Reviews by Stoneater
According to Wikipedia, "Cadenza" is generically, an improvised or written-out ornamental passage played or sung by a soloist or soloists. To be frank, I was not that aware of the Cadenza 12 before I got my hands on it. I only saw a few sneak peeks on the internet and audio convention feedback from people who got to try it. Thus it was quite a shocker when my good friend @BonGoBiLai reached out and asked whether I would be interested in doing a review of the Cadenza 12. I am somewhat well-versed in classical music terms and given the origin of the name I have high expectations from the Cadenza. Will it sound as musical as the moniker suggests? Or will it be another overambitious marquee project by a modern Chi-fi legend failing to hit the spot?
Unpacking the cadenza was not something I would describe as an extravagant experience Though it did not feel lacking in any way either. Letshuoer provides a semi-sheathed copper cable with modular termination, 3 different sets of ear tips, and a cleaning cloth alongside some documentation. Build quality is flawless. From an aesthetic point of view, Cadenza is a flashy IEM that constantly screams ‘’Look at me!’’ A non-audiophile friend of mine even mistook it for jewelry at first glance.
However like other reviews have already mentioned, the stock cable is not the most malleable or ergonomic. It is my only complaint regarding the accessorisation of Letshuoer Cadenza 12. I used a paracord sheathed aftermarket cable instead which @BonGoBiLai included in the packaging alongside Softears UC tips which was more comfortable for me to wear.
Cadenza is a brightish IEM that sounds very open, clean, and balanced. I consider myself somewhat of a treblehead and Cadenza 12 more than fulfills my need. It makes high hats and string instruments sizzling and exciting. As a connoisseur of classical and orchestral music, Cadenza 12 was simply a boon for my ears. Though Cadenza 12 has some treble-forwardness, it did not sound harsh or sibilant to me. There is this incredible amount of air up top that reminds me of the Hifiman Susvara in a competent DAC Amp setting. Breathy vocals, live unplugged sessions and orchestras sound scarily tantalizing on the Cadenza. Trebleheads are much rarer than bassheads in my circle of audio hobbyists which makes the Cadenza such a bliss for us folks.
I generally do not care much about midrange. I think most IEMs and headphones have serviceable midrange nowadays. That being said, I think the midrange performance of Cadenza 12 is commendable. It is neutral and uncolored and has a good transition to treble. I did not find any glaring issue with Cadenza’s midrange. Instruments and vocals sound as they should and guitars have the right amount of crunch.
I do not consider myself to be a basshead either but I do enjoy some good bass. Cadenza’s bass was satisfactory to my ears. The bass has proper extension and some nice punch and rumble. Though there are IEMs that have a more pronounced bass response Cadenza 12 is not aiming to be those IEMs. I think the bass response fits perfectly with Cadenza’s sound profile.
Soundstage performance was satisfactory especially the verticality of it (height and depth). Details are not microscopic but not lacking either. The imaging performance was great. I played some Apex Legend and Rainbow Six Siege sessions on it and positional cues were very accurate. The Cadenza 12 performs superbly as a gaming IEM although I am not sure if you should spend more than 2000 bucks for gaming alone.
I loved my time with the Cadenza 12 though I am not keen on the pricing. I wish it was priced at least in the IE 900/ Symphonium Crimson range. That could have made it a more appealing purchase. But the question of value aside, Letshuoer Cadenza is a wonderful treblehead experience.
Unpacking the cadenza was not something I would describe as an extravagant experience Though it did not feel lacking in any way either. Letshuoer provides a semi-sheathed copper cable with modular termination, 3 different sets of ear tips, and a cleaning cloth alongside some documentation. Build quality is flawless. From an aesthetic point of view, Cadenza is a flashy IEM that constantly screams ‘’Look at me!’’ A non-audiophile friend of mine even mistook it for jewelry at first glance.
However like other reviews have already mentioned, the stock cable is not the most malleable or ergonomic. It is my only complaint regarding the accessorisation of Letshuoer Cadenza 12. I used a paracord sheathed aftermarket cable instead which @BonGoBiLai included in the packaging alongside Softears UC tips which was more comfortable for me to wear.
Cadenza is a brightish IEM that sounds very open, clean, and balanced. I consider myself somewhat of a treblehead and Cadenza 12 more than fulfills my need. It makes high hats and string instruments sizzling and exciting. As a connoisseur of classical and orchestral music, Cadenza 12 was simply a boon for my ears. Though Cadenza 12 has some treble-forwardness, it did not sound harsh or sibilant to me. There is this incredible amount of air up top that reminds me of the Hifiman Susvara in a competent DAC Amp setting. Breathy vocals, live unplugged sessions and orchestras sound scarily tantalizing on the Cadenza. Trebleheads are much rarer than bassheads in my circle of audio hobbyists which makes the Cadenza such a bliss for us folks.
I generally do not care much about midrange. I think most IEMs and headphones have serviceable midrange nowadays. That being said, I think the midrange performance of Cadenza 12 is commendable. It is neutral and uncolored and has a good transition to treble. I did not find any glaring issue with Cadenza’s midrange. Instruments and vocals sound as they should and guitars have the right amount of crunch.
I do not consider myself to be a basshead either but I do enjoy some good bass. Cadenza’s bass was satisfactory to my ears. The bass has proper extension and some nice punch and rumble. Though there are IEMs that have a more pronounced bass response Cadenza 12 is not aiming to be those IEMs. I think the bass response fits perfectly with Cadenza’s sound profile.
Soundstage performance was satisfactory especially the verticality of it (height and depth). Details are not microscopic but not lacking either. The imaging performance was great. I played some Apex Legend and Rainbow Six Siege sessions on it and positional cues were very accurate. The Cadenza 12 performs superbly as a gaming IEM although I am not sure if you should spend more than 2000 bucks for gaming alone.
I loved my time with the Cadenza 12 though I am not keen on the pricing. I wish it was priced at least in the IE 900/ Symphonium Crimson range. That could have made it a more appealing purchase. But the question of value aside, Letshuoer Cadenza is a wonderful treblehead experience.
