With Letshuoer marking its 8th anniversary in 2024, they’ve released a special edition of in-ear monitors that are perfect to go along with that celebration. The S12 Limited Edition 2024 IEMs are a revamped version of the already popular S12 and S12 Pro, and it has a planar magnetic driver to deliver incredible sound. It retails for $199, and today we look at all the details from aesthetics to sound quality.

What Comes In The Box

• S12 IEMs
• Monocrystalline Copper Cable
• Interchangeable Terminations
• 2.5mm
• 3.5mm
• 4.4mm
• Matte Hardshell Carrying Case
• x9 Eartips
• Commemorative Keychain

Aesthetics and Functionality

LETSHUOER made these IEMs for celebrating, and that is the exact vibe it shows. They take the shape and design of the original S12 and make them with the titanium alloy casing and copper and black color details. The finish makes the body sleek, and the bit of weight it has behind it shows the high quality. It's near the lower price point compared to their other IEMs, but you would not expect that based on the feel. It was comfortable to fit in the ear and it wasn’t in danger of falling out at any point during my listening.  

Getting these up and running was a breeze. With three different termination jack options, The S12 allows these to be adaptable to nearly any audio setup. I used the FiiO KA11 portable DAC/Amplifier for a little extra boost and plugged in the earphones to my computer. Listening began nearly immediately and I was off to take notes about the sound signature. 

Tech Specs

• Sensitivity: 102dB
• Frequency response: 20Hz-40kHz
• Impedance: 16Ω
• Shell material: Lightweight titanium alloy shell
• Cable: 1.2m 392-strands silver-plated monocrystalline copper
• Drivers: 14.8mm Planar Magnetic Drive

Listening Review

Soundstage

The soundstage for these IEMs is very wide and exceptionally detailed. I have no issue placing instruments in the field, and its accurate imaging makes the listening experience very immersive. While they don’t have any active noise canceling technology, I find that it's not something I’m missing. The natural seal of the IEMs was enough to isolate me from the outside world and give me a focused listening experience. The sound signature leaned on the bright side, unsurprisingly for a planar magnetic IEM. The frequencies were still dynamic and hit some powerful lows and bright highs. 

Low Frequencies

The S12 has some really strong lows. With planar magnetic drivers, the low end has a tendency to sound a bit synthetic or fake, and I was finding those qualities in this pair of IEMs. Despite that, the bass was still punchy and deep and drove songs forward with ease. The detail and clarity was there, and that made this range all the more enjoyable. The range doesn't get muddy or too over clustered with heavy bass: it stays balanced with the rest of the frequencies. Listening to metal and hard rock showed some great low qualities and rumble from bass guitars, kick drums, and growling vocals. 

Mid-Range Frequencies

This mid-range is very detailed and comes as the most prominent part of the signature. Vocals in particular get a spotlight and the rest of the instruments are built around it. I like the level of detail you can hear in these, and as someone who appreciates a boatload of harmonies, these deliver in that regard. These frequencies show off a lot of texture and color, especially in tracks with a lot of different post-production effects. I watched a few movie scenes, and I was impressed by the details I was able to pick up on the monitors while watching some of my favorite clips. 

High Frequencies

The high end is airy and light, full of color and brightens any mix. It was a nice balance to some of the bass, though because that range leaned on the brighter side The planar magnetic sound is heard loud and clear, and it can be a touch overwhelming in tracks that have a lot in the upper range. I found that even some vocals were a bit shrill. Yet, I didn’t mind that clarity when it was paired with a deep low end. Some pop hits, indie tracks, and even classical pieces really accentuated the brightness and clarity that planar magnetic drivers give. 

Summary

To conclude, LETSHUOER has delivered on celebrating their company. With a bright sound signature and aesthetics to match, the limited edition S12s are a great piece of hardware. If you’re not a fan of overly bright sound or are sensitive to treble, you might want to consider giving these a listen before purchasing. For people who appreciate the higher tones and don’t like a lot of bass, these are definitely for you. At $199, this is a great quality in-ear monitor at a great price that is sure to be a worthy addition to any person’s collection. 

You can preorder the Limited Edition S12 today.