Letshuoer S12 2024 Edition - The Year of the Planar (again)

 4.5⭐️

+ Deep reaching sub-bass

+ Great treble extension 

+ Fun, dynamic tuning and good all-rounder 

+ Excellent detail retrieval 

+ Expansive soundstage

+ Accessories and unboxing experience 

- Might be fatiguing for treble sensitive listeners

- Shell prone to fingerprints and scratches

- Limited to 2,024 units worldwide 

- Some may find the design a bit ostentatious? (I personally love it)

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 provided to me by Letshuoer in exchange for my impartial and honest 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

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●Letshuoer DT03 

●Dunu DTC480

●BLON V1

Source:

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

Introduction: 

Letshuoer is celebrating its eighth anniversary this year. The company has a good track record of releasing a wide range of quality products, including iems, cables, and DAC/amps. They are arguably most widely known for their planar iems. The release of their S08 iem also coincided with the company’s anniversary celebration. Letshuoer is continuing the festivities with the S12 2024, an update to one of their most popular products. This is the latest iteration of the S12 line, following the original S12 and the S12 Pro. It features a 14.8mm planar driver, updated aesthetics and tuning, and is priced at $199. Let’s break down this newest model and see how Letshuoer fares the third time around.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The unboxing of the S12 2024 is quite an experience! From the box art to the accessories, Letshuoer has pulled out all the stops. The design of the box is far above what I'm used to seeing at this price range and is more akin to that of a flagship. The outer box’s rose gold color, raised design, and prominent “8” all combine to make a quite fetching package. Upon opening the box (and the box within that one), the iems are hidden by the gold keychain and accessories box. Removing those finally reveals the very fancy-looking shells of the newest member of the S12 family. The size and shape are the same as in previous models, but with a new rose gold colorway and an updated titanium alloy chamber. The finish is very nice and has a classy look to it, though it may be a bit of a fingerprint and scratch magnet. Some might also find them to be a bit too flashy or ostentatious, but I'm a big fan of the new look. The 2024 Edition is also limited to 2,024 units globally, with each pair engraved with a unique number. The size of the shell is relatively small and shouldn't be an issue for most people. The nozzle width is 6.2 mm at the widest point of the lip, and the length is average. The insertion depth is perhaps slightly shallow, but I didn't have any issues with fit and seal, and they are comfortable to wear for extended periods. The two-pin connection is flush with the shell and ensures cable rolling is a breeze, although whether a different cable is needed is up for debate as the stock cable is quite good. It's a silver-plated monocrystalline copper modular cable featuring 2.5, 3.5, and 4.4mm terminations for seamless connection to any source. It is lightweight, tangle-free, feels good in the hand, and its aesthetic complements the gold finish of the shells. I generally prefer a chunkier, thicker cable, but the stock one is very good, and I did not see the need to swap it out for another. I do wish it had some locking mechanism for the swappable terminations. The tip selection is good, with nine pairs mounted onto a card for easy storage and organization. There are three different types: two silicone with varying bore diameters and one foam. After a fair amount of tip-rolling, I finally settled on the stock vocal tips. They have a slightly narrower bore, which helps keep the upper-end energy from being too much for me. The case is the same puck-style that's included with the S08. It's a serviceable enough case, and the rubber coating inside and out helps keep scratches to a minimum, but I personally prefer a zipper case that are a little more flexible. There is also a Letshuoer-branded leather keyring (likely for use with the golden keychain) and a commemorative eighth-anniversary card.

Sound impressions:

Planars are often associated with great detail retrieval, excellent technicalities, and a spicy, sometimes even hot treble. The original S12 and S12 Pro both recieved their fair share of acclaim but they also had their own issues. The new S12 2024 manages to take the best qualities of planar drivers and incorporates the lessons Letshuoer has learned along the way. I would characterize the tuning as slightly V-shaped or U-shaped. But it's also still well balanced, with no frequency band taking away from the others. This new S12 is very fun, with plenty of excitement and great extension on both ends. The detail retrieval is fantastic and is a testament to its planar heritage. It can effortlessly showcase all the little nuances in your favorite music, but amazingly, they manage to sound very musical and not overly analytical. The timbre of the 2024 Edition is effortless. Gone are the days of the "planar zing" or issues of old. It sounds very natural, clear, and organic without being strained in any way. The soundstage is quite impressive as well, with a fantastic three-dimensional space and plenty of width and depth. Imaging is very good too, with the positioning of instruments being precise and accurate. They also work very well for gaming too. The note weight is almost in the perfect, but it could be just a touch thicker for my preferences. The separation is good as nothing sounds too overlapped or congested, but I would like to hear just a little more space between notes. The dynamics could also use a touch more range. By this, I mean sometimes everything is mostly loud or mostly quiet with not a lot of subtlety, but honestly, this is a minor nitpick. As with most planars, this set needs a bit more power to shine. They can reach moderate volume levels with just a simple dongle, but give them some juice, and they will showcase their full potential.I found the best synergy for me when paired with the Hiby FC4, as it added just a touch of warmth and overall smoothness.

