEM segment.

LETSHUOER S12 2024 ANNIVERSARY EDITION is now available at LETSHUOER Official Online Store. Just check out the non-affiliated link below.

★★LETSHUOER S12 2024 ANNIVERSARY EDITION★★

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: LETSHUOER S12 2024 ANNIVERSARY EDITION

IMPEDANCE: 16Ω

SENSITIVITY: 102dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m

PIN TYPE: 0.78 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: (MODULAR) 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm

DRIVER UNIT(S):  (1) PLANAR MAGNETIC DRIVER

PROS:

● Robust and solid titanium alloy shell chassis.

● The gold-colour scheme aesthetics speaks sumptuous and suave.

● The proven shell design language of the S12 still offers one of the best fitting and comfort.

● The product packaging of this one feels premium and luxurious.

● High quality stock cable with modular termination plug feature.

● It offers three types of ear tips from balanced bore silicone ones up to memory foam types.

● Inclusion of some commemorative stuff.

● A very balanced tuning for tonal versatility preferences.

● Sufficiently punchy and rumbly bass response for a planar set.

● Well-balanced with ample warmth and adequately energetic midrange.

● For a planar set, almost all types of vocals and instruments sound quite natural and detailed.

● Smooth and sheen treble response.

● Retains a very capable performance of its overall technicalities.

● Relatively a resolving sounding one.

● It has that less planar-ish timbre as it sounds less zingy, buzzing and energetic than most planar magnetic sets known for these characteristics.

CONS:

● A bit coloured tonality for ardent neutral heads.

● Not for treble heads due to the less bright sounding nature of this set.

● Not also for bass heads as it doesn't sound boomy and authoritative on their liking.

● Well, planars…you really need some headphone amp dongles or better sources for optimal performance.

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*

Type O Negative - Black No.1 *

Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **

Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *

Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *

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 Ms. Betty from LETSHUOER for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.