LETSHUOER DZ4

Letshouer Dz4, a pair of IEMs that boast natural, clean vocals and, in my opinion, are one of the best in their class. But there's something unique about these IEMs, so read the review until the end.

Oh yes, firstly, thank you to Letshuoer Audio for giving me the opportunity to review this product.

Note: This review is based on personal listening experience, so it remains subjective, but nothing is exaggerated or diminished for specific reasons.






Starting with Packaging & Cable: The packaging for these IEMs is simple, with a round case inside the box containing small, medium, and large ear tips, totaling 6 pairs. In my opinion, the ear tips are somewhat hard and not very comfortable to wear, so it's better to get aftermarket ear tips. The build quality of the cable is quite good, with a thick braided design and an elegant silver color. However, despite the nice appearance, the stock cable doesn't deliver the best sound for the Dz4 IEMs, which I'll discuss below.




Build Quality & Fitting: In terms of build quality, these IEMs use a combination of metal faceplates and resin throughout the shell. The design is simple and attractive, with a broken white color and some semi-open back with the letter 'z' on the faceplate. Although slightly bulky, the IEMs feel lightweight. However, when using the stock cable, I felt some pressure on the upper part of my ears or the ear hook, as if it was pressing too hard. It might vary for different ears since everyone's shape is different, so it's subjective.

Now onto the sound, starting with the Low: The bass on these IEMs isn't overly deep but still maintains a decent punch, with drum beats sounding clear and good texture with enjoyable rumble. The decay is sufficient, even for faster songs, but don't expect too much since these IEMs aren't specialized in bass. Tested with songs like Meghan Trainor's "All About that Bass" and Paramore's "Anklebiters."

The Midrange is where these IEMs shine: They possess natural, clean, and pleasantly sweet vocals. They're not too thick to feel muffled nor too thin to be piercing or boring. In my opinion, the vocals sound very natural and pleasing. There's a hint of sibilance, but it's not bothersome; it adds energy and clarity to the vocals, stopping at the right moment, which is surprisingly unique and enjoyable. Tested with songs like BabyMonster's "Sheesh" and ILlit's "Magnetic."

Moving on to the Highs/Treble: The IEMs deliver energetic, crisp, and airy highs without being piercing or fatiguing even during long listening sessions. This is my second favorite aspect after the vocals. Listening to songs with many instrumental trebles is very comfortable and fun, with guitar plucks, violin strings, and cymbal strikes sounding clear and smooth. Tested with various songs from an audiophile sound test playlist on YouTube Music.

Lastly, Technicalities: These IEMs have a fairly wide soundstage thanks to their passive driver and semi-open back design. However, the 3D imaging with the stock cable feels a bit odd, lacking focus in instrument placement. But don't worry, replacing the stock cable solves this issue. Regarding gaming, these IEMs are excellent for pinpointing enemies accurately; sounds are directional, making it easy to locate threats. Tested on Apex PC. The timbre is also very natural, and instrument sounds are rich and lifelike. Above-average resolution with a good sense of clarity.

Conclusion: These IEMs are worth buying if you're looking for clean, natural vocals with fun and energetic highs. However, keep in mind that some may find the stock cable's sensation a bit odd or peculiar, so you might want to try third-party cables like Tripowin Zoe or Xinhs Cooper. That's all.

If asked what's the best IEM for vocal under 1.5 million rupiahs? I'll honestly answer this IEM.

Some say they don't quite like its warm sound and somewhat ethereal imaging, which "can be fixed with a new cable." And DZ4's sound is indeed somewhat warm, maybe not for those seeking energy... even the passive radiator seems to make the IEM feel even warmer or more relaxed.. its bass quality doesn't make you go "wow" but the mids are seriously pleasant, everything sounds smooth without any weird upper mid or treble spikes... its musicality is very comfortable with heavy dynamics... Letshuoer achieves a somewhat unique Harman target where the mids aren't thin, which I think is very important in the market... if not all Harman IEMs will sound the same with somewhat recessed mids with increased upper mids that are more noticeable + the presence of instrument-vocals is more noticeable than richness and natural musicality.

Vocal sound needs warmth and airiness in it, if not, the people you talk to will sound somewhat boxy in the real world, and that's not the case here.

