LETSHUOER DX1: A Pretty Competitive Solid Set
Dynamic drivers also known as moving-coil drivers are the oldest type of transducers as it was conceptualised in the late 19th century in the dawn of modern electrification age. But the breakthrough of its practical use was materialised in the early 1920s from the engineers of GE as they produced and patented the new type of dynamic driver in which its working principle is still the basis of today’s modern dynamic drivers.
What I have here right now is the latest model from LETSHUOER and it has a single driver configuration. This one was equipped with the latest generation of dynamic driver and it was encased in a solid metal alloy chassis. I already did a substantial number of LETSHUOER product reviews since 2022, so no need to do some introduction again on this excellent audio company as they already have a strong reputation and well-established foothold in the audio community.
This is LETSHUOER DX1, and as previously stated that it has a single dynamic driver set-up. The dynamic driver of this one is a new generation one as it is made of aluminium-magnesium alloy coated with nano-particles and it has a larger diameter of 11mm and it incorporates a topology diaphragm. Topology drivers received some special nano-coating on its surface, and by that process, it bore some irregular yet distinctive geometric pattern. But LETSHUOER did something new on this procedure as they apply a diamond pattern on this one and with a diverse pattern on its surface and depends the varying application of a compound, its texture produces some sound wave that can be utilised to achieve that sound quality that yields assorted acoustics performance results. In that regard, the driver itself will deliver a rich, dynamic and clean sound.
The driver was then encased in a solid yet compact CNC-milled stainless steel shell chassis that underwent an electroplating process to achieve that glossy look while increasing its thickness, enhancing wear resistance, corrosion resistance and better electrical conductivity. Its profile seems to take some inspiration from older DUNU DK series and I agree that it is a well-thought design as it is quite ergonomic in terms of fitting. It has a hexagonal pattern on its faceplate with a copper lining and a circle with some ridges on its centre to give the open back-like vibe on it. Another feature that this set has was its nozzle part has a notch acoustic filter that attenuates the presence section of treble frequency to reduce energy and resonance to lessened distortion while achieving a smooth, inoffensive and balanced tuning. Like all LETSHUOER models, it utilises a 0.78mm 2-pin connector as its interlocking mechanism for its detachable cable.
The shells seems to offer a good fitting to my ears that it rests well without any some sort of discomfort and I paired it with a new stock eartip that were included by LETSHUOER which is a bowl-shaped white-coloured silicone ear tips with wide bore that opens up more midrange and treble frequencies that adds more spaciousness on the overall sound quality. Nozzle and the paired ear tips seems to have a decent passive noise isolation, enough to block some external noises from the outside surroundings as its sealing is a bit loose into my lugholes.
This set includes a stock cable which is quite balanced in terms of texture and weight and it is a 2-core build that was twisted together to have a better magnetic compatibility for better signal transmission. The wires are composed of 256 strands made of single crystalline silver-plated copper in a Litz construction and they are shielded with an insulator shielding for clear and detailed audio signal transmission. And also, It has a gold-plated angular 3.5mm termination plug on its end as it is the standard analogue audio connector.
Like all LETSHOUER sets, even for an under US$200/£140 model, the DX1 is pretty well-packed with a substantial amount of quantity that was packed inside of its quite attractive packaging box.
Here are the following contents that were included inside of DX1’s packaging box:
- Pair of LETSHOUER DX1 IEM transducer pieces.
- Stock cable
- A composite storage case
- Three (3) pairs of balanced bore silicone eartips in different standard sizes.
- Three (3) pairs of narrow bore silicone eartips in different standard sizes.
- Three (3) pairs of wide bore silicone eartips in different standard sizes.
- Paperwork like user’s manual, warranty card and Q.C. stub.
Regarding its driveability, this set is sensitive enough that it can be driven by a device even in a standard normal gain mode that makes it relatively a power efficient one. With just sufficient amplification, this will deliver an audio amplitude signal that is pretty dynamic that encompasses a full range of audio frequency spectrum.
When it comes to its sound profile, the DX1 has a balanced-neutral type of tonality as it has an almost linear presentation with just a little hint of emphasis in some parts of frequency range just to have enough warmth as it presents a more balanced sound.
LOWS/BASS:
As reference to its tuning style, the bass quality of this one is pretty balanced on how it presents it across the frequency spectrum for both of its sub bass depth presence and an ample fullness of its mid bass texture. It delivers a reverberating, incisive and punchy bass response while maintaining a clean and segregated presentation that doesn't smudge across to other parts of the frequency range.
