Letshuoer (Shuoer) - S12 Pro

the air pod pro 2 are very competent in sound quality (some of the best for a wireless earbud) not to mention they're 4x or w/e the price of the zeroes. They're great for the price but you can't really compare the two. I'd at the very least get something like the letshuoer s12 pro or nicehck f1 pro. around 100$\~ and will give you that wow factor and more details

s12 pro or any of its clones, nicehck f1 pro, kefine klanar, artti t10 is quite similar. These will give you the general planar experience, highly detailed, very bright. There are other more warm bassy planars that go abit against the grain, kiwi ears melody, s08, mp145 + mp143 Depends what flavor you want. I'd probably skip the dioko. I've seen people preferring s12 over their sundara and another thread I was in where the s12 was better than he400se

Been using s12 pro for about a month with spintip w-1. It's pretty good. I don't get sibilance. Using Sony a306 and Fiio Q3 MQA with it. Amp definitely improves the sound.

TinT2 still have them, my current favorite iem that I have is the S12pro

I just got them early morning yesterday, and have been listening to so much music. I spent 2/3 months just reading up about IEMS, and watching videos, trying to gauge what I lean towards. I placed my order three days ago hoping I'll like planars because I've never tried them before. But the idea that they provide analytical style listening intrigued me. As soon as I unboxed the S12Pros, I plugged them in and played Red Miso by Animals as Leaders. I was instantly impressed! These are so good. Like I said, this is my first IEM. I've only used TWS earbuds before: the galaxy buds+ and galaxy buds 2 pro. The buds2 pro have been my daily driver for a few months now. At least when I'm working, and going for jogs. I use a DT770 Pro with the Zen Dac on my PC setup. I absolutely love the buds2 pro, but the upper-mids are shouty for me (which i EQ and tone down on my laptop). Vocals, some snare hits, and electric guitars are harsh. The s12 Pros fix all of these. I know the S12Pros are considered sibilant or too sharp for some. I've been using the DT770 Pro for 5 years now (which is a treble intensive set) so i think I'm conditioned to that, so the S12Pros aren't harsh for me. It's quite smooth and detailed. But I can see how it be harsh for people. Listening to songs by Decapitated on the buds2 pro almost feel like a chainsaw inside my ear. But the S12Pros are very smooth, there's a warmth with guitar tones and i like that. I tried Electronic, Mal soft, RnB, Hiphop, etc. Loved listening to all of them. The only thing i felt lacking was some slam in the bass while listening to Hiphop, but the bass is really clean and controlled. These are just my initial day 1 impressions, loving them so far. Far better than what i was expecting. A lot of comments and posts in this sub helped me make this decision, so thank you to everyone.

I do have single DD earbuds, the galaxy buds 2 pro. Even though not an IEM, they are considered one of the best earbuds out there. I absolutely love them. I decided on planars because of the positive impressions from people who listen to metal music in this sub. And, they were absolutely right. I prefer the S12P over my buds2p. For metal, it's not even close. I know there are also people who don't like planars for metal. Different tastes. Gladly analytical-style-treble-rich IEM is my cup of tea.

You should definitely try the S12Pros, I've been listening to all my playlists again. Thoroughly enjoying them.

I just love the note weight or thump of the S12pro, which is pretty much absent on the mp145. Not so sure about the S8. But please let me know. Try the song 'Don't know why' by Norah Jones in the album Come Away With Me. The thump of the plucking of the guitar tickles my ears with the S12pro but not the Mp145 or even the Monarch MK3. Other than that try Dark Eyes by Nicki Parrott. Such bass texture on the S12 but the MP145 is soft and boomy. Maybe its the air pressure that the s12 drivers move.

S12 2024 if its available, unless you like the spicy treble and punchy mids of the s12 pro.

Kz zs10 pro, gifted them to a friend since buying my letshouer s12 pros

If you're going to use this iem only on a single device and not switching around multiple iems, do not disregard the S12 Pro with eq.

Under 50$: Tanchjim Zero Ultima DSP, KZ Saga Under 100$: Sliivo SLA3, Letshuoer S12/Artti T10, Kiwi Ears Airoso, Under 200$: Kiwi Ears Aether It is really hard not to love these!!

KiwiEars Airoso. Get it while its still under $100. >Truthhear Gate, Tanchjim Bunny, and KZ Klean for a blind buy or the Truthhear Hexa, Truthhear Nova and Letshouer 12 Pro (but my friend said the 12 Pro has weird bass) Gate = No. Plastic shell resonates. Feels like garbage. People that love the gate, i question all of their listening tastes. Bunny = Fantastic. Probably one of the best $20 IEM's available. The USB DSP and app make it more fun. KZ Klean = Uh... Kefine Klean, maybe? Kefine Klean is a great choice at $50. But i think the Inawaken Dawn is better. Hexa = Good, but very dull to someone who is new to the hobby, and used to V shaped tunings (i.e. boosted bass and treble, Hexa is very flat) Nova = Tuned to the popular Harmon Curve. Which is very V shaped. THe Simgot SuperMix4 is a common alternative. S12 Pro = Planar. Fantastic IEM. BUT...and this is probably why your buddy said ti had "weird bass", it will require you to use a higher powered Dongle DAC/Amp, because Planars need a lot of power to push around. If you underpower them, they sound muddy, thuddy, and dead. With enough power, they have amazing tactility and speed. But they do suffer from a somewhat metalic timbre that can be off putting to some people, as they are not "natural" sounding. But very fun. Overall, like i said, i think the KiwiEars Airoso is your best bet. It is a hybrid IEM that plays very clean, provides tons of detail, and bass when you need it. And seems to play about every genre of music you throw at it, without feeling like its lacking. Its not a neutral tuning, but it plays naturally. If that makes sense?

None of the Above... Aria2 is old, and outclassed. Sennheiser isnt worth the price, IMHO. Hexa is too flat and detailed for "bass music". Right now, at $120, these are what i would get, in this order. CCA Hyvro (If it is on sale/coupon) Simgot Supermix4 (If it is on sale/coupon) Letsheour S12 Pro Hidizs MP145 Simgot EW300 Simgot EM6L

personally I would go for either the quintet or s12 pro. reason : the supermix 4 and quintet are quite similar. the quintet has the better tuning for my taste. The nozzle of the blessing is too big at 6,5mm . The s12 pro is a Planar (takes eq well and Crin has it in his measurements. Easy EQ with squiglink). wouldn't spend the 45 bucks extra for the heyday. can't comment on the P1 max or Myer CKLVX Edit: I somehow missed your text (only saw the pic). If you are treble sensible, I wouldn't go for the quintet or s12 pro. the CKLVX seems the most reasonable to me. Another Option would be the Letshuoer S08 has a a smoother treble and a pretty comfortable shell/nozzle.