**Rating:**
- Low: ★★★★☆
- Mid: ★★★★★
- High: ★★★★✮
- Technical: ★★★★★ (changed cable -1 stock) (4.8/5) {☆ 0 point, ✮ 0.5 point, ★ 1 point}

Letshuoer in Indonesia seems to have gained popularity since the S12 Pro. The reason is clear, an IEM Planar that falls under the "Indonesian student budget" category and tonally favored by many audiophiles, namely V-Shape. I remember auditioning it and indeed the Mid part sounded far from satisfying because of its positioning which is more towards the back and not natural.
Then around mid-2023, Letshuoer released an IEM that I've never seen its driver configuration, and in Indonesia, it doesn't seem as popular as its predecessor. So, the question arises, is it less good in terms of sound at around $85 (1.4 million Rupiah)?
Let's discuss it, here's the Letshuoer DZ4.

==DISCLAIMER==​

All impressions and reviews are subjective and follow the belief of "just my little lies, of course, reviews should be honest." Agreed? Alright. Different? Okay. Because I review because I want to and just enjoy it, not because I need to haha.

• But if you say this, it must be because you're just using it now? Oh, absolutely not. I'm a true audiophile hobbyist who will always be honest without bias. Don't believe it? Read until the end, and we'll discuss the pros and cons.
• But if you say this because it's new, probably just in the "honeymoon" phase, right? In this "dark and poisonous" hobby, it will remain so until the end of the world. Human desire is endless. Hahaha.

But it's better to just listen, right? You're right.

Important!! I suggest you still audition it yourself, maybe my ears need an ENT doctor or maybe you need one (haha).

Click to expand...

==THIS POST IS FOR==​

• What's an IEM with a 3DD + 1 Passive Radiator configuration like? (for God's sake, I don't know if this passive radiator is like a car radiator or what. but what's certain is that it moves passively based on the impact of the other 3DDs)
• What's a good IEM for vocals and acoustic music?
• Just want to read a review

==DESIRED SOUND==​

• Crispy treble, with a bit of spice if possible
• Good quality and quantity bass, but not for bassheads
• Technicality, imaging, and clarity are top-notch
• Wide soundstage

==TESTED WITH==​

• Youtube Music
• Tidal
• Hiby M300
• Fiio Q15
• Lenovo Office Laptop (What series)
• Letshuoer DZ4

==SAY IT WITHOUT SUGARCOATING==​

Unboxing:
For its price range, I think the box is decent. The box material isn't too thick so it doesn't feel special. But what I like is the simple packaging, so there's not a lot of unnecessary design and placement. The contents of the box are sufficient:

• The IEM itself
• Carrying case (The case has a matte finish, smooth, comfortable to hold, and I think it's useful. Although it's not too big inside)
• Cable 3.5mm jack (The cable is similar to the S12 Pro, it has a metallic feel and I have no problem with it at all. It suits its price)
• 2 types of ear tips with 3 sizes each. (Ear tips that suit its price. Useful for those who don't have other ear tips, you can use the ones that come with it)
• Manual

Fitting:
Letshuoer really knows how to make IEMs with good finishing. As for the design it's simple with broken white color, but the metal + resin material used gives a strong impression with a nice matte finish.
The nozzle, which is standard in size and length, makes it comfortable to use and suitable for the ear tips that come with the box.

Bass:
If you like deep bass but not too powerful like bass heads, this IEM will suit you. In terms of texture and bass quality, it's very good in its price range with decent power.
Unfortunately, this aspect is not supported by the sub-bass, which is less than optimal. The sub-bass has a too quick impact, so it's less enjoyable for sub-bass lovers.

Mid:
Melodious~~. The most appropriate word to describe its midrange. Not only melodious with natural male and female vocals, but its presentation is also more advanced than other aspects, making the sound produced very enjoyable. However, the sound produced feels a bit lacking in airiness and boldness.
This is why I say this IEM has a specific purpose, namely created for slow acoustic songs with good bass tuning and super melodious natural vocals. So, how about the treble? read the next section!

Treble:
The treble part is really good. The impact when plucking guitar strings feels right with a crispy sound without hurting the ears. But when it comes to the upper treble, you will feel the treble is not clean enough and the sparkling sensation is lost in the middle.
For those who listen to slow and acoustic songs, this won't be too bothersome because it focuses more on vocals and the beginning of the treble is quite good.

Clarity, Soundstage, Imaging:

• Clarity: The lack of power and sparkling in the upper treble makes it feel less clear. For other parts, there's no problem with micro-detail presentation that can't be complained about in its price range.
• Soundstage: In its price range, it has an above-average soundstage.
• Imaging: The sound feels 3D which is very good and can present instruments and sound separation well. But because of the less clear upper treble, that part feels more recessed.