The sub bass presence can be felt decently as this set can produce a deep and rumbling sound that was generated by a few selected instruments from certain classes such as electronic and string instruments, like synthesisers, drum machines, bass guitars and double-basses. The mid bass texture has a fairly volume of its note weight in which enough to give dynamic and impact on some bass-clef instruments and male vocals although expect as a less quality on its depth, volume and impact that a usual characteristic of an authoritative bass-centric tuning has like boominess and vigour. In that sense, the bass guitars have a resonant sound with a tad mellowness, while double-basses sound broad and at the same time somewhat sombre, and then bass kick drums have a sonorous yet soft sound on every stroke. Male vocals like bass and bass-baritones, which have a fullness and deep tone but in terms of volume and depth they are quite insufficient to deliver that dark timbre and dense that these types of vocals should have.
MIDRANGE:
This part of frequency response is presented in a very neutral manner like it is pretty linear but it has a tad warmth just to give a sense of depth and texture on vocals and instruments, although on male vocals sound a bit less voluminous. Overall, the midrange quality of this one has a clear, balanced and smooth sound but we also noticed its less energetic presentation as it might sound slightly lethargic that will affect the emotive delivery of some female vocals, strings and woodwind but in general, they still sound quite natural in my ears.
On male vocals, baritones have smooth and velvety sound, tenors have a clear and juicy but less dazzling and bright especially for leggero and spinto types of tenor vocals and countertenors have a tender and ethereal sound from their falsettos. Concurrently with the female vocals, contraltos have a smoky and rich sound, mezzo-sopranos have a mellow and sweet sound, and a sopranos have a more satiny and creamy sound which ideal to the dramatic types which are known for robust, rich and a bit darker tone.
When it comes to instruments, on string ones; guitars have a more of a bit buttery up to balanced sound on every pluck and strumming on its note strings, violins have a more lustrous and sensuous sound that were produced from its bowstrings, and cellos have mellow, weighty and silky sound from them. The woodwind instruments with the likes of concert flutes, piccolos, clarinets and saxophones; concert flutes have softer and ethereal sound, while piccolos have a graceful and light sound but it seems that it has less brilliant intensity as it should sounds like, clarinets have rich and rounded sound, and saxophones have mild and soft sound on them. As for brasses, trumpets sound sonorous and rounded, trombones have a full and sombre sound on them and horns have a mellow and velvety character on them although it sounds a bit muffled. The percussives seems to sound quite rhythmic as snare drums sounds hard and precise while tom-toms have its warm resonating sound on every hit on their respective drum heads, field drums have that kind of venerable vibe with sonorous sound on them and kettledrums have a velvety and rounded sound. The piano appears to have a more balanced tone as it sounds sweet, rich and silky.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
This is truly a definition of a neutral treble presentation on how it conveys a linear , smooth and even sound on this frequency part. It has a bit attenuated upper mids up to the presence section that it is less energetic to give that vibrancy but it still delivers a good clarity and definition on vocal articulation and attack on instruments. With this tuning, absolutely that there will be no edginess, sibilance and harshness on its overall sound but there's a drawback, as this type of tuning will be a bane for treble heads as it might be too glossy and dark sounding on their sound preference.
Another thing that this set impresses was the quality of treble air on its brilliance section as it delivers a good airy extension for a single dynamic driver. It has a bit of a smoother, less intense sparkle as it somehow affects a few instruments particularly on treble note ones like cymbals, hi-hats, glockenspiels and celestas as they sound lustrous, resonant, sweet and velvety respectively.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING & OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
As for that perceived sound/speaker stage size, depending on pairing with ear tips, it presents an average-size (narrow-bore & balanced bore) which is a little bit intimate and compressed in my liking up to fairly spacious size (wide bore) as it gives an expansive feel within my head room. Although on an average-size soundstage mode, you will have a better perception of its depth.
The stereo imaging of this one projects a holographic presentation that gives you that 3D-like spatial auditory. The layering capability of this is set is somewhat decent but definitely not a class-leading one as it was only able to display a two-layered soundscape rather than a multi-layered arrangement that are usually composed of frequency tones and sonic textures, but still I was able to pinpoint the exact location of musical elements within the confines of its spatial sonics.
The driver coherency of this one has an excellent performance on how it delivers a fast transient response to have that clean and detailed sound. This one has a pretty well-resolving on its resolution capabilities as its macro-dynamics have that rich and density as it was able to differentiate the varying degree of loudness section on both chorale lines and instrumental passages, while in contrasts with micro-dynamics that it does have a more balanced sharpness definition on highlighting micro-details, grains and nuances from a sonic background like vocal ends, note textures and instrumental reverb tails.
PEER COMPARISONS:
HIDIZS MK12 TURRIS
- Like the DX1, it has a single driver set-up that was also encased in a metal alloy chassis.