Welcome to the minefield of iem's, you can go for established brands or Chinese, starting as little as 10 bucks going to 1000's. The Chinese brands you can can get far more for your money if you know what to go for. All iem's come with different tuning styles (neutral, v shaped, bass heavy, etc.) which suit different styles of music. They use different styles of drivers or combinations. The tips also can change the way they sound and how much isolation they provide. Myself using Letshuoer S12pro great iem (planar drivers), would recommend these or they have just released S08 that are also getting very good reviews. Check out this YT channel first, regularly does tier lists and reviews of all iem's released. https://youtube.com/@badguygoodaudioreviews?si=mjtn5G9JTmn6ufyn

Yes, S12 Pro or MP145. Planar is second to none when it comes to clarity. S12 Pro is cheaper, but has better clarity and slightly less bass. MP145 has better bass, but slightly less technicality. MP145 has filters though. If you’re afraid the S12 Pro is too sizzling bright then go for the S12 2024 version (sounds similar to MP145). Me personally I prefer the S12 Pro over the MP145.

I found my S12 Pros open box for a very nice $100 that I EQ and feel little need to upgrade, there are a couple models I'm intrigued by (DUSK, Pilgrim, Moondrop Meteor, Reference(?)), but they have a significant price jump, so I'm not exactly craving an upgrade any time soon.

If you're coming from Sony XM4's, as few other said - Aful Explorer is one of you better bets if it's still on sale. Currently 95.99$ on HiFiGo. As for Planars and "being best" is very, very subjective. Coming from Tin T3+ and TRI Starsea (single DD and 1 DD + 2 BA) i am definitely not "blown away" by the S12 Pros that just arrived few days ago. I've watched Michael Bruce, i've seen the hype around Planars and don't get me wrong, they're not bad by any means but there is just something weird about it. I can play a bit more with eartips, EQ, dacs but im not sure Planars fit my library or ears. There is just something "metallic" and inauthentic/colored about it. Or it could be my expecations? Or maybe that i come from already decent IEM's that were once popular for a reason? Anyhow, i think i prefer hybrids/BA the most so far. [https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1e9290a/comment/ledx5b3/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1e9290a/comment/ledx5b3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) \^ This guy explains it best how i feel about it so far. And another thing (more of a nitpick) the S12's are foooooking small. And i have small-medium ears mind that.

Absolutely. As i said, they're ***not bad*** by any means but that metallic timbre i can't get rid off is just not my cup of tea and on graph they are more exciting than in actuality, they're a bit "veil/dark" as some call it. S12 Pro's build quality is fantastic, details/clarity/separation are good so they do sound better than Tin T3+ overall but that really doesn't say much considering T3+ is just a single DD that was once good 4-5 years ago for 60$ so there is that. If you really want to try Planar, Artti T10/Shozy P20 (70$ on Linsoul) are much better value than Timeless. Hifigo has the regular S12's for 109$. And Shenzhenaudio has the Tin P1 Max MK2 for 99$ if you prefer resin shell over metal. So there are definitely options around your budget so you can experience Planar driver yourself which is crucial as my opinion is just that - my opinion and you may not hear what i dislike about it or you may even like what i dislike.

I love the EA500LM also though treble sensitive I'm not as I also have the S12pro and my favorite Estrella.

I have the s08 and the s12 pro. I like the s12 pro, they sound very similar to the 7hz Timeless, and the Timeless are one of my favorite headphones of all the ones I own. I haven’t heard the MP145, but they are supposed to be incredible if they fit. The normal T10 is an amazing value. I’m not sure how good the T10 Pro are, but if you want value, the T10 is the way.

Since I eqed my s12's midrange to elysian tuning, I struggle to tell a difference.

I used stock silicone before. Now I use fiio hs20. Eq still the same. https://imgur.com/a/mDmjjM3 Might be too much midrange, because this eq is inspired from elysian gaea.

Hey y’all, I got a review copy of the Kiwi Ears Aether in from Linsoul and I wanted to share my thoughts. The Aether has gained a lot of hype since its release, so I was really happy to get the chance to try it out. However I was a bit tempered in my excitement as I absolutely fucking hate single planar driver IEMs. Ok, hate is a strong word, but I hadn’t met a single planer driver IEM yet that competes with any of my other single dynamic or hybrid/tribrid/quadbrid driver configuration sets. The original 7hz Timeless was my first hope but I found the sound thin, V shaped, and fatiguing. The huge 14.5mm driver of the Hidizs MP 145 was another contender, but that harsh V shape destroyed my ears in a way you can’t understand. No nozzle change could tame the planar timbre, that certain “zing” that most single planar driver sets have a lot of trouble shaking. I thought I needed something with a confirmed smooth tuning, so I gave the Letshoure S08 a shot. And sure, it has a lot of low end, but I personally found a lot of boom and not as much texture. Resolution is supposed to be a strength of planar drivers but I found the sound digital and grainy. I tried the Letshoure S12 Pro and its bright tuning had me tearing them out of my ears. Still feeling like I needed to find “my” planar, I demoed a Letshoure S15. The S15 has a more neutral tuning that I thought would be to my liking, but the dreaded hiss of planar timbre and sub-par bass response followed me even to this price range. I liked the S15 at first, but my ears were ringing after 20 minutes of listening, and I found myself giving up on single planar driver IEMs. That is, until the Kiwi Ears Aether came along with its 15.3 mm planar driver, unique design, and pretty faceplate to pique my interest once more. The Kiwi Ears Aether comes with a simple but elegant and functional black cable. Alongside we have hard case and 3 sets of eartips (Bass, Balanced, and Neutral). The simple accessory package is a stable of Kiwi Ears, and I do think that’s an effort to put more attention into the development of the IEMs themselves. The IEMs themselves are fairly large and feel a bit light in the hand. I believe this is partially what leads to the Aether’s ethereal soundstage; the planar driver needs room for its sound to resonate around in the larger space on its way to your ears. This gives us a vast, open soundstage that feels dynamic and lively, not flat like most of the single planar sets I’ve heard to this point. The bass response was the standout improvement over other single planars. Not only was it well resolved, it didn’t have the same unnaturally fast attack and decay that planar sets normally have. It still has a quicker attack and decay than a typical single dynamic set, but not as abrupt and unnatural as many of the planars I’ve tried to this point. Plenty of subbass immersion and midbass kick to satisfy many bassheads. I have a need for natural, lush male vocals, and Aether is the first planar set that’s been able to give that to me. The tuning allows vocals to be forward and present without ever becoming shouty or overbearing. The only con I can give to the sound is the slightly smoothed out treble. While resolution is a strong point for the set, the 6k tuning dip may mask some of a songs microdetails. This is easily mitigated with EQ, but I personally enjoy the smooth sound and don’t feel the need. Finally I have a planar set with a stock tuning that’s well resolved, balanced, and comfortable. Overall I feel like the Aether easily punches above its weight in the world of single planar driver IEMs. It has a smooth, balanced sound that never becomes harsh or fatiguing, even at louder volumes. In fact, the 6k dip allows me to crank the volume a little more. It’s nice to see Kiwi Ears bringing us an innovative product at a relatively modest price when you consider that this is the largest planar driver on the consumer market. I think the hype is real. The size of the driver is doing a lot to kill planar timbre as we know it. For that, I am thankful. And to you as well, thanks for reading.

