smexxy

New Head-Fier
LETSHUOER Cadenza 4
Pros: - Sleek faceplate design and 3D printed shell
- Premium flexible cable
- 3 adapter choices
- Good fitment
- Good selection of ear tips
- LETSHUOER carrying/storage case
- Smooth Bright Tonality
- Balanced Tuning
- Vocal and Instrument Focused IEMs
- Impressive Mid-range
- Impressive Instrument separation and clarity
- Slightly wide sound staging, impressive imaging and depth.
- Smooth mid-bass punch and sub-bass texture.
Cons: - Not for bass heads
- Needs more power to bring out true potential
- Nitpick of the pin connectors not fully flushed
Quick Disclaimer: This is now my 12th review and my 3rd product from LETSHUOER, though this review will be 100% honest and with help from Sir Mars who gave a quick overview on the sound signature the Cadenza 4 offers whatever I write here is still my own thoughts and opinions and in the case that what is written here is different from what others say, it should go without saying that sound is completely subjective and has many factors why it may be different.

The gear that I will be using for this review will be the following:

  • ASUS Laptop
  • Iphone XS with Apple Dongle
  • FX Audio R07 Plus
Thank you so much to LETSHUOER and Sherry for sending the Cadenza 4 to our local community for a review tour! We look forward to working with you and to more reviews in the future!

I also do hope I get to review more LETSHUOER products as they were the first company that showed me a whole new level of music and IEMs.



So let’s begin.

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A little story time, I started my curiosity with IEMs back in January 2024 and as a birthday gift for myself, I purchased two sets which are the Salnotes Zero and TANGZU Wan’er; being stuck with a Skullcandy earphones for more than a decade, I could not find any other replacement there are no sellers that have SkullCandy in stock but rather brands such as JBL and Marshall which are expensive. With help from a student who is also a very good friend of mine, he introduced me to IEMs and even brought multiple sets and well the rest is history. Ever since I started reviewing back in September my opinion on IEMs and audio has forever changed and there is no way going back and being able to personally keep the LETSHUOER DZ4 and it also being my first ever premium IEMs, I’vegone deeper in the rabbit hole and have pretty much tried out multiple sets with different price points and sound signature.

Jumping back to the Cadenza 4, these are a 249$ set which come equipped with a single Dynamic Driver and 3 Balanced Armatures so you know at first glance is that these would have a good bass response and offer a great mid to high frequency response thanks to the 3 Balanced Armatures. The shell of the Cadenza 4 is 3D Printed and is exactly the same feel as the DZ4’s shell but the molding of this one is geared towards providing a better fitment; the faceplate is a nice CNC machined aluminum alloy with a matte finish, also similar to the faceplate of the DZ4.



UNBOXING EXPERIENCE

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The front of the box has a design that I could only describe as an abstract wave. I'm pretty sure that someone else out there can correct me on this one but this is the best I could do to describe it. The LETSHUOER print was stamped a bit and you can also see the Hi-Res Audio badge on the lower right; the sides of the box have nothing going on them and flipping the whole box over will reveal the specifications of the Cadenza 4.

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Removing the outer sleeve is where the magic begins, the inner box has a magnetic flap which was something I did not expect coming from a 249$ IEM since the HiBy Zeta which costs 1,399$ only had a simple top cover to store everything while the Cadenza 4 went above and beyond and add this magnetic flat. Opening the flap shows that the box has 2 layers, the first layer houses some instruction manuals stored inside a folded letter and underneath are the 2 IEMs. The second layer has a pull tab which contains the following:

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  • LETSHUOER Carrying/storage case
  • 2 sets of ear tips, 3 pairs of vocal and 2 pairs of balanced(one pair already came pre-installed in the Cadenza 4
  • Flexible cable w/o any aux connection
  • 3 different adapter sizes for aux ranging from 2.5mm, 3.3mm and 4.4mm
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Honestly, this has been the best unboxing experience I’ve had in a long time, it really shows that LETSHUOER took their time and came up with a very unique approach to storing the IEMs and accessories. My first nitpick on this one is that the magnetic compartment is so weak that a light shake would make the flap open and the 2nd layer of the box’s contents was about to fall off. I also noticed that the 2 pin connector from the cable to the IEMs themselves are not fully flushed as the shape of the plug on the IEMs themselves are round while the cable pins are square; although it was attached securely, this is another nitpick for me.



OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

Using iPhone XS with Apple Dongle


First let’s talk about the vocals and instruments; both male and female vocals are smooth and have great clarity. Since these are bright IEMs some might be wondering if there is any sharp sibilance but there is none. There is also good separation between the main, background and supporting vocals. Moving to the instruments, each strike and strum are on point, there is a bit of sparkle here and there especially on the drums and piano; each instrument can be heard with great clarity and detail with no bleeding or overlapping.

Talking about the sound staging, it is slightly wide. Although to say the least, these are very holographic and shape can be considered as oval but not circular since the panning on vocals are almost as if they are speaking from the back but if I were to point where they are most of it is over the shoulder. This also brings me to the next point which is the impressive imaging and depth; both vocals and instrument were brought out even more thanks to the Balanced Armature, you can accurately tell where each vocal and instruments are placed.

Then we move onto the bass. The Cadenza 4 has an overall balanced sound signature and despite the bright tonality the bass is not lacking. While it won’t shake your eardrums, I find a very smooth punch of the mid-bass and texture of the sub-bass to be just perfect. Even as a basshead I find myself going back to the Cadenza 4 after intense listening to bass heavy songs with IEMs that also deliver a very punchy bass response to just have that perfect mixture of bass and balance.



Using FX Audio R07 Plus 3.5mm Jack

The first thing I immediately noticed is that the vocals sound slightly a bit recessed but still retain being very smooth and have great clarity though it was fixed when I enabled the impedance boost of the R07 Plus. Instruments did not have any changes and are still well separated from each other and have great clarity and detail.

Sound staging became slightly narrower, this surprised me a lot since using the Apple Dongle made the sound stage wider. The imaging and depth were also affected by this one since the panning of the vocals and instruments were forwarded rather than having it an oval shaped holograph and were much more centered than being distant. While this is not a deal breaker for me, it did surprise me since I was expecting that the R07 Plus would improve the sound performance the Cadenza 4 already offers.

Not all changes are bad since the bass response got better. It has a punchier mid-bass while still maintaining the smooth rumble texture of the sub-bass. I believe this is to be expected since the R07 Plus can give more power to the IEMs should you find your listening experience a bit lacking. But despite the power increase it is still pleasant and does not give any discomfort after prolonged listening.



Using FX Audio R07 Plus 4.4mm Jack

Since I’m now using the 4.4mm jack adapter, it should go without saying that there are definitely improvements from the 3.5mm jack. Vocals and instruments have been increased in terms of volume, when using the 3.5mm jack I had to increase the volume knob by a bit and even had to switch to high impedance mode on the R07 Plus to achieve a much higher volume but this is no longer the case. Vocals no longer sound recessed and now have a slight airiness to them while still maintaining the smooth sibilance and have greater clarity. Instruments still sound the same but same goes with the vocals, there was an improvement in terms of volume.

The sound staging has gotten wider but not as wide as when using the Apple Dongle but it is better than the 3.5mm jack. It still retains its oval shaped holographic but in terms of panning it did not reach the same direction as the Apple Dongle where it sounds as if vocals and instruments are being played behind your back/shoulder. Imaging is still impressive too but the depth was moved from being forward to slightly off set in the middle which in my honest opinion is a great feat since it elevates the listening experience more.

And to wrap this review up is the bass. Thanks to the 4.4mm jack, the bass response is better. The mid-bass still has a smooth punch but the impact is much greater, the sub-bass also had a bit of a more rumbly feel but it still retains the smooth texture and won’t cause any discomfort after prolonged listening.



FINAL THOUGHTS

Since this is my 3rd IEM review from LETSHUOER, let me add a tiny bit of comparison.

DZ4 vs Cadenza 4

The DZ4 has 3 6mm dynamic drivers compared to the Cadenza 4 which has 1 10mm dynamic and 3 balanced armatures. When you’ll base the specifications of the drivers and the sound quality they both have, the Cadenza 4 wins. While yes both IEMs are focused more on the vocal and instruments of the audio, the DZ4 lacks a bit more detail and needs to have a better sound staging, imaging and depth while definitely lacking in the bass. It may seem unfair to compare a 69$ IEM to a 249$ one, at least there is an option for those who are just looking for an upgrade to be able to purchase a good set right off the bat.

S08 vs Cadenza 4

I do believe that the S08 is one of the best entry level planar drivers, both the S08 and Cadenza 4 need more power to bring out their true potential. Both of these IEMs share similar sound quality and performance but someone has to emerge a victor in this comparison and again it is the Cadenza 4. Planar drivers are known to deliver the best sound quality for mids and highs while lacking on the lows which makes it perfect for those who have a preference of listening to only the vocals and instruments while not caring for the bass; I can say that the Cadenza 4 does the same too but with a much better handling of high energy songs and delivery of the punchy and rumbling bass.

Overall, I really do love these IEMs and as a basshead these get a pass for me. These also remind me of the Celest IgniteX Beast from Kinera but with a lot more detail and huge improvements of the sound staging, imaging and depth; not only that but the accessories that it offers is also worth the price, while the design is sleek and minimal, the price point and sound quality it brings to the table is what makes it a top pick for me.

Blup blup 𓆟 and happy listening!

FreeWheelinAudioLuv2

Headphoneus Supremus
My favorite sub $300 IEM and some!!
Pros: Holographic and clean, clear midrange
Upper mids and treble are controlled and textured with no shout or sibilance
Bass is incisive, textured, and balanced between mid and sub bass
Warm, natural tonality and timbre
Excellent imaging and spatial cues. Soundstage is impressive
Female and male vocals are emotive and expressive and notes have weightiness
Shells are ergonomic and so comfortable for long listening sessions
Cons: Mid bass could be a little lean for some, so bassheads need not apply
Treble can lack just a touch of extension and air, so it's a bit of peek a boo tuning
Bass lacks some impact, but still expressive and warm
Not the easier to drive IEM
LETSHUOER CADENZA 4

Let's get started. So I'd like to start by thanking Letshuoer for the opportunity to review this unit. Thanks muchly. Appreciate it greatly. So I've previously owned the Letshuoer S12 and Tape Pro, and currently own the Letshuoer S12 (2024) and S08. The latter are two of my favorite planar IEMs, with both providing quite different flavors of planar tuning that make both complimentary and indispensable in my rotation, so it was quite the surprise to me when I was presented with the opportunity to listen to the Letshuoer Cadenza 4, as I've heard many good things about them from audiophile colleagues. Since they landed, I've given them quite a few hours of ear time. More than just about any prep to review unit ever! So buckle your seatbelts and prepare for a 100% unbiased review with heartfelt observations and thoughts. Now on to the fun stuff.

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The unboxing experience was one similar to the unboxing experience of the Letshuoer S12 (2024), which means it was stellar! Classy and well organized. So the box sleeve is beautifully understated, with the brand name, IEM name, and a Hi-Res Audio sticker. Upon removing the sleeve, you are greeted by a joint fold box that reveals an elegant sealed envelope with warranty cards etc. Lifting out the envelope reveals the beautiful metallic faceplated shells. The shells themselves are cream colored, with a silver faceplate with Letshuoer printed on them. Once again, there's an understated elegance to the shells that scream premium. Then below is a drawer, that when you pull it out, reveals the hockey puck protector/container, and the modular jacks (3.5mm/2.5mm/4/4mm). Inside the puck are the tips and the beautiful modular cable. It's well built, has very attractive accents, and the modular system is one of the best and quickest switch outs of any cable I own. I wish all modulars functioned in this capacity, and I actually wish Letshuoer would have used this cable system on the S12 (2024). So premium storage and accessories. The tips though, as goes for almost all stock tips, are too small to be of any use to me. So I went with Divinus Wide bores. I also used the stock cable for quite a long stretch, then decided to swap it out for a XINHS K09 pure copper cable, to attempt to add a little more weightiness to the mid bass. This cable worked to add some nice synergy both colorway and sonically to the Cadenza 4, but honestly, if I'd stuck with the stock cable the entire time, I wouldn't have lost any sleep over it. It's that good a stock cable.

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So now that we have the unboxing experience out of the way, let's move on to the sound? That's what you're all here for anyways!! It's time to get it on!!...but first, let me share with all of you some information about the IEMs themselves. Internals, specs, and a graph? Fun times indeed!

THE SPECS :

Letshuoer Cadenza 4 :

Technical Information:


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Frequency Response graph provided courtesy of @baskingshark

PRICE : $249.00

Available for purchase at this location.

The Gear :

What did I use for my listening sessions for my review??

For this IEM, I went with some warmer DAPs, except the FiiO JM21 (high gain, slow roll off filter, untethered), which is a bright leaning DAP + the iBasso DC Elite. This also included the Cayin N3 Ultra (Modern Tube mode, No EQ, H Gain, slow roll off filter, untethered), Hiby R3 II (tethered to DCE), iBasso DX170 (high gain, NOS, untethered), Sony NW-A25 (untethered)and the All represent high quality play back, with FLAC, DSD, and occasional 320 mp3. So the IEM's technical performance is well represented with this collection of sources. The DCE provided a fuller sound scene, a more impactful bass that the other sources did not provide (minus the bass EQ'd NW-A25).

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Music used for the review and all my reviews in general?

Ezra Collective - Dance, No One's Watching
Robert Glasper - Canvas
Alfa Mist - Antiphon
Hugo Kant - Far From Home
Alfredo Rodriguez - The Little Dream
Bob Marley & the Wailers - Survival
Rob Van Bavel Trio - Dutch Weather
Kaisa's Machine - Taking Shape
Junior Kelly, Bounty Killer, and Capleton - The Good, The Bad, and the Blazin'
Dominik Eulberg - Avichrom
Abysmal Dawn - Phylogenesis
Megadeth - Rust in Peace
Drive By Jehu - Self Titled
Cognizance - Phantazein
Crownshift - Crownshift
In Aphelion - Reaperdawn
Cradle of Filth - Midian
Shuffled Classic Rock and 80's Pop Music playlist

SOUND IMPRESSIONS
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Dynamics : 4
Resolution : 4.5
Details : 5
Instrument separation : 4.5
Imaging : 5
Low End Impact : 2
Sibilance : 1 (no sibilance)
Soundstage : 4

Overall score : 4.2/5

BASS/MIDRANGE/TREBLE :

The Letshuoer Cadenza 4 is balanced beast, but not at the detriment of dynamics. That's what makes this IEM special. There's no harshness, bloat, or off-timbre found anywhere across the frequency range, but no lack of dynamics. While yes, there might be a tad bit of leanness in the lower midrange and mid bass regions, it's not shy or lacking punch. There's enough present so that it's not a dry midrange, it just lacks a bit of weightiness, which seems to bely the warmth that is present up to the upper mids. This provides a really natural tonality and gives an emotive presence to female vocals especially. Male vocals might lack some density, or that low end boom, especially with death metal or black metal, but it's not barren, and again. female vocals are exquisite, as there's just the right amount of weight and expression and smoothness to be engaging. Bass is note incisive and clear. The Beryllium drivers act like Bery, which means quick, responsive, and never lumbering or slow. Again, it does lack some snap energy, but elasticity can still be heard when bass note plucks, thumps, pulls, and slides call for it. So it's resolving, responsive, and bass notes will ring and sustain, but lacking just a bit of low end energy and impact, so this will not satisfy a basshead, but folks who love HEARING the bass versus FEELING the bass will be left quite satisfied. It's a very linear bass response, across a balanced sound scene.

Midrange is the star of the show. Crisp, incisive, natural, holographic and clear as a whistle. The holography of the Cadenza 4 is rather impressive for something sub $300.00. The holographic stage, coupled with the above average imaging, creates a broad sense of spatial cues that has depth and width, and a bit of height as well. Now I'll fall short of calling it orbital, as I think the imaging is too accurate and organized for it to lean towards orbital, which many times is caused by exaggerated spatial cues, none which are found here. Timbre is accurate, natural, and with a touch of warmth, provides a relaxed yet incisive forward presentation. Nothing sounds wonky or out of place. It's an immersive experience that places you smack dab in the middle of a concert hall, and places the instruments in their proper locations and with beautiful tone and presence. Guitar strings and keys really ring and sustain, and have an amazing resolving depth to them. This is $500-$700 level resolution we're talking about here. This is punching far above it's price tag in the level of reso you're getting exposed to.

Now the treble is what I would describe as safe. It's got what I call the peek a boo style of tuning, where it's incisive enough that you won't say it's rolled off or lacking, but it's also not the most extended in the upper upper regions, and the air is only adequate. Now there is never any stridency, and the treble is natural and controlled at all times. So even on extremely busy metal tracks, the cymbal rides, crashes, and hi hats always retain a proper jurisdiction, and free of stridency or smear. No. This is a highly resolute treble that extends down to the upper mids in that control. No shout. No sibilance (one of the most sibilant free presentations you can find outside of the AFUL Explorer, while retaining good tonality and extension). No sizzle. These are upper mids and lower and upper treble extension that is designed for long, fatigue free listening sessions, and ideal for folks who are treble sensitive, while still enough presence and shimmer to satisfy technical heads and I'd say, even treble connoisseurs like myself.

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OVERALL :

The Cadenza 4 is balanced, technical, smooth, warm, and evocative. What do I mean by evocative? What I mean is that it does such a masterful job of walking the line between not enough and too much, so that it's truly a expressive tuning. Technical but just enough warmth so it's not dry. Smooth but not boring. No bloom, but enough bass presence to render even reggae interesting. Holographic but not hollow. Immersive but not unnatural. You get the drift? It's an evocative balancing act that pays off with this tuning, which helps to get you lost in the music you play, from jazz to classic rock to pop to dancehall reggae to extreme metal, you don't feel like you're missing out, and that brings us back to my labeling it special. It is. It's easily one of my favorite IEMs in my rotation, as my #1 sub $300 earphone, and top 5 in my 30+ deep rotation. It's earned it's place there, and I have a strong feeling, like the ISN H60, this IEM will remain in place for a long time to come.

COMPARISONS :

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AFUL Explorer : The Explorer was a natural choice of comparison for me, as I felt from the start the Cadenza 4 was a more refined Explorer, minus the bass bloom/punch/presence. Because aside from the bass response (the Explorer is much more impactful and punchy), the sub bass extension is similar in depth, the midrange incisiveness, vocal warmth, note presentation, spatial cues, texture, and upper mids crispness and tonality are similar, only much more refined in the Cadenza 4. Both have that peek a book style of treble extension and air. It's there, and you're not missing out, but it's not the most incisive or shimmery. Both exhibit master control and natural treble texture, but the Cadenza just offers a more grandiose sonic scene, and more minute refinement and holography. Advantage : Cadenza 4.

AFUL Performer 5+2 : Another AFUL IEM that I chose to compare is the now legendary P5+2 also known as the P7. This is a class leader in the sub $300 range as well.
The first thing you'd notice is that the AFUL P5+2 is far easier to drive so hence it's LOUDER. I'm going to assume it's because it's more efficient than the Cadenza 4. It's significantly louder, and has deeper sub bass with more slam. Now the resolution in the bass, the note incisiveness are close to being equal, but there's just a bit more snap and elasticity to the P7, but far less warmth spilling over into the midrange, so though not dry by any means, the P7's midrange can come off as a bit colder and clinical. to be honest, don't expect the mid bass impact to be much more in the P7. It's not. It's got more snap, but not really much more impact. Again, this is a bass you hear rather than feel. The midrange is much more forward and in your face with the P5+2, but imaging is far more precise and accurate with the Cadenza, with spatial cues and a soundstage that are broader and fuller, but softer and less bitey or incisive. I guess you can say the P7's midrange is more alive, and the treble is more edgy and airy. Now I wouldn't say it's crispy or sharp, but the P5+2 does walk the line a little bit further, with more shimmer and definitely more BA sheen than the Cadenza. Both provide equal technicalities and instrument separation, and detail retrieval, with is above average and class leading in the sub $300 category. The Cadenza also provides a more natural timbre and texture (maybe comes down to the Sonion BAs??) in the upper mids and treble, so maybe more suited for those with sensitivities, and is a much more relaxed and quieter listen? Advantage : Cadenza 4.

ISN H60 : The H60 is one of my top IEMs. One of my most beloved and dear. Retailing for $350.00, it's $100.00 more expensive than the Cadenza 4, and was one of the first mid-fi IEMs I purchased that realized it's potential and my expectations. Supremely balanced, but also providing the kind of bass punch, sub bass slam, while retaining note incisiveness not found with the Cadenza. It's also got a thicker, warmer midrange, but lacks the holographic stage and midrange, coupled with clarity that the Cadenza possesses. The Cadenza is also superior in instrument separation, detail retrieval, and precise imaging, though the soundstage fullness and width belong to the H60. It's a granddad of layering/spatial cues and orbital staging. Also, the midrange is closer to the forward midrange presentation of the P5+2 than the more laid back and staid Cadenza 4. While the Cadenza also offers more naturalness and smoothness, the H60's upper mids and treble extension are far more incisive and shimmery with more air, but hence, lacks the control and natural texture of the Cadenza. I prefer the more detailed treble presentation of the H60, as i'll take that trade off for less natural texture and timbre to have the extra sparkles and shimmers, and this also helps the H60's stage expansiveness. Both provide an immersive and enthralling listen, and both are fantastic all-arounders, but with that extra bass presence and treble sparkle, and despite not quite having the clean and holographic midrange, I'll place the H60 just above the Cadenza 4, though who knows if that position maintains itself over time? Plus, the H60 is way more expensive! Advantage : ISN H60.

CONCLUSION :

The Letshuoer Cadenza 4 surprised me. It's an IEM that has gotten plenty of good reviews, and is on the top of many lists, but I just wasn't expecting it to hit me the way it did. I find myself getting lost in the music, getting immersed in albums and songs, and playlists, and not switching out to another IEM like I try to do daily (when you got over 30+ IEMs in your rotation, you try and switch out as often as possible to get your money's worth, as well as ear time with as many IEMs as possible). I lose track of playtime, and that is quite the positive indictment of the Cadenza 4. It's not quite my preference, as I usually like more treble presence and sparkle, but the Cadenza 4 takes me places I never thought it would, and it's simply such a masterful tuning, that I overlook any weaknesses and embrace the fabulous strength this IEM possesses! Couple that with a oh so comfy shell, that you can wear for hours, and it's synergistic with losing yourself and long listening sessions. It's a beautiful combination of sonics and aesthetics. We have a technical specialist with warmth and character, with a refined midrange, resolving bass, and safe but sly treble. It might not be the easiest IEM to drive, but it still didn't lose much in dynamics playing out of my notoriously weak Sony NW-A25, and feed it some power on high gain, or an amp/dac like the DCE, and oh boy does it come to life and serve you a heaping plate of aural sweetness!! So much so, this is my favorite sub $300 IEM in my rotation, and some!!

RECOMMENDATION LEVEL : MID-FI BOSS LEVEL - HIGHEST 9/10.

Thank you so much for reading and remember to be water with your audio luv! When you do...AUDITORY ZEN UNLOCKED!
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OhmsClaw
OhmsClaw
@jbfps116 everything is described with TOTL language these days. Everything is holographic. Everything has thunderous bass 🤣

I bought and gave away the Cadenza and "Red". After that experience I'm pretty blasé regarding hype.
kristwi
kristwi
I think this is one of the best reviews I’ve read in my life. My hat goes off for you, sir 🎩
activatorfly
activatorfly
D'accord...it's pretty darn good, @FreeWheelinAudioLuv2 has an amazing ability to convey his first impressions & then follows up with an engaging / immersive descriptive review that covers everything you need to know, & then some!

mars chan

New Head-Fier
Pros: .


Excellent imaging, holography, and projection of the vocals and instruments

clean overall sound

airy sound presentation

very good detail retreat

excellent vocal clarity, especially on female singers
Cons: .

There is a slight channel imbalance in the review unit (see graph); it is not obvious, but it is slightly noticeable nonetheless upon careful observation.

There is a slight but audible sound compression in the sub-bass when I play loud music that has loud sub-bass content, but this is very minor and only happens on extremely rare occasions.

