LETSHUOER MYSTIC 8: Exquisitely Neutral, Almost Impeccable Vocal Caliber
Mystic or Mystique is a person who seeks and believes in spiritual awareness of truth that is beyond the understanding of logical and rational sense. They advocate the certain aspects of religion, philosophy and spiritual path towards divinity or with oneness of a deity on how they define themselves a way of life.
LETSHUOER, formerly known as SHUOER, is one of my favourite audio brands of all time. I did some reviews of their previous models and almost all of them are excellent products that they became one of my reference models in terms of tonality and technical performance. This audio company is also quite transparent when it comes to features and implementation of components and they actually used some of the most premium parts that were sourced from reputable audio solutions. So we can really attest to the overall quality of their products whether it's entry-levels or TOTL-flagship models.
What I have here is their latest high midrange model and it is also their first all-balanced armature driver configuration IEM, the LETSHUOER Mystic 8. The Mystic 8 as it was indicated has eight (8) balanced armature drivers that were packed in each part of the earpiece that are really an impressive metalwork of art.
Balanced armature drivers are a type of transducers that are known for their compact size that can be placed in a smaller shell structure in either a single or multiple set-up. It has elongated rectangular shape with a reed/armature that was runs through the magnetic voice coil and it was attached to a miniscule rod to a diaphragm in which interact with a voltage in which both the magnetic coil and reed tongue will react via vibration that the whole diaphragm will also respond accordingly.
When it comes to driver configuration, each of the balanced armature drivers will handle a specific section in a frequency range. It seems that the low frequency part was handled by a vented dual woofer BA (most likely, a Sonion one) that offers a deep and tactile bass quality with a rich and fast transient response, while the midrange and high frequencies were mostly handled by either midrange, full range or tweeter BAs that are all of a dual set-up to deliver a clear, full and accurate sounding vocals and instruments on the midrange, and then a better clarity and detailed treble with a finesse quality. And again as I mentioned, all of these drivers are sourced from reputable audio solutions, Knowles and Sonion.
Along with an array of drivers, LETSHUOER is also implementing some features that will enhance the audio quality performance of this set like acoustic tubes, active electronic crossover and low pass filter module. There are 4-way acoustic tubes that each of them were connected to a BA driver responsible for certain part of the frequency range that serves as a passive crossover in which also works in tandem with the active electronic crossover, it will guarantee a smooth, accurate and reliable audio performance without concerning on phase distortion issues as it also balanced out to deliver a consistent sound pressure levels. The low pass filter module system that was implemented here is an absorbent material with a tiny hole on a piece that was placed inside of an acoustic tube which was connected to a woofer BA drivers for a more potent and rounded bass response due to a strengthen and well-segregated low frequency as it decreases some high frequency energy.
The balanced armature drivers along with the other components were encased in a solid yet compact metal shell chassis that were polished and then, it underwent via PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition)-coating process with achieve that vapour black finish that provides better better resistant from scratching, temperature and oxidation. The overall structure of the shell were CNC-milled and the metal element of this one is a titanium alloy of unknown grade. This substance is known for its good ductility, resistance to corrosion, excellent biocompatibility and high strength-to-weight ratio properties that makes it an ideal material for an IEM shell aside from resin. The faceplate has a stylised shape of a resting cat outer layer with an inlay silver-coloured panel that serve as its background that makes the overall presentation quite artistic to show this audio company’s creativity take on its design. The nozzle of this one is on a lean profile with good length on it for better insertion. As expected, like all LETSHUOER sets, it still utilises a 0.78mm bi-pin connector as its interlocking mechanism for its detachable cable.
When it comes to fitting and comfort, because of its titanium alloy build, it is quite lightweight and it offers a cosy fitting into my lugholes without any discomfort that causes ear fatigue. And depending on the choices of ear tips that you will choose from its stock inclusions, it will provide the best passive noise isolation that it seals well as it blocks some external noises from the outside.
As for its stock cable, this is what makes it interesting on why LETSHUOER did choose this type of cable. The stock cable that garners my interest as it has a lean 8-core structured silver-plated monocrystalline copper with insulator sheath made of elastomer material which are known to have rubbery-like texture and a good dielectric properties. Dielectric materials are known for their capability to polarise with electrostatic fields by dissipating a minimal amount of thermal energy which greatly reduces distortion while having a smoother and better delivery of audio signal transmission. The cable itself is quite supple and flexible to hold and there’s not a hint of microphonic effects that I've encountered so far but regarding its termination plug, it only offers 4.4mm balanced and it doesn't have modular termination plug feature at all which is a necessity for a modern midrange set.