nothing wrong with getting the Dusk, because with it, u got your endgame without spending on incremental upgrades along the way (unless......if u know how the IEM rabbit hole works, then yeah u get what I mean) 1. Truthear Zero x Crinacle Zero:Red 2. DUNU Titan S2 3. LETSHUOER S12/S12 Pro (no diff in sound just color and cable diff) 4. Simgot EM6L 5. Aful Explorer? 6. Truthear Nova/Binary x Gizaudio Chopin (pick your poison) And no, don't use Dolby, it screws around with the imaging

I’m not you but I fucking love my S12s. The gold standard for me. Listening to my new headphone amp: FT1s, HE400se’s, Lunas…this is geometrically better. My never sell pair.

Also, look into the S12 pro. It is a planar, and gives you that nice, detailed, crisp sound that can get fairly bright. The bass is far from overwhelming, and is pretty much the standard for a planar in its price range. It does provide almost exactly what you’re describing.

Oh, you should have purchased the S12 Pros instead. I don't own the vanilla S12s but there are a lot of review and comparisons online. Thats why I went with Pros. Low end is more emphesised with them.

I don't like ear piercing highs, so it was worthy for me. And Im using it without the need to EQ. Technically all the difference between the two are better cable + different tuning and color. Afaik planar drivers are exactly same.

if you are a fan of harman there's the nova and supermix 4, on the other hand planars are kings of "technicalities" at a budget sets like the s12 pro and mp145 are very good especially with EQ.

This is like asking "I want to eat only one cuisine so which one should I go for: chinese, french, italian, japanese...". Qudelix helps by allowing for EQ. Classical requires very good balance and smooth treble which for me would drop P5, S12 Pro (apparently Artti T10 would be better for this. It's a newer cheapo version of the S12). EDM needs proper bass which would drop Kato, kinda Nova as well even if it's close and they're kind of a good compromise between the two. I'd go MP145 or Supermix 4 most likely. MP145 if I'd EQ it very likely.

I do have a pair of S12 pro IEMs. They sound good and I like the form factory of IEMs. Nice to switch it up and give me ears a break. Want to upgrade the sound card from g6 but everywhere I look i cant find something that would be a significant improvement over what I got currently.

I also has Letshuoer S12 Pro with bluetooth Hiby R3 Pro DAC but I played it with my Pixel 9. My question is, how is the comparation between it and IPhone with their Airpods with their Spatial Audio?

s12 pro gives you a lot of flexibility they work wonders on EQ and they are just super comfy.

I personally find that the artti t10(50) S12-Pro ($115) MP-145 $109 and Performance 5 $195, all blow the AirPods out of the water. I would recommend the OP keep the Reds, get an eq like the Qudelix, and safe $100’s in future purchases.

Of this list, my pick would be the S12 Pros. They can do the ethereal and detailed sound for things like small ensemble jazz or classical and then crank it up to 10 for harder metal and rock styles with equal aplomb. The S12 series have been my favorite ever since the introduction of the OG S12s which quickly replaced my OG Timeless. In the years since I've owned or tried most of the major players in the planar market and they have remained my favorite single planar until you get to the CFA Supermoons.

A little bit yeah. Wouldn't be much of an issue with the foam tips since they'd absorb it (and smell the part) but they also dampen the sound a little so the silicone seems to give a straight path. That being said, it's more about prevention at a very low cost/maintenance so it's more just being aware. They still are worth it and I can't really listen to my s12 pros liekt hat anymore, they sound flat and dull in comparison. Definitely buy them, you'll enjoy them a lot

thanks! though, might i ask if theres a sub 100usd set that has good details and bass? im looking for a different flavor from my usual s12. or should i probably wait for future releases(?)

letshouer s 12 pro is amazing imo great v shaped planar iem, great imaging, good detail in the highs, punchy bass in the lows currently my favourite iem comes with modular cable that you can use with the 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced connectors that come with it

I may be biased with this pair but run from these and other KZ, bought them after using KZ es4 for half a year that I loved (first IEMs), after 1 month of use the connection of the pins to the monitors becane sticky, 1 month later I saw some blue gunk (glue) inside one monitor, I asked in some forums and realized that KZ are not that good and some of them leak glue, a couple weeks later that monitor was dead. Customer support was hell and I wasted so much time that the refund ended up not being worth it. Bought Letshouer S12 Pro for around 120ish€ and they sound much nicer than the KZ’s. Audio stuff doesn’t become outdated nearly as much as other Tech so if you have the money spend it (just don’t get hooked on the Hi-fi rabithole). 200€ is plenty of money for good IEM.

Hello, i have trouble deciding on an IEM. I listen to alot of Rock, Blues, Pop and Jazz. Sometimes I even like to listen to EDM, House and Classical depends on the mood. So I guess I am looking for a versatile, all around iem. I also play electric guitar on stage, so I guess instrument separation is also a must. I have quite sensitive ears, i tried the s12 pro but it was too irritating for my ears. I usually eq the bass to be more of presence, then lower down the treble while upping the mids a little. It was my first IEM so I was still trying to figure out what kind of sounds that i like. Comfort is also very important as I main earbuds for everything including light gaming. Soundstage wouldn’t be that concerning to me. I guess thats all, thank you in advance.