The included eartips have soft skirts, making a perfect seal difficult to achieve because if I insert them just a little forward, the skirt would collapse, creating a big air leak.
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Letshuoer Cadenza 4 review
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The Letshuoer Cadenza 4 was sent to me for a review as part of a review tour in my country conducted by Letshuoer Audio. Thank you, Letshuoer Audio.
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The Letsuoer Cadenza 4 (249 USD) is a hybrid IEM with 1 dynamic driver and 2 balance armature drivers on each IEM.
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The packaging looks simple on the outside but elaborate on the inside. It includes a hard plastic case that stores the modular cable and the eartips, a manual, and the IEMs themselves.
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The sensitivity is average, which is very good in my opinion. It can take a lot of power and can go very loud without issues.
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It favors neutral to warm-sounding sources because the tuning of the Cadenza 4 is on the bright side.
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Sound signature:
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It sounds like it is in between a slight U and V shape in sound signature; it is more bright than it is bassy; the mid-bass is slightly lean, but the sub-bass is moderately boosted and fast sounding. The midrange is clean and slightly lean due to the influence of the elevation in the treble; the whole treble is elevated in level in relation to bass and midrange, making the overall sound treble biased, which would delight treble heads or any listeners who like clean, clear, and airy-sounding presentations. Now, you might think based on my description that the Cadenza 4 sounds dry and analytical in real life; nope, it actually sounds very musical, emotionally engaging, and non-dry.
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Technicalities:
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The first thing I noticed was the imaging is excellent; it has excellent definition of the edges, and the size seems accurate. There is very good holography that makes the instrument and vocal sounds seem to eminate like projections in the air, making the sound more palpable. There is very good separation and space between front to back as well as side to side between instruments.
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The soundstage is very good; the size is big, very wide, spacious, well lit, and airy.
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The macro details and micro details are all present and sound very clear.
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The resolution is very good.
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Compared to Dita Project M (325 USD)
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The Project M is above the price range of the Cadenza 4; it is only here because they have very similar tonality; they are both on the bright side with similarly tuned neutral bass. The biggest difference between the two is in the lower treble; the Cadenza 4 is more forward-sounding in that area, while the Project M is more relaxed. In the technicalities department, the Cadenza 4 has more front-to-back instrument separation in the soundstage and imaging due to the more forward sound presentation caused by the forewardness in the lower treble, but that is where the advantage of the Cadenza 4 over the Project M ends, because the front-to-back separation of the M is not bad either. When it comes to the quality of the bass, the M has more resolution, texture, depth, and tactility, and when it comes to treble, the M has a cleaner background and has more resolution, even though both of them have way above average resolution.
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Compared to Juzear Butterfly 61T (200 USD):
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The Juzear Butterfly 61T is much warmer overall, sounding tonally. The midrange of the 61T is mushy lusher than the slightly thin sound of the Cadenza 4. In terms of resolution, both are very high, but the Cadenza 4 brings them so forward in their presentation that you would think that it has more, but in reality, the 61T is very close in terms of resolution to the Cadenza 4. When it comes to soundstage, I feel the Cadenza 4 has a wider soundstage, but both produce very spaciuous sound. One thing to note: the Butterfly 61T has a very lush and atmospheric sounding midrange that I fell in love with.
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Compared to Kiwi Ears Ke4 (199 USD):
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The KE4 has warmer tonality and has a bassier presentation; it sounds darker in the treble but has a similar extended upper treble. The Cadenza 4 has more initial perceived details, but upon careful listening, the KE4 is not far behind. They have similar imaging performance, but the Cadenza 4 has more definition and front-to-back separation. In terms of soundstage, both have a big soundstage, but the Cadenza 4 has a wider one. This might sound like the Cadenza 4 is the outright winner, but the KE4 has its own merits too; the KE4 is much smoother sounding and very non-fatiguing compared to Cadenza 4, and the Cadenza 4, due to its bright sound signature, might be tiring to listen to on a long listening session for some people.

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Compared to QoA Adonis New (199 USD):
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The QoA Adonis New is bassy V-shaped in sound signature, while the Cadenza 4 is bright-neutral. The Adonis New has deeper and more powerful bass, a more relaxed upper midrange, and a more boosted upper treble. They are about equal in terms of sound and imaging performance. The specialty of the Adonis New is having a 15 db boost in bass without sounding muddy while having a clear sounding midrange and highs at the same time. The specialty of the Cadenza 4 is having a very airy and vivid sound presentation.
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Pros:
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Excellent imaging, holography, and projection of the vocals and instruments
clean overall sound
airy sound presentation
very good detail retreat
excellent vocal clarity, especially on female singers
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Cons:
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There is a slight channel imbalance in the review unit (see graph); it is not obvious, but it is slightly noticeable nonetheless upon careful observation.
There is a slight but audible sound compression in the sub-bass when I play loud music that has loud sub-bass content, but this is very minor and only happens on extremely rare occasions.
The included eartips have soft skirts, making a perfect seal difficult to achieve because if I insert them just a little forward, the skirt would collapse, creating a big air leak.
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Conclusion:
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The Letshuoer Cadenza 4 is excellently tuned for music lovers who like great imaging performance, resolution, speed, and clarity. If you belong to this kind of music listener, I highly recommend the Letshuoer Cadenza 4 to you.
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Letshuoer Audio
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Non-affiliated purchase link:
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https://letshuoer.net/products/lets...D0_HI8TJUG4ArbW7Uy-LSjo4c9fFd2jwDDxWf25oLcklI
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BielakP

New Head-Fier
How I became a balance-sound lover
Pros: - clean, detailed reproduction of sound
- analytical playing that remains melodic at the same time
- great balance on all frequencies
- good technicalities
- exceptionally clean upper-mids and treble
- good cable with modular terminations and finally not too much-bent ear-hook
- treble execution that doesn't fatigue
- great passive isolation
Cons: - will not appeal to bassheads
- not very entertaining sound may not appeal to people seeking fun sounding (subjective)
- the weight of the notes could be a bit bigger, but this could also just be a feature of this set
- vocals could sound just a bit more natural
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INTRODUCTION

Dear reader, please keep in mind that whenever there is an opinion in a review, it is my opinion, which may differ significantly from yours. We are all different from each other and have different tastes. Something, that does not give me an accelerated heartbeat, may bring you much fun, so I always recommend listening before buying, if there is such an opportunity. I would also like to point out that in the evaluation of individual parameters, as well as the entire set, I try to relate to the price level that has been set for them, which simply means that any opinion I give should be followed by the thought “.... for its price”. I believe this is the only fair form of evaluation and best represents the value of the reviewed item.

PRESENTATION

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The headphones come in standard Letshuoer packaging, so a two-chamber box with a drawer. Included are the headphones, cable, screwable container, three pieces of L-shaped modular cable terminations (3.5, 4.4, and 2.5), a set of tips (6 pairs), and some literature (instructions, warranty). As is always the case with Letshuoer, everything matches in color and overall looks very professional. The cable has a length of 1.2m and is made of 392 bundles of silver-coated monocrystalline copper. A 2-pin 0.78mm connector goes to the headphones, and on the other side, there is a socket for modular terminals. What I would like to draw your attention to is the way the so-called ear-hook is made, i.e. the rounding that is applied over the ear. My previous experience with Letshuoer cables (DZ4, S15) was, unfortunately, not one of the best, because the way this part of the cable was bent was such that I could not use it. I had to perform the infamous act of cutting the rubber stiffener, which freed the cable to a loose form, and only then it could be used. Here we have a new way of bending. I have no intention of doing anything to it this time, because it just works fine, the way it is. It works well enough that I used this cable when testing another headphone set. It seems to me that this follows the feedback sent by many reviewers to which the company has responded, improving the quality of the product. Bravo Letshuoer! As for the rest of the set, the container lies unused, because the screwable form doesn’t work well as a portable audio storage case, more for storage. The modular tips work great. I have changed them several times according to my needs and had no problems with them.

As usual: Letsuoer presents its products in a great way.

As for the appearance of the headphones themselves, they look great in my opinion. I have seen reviews in which some people complain about the plastic construction, giving the impression of a low-end product. I would completely disagree with this. In my opinion, they are built very solidly. According to the manufacturer's description, the handset chamber is a 3D print made of resin. You can't see any places where the parts are joined. The shape is also perfect for my ear, i.e. I didn't have even the slightest problem using them for several hours, and I got the right fit from the first moment I put the headphones in my ear. They also provide passive muting comfort at a very good level, allowing you to enjoy music even in a crowded place, like subway. In addition, they are surprisingly lightweight, so they don't weigh you down during use.

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LISTENING IMPRESSIONS

The first thing that struck me was the clarity of the sound. Everything sounds very clear, and what is most important to me, and in my opinion most characteristic of this set, the sounds of the upper midrange sound exceptionally clear here. This area of the frequency range, where much of the budget set failed, here is refined and clean.

Another thing that “caught my ears” was the balance in the sound. In the Cadenza 4, all frequencies are equally taken care of. No area is exposed in an obvious way. Sure, one could debate whether by chance there is a bit of treble boost, or maybe a bit of sub-bass boost, but these are minor deviations from what I could call BALANCE. In terms of tonality, for me, it is a neutral sound, neither warm nor bright. I was under the impression that you can slightly tilt the scales in a commanding direction by changing the source and tips, but I think the basis here is a neutral sound, without much coloration.

Okay, I guess it's time to move on to the individual ranges:

BASS

The bass here is clear and pleasant to listen to. It has texture and a pretty solid portion of it, but at the same time, I'm sure that the lovers of a large portion of bass, the so-called bassheads, will call this set too thin because the bass here is just a complement to the whole - an element of a larger whole. The bass impact alone can shake things up, thanks to the large amount of sub-bass, so the proper dynamics are also maintained. The bass guitar sounds natural and richly detailed and, for example, songs such as Marcus Miller's “Jean Pierre” impress with their bass timbre. His Fender Jazz Bass sounds downright gorgeous and natural.

MIDS

The mids, or registers most often associated with vocals, acoustic guitars, percussion elements, etc., in the Cadenza4 sound excellent, especially the high-mid registers, which surprise and delight with their clarity and transparency. Probably the best description of how it sounds is the fact that when I happened to hear some rustling, crackling, buzzing sounds, I knew immediately that it was the fault of the source, or song, not the headphones. It's obvious enough that you start listening to those crackles as if they were music :) I know, sounds a bit absurd, but listening to Marcheeba, for example, I could easily pick out the added crackles of a vinyl record from the mix.

Various kinds of drums and percussion instruments sound very tasty. They are characterized by the naturalness of sound and are very pleasant for dynamic presentation of sound. What I like most about them is that they sound natural yet transparent and penetrating. The acoustic guitars are precise and accurate. You can hear the feathering on the strings very well, especially with acoustic and classical guitars.

As for the vocals, they also sound great, especially the female vocals. In the case of the male vocals, I sometimes felt like there should be a bit more warmth in the voice. for me, this is the only thing I would change in the cadenza4, i.e. add a bit more weight to the notes. The default sound has a bit of a flat transition from the bass to the midrange, so that low-mid notes can at times show signs of low energy, especially in songs where the demand for this energy is high, such as popular, dynamic, energetic music. However, I think that this should not be considered a flaw, but only a characteristic of this set. As for the positioning of the vocals, I did not feel that they were somehow particularly prominent or withdrawn. I think this is another element that fits perfectly into the concept of balanced sound. I think many will be pleased to hear that the sibilants did not make themselves known in a way that could qualify as a problem, so there is no need to be concerned about this phenomenon.

The only nitpick I can think of is the naturalness of the sound of vocals. Drums, bongos, and other percussion instruments sound very natural, but the vocals, even though they are very clear, they don’t sound as naturally organic as they could (some Penon sets have this characteristic). As I’ve mentioned, this is rather a nitpick than a problem to me.

TREBLE

What I like about the treble is their non-intrusiveness. It happens that when someone says that the sound is very transparent he means transparency built by the exposure of the treble, above the rest of the registers. Such someone hears details because they are boosted, and thinks that they build transparency. In reality, such a boost may create the impression of transparency, but it also deprives the listener of the naturalness of the sound. This is not the transparency I have in mind. The Cadenza 4 presents the treble in a natural, clean, and clear way, but not overly boosted or intrusive. There is no question of irritating sounds here, well, unless that was the artist's intention, in which case the Cadenza 4 will let you enjoy them all. Classical music, film music, and other genres associated with orchestral ensembles of musicians are “like-suited” for this set. Everything sounds very selective and clear. As for sparks in the treble, they sometimes appear and can delight, but this is not an element with which the Cadenza4 somehow exceptionally shines. Nevertheless, in the highest registers, it is clear and very transparent. In jazz pieces, one can listen to the dance of sticks across the cymbals without the slightest effort, and tracks set in trip-hop atmosphere will endow us with juicy crackles as if from vinyl records.

TUNING SUMMARY

I stole the following frequency chart from the squiglink account of Mr. Paul Wasabi, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him very sincerely for making his measurements publicly available. At the same time, I encourage everyone to read Paul's reviews, which, in addition to their high level of knowledge, are always characterized by an unparalleled level of honesty, full of conclusions and thoughts.

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From the graph, it is evident that from 200 Hz onward, the Cadenza4's frequency graph fits practically perfectly into the curve of a certain esteemed headphone reviewer, a certain Crinacle from In-Ear Fidelity. The bass area shows a pin gain of about 7db, with a corresponding level in the sub-bass area, with no so-called roll-off, which can also be noticed in listening sessions. The roll-off in the treble area starts at about 14kHz, which is practically in the “air” area, so it is correct to say that we rather lose nothing. An increment of a few dB in the 7-14kHz area, in my opinion, is somehow not exceptionally audible during listening and does not negatively affect the overall perception.

TECHNICALITIES

Imaging is very good. Instruments are effectively separated from each other, and sounds are distributed around the head. Listening to the track “Bubbles” by Yosi Horikawa, you can close your eyes and visualize the position of the balls bouncing around your head without the slightest problem. The soundstage is also very good, especially in terms of its width. As for the pitch, the variations are not so noticeable, but nevertheless some are. A good example of this is another track in Yosi Horikawa's album, “Letter,” in which the location of the appearance of the sound of pencil writing also changes their position. This is also a good example of the naturalness of the sound, as the sound of the pencil scratching is faithful to the real one. It is worth mentioning here that although the sound presentation profile itself is analytical, it also remains melodic, making the song sound as a whole. I already mentioned that the passive isolation is above average here and I can confirm it provides a very effective “disconnection” from the outside world, letting you sink into the music.

PAIRING

While testing the headphones, I used a variety of sources, and although the headphones are quite easy to drive (sensitivity 102dB), providing them with more power had a positive effect on scene building and improved dynamics. Most often I used Moondrop Dawn Pro, ONIX ALPHA and Fosi Audio DS2 (CS chips) and with each of them, I had no problems at all.

I must also describe here a certain pairing with the specific tips because it worked very well for me and I highly recommend others to try this combination. I am referring to the latest product from EPZ, the M100 model. Below find few words about the tips themselves:

I must admit that when I saw the material used for the M100 headphones, I was immediately reminded of AZLA XELASTEC - or what I call “dust catchers.” The nickname is not due to their long periods of storage in a drawer (although that is also apt), but rather because everything seems to stick to them. While this stickiness provides a firm grip, it can be quite annoying and for me was unbearable. To my pleasant surprise, the M100s are much better in this regard. I later learned that the M100 tips are made of silicone, while the XELASTEC tips are made of TPU (thermoplastic elastomer). In terms of sound quality, I noticed that to my ears the highs and mids became a bit sharper and cleaner with these tips. There was also more space in the high registers. The bass remained relatively unchanged for me (maybe boosted a bit). Using these amplifiers with the Letshuoer Cadenza4 gave me additional transparency and clarity in the highs and mids. I think the M100s enhanced these registers a bit, making them seem even more refined.

JUST A FEW MORE WORDS ABOUT THE SOUND

I authentically thought that I would be bored, that it would be a flat, unengaging line sound, but fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised. The sound is spacious and rich in detail. Perhaps at times, because of its purity, it can be a bit clinical, and analytical, but it still retains a very pleasing to the ear, melodic character.

PAIRING WITH DIFFERENT GENRES OF MUSIC BASED ON EXAMPLES

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Eric Clapton - Got to Get Better in a Little While (live)

  • Genre: rock, blues, live recordings
  • track recorded during a concert
  • from the first sounds we know that we are in a room, surrounded by instruments (headroom)
  • instruments are very well separated
  • nicely separated, but enriching the listening choruses, sound great in the chorus
  • due to the raw nature of the recorded recording, the percussion cymbals may sound a bit harsh and rough, but they are very clear, which works especially well during the solo
  • the bass guitar warms up the recording, and although there is not much bass, it is audible all the time and it complements the track

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Against All Logic - This Old House is All I Have

  • genre: electronic music
  • some of the crackles and cycles of the drums are so prominent that “they burn”, but in that clean way, that you know that's what the recording was about
  • when the beat comes in, it's very pleasant and quite warm, and the cracking sounds bring you the resemblance of jumping sparks
  • again, the bass line only complements the recording
  • Deep stage, and imaging that arranges the samples in different parts of the head
  • despite the sharp sparks and crackles, these sounds did not bother me as sibilants sometimes do
  • I was never fond of this piece, because I associated these crackles with a bad recording, surprisingly with Cadenza4 I have the confidence that it is not a bad recording, but the intention of the artist

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Snarky Puppy - Bent Nails

  • Genre: speed jazz, funk, instrumental
  • in truth, any track by Snarky Puppy or Cory Wong could be here, because Cadenza seems directly made for this genre of music
  • the sound is detailed and precise, and every instrument is audible in a clear way
  • the biggest advantage is the ability to listen in and at the same time delight in the way the sounds of guitars or drums are articulated

  • Hype Alert!
  • If you like the work of Snarky Puppy or Cory Wong you will fall in love with the way their songs sound on Letshuoer Cadenza 4

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Between The Buried And Me - The Coma Machine

  • genre: metal, heavy rock
  • good imaging - drum transitions are spread all over the back of the head (from left to right)
  • the drums sound natural, the transitions are very clear, the cymbals are also quite clear and, despite being quite prominent, do not pierce the ears
  • vocals good, clean, and pleasant sounding
  • guitars are fast and dynamic, and although not exceptionally selective
  • bass here is also rather a companion only, and unfortunately, in this genre of music, a little too far behind - despite some withdrawal, the bass line is audible throughout the song
  • a little lacking in heavier notes - I have the impression that the musicians would have liked the guitar riffs, especially of the main theme, to have more impact - although it's not bad (just could have been better)

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Ekik Truffaz - Yuri’s Choice

  • just after the first few bars you can be delighted with the percussion: clean, detailed with sparks in the form of sounds of sticks hitting cymbals or other bells - it sounds great
  • the piano itself is presented in a very correct manner
  • the trumpet also sounds natural,
  • the double bass could be a little more pronounced, but it's not too bad, especially when played only with the drums
  • vocal is clear and quite natural
CONCLUSION

I have to confess that at first, I’ve somewhat qualified this set for quiet, delicate genres of music, but as I listened to it over time I can confidently say that the Cadenza 4 is worth trying for other genres as well. It will certainly be loved by fans of jazz, and classical music, but also by fans of highly complex and devilishly fast music in the style of artists such as Snarky Puppy or Cody Wright. While energetic songs from genres such as metal may not exude tremendous dynamics, they can delight the listener with clean and detailed sound. This set handles heavily congested tracks very well, of which metal has quite a lot, and although the “Satan” won't sit here in power, it can be found in detail and transparency.

SUMMARY

Is the Cadenza4 worth the price in my opinion? By all means. This set offers a clean and detailed sound while remaining melodic and pleasant to listen to. I know that the price is not low, but you get high-quality workmanship, professional tuning, and a clean sound that will delight many music lovers.

Another great product from Letshuoer

Below, please find a few photos of the set.

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Pavan Kumar

New Head-Fier
A Balanced cohesive sound
Pros: - Balanced presentation
- Tactile and dynamic Bass response
- Great sub-bass depth
- IEM for the mid-range lovers
- Excellent Instrument timbre that stands out
- Natural tone with no hint of BA timbre
- Depth and clarity in vocals
- Open and detailed treble performance
- Spacious stage and impressively precise imaging
- Excellent resolution and details
- Excellent cohesion among the drivers
- Build quality, fit, and great accessories
- Gorgeous modular cable with 3 interchangeable terminations
Cons: - Bass quantity may not please everyone and some may find it not very authoritative
- The agility of the Bass decay may not be the most natural in certain tracks
- The treble could use a tad more airy extension.

Introduction

Hello everyone!! I have the Letshuoer Cadenza 4 here, also called the “True Virtuoso”, the brand’s latest multi-driver hybrid configuration IEM. I covered a couple of Letshuoer IEM reviews in the recent past and I have been impressed with each one of them. Letshuoer has been on a winning streak here with each of their releases and we will see if Cadenza 4 continues its track record and lives up to the expectations.

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Configuration

Letshuoer Cadenza 4 is configured with a single DD and 3 BA hybrid driver combination. Single DD is a 10mm dual-chambered Beryllium coated DD responsible for the Bass. One Sonion BA for the mid-frequency and 2 Knowles BA for the high frequency through a 4-way electronic crossover. Letshuoer has yet again collaborated with HeyGears for the custom 3D-printed chassis. The faceplate is CNC machined aluminum alloy with a matte finish that provides a textured feel to the touch.

Cable and the tips

The stock cable provided is of high quality and is the best I have come across from the Letshuoer branded IEMs I have reviewed. It is a 392-strand high-purity silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable. Comes with 3 right-angled interchangeable plugs. The ear hooks are of great improvement personally to me compared to the other Letshuoer IEMs I have reviewed including the Letshuoer S15. The ear tips come in 2 variants of silicon – Vocal and balanced. Vocal ear tips appear a little flimsy and did not give me a proper seal. However, the balanced ear tips are good and give me a tight seal. I only did a little tip-rolling here as I started to like the sound output from the balanced tips.

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Carry Case

The carry case provided is similar to the S15 case which is a round resin-coated box – The build is good and decent enough to fit the IEM, cable, and tips. The interchangeable plugs are uniform across the Letshuoer S15 and Letshuoer Cadenza 4 which is again a great comfort and can be interchanged in cases of loss of one plug. And having interchangeable termination plugs is a blessing in disguise.

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Finally…

At the time of this writing, I had this IEM run for more than 200 to 250 hours including some hours of burn-in. The IEM sounds close to neutral with a decent bass boost and the emphasis is on the mid-range with a balanced presentation across the board. Finally, I thank Betty from Letshuoer for arranging this review sample. I greatly appreciate her gesture. So without further ado, here we go to the best of my intentions and abilities:


Specifications

  • 10mm dual-chambered beryllium-coated DD
  • 1 Sonion and 2 Knowles BA
  • Custom 3D printed resin chassis by HeyGear
  • CNC machined Aluminum Alloy matte finish faceplate
  • 50 Nanometer 3D printed Acoustic Tubes
  • 4-way electronic crossover
  • 392-strands silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable
  • 3 Right-angled swappable connectors
  • Impedance – 15 Ohms
  • Sensitivity – 102dB
  • Frequency Response – 20Hz to 40kHz

Disclaimer

  • The review is based on extensive and critical listening and was not influenced by any written or video review.
  • The review is subject to unit variance and my personal listening preferences.
  • The review is subject to the gears I used for testing – DAC/ DAP/ Tips/ quality of the track
  • Last but not least, I have no affiliation with the supplier of the IEM.

Gears/ Audio used for testing

  • S24 Ultra
  • Cayin RU7
  • Aful Snowy Night
  • Tempotec V6
  • Tempotec V6 + Topping NX7
  • Spotify Premium
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Driveability/ Scalability

I used Letshuoer Cadenza 4 with 2 sources most of my time – Cayin RU7 and Tempotec V6 interchangeably and Tempotec V6 + Topping NX7 for comparisons. The IEM is easier to drive and does not require much power to shine. However, it scales well with power and takes the increase in volume like a champ without undue shout or aggressiveness. On my NX7, I have to go up to 50% as I use for S15 for decent volume levels on medium gain. At the same time, IEM shines very well on decent volume levels on my DAP and Dongle. I enjoyed listening to this IEM with all the pairings as aforementioned but the Cayin RU7 comes out on the top and imparted a great musical listen.

The Sound Impressions

Bass

Sub-bass

Sub-bass has an excellent depth with a decent rumble and the quantity is on the subtle side. More tactile in its execution and decay due to the speed of the driver. As a result, although sub-bass digs pretty deep, in certain use cases, it may leave you wanting more quantity. You don’t get the feeling of a lot of air in the sub-bass region that usually comes with the quantity. But the sub-bass has an airy extension, nevertheless. I don’t see any issue here as the tuning intentions were pretty clear. Overall, it is an impactful sub-bass that is tactile, analytical, and textured but may not please a basshead. For those preferring neutral uncolored tuning, this is a perfect bass tuning with sub-bass over mid-bass ensuring the music does not sound boring in the first place.

Mid-bass

The mid-bass quantity is subtle at best prioritizing quality here. The tone and texture are excellent within that confinement – You can easily decipher the tone/pitch from various instruments which are very clear. A tamed mid-bass that does not project itself with a complete potential and is closer to neutral. Again it may give you the feeling of wanting more at times. The execution and decay again are on the faster side and don’t linger around a while which can also be a cause for a slight lack of certain naturalness in the way the bass decays giving you that auditory pleasure – It is well done with certain complex tracks keeping it more clean sounding but not ideal for not so busy tracks that requires a slower natural decay with palpable hits.

However, the speed of the driver contributes to excellent dynamics in the bass region and attack/slam are hard-hitting in general. You won’t notice a bleed here that was so carefully tuned not to sound boring with a lean body but with a subtle touch of warmth that is so close to neutral. Overall, mid-bass speed, texture, tone, and dynamics are excellent but left me wanting more quantity in some bassy tracks.