The product packaging of this one is quite a grandeur befitting for a high midrange model on how LETSHUOER presents its luxurious aspect on its packaging box. The inclusions inside are well-organised as they have their own compartment. The outer sleeve of the packaging is where the user’s manual, warranty clauses, QR codes for authenticity and the company address were printed back in different languages.
These are the following contents that were included inside of its packaging box:
- Pair of LETSHUOER Mystic 8 IEM transducers.
- Stock cable
- A circular carrying case with a rubbery-like hatch.
- Three (3) pairs of black-coloured narrow bore silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
- Three (3) pairs of white-coloured wide bore silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
- Three (3) pairs of white-coloured black stem balanced bore silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
- Paperwork like Q.C. stub and warranty card.
- Bonus: a necklace and a ring in a stylised cat design.
When it comes to amplification and scaling, it appears that the Mystic 8 is quite sensitive when it comes to sources; it seems some of its sound characteristics will somehow affect how it will present some parts of its frequency range. This set also seems to be intentionally paired to dielectric cable with a balanced plug input that needs a better source to sound more dynamic and fuller.
List of devices were used as sources:
Questyle M15 - neutral and linear with some minimal emphasis on the midrange and high frequencies.
Questyle M15i - neutral with a subtle warmth.
DDHifi TC44 - neutral with a hint of warmth.
Letshuoer DT03 - neutral with a bit of significance on the mid-high frequencies.
iFi GO link Max - neutralish-warm as it adds a bit of dynamics on lows and midrange.
HiBy R6 Pro II - clean and neutral, as if there’s almost no subtle emphasis nor attenuation on its overall sound
HiBy R8 II - almost the same with iFi Go Link Max.
As for its overall tonality, the LETSHUOER Mystic 8 has a balanced-neutral sound profile with just a bit stressing on the high frequencies. This makes this set one of the neutral sounding sets in this year that can be pleasingly musical and at the same time, analytical due to its technical performance in which I will expound later on in the technicalities section.
LOWS/BASS:
The bass quality of this one on the balanced side as it has a clear sub bass presence and a suitable mid bass composition. Given that it uses a woofer BA driver, it delivers a satisfying bass response as it sounds relatively punchy, precise and rumbly. Yeah, you read it right, having a rumbly characteristic is not even a defining trait of a typical BA driver. We can usually encounter this one on a good quality dynamic driver only but this one really delivers it. Another thing that I’m really impressed by the bass quality of this one is how agile, clean and well-segregated the bass feedback that this set has.
The sub bass quality of this one as I mentioned has a good depth and reverberates well that were produced by instruments with likes of synthesisers, drum machines and low tuned string instruments like bass guitars, double-basses and octabasses. Regarding its mid bass quality, while it still can't match that tactility and vigour of a dynamic driver, this one has an adequate texture enough to deliver a fairly dense notation on bass-clef instruments and vocal with snappiness on it. Bass guitars have a resonant and sustaining sound while double-basses have a bit broader and raspiness sound on them, bass kick drums have thud and rumbling sound on every stroke on its drumhead and bass trumpets have that full sound but it has less darker timbre. On male vocals with low octave registers like basses and bass-baritones, both vocal types have a deep resonating voices but apparently due to a more balanced texture, it doesn't give that dark timbre and richness that these vocal types are known for but rather more mellow and with just enough woolly sound.
MIDRANGE:
This is indeed the star of the show, possibly the strongest asset that this set has. The midrange presentation of this one has a neutral, immaculate, well-balanced and quite transparent style which just has a hint of little warmth enough for note weight on male vocals and some instruments like percussives and brasses. It also has an energetic sound to give more clarity, lucidity and more open-sounding on female vocals, strings and woodwinds.
On how this set will conform with male vocals, baritones have smooth, velvety with a mildly warmness on them which are more ideal for lyric and light baritones, tenors have these clear, dazzling and brassiness on their voice quality, and countertenors have emotive, tender and a tad fervent sound from their distinctive falsetto vocals. As for female vocals, on contraltos, while it doesn't have that depth and strength from their chesty voices to give a fuller and husky sound, it still has a rich and smoky sound from them, while the mezzo-sopranos have a fiery and coppery with expressive sound on their vocals, and then the sopranos have a crystalline, shimmering and silvery sound which will be an all-rounder for this type of vocal type from dramatic up to coloratura sopranos that makes them sound insouciant and captivating.