Letshure s12 pro. Endgame.

i wonder how good will the Letshuoers s12 be, which i got for 95eur & still waiting for the delivery in few days.

Could get S12 Pro and Eq, they are low distortion, so they respond incredibly well to EQ. EQ they to be neutral sounding. If you want bass do a Low self at 110hz and raise it to around 0-4. These will be some bass cannons. You could try oratory preset. It’s nuts how well made it is

Love my S12 pros

I don’t know what kind of metal you listen but a DD will never outperform a planar for metal, especially extreme metal. The drumming, guitar riffs, and instrument separation are unmatched with a planar. It’s the reason why the s12 pro is a metalhead’s dream come true.

My daily for commuting and general use is my s12 pro. They’re not necessarily my favourite per se, but I listen to a lot of extreme metal so I like the speed of planar drivers, and the shell is one of the more comfortable I’ve had for smaller ears. They’re also at a price I feel comfortable using daily without fear of sinking my wallet. I’ve slowly found myself gravitating towards headphones for my at home listening though. Shure used to be a brand I would recommend but they, too, have dropped off like Westone has, although their electrostatics and high ends (like the SE846) are still top quality. If price isn’t an issue, 64 audio has a strong track record, diverse catalogue of universal and custom IEMs, and are well known for customer support, although many will argue the price is not justifiable next to equivalent chi-fi options. There are other brands that are notable, like Sennheiser and Sony, but these bigger, more ‘commercial’ brands often begin to show cracks under their own weight; Sony’s customer ‘service’ is on the trauma level of a villain’s origin story and Sennheiser underwent a corporate restructuring that looks like grenade fragments. Some beloved headphone companies have also tried entering the IEM space recently, Meze’s alba is one that comes to mind. Some smaller brands, like Elysian, have also gotten a lot of praise and have passionate creators, but are expensive. Regardless, these non-Chinese brands will always fall behind in terms of their price compared to Chinese equivalents. For chi-fi, FiiO consistently competes with western and Japanese brands in IEMs, headphones and DAC/amps. I also have no hesitation recommending Dunu, thieaudio, or Moondrop. For Moondrop, though, stick to their upper end stuff since their budget options, like the aria and chu II, have some instances of QC issues, channel imbalance, etc. Stay far away from the truly budget brands, like KZ, which are QC nightmares and customer service hell. Truthear is another brand I would say is decent enough, with the Hexa being their standout.

Allow me to introduce myself, the extreme metal fan who endlessly praises the s12 pro as the king of speed. No IEM I’ve ever tried has handled double kicks or instrument clutter better than these. The stock tuning is also quite metal friendly as opposed to a lot of the harman/meta or popular-focused tunings. What sort of bands are you listening to?

I like the S08 a lot, but there are some things going in to a purchase to be aware of. 1: As a planar, they have a particular sound signature, aside from the tuning, that I would describe as 'responsive attack'. The driver just has this timbre and responsiveness that is immediate. It contributes to both the 'fatiguing treble' and 'weak bass' that some people complain about when discussing planars. Notes that would decay, bloom, or bleed into other regions just don't do that as much. They pop and disappear and leave space for the next note, in my opinion. I personally love the responsiveness - it's great for music with quick bass lines, or if you like a 'bump', rather than a 'boooooooom'. Now, you can tune some of these things in or out of planars and other drivers (DD's specifically, for that loose and thumpy bass), but it's just how planars start as a default. Speaking of the tuning.... 2: The tuning on the S08 tries to avoid some of the 'planar negatives' while leaning into the note attack. Specifically, the treble harshness is tuned down a little (when compared to something like the 7hz Timeless, or Tangzu Zetian Wu, or the Shuoer S12), but that mostly lends to an easier listening experience by reducing fatigue, imo. The treble is still crisp and lively because of the driver, but slightly reduced in overall db (like 2db when compare to the S12). This does leave some people to just say 'just get a DD' when comparing graphs, but that take completely discounts the timbre of a planar. 3: ...and despite the reduced treble, you can still open it up a little if you're willing to spend a couple bucks on top of the iems for tips. The S08 take REALLY well to short-barrel, wide-bore ear tips that raise and open up the treble a little, specifically tips like the Moondrop Spring Tips or Tri Clarion. It's not much, maybe a couple db max, but that's the difference between the S08 and the S12 in tuning across most of the treble range. The thought of 'well if you have to buy tips on top of the S08 to make it sound more balanced, just get the S12' is fair and valid, but there are some peaks on the S12 that the S08 doesn't have; if you don't like those peaks specifically, the S08 and a set of Spring Tips is a better option. I decided to put my S08 in as a wrote this up - they really are a stellar set of iems, specifically for the price. I personally love that responsiveness of a planar, without some of the harsher peaks that others might have. The S12 is also a good option - it's treble really isn't that much more intense overall than the S08, but it does have some real peaky spots that stick out that I personally see as a negative. The S08 aren't really all that 'dark' in the treble, just much more 'flat' when compared to a Harman curve.

My go to recommendations are planars iems around this price with EQ. S12 pro, F1 pro, Artti T10 etc. Around 150, SuperMix 4 is great. I have done a [full review](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/XFgncg3VpJ) here if you want to check.

I also enjoy Rock/Metal/Nu Metal And my current daily drivers are the S12 2024, really appreciate the superb Instrument separation and clarity. Though this thing is 200 bucks. There's the S12 Pro which is a lot cheaper you can consider that, and you can always EQ it to sound like the 2024 since Planar takes EQ well.

S12 Becuase of details and bass. And details.

(amongst the iems have I owned) s tier: kiwi ears ke 4 and truthear hexa a+ tier: Ikko OH10, Pula PA02, Shuoer s12 pro, Sennheiser ie200, Kefine Delci, Dunu Titan S OG a tier: Dunu Titan s2, Tanchjim One, pre revision CCA CRA+ A- tier: Binary Chopin, Tangzu Waner Studio, KZ PR2 pre revision, Tripowin Olina SE B+ tier: Kiwi Ears Quintet, Tangzu Xuan Ji, Simgot EW 200, Truthear Gate and Hola, Tangzu Wan'er SG B tier: Moondrop Chu 2 and OG, KZ EDA Balanced, Kiwi Ears Quartet, Moondrop Aria Snow, FiiO Jade Audio JH3, Tripowin Lea B- tier: 7hz zero OG, Truthear Zero Blue, Whizzer BS1 C tier: KZ CRN D tier: Moondrop Quarks honorable mentions: Koss KSC75 in A minus, Porta Pro in B, Moondrop Space Travel in B-, Galaxy Buds Plus and 2 in A minus along with Airpods Pro Gen 1, and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro in A plus.