To sum up…

Seriously, this IEM is not for the bass heads as the Bass is more of an enabler than a focal point here and the objective is to not sound boring in the first place and contribute to an overall clean sound. All that is done here is not for nothing and the brilliance in the tuning reveals itself from what’s coming next. However, this extreme audiophile-centric sound may sound boring to some as the Bass isn’t authoritative here. For me, it is quite good for the most part and the credit goes to its tuning.

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Mids

Instrumentals

The lower mids sound very clean with no noticeable bleed from the bass region. It does not appear lean either. The balance between the crispiness and roundedness achieved here is excellent and there is a solid depth to the sound of the instrumentals. The sound appears fuller from the viewpoint of the depth that makes it rounded yet crispy too – just terrific. However, it may appear slightly leaner for some who prefer a slightly warmer sound with a fuller mid-bass. But to me the noteweight is excellent. If leaner, it would have been a boring sound. But I hear quite the opposite here – These sound full arc with excellent timbre and dynamics. A slight lack in the mid-bass is adequately compensated by the forward midrange here.

The tonality appears natural to me irrespective of BA drivers being part of the configuration. The timbre from various instruments appears natural, lively, and musical with great depth and clarity. The transients appear very fast and seamless together with excellent stage, layering, and imaging, contributing to an overall pleasurable listen. The result is a very clean and clear mid-range with excellent resolution and details. The upper mid-range is so well controlled and open with upper registers of guitars, Violin, and woodwinds sounding very detailed but not fatiguing and harsh. However, there are occasions of aggressiveness and sharpness but are manageable and quite rare. Overall, I’m in awe at times listening to how detailed and dynamic the instrumental tracks sound on Letshuoer Cadenza 4. The accuracy of the timbre here is the icing on the cake be it the Electronic, Jazz, and Acoustic genres.

Vocals

Like how the mid instrumentals are given so much prominence in the mix, vocals are given good prominence too. They are not very forward on the face nor laid back/ recessed. It sounds very appropriate and is rightly balanced with the instrumentals in the track. The separation of vocals from the rest of the mix was very well done.

Male Vocals

There is a tad hint of warmth to the male vocals and do not sound dry or recessed. The lower mids are well done in the way clarity and micro nuances are extracted here while not being too forward either. Overall, the clarity and texture is great with the male vocals.

Female Vocals

Female vocals are rightly placed with the right energy depending on the track and sound more balanced than overly prominent in the mix. I didn’t notice any hint of shrill or shouting from the vocals even from the upper pitches of certain energetic spicy tracks. All this is achieved not at the expense of openness and detail, which is excellent.

Overall, I dig the vocal performance here. They sound balanced and in line with the rest of the instrumentation in the mix and are not overly prominent. Separation is done well ensuring the needed clarity and fine details.

Overall, the mid-range is all in its full glory here – Truly fantastic.

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Treble

The treble is detailed and open sounding with a decent extension and the right energy. No sibilance was noticed and not fatiguing either. When I compare them against the energetic extended treble of the S12, I am not missing much, to be honest. Cadenza 4 sounds open, even more detailed with good resolution but with a right non-fatiguing energy and decent sparkle/ shimmer.

However, the airiness is better with the S12 and there is adequate spaciousness between the notes with the S12 when compared with the Cadenza 4. The cymbal strikes and decay sound right with more air around them on S12, however, they sound less airy on the Cadenza 4 but not overly smoothened, blunt, or suppressed. But a little congested to be exact in more busier tracks. The treble is still open and detailed which satisfies the treble-sensitive listeners with a decent extension and good clarity in the treble region. Overall, I wish the airiness could have been a little better especially in the complex tracks when a lot is going on around where the legendary S12 shows its true prowess.

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Technicalities

The soundstage has an adequately wide width with great height and depth that is molded according to the venue instead of being widely spacious all the time. It is spacious on all fronts and contributes to an excellent stereo separation. Imaging is excellent with precise note-weight definition and pinpoint accuracy. Resolution and details especially in the mid-range are excellent considering the price point. There are micro details and nuances audible with the extremely pleasing vocals and instrumentals.

Layering and separation are above average and there is slight congestion noticed with treble-heavy tracks and it has to do with the treble presentation of the IEM. The speed of the drivers is excellent resulting in a seamless transient response like that of a planar contributing to its overall musical sound. Overall tonality appears very natural and there is no hint of a BA timbre whereas the timbre reproduction of this IEM can be considered a highlight of this IEM. It is that good.

Overall, brilliant technicalities considering the price point.

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Comparisons

I have two IEMs for comparison – Letshuoer S15 and Gizaudio x Binary Chopin. S15 is a planar magnetic IEM that shares certain similarities with Cadenza 4 in terms of tuning, especially the mid-range emphasis. Although both have different configurations, they are highly musical with excellent natural tone – there are similarities and differences between the two, however. The Chopin has a similar driver configuration and is slightly priced less than the Cadenza 4. The tunings differ here and I had a tough time comparing them both as they were neck-on-neck than I thought they would be. So, without further ado, let’s proceed:

Letshuoer Cadenza 4 (249$) vs Letshuoer S15 (329$)


Fit and build

S15 is a planar magnetic IEM from Letshuoer that employs a 14.8mm third-generation planar driver with a proprietary R-Sonic filtering module.

Both the IEMs are HeyGear built with resin structures and different shapes. Cadenza 4 has a more regular and generic fit, but the S15 has an odd fit. Trying to find a suitable cable other than the stock cable to pair with S15 can be a challenge. However, the S15 fits perfectly with stock cable with a rather aggressive ear-hook design. When fitted properly, the seal is great with S15. Cadenza 4 naturally fits properly like regular IEMs and the seal is excellent in general. Both the cables appear to be of the same build quality but the Cadenza 4 cable stands out in comparison. Carry cases are the same between the two. The balanced tips of both the IEMs are good.

Driveability

S15 is slightly difficult to drive being a planar but it rightly falls under the 3rd generation Planar technology being more power efficient than its predecessors. But still, I don’t prefer listening to S15 without NX7 in the picture. In comparison, Cadenza 4 is much easier to drive and scales well when amped.

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Sound

Sub-bass

Cadenza 4 has slightly better depth present in the sub-bass region. Quantity is better on the S15. Rumble kind of evens out on both due to the above aforementioned, but I am slightly inclined towards Cadenza 4 due to more depth. I think the DD plays a role here contributing to a certain naturalness in the decay but the decay is faster on both. Both have an airy extension. Texture-wise, I don’t see a big difference between the two but again, due to the less quantity and added depth, I lean slightly towards the Cadenza 4 here for texture. For sub-bass, although the difference is very subtle, I would go with Cadenza 4. S15 does not lack sub-bass to be clear. But Cadenza 4 is better perceived with a noticeably better depth.

Mid-bass

Mid-bass quantity is better and appears fuller with the S15. Quality is similar between the two. The hard-hitting punch and slam appear at the same level on both the IEMs. The dynamics in the bass region are better on both the IEMs. Both are fast and agile, and dynamics showcase well on both IEMs. The Cadenza 4 is more clean and sounds more close to neutral due to the less mid-bass quantity. S15 sounds more fuller, and warmer in comparison. I prefer the S15 here due to the fuller bass profile and more musical and fun-sounding, especially in some bassy tracks.

Instrumentation

The tone is excellent on both the sets. One is a planar and the other includes BA drivers in the configuration – They both sound very natural to my ears. I slightly lean towards the more musical tone of the S15.

When it comes to resolution and details in the midrange, I would go with the Letshuoer Cadenza 4 over S15. I perceive better micro details on Cadenza 4 due to the overall clean sound not at the expense of the leaner note weight resulting in an excellent timbre across the board. S15 sounds more fuller in comparison and as a result, clouds the details a little – The difference is noticeable in comparison than otherwise. Both are great in their own way, nonetheless. Some may prefer the clean sound of Cadenza 4 and others may prefer the more musical sound of S15 with a little less detail. Cadenza 4 is highly musical too because the note weight is very well balanced. I prefer the instrumentation on the Cadenza 4 for that balance and the high-class timbre it comes with.

Both sound with the right energy in the upper mids. Upper registers of woodwinds, violins, and Acoustic guitar sound a little more energetic and sharp on the Cadenza 4 but polite. Both don’t cross the thin line from sounding harsh or shrill here and stay controlled. But the Cadenza 4 is comparatively more energetic. S15 is a little smoother in comparison. Overall, I’m in awe of the timbre reproduction and accuracy of the Cadenza 4. So, I slightly prefer the Cadenza 4 over the S15 for more critical listening. However, I consider S15 more musical and smooth sounding here.

Male Vocals

Both the IEMs have greater emphasis on the mid-range and vocals in particular. Male vocals have more warmth from mid-bass and sound a little more meaty on the S15. The clarity with subtle nuances goes to Cadenza 4. In rare instances, there is sharpness in vocals on both. I don’t say sibilant, the way the track was mastered. A little more prominent on Cadenza 4 but nothing to worry about.

So both are neck-on-neck here and are far from boring. The differences I mentioned here are subtle at best. I prefer both for male vocals.

Female Vocals

Female vocals have the right energy on both, a little more on Cadenza 4. S15 sounds a little laid-back in comparison. Cadenza 4 sounds a little forward with more clarity and energy. Energetic tracks sound great on both. Those who prefer slightly less energetic and relaxed female vocals will be more satisfied with the S15.

I slightly prefer Cadenza 4 over S15 because of the added energy and clarity which isn’t overly done and is right considering my tastes. S15 is excellent too and I prefer them for a more relaxed listening that is detailed as well. Both are not sibilant to me but a little sharp on Cadenza 4 at times and sound a little edgy but controlled. Very rare to be honest.

Overall, I enjoy vocal performance on both. One does not undermine the other and I respect both for what they offer here.

Treble

The treble is open-sounding, detailed, and smooth on both. Does not sound subdued or dampened. More airy performance on the S15 and is a tad smoother as well. Clarity is a tad better on the Cadenza 4 thanks to the driver configuration. Both are tuned matured here with a little more airy extension on the S15. Both are well done here. I prefer the Cadenza 4 for the clarity, and the S15 for its smooth airy performance.

Overall, I prefer S15 a little better here considering my tastes with airy treble notes whereas Cadenza 4 can sound a little congested in comparison, especially in busier treble tracks.

Technicalities

Stage width is a little wider on Cadenza 4. Height and depth are great on both. Resolution and details are slightly better with Cadenza 4, thanks to the multi-driver configuration again. Imaging is a little more precise on Cadenza due to the more clean and precise note weight definition including the stereo separation but both do a great job here. Layering/ separation is slightly better on the S15, noticeable in busier tracks. The dynamics are excellent on both sets. Both are agile, and seamless in the transient response.

Overall, technicalities are neck-on-neck here and excellent on both. I slightly lean towards Cadenza 4.

Comparison Conclusion

S15 and Cadenza 4 are highly musical in their way. Cadenza 4 has a better sub-bass extension. S15 sounds fuller in mid-bass and lower-mids. Bass is more authoritative on S15. Cadenza 4 has a very balanced precise presentation in the lower mids. Mid Instrumentation sounds more clean and detailed on the Cadenza 4 with excellent timbre across the board. S15 has prominence in mids with its smooth, lush vocals and instrumentation for more relaxed listening. Cadenza 4 for more critical listening.

Treble is slightly better on S15 due to the airy spacious notes, and smoothness, and Cadenza 4 has more clarity and energy in the treble notes although sounds a little congested in busier tracks. Both are open-sounding, nonetheless. Technicalities are neck-on-neck between the two. Cadenza 4 sounds a little energetic and sharp at times in comparison. S15 is more of a relaxed listen. I highly prefer both of them for what they offer. Sound-wise, no real winner here to be honest. Considering the price points, Cadenza 4 has more return on the money here.



Letshuoer Cadenza 4 (249$) vs Gizaudio x Binary Chopin (199$)


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Fit and build

Chopin is a collaboration between the YouTube reviewer/ influencer Mr. Timmy Vangtan a.k.a Gizaudio (A YouTube channel popular among the IEM community) and Binary Acoustics, a Chinese IEM brand operating since 2017.

The fit of Chopin was an issue for me owing to their odd shape until I replaced the stock tips with Zeo’s render tips. I should say that the ear tips have held the IEM in my ear rather than providing just the seal and comfort. The build quality is excellent though. The cable that comes with the Chopin is of inferior quality compared to the modular cable of Cadenza 4. Cadenza 4 stock cable is leaps ahead if one goes by the looks. But still, the modular option is great with Cadenza 4. Both the fit and build quality of Cadenza 4 are excellent.

Driveability

In comparison, Chopin is very easy to drive. It gets louder easily compared to Cadenza 4. I find the Cadenza 4 more scalable here and can be experimented with a little higher volume range.

Sound

Sub-bass

More quantity but slightly less extension with Chopin in comparison. Rumble is more with the Chopin as the quantity compensates for the slight lack of extension here. The texture is slightly better with Cadenza 4. More tactile feel with Cadenza 4. Overall, both are impactful in their way.

Mid-bass

Mid-Bass sounds more fuller and authoritative on the Chopin while the Cadenza 4 leaves with the feeling of wanting for more in some bassy tracks. Both are hard hitting but the Chopin pushes more air here. Cadenza 4 sounds more neutral in comparison. The tone is slightly better with Cadenza 4.

Overall, Bass lovers will be more pleased with Chopin whereas people who prefer neutral uncolored sound with decent bass to get things moving should go with Cadenza 4.

Instrumentation

Tonality stands out on the Cadenza 4 due to its balanced presentation throughout and not impacting the tonal balance. Chopin sounds brighter in comparison, especially the upper registers and tonal balance is slightly affected because of that. However, both sound natural to me. The resolution is slightly better with the Cadenza 4. I perceive better details with Cadenza 4 as it is more clean sounding and dynamics are better too in comparison.

Note weight appears to be the same but slightly better rounded and full with Cadenza 4 yet crispy. The timbre accuracy is a standout feature of the Cadenza 4 and is spot-on in comparison. Chopin does a great job and comes close but not of the same level as Cadenza 4. Neither of them is sibilant nor harsh sounding but the Chopin is a tad brighter, energetic, and aggressive sounding in comparison. Cadenza 4 gets aggressive and sharp too but on rare occasions. In general, Cadenza 4 is less aggressive compared to Chopin.

Male vocals

Slightly better nuanced, resolving, and depth on the Cadenza 4 compared to Chopin. Chopin shows more energy and is a little forward in comparison. Other than that both are well-placed placed, does not sound dry or recessed. I slightly prefer Cadenza 4 over Chopin.

Female vocals

Female vocals sound with a little better energy, open, and maintain better clarity on Chopin. Less energetic on Cadenza 4 in comparison. But in certain tracks, the energy can get too much and convert to borderline shout on Chopin. Chopin has a more forward presentation here. In some spicy vocal tracks like Titanium (Sia), Cadenza 4 exhibits controlled energy and isn’t shouty or harsh in comparison. So I’m kind of even here but still slightly prefer the openness of Chopin here.

Treble

Treble has an airy presentation on the Chopin that is slightly lacking on the Cadenza 4. Comparatively more energetic on Chopin but not harsh. Both sound open and detailed with decent extension. Chopin has a better airy extension. More smooth sounding on the Cadenza 4 but isn’t subdued. Resolution and clarity are slightly better on the Cadenza. I love treble performance on both but I am more inclined towards the airy and energetic presentation of the Chopin considering my tastes. Both do a great job here.

Technicalities

Overall resolution and details are slightly better with Cadenza 4. I hear more micro details/ nuances, especially in the midrange of Cadenza 4. Dynamic presentation is better on the Cadenza 4 as well. The soundstage is spaciously wide on the Cadenza 4 as the venue demands. Chopin is adequately wide too but Cadenza appears a little wider in comparison. Height and depth are great on both. Layering and separation appear to be the same on both. Imaging including the stereo separation is slightly better on the Cadenza 4. Chopin does a great job too but Cadenza 4 appears more precise and dynamic in both imaging and stereo separation.

Comparison Conclusion

Both are gems at their respective price points. Cadenza 4 is a slightly better IEM than the Chopin especially for its mid-range instrument timbre, resolution, details, and technicalities where the Cadenza 4 stands out. The Chopin still has the upper hand over Cadenza 4 in the mid-bass and overall treble performance. Both cater to different audiences and the credit should be given where it is due. They complement each other for their respective strengths and shortcomings. I prefer both of them at their respective price points. Cadenza 4 is priced slightly above Chopin and is well justified for the stated reasons.


Letshuoer Cadenza 4 Review Closing Thoughts


Letshuoer Cadenza 4 ‘The True Virtuoso’ possesses outstanding musical and technical abilities for the asking price as the name indicates. There’s the catch though – this IEM may not please a bass head or a treble head but everyone in between would surely fall in love with this gem of an IEM, especially those who prefer a neutral uncolored sound. The mid-range is glorified and probably the USP of this IEM with its exceedingly accurate and natural timbre reproduction and fantastic vocals. Listening to instrumentals with a source like Cayin RU7 is pure bliss. The bass and treble are well-done anchoring the balance than being the focal points. Brilliant technicalities are the icing on the cake. Overall, a fantastic and pleasurable listen especially for mid-range enthusiasts.
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kalibri
kalibri
You absolutely nailed the bass description, it's incredible how good the response is given there is not a lot of it. When a kick drum is playing it can be both heard and felt, Letshuoer did an amazing job here I have to admit.
P
Pavan Kumar
@kalibri Thank you so much mate. Agree with you. Letshuoer did a fantastic job with the overall tuning of this IEM.

SherryLion

New Head-Fier
A Very Target Specific Tuned IEM! The LetShuoer Cadenza 4
Pros: 1. Extremely detailed and clear sounding
2. Crisp and sharp treble
3. Forward and open sounding mid range
4. Well-controlled and articulated Bass
5. Great technical specifications
Cons: 1. lacks weight/richness in the lower frequencies

Review Of The LetShuoer Cadenza 4


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Introduction


Recently, the brand LetShuoer has been on a roll with continual releases of IEMs and now a dongle dac. The firm was founded in China in 2016 and has been manufacturing IEMs in every category, whether affordable, mid-range, or premium. Their IEMs, such as the S12, EJ07M, and now the Cadenza 12, which is their flagship IEM, have been popular since its introduction. They just launched Cadenza 12's younger sibling, Cadenza 4, which I was fortunate enough to obtain for review reasons, but before we go any further, I'd want to clarify a few points.

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Disclaimer


*Since this unit tour was organised by the lovely people at Letshouer, I am grateful to them. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as “Cadenza 4.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Cadenza 4 based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

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Specification


The Cadenza 4 has a multi-driver hybrid configuration with three balanced armatures from Knowles(2) and Sonion(1) and one 10mm berryllium dynamic driver. All drivers use 50 um 3D printed acoustic tubes and an electronic four-way crossover to enable target-specific tuning. The shells are composed of skin-friendly plastic, while the faceplate is constructed of CNC machined aluminum alloy. The shells are ergonomically curved and have a matte white finish, which feels quite safe and comfortable in my ears while still providing a fresh and crisp appearance. This wasn't an issue either because I was able to acquire a suitable fit with smaller eartips. The cable offered is a 392-strand high purity silver plated monocrystalline copper cable that feels amazing and performs well, with two pin connections on one end and an L-shaped modular termination plug on the other. Aside from the cable and IEMs, the kit contains six pairs of eartips in two distinct kinds and three different sizes, three interchangeable plugs (2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm), and a sleek and matte-finished carrying bag. According to the technical standards, the impedance is 15 ohms and the sensitivity is 102 decibel. The frequency response ranges from 20Hz to 40kHz.

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Sound


The Cadenza 4 produces a brightish neutral tone with a very revealing and expressive presentation. In terms of technical specifications, I believe these are among the best-sounding options in this price range. When compared to my ideal objective, the IEF Neutral, I believe they are the clearest and most on-point graphs I've ever seen. The response appears light and lean in compared to the likes of the Quintet, Falcon Pro, Da Vinci, and so on, but being one of the finest resolving IEMs, many people will like it for its expressive and vibrant presentation. Although I've always thought DUNU IEMs had a forward and lively sound, these outperform in terms of overall balance, with superb extension on both sides. Even while not every component of the presentation is crisp and well-received, I believe it lacks warmth and authority in terms of note weight and thickness. Let's take a closer look at the sound.

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Treble


The elongation of the notes in the treble is absolutely captivating, and the entire area has enough excitement and air to bring out the aftermath sound completely and clearly. Despite the fact that the treble might become lean and metallic in character, the vibrant exposure and details compensate. The upper treble sounds airier and crisper in presentation, particularly in terms of how notes are pushed in this region; the vocals and instruments have great details and clarity at the expense of sounding metallic and sharp, which are frequently brought up in the mix; however, the clarity is one of the best I've heard in this price range while producing a bright response. Tracks like Elton John's I'm Still Standing have a highly expressive and distinctive presentation of the note over the track, and the way the Cadenza manages the air and extension adds a lot of resolve, particularly to the vocals, which become complete and full sounding. In the lower treble, the singers and instruments generate a more lively presentation, and I feel the notes have a bit more weight, which keeps sibilance and shoutiness at bay. The vocals take a more prominent approach in the mix, while the instrumentation compliment them. For example, ToTo's track Africa sounds really delightful, with all of the instruments sounding intriguing and engaging. The instruments have a very clear and nice response, allowing the vocals to deliver a vivid presentation. To be more specific, the overall location of the singers and instruments results in one of the track's cleanest and most emotive presentations. Consequently, the overall presentation of the treble area is crisp, detailed, and sharp-sounding.

Mid Range


When it comes to the mid-range, the response stands out in the mix, bringing out the full vocal and instrument approach while keeping the note purity. The response lacks note weight, which may result in a less full-bodied sound, but with such a roomy and unique presentation, I doubt anybody would have any issues. The upper mid-range has the same energy as the lower treble with better note weight, and to be honest, it rarely makes a difference, but better energy and prominence in the mix allow the vocals to become more consistent with the instruments, as tonally the vocals sound open and captivating while the instruments bring a more fuller presentation of the notes, allowing for a more distinctive presentation. The lower mid-range sounds clean and hazy in the approach of the notes; I believe the purity of the notes does not allow for that depth, and the notes lack complete composure of weight and thickness. While listening to tracks such as The Reason by Hoobastank, the overall response is quite clear and resolved, making it sound distinctive, but the guitar notes, particularly in the lower frequencies, sound weightless and dry; despite the fact that the response is precise, the overall dynamics appear missing. At the same time, the notes have better contrast and resolution when listening to tracks like URU's Kamihitoe, as her vocals bring a very vibrant and captivating presentation; I truly prefer her crisp notes and delicacy in expressing them, which Cadenza 4 brings. As a result, the mid-range area sounds wide, clear, and unique.

Bass


When it comes to bass response, I believe it has a strong impact and presence but lacks depth and character. The bottom bass is beautifully defined and textured, but it falls short in terms of generating exciting bass, despite the fact that it does its job well. The emphasis is on the sub-bass, which packs appropriate punches and rumbling, but it lacks in the mid-bass; personally, I have no qualms with it, but others believe it is either perfectly tuned or missing in dynamics and engagement. The mid-bass features significant crashes and thumps, but they also sound weightless and artificial. While listening to Miliyah's tracks ISOxo how2fly and Kono Yumega Samerumade, I noticed that the bass lacked punch and force in comparison to its rivals. The bass has precision and speed, but the weight and dynamism were lacking. Overall, the bass area sounds detailed and textured but lacks weight and solidity.

Technical Performance


When it comes to technical elements, the Cadenza 4 outperforms every other IEM in this price range, including the Quintet and Falcon Pro, as well as IEMs priced more. I believe the Cadenza 4 has more targeted and detail-oriented tuning. Let's go into the specifics.

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Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation


The Cadenza 4's soundstage is fairly wide and spacious, allowing for a holographic presentation and accurate note positioning. The imaging is sharp and clear, and the precision of the notes can be felt due to the distinctive nature of the notes, which have a great separation. The faraway aspect of the sounds makes it easier for me to determine where each given sound is originating from.

Speed & Resolution


I feel they are the most detailed-sounding IEMs I've heard in this price range, bringing outstanding resolution and both macro and micro details to the surface with ease. The assault and decay of the notes are superbly fast-paced, resulting in a very clean-sounding presentation.

Sound Impressions


Sources


Sony WM1A - While listening to Cadenza 4 through WM1A, the response seemed more wholesome and full-bodied, making it well-rounded and enjoyable to listen to. The dynamics increased in comparison, with the bass sounding huge and powerful in the sub-bass while losing punch and warmth in the mid-bass. The treble seemed tamed in terms of details and forwardness, allowing the region to sound smooth and silky; the same can be said for the midrange region, but the voices and instruments sounded more weighted and bodied, resulting in a more unified and genuine sound. Tracks like Milet's Anytime Anywhere sounded larger and richer because the notes had more to offer, particularly the voices, which seem appealing and composite.