●Lows - This one reaches low! It has excellent sub-bass extension and a subwoofer-like deep rumble. It's likely the best bass I've heard at this price point. The texture is really nice as well—not too dry but also not wet or muddy. The impact and slam are adequate and sound great. However, since it focuses more on sub-bass, it's understandable that the mid-bass has a reduced presence. The attack speed is quick, and the S12 2024 navigates complex tracks with ease. This set also avoids one of the pitfalls I've heard in other planar sets. Some have an unnaturally fast decay, which results in the bass sounding artificial. The reverberation here is excellent, and the bass sounds very natural. There is no bleed into the lower mids, and the resolution and separation ensure that each bass note is clear, concise, and has great definition. Overall, I am very satisfied with the bass and have no real complaints to speak of.

●Mids - The midrange is well-balanced with the rest of the frequencies and is neither recessed nor pushed forward. Vocals are still in the forefront, thanks to the elevated pinna gain, but they are not shouty or in your face. The lower mids are free from any bass bleed, and both male and female artists are equally well represented. The fantastically organic and natural timbre is really showcased here in the midrange. Every instrument, including strings, horns, piano, and guitar, is incredibly realistic. It's quite enjoyable listening to my favorite tracks and hearing such great timbre. From classical and orchestral to rock and pop, every genre benefits from the S12 2024's tuning. These really are great all-rounders as long as you enjoy a more energetic tuning. They manage to keep the mids smooth and controlled while still sounding exciting and natural—a feat made even more impressive when done in balance with great bass and treble responses.

●Highs - Airy, sparkly, energetic—these three words basically encapsulate my impressions of the S12 2024's treble. Best of all, it is sibilance-free! It does a remarkable job of toeing the line between "fun and bright" and "harsh and irritating." I dare not ask for more than what is present here due to my affinity for warmth and aversion to overly brightly tuned sets. Finding the right tips is paramount to enjoying the highs, at least for me. Even my Penon Liqueurs failed me in this regard, as they pushed the treble just over that fine line and quickly became fatiguing. But with the narrow-bore "vocal" stock tips, I can enjoy this set at loud volumes without fear. The cymbals, claps, and high hats in my favorite tracks are super energetic and crisp. I do occasionally get just a slight harshness with some "s" and "ch" sounds, depending on the track and artist, but overall, it is quite enjoyable. For those who thought the S08 was tuned a bit too safely in the treble, this new S12 2024 will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

In conclusion:

With the release of yet another planar IEM, Letshuoer has cemented themselves as the planar kings. The new S12 2024 Edition is absolutely impressive and, in my opinion, has become THE planar to beat. If the S08 was made more for those looking for a warmer, less energetic planar sound, then the S12 2024 is the other side of that coin without going too far in the opposite direction. It's not overly bright, but its air and sparkle will definitely please treble enthusiasts. It's tuned in such a way that takes it right to the edge without going into sibilance territory. Not to be outdone, the bass is also fantastic. It extends really low and has a true subwoofer-like rumble. The quantity is a perfect balance to the accentuated treble and the quality is possibly the best I've heard in this price range. The midrange does well not to be overshadowed and exhibits some of the most natural and effortless timbre I've ever heard. I found they paired best with a slightly warm source and they sound great with any and all genres I tested. The S12 2024 will be limited to 2,024 units worldwide, and there is no doubt in my mind that these will be a hit and sell quickly. From the packaging, accessories, and build quality to the fantastic detail retrieval, expansive soundstage, natural timbre, and fun, energetic tuning, this set is truly special. For $200, the price-to-performance ratio is perhaps the best you'll find in this tier. I honestly think these could sell for double the asking price with few to no complaints. They sound better to my ears than some iems priced significantly higher. Congratulations to Letshuoer on the release of yet another amazing planar set to commemorate its eighth anniversary. I can't wait to see what's in store next, and I hope they can top this one, though that will be a very tough task indeed.