Specs:

• Three dynamic drivers + single passive radiator in-ear monitor HIFI earphones.
• Four-way Acoustic Tubes, Two-way Crossover Circuit.
• Semi Open Faceplate Design, A Fusion Of Metal And Resin.
• The drivers are connected to the dual-pin receptacle via a flexible printed circuit (FPC) crossover board.
• Joint Effort With HeyGear, The Leading 3D-Printing Supplier
• Four cores of 216-strands, 0.05mm in diameter silver plated copper cable.
• DZ4 comes with a standard 3.5mm single-ended plug, featuring a standard 0.78mm dual-pin design.
• High precision in 3D Printed chassis production to meet ergonomic principles.
• CNC-milled anodized aluminum casing with semi-open design.

Honestly, I don't understand much about its specs, especially its drivers haha. But this IEM is a bit above average in terms of difficulty to drive.

=CONCLUSION=​

• Letshuoer really understands how to make IEMs with minimalist designs that are beautiful and comfortable to use.
• Perfect midrange presentation with good bass and treble tuning is not supported by the minimum sub-bass impact and the recessed upper treble.
• From its pros and cons aspects, Letshuoer seems to target a specific segment for vocal lovers with slow acoustic music genres.
• Is it worth it? If your music genre is mostly like that, I think it's cool. But if not and you still want to buy it, it's okay too, it's your own money haha.

That's it.
Trust your ears.
Bye.

INTRO


Hello everyone! This is my full review of Letshuoer DZ4. The unique configuration of this IEM stands out among of its competitors. Let see how it sings!


Disclaimer


I would like to thank @Letshuoer for arranging a unit for me. My opinions are unbiased, and I haven't been influenced or instructed to praise these IEMs. Every detail in this review is actual experience made by listening for hours everyday.



Specifications


Driver configuration : 3 x 6 mm titanium diaphragm dynamic drivers + 6 mm passive radiator

Impedance : 12 Ohms

Frequency response : 20 Hz - 40 kHz

Sensitivity : 104 dB

Cable : 2-pin, 0.78 mm; 4-core 216-strand silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable : 3.5 mm

Price at $89 USD







Packaging


The packaging comes the IEM itself, a premium cylinder case. The two sets of silicone tips "Vocal ear tips" and "Balanced ear tips" The cable has an excellent build and quality.


Build and Comfort


The build is sturdy, and the sleek design gives a more premium feel than expected in this price range. The earpiece are lightweight, making them comfortable for extended use.





Sound Aspects


Source used :


Realme 9 Pro

Jcally AP7

Ibasso DC04 pro


This iems spend 50-60 hours of burn in using pink noise before taking details of this review


The unique configuration of this DZ4 is really interesting. I'm really expecting the passive radiator will help the bass to give more punch perhaps I found if you give it enough power the subbass man it will give you that visceral feeling I discover this experience when I'm burnin this DZ4 with the pink noise its not the usual pink noise experience there's an air blowing rumbling inside your ear.


Bass


It has controlled and clean presented bass. The sub-bass shows more body than midbass.
The passive radiator gives that sub-bass visceral feeling. This is not for basshead people out there. The midbass lacks punch and texture. It has good subbass extension and impact.


Mids


The mids are forward, clear and detailed, the male vocal sounded a little lacking in terms of body and texture. Female vocals does sound fuller and richer compared to male vocals. The midrange instruments are lush and engaging, the strums of guitar in acoustic songs is tastefully done, it doesn't get harsh even at high volume.


Treble


The treble is smooth and safe, energetic enough but not excessive to the point where it get harsh. Treble extension is good and but it has lack amount of air. The relaxed presentation of treble contributes to a long listening session.


Technicalities


Soundstage is wide and spacious with good sense amount of width and height and depth as well. Imaging is good as for the asking price. Separation is quite good. You can easily distinguish the placements of instruments.


Comparisons


Vs. Truthear Hexa


Hexa has better bass quality. Mids in hexa is like artificial sounding for me some sort of hifi experience than the more natural presentation of DZ4. Highs is airier and sparkly in Hexa. Technicalities is ahead on hexa but not in the wide soundstage of DZ4.


BASS

DZ4 << HEXA

MIDS

DZ4 >> HEXA

TREBLE

DZ4 << HEXA

TECHNICALITIES

DZ4 = HEXA

SOUND TIMBRE

DZ4 >> HEXA





Conclusions


The Letshuoer DZ4 provide impressive audio quality at a budget-friendly price. A solid choice for those seeking great vocal clarity, smooth musical presentation, relaxed and smooth treble for long listening session and great reliable performance without breaking the bank.