Be warned though that the nozzles are pretty large so if you have smaller ear canals they might cause some problems/discomfort. So far I am loving them over the Letshouer S12 and KZ ZS10 Pro 2 that I tried.

s12 2024 good tuning / best technicality / good sound stage + depth s12 pro is too hot for most ppl + planar timbre and small soundstage

Good question — and it depends on what kind of gaming we’re talking about. If you’re mostly playing **competitive FPS games** and want to maximize things like **footstep clarity**, **positional awareness**, and **layer separation** under pressure, then I’d prioritize IEMs with: - **Excellent transient response** (for clean attack and fast decay), - **Low distortion under complex loads**, and - **A tuning that emphasizes the upper mids and treble** (for spatial cues) without being harsh. Planar IEMs tend to shine here due to their speed and clarity. A few solid picks (as of 2024-2025): - **Letshuoer S12 Pro** – Fantastic transient clarity and wide stage for the price. - **Artti T10** – Slightly leaner, more analytic planar with great layering. But, if you're into **story-rich or cinematic games** and want immersion more than edge detection, something with a warmer, fuller low-end and wider soundstage might be better.

OP how do u use your airpods pro 2? with spatial audio on or spatial audio off? if spatial audio off, like i do, and u want similar sound quality, i thinking dunu davinci fits the role, soundstage is narrow same as APP2 spatial audio off, with alot tighter bass and thumpy sound However the dunu davinci price is $299 usd, and the nozzle is big AF Personally i think Letshouer S12 pro is 90% the way there on par with APP2 similar soundstage and imaging, for $170 but slightly peaky treble i heard S12 2024 limiter edition is better tune, but i don’t have it to confirm, price $199, it has the least planar timbre of the S12 line, according to many reviews online

I've been rocking the s12 pro's for nearly 2 years now. I'm fairly confident this + Q5k + PEQ is my end game. These things are fantastic out of the box and improve **massively** with EQ and a good source (which it sounds like you may already have since you're using a DAC) > I know the S12Pros are considered sibilant or too sharp for some This is more a trait of the original s12's - I've listened to both and the pro's are much smoother in this respect 👌🏾 > Far better than what i was expecting. It's impressive how much better a quality IEM sounds compared to even good TWS buds. Happy listening 🎧

PEQ is a parametric equalizer. https://imgur.com/a/latest-s12-eq-NTtvWzB I'm not sure about recommended but this is what I use (taken from the s12 auto EQ). I've the 6k+ filters set to bypass as I don't like auto EQ'ing treble. Also note the bass filter is set quite high as I was just messing around seeing how far I could push them without distortion (a lot...way more bass than I can imagine anyone ever wanting)

Tried these on my Letshuoer S12 Pro, works really well! I think it actually cuts a tiny bit of treble but that actually works great in my case. For casual listening, go for it. Just know that quality will take a very minor hit (wont notice unless A-B testing), but for the convenience, it is fantastic. Also battery lasts surprisingly long..

Is fairly good, a technical planar, but the treble is somehow foward, so, as long as you like that, is s nice, well build set, and thats a nice price too.

Just get something comfortable which EQ's well, for example letshuoer s12/s12 Pro, and EQ to what you like.

S12 Pro looks good. Just got one for my partner to listen to POP and Females Vocals

+1 on S12Pro

I have a pair of £80 iems Lestshoer s12s I’ve had AirPods and even some high end TWS and the sound doesn’t compare. However I’ve also owned £450 sets of iems and to me the difference in sound quality isn’t worth the price. I went down a rabbit hole and wasted months of my life doing research. I ended up with a DAP Hiby m300 and my s12s and I’m happy with that . I do also love plannar open backs like the hifiman Sundaras they are quality for such a reasonable price.  But every single person on this planet has different hearing, different expectations and different sound preferences. Most people who have Bluetooth headphones probably love the bass. But audiophiles love little details , I also love hearing noises or instruments that I’ve never heard before and you just don’t get that with most Bluetooth headphones. 

Letshouer S12 Are absolutely amazing sound and very small think you can you get them for around $80 .