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FiiO M15S - While listening to Cadenza 4 via M15S, the response sounded more sterile and clean with a drop in note weight, but it did not introduce or modify the sound of tuning to become sibilant or shouty. The notes got more illuminating as their differentiation improved. Personally, I noticed that it removed whatever musicality I had from the sound and made it seem dull. The neutral element of the M15S, along with the Cadenza 4's brightish neutral tuning, results in one of the most detailed and clear-sounding responses I've ever heard, without compromising the note's purity. I mean, tunes like Kokoronashi by Majiko were incredibly clear and expressive in a way that made the vocals and instruments seem distinctive and more resolving, but they removed any unified and musical approach to instruments and vocals that used to feel like a recorded live performance.

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Tracks


Millet - Anytime Anywhere
Anri - I can’t stop the loneliness
Kohana Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Uru - Kimino Shiawasewo
Uru - Kamihitoe
Kujira Yumemi - Kenka
Majiko - Kokoronashi
Anly - Sukinishinayo
Kohama Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Miliyah - Kono Yumega Samerumade
Rokudenashi - The Flame Of Love
Yu-Peng Chen - A New Day with Hope
Yu-Peng Chen - Another Hopeful Tomorrow
Yu-Peng Chen - For Riddles, for Wonders
Valentino Khan - Satellite
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Jawns - Erotica
ISOxo - how2fly
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Weeknd - Popular
YUNGBLUD - When We Die(Can We Still Get High)
Bring to Horizon - Kool-Aid
Middle Kids - Bend
FLETCHER - Leads Me On
Loathe - Aggressive Evolution
The Weeknd - Save Your Tears
Sigrid - Burning Bridges
AURORA - Black Water Lilies
AURORA - Runaway
X Ambassadors - Renegades
Lupe Fiasco - Words I Never Said
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Can’t Hold Us
Goyte - Somebody That I Used To Know
Jay-Z - Run This Town
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Ladytron - Ghost
Travis - Love Will Come Through
LINKIN PARK - Somewhere I Belong
DJ Shadow - Six Days (Remix)
Hoobastank - The Reason
Ricky Martin - I Don’t Care
Tool - 7empest
Tool - Vicarious
A Flock Of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song
Zack Hemsey - Vengeance
Elton John - I’m Still Standing
The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin
Micheal Sembello - Maniac
Guns N’ Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine
A.R. Rahman - Kun Faya Kun


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Conclusion


To summarize this review, I believe that anyone who like an IEM particularly tuned for the IEF target with a 10-12dB sub bass increase would LOVE these IEMs, as they provide a vivid, sharp, and energetic response while being lean and neutral. Though I'd want to point out that this is not for individuals who prefer fun and warm sounding IEMs, they are welcome to try since the details and clarity will blow your mind for the $250USD price they are being sold for, thus I'll absolutely suggest them.

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MotherX1
MotherX1
nice review man.

marcelzxc

New Head-Fier
LETSHUOER CADENZA 4 REVIEW
Pros: – Unboxing experience
– Aesthetically beautiful (subjective)
– Price/performance
– Neutral/natural sound
– Coherent tuning
– Good for studio monitoring
– Easy to push
– Excellent technicalities
– Great soundstage
– Great imaging
– Great fit and comfort
– Great eartips
– Great cable (modular)
– Great carrying case
Cons: – May lack bass for some (subjective)
– Bass not so fast
– Carrying case takes time to unscrew
– Sticker tore the envelope

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>>I am brazilian and I speak portuguese, so forgive my english, I’ll use translation tools to help<<


INTRO:

Finally, the long-awaited moment has arrived! I was really eager to test a hybrid earphone from LETSHUOER. I’m a big fan of their products, they’re one of the few companies that focus not only on sound quality but also on overall product excellence, including design, packaging, accessories, and more. While I’ve previously listened to LETSHUOER’s planar and dynamic driver IEMs, I’ve always been partial to hybrid earphones. For me, the combination of drivers provides the best balance between technical precision and musical enjoyment. So, here’s my chance to dive into the LETSHUOER Cadenza 4.

Price: $249 USD
Colors: Silver/White

Letshuoer Reviews: S12, DT02, D13 (portuguese), DZ4, S15 (english)



LETSHUOER LINKS:

https://amzn.to/45qrJ35

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdW0WDd



SPECIFICATIONS:

Hybrid: 1DD + 3BAs
  • (1) 10mm dual-chambered beryllium coated DD per side
  • (3) 1 Sonion BA + 2 Knowles BA per side
– Frequency range: 20Hz – 40kHz
– Sensitivity: 102dB
– Impedance: 15Ω
– Termination Plug: Modular (2.5mm, 3.5mm, 4.4mm)(L design)
– Connectors: 2pin 0.78mm
– Cable size: 1.2m (detachable)
– Cable: 392-strands HP silver-plated monocrystalline copper
– Shell: HeyGears 3D Resin + aluminum alloy (faceplate)
– Earphone weight: 5.4g (one side)(without eartips)
– Cable weight: 30g (with 4.4mm plug)
– Cable weight: 29.2g (with 3.5mm plug)
– Cable weight: 26.3g (without plug)
– Total weight (packaging, iems, etc): 452.4g
– Packaging size: 10.5cm [H] x 15.5cm [W] x 8cm [D]



UNBOXING:







PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction: Here we can start by saying that whoever had the LETSHUOER DZ4 will have an idea of the construction of the Cadenza 4. And whoever had the LETSHUOER S15 will have an idea of the complement that comes with the product, that is, the modular cable, the unboxing experience, etc. The fusion was perfect, the shell of the DZ4 is very good, then the shell of the Cadenza 4 is also very good (they are very similar). The shell was made by the 3D printing company called HeyGears, all the shells that this company makes are of excellent quality. The faceplate of the Cadenza 4 is made of metal (aluminum), as on the DZ4 and also on the S15, only the design changes.

The S15 unboxing experience is that of a premium product, and here at Cadenza 4 they repeated the same concept, changing only small details, such as the color of the packaging, cable design, etc., but the success is repeated. For me, it is without a doubt one of the best unboxings I have ever received. But to not say that it was all 10 score, I think the company made a mistake putting a sticker on the envelope containing the earphone’s leaflets (manual, warranty card, etc.). What happened was that the sticker became very glued and there was no other way than to tear the envelope to access the contents. A small mistake that can be easily fixed by them, thus preventing the packaging from being damaged during unboxing. But other than that, I have nothing to criticize, a very well-made product.
Even more about the construction of the Cadenza 4, according to the company, we have an IEM with 3 acoustic tubes to pass sound, and an electronic four-way crossovers to separate frequencies between the drivers. The acoustic tubes were made using a 3D printer and are 50μm long.

Eartips: Look, we have a pleasant surprise here. Follow along. First, to say that the eartip kit was very good, it came with two types of silicone eartips, in sizes S/M/L. The types are: Vocal (transparent) and Balanced (gray). These “Vocal” are more focused on the wide bore style, and I confess that they aren’t really my beach, but I could see that they are great quality eartips, better than those I usually see on other IEMs. Well, the company also added one of my favorite eartips, the Balanced ones (gray), they are simply very good. I remember after reviewing the LETSHUOER S12, I asked the company to sell them separately… unfortunately they thought it was not viable to launch this product. Now, they’re back here at Cadenza 4, so just happiness! They are really good, very soft, and have a great form, very universal. There’s no mistake, I carried out the review using the Balaced in size M. I continue to insist that the company should sell these eartips separately.

Cable: Here we also have a very positive point about the product, the Cadenza 4 cable is very good. Starting with the modular system with the 3 main connections: 2.5mm balanced, 3.5mm Single Ended, and 4.4mm balanced. The system used is very good, easy to change plugs, everything is very simple and hassle-free. Until today, both the S15 modular cable and the Cadenza 4 modular cable have been the best modular cables I’ve ever tested. Regarding the material of the cable itself, the plastic coating on the cable is perhaps the only point to be criticized, although it isn’t a bad thing, it’s just that it gives a feeling of “transparent plastic sensation” (difficult to even explain). But other than that, I only saw positive points: it’s a light cable, there’s no microphonics, it doesn’t get tangled, it doesn’t take up memory, and it’s easy to roll up for storage. The earhooks are great, smooth and with good curvature. The chin slider works very well. I even liked the Cadenza 4’s cable more than the S15’s cable… the Cadenza 4’s is a little lighter and more malleable, and aesthetically speaking, I like silver-plated cables.

Fit and comfort: Anyone who had the DZ4 and enjoyed the IEM will certainly also love the Cadenza 4, the shell is practically the same. So, I had no surprises, excellent fit and comfort (in my ears). The shell is very anatomical, it has a more vertical fit, while the S15 has a more horizontal/diagonal fit. 100% stable IEM in my ears. Impeccable comfort, I had no pressure points. I consider it to be a great IEM for spending long hours listening to sound. The Cadenza 4 is an IEM that I consider to be very light, just 5.4g. The insertion I found to be average to deep (partly because of the eartips), and the isolation I found to be very good. I had no sensation of internal pressure in the ear canal… of course, this is very subjective, but I think that the Cadenza 4 isn’t an IEM capable of generating this situation, precisely because it isn’t a large earphone.

Accessories: In addition to the modular cable and eartips, the Cadenza 4 comes with a rigid carrying case with screw closure. It’s also part of the positive points of the product. Anyone who follows the reviews here knows that this is exactly one of the carrying case styles that I recommend. The only detail that I had already noticed since the DZ4, then the S15, and now the Cadenza 4, is that it takes a long time to screw the case to open the lid… I think the company could have improved this, to the lid releases faster, and closes as well. I even had to skip this part in the unboxing video, otherwise I would have spent a lot of time just unscrewing the case lid.


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SOUND ASPECTS:

I understood the sound of the LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 as Neutral with a slight Bassboost (emphasis on the bass region). For me, the IEM has a very correct sound, and I think that this is the type of sound that audiophiles are looking for, something without excess and faithful to the recordings. For my taste, I like IEMs that are a little more energetic, and with just a little more bass than the Cadenza 4, but in no way did I find the IEM boring or without bass, that’s not it, the proposal of the earphone that it really is a more neutral, natural. The Cadenza 4 is a very coherent earphone that you can listen to for hours and hours without getting tired, because the sound is very comfortable. It’s an IEM that I think is a mix between the musical and the technical. >Note the details of the chosen output in the amplification paragraph.<

The LETSHUOER Cadenza 4, along with the LETSHUOER D13, were the IEMs that I liked the most among those I heard from the company… speaking personally, my taste, because the LETHUOER S12 and LETSHUOER S15 for me were very technical IEMs, and in some situations I missed a warmer and more musical sound, something I found with the Cadenza 4 and the D13 (in relation to the aforementioned). Leaving the LETSHUOER family, I think the Cadenza 4 is a great upgrade for those who have the Truthear Hexa and thought it had too much sub-bass, so the Cadenza 4 can correct that boost from the subs and also manage to bring more technicalities.

Bass:

Quantitative: I consider the bass of the Cadenza 4 to be moderate. The IEM has a slight boost in the bass region (sub-bass and mid-bass), which makes it sound – to my ears – like a very coherent earphone, the presentation is always “linear”. You’ll have a bass that doesn’t stand out, it’s not the star of the show, it always follows the recording. But don’t think that they are anemic bass, on the contrary, the boost brought exactly the correction so that the bass wouldn’t be like that. Now, I think that this would not be an IEM for bassheads, in that sense the LETSHUOER D13 itself would be the most correct option. Although, I enjoy more fun bass and I didn’t feel frustrated, I could live with the Cadenza 4 easily. I didn’t feel any roll-off, the extension is good. It’s possible that you can listen to many musical genres with the Cadenza 4, because of course this is something subjective, I just wouldn’t go with EDM and Hip-Hop (my opinion).

Qualitative: The bass is controlled, versatile, linear, has a good texture and brings a little physicality. Don’t think that because it’s a neutral IEM that the bass will be thin, that’s not exactly what I noticed here, they have body, and add a slight touch of warmth to the presentation. The definition is good/ok, and I agree that they aren’t the fastest bass I have ever heard, the company itself has 3 other IEMs that deliver more technical bass, namely the S12, D13, and S15. The impact is audible, but it’s not that strong, but it faithfully reproduces the beat of a bass drum, for example. It’s not boomy bass, it’s not bloated, and it doesn’t invade the midrange. Truly, the Cadenza 4’s bass is a part of a whole, and each part respects the other.

Mids:

Quantitative and qualitative: The mids are very interesting, because they are neither too far back nor too far forward, the measure here was very well implemented, it brings a “naturalness” without losing the technical side (of course, natural is something subjective). The pinna gain sounds very consistent with the real thing, at no point does it go overboard, you always have a good projection in the mid/upper-mid range, without feeling aggressive or harsh. I think the Cadenza 4’s midrange is closer to the Thieaudio Hype 2‘s midrange than the Kiwi Ears Quintet‘s midrange… the Quintet is a little more “soft”/recessed in that midrange region. The Cadenza 4’s midrange has great transparency, definition, clarity and detail. Voices, percussion instruments, and wind instruments have excellent resolution, very realistic timbre.

Voices: As it is a neutral IEM with a slight emphasis on the bass region, the voices on the Cadenza 4 were good for both types, it was a technical tie. Now, you can have good performance for both types of voices – male/low and female/high, however, the IEM cannot be the best for either type… what I mean is, if for example If your library is mostly lower/guttural vocals, the Cadenza 4 may not extract the full potential for this type of voice, and the same happens for voices with higher timbres. It’s different when you pick up an IEM with a lot of bass and listen to a voice with a very low timbre, you feel greater depth and warmth in the presentation. That said, the Cadenza 4 manages to have a good balance on both types of voices.

Treble:

Quantitative: The treble is at the moderate level. It is another region that also brings great coherence with the real side. I looked for something wrong and didn’t find it. It’s easier to talk about an error that the IEM has than when the IEM enters that “natural” zone, because trying to explain the natural is very difficult, it enters in the subjective zone. Because I can listen to an IEM with a little more treble than this one and still find it natural… so when something goes “out of point”, or goes beyond its “natural”, then you will say what you noticed something wrong. I will say that this isn’t the IEM for those looking for a brighter presentation, the Cadenza 4 seeks to be more correct, so you will have extremely linear treble here. I didn’t feel any roll-off, the treble extension is good.

Qualitative: The Cadenza 4’s trebles are neutral, “natural”, correct, linear, versatile, controlled, have no peaks, no coloration. Great definition, great detailing, great airy. The sparkle is very consistent with reality, nothing goes beyond the point, the presentation never sounds crystalline, or too bright. This is an IEM that absolutely doesn’t cause a feeling of hearing fatigue due to the treble, great for people looking for more comfortable IEMs to listen to. And the big positive point is that quantity didn’t affect the technical quality. They aren’t harsh treble, they aren’t strident, they aren’t sharp, and I didn’t feel the presence of sibilance at any time. The timbre of the high-pitched instruments was very good, very faithful to what we hear from the sounds produced in real life.

Soundstage: I found the soundstage sensation to be very good. In fact, the Cadenza 4 is not that deep an earphone, but in terms of width and height it performs very well. The depth of the sound is standard, it neither plays as if it were glued to the eardrum nor does it play as if it were inside a cave (with echo). Comparing the Cadenza 4 with the Kiwi Ears Quintet in terms of spatiality, the Cadenza 4 is a little behind the Quintet, this is because the Quintet has less frontal midrange than the Cadenza 4, so the feeling in the Quintet is as if the instruments were more further away. On the spatiality scale: Quintet > Hype2 > Cadenza 4.

Imaging: I thought the Cadenza 4’s instrumental separation was excellent. If the Quintet performed better on the sound stage, now it is the Cadenza 4’s turn to be better. Between the two, the Cadenza 4 manages to have a slightly better resolution in the sound of the instruments than the Quintet, it was noticed that some sounds had a feeling of greater micro details, which in turn makes the presentation as a whole sound cleaner and more transparent, the positioning of the instruments becomes more precise (remembering that the quality of the recording greatly influences this aspect here). On the separation scale: Hype2 > Cadenza 4 > Quintet.
Flex driver test: I didn’t hear any flex driver sound when inserting the IEM into my ears.

Amplification: I used the FiiO M11S DAP to do this review. The output used was balanced 4.4mm and the DAP in High Gain mode. Volume was 70% of the 120% available through M11S. It was a matter of taste for what the balanced output gave me with the IEM, but I can say that the Cadenza 4 on the 3.5mm output also played easily, I didn’t see the need for dedicated amplification (powerful amps). What happened was that in the balanced output, the sound became more “lively”, dynamic, the sound actually scaled up a bit, opening up the sensation of spatiality, more imaging, and bass with more impact. Now, with the same 3.5mm output and 80%-85% volume, the sound seemed very close to me, so I think that if the person only has equipment with a 3.5mm output, everything will be fine, there will be no need to rush out and buy balanced equipment to play the Cadenza 4, Ok? I tested the IEM on the FiiO KA11 and it played easily. The Cadenza 4 will certainly play on smartphones, iPads, and notebooks. I always recommend that the person at least have a good quality dongle to play the earphones. Currently, I recommend the FiiO KA11 as a good cost-benefit dongle.


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Ceeluh7
Ceeluh7
Nice review. I thoroughly enjoy listening to the Cadenza 4. Certainly a competitive set for its price point.

Ichos

Reviewer at hxosplus
Reference
Pros: + Neutral and reference tuning
+ Great technicalities for the category
+ Natural and realistic timbre without artificiality
+ Perfect for critical listening
+ Not lacking in musicality and enjoyment
+ Smooth treble
+ Wide soundstage
+ Lightweight and comfortable
+ High quality modular cable
+ Well made
+ Good value
Cons: - Not as fun for casual listening
- A bit lean and dry bass
- Dull appearance
- Limited selection of ear-tips
- Plastic cable plugs
The Cadenza 12 is LETSHUOER’s flagship in-ear monitor, an exceptionally well sounding earphone that is one of my favorites and I regularly use it for music listening and as a reviewing reference.

The Cadenza 4 is a scaled down version of their 12 driver flagship, a hybrid earphone with four drivers per side, a 10mm dual-chambered beryllium coated dynamic driver and 3 BA drivers.

The 10mm dual-chambered dynamic driver is beryllium coated, a metal which possesses the characteristics of being light and extremely rigid.

The balanced armature drivers are a combination of Knowles and Sonion for rich mid-frequency details, and ample treble extension.

Furthermore the Cadenza 4 adopts a design with three acoustic tubes that are combined with an electronic four-way crossover. The 50μm 3D printed acoustic tubes ensure accurate, smooth, and consistent sound. The four-way electronic crossover allows for precise control of frequency distribution and significantly reduces phase errors.

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Non Audio stuff

LETSHUOER has collaborated with the renowned HeyGears to create custom-like ear-shells with an ergonomic design that follows the natural shape of the ear. The 3D printed, resin ear-shells have aluminum faceplates with a matte silver finish that adds a touch of elegance and premium feel. The appearance is not that unique, I find the faceplates too contrasted with the white ear-shells and they don't match that well.

The ear-shells are compact and lightweight, they fit well and offer a comfortable and stress free listening experience. Passive attenuation is also good and the only thing worth noting is that the sound tube is a little short so some people might need double or triple flange ear-tips that are not included in the package.

Cable

The Cadenza 4 comes standard with a 392-strands high-purity silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable. It is a detachable cable with the 2-pin interface and modular plugs, three types of right-angled interchangeable plugs are included in the package. This is a lightweight cable that bends easily, it doesn't get tangled and is not microphonic. A high quality stock cable, the only thing worth noting is that the swappable connectors are made from plastic instead of aluminum.

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Accessories

The package includes a plastic, round shaped carrying case with a screw lid, the cable and two sets of silicone ear-tips (vocal and balanced) in three sizes each.

Drivability

The LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 has an 15Ω impedance with 102dB of sensitivity so they are pretty easy to drive from portable sources. But don't be afraid to experiment with better and more powerful gear because they scale very well. A great match is LETSHUOER's new USB DAC dongle, the DT03, but I have also used the FiiO M23 and iBasso DX180.

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Audio stuff

The Cadenza 4 is an exceptionally well tuned set of earphones with a neutral - balanced sound that steers away from Harman and V-shaped target curves. This is a set suitable for audiophile critical listening with a perfectly neutral and tonally accurate bass, present and well defined mid-range, and an extended treble that manages to stay smooth and easy to the ear. The Cadenza 4 follows a monitor like tuning but without compromising musicality and enjoyment, it has a reference but not clinical sound.

The sound is natural and slightly warm, the timbre is very realistic with excellent tonal accuracy throughout the whole frequency range. The Cadenza 4 is especially suitable for listening to classical music, all instruments of the symphony orchestra and voices, from the deep bass to the high sopranos, are reproduced with remarkable accuracy, precise pitch and the most colorful overtones. Excellent is also the four driver's integration, the Cadenza 4 is very cohesive sounding and absent of any balanced armature timbre.

Upper mid-range and treble are just slightly elevated to enhance clarity and definition but they don't come out as bright and fatiguing. The Cadenza 4 resolves quite well for the category and offers competitive detail retrieval. Nothing is really missing on the long run and the sound is not veiled at all but this is an earphone that aims for timbral accuracy rather than magnifying levels of insight or too much sparkle. This doesn't mean that they lack in energy or luminosity but they do it without going as far as to sound sterile or analytical. Percussion and high pitched brass instruments, like the natural trumpet, are reproduced with remarkable physicality and plenty of weight so they don't sound metallic, piercing or strident.

The bass is exceptionally well tuned, with great sub-bass extension and a neutrally linear and uncolored mid-bass that stays crystal clear and doesn't clog the mids. Laying and separation are among the best in the category and the low-end successfully balances technicalities with texture weight. Fast, tight and controlled with a very satisfying dynamic impact but a little dry.

People not familiar with neutrally tuned bass may be fooled by frequency response graphs and think the Cadenza 4 as sub-bass focused. It is certainly not and what you actually hear depends on the final mix. Tracks that have too much sub-bass, like electronic music, will sound bass heavy because there is nothing else happening around but pieces with many bass instruments will sound balanced and exactly as they ought to. The Cadenza 4 resembles professional monitors so do expect them to mirror the exact mix. This is not magic, this is exactly how earphones should be tuned for critical audiophile listening. I would dare to say that the overall tuning of the low-end is more successful and neutral in the Cadenza 4 than the Cadenza 12 which has a touch of mid-bass prominence.

The mid-range is also masterfully tuned, natural and organic, with the right timbre and very colorful harmonies. Rather neutral, if not just mildly forward. Clarity and resolution are class leading, the sound is spacious, and crystal clear with excellent definition. The Cadenza 4 is musical and very engaging both when it comes to listening to instruments or voices while at the same time it maintains excellent transparency and fidelity. As said earlier, upper mid-range is a little emphasized to enhance clarity and perception but nowhere sibilant or fatiguing. The textures are also quite full bodied, but not that rich or lush, and the mid-range is devoid of balanced armature timbre or any other traces of artificiality.

The soundstage is immersive and technically capable. Wide but not artificially expanded, spacious and quite roomy, with surprisingly good imaging and plenty of depth layering. The sound doesn't stretch outside the listener’s ears but it never feels congested or restrained. There is plenty of ambient information and a good sense of grandness albeit a little lacking in holography and dimensionality.

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Comparison with the LETSHUOER S15

The slightly more expensive LETSHUOER S15 ($299) is the successor of the much acclaimed S12 PRO and the brand's latest release before the Cadenza 4. This is a plantar magnetic earphone with a 14.8mm driver and a proprietary R-Sonic passive filtering module. These two earphones look quite similar, from the unboxing experience, to the appearance and the included accessories but they have different tunings.

Their appearance is almost identical, 3D printed resin ear-shells, blue vs white, with aluminum alloy panels that have different patterns. The S15 is slightly bulkier and has a longer sound tube than the Cadenza 4. Both are comfortable earphones but the latter offers a slightly better and stress free wearing experience. The package and the included accessories are identical. The stock cables are a little different though, the one that comes with the Cadenza 4 is more lightweight and softer.

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These two earphones have radically different tunings. The S15 has a significant low-end emphasis that extends up to the lower mid-range without clouding it, nor overpowering the higher frequencies. It is high quality bass that is more visceral and weighty than in the Cadenza 4, it sounds more impactful and dynamic but not that transparent and well defined as in the later. The Cadenza 4 has better tonal accuracy but it doesn't sound as fun and bassy as the S15. The mid-range is quite similarly tuned in both earphones but the textures are lusher, thicker and more weighty on the S15. Technicalities and transparency are still better on the Cadenza 4, something that also applies to the treble which is considerably more energetic and extended from a tuning point of view. The treble of the S15 is mildly subdued when compared to that of the Cadenza 4 so the sound is darker and warmer, less airy and sparkling, slightly lacking in vividness and crispiness. The Cadenza 4 is a monitor like earphone suitable for critical listening without sounding boring and the S15 is a fun and casual sounding earphone without compromising on technicalities.

Conclusion

The LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 is a pleasant surprise, an earphone with a refreshing tuning that is not afraid to raise its own voice in a world dominated by V-shaped and Harman target turnings. Tonally accurate and neutrally tuned with class leading technicalities for the category, but without compromising in musicality, this is the perfect choice for critical listening and reference applications. The tuning is almost perfect for all of you who value tonal accuracy and timbre realism but also rest assured that it is not lacking in sentimental depth and emotion. The LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 is highly recommended for the above said reasons and has become my new reference earphone in its respective category.

