Anniversary Edition

Ratings

Pros

• LetShuoer has been able to improve and refine the previous versions of the S12 with this 2024 edition.
• Paradigm of the all-rounder IEMS.
• The build quality, the great ergonomics, the cable and its modular plugs remain the same.
• Special packaging and presentation, just like the good celebrations.
• Titanium alloy capsules.

Cons

• The 4.4mm BAL plug installed in the cable fits very tightly in the screw-in box, it is recommended not to store the IEMS with it installed.
• LetShuoer still doesn’t offer a more secure detachable plug set with a screw-in thread.
• I know that gold is a symbol of the precious metal, but I don’t like its colour.
• I would have liked a slightly more analytical character.

Purchase Link

https://letshuoer.net/es/products/letshuoer-s12-2024-edition-14-8mm-planar-magnetic-driver-in-ear-monitor-earphone-hifi-iem

Link to the WEB

https://letshuoer.net

Introduction

LetShuoer continues to celebrate its eighth anniversary and has released a new edition of its most famous IEMS: the S12 2024 Edition. As everyone knows, these are Planar Magnetic with a 14.8mm driver, in a limited edition of 2024 units worldwide. For this special occasion, Letshuoer provides a truly luxurious packaging with unique accessories to commemorate the special eighth anniversary edition. The capsule consists of a gold-plated outer part made of lightweight titanium alloy and a black inner side. The cable is made of silver-plated monocrystalline and has 392 wires. It has detachable 2.5mm (BAL), 3.5mm (SE) and 4.4mm (BAL) plugs. Each capsule is uniquely numbered by laser.

Specifications

• Driver Type: 14.8mm magnetic planar.
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz.
• Sensitivity: 102dB.
• Impedance: 16Ω.
• Jack Connector: interchangeable 2.5mm (BAL), 3.5mm (SE) and 4.4mm (BAL).
• Cartridge Connection Type: 2Pin 0.78mm.
• Capsule Material: Titanium light alloy.
• Cable: 1.2m of 392-wire silver-plated monocrystalline copper.
• Launch price: $199.

Packaging

The LetShuoer S12 2024 comes in a sealed, unbleached cardboard box with light black lines and the brand logo on the lid. The inside is black and repeats the external pattern in white ink. The IEMS packaging is inside, protected by bubble wrap. On the inside of the box you can read the brand’s slogan. The IEMS box is gold, read vertically. At the top is the brand name, while the eighth anniversary is repeated in the lower phrase and in that large, background design with the 8 as the protagonist of the entire golden box. At the bottom is the model name. On the back are the specifications in several languages. With the outer gold cardboard removed, the inner box is black and repeats the pattern of the outermost box. After lifting the lid there is a white cardboard repeating the brand name, the eighth anniversary and the special edition. In the centre is a golden commemorative 8th anniversary medal. The inside is mounted on a rotating shaft. It has a ring as a key ring. Removed from this level there is again a black cardboard sheet that follows the same pattern. Underneath is a gold and black foil commemorating the eighth anniversary and all the other accessories. To sum up:

• Eighth anniversary commemorative medal.
• Eighth anniversary commemorative print.
• User’s manual.
• Warranty card.
• Three pairs of LxMxS vocal tips (black).
• Three pairs of balanced tips LxMxS (white).
• Three pairs of LxMxS foam tips.
• The two S12 2024 capsules.
• Round black box with the brand’s classic screw case.
• Keyring with leather loop and gold-plated rings with brand name inscription.
• 1.2m silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable with 392 wires.
• Three interchangeable 2.5mm (BAL), 3.5mm (SE) and 4.4mm (BAL) plugs.

The unboxing experience is very good, with many details that hint at a limited edition model, with accessories for collectors or for those who like these kinds of superfluous accessories.