Hello everyone. I have with me the Letshuoer S08 and Letshuoer S12 Pro. Both are fairly new in my collection. I had a decent listening time with both the IEMs. Letshuoer S08 features a 4th-generation planar dual-coil custom 13mm planar magnetic driver. The faceplate integrates the design of '8' to mark the 8th anniversary of Letshuoer. The IEM has modular 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs with a twist-lock design and is available in black and silver versions. I have tested with Cayin RU7 (LO) + Topping NX7 and Divinus Velvet tips on both. **Build & Fit** Both are metallic build and Letshuoer didn't opt for HeyGears build this time with S08. Although S08 appears not a regular-shaped IEM, the fit is excellent and I liked it even better than the fit of S12 Pro. The ear hooks design isn’t aggressive either and offers comfort for long listening. The stock cable is very decent. **Driveability** S08 is much louder and more audible at a given volume level than the S12 Pro and scales well with an AMP like any other planar. It was driven very well with Cayin RU7 too. The S12 Pro is better than the S12 in driveability but still behind the S08. **Sub-bass** Sub-bass has a slightly better depth on the S08 than the S12 Pro. Quantity, rumble, and air are better with S08 as well. Also, there is better separation of sub-bass on S08 enabling it to be better perceived. The texture appears to be the same. Overall, S08 is more impactful here. **Mid-bass** Slightly better tone and quantity with S08 but I am not hearing a big difference here. However, the warm neutral tonality of the S08 creates a better perception of the mid-bass, whereas the S12 Pro has a bright tone that can intervene with the Bass in some tracks. As a result, the bassy tracks sound warmer, balanced, and more pleasurable on the S08. It can sound slightly boomy on S08 at times as well. Bleed is noticeable on S08 but it is for the good. In general, the bass is tight. Otherwise, the impact and slam are more or less the same on both. **Instrumentals** Mid-centric instrumentals have a clear and accurate timbre on the S08 with better note weight, the S12 Pro appears more clean sounding especially noticeable on bass-heavy genres and busier tracks. Slightly recessed, energetic V on the S12 Pro whereas the S08 is more balanced sounding, and has a warmth that slightly bleeds into the lower mids contributing to a lush note weight. S08 has a better volume scaling too. S12 Pro sounds a tad crispier, leaner, and analytical - slightly better resolving and sounds clean in complex tracks. S08 has a slightly better tone, better note weight, timbre, and roundedness, and is more musical sounding - Both have the Planar tone unlike the S15, however, S08 sounds very musical. S08 sounds crispier in general and the warmth is more noticeable in comparison only. Upper registers of violins and woodwinds are equally energetic on both, not harsh sounding, and appear natural on both. Percussions such as snare drums and cymbals are better defined and splashy on the S12 Pro. Guitars have a slightly better note weight, rounded and lush on the S08 whereas S12 Pro has a crispy and analytical definition. Overall, it is more of a tie here. They complement each other depending on the track and preference. **Vocals** First, there is a very slight amount of sibilance present on both, in tracks that I could notice but it appears natural to me, is not ear piercing and so, ignorable. Male vocals sound a little forward and lusher with adequate warmth on the S08. S12 Pro sounds analytical with nuances due to the slightly better resolution from the crispy definition in general. Female vocals have slightly more weight, clarity, and emotion on the S08. Both sound energetic and are not overly done. Overall, S08 has a better vocal performance here with rich emotion. S12 Pro is slightly behind in terms of vocals for me mainly since S08 extracts better emotion out of the vocals with more clarity and weight. S12 Pro is not bad by any means here and sounds a tad leaner and analytical in comparison. **Treble** The treble sounds more detailed and open on the S12 Pro. There is more clarity and air with percussions on the S12 Pro. For example, in 'At the Speed of Force' by Junkie XL, a lot is going on the track and is better detailed on S12 Pro, especially towards the last half of the track. S08 does not sound bad but S12 Pro does better justice to such tracks with more clarity, air, and definition. Treble sounds smooth and soft on the S08 with decent bite, extension, and energy that is preferable for treble-sensitive listeners. In comparison, the S12 Pro has much better detail, extension, and energy while sounding smooth. **Techs** The resolution is slightly better on the S12 Pro, especially in the busier tracks. S08 has better macro dynamics than micro detail retrieval. In comparison, the S12 Pro does a slightly better job at micro detail retrieval. Stage width is adequately wide on both and I didn't notice much difference here. Height is slightly better on the S12 Pro whereas depth is better on the S08. Imaging is slightly better on the S12 Pro. Tracing and positioning can get a little fuzzy at times with S08, is decent but not very precise. Layering in general is better with the S08. **Comparison Conclusion** S08 has a very musical approach to its playback whereas S12 Pro is more analytical when I compare them side-by-side. S08 has its strengths with the overall bass quantity and quality, balanced sound with rich note weight, timbre, emotive vocals, and treble that will please treble-sensitive listeners. S12 Pro has better detail retrieval, a crispy analytical nature to the sound, and an impressive treble performance. Coming to the technicalities both the IEMs aren't very strong considering the competition in and around the price point. Ex: The Hidizs MP145 that I possess is better among the three on the technical front. Musically, I prefer the S08 among the three. S12 Pro is right in the middle in either case. Knowing that the S08 is releasing with a price tag below 100 USD, I highly recommend this IEM to the folks who prefer planar IEM with a very musical approach and decent technicalities at an affordable price. Technicalities are not the strongest trait here but decent nevertheless. That's all for now. Thanks for reading through and cheers!!! https://preview.redd.it/meif59k9ug8d1.jpg?width=8160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45208fe49dadf430cbb697d073c87161b3486d85 https://preview.redd.it/8wai0vm9ug8d1.jpg?width=8160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc781bee69ea93faa67fa46a47d3f5af02285b65 https://preview.redd.it/18qhhum9ug8d1.jpg?width=8160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f2943c690b8cbc23cc9d657ab24aacc999b3d872 https://preview.redd.it/k4ncu1k9ug8d1.jpg?width=8160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6894ecc628086a9a2d9d5e89d4bd3a2e3749bcd https://preview.redd.it/xmybj3k9ug8d1.jpg?width=8160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=44457beb7a076c96f8aba12f75b59e17b1fd5bf8 https://preview.redd.it/cyqlovm9ug8d1.jpg?width=8160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4453d159bc937cfd70b5ef48c4daf55c68f191d7 https://preview.redd.it/9udf55k9ug8d1.jpg?width=8160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5d4162c4d696151c39eb87900c18e504af4ca1db

I just tested today man...the thump on s08 and S12 Pro are similar and is slightly better than MP145. S08 is more bassy and a little boomy at times compared to S12 Pro. I enjoy S08 bass better than S12 Pro.

Planars are great for metal. The new s08 is perfect for metal at louder volume. S12 pro is great too, and has more of a wow effect to it especially if you never heard a planar. It can get a bit fatiguing after a while though, and the fit isn’t the best (dunu s and s tips solve that, or any longer tip like spinfit w1 or epro ep00 horn).

Yeah don’t even bother going beyond the s12 pros if you are happy with them. You already know how to eq them to whatever you want, the gains are marginal. Planars are value kings and take eq like a champ. Some people don’t like planar bass though, I think it works great for metal.

I'm a decades long audiophile, and my final home stereo/surround system includes an Audio Research all tube amp, Audible Illusions preamp, and Mirage M3 chin high speakers. A high end Lexicon surround processor feeds the side and rear speakers through separate amps. Back in the mid-90's I purchased the Sennheiser HD580 and Beyerdynamic 990, but these were considered just 'accessories' those days. I enjoyed them with the portable devices available at the time, but my main stereo system got the spotlight. In 2020, during covid, I became more interested in headphones. I was struck by the huge community of hobbyists and all of the DACS, amps, and headphones available. So I entered the headphone world and became an enthusiast. Over 4 years and many DAC/amp/headphone combinations I settled on a recent mid-level Topping DAC, an excellent XDuoo hybrid amp, 5 Beyerdynamic headphones (including the DT 1990) as my favorites. And then I added the Arya Organic. At that point I figured the bang to buck ratio precluded the need for any further improvements. You know what happened next-- I kept seeing articles, comments, and videos about IEMs and had to see what all the fuss was about. I bought the KZ Terminator and had problems getting a good seal. I had to work with the over-ear cords to get them right. Had to purchase different tips-- and then it all started working right. I soon got the s12 pro, Simgot EW200, 300, and EA1000. I've now added the Ziigaat x Fresh Arete and Hidizis mp 145 and Aful Explorer to my favorites. So is it all hype? No, IEMs can really sound great. It's more of an intimate, in the head experience than headphones, and the sound is immersive. Are they 'better' than headphones? No. They're different, but not necessarily better. My DT 1990's and Arya Organic's still reign supreme, overall. And my home stereo system is still the best in terms of a more realistic, big-scale sound. The difference between a large speaker home setup, and headphones, and IEMs is all about the scale of the sound. IEMs just can't match the scale of the Organics, and the Organics aren't replicating music in the scale of a speaker system. But the IEM experience is very addictive. I think that part of the attraction, after the immersive quality, is the simple novelty of it all. I'm putting these tiny things into my ears and I'm getting this relatively huge experience And they're so comparatively cheap. Back in my home stereo days a component could cost 2-3K or more. The Organics cost $1300. My EA1000's cost $225, and I think of these as equal to my DT 1990's, although at a smaller scale.