The review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

The price of the LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 is $249 and you can order it from here.
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Ichos
Ichos
Yes they are but they ought to be mentioned.
L
LikeHolborn
Anything like it but more affordable?
Ichos
Ichos
The FiiO FD15.

hitchhiker

New Head-Fier
Cadenza 4 - Midbudget monitors
Pros: Cohesive sound
Excellent detail
No bleed or sibilance
Great fit
Cons: Not for bassheads
Not for trebleheads either
Letshuoer Cadenza 4 - Quick Impressions
Thanks to gadgetgod and Letshuoer for the review tour of the Cadenza 4, the baby brother of the flagship Cadenza 12.
As always, the opinions are my own and are not incentivised in any way.

OVERVIEW​

Letshuoer has been making very well tuned iems for a long time now. Starting from the well received (among one of the earliest EST implementations) Tape, Letshuoer has come a long way in terms of iem offerings both from quality and quantity (of drivers).

The Cadenza 4 (https://letshuoer.net/products/letshuoer-cadenza4-wired-iem-hifi-earphones-in-ear-monitor) is a 4 driver hybrid with 1 Beryllium coated 10mm dynamic driver, paired with 3 BA drivers (2 from Knowles and 1 from Sonion).
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The sound tubes are 50 micrometer engineering marvels, according to the product literature.

PACKAGE AND BUILD​

The package was quite fun and reminded me very much of the Sony Z1r, with 2 layers of packaging.

The top part opened with a magnetic closing cardboard flap with the iems nestled in foam. The second layer slid out like the IER Z1r case with the following contents.
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The lower drawer contained most prominently, the 3 modular connectors of the cables (3.5, 2.5 and 4.4). Nestled in the round rubberized plastic case
was the cables. Nicely done.

The cables are silvery 4 core cables with a very nice splitter and a transparent cinch. The shell body looks like strong plastic (ABS?) with a shiny metal faceplate.

The iems take 2 pin connectors, the 2 pin connector on the stock cables is nice again, with a flat profile.

The iems come with a set of 6 sizes of silicon tips. Overall very nice package.

SOUND AND IMPRESSIONS​

The iems take a bit of power to drive, but are not too demanding. Paired with a Lotoo Paw S1 (as the lowest denominator for good quality sound while keeping the pricepoint right),
the iems drive well off the High gain mode at about 50 volume.

Overall the sound is a nice W signature, with good note weight/body. The bass is sufficiently strong without any bleed, mids are right there in the middle without any push back.
The treble sounds good too with a lot of detail retrieval and air. There is no sibilance that I noticed on test tracks, but there is a bit of sparkle.

They do sound slightly dark, but combined with the air and decay, they make listening to prog rock sound very atmospheric (Pink Floyd - High Hopes).

Due to an excellent fit, passive noise isolation is good and the iems can be worn for a long time without discomfort.

Speed is very good and this results in excellent attack and decay (Alien Weaponry - Kai Tangata)

Who is this for - anyone looking for an excellent balanced sound, with a good fit for small - medium ears and upwards.
Who is this not for - Bassheads

CONCLUSIONS​

This may be one of my favorites in mid-budget this year!
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PROblemdetected

Previously known as sakt1moko
no*SOUND presents... a letshuoer CADENZA 4 review
Pros: .
Great & technical mid-highs
Capsule material is the future
One of the best scene on the market
Cons: .
Anemic bass, which requires a lot from the listener
Headphone for monitoring, not for enjoying

NEUTRAL-ized

LETSHUOER CADENZA 4
🔈SETUP. 10mm dual-chambered beryllium coated DD + 3 BA drivers (Knowles & Sonion)
✨SEN & IMP. 102dB/mW | 15Ω
💰PRICE. 249€ en letshuoer.net

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Go ahead, I can't be so harsh in the final assessment, only taking into account how far from my profile this headset is, not because of the frequency response, but because of the performance in certain frequencies that I find very pleasant ( I admit it, I'm a basshead).
But all this is no reason to place this headset far from where it should be.

It's not coming to invent the wheel, it does not have a striking or particular tuning, it is coming to continue the style of the THIEAUDIO HYPE and similar iems, but with a more contained price and the quality of SHUOER. Not only because of a great construction and appearance, rarely seen on the market, but because when it comes to looking for good materials and drivers, they are professionals in this. Really, the selection of BA and filters that they have placed, the softness in the upper midrange, culminated by a fantastic scene, is not within the reach of many brands. They achieved this in every-one of his releases.

And although the dynamic driver has speed, picks up quickly and agilely, it's capable with sources with little power, to give that extra that making close to be perfect. It is true that it has the ability to equalize, just like my beloved VARIATIONS, for which a couple of decibels at 100hz are wonderfully good... but that lack of power on the bass does not give you it in analytical capacity, like other headphones with a profile similar.

In any case, in the sub300€ range you have so much to choose... but this CADENZA 4 is clearly one of the possible candidates in that selection; If you are looking for an analytical, correct & safe profile, add a fantastic packaging & construction, just need to forgive the lack of forcefulness in the lower area.

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It's a visit for all those looking for a NEUTRAL profile, with capital letters.

✔️ Great and technical mid-highs
✔️ Capsule material is the future
✔️ One of the best scenes on the market

Sensitive to EQ and sources
A little off price
Some filters or switches are missing

❌ Anemic bass, which requires a lot from the listener
❌ Headphone for monitoring, not for enjoying



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Kindlefirehditaly

New Head-Fier
Letshuoer Cadenza 4 Review: True Hybrid Virtuoso
Pros: Hybrid IEM with Sonion Knowles BA
Modular Cable & case
Mid-centric / Vocal focused
Good timbre
Sub-bass enphasis
Soundstage, Separation & layering
Inoffensive treble
Easy to drive
Cons: Price could be high for someone
Slightly nasal mids (really difficult to notice, fixable with tips or Dac rolling)
Not for Bassheads
Not for Trebleheads

Disclaimer:​


The Letshuoer Cadenza 4 was sent to me as a review sample from Ivy from Letshourer, for which I’m grateful!


After the opportunity to try the S12 Pro, S15, and DZ4, I will finally tell you my opinion on the Letshuoer Cadenza 4.


The collaboration with Heygears continues; lately, Letshuoer shells are all produced by them. The aesthetics are always very minimal but I must say that the workmanship of the shells is still excellent.


Unlike the others, this is the first hybrid I’ve tried from Letshuoer so comparisons will be made with other brands.


I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs and DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music.


So I’m not going to use super technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.


Tech Specs:​

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Packaging:​


The packaging is the one we have already seen on the Letshuoer S15. It differs in very small details that are difficult to notice. It looks like a box of expensive jewelry or a beautiful watch. In the upper part of the box, we find a small letter with manuals and QC inside and immediately below the Cadenza 4, while in the drawer below there are the following accessories:


  • Hard Case
  • Adapters
  • Cable
  • Tips

If there’s one thing I like about the Letshuoer standard equipment, it’s the modular cable (even if it’s a bit stiff). The tips are carefully chosen and give you two options. The case is not the most comfortable but certainly one of the most resistant. The quantity and quality of accessories are good.


Design/Build quality:​


As you may have noticed, the Letshuoer Cadenza 4 follows the aesthetics of the DZ4 and S15. Letshuoer has been collaborating with 3D printing company HeyGears for a while now. The aesthetics are very minimal; they may not appeal to everyone, but I would like to say that on the aesthetic side, there are IEMs with superior aesthetics. In any case, the use of 3D printing allows you to create precise structures for the internal parts and probably also the tubing of the drivers. I’m not particularly interested in aesthetics but if I had to choose, it would be for the shells made from solid aluminium. The Letshuoer Cadenza 4 is still a nice sight. The faceplates are made of metal, which is very simple on the aesthetic side. We see that on the shell we only have one ventilation hole. The nozzle is massive and could annoy some but the shape is perfect as far as I’m concerned.


This time, the configuration is hybrid! We have a 10mm beryllium dynamic driver coupled with 3 balanced armatures. The first balanced armor is a Sonion, while the other 2 are Knowles. A decidedly interesting configuration already makes you understand why the price is a little high.

Comfort/Fit:​


As already mentioned, the shape of the shells is one of the best so far. The most classic forms are often the best and this proves the theory. They are very light and extremely comfortable. The original tips are both fine if you don’t want to replace them but I still used the Tangzu Sancai wide-bore ones. Decent insulation but not perfect.


Initial sound impression:​


At first listen, I noticed its medium-centric tendency. It’s not a bad thing but I noticed it immediately because I spent weeks with Simgot in my ears. I went from something with a certain brightness and definition to something that has a certain roll-off at high frequencies. It makes everything very safe and appealing to a wider audience.


It winks at the Harman target, rather than V-shaped, I would say it is W-shaped or U-shaped at times. The sound has a warm, lush note that is extremely pleasant. All in all, there is an excellent balance between all frequencies, with a slight preference for the mids. Everything sounds particularly natural; the sub-bass has a nice push that adds that depth that I like so much. Another very important thing is that it goes well with practically all musical genres.


Final sound impression:​


Equipment was used for the testing above.

Device:

  • iMac
  • Redmi Note 7 Snapdragon
  • Poco M4 Pro Mediatek
Software:

  • Amazon music UHD 24bit 96kHz (Both)
  • Spotify
DAC:

IMG_20240507_160613-scaled.jpg

My first impressions after about 20 hours of burn-in, in which I let them play without listening to them, are that the Letshuoer Cadenza 4 is a very interesting set and certainly, given the tuning chosen, many will like it. Furthermore, she goes with different musical genres. I started from EDM, D&B, R&B, Jazz, classical, and rap, and there isn’t a single genre in which I wasn’t surprised with the performance.


Letshuoer has created a good mix while remaining on the safe side. In terms of Dac/Dongle, you don’t need an exaggerated amount of power to drive them at their best but a good dongle with balanced output certainly helps them considerably. If you have something analytical and neutral, even better! Its slightly warm nature is mitigated by analytics dongles such as the EPZ TP50, Fosi DS2 or Fosi SK02. The synergy it has with the Simgot DEW4X is particular, which presents a superior soundstage. Personally, I think it is the combination that I like the most and that I will continue to use for the review.


Tips Rolling?​


Tips Rolling
Tips Rolling

An upgrade of the tips is not strictly necessary but the Tangzu Sancai Wide Bore had just arrived and I thought I’d try them. The nozzle practically comes to be totally free in your ear, avoiding reductions in soundstage. Excellent combo.


The Divinus velvets, as usual, prove to be universal; every headset you mount them on will give you the perfect seal and improved comfort. In terms of sound, I didn’t notice an exaggerated change from the stock balanced tips. Maybe less bass.


The Dunu S&S I didn’t think they could be suitable for the Cadenza 4 and instead I had to change my mind. They move the IEM away from the ear a little but we remain in our comfort zone. The difference compared to the Tangzu is a slightly less full bass, brighter mids and slightly more refined highs. Obviously, the soundstage is wider and I can tell you that all in all, it has an excellent result if you are willing to sacrifice a bit of bass.


In my opinion, the included SS20 similar tips are exceptional, even the others are not bad at all for being stock. You don’t need a real upgrade but if you have some tips rolling at home, it never hurts.

IMG_20240506_122851-scaled.jpg

Bass​


I must say that with the Tangzu wide bore tips, the basses have a very pleasant level up, the sealing obtained is perfect, andthe insertion is also quite deep. The bass quantity is not high, but the 10 mm single DD returns a rich, warm, and textured bass. Let’s be clear: it’s not at a basshead level but it still makes itself felt. The one that is properly emphasized is the sub-bass, which adds the rumble and the right rich and deep vibration. Honestly, very pleasant bass in the quantity that I would have liked to hear on the Simgot. A slight emphasis, without exaggerating, is an excellent combination with the mids.


Mids​


The mids are the real protagonists of Letshuoer Cadenza 4. They present themselves ahead of everything, making the vocals and instruments alive and rich in detail. Track after track, we become more and more sympathetic to this kind of choice. A silky representation of the voices, which are all extremely exciting, the instruments are particularly well sounding and natural. I only notice a very light nasal note and a very small haze on some tracks. Let’s say that it isn’t noticeable that much and perhaps it is precisely this touch that gives a certain warmth and sense of reality to the voices. The precise separation of frequencies here becomes much clearer, the tubing of the drivers is well done, and the sounds are all in their place without invading regions that do not belong to them. What is perhaps missing is a slight extra sparkle on the highs, which causes some detail to be lost.


Treble​


As I already said, they didn’t exaggerate with treble extension. I can say that the choice certainly makes sense since many do not tolerate these frequencies very much, but those who tolerate them will certainly notice that some details are lost. Fortunately, the loss is not high and the highs are very fluid with good resolution, as they are not extremely high you cannot hear sharp highs. The IEM can be pushed at high volumes without reaching annoying peaks. The separation is excellent but for trebleheads, it could be considered warm and calm, even if, in the end, there is a good presence of macro and micro details. A touch more sparkle would have been perfect, however, there are DAC combinations that solve this situation slightly.


Soundstage and Imaging:​


Letshuoer Cadenza 4 doesn’t reach the levels of the Letshuoer S15 but I can tell you that the result is excellent. The driver tubing and precise tuning maintain excellent sound separation which contributes to a wide soundstage with good depth. Each sound arrives at the eardrum clear and perfectly distinct from another. Following every little nuance of the track you are listening to is very simple. Good job!


LETSHUOER Nebula Cable Upgrade:​

IMG_20240430_131652-scaled.jpg
Nebula Cable & Earhook
If you expect a difference between day and night, then know that this is not the case. However, against all expectations, despite being a copper cable (which usually increases the bass), here we have a very strange increase in brightness. I say strange because I doubted I would notice any differences, especially regarding the high frequencies, somehow like a sprinkling of stardust on the already excellent Lethshuoer Cadenza 4. Somehow it makes them extremely attractive, starting from the mids, which lose the very light note of warmth or nasality they had. With this upgrade, the Letshuoer Cadenza 4 seems much less mid-centric, giving a superior balance between all frequencies.


I’m very much for the placebo effect, it’s almost inevitable that our brain comes into play. There is a bit of self-conviction that the new cable is better than the old one. In any case, if there were large variations in sound it means that one of the two cables was made of non-conductive material. I am also passionate about audio systems and speakers and have already suffered from cable disease. Now I feel better and as long as we’re talking about pure copper everything is fine.


Without bench tests with measurements, my words stop at personal sensations.


Comparison:​


vs Letshuoer S15

IMG_20240111_133700-1-scaled.jpg

If you prefer the bass of the DD, the Letshuoer S15 will probably not be considered. The almost $100 higher price makes them fit into a totally different budget. There are those who consider them one of the best planar IEMs to date but they have opponents like the Hidizs MP145 who question their price. What I can tell you is that the planar presents many more macro and micro details and the soundstage develops in a wider and more precise way. Personally, I prefer the bass of the Cadenza 4 but on everything else, the planar driver has a superior and more immersive performance. The rumors about Cadenza 4 are slightly better but both are very attractive.


vs Simgot EM6L

Simgot EM6L
Simgot EM6L
A much cheaper hybrid IEM from Simgot. One of the best examples of a successful hybrid in a price range where others have failed to achieve great results. Every time I wear them, I am surprised, even though the driver configuration does not include BA from Sonion or Knowles. Its sound is full of energy and the tuning is also suitable for gaming as it is very precise on details. The Simgot EM6L, although successful, does not keep up with the brand new Candeza in terms of technicalities.


vs Simgot EA1000

Simgot EA1000
Simgot EA1000
The Simgot EA1000 but also the EA500LM allow you to ask yourself the following question: “Do we really need more drivers?”


Honestly, in the case of the EA1000, the answer is that no other drivers are needed. This is not a rule but Simgot has demonstrated that it is possible with a single driver to obtain something extremely close to what we can define as high fidelity, both in terms of performance and timbre. I consider them a point of reference for those looking for something that sounds extremely faithful.


vs Hidizs MS5

Hidizs MS5
Hidizs MS5
The MS5 are the IEMs that decided to start the reviews. A sort of first love. A fairly extreme hybrid IEM from Hidizs with a purely V-shape nature with borderline highs, if you are sensitive, these are absolutely not for you. They go far beyond the brilliance you can experience on Simgot. In terms of bass, they are more present and emphasized. my favorite nozzle is obviously red. The others are too much, even for me. At the detail level, the macro and micro details are more highlighted.


But its biggest flaw is that it is not an IEM suitable for any musical genre. In terms of results, the Letshuoer Cadenza 4 is superior,in my opinion.


vs Hidizs MS3

Hidizs MS3
Hidizs MS3
I consider the Hidizs MS3 to be an excellent rival, typically more V-shaped, providing a much more robust bass and livelier highs. Sometimes they could be at the limit but I’m on balanced cable, and they are more contained than the MS5, giving that touch of brilliance that is kept more controlled on the Cadenza 4. Depending on what you are looking for, they could be an excellent alternative.


Conclusion:​

IMG_20240508_160640-scaled.jpg

Undoubtedly, Letshuoer has managed to make an extremely exciting hybrid IEM, and the Nebula cable is certainly an appreciable upgrade. Also keep in mind the importance of the eartips and, above all, the DAC with which they are combined. In my opinion, the Simgot DEW4X is the one that has the best synergy of all.


The Letshuoer Cadenza 4, aesthetically, is simple but sturdy; the design may not appeal to everyone but the HeyGears shell is of excellent workmanship. Comfort is optimal and being light, they do not cause any problems of heaviness even after several hours of listening. On long listening sessions, it does not cause any kind of problem or annoyance, whatever genre of music and listening volume you choose. I can’t say the same thing about the Hidizs MS5, on which the volume I can tolerate depends a lot on the track; the highs literally bite the eardrum despite some extra detail. I really liked it, one of the best hybrids so far.

Where to buy? More info? (no affiliate links)​


LETSHUOER Cadenza4 wired IEM Hifi earphones Beryllium coated DD BA hybrid High-fidelity monitoring in-ear monitor
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Jack of all trades master of none
Pros: 1. Great overall sound for its price point

2. Will please both the bass or treble liking audience, as it does a great job at balancing the sound

3. Fantastic fit!

4. Beautiful cable

5. Modular Cable is really good

6. The iems is very light so vert easy to wear for long periods of time

7. Plays almost all genres very well

8. In a sea of Harman tuned iems this seems like a fresh breath of air
Cons: 1. The selection of tips could have been a bit better

2. A tad bit more bass would have been nice specially for some pop songs and instrumentals
Imagepipe_355.jpg


Introduction:-

Hey guys, today I have the Lethsuoer Cadenza 4 with me. This is the budget version of their flagship iem the Cadenza 12.


I have also shared a video version of the review at YouTube any support there in form of a view, A like or A subscribe is greatly appreciated. But if you so wish to read the written version you can read this.







This is a review unit from letshuoer but all the thoughts and opinions you are about to hear are my own.


Buy it here (Unaffiliated Link) :-

Letshuoer Store - https://letshuoer.net/products/letshuoer-cadenza4-wired-iem-hifi-earphones-in-ear-monitor

Amazon USA - https://www.amazon.com/Letshuoer-Beryllium-Coated1DD-Detachable-Audiophile/dp/B0CRGQ9BMB

Letshuoer Aliexpress - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806531430674.html


I will be as usual following my bullet style format for better readability for those who are dyslexic and in general find it hard to read long paragraphs. I follow this guide in general from the British Dyslexia Association.


Lets get started!







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Build, Comfort and Accessories:-



1. The overall packaging of the Cadenza 4 is exactly as same as the S15, I will show a picture so you get an idea.


Imagepipe_351.jpg




2. The iem is this 3d printed plastic which has the same texture as the fantastic case.



3. It has only 2 types of tips one for vocal and one balanced, for my testing I have used the balanced tips



4. The cable is modular and is really supple and is better than the S15 cable in my opinion. The cable also has very minor microphonics



5. The iem is built very well, and the outer face plate is made out of aluminium



6. The fit is fantastic! I mean this is literally the best fit of an iem I have had. For me it seems like a custom mold



7. I can wear them for 8-10 hours and wont find any discomfort.



8. When I wear the iem, there is an immediate reduction of surrounding noise. The passive noise isolation is really good.



9. The price of the Cadenza 4 if ordered from the pre-sale from March 25th to March 31st is $229 and the MSRP is $249



10. The cadenza has a 1 Dynamic Driver and 3 BA drivers with 1 being sonion and other 2 being knowles



11. They have 3 acoustic tubes with a 4-way crossover



12. There is no driver flex here



13. There is a minor BA Timbre








Imagepipe_349.jpg




Sound Impressions:-



1. The overall sound impressions of the cadenza is that its very neutral with a subtle sub-bass boost.



2. While this might seem like a harman tuning at first but the treble is much more well controlled than harman



3. The overall tuning sounds really clean and it doesn’t cater to either basshead or treblehead



4. Honestly its refreshing seeing a tuning like this in a sea of harman or v or u shaped iems!



5. I will be using my usual devices for testing the cadenza 4



6. They are easy to drive but does scale well with power, so some of the testing is done via the 4.4mm



7. In my opinion they sound quite good at low volumes too, but the iem shines when playing at medium to medium high volumes.



8. All my testing is done at variety of volumes to get a proper idea



9. I have used all the stock accessories for testing



Bass-



1. The bass here is sub-bass focused rather than md-bass focused which is good for me personally



2. If you are someone who likes mid-bass over sub-bass, you might be a bit disapointed.



3. But that doesn’t mean that the mid-bass quality is bad.



4. The overall bass quantity is very apt that is its not too much or too less.



5. But, what I did find is that some bass heavy songs like crack crack crackle by classy does lack that final crispness of the bass. A tad bit more bass could have soundeed even better.



6. This bit of lack of bass is also apparent when listening to instrumentals like cassiopea and ymo



7. When listening to the 1985 live album from cassiopea the instruments sounds good but the overall impact of them feel a bit flabby. But when a bit of bass is addeed like lets say by using the Xbass mode of my ifi go blu the instruments gets this body they become tactile and they really shine



8. Using the xbass mode in my ifi go blu also gives me that final crispness of the bass which I found lacking for some songs.



9. While majority of the audience who likes a clean sound will be pleased with the sound of cadenza 4



10. I think adding a tad bit to the bass region with the likes of ifi go blue using a xbass mode really makes the overall bass shine and also giving the instruments a bit of body and edge


Imagepipe_348.jpg




Mids-



1. The midrange is really good



2. The male vocals sounds crisp and they come across in the mix



3. Sometimes in some songs deep thick male vocals like bill withers or chris cornell sound a tad bit sterile and their thick luscious nature doesn’t really come across that well.



4. Again adding a tad bit of bass helps a lot here too. Then again this is a nitpick here for the price and tuning it is following, but I still thought of mentioning it.



5. Now female vocals here are exceptionally done!



6. They are really good and come across perfectly, they aren't too shouty but neither are they laid back.



7. Songs like OP from Tearmoon teikoku monogatari which is Happy end princess by Sumire Uesaka comes across perfect! Her voice is neither too shrilly or too laid back.



8. I really recommend this if you want something for female vocals which also has good male vocals



Treble-



1. The overall treble is really well done



2. The treble doesn’t sound shrilly or piercy at all and is perfectly in sync with the upper mids



3. There is a slight roll-off on upper treble which might be a bit of issue for some songs



4. This is not a treble head iem, but it does a very good job in balancing a good treble details while not sounding too piercy



5. People who are sensitive to treble will like this



6. Although someone who loves even darker treble, might have some issues here. And might find it a tinge shrilly at higher volumes



Technicalities:-



The overall technicalities is really good. Its not the cleanest out there, but as I said before it does everything nicely and does a great balancing act


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Soundstage & Imaging:-



It is really fantastic! The soundstage is probably best in the price range. And when listening to songs like Galatic Funk by Cassiopea the 1985 live version it is even more apparent. The claps at distance and the placement of the instruments is so well done.



The imaging too is very well done, the left to right transition and vice-versa comes across really well.



Gaming Test:-

Here they do a really good job. The footsteps are heard really well while also having a good idea about the surrounding too. But when there is too much happening and If played at higher volumes they will sound a bit shrilly.







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Comparison & Recommendation:-



1. v/s 7hz Timeless AE – I prefer the cadenza 4 in some cases as it does a good job in most genres. But if I want a fun sounding V-shape iem then the timeless AE will be my choice.



2. v/s EA1000 – The ea1000 is harman done well. Its fantastic iem, but the ea1000 is quite a bit bright sounding when compared to the Cadenza 4. If you are a treblehead ea1000 it is, if you are not and want a more all rounder iem then the cadenza makes a better choice.



3. v/s S15 – The s15 is more of a relaxing iem while the cadenza 4 is more of an all rounder iem. The cadenza 4 has better treble response than s15. But the S15 is almost $100 more than the cadenza 4. So it really depends on what you want.