Construction and Design

For this special occasion, the capsules are made of titanium alloy and machined on a 5-axis CNC machine. The outer face is gold-plated, while the inner face is black. The luxurious brushed marbled polish on the outer face is noticeable. The rim legend is laser engraved. But my model has no serial number, perhaps because it is a ‘demo’ version. There is an inscription of the R or L channel.
The capsules, on their outer side, have an almost triangular shape, with very rounded corners. In reality, there is only one flat side and the rest is one same curve. The outer face is flat, but there is an overlapping rectangular piece that houses the 2Pin 0.78mm connection. This connection is shallow and the connectors are inside a translucent plastic piece, which in turn is inside the capsule. Next to this connection, there is a rectangular hole through the two parts of the capsule.
The edge is also rounded and the line separating the two sides is visible. In the centre of the inner side there is another hole.
The nozzles grow from the centre of the inner face, although they are not very long. They have two tiers and are 4mm high. The first tier has a smaller diameter of 5.3 mm. The second, outermost tier has a diameter of 6.25 mm. The mouthpiece is protected by a perforated metal grid.
All in all, the capsule lines are rounded and smooth, but the mouthpieces are somewhat short.
The cable is made of silver-plated monocrystalline copper, has 392 wires and 4 strands, two by two, with three interchangeable connectors: 2.5/3.5/4.4mm. The colour again matches the capsules and has a slight gold patina. The plug is relatively large and the interchangeable connectors are press-fitted. It has 4 gold-plated pins and a guide for easy connection. The removable part is completely cylindrical. The fixed part has a rough edge. All parts are gold-plated. Includes a Velcro strap for cable management. The splitter piece is a smooth cylinder in the same gold colour as the plug sleeve. It measures 13mm long and almost 8mm in diameter. It has the same shape and appearance repeated for the 0.78mm 2 PIN connector sleeves, which are inscribed with letters to indicate the channel. The plastic base on which the pins sit is transparent for both channels. It is completely flat. At this end, the cable has a semi-rigid guide on the ear. Finally, the pin is a small, cylindrical, translucent plastic piece with an 8-shaped hole inside through which the cables pass.
The cable is still modular with 3 interchangeable pins, very similar in design to the S12 Pro model.
The design is based on the S12 Pro but with light titanium alloy for the outer face, a dark inner face and a cable with all metal parts in gold to bring that commemorative eighth anniversary luxury. To comment that gold is not my colour, I don’t have that ‘gold fever’.

Adjustment and Ergonomics

If the external shape is the same, the fit and ergonomics do not change either. The different materials used for the capsule and the cable do not affect this. I still find the fit very good, the minimal rotation inside the bell is maintained. The mouthpieces are somewhat short and unchanged, not much else to comment on. The insertion remains shallow. The level of isolation is maintained, which will depend on the tips used. With my homemade foam-filled tips, they have a good level of seal and occlusion. The fit, although simple, may require some minor tweaking, but the in-ear feel is very good. Both the surface and the rounded shape make contact and rubbing pleasant. In addition, their contained size raises the level of comfort and ergonomics, as they barely protrude from the ears. They are pleasant to wear for hours and again I would like to point out that only the weight (now it seems to be lower in this version) can be a little inconvenient if you make quick or sudden movements, as well as if the guides touch your ear.

Sound

Profile

I mentioned in the S12 review that I don’t have a default curve in SquigLink, but if I were to draw one, it would be very similar to the S12’s at the time. More than two years later, my SquigLink still doesn’t have that reference curve and this is the third version of the S12 I’ve had. With the S12 Pro’s, the meat in the mid-bass area was reduced to emphasise the sub-bass. An adjustment was also made to smooth out the upper mids and the first half of the treble. Now, in the 2024 edition, there is hardly any change from 20 Hz to 1500 Hz, but there is again an adjustment towards smoothness from this figure down to 10 kHz. I have always read that the S12s had a noticeable energy level in this area. So it seems that LetShuoer has taken user feedback into account in this regard. Now, the curve of the 2024 edition slightly resembles a lower case w. The slight exaltation is maintained. The slight exaltation of the sub-bass is maintained, while almost the entire frequency response moves within a 10 dB range, although it is now even more homogeneous. And, although it would seem that this profile should be darker and denser, it doesn’t feel that way. Either it’s just me changing or it’s this current trend towards darker profiles that has made me feel that the S12 2024s are very balanced.

Bass

I always talk about the bass performance of a good dynamic driver, about its realistic and natural behaviour. In the review of the S12 Pro I described the planar bass behaviour as a hybrid combination of a dedicated BA driver and a DD driver. In reality, after all this time, the sonic and behavioural duality is still very similar in this new version. In the pure tone test, the oscillatory behaviour reminiscent of a BA driver is maintained, with that colouring caused by vibration. As the Hertz increase, the sound becomes more natural and the behaviour more realistic. Of course, this behaviour of the lower frequencies does not affect the music. On the other hand, the resemblance to dynamic drivers is in physical capability, power, punch, depth, volume and body. The combination feels smoother and less textured, but the technical ability is superior. It is not as dark bass, nor does it reach as low sensory levels as some dynamic drivers. However, it is a good evolution between the two worlds. In it, the planar bass of the S12 family persists in its abilities such as precision, definition, speed, dryness and fast decay. The result is a fairly smooth and clean bass, not very intrusive, but with plenty of punch and good presence in the room. The good technical characteristics are demonstrated in the reproduction of dirty and unfiltered bass. It is in these bad situations that the S12 2024’s abilities shine, achieving a very reliable, precise, meticulous, concrete, rigorous and very orderly reproduction. The layers are well differentiated, as well as the different bases and bass lines, generating a specific and well-determined layering. What you would expect from a good planar driver.