Letshouer S12 is still my favourite and hard to find better for the price

I own a pair of the Letshuoer S12 PRO in Ear Headphones and there great universal fit

Yea I want a pair of custom 64s but dropping 5k just doesn’t feel right so I said screw it bought the letshuoers and I can wear them for 12 hours no prob

This is my picks under 150: - Truthear Hexa because it's very balanced - Moondrop Kato Blue for a brighter and more engaging signature with better technicality - Shuoer S12 for its exciting "planar" flavor (7Hz Timeless feels more neutral though) Honorable mention above 150: - Moondrop Blessing 3 because of its outstanding technical performance and bright tuning

I'm considering purchasing one of three sets of in-ear monitors (IEMs): the DZ4, Klean, and EW200. My listening preferences lean toward lo-fi and vocal-forward music; while I don't primarily listen to bass-heavy tracks, I do appreciate them occasionally. The DZ4 is currently on sale for $30, while the Klean and EW200 are priced at approximately $25 and $30, respectively. I am drawn to the DZ4 because of its intriguing 6mm triple titanium dome DD configuration and 6mm passive radiator. I recently purchased the Letshuoer S12 Pro IEMs, and I value their detailed and impactful sound, but find them uncomfortable for extended listening sessions. My Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro remain my most comfortable option. Would purchasing any of these three IEMs represent a step down or a comparable experience in terms of audio quality? Finally, would my Letshuoer DT01 DAC be suitable for use with both the S12 Pro and a new IEM purchase? I'm not particularly well-versed in the technical aspects of audio equipment. I would appreciate your assistance in choosing between these three options.

Also took its trace and compared it with S12 pro on crin's 5128 squig.link: [https://i.imgur.com/vC51PMn.png](https://i.imgur.com/vC51PMn.png)

The thing with KZ is that: 1. They're all BIIIGGG, so big that for a lot of ears it can be quite difficult to get a good fit and seal. They always advertise that they have a gazillion drivers in them, but I honestly could not care less. I'm personally running a pair of Letshuoer S12 Pro's, which have 1 driver and are BY FAR the best IEMs I've ever heard. This allows them to be really nice and small, so they fit wonderfully. 2. The stock tips are TERRIBLE. It's basically impossible to get a nice seal with them, even if the actual IEM fits good. I recommend trying out Sedna Earfit, Dunu S&S, Symbio Peel Hybrid tips, or double/triple flange tips. They are on the more expensive side but once you have a solid fit it's a worlds difference

Fellow metalhead and passionate s12 pro lover here. Completely agree

I tried pro 2 a few days back, while owning the shuoer s12 pro. Honestly I couldn't listen to the airpods pro 2 for more than 10 seconds. I couldn't put it against the s12 pro on performance, would have been grossly unfair for the pro 2. I immediately thought about the tangzu wan'er that I have lent to a friend, as I felt like the wan'er is better than airpods pro 2. But man, the tech in airpods makes it absolutely worth buying

Ayyy, I've got the S12pro's too! I will say the upper-mids are a little recessed, but the clean punchy bass makes up for it. Using an equalizer on the laptop makes up for it while producing, and I it's close enough to neutral to be good to be able to DJ in for sure. Amazing how far planar iems have come in the last few years.

I'd argue with a bit of eq and a higher listening volume the s12 can be pretty fun. I have the s12 pro which is supposed to have slightly more bass and smoother treble, and they're my favorite V-shaped iems, but when I made my friend try them he said he heard just treble, until I raised the volume up a bit. Sure they're not for everybody, but I guess it's easy to look past them before discovering their actual potential

I own the Explorer, which is an exceptional set at price, but keep in mind it has a colored sound signature, requiring higher volume to avoid sounding rolled off and too dark. Although details will remain soft, I prefer it over the S12 Pro, which emphasizes details and clarity but can sound a bit metallic and unnatural. I would still take the S12 Pro over the Aful P5, as it can sound congested and has a hot treble to my ear. You should also consider tips, they significantly impact an IEM's presentation and sound. Consider getting a full set of KB Ear 07, Divinus Velvet Wides, and foam tips to experiment with. Aful includes awful tips, so factor that into your decision. Regarding the Aether, it's too early to tell, as initial hype can influence opinions. I haven't tried the Supermix 4, but it appears well-regarded as an all-rounder. Lastly, all these IEMs will benefit from EQ adjustments. Even a simple low and high shelf, adjusting those ratios can make a huge difference.

Ill separate my answers/tips. - Comfort is 100% all about eartips, I found myself liking the kiwi ears flex in most of all my iems the other options is the divinus velvet. - Klean and the DZ4 should be ur way to go. - Ur Dac is more than enough to drive 98% of available iems in the market. - S12 pro is 2 leagues above the Iems ur trying to buy. Planars IEMs handle EQ really well, before purchasing budget iems to replace them try other eartips and EQ. Your going to be surprise by that driver prowess.

Tried Dusk, sent it back after a week. I don’t see the appeal at all. If you have an android and don’t have a Q5k, maybe, but the cable is like €25 separately so I don’t see how it justifies a €350 purchase. I’m currently waiting for my Tea Pro, meanwhile enjoying S12 Pro.

yo can I ask what eq profile you use? and what you eq with? current setup for about a year now is S12 pro + BTR15. same here, this seems to be the sweetspot for me and something I always came back to even when trying out other sets for a few weeks.

I got both Letshouer S12 Pro and Kiwi Ears Quintet. Both are fantastic. I find the S12 more technical in sound. I don't think you'll go wrong with either. Letshouer is doing a sale so maybe a good time to check it out.

