The S12 Ultra has recessed vocals. I wouldn’t. Buy the S12 Pro or S12 2024 instead.
The supermix 4 is harman. It makes thing sound thin for me but you’ll like it if you like harman.
I just picked up the orchestra lite myself
From a business standpoint of view, Letshuoer is pandering to the larger market. The original S12 was a unique release that pleased many trebleheads. But knowing that the market is filled with bass-heavy sets (as demanded by the market), Letshuoer must stay competitive by releasing their own sets to compete with the bass-hungry options, or die out. Which each iteration of the S12, the treble that made the S12 famous is continuously scaled back, with it's bass cranked up.
I personally own the S12 Pro. At the time, I demo'd the S12 OG and 2024 edition. OG was too shrilling for my liking, and the 2024 edition was too expensive for a slightly warmer version of the S12 Pro. It seems that the Ultra is an even warmer version of the 2024. Will Letshuoer release a S12 Max next year that are planar bass cannons?
I agree with u/The_Only_Egg, Letshuoer has definitely milked the shit out of the S12. I doubt the S12 Ultra will be able to relive the (short-lived) glory days of the S12 OG and S12 Pro. 2024 and Ultra are such far deviations of the S12 OG and Pro that Letshuoer should just come up with a completely different SKU for the Ultra.
The letshuoer s12 2024 is one of my favourite iems and the planar doesn't sound fake to me.
The Aful Performer 5+2 is my current end game and the sound for me is pretty much there, that for me there is no need to spend any more because of diminishing returns.
As always it's personal preference but it's not indicative of planar and hybrid technology for alot of people.
For a warm IEM with good bass, the S08 is pretty unique. I can’t think of other planars tuned like that, and also doesn’t have that planar “veil”, or metallic sound some folks don’t mike in planars. I think the limited edition S12 2024 was tuned a little closer to the S08 by Letshuoer when that came out, but at over double the price.
I can vouch for the S08, and as a treble sensitive person, can use it for hours. There’s enough upper mid to treble extension that female vocals and whatnot sound fine, just without the piercing highs or sibilance that can occur with brighter planars.
The S12 is a very nice planar although very bright. You might like that, or if you don’t, EQ it as it handles EQ very well as a planar. The freedropDSP would not have been my personal choice as it might not deliver sufficient power to the S12, but you can always just buy a new cable and higher power dac/dongle in the future.
As to longevity, I really wouldn’t count on 10 years out of most of the ChiFi, especially at the lower end. But it’s still a quality product to listen to. You should store it in a sealed container with some silica packets in it which you change out regularly, especially if you live in a humid environment. Metal shells can have a bit more of a problem either way condensation.
s12 pro is not good for gaming, s12 2024 was great better than any of these but that's discontinued and it was more money, new s12 ultra might be but that's $170 haven't tried it yet it's rly new
I separate them into sound signatures and how competent they are in Techs.
From there its...up to mood. If im feeling for something fun I'd pick the S12 2024 or the NFAcous NA20
IF I wanted to listen closely to the music and pick up every nuanced details i'd grab the Night Oblivion Butastur
Then theres the "Commute/Travelling" set because the shell are so lightweight and fits like a missing puzzle piece. Specifically the SeeAudio Bravery AE, which used to be in the Butastur slot since they share a similar sound signature.
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