DZ4 the first model of its kind from this manufacturer. In this case, I'm talking about the layout and material of the shell

In short, this model has three dynamic drivers and one chamber called a passive radiator

It turned out very interesting, considering its low cost layout and non-standard materials

Let's start with the equipment: one earphone has three dynamic drivers and one passive radiator. Shell has a very interesting body, made of plastic, apparently. This is not 3D printing, most likely it is casting, but at the same time the material itself, namely plastic, has an interesting structure, color and density. This material is lightweight, apparently very durable, pleasant to the touch and quite interesting visually.

The cable is ordinary for your budget, but at the same time it is moderately soft and quite good, and it sounds very well assembled

Im note the interesting design uh, both the shell and the faceplate. Uh, they play very interestingly from a design point of view. It is original, unusual and futuristic

Let's shower, like some, respected manufacturers have finally come up with a universal shell shape that fits almost all ears. They fit me very comfortably

They're very comfortable and I don't feel any discomfort from wearing them for a long time and listening to music. It is really very comfortable and anatomical

The main thing about the sound is that the sound has a very balanced tuning with good separation of high mids and low frequencies, high and low frequencies do not touch the middle, coherence is at a very high level

The driver coordinated three dynamic drivers of the same diameter very well. Each driver is responsible for its own frequency spectrum, in addition to the three drivers, as I wrote above, there is a passive radiator

It’s difficult for me to say what physical role it plays in terms of sound, but apparently it plays a significant role in coordinating the three drivers. That is he is engaged in cutting off unnecessary frequencies, unnecessary pressure or make deep bass, meybe...))

I often came across the fact that it is famous manufacturers who cannot coordinate uh drivers in multi-driver and e-mom systems

Be it hybrid circuits or circuits with the same type of drivers. In this case, the LETSHUOER perfectly coordinated the three drivers

In general, the presentation is very comfortable, detailed with the presence of a sufficient amount of bass, a solid midrange and quite beautiful high frequencies

These high frequencies are very comfortable, not sawing, not rattling, not screaming. The overall presentation is very comfortable and melodic for this price segment - this is a very good proposition

I highly recommend this model for people who want to get acquainted with magadrivers. Or, for example, they want to get acquainted with multiple drivers of the same type, drivers in a given price segment. This is a great deal and this model is a very strong competitor in this budget

#LetshuoerDZ4 #LETSHUOER LETSHUOER Letshuoer Audio

Three dynamic drivers + single passive radiator in-ear monitor HIFI earphones.
Four-way Acoustic Tubes, Two-way Crossover Circuit.
Semi Open Faceplate Design, A Fusion of Metal and Resin.
The drivers are connected to the dual-pin receptacle via a flexible printed circuit (FPC) crossover board.
Joint Effort With HeyGear, The Leading 3D-Printing Supplier
Four cores of 216-strands, 0.05mm in diameter silver plated copper cable.
DZ4 comes with a standard 3.5mm single-ended plug, featuring a standard 0.78mm dual-pin design.
High precision in 3D Printed chassis production to meet ergonomic principles.
CNC-milled anodized aluminum casing with semi-open design.
Its outstanding sound performance brings exceptional adaptability and compatibility, catering to various usage scenarios from music reproduction, gaming, to basic monitoring needs.

Packaging and accessories:
Earphones
Carrying case
Two types of ear tips in three sizes each
Silver-plated copper cable
3.5mm single-ended plug
Warranty card and instruction manual

Specifications:
Sensitivity: 104dB
Frequency response: 20Hz - 40kHz
Impedance: 12 ohm
Chassis material: 3D printed resin
Cable: 1.2m silver-plated copper
Drivers: triple 5mm titanium dome DD + 6mm PR (passive radiator)

The DZ4 is a truly unique configuration. The packaging is beautifully simple. Inside is all the great accessories included. The DZ4 themselves are light and comfortable. They are a sturdy 3D printed shell and I really like the look as well. The case is very sturdy but on the smaller side, still it works good enough. The cable is both pretty and well made, it also comes with tips of good quality.

Sound:
Bass: presents neutral with a little Sub-Bass boost but tastefully so. Bass in general is more quality than Basshead. The speed and details are excellent but is a little less in texture than the average Harman.

Mids: midrange shows off the DZ4s neutral tuning mids sound fantastic and have a nice natural sound with plenty of energy and details. vocals are forward and female vocals sound a little better in my opinion.