No mostly less expensive than this, this was my splurge. I’ve had the Explorer (still love these), the Nova, Supermix 4, Performer 5, S12 Pro, T10, IE200, Hexa, EA500 LM, and a host of the popular budgets, like the Cadenza, Wan’er, Zero 2 (still use these with a Bluetooth adapter), and EW200. Before switching tips I was about to return them and just stop at the Explorer.

Personally I think the Supermix 4 is over-rated. It has 2 fatal flaws in my opinion (went through 2 sets and gave up). The first flaw is its super slow attack on bass notes. Bass notes are almost slurred into. The second is distinct lack of dynamic range. Listening to the Rain Song by Zeppelin at about the 6:02 mark and Satyam Shivam Sundaram by Thievery Corporation at about the 2:52 mark distinctly show that lack of dynamic range. The Letshuoer S12 PRO is a good option in this price range, but does have tiny bit of that planar metallic sound now and then, but no fatal flaws!

After 2 weeks of waiting, my Elysian Pilgrims from HiFiGo finally arrived. And BOY were they worth the wait. I am still relatively new to the IEM hobby, but I play a few instruments and had dabbled with many audiophile level speakers and file formats. Two years ago, I purchased my first serious IEM, the Letshouer S12 for about 150 USD. These Planar magnetic IEMs were frankly amazing, and they served me incredibly well for 2 years until i felt i was ready for the further step. I seeked more technical detail, more detailed and better bass and treble response. I don't know if its from constant use but my S12's would feel a bit "muddy" and lacking something. The black friday sale on hifigo had these at 343$. https://preview.redd.it/rhcavnocdq4e1.png?width=1893&format=png&auto=webp&s=a5dc1c6f4df8d7cb3bb0bb856ee74176586b9cb0 # Shipping Frankly, slightly disappointing but they handled it really well after contacting support. They get a solid 3.5/5 for this. It seems hifigo actually didnt happen to have the IEM in stock at first. I asked support to try their best and they managed to ship it a week after I ordered them. After that, shipping took no more than 6 days and was smooth with no issues. Maybe its just how the chi-fi industry works but I was shocked initially when they told me it could take up to 2 weeks to get the product in stock despite them having it on display in the website saying it was available for sale Moving on. # Build The Pilgrim comes with a very well made case, 3 pairs of spinfit tips of varying size and a very nice 1 year warranty card. The IEMs and cable themselves are very well built. The pilgrim has a well built Metal body (1DD+2BA drivers) with a fairly large nozzle. The body of the IEM has slightly sharp edges but nothing too much to worry about. The cable has these pentaconn ear connectors - I'm a fan of these. One irritating problem you will face if you get these is that the stock eartips provided with these IEM's are a little small for the big nozzle of the pilgrim. They took me SIGNIFICANT effort to actually install the spinfits on the pilgrim (a good 15 mins actually). 5/5 # Sound These frankly blew me me away with how good they are (using lossless audio). The tuning is a very balanced somewhat (?) of a V shape and is a little safe and warm. I thought I was hearing minute details on songs with my S12's - I WAS WRONG. I put these on and I can hear even more details on songs Ive listened to 100s of times. The small buzz from the recording mics, little nuances used in beats that now show up. Instrument seperation is fantastic. The technicality on this thing is A+. The bass is probably my favorite part about this IEM - and im NOT a basshead. Its done almost perfectly. Its not overimposing, tiring or too low. Its just at the level where you can enjoy it and not get tired at all. The bass compliments and doesnt impose itself where it isn't barging its way through other sound features. The mids and treble can both be described as somewhat "bright" and "well rounded" they both work well together and allow the bass to have a presence as well. The soundstage while above average, can be a little better imo. Overall, an incredible product at the 350$ range. This isn't my endgame, but i'm not moving to another one for atleast a year. Thanks for reading this review. Final score: 4.5 ⭐️ out of 5.

I got the s12s last week and the lack of bass surprised me coming from the Sgor Luna and Artti T10, but have now dialled them in to a level I absolutely love. I use the FIIO JA11, which I use to increase the bass, but found even then some songs lacked bass where I would have expected it. I only normally use medium tips, but tried large and this improved things considerably too. The great thing about these and planar drivers in general is that they'll respond really well to EQ to get the sound you want

These were my second, "luxury" pair after my "test" pair of Salnote Zeros (OG). I don't dare take them out of my apartment. I lost my Salnotes and bought some Simgot ew200's for outside music, I can still hear the difference. Both are great but S12 pro are so detailed and bright.

This was the second IEM I bought, about two years ago. Since then I’ve tried many others, ranging from 20 to 500 bucks. There is one that I would prefer overall (Dunu SA6 MK2) and one that I’d put on one level (Aful P8), but none has ever impressed or excited me as much as the S12 Pro. They’re simply bangers. One of the few IEMs that completely nail punk rock and metal music, too

I had KZ ZS10 Pro X, it's a fine choice for it's price. I have recently upgraded to Letshuoer S12 Pro and quite happy with it. It has better fit and I like its tuning more.

Yeah, that's what it is for me, too. I listen to the Letshour S12 a lot, and it has a metallic timbre, especially on acoustic guitars. Great iem other than that, though. I like planars because I listen to a lot of busy, progressive rock, and they are fast enough to handle it with alacrity. I'll try this new one and see if it can replace the S12, but I run mainly with the iFi Go Blu. Hopefully, that will be enough power. It drives the S12, but that's a smaller diaphragm. I have desktop amps that will surely drive it, but I listen to headphones at the desktop, where the Edition XS is my go-to planar.

Moondrop Chu, and no. The Kato is the only Moondrop iem I still have and use. I liked the Aria but gave it to a friend to try to get him into iems (I failed). The Chu was good enough to get me into iems, but not good enough to keep me listening. I don't even know where they are now, lol. Of the early iems that I bought, I only have and listen to the Truthear Hexa (lifeless but decent, with wonderful imaging) and that Truthear Harmon-tuned one that Crinacle did with the subwoofer (I forget the name). It is fatiguing, but it is exciting until it wears me down. Good for techno. I listen mostly to the Aful P5, the Chopin, the Letshour S12, and the Kato now. Sometimes at home, I listen to the P8 and the Xenn Mangrid Top (they are too expensive to lug around with me--I have a $200 limit on iems that I'm willing to take in my backpack).