Letshuoer S08 - 8 of Spades

 4.5⭐️

+ Quick and agile driver

+ Neutral tuning done right (engaging, not boring)

+ Deep, quick hitting bass

+ Clear, uncolored mids

+ Detailed treble without sibilance

+ Decent all-rounder

+ Great accessories including modular cable

+ Priced competitively 

- Source sensitive (could be a pro?)

- Note weight is a bit thin at times

- Could use a bit more warmth, especially in the vocals (personal preference)

- Not the most resolving set

- Soundstage could be wider

- Fit can be finicky due to small shells and short nozzles

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was sent to me by Letshuoer in exchange for my honest and impartial review. I receive no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●KiwiEars Allegro 

●Letshuoer dt03

Source:

●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:

Letshuoer is a brand known to most audiophiles who have spent a bit of time in this hobby. The company has been consistently releasing a wide range of quality products, including iems, cables, and DAC/amps. A few recent notable releases include the Cadenza 4 and S15, which have been well-received. This year, the company celebrates its eighth anniversary and is marking the occasion with some new releases. Its latest iem, the S08, features Letshuoer's dual-coil custom 13 mm planar magnetic driver. It's currently available for $99 on Letshuoer's site as well as other retailers. Let's jump into the review and see how this newest planar stacks up in today's market.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

This is one of the better unboxing experiences under $100. A lot of thought and care went into the inclusions and presentation. The box is compact, and the featured artwork includes a figure eight to commemorate Letshuoer's eighth anniversary, a recurring theme throughout the design. Opening the box reveals the iems tucked inside foam cutouts and a small, puck-like case. Inside the case is a very neat circular tip holder and the stock cable, plus two modular terminations. The S08s are available in silver or matte black; I have the latter, and they look really great. The anodized CNC aluminum shells have excellent build quality and are reasonably lightweight for all-metal shells. They feel solid and smooth in the hand, while the matte-black finish helps minimize scratches and fingerprints. I would characterize the shell size as fairly small. The nozzle is of average width but perhaps a bit short for those who need deeper insertion. At least there is a lip for tips to stay securely in place. The shell design is highly reminiscent of the old Letshuoer Tape, but the S08 features a more ergonomic design with rounded edges and a figure eight on its faceplate, consistent with the anniversary theme. The four-core SPC stock cable is an excellent addition to the overall package. It's lightweight, nicely braided, and even has a modular locking mechanism with two terminations: 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm. The case is one of the more unique ones I've seen and is of really nice quality. I usually don't like the puck-style, but this one has a smooth, rubbery coating that keeps scratches at bay, and the lid screws on for added security and protection. The included tips come loaded into a neat little circular holder. There are five pairs in the holder and one more preloaded onto the iems, making six pairs in total: three vocal and three balanced. It took me quite a bit of tip rolling to find a good fit and seal. I tried both varieties of stock tips, Dunu S&S, Coreir brass, Tri Clarion, and eventually settled on the medium Penon Liqueurs. It's still not the most comfortable for me due to the shorter nozzles, but YMMV.

Sound impressions:

The S08 is a great example of neutral tuning done right, at least to my ears. Now, what is neutral for me will not necessarily be neutral to others, and admittedly, there is a healthy, thumping bass response here. However, the lows, mids, and highs all blend splendidly without any one truly taking the spotlight over the others. Music is presented in a smooth and natural way, without coloration. It reminds me of another recent Letshuoer product that I reviewed, the DT03 DAC/amp. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that these two were released so close together. Through my testing, I quickly discovered that the S08 is highly source-dependent. Of all the DACs I tried (Allegro, FC4, LG V30+, Samsung dongle), the DT03 has the best synergy by far with the S08. They are both so very natural and uncolored in their presentation, allowing the music itself to take center stage. This combination compels me to listen less critically and simply enjoy my favorite tracks. In true planar fashion, the S08 has a snappy, quick hit and fast decay. The detail retrieval is excellent but not overly clinical. There is a definitive smoothness to it's presentation and the timbre is natural and organic. The imaging is accurate, and the separation is excellent, with each frequency band having room to breathe. The note weight is fairly balanced between thin and thick, though it may lean toward thinness in some tracks. The soundstage unfortunately falls a bit short, as it is not particularly expansive in width or depth, but it's not quite claustrophobic. The S08 are not necessarily hard to drive, and they can reach moderate volumes from just a simple dongle. But like most planars, they scale well with power, which is necessary to achieve high volumes. In my opinion, this set is remarkably versatile and well-rounded and handles any genre with ease.