Treble: The highs have air and sparkle without harshness and over extension, good energy and details in general things sound crisp.

Soundstage: Is accurate and open but the Width is much more impressive than depth. Still, it doesn't suffer on busy recordings.

Afterthoughts: The DZ4 offers an exceptional value for someone looking for a neutral IEM with good quality Bass, Mids, Stage and non-offensive treble.

Disclaimer:​

I appreciate Letshuoer for sending me a review sample of their Letshuoer DZ4!
However, the review will remain unbiased and entirely honest.
I do not consider myself to be an audiophile; rather, I am just a guy who enjoys trying out various IEMs and DACs and listens to music frequently.
Consequently, I will not review it using a lot of technical terms, but I will try to describe them as best I can.
Being my first product from this company, I will not be able to compare it with their other products.

Letshuoer DZ4 Tech Specs:​

• 3 x 6mm titanium dome dynamic drivers + 6 mm single passive radiator in-ear monitor HIFI earphones.
• Four-way Acoustic Tubes, Two-way Crossover Circuit.
• Semi Open Faceplate Design, A Fusion Of Metal And Resin.
• The drivers are connected to the dual-pin receptacle via a flexible printed circuit (FPC) crossover board.
• Joint Effort With HeyGear, The Leading 3D-Printing Supplier
• Four cores of 216-strands, 0.05mm in diameter silver plated copper cable
• DZ4 comes with a standard 3.5mm single-ended plug, featuring a standard 0.78mm dual-pin design.
• High precision in 3D-printed chassis production to meet ergonomic principles.
• CNC-milled anodized aluminum casing with semi-open design.
• Its outstanding sound performance brings exceptional adaptability and compatibility, catering to various usage scenarios from music reproduction, gaming, to basic monitoring needs.

Letshuoer DZ4 Packaging:​

For its price range, the DZ4 has one of the most complete packaging.
High-quality packaging has been used. White cardboard with a front graphic that is slightly embossed. Finding such a complete and well-made package makes me happy every time, especially in entry level iems! It has a great cable and, more importantly, very good tips, just like the Kbear 07 tips, which are my favorites.






However, I don’t think it’s important for the packaging to be expensive; instead, I think the focus should be on the product’s quality.

• Hard carrying case
• High-quality Cable
• 6 pairs of tips (Similar to Kbear 07)
• Manual and warranty

Letshuoer DZ4 Design/Build quality:​

The shell was made in collaboration with HeyGears, a leading 3D printing company. The build quality is definitely excellent, and the resin and metal fusion are absolutely perfect. To the touch, the resin shell feels satiny. The nozzle is a bit big and integrates two dampers. No ventilation holes are visible in the shell, but the back, where we find the CNC faceplate and the orange grille, is semi-open (which I deduce allows the passive radiator to work). Internally, from the photos that appeared on the web, the construction is excellent and clean; we see 3 drivers connected by a crossover via a flexible printed circuit, and all the drivers are separated with acoustic tubes.

Cable details
After being worn, the comfort is superb. Even after hours of consecutive listening, no pain is felt. Choosing a matte finish helps keep fingerprints off the shells.

Initial sound impression:​

Right from the start, the sound is different from the mass of IEMs on the market. Being unfamiliar with it, one feels a little out of place. The sound is bright but never sibilant, W-shaped but oddly mid-centric. The voices seem to be in the foreground. The bass is very track-dependent, and even the perceived quality seems very genre-dependent. Tracks that are too complex seem not to be the favorites of this IEM. Being the first impression, I do not express myself regarding the functioning of the passive radiator.

Equipment used for testing above:​

Device:

• iMac
• Redmi Note 7 (MIUI-based)

Software:

• Foobar2000 24bit 192khz (iMac)
• Amazon music UHD 24bit 96khz (Both)

DAC:

• F.audio KS01 (ESS)
• EPZ TP20 3.5 mm (Dual Cirrus)
• Hidizs XO (Dual ESS)
• EPZ TP30 (Dual ESS)
• Less DA1 (AK4493)

Letshuoer DZ4 Final sound impression:​

My ears too need some burn-in time before moving on to final impressions. I stayed with them for a few more weeks so I could figure out how they sound.

I’m not listing all the tracks because they’re too many, but with Billie Eilish’s albums, this set sounds spectacular.



I have listened to Jazz, RAP, R&B, Pop, EDM, and Chill music, and I think it is also the most suitable for DZ4.

It took me longer than expected to understand them. This is the first set where I don’t change the stock tips because they are exactly the ones I would have used.