3. I really like the cadenza 4, specially for the price both MSRP and early bird.



4. I think so the cadenza 4 is an almost perfect neutral sounding iem for the price.



5. While it wont fit the bill for the bassheads or trebleheads out there, it does a great job balancing the act.



6. I personally prefer pairing the cadenza 4 with the ifi go blu and using the xbass mode


Imagepipe_353.jpg




7. The tad bit better bass response and giving the instruments a bit of a body which I get by doing that is so well worth it.



8. Its really nice seeing an iem like this in a sea of harman tune or v tune iems.



9. I think so the cadenza 4 is an excellent option for anyone wanting an all-rounder iem.



10. If you do get it, I highly suggest adding a tad bit more bass or if you have an ifi go blu suggest using the xbass mode to improve the overall sound a bit.



11. Unlike the S15, cadenza 4 is priced is fantastically. A default recommendation form me around the $200 price point as of now.



12. So thats my review of the Cadenza 4. I hope you liked, Thanks for stopping by!






If you have any questions please feel free to ask me and also if you have any issues regarding this format of review please do comment I will try to mend it. Also sorry to those who are used to reading long paragraphs of review in headfi. I hope my review was upto the mark, I appreciate any feedback.

Again a big thanks to Letshuoer for making this review possible.

Have a great day ahead, Bye :)
D
David Haworth
great review.... easy to read bites... well done
hokagoteatimereviews
hokagoteatimereviews
Thank you so much David 🙂 I really appreciate the kinds words and it means a lot coming from you ❤️

Leonarfd

Headphoneus Supremus
The Refined Letshuoer Cadenza4
Pros: Price to performance
Refined natural timbre
Tight well extended bass
Clear and smooth midrange
Natural treble and air
Excellent ergonomics
Good accessories
Premium built, love the material of the shell
Cons: Soundstage is average in size
Not the most resolving
Depending on music could have had more bass to balance the upper energy
The Refined Letshuoer Cadenza4

1715439237276.png


Disclaimer

I got the Cadenza4 for free in return for a review, I am free to say whatever I want.

All impressions are my own subjective thoughts after having used them for a good time. These are my thoughts at this moment, and as time moves I might change my opinion.
This is also a very subjective hobby where everything from experience, anatomy or age will affect what we hear. Also keep in mind that it is easy to use bold words when talking about differences, while it may be perceived as a small change for you.
While I can perceive something as natural sounding, I do believe we can never get a perfect performance similar to what is achieved live.

Ranking System:
1 Very bad or unlistenable
2 Listenable but not good
3 Average
4 Very good
5 Exceptional or having a special sauce

My rating system highly values what is musical for me, so my rating will always be a subjective opinion.

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About me and my gear used for the review

My audio preference is neutral with some warmth, I can also like forward midrange and treble if not excessive. I am a believer in having different tuned gears for different genres or moods instead of chasing the single perfect one.

Main music genres I listen to are Metal, Electronica, Jazz, Indy rock/metal, R&B, Pop. I am a music lover, and can also listen to almost all the genres out there.
I have been into music gear since the mid 90s, gifted some big speakers at an early age. Then moved more and more into headphones with the Koss Porta Pro and a Sony Discman.
I have also tried playing many instruments over the years from piano to sax and have a feel for what's a natural tone, but not the biggest patience in learning to play.

My current favorites in Headphones are ZMF Verite Open and Beyerdynamic T1 G2.
My current favorites in IEMs are AüR Audio Ascension and Campfire Audio Bonneville.
My current favorites in Earbuds are FranQL Caelum and Blue Moon.

Gear used in the main rig is Denafrips Ares 12th-1 DAC together with the Topping A90 Discrete headphone Amp. I also have a Schiit Lokius I can swap in if I want to do a little analogue EQ.

Portable main gear being HIBY R8 II and HIBY R6 Pro 2, with some dongles like HIBY FC6 and Colorfly CDA-M1P.

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So what is the Letshuoer Cadenza4

Letshuoer is a IEM brand that was founded in 2016 in China, they have had many well received releases. The Cadenza4 is their newest model, it is a hybrid IEM with 1 dynamic driver and 3 balanced armatures. As of this time it retail at $249.

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Packaging is excellent and among the better ones, especially when we look at IEMs at this price bracket. That can also be said for the accessories, you get two sets of silicon tips in small, medium and large. One set focusing on vocal clarity and the other for a balanced sound, should be easy to find tips that work for most people.

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The IEM cable is also of good quality, it is not too thick or thin. Minimal amount of memory and is quite pliable, the ear hooks seem improved from earlier Letshuoer models and work for me without any modification. It also have Letshuoer angled modular system, so you can swap from 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm. The connection of the modular part is solid, don't need to be afraid of it falling out as it does on some brands.

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You get an envelope with some pamphlets, one about warranty and one on instructions. Also a quality control mark.

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In my opinion the design is elegant, the aluminum alloy faceplate against the 3D printed resin shell looks very clean. The surface has a smoother surface that's very pleasing, and also feels premium.

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The nozzle has a good length and is average in size if not even a little smaller, should fit most ears excellent.

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The grooves are subtle, but really help Cadenza4 sit comfortable and snug. There is also a vent on the side of the 2 pin connector to not get any driver flex or ear pressure.

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3 way acoustic tubes, with 4 way digital crossover. The internal tubes are 3D printed to get the acoustic properties that Letshuoer wants.

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Specs from the product website:

Quad driver hybrid in-ear hifi earphones
  • Cadenza4 uses a proprietary 10mm dual-chambered beryllium coated dynamic driver, which possesses the characteristics of being light and extremely rigid.
  • The combination of Knowles and Sonion balanced armature drivers which makes the Cadenza4 to be packed with resolution, rich in mid-frequency details, and ample treble extension.
  • Cadenza4 adopts three acoustic tubes that are combined with an electronic four-way crossover. The 50μm 3D printed acoustic tubes ensures accurate, smooth, and consistent sound. The four-way electronic crossover allows for precise control of frequency distribution and significantly reduces phase errors.
  • Cadenza4 once again collaborates with Heygear Technology to refine the earphone chassis. Ensuring comfortable long-term wear and enhanced durability. The panel is crafted from CNC aluminum alloy material with a matte finish which provides a delicate and textured feel
  • Cadenza4 comes standard with a 392-strands high-purity silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable, enhancing the fidelity of the sound. With three types of 90° interchangeable plugs, which significantly improves device compatibility.
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4oxRlEXodtIV5f9E5AdDDWcadrtAyW5-dVECqpyTmISYJvL_2i0ihS501sS1wQsJENz5CDgDgsRa2htMIyjVw5EoaOU0fdSOdUqQm2cTrKuwSv7q8NqchgQHqIgFK3Ji1rDK9nbv_9yNkfgRb0l1pwQ


https://letshuoer.net/products/letshuoer-cadenza4-wired-iem-hifi-earphones-in-ear-monitor

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Timbre

First off, what is Timbre?
From the Wikipedia:
The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Acoustical Terminology definition 12.09 of timbre describes it as "that attribute of auditory sensation which enables a listener to judge that two nonidentical sounds, similarly presented and having the same loudness and pitch, are dissimilar", adding, "Timbre depends primarily upon the frequency spectrum, although it also depends upon the sound pressure and the temporal characteristics of the sound"

First minutes of trying a new set of gear, what I always listen to is how natural and musical it sounds. Much of this goes down to how I perceive the Timbre.

The sound is neutral with a small hint of warmth, it's very coherent for a hybrid IEM. Sort of smooth but clear sounding, just a very balanced and good timbre.

Going to use the ranges here in review:

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Details and soundstage

This is not a super resolving IEM, but still quite decent when you look at the price point and against other hybrids. You can then still hear everything that's portrayed without exaggerating the flaws, but also doesn't mask them.

Soundstage is also average when looking at width and depth, what it does very well is having an enveloping stage around me. Sort of 3D where I feel I'm more inside the music, engaging and fun.

Bass

The bass is tight and reaches deep, it's quite fast and not as forward sounding. So its not all music that sounds as full and engaging as I prefer. But if we look at the quality, it's excellent with good texture and speedy decay.
Mid bass could have been a little more powerful, at least for my taste.


Mids

Mids are very natural with good clarity and presence, also without sounding harsh or shouty. The low midrange is very clean without any bleed from the bass, this also means it can be a little lean and soulless if you prefer more lushness.
I am one who prefers more low mids, but lately I have been appreciating this type of tuning much more than usual. This might be better for some music, and also to make vocals more clean and crisp.

This is actually one of Cadenza4's strengths, vocals have very good clarity and presence. Especially on brighter females, it also delivers this without any shoutyness or sibilance.
It does female vocal, or brighter vocalists better than darker ones. Not that males are wrong, just lack a little body. Instruments sound natural and clean also, and similar to vocals depends a little on what range and how they play. For example, sax has a good bite without shouting, and instruments like piano sound coherent and clean front the lowest octaves to the brightest.

Treble

Transparent and open sounding, not the best upper extension and lacks some air. But looking at how clean and resolving the treble is excellent, it is also not sounding sharp or sibilant. Might be someone's preference as you get a very good lower treble without any painful upper treble, that often sounds forced to my ears.

Synergies

I prefer to use warmer sources with Cadenza4, so HIBY FC6 is excellent and sounds very good. Using a player like HIBY DAP is also excellent, sounds more resolving and clear with Cadenza4. Using the dynamics plugin of HIBY is also a great way to add warmth for a more fun sound.

Stock cable is very good for me, both in sound, design and comfort. Divinis Velvety worked perfectly for me, but I did try Final Audio Type-E tips for more bass. But didnt feel it helped, except for making it less open sounding.

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Comparisons

When evaluating the sets I use each of them over longer periods and also some shorter sessions swapping back and forth, it takes a long time and is not done in one sitting. The most critical comparison is done on my desktop setup that is highly resolving, with volume matching through a microphone to take away loudness variance.

The spider chart is slightly exaggerated on some points to show differences.

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Letshuoer S15

This is their flagship planar IEM costing $329, uses a 14.8mm planar magnetic driver together with a 6mm passive filter. Competition with its own S12 has made it a tough sell, even if its better both in tuning and performance.

The shell has a similar type of material that I wish more brands could start to use, as it helps with comfort and feel more premium. The ergonomics are not as nice on S15 as Cadenza4, it lack some of the subtle nozzle and groves making Cadenza perfect.

Bass is very good as a planar driver, can almost fool me on some music for being a DD. But it lacks some texture and also the decay seems wrong to me, almost a little blunted. So it can't keep up with the quality of Cadenza4 low end, at least for me.

Mids are relaxed and smooth, very forgiving. But also lack some bite and energy that is needed for brighter vocals and instruments. Treble is also forgiving and smooth, and less airy than Cadenza4.
S15 is overall a very forgiving IEm with warm tonality, just better for relaxed listening instead of picking music apart.

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Hisenior Mega5EST

This is a tribrid and flagship from Hisenior costing $550, it has 1DD 2BA and 2EST. Reason why it is inside the reviews as comparison is due to both having a very refined natural sound, and Cadenza4 reminds me of a baby Mega5EST with more bite.

Also a quite small IEM, but larger than Cadenza4. Both are very ergonomic, but Cadenza4 is the best. This also uses a more traditional resin shell, getting the glossy look instead of the matt look on Cadenza4.

Both have good bass performance, the Cadenza4 is a little tighter and Mega5EST slightly more textured.
Midrange is both similar sounding and a little different, both have a very clean midrange that's coherent with no BA timbre. The Mega5EST has a more relaxed style, so instruments like brass or cymbals have less bite and presence. Cadenza4 instead pushes this more forward making it more energetic, also why I say Cadenza4 is good for female vocals.

Treble and air are also different, Mega5EST have more shimmery and detailed top end.
Probably due to the EST drivers used in Mega5EST, but both have good highs anyway.

Mega5EST is slightly more technical but it's very close, some music can be clearer on Cadenza4 since the upper mids are pushed more forward. So I rate them about equal on resolution. Soundstage is also very similar, not the widest and deepest and they are quite similar.

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Music

https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/ad7bbfa3-2067-4235-b2ed-f5a3fb53ff28

When comparing Letshuoer Cadenza4 to other sets I have used the tracks listed here and more.
The link is to a playlist consisting of some tracks I have saved for testing, it's still a work in progress.

I will also do it a little differently than what I usually do, I'll mention a small part under each track with how each IEM sounds like compared to the Cadenza4. I will provide a link to each track for you to test out, my own listening being with my FLAC files or Tidal streaming.

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Djo - End of Beginning
https://songwhip.com/djo/end-of-beginning

Cadenza4
Pleasing and clean sounding, enough body to make drums, bass and vocal be engaging. This is not the most technical recording, so it's better to just use it for enjoyment evaluation. And the Cadenza4 nails that one.

S15
A very similar weight to the music, but lacks the organic natural side of Cadenza4. Especially noticeable on his voice, it is also not as clean and open sounding with some darker upper frequencies.

Mega5EST
Very similar to Cadenza4, has some extra body due to the warmer tilt. Have a small edge on the details, but the difference is small.

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Adam Baldych, Leszek Mozdzer - Passacaglia
https://songwhip.com/adam-baldych/passacaglia

Cadenza4
Clean and natural sound, has a good bite without being sharp. The violin sounds rich and vibrant, and the same can be said for the piano. Good amount of detail to show the nuanced plucking or bowing of the violin or the grand piano.
Cadenza4 is my new recommendation for orchestral music in this price segment, nails both timbre and technicalities.


S15
Softer and darker than the two other models here, very forgiving. Also a step below in resolution, I think this is more due to tonality than the driver. As the S15 has a very capable planar driver, the biggest downside is that I still don't find the planar driver correctly sounding on acoustic music.

Mega5EST
Very natural sounding and spacious, both piano and the violin are lifelike. Amount of texture and body to the violin is natural and slightly more correct than Cadenza4, it also sounds more airy on the Mega5est. Some parts are softer on Mega5EST, while the Cadenza4 has some extra clarity and presence on certain parts.

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Gidge - Gausta
https://songwhip.com/gidge/gausta

Cadenza4
Gidge just released this album, and Cadenza4 was my first IEM hearing the album with. The beryllium driver has very good bass texture and decay for electronica, I have no need for EQ on this track. Warmth is tasteful and not too weighty so the rest of the elements can also show, but I'll focus on the bass: Bass is sort of dense and round, it sounds solid and fast.

S15
This is the best sounding planar I have used, specially for bass and low mids. Still it doesn't sound the same as a good dynamic driver, sort of more plasticky and hollow. This goes also here for this electronic track, sort of lacking something.

Mega5EST
The bass is tuned very similar to the Cadenza4, with good sub bass extension and some natural mid bass warmth. Driver is Bio Cellulose and is softer than the Cadenza4 driver, this can also be heard in this electronic track.
Bass is still dense and round, but softer in the bounce and less speedy (not slow by any means). In a way slightly more textured, both are excellent on texture anyway.

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girl in red - Too Much
https://songwhip.com/girl-in-red/too-much

Cadenza4
Her newest album and perhaps best track from it, also a radio hit in Norway.
The Cadenza4 has a tasteful forward upper midrange with clear low mids. In return it shines with female or brighter vocals, and has a lot of bite on her vocal. Also means it shows every nuance of her voice, and doesn't hide it when she has some edge in her voice.
Vocal lovers should be very pleased for female vocalists, be it this style or something like J-pop.

S15
Softer and darker, she doesn't have the same bite and clarity and lacks some soul. This is not only due to tuning, but also some due to the planar driver. Still don't really nail acoustic music or vocals, I am exaggerating some. And I might be more sensitive to the planar timbre, but even so I don't think female vocals are S15 strength.

Mega5EST
Going from the Cadenza4 it's clear that Mega5EST has less bite and presence on her voice, making the music softer and more forgiving. Her more intense or edgy parts are more forgiving, and not really noticeable here like they are on Cadenza4.
So depending on what you like, this might be too safe and lack the clarity on vocals like Cadenza4.

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WENDY - Wish You Hell
https://songwhip.com/wendy/wish-you-hell

Cadenza4
Very clear and crisp, for me almost too energetic sounding. But I am more used to sets with less vocal presence, even if it's forward it's very clean and not piercing or metallic.
In return you do get a very resolving presentation here, riding a good balance of detail and fun.

S15
Actually find the S15 quite decent and fun on this track, softens some of the energetic elements and makes music more pleasing. Lack the clarity and don't sound as detailed as the Cadenza4, but it's not bothering me as much here as with the previous track.

Mega5EST
It's a reason why this has been my favorite set lately, the relaxed upper mids is to my preference. It does give you a less energetic sound, but in return the music is smoother and more forgiving.
It's as resolving as Cadenza4 on her vocal, and actually has a more airy silky top.

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Sean Ono Lennon - Acidalia
https://songwhip.com/sean-ono-lennon/acidalia

Cadenza4
Very clean and open sounding, instruments are crisp and nuanced. It lacks bass, which would have sounded better with a little extra bass boost. As it gets a little thin on drums or the guitar, but again that's for my preference.

S15
A little too safe sounding, but also very pleasing. The drums are softer, cymbals also have less bite and clarity. But again it sounds warmer than Cadenza4, and fits the track more.
The guitar itself is actually very dreamlike with the softer sound on S15.

Mega5EST
Warm and smooth sounding, fuller than Cadenza4. Due to the mids it sounds less resolving and open, so looking at clarity and energy the Cadenza4 is better here. But it's not as safe as S15, and a step closer to Cadenza4.

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My Dying Bride - Her Domination
https://songwhip.com/my-dying-bride/her-dominion

Cadenza4
While the Cadenza4 has good clarity and sound fast for rock and metal, it does lack some warmth and mid bass presence to sound full and engaging. Cadenza4 is quite airy on the cymbals, and adds some realism to the track.

S15
Sound thicker and have more life on the drums and guitars, also the growling sound fuller and more husky. But the cymbals are very dark and veiled after having listened to Cadenza4, also doesn't sound as resolving as Cadenza4.

Mega5EST
Absolutely the best of the three for metal and rock, have the fulness like S15. But have a clarity more similar to Cadenza4, just softer on the cymbals. But the cymbals have more airiness to them even if they are not as powerful as with Cadenza4. His vocals are also the best mix of fullness and clearness, in the middle of Cadenza4 and S15.

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Conclusion

I truly recommend the Letshuoer Cadenza4 for the ones looking for a good natural sounding IEM.

The Cadenza4 is an excellent release, one of the best ones this year. It is now my favorite sub $500 neutral hybrid IEM, especially a favorite for natural sound. It is good with most music, while really shines with vocals or acoustic music. It mixes smooth tonality with good clarity, a pleasing and refined sound.

You also get a clean and nice looking IEM, perhaps the most ergonomic IEM out there due to size, material and shell design. You also get good accessories and a nice presentation, it is just a very good deal you get here.

It's a solid 4 star release, at technical point its a 3.5 but I'm taking price and the whole package in consideration.
Last edited:
MD Rohit
MD Rohit
Great review with beautiful photos

ngoshawk

Headphoneus Supremus
Reviewer at Headfonics
LETSHUOER Cadenza 4: Does Trickledown work? Me thinks so.
Pros: Pleasant sound
The 3D build makes it affordable
Fit
Unassuming look (understated)
Solid bass does not hinder overall signature
Cons: Build looks a bit beneath it
Some cable microphonics
Tough market
LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 ($249): Does Trickledown work? Me thinks so.

4.25

LETSHUOER Cadenza 4

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Intro: Following on the heels of the successful Cadenza 12 (a wonderful TOTL), and the S15 (A smooth-sounding IEM), the Cadenza 4 tries to fit into a niche using both (IMO) IEMs as models. A hybrid that uses both DD and two types of BAs (Knowles & Sonion), the company uses the expertise from both models mentioned to fashion a high “low-end” model.

The Cadenza 4 was given to me for review. It is implied that the critter is mine, but may be asked back for any time. This of course bears no bearing upon my review. Plus, I still feel that flipping review units is uncool.



Specs:

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In The Box:


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Gear Used/Compared:

Cayin N6ii mkii
FiiO CP13
iFi Diablo2

Shanling MG100 ($159)
LETSHUOER S15 ($329)
QoA Aviation ($199)


Music:

Tidal-Jazz, Blues
Qobuz-same w/ Big Band & Norah Jones


IsluEKr.jpg


Unboxing:

Just like the S15, the unboxing is Empire Ears-like, with a slide-out tray, which contains the IEM cable inside the case. To the right are the three interchangeable jacks (2.5mm bal, 3.5mm se, & 4.4mm bal). But above that, you get to see the Cadenza 4 set in a paperboard-covered soft foam insert (which takes some effort to retrieve).

Below that you have the instruction manual in an envelope along with a warranty card. The tips are stored initially inside the round case, with the cable. But, once the Cadenza 4 is mounted to the cable, you cannot get all of that back into the case comfortably. At least I couldn’t without smashing the tips. A good idea, but in need of a bit of fine-tuning.

That IEM case also seems a bit lower quality than the S15 case. I had a more difficult time screwing the lid back on, and the feel, while good tactility-wise, felt less luxurious.

LETSHUOER includes 6 sets of tips, including a mounted set on the IEM. The two types are vocal and balanced, coming in three different sizes – small, medium, and large.

The balanced tips have longer and thinner stems, making for a well...more balanced approach while restricting openness and the soundstage. The vocal tips are shorter and have thicker stems, enhancing the midrange with a more open sound, while showcasing vocals and adding grunt down low comparatively.

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Build/Fit:

The Cadenza 4 is made from a 3D-printed resin, in a typical teardrop shape, with a larger nub to help with fit. A narrow nozzle helps with insertion, and the overall quality is good with three well-fitting parts. The faceplate shines in silver with the LETSHUOER logo in black on both the left and right sides. The Fit of the faceplate seems off, but when you feel for a gap between the shell and faceplate there isn’t one.

The shell fits nearly flush in my average-sized ears, with no discomfort, which led to long listening sessions. Thankfully there is a dedicated sheath for an ear hook, too. This made the cable lay in a much better position behind my ear, even wearing my reading glasses.

There are minor microphonics associated with the cable, but not as much as some in this category. The cable has a clear plastic rectangular cinch, which works quite well above the burnished silver Y-splitter. The two-wire cable contains 392 strands per cable of silver-plated monocrystalline copper.

As many companies are doing, there are three jacks included as mentioned above. Instead of sliding in, complete with a slot and having a screw cover; the Cadenza 4 only has the slide-in part. But I did not worry about it coming loose since the two parts fit together with good pressure.

The cable laid nicely when unwound, but it did take a bit to do so. I found that if you ran your hand down the cable as you unwound it, the shape immediately went straight.

Combine all of this, and I think the Cadenza 4 fits and functions very well.

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Technology:

The Cadenza 4 contains a new proprietary 10mm dual-chambered beryllium-coated dynamic driver and 3 BA drivers (a single Sonion with dual Knowles drivers) making for a quad-driver hybrid in-ear monitor.

The 50-micrometer 3D-printed acoustic tube aids in fine-tuning the sound, while an electronic 4-way crossover network finalizes the process. Combined, this makes the Cadenza 4 easy to drive with an impedance of 15Ω @1kHz and a sensitivity rating of 102 db/Vrms.

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Sound:

All listening was done on the sources mentioned above in combination to get the most out of determining the synergy of the Cadenza 4.

Summary:


The Cadenza 4 sounds more towards the neutral part of the sound spectrum, with a natural uncolored feel to it, which departs from some of LETSHUOER’s previous offerings. While not bass-shy, it evenly presents both ends to make for that balanced signature. Think “just right” in the realm of Goldilocks

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moar:

Subbass goes fairly low, but without the impact that basshead-oriented IEMs may carry. Quality comes across as neutral. An upright bass instrument adds good girth down low, but more in the manner of coexisting with the overall signature as opposed to a foundation of weight. Since it does not reach as low as others, whose slant is for grunt; the quality of that bass must come across well. And it does. I found no bleed into the mids, which could overshadow or smear the connection. Complex pieces represent very good quality on the lows, not barging into the mids as noted. Good layering and texture to the notes help sort all of the above out, keeping the lows in tune.

The midrange comes with the clarity of notes that fits the overall character. Neutral, but allowing for good weight to the notes, which is aided by quick attack and decay; giving an illusion of thicker notes. While this may seem diametrically opposed, it isn’t due to the succinct nature with which those midrange notes promote a natural response. This aids in providing transparency to the notes and the illusion of a weightier note, which I find quite pleasing. Combine this into a natural-sounding timbre, and you get a thoroughly competent mid-range.

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One thing I do wish for is a bit more sparkle up top. Coming from me, who does not favor too much in the treble region, this should not be considered a bad thing; only that if the top end had extended more, the overall signature would be presented with a bit more of an open signature; lending space to the whole sound. This should be taken into account only if you prefer a more detailed signature. And here is where that extra bit of extension may have helped define the signature. Bassheads will enjoy this. Those seeking succinct, accurate signatures may not like it so much.

The soundstage comes across as completely average. But in a good way. Layering & Separation is done very well, even with complex pieces. To me, this comes about from the more neutral overall character. This goes to show that even average can come across as excellent. The fault of this? Micro-detail suffers and the precision of notes. But this is not meant to be used as a reference tool; even with the nearer-neutral signature.