●Lows - This is the one area of tuning that I would argue goes a little beyond neutral. The bass is surprisingly meaty and well-textured. There's a deep sub-bass rumble, and it can get big and low when the track calls for it. The sub-bass is definitely more of a focus here over the mid. I would have liked slightly more mid-bass presence for my usual tastes, but this could result in a warmer and more colored sound signature. There's good separation between the bass and the midrange, and there's no bleed to my ear. The attack and decay are quick, but there's still adequate reverberation, which some planars struggle to achieve. Double bass kicks on this thing are really a treat! The driver's speed allows each impact to be heard clearly. My initial impressions of the bass were quite favorable, but further critical listening revealed some areas for improvement. Specifically, it could benefit from a more powerful impact/slam and a bit more clarity. Although overall, it is certainly one of the strong points of the S08's tuning.

●Mids - The midrange is also a very positive mark of the S08s tuning. Vocals are well reproduced and are neither forward nor recessed. Female artists with a bit more air in their vocals just approach a slight harshness but still remain enjoyable. Male artists have a bit more note weight and stand out in the mix more than their female counterparts. Instruments like guitar and piano have a rich clear tone and natural timbre. One particular track that I really enjoy with the S08 is "Like a Stone" by Audioslave. The emotion in Chris Cornell's vocals is conveyed exceptionally well, and the guitar distortion and reverberation effects are distinct and musical.I usually prefer the mids and vocals to be slightly more prominent, but the overall frequency balance is excellent and really lends itself to a great listening experience. If neutrality is your goal, the midrange balance of the S08 is spot-on. There's really not much to say about the mids. They are clear, concise, natural, and musical.

●Highs - The S08's treble is lively, pleasant, and smooth, without sounding boring or recessed. This aligns well with my personal preferences; however, I do believe that it could benefit from a slight increase in air and upper-end extension. Cymbals, hi-hats, claps, and snares all have a good amount of presence and sparkle without detracting from the overall musicality of the tuning. There is a definite crispness and edge to the notes without sounding harsh or fatiguing. If there are any perceived problems in the highs, they can be found in breathy vocalists and certain sounds such as "t" and "ch." However, this only became apparent at higher-than-moderate volume levels. In "Calm Down" by Rema featuring Selena Gomez, the claps can be quite fatiguing if the treble energy is too high, but with the S08, they sound clear without being sibilant. I find that the S08 strikes a great balance between delivering a vibrant and sparkly treble response while avoiding excessive energy that could lead to it becoming overbearing.

In conclusion:

One of my favorite things about this hobby is experiencing different driver types and configurations. Each of them brings a distinctive element to the music, allowing me to perceive it from a different perspective. Before the Letshuoer S08, I had nearly lost hope in finding a planar iem that would capture my heart. In my experience, planar drivers typically have impressive technical capabilities and agility; however, they lack a certain musical quality and can come across as sterile or lifeless. Well, the S08 broke the mold, and for me, it was love at first sight listen. From my initial testing, I realized this is not a typical planar, or at least it's different from those I have tried up to this point (F1 Pro, Pandamon 2.0, Zetian Wu Heyday, S12, Stellaris). The S08 delivers a musicality that I found lacking in other planars, while still demonstrating remarkable detail, speed, and resolution. It's also my new benchmark for neutrality, without coming across as excessively clinical, cold, or downright boring. My ears perceive all of the frequencies as balanced, cohesive, and well-represented. If you're looking for an accurate and uncolored reproduction of your music, you should definitely consider the Letshuoer S08. It has the typical agility and tactility of planar drivers but also sounds much smoother and more musical than the others I've heard. My only two complaints are the slightly short nozzle, which might cause some fit issues, and the narrow soundstage. If you can overlook these few shortcomings, you will find that the S08 provides enjoyable tuning, excellent technicalities, and a fantastic accessory package. Plus, at $99, the price-to-performance ratio is fantastic. What a great way to celebrate Letshuoer's eighth anniversary! Now, I can't wait to see what they have up their sleeve for number nine!