Regarding on instruments on how they sound on this one, when it comes to string instruments, guitars have bright and crisp sounds with some overtones presence on every pluck and strumming on its note strings, cellos have a mellow, clear and lively sound on them and then the violins have a vibrant, sweet and sensuous sound on every motion on its bowstrings. The woodwind instruments with the likes of piccolos, concert flutes, clarinets and saxophones; a brilliant and clear sound on piccolos, a graceful, poetic and silvery sound from concert flutes, a lustrous and melodic sounds of clarinets and the rich and brilliance sounds from saxophones. On the brasses, trumpets have these brilliant and vivid sounds while trombones sound dramatic and penetrating, and the horns have a resounding and intense brightness on them. And for percussives, snares have hard and bright sound, tom-toms have a rich and resonant sound, field drums have precise, hard and sonorous sound and the kettledrums have these deep and resonant sound albeit a tad dry tone. The pianos have a rich, clean and vibrant sound on its overall tone.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
The treble response of this one is more lustrous, silky with a good amount of air on it although sometimes I find it a bit lean and that will affect some tonal qualities on some instruments and female vocals. The mild accentuated between upper-mids and some part of presence of the treble section will highlight the clarity and definition to the attack on the instruments and a fine articulation on female vocals without being too harsh nor sibilant. But I noticed that if you crank up the volume level with this set from a usual medium-level listening, it produces a bit tinny and shrill sounds that treble-sensitive folk should take caution on suddenly adjusting the volume level of their devices.
The brilliance section of this one has an excellent treble air extension with an intense sparkle on them with a good amount of harmonics. On the treble-clef instruments, cymbals have resonant and lustrous sound while hi-hats have a shortened dry and metallic chick-y sound on its overall tone, glockenspiels have a brilliant and bell-like sound on either mallet-type and keyboard format, and celestas have a shimmering and sweet sound on them to give that “heavenly” or “aristocratic ball court” vibe.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
This is another of Mystic 8’s strongest assets and this one is probably one of the most technical sets that I've tested this year. The perceived head stage of this one projects a spacious sound field as it has a wide lateral span, an excellent height reach and reasonably good stage depth for an all-BA set.
The stereo imaging of this one projects an almost holographic stereo presentation with an impressive well-layered soundscape and with good separation on tonal dynamics of vocals and instruments that I can pinpoint accurately their exact placements on a spatial sonic canvas. It has an excellent resolution capabilities on both macro-dynamics and micro-dynamics as the former has a more solid and contrasting presentation on highlighting the varying degree of loudness between chorale lines and instrumental passages, while the latter has a sharp definition on delineating nuances, gains and subtleties that were retrieved from the background of an audio track like notational attacks on instruments, vocal ends and reverb tails.
The cohesive performance of its all BA-driver set-up delivers a harmonious presentation as its woofer BA delivers a fast transient bass response along with, an accurate, clear and detailed sound from other types of BA drivers without any distortion nor phasing issues.
PEER COMPARISONS:
NOBLE AUDIO KATANA (DEMO)
- Noble Audio’s old flagship IEM and it is twice more expensive than the Mystic 8 itself.
- Like the Mystic 8, it has an all-balanced armature driver configuration that were packed in a metal shell chassis.
- It has 9 balanced armature drivers inside of a bit large aluminium alloy shell chassis with brushed sweeping lines with rounded outlines on it.
- The cable quality of this one is rather average for a TOTL-set which is also on a leaner side just like the Mystic 8.
- It also has a balanced-neutral sound profile with a more sub bass-focused bass response which is more tighter, a neutral and bit lean midrange with some transparency and energetic sound, and a shimmering and airy treble response.
- As for its overall technicalities, this set is capable of projecting an above-average sound/speaker stage with concave-like stereo imaging presentation along with a well-layered soundscape on it.
SOFTEARS RSV (DEMO)
- SOFTEARS’ high midrange IEM model with similar driver configuration with Mystic 8 albeit it uses a high quality resin shell chassis.
- This model is quite less expensive when it was released 3 or 4 years ago, it was priced over US$700/£550.
- It sports a 5 BA driver with a 3-way crossover inside (taken from SOFTEARS’ site) and it was encapsulated in a medical-grade resin shell chassis.
- It has better stock cable as it is a bit thicker as far as I remember clearly although it doesn't have modular termination plug feature.
- Another set which also has a balanced-neutral sound but SOFTEARS did some distinctive tonal flavour on this one as it has a more rumbly and less punchy bass response, a neutral yet well-textured with more warmth than the Mystic 8 for better depth and a more plush sounding male vocals and a richer contralto vocals on females, and bit smoother yet airy treble response.
- Regarding its technicalities, RSV’s soundstage’s sizing is rather above average as it doesn't have that wide lateral span as it has more focus on depth and height with a concave-like stereo imaging presentation with some excellent layering and separation on it.
7th ACOUSTIC SUPERNOVA
- Probably a major contender of the MYSTIC 8 as it also has an all-BA driver set-up but it has different type of shell chassis.
- This one is also a bit cheaper and like the Mystic 8, it is also well-packed with quality accessories.