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Pairings:

I found the Cadenza 4 easy to drive due to the impedance of 15Ω @1kHz and sensitivity of 102 dB/Vrms. While this is true, I found myself raising the volume to make for a more pleasing listen to me. Plus, the better the source, the better the Cadenza 4 seemingly sounded.

Having the sheer power of the iFi Diablo2, the Cadenza 4 sounded “best” of the “turbo” setting, while increasing the volume. “Nitro” provided little headroom with which to play, and using Turbo afforded me excellent control of the volume, per each song.

Clear amplifiers such as the Diablo2, or Cayin N6ii mkii DAP showed that with decent power doing the driving, the signature presents more down low while sending alacrity down the stream (better detail presentation).

Using the 4.4mm bal jack on the N6ii mkii, I found the pairing to be delightfully neutral, which is something I do not usually say when dealing with neutral. The level of details coming forth from the pairing made me appreciate how good the Cayin is, even as it moves into the geriatric section of its life.

Using the FiiO CP13 was an odd treat. Reviewing the CP13 for Headfonics I decided to combine the pair. While cassette tapes are coming back into style, there is no denying that the signature is VERY different from digital. I found the pairing worked well, with plenty of volume to be attained through the FiiO. Not the most detailed of the pairings here, I came away with an appreciation that the two could happily coexist together for a good listen.

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Comparisons:

LETSHUOER Cadenza4 ($249) v Shanling MG100 ($159):

Not only have interchangeable jacks become common, interchangeable filters have as well. I did have a strong preference for the bass-oriented filters on the MG100, but the level of detail was still well ahead of the Cadenza 4. I also find the MG100 easier to drive, with a slightly better impedance and sensitivity of 16Ω and 113+/-3 dB @1kHz, respectfully.

That excessive bass does bleed into the mids, but a simple change to the balance filter quells that. Plus, the bleed did not inhibit the overall character of the MG100. The balance filter adds a bit more textural response to the sound as well, plus better detail and clarity.

This will come down to whether you like a more neutral signature or the ability to tailor the IEM to your preferred listening or flavored genre of choice.


LETSHUOER Cadenza4 ($249) v LETSHUOER S15 ($329):

Where the Cadenza 4 goes neutral, the S15 goes smooth and rich. There is no hiding behind the fact that the S15 will not cater to those seeking a reference signature. Maturity, but slower response come about in this signature. To me, this is an excellent choice for jazz with a smooth richness pervading my senses as Red Garland’s “Please Send Me Someone To Love” played. Deep sound from the upright bass is foundational instead of coexisting on the Cadenza 4.

I found the notes to have better texture, but the smooth character overrides this a bit. A thick richness pervades the listen as opposed to a neutral response that is used as a tool rather than engaging. Where the Cadenza 4 allows you to listen, the S15 engages you to relax and enjoy the sound. Quite different.

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LETSHUOER Cadenza4 ($249) v QoA Aviation ($199):

Until the Aviation, I had never listened to a model from QoA. Needless to say, I came away with an impression of a decent listen for a good price. From my Headfonics review, the Aviation “...presents a vibrant, smooth character with an even frequency response. A small peak at 3kHz gives resolve to the upper mid-region.

Another fairly steep peak at the 8kHz region (then drop) adds brilliance in the treble region but without too much peakiness or sparkle. The drop after the 8kHz peak makes for a vibrant, but not overly exuberant, signature
.”

The Aviation is also the most sensitive of those compared at 118 dB @1kHz and a somewhat high (for an IEM) 39Ω impedance rating. It was as easy to drive as the S15 and MG100, which were both easier than the Cadenza 4 (I cannot explain that, using a volume test of plug-and-play of each model into the iFi Diablo2 without changing volume levels).

There is more bass grunt and girth down low on the Aviation, which does bleed into the midrange. Richness pervaded the mids, with a smooth texture to them, which seems set a bit behind where the Cadenza 4 plays, even if I thought they were “powerfully forward.” This shows that the mids in the Cadenza 4 while more forward, present a more neutral flavor, which to me is more pleasing.

I would state that while the Aviation is a bit more vibrant than the Cadenza 4, it cannot match the level of detail coming out of the MG100.

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finale:

I had to stop myself from comparing the Cadenza 4 to the S15 and Cadenza 12 (an extraordinarily good IEM) and judge the 4 on its merit. When doing this, the neutral flavoring comes across as quite competent and appreciated. Many “flavor of the month” IEMs come about with the grace of a used car advertisement in Chicago, aka LOUD!

The Cadenza 4 comes about with an understated accurate neutral tonality to its coloration (or lack of...). I appreciate this aspect and find myself reaching for the Cadenza 4 equally with the S15 when playing jazz. What little microphonics I could hear were easily countered by the sound signature, even if a bit harder to drive than what you might expect. The smooth, forward midrange comes to the front with any good jazz sax solo, making for a wonderful listen.

The combination of jacks affords the user the ability to change signatures a bit, or devices, omitting the need for multiple cables. The focus is then on the sound, where it should be. I find the Cadenza 4 to be a very competent IEM with a good build (which shows 3D printing is much better than even two years ago), looks, and sound to back up those goods.


I thank LETSHUOER for sending the sample and congratulate them on a very competent model.

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cqtek

1000+ Head-Fier
The Controlled Cadence
Pros: Very good tuning, well extended, very pleasant, but controlled and smooth at both ends, with a lusty, melodic, musical, balanced and full midrange.
- Good stage levels, sense of openness, separation and depth.
- Very good unboxing experience.
- Great ergonomics and design.
- Excellent cable with three interchangeable terminations.
Cons: The reproduction of pure, very low-frequency tones is not realistic and there is room for improvement, coming from a dynamic driver.
- This is not an analytical set, the micro detail is not the best.
- It can be a very relaxed sound for those looking for more emphasis on bass or treble.
Introduction

In many ways, talking about Letshuoer is like talking about planar IEMS. And although it is true that Shuoer existed before its famous S12, this planar continues to be a reference within the $100 IEMS, at least in my country. But, I think it would be unfair to only talk about the S12, when the brand founded in 2016 has other great models to its credit, some of which I have had the pleasure of testing, such as the latest S15 planars, the S12 Pro, the DZ4 and the D13. It is clear that the brand does not live by planar drivers alone and this seems to be the reason for the new Cadenza series. The first model in this series to combine dynamic drivers with BA drivers was the Cadenza 12. A 2023 model that uses a 10mm dynamic driver with kevlar LSS diaphragm, together with 11 BA drivers from Sonion and Knowles to reproduce the whole spectrum. Undoubtedly, the Cadenza 12 is Letshuoer's top-of-the-line model, priced at $2100. Fortunately for the medium listener, the Cadenza 4 has just been released. A model with a price tag of $249 that effectively mounts 4 drivers: 1DD + 3BA. It is a 10mm dual chamber dynamic driver, with beryllium coating. It is joined by a Sonion BA driver and 2 Knowles BA drivers. The Cadenza 4s adopt 3 acoustic tubes that are combined with a four-way electronic crossover. The 50μm 3D printed acoustic tubes ensure a precise, smooth and even sound. Meanwhile, the four-way electronic crossover allows precise control of the frequency distribution and significantly reduces phase errors. Once again, Letshuoer collaborates with Heygear Technology to perfect the headphone chassis. The panel is made of CNC aluminium alloy with a matte finish that provides a delicate, textured feel. The cable used as standard is high-purity silver-plated monocrystalline copper with 392 strands. It adopts 90° interchangeable pin technology, which allows the use of 3.5mm SE, 2.5mm BAL and 4.4mm BAL terminations. Let's discover in the following review all that this fantastic new model from Letshuer called Cadenza 4 has to offer.

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Specifications

  • Driver Type: 1DD dual chamber with 10mm beryllium coated diaphragm + 1 BA Sonion + 2 BA Knowles.
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz - 40kHz.
  • Sensitivity: 102dB
  • Impedance: 15Ω
  • Cable material: high purity silver-plated monocrystalline copper with 392 strands.
  • Outer plate material: anodised aluminium.
  • Capsule material: 3D printed resin.
  • Jack Connector: interchangeable BAL 2.5mm, SE 3.5mm and BAL 4.4mm.
  • Capsule Connection Type: 2Pin 0.78mm.
  • Cable length: 1.2m

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Packaging

One tends to think that IEMS in this price range have to come in large packaging. But Letshuoer has created a contained packaging in size that, in turn, is actually very pleasant as an unboxing experience. The Lethuoer Cadenza 4 comes in a grey box whose size is 108x160x81mm. On the front side you can see the brand's logo vertically, written in white letters on the left margin. At the bottom right is the Hi-Res Audio logo and below that, the name of the model. The background of this side is composed of a series of staggered patterns forming various angles to each other, in various shades of white and light grey. On the back are the specifications in several languages, including Chinese and English, the brand name, icons of the specifications the product meets, as well as a warranty sticker. The pattern of white lettering on a plain grey background is repeated. After removing the cardboard, the box remains the same colour and only the brand name and the slogan "Sound Alive" in capital letters can be read in white. The box has a magnetised lid that folds out almost completely. On the top of the box is a sealed grey envelope with a silver sticker. Inside is the instruction manual, the warranty card and a small product certificate. Underneath the envelope is the first level: this is a thick black foam mould covered by a layer of grey cardboard, which contains the capsules. The second level has a grey ribbon that allows it to be pulled out like a drawer. On this level is the classic round box with rubber coating, but this time it is black. There are also the three interchangeable tuning pegs, all in a new black foam mould also covered with grey cardboard. Inside the round box are the final accessories, such as the cable and a disc with the silicone tips. There are two sets of tips with 3 sizes each: SxMxL. The grey tips are made of very soft silicone and have a medium core diameter. They are the balanced tips. The vocal tips are transparent and are wider, both externally and at the core, but are shorter. I must comment that the tips that come as standard with the IEMS are rarely compatible with my morphology. In this case, both sets are very soft and small. I need bigger and stiffer tips. That's why I always use my large tips filled with foam that I prepare myself. This way I can't experience the differences that exist when using one or the other set of tips of this model.
There is no doubt that Letshuoer has found a compromise between the size of the packaging and an excellent unboxing experience, by designing a two-tier box with a bottom drawer. Combining simplicity and cleverness, as well as great materials used in its accessories, both the presentation and the contents are outstanding.

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Construction and Design

As with the previous S15 model, Letshuoer has once again relied on Heygear Technology to create its capsules. With an anodised aluminium outer panel, the capsule has been printed in resin using 3D printing. The capsule design is different from the one used for the S15. Although the final finish is virtually the same, the size of the capsule is distinctly larger. The capsule design of the Cadenza 4 is much more reminiscent of a highly crafted semi-custom capsule. It has a wide and very projected, elongated mouthpiece. Its inner diameter is 6.2mm, while the crown is 6.5mm. There are three holes in them. One has a metal crown that reaches the rim with a greenish textile grid. The second hole has the same crown but more recessed. The third hole is free. The rest of the inner side of the capsule is complex and has a pronounced valley, as well as a shape that seeks to adapt to the design of the pinna, with a pronounced lateral protrusion, as well as a series of reliefs all over the surface. Not even the rim of the capsule is spared from these reliefs and curved shapes. The 2Pin 0.78mm connection interface is fully integrated in an oval plastic plate with gold-plated connectors. Next to it is a small hole. Over the corner you can read the model name "Cadenza 4" and "True Virtuoso", as well as a larger lettering indicating the channel, all in black ink. The outer face is made of anodised aluminium and is reminiscent of the design on the front face of the case, but without the steps. It is in the shape of an African continent. The plate contains a small horizontal border in the upper third and above it is the brand name in dark grey ink. This border goes all the way to the second horizontal third, and from there it bends downwards and slightly backwards again, but also upwards and all the way to the end, but in a more subtle way.
The cable has a pure, shiny, silver-plated, almost white conductor. It consists of two coiled strands of 392 wires of high-purity silver-plated monocrystalline copper. It has an interchangeable 90° angled pin technology. There are three pins: BAL 2.5mm, SE 3.5mm and BAL 4.4mm. The pins combine a cylindrical silver metal part with a more rubbery, flattened part, where the inscribed mark is located. The connection of the parts is stable and durable enough not to worry about. But it is not a screw connection, only a press connection. The plug part of the cable is a metal cylinder with a wide textured ring for better grip. It has a transparent plastic sleeve to protect the cable outlet. The splitter is a rectangular piece, although on one side it has an edge pattern reminiscent of the outer face of the capsules. The pin is also a rectangular piece in hard, transparent plastic that imitates the splitter piece, but only on one side. It fulfils its function very well and the cables slide smoothly inside it, allowing a long-lasting and firm fit. The cable has over-ear guides in the form of semi-rigid transparent plastic sleeves. The sleeves of the 2Pin 0.78mm gold-plated connectors are on square translucent plastic plates and both are of the same shape, like elongated boxes but with rounded corners. They are metallic, matching the rest of the material used in the cable, and have letters written to identify the channel, in a faint dark grey ink. Finally, there is a dark grey Velcro strap with the marking written on it in white letters. The cable, almost white, is very striking for its colour and thickness. Although it does not seem thicker than the one used in the S15, its finish is more remarkable, appearing superior, both in beauty and in final performance.
The capsules have changed from the previous Heygear model. The S15s were simpler, with a flat inner face, a rounded edge, with the cable in one corner. The Cadenza 4 has a much more complex design, with a surface containing many more curves and reliefs, with a more elaborate rim. It is larger, but with more stylised mouthpieces and a much more ergonomic and studied shape.

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Adjustment and Ergonomics

With a larger capsule, wider and more elongated mouthpieces, the Cadenza 4 can be a bit of an ergonomic challenge. Clearly, insertion can be deeper, but the large diameter of their mouthpieces can also impede this. On the other hand, the varying relief of their inner face may pose a challenge for the fit with the wearer's pinna. Depending on the degree of insertion, this aspect can be more or less compromised. In my case, as I usually use foam-filled tips, the insertion is superficial and the capsules do not touch any part of my outer ear, except for the rim, of course. The anchorage is perfect and although its size is bigger, it fits very well in my ears. The light weight and good relationship with the cable makes the whole thing very comfortable, occlusive, firm and durable, without rotation. As usual with the use of my home-made tips, the soundproofing is high, thanks to the fact that both its size and its internal foam filling tend to flood all the walls of my ear canal.

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Sound

Profile


I think the Letshuoer Cadenza 4 has a smooth, decreasing W-profile, where each peak is polished and controlled. It starts with an emphasis on the sub-bass that gradually drops towards a midrange, the first half of which is very linear. From 1khz onwards there is an equally smooth rise and fall of the sub-bass, building up to a small plateau in the upper-midrange. At the entrance of the first treble, the curve decreases slightly again to maintain itself until the air zone, where there is a subtle upturn. As can be seen, I have done no more than describe a W where each peak and valley decreases in distance from each other. While it is true that none of the peaks are pointed and they are more like plateaus, the valleys are wide and flat. On the other hand, it is a balanced profile, not in vain the whole curve moves in less than 10dB from 20Hz to 14kHz, something that gives an idea of a quite successful homogeneity. But it's not just homogeneity as such, the Cadenza 4s have adjusted their profile to offer some very calculated emphasis at key points, while maintaining the energy level to harmonise their sound as much as possible. Thus there is a gently tapering sub-bass that achieves depth and a certain level of punch, a subtly disconnected and autonomous first mids, and upper-mids that are emphasised in a very calculated and restrained way, so that they never sound harsh or overly present. Finally, the highs have been nuanced to a control zone that extends with a good level of energy, but never projecting into a piercing or piercing sound. Without a doubt, I could conclude that the Cadenza 4's profile is based on a controlled cadence.

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Bass

The Cadenza 4's bass is concrete and deep, possessing a subtle elasticity, and is quite compact and restrained. Even so, they possess a certain level of energy and presence, enough to impose a slight authority, delivering a controlled level of energy and power. However, all this goodness shown in the musical section comes crashing down in the very low-frequency pure tone test. Guided by the sound, I expected the LFO (Low Frequency Oscillation) reproduction to be more exemplary. On the contrary, this is not the case. The lower pure tones have a clear oscillatory and vibrating character, very typical of an unfiltered BA sonority. There is hardly any physical or sensitive sensation and a coloured, sonorous, off-tone vibration prevails. Realism and naturalness appears from 40Hz onwards, but the colour still anticipates the energy level and classic behaviour emitted by a simple dynamic driver. This is not the first time this has happened in DD + BA hybrids, even in this price range. But, having tested the Cadenza 4s on my usual bass tracks, I didn't expect this behaviour to be far from what a good dynamic driver emits.
It is in the other test of dirty, complex and unfiltered bass that the Cadenza 4s show these less advantageous characteristics. The deeper notes lack the necessary physicality, they feel coloured and infected with that vibrating, undulating aspect. This means a bass that is shallower and tends to vibrate more than it should, complicating the accurate and realistic tracking of very raw, fast and powerful bass lines. Still, the Cadenza 4s manage to retain a certain level of ability to layer and separate them, especially when it comes to separate bass. When the hit is well recorded, the Cadenza 4s respect their tone and deliver remarkably accurate reproduction. But it is when the bass is more linear, layered, continuous, sustained, mixed and dirtier that this less pure behaviour comes to the fore. In fast electronic music, with marked bases, it does not do badly, it is even when it shows its best side. But, when electronic music veers towards genres where the lows make up the melody, generate an ambience or form a dark and dense base, that is when certain anomalies appear that are appreciated when compared to dynamic drivers that have a more realistic behaviour.
It is worth noting that the overall bass performance is quite positive, as in conventional music reproduction, many of these faults are not noticeable, and it even sounds very good, remarkably controlled, with a slight level of pleasant texture and a good level of authority, precision, speed, both in the propagation and in the gathering. However, this does not detract from the fact that, at the limit, there is a certain behaviour that is not entirely correct. There are certain nuances that show that the execution is not canonical and that there are impure aspects in the sub-bass. Finally, these more negative aspects can be enhanced or minimised depending on the source used. And that is something that can be common, but in these cases it is usually more critical. A pity.

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Mids

The frequency response of the Cadenza 4 is too particular to be the product of coincidence. I think it has clearly been sought and found. The first half of the midrange is a totally flat valley from 200Hz to 1000Hz. Then, there is a gentle rise of 8dB up to 2.5khz and it becomes a plateau up to 4kHz, to enter the treble in a descending, but very slight, way. First of all, what I like most about the midrange is that you don't notice a complete drop. Admittedly, I'd like a little more body between the transition between bass and low-mids, to gain body, physicality, density and fullness. But there is not much to be missed at this stage. It is true that it is observed at a light half-distance and that this first part is not the protagonist, but there is also a good degree of presential authority. The male voices are well represented, but they don't have as much flesh as I would like to feel and I miss a more robust base. In reality, the voices are rendered full if subtly lean. Their timbre is very correct, very natural, highly pleasing. As a whole, the male voices are very neutral, both in presence, distance, demeanour, sonority and timbre. That medium is synergetic and the overall value is superior, thoroughly enjoyable, elegant and suitably rich, but without overdoing it so as not to lose the value of that neutrality. The rest of the instruments based in this first half are no more prominent and the result is an area that sounds very good, but remains gently removed from the main focus. But the blending of all the elements is very complete and, in this way, the musical reconstruction in this first phase reaches more transcendental heights in the overall result of the Cadenza 4's sound.
The musical mood of the midranges is more creamy and milky than analytical, despite the remarkable resolution of the drivers. Neutrality also shows through in this respect. The sound is rich, musical, not overly lush, but elegant and smoothly rounded. It is not a polish that loses resolution, but a harmonious continuity that is completely cadenced. And in this respect, this model could not be better named. No one should expect midranges with totally fast transitions, with exaggerated dynamics. There are dynamics, yes, and very good ones, but at their own pace. Undoubtedly, the Cadenza 4 is designed to be enjoyed little by little, over the hours. And that is also thanks to their upper mids. There is nothing random in this aspect. The second half of the mids has been lifted for clarity and transparency, but kept sweetly neutral. It is never a dark sound, but never completely bright either. In this way, the timbre remains very realistic, the sibilance tends to zero, the transparency is remarkable and the brightness concrete. It is clear that there is more emphasis on the female voices and they have that flesh and body that I miss in the male voices, as well as having a more leading presence. But the correctness of timbre is still maintained in them, only their harmonic richness is superior, as is their closeness. It is worth noting that the plateau of the upper mids can also harbour some subtly more aggressive joy at times. At that point, the sound is not as creamy and liquid in this second phase. But it is also comforting to find some more sparkle and verve in the sound to raise the tension.

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Treble

I would put the Cadenza 4 in the category of extended but energy-controlled treble. Somewhat distant from the level of extension and amount of energy that the brand's own S12 planars have, the Cadenza 4's treble has been carefully and neatly controlled in brightness, to maintain that neutral, creamy sound. The good thing is that the treble feels natural, slightly muted and rounded, but maintaining a high amount of overtones which makes them quite full in this respect. The timbre is logical and the sonority very adequate thanks to the linearity of the treble. There are no control zones that omit frequencies and the upper zone extends generously until it enters the air zone, where its inflection point lies. Even so, there's a clear amount of this air throughout the sound range that helps to maintain separation and distance.
All in all, this is a mellow and well extended high end, which can be enjoyed individually thanks to the good definition of the high notes, despite being restrained in brightness, energy and emphasis. Despite this, I don't find the treble to be nuanced or overly polished. And in that respect I think the Cadenza 4s have just the right balance: restrained but sufficiently explicit treble, which can both be enjoyed individually and can be at the harmonic service of the lower frequencies. Addictive for lovers of balanced, neutral and descriptive treble. But those looking for crisp treble will not find it here.

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Soundstage, Separation

The sound of the Cadenza 4 is surprising in its open, expansive character, spaced in a concrete and separate way. Without being an analytical sound, there is a good sense of dispersion of the notes that gives the sound a sensitive, but not expansive separation. It is not a vaporous or volatile perception, but the sound is more concrete, precise and meticulously executed. The weight of the notes is appreciated, also their whole profile and shape. This gives a clear sense of definition and a fairly high level of resolution. But these are not hard, fully marked profiles. And, this is where the more liquid and creamy aspect of the Cadenza 4 comes in, accompanied by that very mobile dynamic feel, which gives a vibrant impression that adds speed to the sound, so as not to get lost in an overly fluid continuum. The result is a defined and musical sound, which does not reach a resolute limit, but is sufficiently broad, separate, rich and complex. In this sense, the micro detail is not stellar, and can even feel unobtrusive. But, both the movement of the notes and their slightly bombastic execution result in a richer, more nuanced, richer and fuller musical effect. The Cadenza 4s respond well to analytical sources to demonstrate their high level of resolution and, in this respect, the level of micro detail depends on it. But I insist again on the neutrality of this aspect, as the musicality prevails over the high level of resolution.
The scene is wide, without being surrounding, as I said, it is open and extensive. There is a remarkable level of depth, without going to the extreme, very good height too, and a representation that exceeds 180º frontally. Laterality is obvious, the stereo feel is pronounced. The Cadenza 4 is an excellent IEMS for watching movies with lots of sound effects, thanks to its remarkable spatial positioning, speed of execution, precision and definition. Thanks to space, distance and a fairly dark background, the good analytical sources allow very vivid sensations to be extracted with these IEMS.

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Comparisons

Tanchjim Kara


They are IEMS with a configuration of 1DD 9mm with PEEK+PU diaphragm, 1 composite BA driver for midrange and high frequencies Sonion 2389D, 1 composite BA driver for ultra high frequencies designed by Tanchjim. In conclusion 1DDD+4BA as both BA drivers are composite. The current price is 179$.
They are smaller and lighter, but that is no guarantee for better ergonomics. In my case, the fit of the Kara is a bit more complicated because of the size of the mouthpiece. It is ergonomic, but the insertion is not as occlusive as with the Cadenza 4. The cable is much better on the Letshuoer, with the triple termination and thicker conductor.
The Kara's are distinctly harder to move, needing more power to perform at the same level.
The profile is similar but more reduced at the ends. The Kara's have a light sub-bass, while the Cadenza 4's are slightly emphasised. On the other hand, the Cadenza 4 has more treble extension and more air.
Of both, I have commented that in the pure tone test the result has not been as desired and there is a clear vibratory character more typical of BA drivers than dynamic drivers. This detracts from a deeper and more natural character. The Kara's focus on the mid-bass and feels more coloured and less realistic than the Cadenza 4's. Furthermore, the Cadenza 4's have a darker timbre and the performance is faster, more concise and tighter, while the Kara's are more boomy and elastic.
In the midrange you feel the splendour, clarity, separation and openness of the Cadenza 4, while the Kara is more muted and more nuanced. The notes have more sparkle and definition in the Cadenza 4. However, there is a similar neutral behaviour in both models, with some distance between the two models. Even in the level of resolution and micro detail they are similar. But the Cadenza 4's greater treble extension, its greater separation, makes the micro detail subtly more visible. There is a slight difference in the treble, with the Kara offering a little more initial energy. But I find the Cadenza 4 more expressive and descriptive in this upper band.
The better separation and open feel of the Cadenza 4s makes their soundstage a little bigger.

