LETSHUOER S12 ULTRA REVIEW

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

INTRO:

The LETSHUOER S12 was undoubtedly one of the most famous, or best-selling earphones this hobby has ever seen. Now, after a bunch of versions, we arrive at what aims to be the final chapter of this legend: the LETSHUOER S12 ULTRA.

I’ve only had the chance to review the very first model and this latest one. I must admit that the original version really surprised me with its technical capabilities, however, it left me feeling that it lacked a bit of musicality, and the sound signature was cold than what I personally prefer.

Price: $169 USD
Color: Gunmetal Gray or Mocha
Modular cable: 3.5mm and 4.4mm

LETSHUOER REVIEWS: S12, DT02, D13, DZ4, S15, Cadenza 4, DX1, Mystic 8, D02, S08, Astralis.

LETSHUOER LINKS:

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3iZ86I3 (PC)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3KYvBRZ (APP)

SPECIFICATIONS:

Planar Magnetic:

(1) 14.8mm Planar Magnetic driver per side

– Frequency: 20Hz – 40kHz
– Effective frequency: 20Hz – 20kHz
– Impedance: 16Ω
– Sensitivity: 101dB
– Connectors: 2pin 0.78mm (detachable)
– Modular cable: 3.5mm & 4.4mm Balanced (straight design)
– Cable size: 1.20m
– Cable material: Silver-Plated Copper Monocrystalline
– Shell: CNC aluminum alloy
– IEM weight: 6g (one side)(without eartips)
– Cable weight: 21.9g (3.5mm)
– Cable weight: 22.5g (4.4mm)
– Total weight (packaging, iems, etc): 275,8g
– Packaging size: 15.5cm [H] x 10.5cm [W] x 5cm [D]

UNBOXING:

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction:

The shell is made entirely of aluminum alloy.
The faceplate design features some changes (more geometric).
It has two vents per side.
Excellent build quality, the metal construction makes it robust.
Great accessory kit.
Excellent case: rigid, spacious, lightweight, and stylish. 3D-printed.
The case lid takes a while to unscrew (this could be improved).

Eartips:

Two types of eartips: “Balanced” and “Vocals”.
Sizes: S/M/L.
Standard sizing: if you wear M, then M is the right fit.
I really liked the “Vocals” (gray ones), they are very thin and comfortable.
I see no need to buy other eartips (subjective).
I don’t like the tube thickness of the “Balanced” ones (too wide).
I did the review using the “Vocals” (gray) [size M].

Cable:

Excellent cable. I really like it.
Excellent quality, and very good-looking too.
Reminds me the Astralis cable.
Modular: 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced plugs.
The modular system has a great size (compact).
Lightweight and thin cable.
Great malleability.
Doesn’t tangle.
Doesn’t retain “memory” (creases).
The earhooks are good.
No microphonics.
The chin slider works perfectly.

Fit and comfort:

Vertical fit. Excellent stability.
Great ergonomics.
It has been excellent from the very first version.
Very comfortable.
Only 6g! For metal earphones, that is excellent.
Suitable for all ear types.
Good for long hours of use.
Medium insertion.
Great isolation.

Earphone kit (accessories):

S12 ULTRA earphones.
3 pair of balanced eartips.
3 pairs of vocal eartips.
DT01 Pro dongle.
Modular cable.
3.5mm & 4.4mm plugs.
Carrying case.
Manual, Warranty, QC pass.

SOUND ASPECTS:

Sound:

A clean, technical, controlled, and engaging sound.
Tuning: Mild V-shape.
Emphasized bass, with moderate mids and treble.
Bass that adds a fun element to the presentation.
Technically very competent. Great resolution.
The definition and speed of the planar driver are always impressive.
Recommended for those seeking a “calmer” planar that doesn’t fatigue.
The first S12 was cold and had less sub-bass.
The S12 Ultra manages to be more musical and warmer than the first S12.
The Ultra version is more balanced and tonally correct (in my opinion).
I find the first S12 to be more energetic.
In terms of planar technicalities: S15, S12, S12 Ultra, Astralis, S08.
Regarding tonality, the S12 Ultra offers the best coherence among them.

Bass:

– Quantitative:

Moderate to high.
Not for bassheads.
Although I like bass and found it good enough.
Mid-bass and sub-bass have a great presence.
Sub-bass is slightly more prominent than mid-bass.

– Qualitative:

Strong, authoritative, warm, fast, good definition and extension.
They offer excellent texture, great physicality, and good impact.
The bass is neither the tightest nor the loosest.
It doesn’t bleed into the mids.
Good for bass genres: EDM, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Pop, etc.
Steel-string acoustic guitar sounds very good on this IEM.

Mids:

– Quantitative and qualitative:

Mids are neither recessed nor forward.
Natural and smooth pinna gain.
It offers great definition, clarity, and transparency.
The mids as a whole are warmer and silkier.
It never sounded harsh or aggressive.
Recommended for those sensitive to forward upper-mids.
I am sensitive in that frequency and felt no discomfort.
If you are looking for more forward mids, I recommend the S15.
Snare drum hits sound very natural and defined.
Piano notes sound very organic.

Voices:

Male/low voices performed better.
It greatly benefits baritone and low voices.
More warm tone.
Male voices are given great texture.
High-pitched voices are good but not excellent.
In terms of resolution, the IEM will be good for any voice.
If you want more clarity and projection, the S15 is the alternative.

Treble:

– Quantitative:

Moderate treble.
Not for trebleheads.
Well-implemented treble.
I didn’t experience treble fatigue.
It has more treble than the S08 and the Astralis.

– Qualitative:

Vivid, versatile, fast treble, great definition and extension.
Slightly accentuated sparkle.
Excellent detailing and airy.
They have a slight dose of energy.
Tonally very well implemented.
They’re not shrill, they’re not sharp, they’re not harsh.
I didn’t heard any sibilance, peaks, or coloration.
Guitar solos have great energy and vitality.
Hi-hats are detailed without sounding aggressive.
Excellent for listening to drum cymbals.
Jazz becomes more warm, but without losing the technicalities.

Soundstage:

Excellent soundstage.
Great spatiality.
Very good in terms of depth, height, and width.
V-shaped earphones provide a good sense of distance.
The sound doesn’t feel congested.

Imaging:

Excellent instrument separation.
The stereo imaging is also very good.
The good resolution really helps in this regard.
It’s easy to identify the instruments in the mix.
Precision in pinpointing the exact location of the cymbals.

Driver flex test:

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

Amplification:

Easy to drive (although it scales with more amplification).
It doesn’t require a powerful amplifier.
I tested the S12 Ultra with three dongles: the FiiO QX13, FiiO KA11, and Letshuoer DT01 Pro.
All of them were capable of driving the IEM.
I did the review using the FiiO QX13 via the 4.4mm output, with D. Mode and High Gain.
Volume set to 25 out of 60 (QX13) and Windows volume at 100%.
The S12 Ultra performed best with the QX13.
For a better performance, consider use a more powerful DAC/AMP.

PROS AND CONS:

– Modern, minimalist aesthetic (subjective)
– Good unboxing experience
– Excellent build quality
– Technical yet engaging sound
– Mild V-shape tuning
– Tonally well-balanced
– Great resolution and technical performance
– Excellent soundstage and imaging
– Easy to drive*
– Comfortable to wear
– Suitable for long listening sessions
– Excellent cable
– Excellent modular system
– Good eartips
– Great case

– Scale with more amplification
– Case lid takes a while to unscrew
– Bass isn’t the tightest (subjective)

GRAPHS BY SUPER*REVIEWS:

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