- It has 6 balanced armature drivers that were also sourced from reputable audio solutions, Knowles and Sonion that were encased in a UIEM-type hypoallergenic resin shell chassis.
- It has a better stock cable but it doesn't have a modular terminator plug feature.
- This one has U-shaped sound profile with a warmish-balanced tonality as has more mid bass-focused bass response as it has a punchy and impactful sound, a recessed yet warm and rich to give a more organic sound on vocals and instruments with a hint of energy on it, and a smooth treble response with just a modest amount of air on it.
- Regarding its technical performance, it has an above-average sound/speaker stage width and height but it has a good depth on it and its layering and separation on its atmospheric-like stereo imaging presentation is pretty acceptable for its performance, not impressive but also not too shabby.
DUNU SA6 MK.II
- DUNU’s offering in the midrange segment, and like the Mystic 8, it has an all-balanced armature driver set-up.
- This one is also a bit less pricey, and like all DUNU sets, this one is pretty well-accessorised with quality inclusions inside.
- Like the Mystic 8, its 6 balanced armature drivers are also provided by well-regarded audio solutions, Knowles and Sonion that were encased in a resin shell chassis with faceplate made of wood laminated with resin.
- It has a tuning switch for bass response on its shell chassis and its stock cable is also better with a modular termination plug feature.
- Due to its tuning switch, it offers two tonal profiles, a balanced-neutral sound and a mild U-shaped sound, that makes this set more versatile but on its overall tuning, the Mystic 8 is a bit more refined sounding one even if I compared it to SA6 Mk.II’s balanced-neutral mode.
- Technicality-wise, this set is quite competent in all aspects just like Mystic 8 but its sound/speaker stage is a bit narrower if it is compared to the latter one.
It seems that once again, LETSHUOER shows its prowess as a dedicated and capable audio company and this set is the result of their research and development on how to fully-utilised the balanced armature driver with some of the latest breakthrough audio technologies that will even enhance its overall performance.
The Mystic 8 is indeed a specialised set as it rendered the vocal qualities to almost all vocal types in a beautiful and sophisticated manner with a clear, accurate, detailed and impressive articulation from a singing voice that makes them pleasant and insouciant.
It is noted that it's not all perfect for this set as there are some nitpicking that I want to point out some features like its stock cable and a tuning which is a bit on a leaner side that audio enthusiasts like a warmer tonality will look somewhere else. But if you are a neutral head who is also looking for a vocal specialist set with excellent technical prowess with a budget to spend at this price, this is probably the set you are looking for.
LETSHUOER MYSTIC 8 will be available in LETSHUOER’s official store, you can check out the link that I have provided at the bottom, guaranteed a non-affiliated one.
For more LETSHUOER product reviews, check out the following links below.
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: LETSHUOER MYSTIC 8
IMPEDANCE: 18Ω
SENSITIVITY: 107dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m
PIN TYPE: 0.78 2-PIN CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 4.4mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (8) BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVER(S)
PROS:
● Solidly well-built titanium-alloy shell chassis and it is quite surprisingly lightweight.
● It has a refined metal work design on its faceplate.
● Pretty well-packed with quality accessories.
● Excellent passive noise isolation.
● Three types of ear tips to choose from.
● Non-microphonic stock cable.
● An inclusion of a new type of storage case with an easy to open lid.
● It includes some trinkets like ring and necklace.
● Definitely it has a neutral sound profile.
● For a woofer BA driver, it delivers a fast, rumbly and sufficiently punchy bass response yet retains an ample deep and clean presentation.
● Pristine, transparent and detailed neutral midrange quality.
● Excellent in rendering the tonal quality on almost all types of vocals like tenors, countertenors, mezzo-sopranos and sopranos in an almost realistic manner.
● Timbres on strings, woodwinds and some percussive instruments sound nearly tonally accurate.
● Treble quality of this one has a lustrous and airy response, no sibilance nor harshness on this one.
● It scales well to sources with different sound profiles (depending on the digital tuning filter preset)
● Perceivably wide sound/speaker stage projection with an almost holographic stereo imaging presentation.
● Well-layered soundscape with good separation.
● Top-notch resolution capabilities.
CONS:
● Absolutely not for bassheads who want authoritative, boomy and robust bass quality.
● And also, not for treble heads too, if anyone is looking for a brighter sound.
● Might be a bit lean sounding that its warmth is rather limited that affects the tonal quality on some male vocals and on a certain female vocal type, contralto.
● Stock cable is rather too plain for a high midrange set and it is also susceptible to entanglement and it doesn't even have a modular termination plug feature.
● instances of tinny, dry and a bit sharp sound on a high volume level listening.
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 TEAM LETSHUOER for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
Comments
Post a Comment