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Simgot EA1000

Currently priced at $219, the Simgot EA1000s consist of a 2nd generation 10mm dual-magnet, dual-cavity DMDC™ dynamic 10mm driver plus a 6mm passive radiator. They are made of metal and the design is smaller, fitting my ears quite well. The fit is somewhat freer, while the Cadenza 4's don't have a degree of freedom, being thicker and larger. The Simgot are heavier, but they are quite comfortable as well. The cable is similar in both, consisting of two strands of similar thickness. But the Simgot's don't have 3 interchangeable ends, only 3.5mm SE option. Very good fittings on both, better unboxing experience on the Cadenza 4. But the Simgot have three filters to make a small adjustment to their profile. Despite that, the three profiles of the EA1000 are brighter than the Cadenza 4. The Simgot moves quite easily.
Switching between the two models requires some effort because they sound more different than you would expect from the frequency responses. There is a lot of energy, verve and sparkle in the Simgot, they are quite a bit clearer and also more analytical. But they can also be more abrupt and penetrating. The Cadenza 4s are more relaxed, creamy, dark/neutral comparatively speaking.
The behaviour is very good in the very low frequency pure tone test in the Simgot. This generates a low end that performs very well in any terrain. The bass is more extended, somewhat more physical and sensory. Musically speaking, things even out. I like the Cadenza 4's bass tuning, but I prefer the consistency, realism, naturalness and execution of the Simgot's bass.
In the midrange there are many differences. There is a little more body in the first half of the Simgot mids, but the big difference is in the higher energy level of the upper mids, as well as their more explicit, descriptive and analytical level of resolution. The Cadenza 4s are more balanced and that gives them a midrange that feels fuller and more complete, less polarised, more homogeneous. They are creamier, calmer and more musical. The equal energy makes the midranges denser, richer and closer. Simgot offer more detailed information, but sound more explicit and splashy. That upper-mids behaviour carries over to the EA1000's treble - more energy, more sparkle, more brilliance, more sparkle, more presence, generating a crisper, more expansive treble. The Cadenza 4's highs maintain the calmness of the entire profile.
As a good analytical profile, the Simgot's offer more obvious micro detail. They feel detached, open, expansive and volatile. But the Cadenza 4s are broad and enjoy good depth. Certainly, the presentation of the scene is different in the two models. The Cadenza 4's offer a more concave, oval scene, with good laterality, which transcends 180º. The EA1000s are more gaseous, surrounding and sparkling, the effects feel closer.
Undoubtedly, they are two different beasts in many ways with a distinctly different sound.

LetShuoer Cadenza 4 vs Simgot EA1000 Red.png

Conclusion

I think that Letshuoer wants to stop being known only for its planar IEMS and the Cadenza series is a clear proof of that. Without having tried the Cadenza 12, the Cadenza 4 is a set of IEMS with, of course, 4 drivers (1DD + 3BA) that seeks a tuning already marked by the DZ4, but with more extension and neutrality. Again relying on the collaboration with Heygear Technology, Letshuoer has created an IEMS whose design base continues where the S15 left off, but with a more semi-custom shape. The idea of packaging, the round box, the thick, silver-plated cable, with 3 interchangeable terminations, is still there. But above all, it persists in the search for a very musical, highly pleasant, natural, realistic and balanced sound. Well-presented and deep in the lower range, smooth, restrained and well extended in the upper range, the Cadenza 4 shines with a rich, descriptive, separate, large, harmonious and cadenced central range, as the name suggests. Without a doubt, the sound of the series is marked from the name and Letshuoer has hit the nail on the head with the Cadenza 4. Arguably one of the best IEMS in its price range, if you are looking for a secure and captivating tuning.

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Sources Used During the Analysis

  • Aune M1p.
  • EarMen Angel.
  • EarMen Colibri.
  • Burson Audio Playmate 2.
  • Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + EarMen ST-Amp.

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Letshuoer offered me this model, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.

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Purchase Link

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You can read the full review in Spanish here

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Last edited:
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MidnightSun
I enjoyed reading this very much. Thank you.
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ICYGENIUS

New Head-Fier
LETSHUOER CADENZA 4 review of hybrid iem by ICYGENIUS 🎧
Pros: Very competent and accurate neutral tuning
A truly audiophile set for $249
Great accessories
Powerful and massive bass with a neat transition to the mid-bass region
Mid frequencies neutral are very pleasant and not tiring
High frequencies reveal all the details well and do not hide micro nuances
Excellent attacks and transients
Technical skills at a high level
The sound stage has excellent localization and a fairly wide construction
Cons: For me no.
Introduction!
Hello friends!
Today in our review we’ll talk about hybrid headphones from Letshuoer worth $249!
They come in a nicely designed medium-sized box that contains the company logo and the name of this new Cadenza 4 model.
And on the back are the technical specifications, and a ten-millimeter dynamic driver, one reinforcement driver from Sonion and two armature drivers from Knowles are responsible for the sound, and the sensitivity is 102 decibels and they received 15 ohm impedance.

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Let's take a look at what's included!
And the first thing that greets us here is the envelope inside which is
- Warranty card.
- Product Certificate
- Manual for use

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And here are the headphones themselves, which in my opinion look great.
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The front panel here received a metal insert with an abstract design and the company logo, and the cups themselves are made of very pleasant matte plastic, exactly the same as that of the Letshuer S15.

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They also have a standard 2-pin connector that runs straight along the body and next to it there is a single compensation hole!
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And here we were given the channel markings and additionally the name of the Cadenza 4 model.
But the sound guide here is quite elongated with a good rim for better fixation of the ear tips, and has three holes where the filters from Knowles are very clearly visible.

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With the fit and ergonomics, everything is in perfect order here, as is the case with my favorite planar headphones S15, the Cadenza fits just as perfectly in my ears, nothing presses anywhere, and in fact we have excellent sound insulation.
Accessories!
Now let's look at the accessories.
- Round black box made of pleasant soft-touch plastic.
- A truly excellent cable with conveniently formed earhooks, 2-pin connectors, and the ability to replace the plug with any of the three.
Both 3.5 and 2.5, and balanced 4.4 and they are all angular.
- And the final touch is a set of high-quality ear tips in a convenient organizer.
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How do these headphones sound?
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And now, friends, we have come to the most important part of the review, namely the analysis of the sound of these hybrid headphones, and here everything is actually interesting and I think it is correctly designed from the point of view of the approach to tuning, this is a perfectly finished pleasant Harman tuning, dim in presentation, with boost low frequencies at a noticeable 7 decibels, with a very precise approach to mid frequencies up to a neat and, most importantly, not excessive amplification of the upper mid region, but the high frequencies here are simply beautiful, they received a good expansion up to 14 kHz and after that they have a neat, smooth roll-off familiar to us.
Low Frequencies:
And of course, low frequencies are presented here as fundamental and I have no questions about them at all, the sub-bass region here has excellent weight and depth and the very basis for bass formation, and midbass simply perfectly complements this whole powerful, extremely punchy picture due to its clearly defined attack and an obvious very vigorous punch, but this model is still not for bassheads, but I’m sure all the other guys will be happy here, since here there is literally an ideal combination of the amount of bass and the quality of texture reproduction and clear audibility of saturation and distortion in guitars, which in my opinion is no less important, and I hope you agree with me.
Mid Frequencies:
And the mid frequencies in these headphones are presented as smooth and neat without any excessive sharpness and brightness and obvious emphasis on the vocal part, since the bass and the upper mid area here are exactly as I like, namely in parity due to which I immediately liked this familiar neutral a delivery that has the right amount of heat with the excellent necessary transparency so that everything sounds more separate and accurate in space.
But both male and female vocals here sound super richly weighty with excellent resolution and, most importantly, with a sufficiently large amount of air, which definitely had a positive effect on the better disclosure of this range and significantly helped in all that is called the glory of swinging the vocal part and instruments so as not to sound like it is dully closed and dark.
But for the snare drum, respect from me because of the slight emphasis on the upper middle and generally neutral tuning, I like it exactly like that, just slightly emphasized in the mix and does not stand out against the background of everything else, but simply neatly makes its work leave behind good aftertaste from reverberation.

High Frequencies:
But at high frequencies there is a very neutral, very calm and precise approach to tuning, when the manufacturer does not have a goal to make this model pretentious in this area and add some unnecessary fake detail by amplifying this area, which is especially common in inexpensive headphones,here we have the opposite, everything was designed with taste and audiophile verified, which is actually not surprising since the Letshuer company has definitely developed experience in this regard and they understand what real audiophiles need, since it seems to me that this model is simply ideal for them.
Since there is also excellent detailing with a slightly warm presentation, slightly softened at the edges, with excellent technicality and simply excellent additional shine on the cymbals, that is, they do not take much attention here, but simply accurately and focusedly complement the composition without excessive intrusiveness and sibilance, and let me answer right away, there is no metallic color or reinforcement overtones here, which definitely pleased me and I think I should tell you about it.
And it is also worth noting that there is simply an excellent bias in micro and macro details, so all the percussion and various small sounds will be like the palm of your hand, and the very long tails from the reverberation here do not end very abruptly, but on the contrary, have a very long continuation.

My conclusion on this headphones:
Letshuoer Cadenza 4, without any doubt, is a very pleasant audiophile and properly configured hybrid headphone that I liked from the first listen, and given its price, it represents very powerful competition and is fighting back against other models right now.
Official Letshuoer Site for buy: https://letshuoer.net/products/letshuoer-cadenza4-wired-iem-hifi-earphones-in-ear-monitor

I will be glad if you subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch this full review on LetShuoer Cadenza 4!

Dileepmonk

New Head-Fier
LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 initial impressions
Pros: engaging Midrange.
good tonality & timber.
note weight.
smooth signature.
bass decay.
coherency.
Cons: mid-bass quantity
treble extension (knit pick)
shell design & built (I mean plastic shells feels kind of cheap and looking average)
Disclaimer:
This is my friend unit, impressions are strait otta what I felt and I spent less time with them so you can take it easy.
My preferred sound:
neutral sound but with musical presentation(this describes itself not nuetral :) ). slight emphasis on bright or warm both works for me
equipment:
spinfit w1 tips and cyan ru7 dac/amp

sound:
soothing, melodic, musical presentation
bass:
It has nice sub-bass with good presence of rumble, mid-bass is adequate (little less compared to sub-bass) but
that doesn't mean it lacking either it is sufficient to balance other frequencies.
and I do find bass is little mellow/soft slam not the tightest, but attack/decay is still good though.
kick drums bass reproduce good however I would have appreciated if it has more slam.

Mid-range:
Not sure where to start but I found midrange to be one of the best I’ve heard in the price point.
vocals are clean and little forward, everything sounds engaging. male vocals got that weight and lushness, and female vocals sounds exquisite with crispness
guitar, violin, Saxaphone and trumpets sounds phenomenal with good layering.
had plenty of room for both vocals and mid-range instruments.
All if I can say about midrange in simple words, it sounds very emotional.

Treble:
treble is inoffensive/little relaxed yet still has good energy without any splashiness.
I played some busy tracks and it handled all of them without any struggles and never sounded grainy at all

Technicalities:
I wouldn’t say that the soundstage of the Cadenza 4 is huge but there is definitely enough room for all instruments.
It is above average, height, width and it has very good depth though
it has good micro and excellent macro details.
it has excellent tonality and timber.

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SenyorC

100+ Head-Fier
My favourite tuning from the brand yet!
Pros: Build, aesthetics, accessories, performance, tuning...
Cons: Some tracks can be a little too spicy with the included tips...
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TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Letshuoer Cadenza 4

The Cadenza 4 have been sent to me directly by Letshuoer for me to try them out and share my opinions in this review. Letshuoer have not made any specific comments or requests and I will do my best, as always, to be as unbiased in this review as possible.

You can find the official page for the Cadenza 4 here: https://letshuoer.net/products/letshuoer-cadenza4-wired-iem-hifi-earphones-in-ear-monitor

As with all links I share, this is a non-affiliate link.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews

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Intro…

The Cadenza 12 was released as both the flagship IEM of the brand and the first in what was said to be a series of IEMs, the Cadenza. This was early in 2023, with a prototype making its rounds at Canjam quite a few month before that. While I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with the Cadenza 12, I did get to try it out and I have to say that it was my favourite IEM from the brand, although a little bright.

A year later, Letshuoer presents us with the second IEM in the Cadenza line up, this time at a much more affordable level (for most of us), priced at under $250, or $229 for those who pre-ordered, which is around 230€, that is a rather large difference from the 2000€ price tag of the flagship model. While the Cadenza 12 featured 12 drivers, the Cadenza 4 coincidentally (or not) features 4 drivers, that are a dynamic driver plus 3x balanced armature drivers.

So, let’s take a look at what we are getting from the brand for the much more pocket friendly price point of their new model.

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Presentation…

The packaging and contents of the Cadenza 4 are certainly nothing to complain about in the price range, in fact, they are very similar to the presentation of the S15 that I reviewed not long ago and comes in at almost $100 more expensive.

The same grey outer sleeve, featuring just the make and model, with some basic specs on the back, slides away to reveal an even simpler flip top box in the same colour with “Letshuoer - Sound Alive” on the top in small white letter. This outer packaging is simple and elegant.

The flip top box is held closed with magnets and opens in the same “jewelry box” type way as that of the S15. There is a top layer, covered by a grey card envelop containing the user manual and other documentation, which is removed to reveal the IEMs sitting underneath.

The bottom half of the box is a slide out drawer accessed from the front that contains the rest of the accessories, which are a black screw top storage/transport case, the cable with interchangeable connectors, 2.5mm, 3.5mm & 4.4mm connectors for the cable and the disc style tip holder containing “balanced” and “vocal” tips, 3 sets of each.

The only real difference between the presentation of the Cadenza 4 and the S15 is the colour of the cable and the colour of the “vocal” ear tips, which are grey rather than blue.

I have nothing but praise for the presentation and accessories included with the Cadenza 4, making it a nice box opening experience and giving a feeling of a set that has been cared for.

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Build and aesthetics…

While the Cadenza 4 do share a similar shape to the Cadenza 12, this is as far as the similarities go in build. Where the flagship is a completely metal shell, the Cadenza 4 opts for a 3D printed shell with a CNC machined faceplate in aluminium with a matte finish. The shells are white which leads to a very elegant looking set of IEMs that are not overly shouty but look, and feel, to be of good quality.

The 3D printed shell also helps to reduce weight, with the Cadenza 4 being a very lightweight and comfortable IEM, at least in my ears.

The included cable, stated as being a 392 strand silver plated copper, matches the aesthetics of the IEMs, with white and matte aluminium hardware that also matches the aesthetics. While I am someone who prefers fabric covered cable personally, there is no doubt that the included cable is of good quality and, as it includes all the termination options you may need, it is a perfect match for the IEMs.

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Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

I am not going to make any comparisons in sound between the two Cadenza models as, on one hand, they are in totally different leagues, and on the other, I only briefly listened to the 12 in show conditions last year, so I cannot faithfully make any comparisons.

I will say that this is the 5th set of Letshuoer IEMs that I have reviewed, having tried a fair few more, and that each of their models has a different flavour to it, none of which I have hated. In fact, I have quite liked them and the Cadenza 4 is no exception. In fact, it may actually be my favourite tuning from the brand yet. It is certainly not perfect, to me at least, but the issues that I do find are fairly small and are lost in the overall performance of the IEM.

Anyway, I am getting ahead of myself, so lets go through my usual steps and start off looking at the graph in comparison to my personal preference target:

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Before getting into the specifics, let me say that I found that I preferred the “Vocal” tips (the grey ones) for the Cadenza 4 and those are what I have been using for my detailed listening in this review. There is a sensation of more bass with the “Balanced” option but I found that the bass with the “Vocal” tips was plenty for my tastes.

In the subbass range and focusing first on “Chameleon”, there is enough rumble in the lower frequencies to appreciate the madness of this track, with a nice deep extension. However, the subbass is clean and not really boosted too much (enough for my tastes but maybe not enough for others that prefer more rumble), keeping this articulate a giving a very nice presentation of these lower ranges.

With “No Sanctuary Here”, which is not as overpowering in the subbass department, I find a very nice balance between subbass and midbass, with no real emphasis on either of them, with the low end of this song sounding very clear and decisive.

Moving into the midbass zone and using my midbass fatigue track “Crazy”, there is no sensation of the low end reverb becoming overpowering. It is noticeably there but does not hijack any of the surrounding frequencies, allowing the guitar to present those low end notes without becoming overly boomy.

While the midbass may be a little lower in quantity than many will expect, I find that it is really well balanced and does not give the sensation of missing any warmth in bass guitars, such as in “Elephants on Ice Skates” or in older rock tracks that usually benefit from a bit of extra warmth, such as “Whole Lotta Love”, where the bass guitar has a tonality to it that I find both pleasing and correct, at least to my ears.

Throughout the whole of the bass zone, details are good and I find they get even better as we move into the midrange of the Cadenza 4. In very simple tracks, such as “Happens To The Heart”, the details of the track, such as the breathing and slight vibration of instruments, are easily appreciated while the vocals remain full. In busier tracks, such as “The Room” by Ostura, the Cadenza seemingly keep up without any issues, again letting the details of each instrument shine through but without them being overly upfront.

As we climb into the upper mids, there is plenty or presence for both vocals and instruments, although some tracks can come across a little harsh in this recording. For example, “Crazy” that I mentioned earlier, can have a little too much emphasis on the vocals of Daniella Andrade and even a slight hint of sibilance. This is reduced by switching to the balanced tips, which moves the emphasis away slightly and places it a bit more on the lower ranges. However, it is not terribly harsh, unless you are someone sensitive to the 2.5 to 3.5k region, and I personally prefer the response of the “Vocal” tips.

As we move into the higher regions, there is a nice sensation of air and extension which maintains sibilance in tracks like “Code Cool” at a point I would consider neutral. In other words, it does not add or subtract sibilance to/from Patricia Barber.

The treble extension may not be the most extended treble out there but Letshuoer have done a good job of balancing the treble, allowing it to sound open and airy without sounding overly emphasized, harsh or too bright.

I already said that details are good throughout the whole range and this is added to a nice sensation of space between layers of vocals and instruments, as in the recording of “Strange Fruit”, where background details are noticeable and spacing between the vocal layers are well defined.

I wouldn’t say that the soundstage of the Cadenza 4 is huge but there is definitely enough room for instruments to spread out, although I find that in “La Luna”, the rear left guitar is pushed slightly more left and less back than on other sets. This doesn’t make for a worse presentation of the track, just different.

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Conclusion…

The Letshuoer Cadenza 4 are a very impressive set of IEMs. As I mentioned earlier in the review, they may even be my favourite set from the brand so far. There are certain tracks that can become a little hot in the upper mids with the “Vocal” tips but this can be remedied quite well with the “Balanced” tips. I found that I could enjoy them even more with a couple of other aftermarket tips but I usually don’t go into aftermarket accessories in my reviews and try to focus on the included.

For the 230€ price point, you are getting a nicely built set of IEMs, that sounds good, performs well and is also presented in a way that I would say is above the majority of the competition in packaging and accessories.

These probably won’t be the correct choice for those looking for a bassy set of IEMs but for those who are looking for a good, balanced and well performing set of all-rounders, the Cadenza 4 are a very good candidate.

__
As always, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on
achoreviews.squig.link/isolation
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David Haworth

Previously known as J Weiner
Letshuoer Cadenza 4, True virtuoso
Pros: Beautiful and musical
Excellent balance across the sound spectrum.
Comfortable and easy to drive.
Excellent modular cable
Cons: Some may find its resolution and details less than other contenders in this price point.
L shaped connector (My dislike)
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About Cadenza 4.

Letshuoer, the parents of the hugely popular planar IEM the S12 have a new baby for us.

Letshuoer provided this review sample to Audio Reviews Downunder for our honest assessment, and we would like to thank them.

Cadenza 4 is a 1 DD 3BA hybrid. The company also has the Cadenza 12 which is a 1DD 11BA flagship IEM. Cadenza definition: Technically brilliant sometimes improvised solo passage toward the close of a concerto.

In the box we have the IEMs which I find understated and elegant. A lot is made of the look of an IEM but once they are in your ears…out of sight, out of mind!

The cable is just great, Soft and substantial with a great feel, left and right marked pin connectors and modular at the other end with the three usual sized male connectors. This is one of the first cables I have not been tempted to change with some of my collection. Also included is a hard plastic round case with a screw cap. Solid and durable it also feels quite soft and tactile. Just don’t let the dog get hold of it!

The supplied tips are average and below par compared to those supplied with the dearer S15 planar.

The fit of the Cadenza works well for my ears. The body is molded and shaped to the ear cavity as opposed to a simple cone shape. (It is similar to the Kinera range) This gives me a good fit with my ear shape and has the advantage of good noise isolation.

Drivability was good. I used my Hiby R3 Saber DAP with high gain and while a volume level of 36 (which is average for an easy to drive IEM) gave a good sound level, I found the Letshuoer scaled well when I boosted the volume into the 40’s. The music grew in power and grandeur without any corresponding harshness or distortion. Similar to the way my Hidizs MP145 planar performs.
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The Sound

Remember these are my impressions and may not relate to all ears or ear canals!

When you first listen to Cadenza 4 you should be impressed by the superb balanced and musical presentation. This set is the best hybrid I have spent time listening to this year. Every part of the sound spectrum is presented so correctly that you just get lost in the music and forget to analyze! In this way it compares favorably to my number one set, namely the Hidizs MP145. Usually, I keep the MP145 tacked away when I am assessing a new IEM but in this case the Cadenza demanded “get the Hidizs out…I can take it! “
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Starting with the bass, the kick drums do kick with a visceral punch that you can feel. Drumsticks tapped on the side of the snare are tactile and realistic. Sub bass is omnipresent in just the right amount without overpowering the Mids. Bass guitars have weight and depth and upright basses sound deep and realistic with real gravitas.

The midrange is spacious and uncongested with good tone and some warmth. Vocals are presented just right, neither to forward or recessed. Acoustic guitars sound realistic and detailed. Female vocals are rather delicious, natural and captivating. Male vocals have correct timbre and tone to my ears. My most problematic close miked vocal tracks that can sound harsh and troubling with some tunings, survived analysis nicely.

The treble has energy and clarity and is never overdone. Once again, we get back to the balanced sound of the Cadenza. Sure, it could have more sparkle, but would it dominate the mix? To me, it sounds just right.

Soundstage and technicalities now. The soundstage has good width and depth and I rate it as above average. Imaging is very good with Cadenza and placement of instruments within the soundstage is easy and accurate. Detail retrieval, while not TOTL is also adequate to my ears with plenty of small nuances and minutiae audible. Put it all together and you have a seamless symphony of sound.
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To sum up.

Did Cadenza 4 surpass my Hidizs MP145 as my favorite? Close but no. I still love the planar. But the Letshuoer takes it place as one of the best balanced and musical listening IEMs I have auditioned. It gets my strong recommendation
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Ceeluh7
Ceeluh7
MD Rohit
MD Rohit
Nice job brother 👏

Headphones and Coffee

Previously known as Wretched Stare
Safe smooth one
Pros: A safely tuned IEM with no sharp edges to the sound, built light and feels sturdy.
Balanced sounding with almost neutral mid-bass, average soundstage and details.
Good accessories.
Cons: Not the most revealing IEM, looks are plain as with most Heygears IEM.
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The Letshuoer Cadenza 4 is an intriguing set of hybrid in-ear monitors (IEMs). Let’s dive into its specifications and features:

Price: The Cadenza 4 is priced at $229.
Design and Unboxing Experience:
The unboxing experience is classy, reminiscent of the more expensive S15 model.
The earphones come in a multi-level box with a magnetic clasp.
Inside, you’ll find a plastic travel case, a high-quality cable (made of high-purity silver-plated monocrystalline copper), and various eartips.
The earphones themselves are made of 3D printed resin with a CNC-milled aluminum faceplate, finished in a matte texture.
The design ensures a comfortable fit for the average human ear.
Sound Quality:
The Cadenza 4 aims for a non-reference / non-offensive sound with a deep but balanced sub-bass rumble, tame neutral Mid-Bass and smoothly detailed highs with a fair extension. The Midrange is unique as it has a forward but centered placement and while not the most detailed it has a very neat response with a thinner than average note weight but still has a nice warm and rich sound I find pleasant.
Soundstage is slightly above average in size and has decent but average imaging.
It uses a four-driver array for its frequency response.
Drivers:
10mm beryllium-coated dynamic driver (DD): Provides natural sound and spacious low-frequency reproduction.
1 Sonion balanced armature (BA): Contributes to the overall sound signature.
2 Knowles balanced armatures (BA): Enhance clarity and detail2.

In summary, the Letshuoer Cadenza 4 offers an enjoyable and safe sound quality, with very good accessories at a reasonably accessible price point, making it a strong contender in its category as it is a safe tuned IEM that goes well with multiple genres of music.

Gear used for the review are the ifi Diablo-2 and ifi Gobar Kensei , the Surfans F28, and Tempotec V6

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