LETSHUOER S08 REVIEW

>>I am brazilian and I speak portuguese, so forgive my english, I’ll use translation tools to help<<

INTRO:

After the infamous Planar Wars, LETSHUOER was one of the few companies to keep manufacturing Planar Magnetic earphones alive. The technical performance this type of driver delivers is extraordinary… However, IEMs aren’t just about their technical capabilities, the tuning also needs to match the technical capabilities. Let’s find out if the LETSHUOER S08 delivers the sound you’re looking for.

Price: $89 USD
Color: Black or Silver
Cable: 3.5mm, 4.4mm, amd Type-C

Letshuoer reviews: S12, DT02, D13, DZ4, S15, Cadenza 4, DX1, Mystic 8, D02.

LETSHUOER LINKS:

https://amzn.to/4348pZx (US)

https://amzn.to/3LHB954 (UK)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3cgX7ir

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c31i6kYr

SPECIFICATIONS:

Planar Magnetic:

(1) 13mm Planar Magnetic driver per side

– Frequency: 20Hz – 40kHz
– Effective frequency: 20Hz – 20kHz
– Impedance: 26Ω
– Sensitivity: 105dB/mW
– Connectors: 2pin 0.78mm (detachable)
– Modular cable: 3.5mm & 4.4mm Balanced (straight design)
– Cable size: 1.20m
– Cable material: Silver-Plated Copper
– Shell: CNC anodized aluminum
– IEM weight: 6.2g (one side)(without eartips)
– Cable weight: 20.7g (USB-C)
– Cable weight: 20.8g (3.5mm)
– Cable weight: 21.5g (4.4mm)
– Total weight (packaging, iems, etc): 279.3g
– Packaging size: 15.5cm [H] x 10.5cm [W] x 5cm [D]

UNBOXING:

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction:

The shell is made all of aluminum. Full metal IEM.
IEM with a more minimalist aesthetic.
It has 2 vents per side.
Great build quality. CNC machined.
Great accessory kit.
Great case. Rigid, spacious, light, and elegant. Made in 3D printing.
The only problem with the case is that it takes a long time to unscrew the lid.

Eartips:

2 types of eartips: White (“balanced”) and Gray (“Vocals”).
Sizes S/M/L.
Standard size: if you uses M, then it is M.
I found the gray eartip to be softer, therefore more comfortable.
The gray eartip reminded me of the silicone of the FiiO HS18.
I don’t see the need to purchase more eartips (subjective).
I did the review with the gray stock eartips (size M).

Cable:

Excellent cable.
Great quality cable, and very pretty too.
Modular: 3.5mm, 4.4mm Balanced, and USB-C*.
The USB type C plug isn’t included in the kit.
USB-C plug is sold separately (or as a gift in store).
The modular system has a very good size (compact).
Need to force a little to remove the plugs.
Very light and thin cable.
Excellent malleability!
Doesn’t get tangled.
Doesn’t take “memory” (creases).
The earhooks are good.
There was no microphonics.
The Chin Slider works 100%.

Fit and comfort:

Horizontal fitting. Good stability.
Very comfortable, very lightweight.
A metal IEM that’s not heavy (positive point).
Good format for all types of ears.
Good for long hours of use.
Very discreet, without protruding parts.
Medium insertion.
Good isolation.

Earphone kit (accessories):

S08 earphones.
3 pairs of “Normal white” eartips sizes S/M/L.
3 pairs of “Normal gray” eartips sizes S/M/L
Modular Cable.
3.5mm & 4.4mm Bal plugs.
Carrying case.
Manual, warranty certificate & QC pass.

SOUND ASPECTS:

Sound:

Warm, soft sound that tends to dark.
Relaxed tuning, with bass that brings fun to the presentation.
I don’t consider it energetic.
Emphasized bass, linear mids and treble.
Less “forward” sound than the brand’s other planars.
Technically very competent (for the price).
Definition and speed of the planar driver always impresses.
Recommended for those looking for a more “calm” planar, which doesn’t fatigue.
It is a planar that doesn’t cause the “wow effect”.

Bass:

– Quantitative:

Moderate to high.
Isn’t for bassheads, but it has an interesting amount.
Mid-bass with more emphasis than sub-bass.
Sub-bass present, but less than the mid-bass.

– Qualitative:

The bass is filled, full-bodied, warm, fast, with good definition and good extension.
It has good impact, texture and physicality.
Bass stands out more than other frequencies.
On the edge of bleed into the mids.
Depending on the recording, the sound can be a little bloated.
Good for acoustic, instrumental, 70s, 80s genres.
The guitar’s sound is warm and full-bodied.

Mids:

– Quantitative and qualitative:

Linear mids. Neither recessed nor “forward”.
Smoother and polished pinna gain.
Compared to the S12 and S15, the S08s mids are recessed.
Technically speaking, it has a great definition.
Tonally speaking, lacks more clarity and airy.
The bass makes the mids more “warmed”.
I didn’t heard aggressiveness at any time.
Recommended for those who are very sensitive to forward mids.
I’m sensitive in this area and didn’t feel any discomfort.
If you are looking for mids with great clarity, it may not be the best choice.
Piano is more engaging and velvety.
Guitars have a warmer, fuller tone.

Voices:

Male/low voices performed better.
It greatly benefits baritone and low voices.
Warmer and more textured timbre.
Female/high-pitched voices ask for more clarity and airy.
In terms of resolution, the IEM is good for any type.
If you like voices with more projection, the D02 is the best option.

Treble:

– Quantitative:

Moderate treble.
Not for trebleheads.
Well implemented treble.
I didn’t feel fatigued by the treble.
Unlike the S12 which fatigue me out within a few hours.

– Qualitative:

Linear, controlled, fast, great definition and extension.
Natural/smooth sparkle.
Good detailing and airy.
Comfortable treble, so it isn’t an energetic IEM.
They aren’t shrill, sharp, or harsh.
I didn’t notice any sibilance, peaks, or coloration.
Everything played very coherently in this region.
Drum cymbals have great definition and naturalness.

Soundstage:

Great soundstage.
In my opinion, the S08 has great spaceness.
Very good in depth, height, and width.
Feeling of the bass instruments being distant from the treble ones.
It doesn’t sound congested.

Imaging:

Great instrumental separation.
The stereo image is also very good.
The good resolution helps a lot in this regard.
Easy to identify the position of instruments.

Driver flex test:

Planar magnetic drivers don’t have driver flex sound like dynamic drivers.

Amplification:

Easy to push.
No powerful amplifier required.
A DAC/AMP dongle is enough.
I review the S08 with the FiiO KA11.
I also used the Letshuoer DT01 Pro.
Both dongles did the job.
Obviously, the KA11 pushes better (more powerful).
KA11 at 25 and the DT01 Pro at 45 (out of 100 available on the W10).
I tested the USB-C plug on the smartphone and it pushed too (in Vol. 12 of 15).

PROS AND CONS:

– Minimalist aesthetic (subjective)
– Good cost/benefit
– Excellent construction
– Warm and soft sound
– Relaxed and fun tuning
– Great resolution and technicalities
– Great stage and imaging
– Easy to push
– Very comfortable to use
– Good for long hours of use
– Great accessory kit
– Excellent cable
– Cable with modular system
– Good eartips
– Great carrying case

– Planar that doesn’t cause “wow effect”
– Mid-bass beyond what I would like
– Mids could have more clarity and airy
– Need to force to remove the plugs.
– USB-C plug not included in the kit
– Case lid takes time to unscrew

GRAPHS BY AFTERSOUND:

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