Mids

I think LetShuoer has done well to continue to maintain that bass response, leaning more towards the mids, so that the midrange doesn’t get bleed from the low end. The distance between the bases and the vocals feels crisp and clear, well differentiated, and it persists in that planar ability to split frequency ranges very easily. The clarity of the mids is obvious, but it is still not an analytical profile, and the micro detail continues to be unobvious. On the other hand, the sense of transparency is very good, as is the distance between elements. There is a sense of sonic precision, but the notes are neither sharp nor too bare. There is a musical cohesion that threads the pieces together, adding balance and harmony. While that wall-of-sound feeling no longer seems to me as opaque or dense, but offers an impression of openness and superior width. The background is still not completely dark, which accentuates that sense of continuity and wall. Although there seems to be a point of greater gaseous and volatile sensation, less attachment to the base and better expansive effect.
I like to see that the dreaded sense of hollowness in the first part of the middle section does not occur here. The male voices are grounded, full-bodied and physical from start to finish. They feel quite full and relatively close, though not on top of the listener. Though their proximity makes them very enjoyable to listen to. Likewise, the instrumentation of this first half is also very much in the spotlight, amplifying that full and complete image.
The female voices expand even further and are the stars of the show. Their dimension is almost total, occupying the whole harmonic range without fissures, but also without sibilance. Another great thing LetShuoer has achieved is to soften the energy of the upper range, but without losing edge, nor sounding blunt or too soft. On many occasions, reducing this critical part can darken the sound. However, on this occasion, I don’t perceive a hint of darkness, no rounding of the edges of notes, and no excessive loss of detail. This is how the S12 2024s present themselves as fabulous all-rounders, with a very full and expansive midrange presentation, great vocals and instrumentation to match, extremely rich, balanced, homogeneous and punchy.

Treble

Letshuoer has done it again. The treble energy is lowered once more, but I still think they are very good. They are subtly less incisive, yes, but the timbre, colour and extension are still stellar. The brand has the manual for reducing pressure in the treble, but without affecting expressiveness, informativeness, precision, finesse or delicacy. The treble remains sharp, very narrow, full, homogeneous and totally harmonious. There is a very pleasant, exciting, subtly sharp and sparkling crunch. There is a lot of life in the top end of the S12 2024. But there is also balance with the rest of the frequencies, assuming a higher point of control and harmony, all without losing that exquisite sparkle so characteristic of the S12 planar transducers. My conclusion is the same as with the S12 Pro: a level of treble that few drivers can achieve.

Soundstage, Separation

It seems that the scene is a little wider, that there is a greater point of transparency and cleanliness, which gives it a more expansive, volatile and gaseous feeling. The sonic cohesion is maintained, but the scene is no longer so dense and opaque. It is still seamless, but there is more space, more separation: a wider stage oval on all three axes. The sound is not enveloping, but the wall feels higher, which gives a more impressive zenithal sensation. In the recreation of layers and their layering, a remarkable level of accuracy persists. In the exposure of details, the differential improvement between them is noticeable, which translates into more looseness and liveliness. In this way, the image and the positioning of the elements are perceived clearly, concisely, sharply and with very good spatial positioning.