- It uses a larger size of dynamic driver with a diaphragm made of pure magnesium.
- It also has a uniquely designed shell chassis which looks like a trilobite or a carapace of an insect.
- It has a detachable tuning filter nozzle and it has three pairs of it with different tonal profiles.
- The three tuning filters nozzles offer a different sound signature and all of them are quite coloured, from a warmer U-shaped sound of red coloured nozzles up to a bit bright U-shaped sound of the silver coloured nozzles.
- This one is quite capable on technicalities from a moderately wide sound/speaker stage but a bit better on layering, good driver coherency and good macro-dynamics although the DX1 fares a bit better on micro-dynamics aspect.
DUNU FALCON ULTRA
- Considered as one of the best sets in the over $200 price range and it also has a single driver covered in a solid metal alloy shell.
- It has a lithium-magnesium alloy structured dynamic driver with a composite diaphragm.
- The driver was then encased in aluminium alloy shell chassis in a magatama-shaped design.
- It also has detachable nozzles and its stock cable features a modular termination plug which is quite better than DX1’s.
- Since it features a detachable tuning filter nozzles, it offers two types of sound signatures; a mild U-shaped with a balanced-warmish tonality on gold nozzles and a bright U-shape tuned on blue nozzles.
- As for its technicalities, it has an average to above-average width, good height and excellent depth on its overall soundstage size, rich and texture layering on its concave-like stereo imaging presentation and quite resolving resolution capabilities.
ORIVETI OD200
- Another set with single driver configuration and also housed in a metal alloy chassis.
- It has a beryllium-coated diaphragm on its 9.8mm dynamic driver.
- The driver was then encased in an aluminium alloy shell chassis with a self -developed air pressure technology on its acoustic chamber.
- Like the DUNU FALCON ULTRA, it has a detachable tuning filter nozzle and a stock cable with modular termination plug.
- It has two distinctive sound profiles with its detachable tuning nozzles, a mild U-shaped sound signature with a bright tonality on black nozzles and a warm V-shaped sound on silver nozzles.
- On technicalities, it has an above-average size on its headstage with similar layering capabilities with DX1 and a bit less resolving on resolution capabilities.
To sum up my assessment on this set, this is another excellent product from LETSHUOER that they are able to implement their in-house sound tuning in a more affordable price range and indifferent driver configuration. This one clearly differentiate itself from its contemporaries on how its tuning is pretty neutral while having a bit of a musicality essence that somehow retains a natural and balanced sound yet quite of a linear tuning curve. And also, this type of tuning might be too boring to some listeners who adheres towards more on coloured tuning like more bass boost on bass heads and a more brighter tuning for treble heads.
Its overall build quality is excellent as it uses a good quality material for its shell structure that assures durability, resistance to wear and tear on its components and longevity. After all, this set will somehow complete the price range line-up on LETSHUOER products with almost similar tuning profiles.
LETSHUOER DX1 is now available at LETSHUOER’s Official Store, just check the link below for those who are interested to purchase this product.
For more LETSHUOER product reviews:
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: LETSHUOER DX1
IMPEDANCE: 30Ω
SENSITIVITY: 108dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m
PIN TYPE: 0.78 2-PIN CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER
PROS:
● A robust and solidly-built stainless steel shell chassis.
● The implementation of its Li-Mg dynamic driver with topology diaphragm does really deliver a consistent audio quality with no distortion at all.
● Like all LETSHUOER sets, this one is well-packed with accessories inside of its packaging box.
● More stock ear tips to choose depends on your fitting preference.
● Good quality storage case.
● Easy to drive that it can be paired to devices even with standard gain output.
● It has a pretty neutral sound profile
● A bass response that is quite well-balanced as it has an incisive, rumbly and sufficiently tactile sound
● Well-balanced, clean and even midrange presentation with just an adequate warmth.
● Some male vocals sound smooth and velvet, while some female vocals have a tender and sweet sound.
● Smooth, neutral treble response with some good airy extension on its brilliance section.
● Spacious perceived soundstage (wide bore ear tips) and a 3D-like atmospheric stereo imaging presentation.
● Relatively detailed resolution capabilities.
CONS:
● Absolutely not for listeners who want a more coloured tuning.
● Not for bass heads who want a more authoritative and vigorous low end, and also not treble heads looking for a bright tuning sound.
● Its layering capability is rather limited.
● Wishing for a better cable, at least it has a modular termination feature especially for its asking price.
● Any mirror-finished surface is susceptible to scratches, nicks and a fingerprint magnet, and this set is no exception to those issues.
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 Audio for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
Comments
Post a Comment