Comparisons

LetShuoer S12

The classic S12s are among the most recommended and appreciated IEMS among audiophiles in my country and in the circles in which I move. They are not the latest IEMS, but they are still a great value compared to other new products. That’s why the new S12 2024s may arouse a certain amount of expectation.
Focusing on the sound, there is a change in profile between the two models. A quick change attests to this. The older S12s seem to have a more V-shaped profile, with the lower mids a little more distant, but with the upper mids and first treble more excited. The 2024 Editions are more balanced, homogeneous and pleasant, with a more accentuated fullness and a more natural sound.
The lower range is very similar, but the sub-bass is a little more emphasised in the 2024 Edition. The S12s have more colour and presence in the mid-bass, which gives them a bit more consistency, elasticity and rubberiness. Bass is drier in the 2024 Edition, a little deeper and darker, with a slightly greater amount of texture and roughness. In this respect, I’m sticking with the 2024 Edition.
The profile of the 2024 Edition is a little darker and more relaxed, but for the better. The lower mids are warmer, with better presence and vocal fullness, with more body and physicality, giving a slightly more analogue, natural and rich sound. The S12s again have a bit more colour, sparkle and brightness, but also a bit of tonal shift and a lighter presence, making it feel more splashy.
The upper mids of the 2024 edition are much softer, calmer and controlled. Perhaps someone might think that they are more nuanced. The S12s put the emphasis on female vocals, which are closer and more expressive. In the 2024 Edition, those voices feel drier and less bright. The S12s focus more on the details of the upper mids, while the 2024 Editions focus on the base.
With the 2024 Edition, the sibilance tends to flatten out, while with the S12s and their more splashy sound, the sibilance is more accentuated.
The amount of energy present in the treble of the S12s is evident. The treble of the 2024 Edition is drier, more controlled and smoother. The treble of the S12s clearly feels more crisp, thin, energetic and penetrating, but also more controlled. You might think that the highs of the 2024 Edition are a bit filed down and that their brilliance is a bit cut back. In comparison, this is true. But perhaps the S12s are more excessive in the long run.
The superior sparkle of the S12s allows a slightly better glimpse of the micro-detail, when it is brighter. In that case, the 2024 Edition seems to have those frequencies more camouflaged. Being more splashy gives the S12s a point of greater informativeness, with slightly finer and more defined notes in the background, as if they had a point more resolution. The 2024 Edition is a little blunter; the micro-detail seems to be there, but a little more diluted, not as crisp or sharp.
The 2024 Edition’s soundstage seems wider, with a higher wall of sound and more depth. The sound is denser, with more volume, punch and presence. That makes it bigger and wider.

LetShuoer S12 Pro

The Pro version already offers a more obvious approach to the 2024 Edition. It was the first step in cleaning up the bass, raising the sub-bass and tilting its roll-off. The energy of the upper mids and treble was also reduced.
The 2024 Edition’s bass seems more precise and contained, with a little more technical skill than the Pro’s, which seem more diffused. In fact, the 2024 Edition’s bass seems to have a little more oomph, punch and power.
To look for the seven differences in the lower mids would be to enter the realm of suggestion, because the frequency responses up to almost 2 kHz are identical. The difference is still in the nuances, in the harmonics. The sound seems a bit drier and duller in the 2024 Edition, while the Pro version has slightly juicier notes.
The upper mids feel a little lighter in the Pro version. The density and the full-bodied, grounded feel of the 2024 Edition persists, as well as that drier, more restrained feel in the female vocals. However, the female vocals come across as fuller and less diluted than in the Pro, giving them a firmer, closer, more engaging and richer appearance.
The high end of the Pro version has a bit more sparkle and energy. However, the highs of the 2024 Edition seem better calibrated, balanced and exposed. They possess a certain homogeneity that makes them more realistic, natural, even less strident.
Again, the Pro version seems to have a sharper, clearer and more profiled background, where some of the micro-detail can become more visible.
I have the same impression as with the S12s, although the distance is not as great. The scene is superior on the 2024 Edition.

Conclusion

LetShuoer continues to celebrate its eighth anniversary and now it’s the turn of one of the brand’s most iconic models: the S12. To celebrate, they have released a special version: the LetShuoer S12 2024 Edition. This is a limited edition of 2024 pieces, priced at $199. The first thing I would like to say about this is that I feel privileged to have one of these units. Secondly, I regret that this is a limited edition, as it is the best version of the S12, in my humble opinion. Going into more detail, as a special edition, it has a deluxe presentation, with commemorative accessories, as well as a unique numbering on each capsule. The capsules are made of titanium alloy and have a golden colour on all metal parts, as well as on the packaging itself. The quality of the cable is maintained, with three interchangeable plugs. However, it’s not just a change on the outside: the sound has also been improved. This is undoubtedly the most balanced, dense, full and homogeneous version of all S12s. LeShuoer has been able to smooth out the upper mids and treble to create a quieter, more controlled tuning for long hours of music enjoyment. And all this without losing the clarity and transparency of the whole. It is true that micro-detail is still not the strongest part of the product, but the soundstage, depth and fullness of sound are now superior. For all those who have always complained about the high energy of the top end of the S12s, this special edition is the refined, more precise, dry and restrained answer. Too bad there won’t be a regular version of this model in the future, without the lush packaging that goes with it. Because I think it would be a bestseller.

Sources Used During the Analysis

• EPZ TP50.
• Tempotec V3.
• Burson Audio Playmate 2.
• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + EarMen ST-Amp.
• Aune M1p.