Its sound and tonality have a neutral tendency; it is focused on the voices that always come first compared to the rest, or at least in 90% of the songs. Bass and sub-bass remain a mystery, and I would confidently state that it totally depends on the track you are listening to. Its soundstage is intimate but has a certain three-dimensionality to what you hear. It’s not a concert hall effect, but you can distinctly hear the individual drivers working on different frequencies, giving the sensation that the sound comes from several points, even if all at different depths. What I seem to hear is a sound that develops in height and depth. For example, in Billie Bossa Nova’s song, there is clearly a 3D effect, while in Billie Eilish’s Your Power, the guitar lacks musicality at the beginning but in other songs is completely fine.

I find them very detailed, but on some tracks they seem less coherent. But I have to say that they sound good, unlike many others.

Bass​

Personally, I really enjoy the bass; it’s punchy and tight, and the vibration or impact in the ear canal is definitely audible. Maybe the passive radiator helps, although it is impossible to say for sure, but the quality of the low frequencies makes me think so. The sub-bass is emphasized, and for a 6mm driver, it sounds really amazing but sometimes seems to be slightly thin.

Mids​

The mid-frequency region is excellent! I would say that this set’s strongest point is the midrange, with remarkable accuracy, transparency, and engagement. Voices are consistently audible, smooth, and focused. However, female voices are definitely better than male ones. I can feel the air in his midsection.

Treble​

The high frequencies are well refined and detailed; they are not tiring, but compared to the mids, they take a back seat. However, they are excellent even if the general tone is a bit strange, but perhaps it would be better to say something different! On some somewhat complex tracks, when turning up the volume, you start to feel a little tired, for my taste.

Soundstage and Imaging​

In comparison with other IEMS, the soundstage is really narrow; it develops more in height and depth but remaining on the sides, without wrapping you entirely.. It’s an IEM that depends a lot on the playing track but also on the genre you are listening to. The image is definitely accurate, it is slightly above average! You can clearly separate the instruments, even in more complex tracks. I sometimes have a three-dimensional feeling probably due to the excellent driver separation. it is a decidedly strange sensation, difficult to describe.

Comparison:​

vs Whizzer HE10



Two completely different souls the Whizzer HE10 is definitely warmer and more relaxed sounding. At their convenience, they are both very comfortable, but the nozzle and shell of the HE10 make them one of the most comfortable. Its warm, relaxed note doesn’t compromise on quality or detail, and it remains one of my favorites. If you are afraid of high frequencies, these are some of the smoothest on the market.

vs Hidizs MS3



Right now, my favorite is the Hidizs MS3. There is extraordinary detail here throughout the frequencies. Micro-details abound in the highs. It is an IEM with a lot of energy and a price that is unquestionably appealing, but it costs twice as much as the Letshourer. Read my Hidizs MS3 review on Head-Fi if you are interested.

Conclusion:​

It is unusual to hear something with a different tuning, and I personally enjoy hearing the Letshuoer DZ4. The choice of 3 small titanium drivers and a passive radiator has resulted in something that stands out from the crowd. I can’t say for sure that this passive radiator is a game changer as it doesn’t have extreme bass, but the sub-bass is felt as well as the vibration in the ear canal. Obviously, they may sound strange to many, but at the same time, they appeal to just as many people. Personally, I advise using them with a DAC that has a warm sound, such as the EPZ TP20, to enhance the low frequencies.

So I recommend them to anyone looking for a headset that emphasizes the voices and, above all, to those looking for something different.

More information & Where to buy (no ref link):​

• LETSHUOER Official Site
• Aliexpress Official store
• Amazon UK
• Amazon USA

I’ve been quite a fan of LETSHUOER’s recent releases such as the S12 and Cadenza 12. They’ve had a harder time IMO breaking into the ~$100 price bracket. They had the D13 which I wasn’t a fan of and the ~$100 and under price point has quite the competition already. They would need to come out with something that was unique if they wanted to stand out in the crowd IMO. They definitely came out with something different for the entry level IEM bracket. The DZ4 is using 3 dynamic drivers and a passive radiator setup. It comes in at $89.

Quick shoutout to LETSHUOER for sending the DZ4 to check out and review. While I always appreciate the chance to test and review products sent in from manufacturers or dealers, it never affects the rating of my reviews.

The LETSHUOER DZ4 can be pickup below:
https://letshuoer.net/products/letshuoer-dz4-triple-dynamic-drivers-single-passive-radiator-edc-hifi-in-ear-monitor

Onto the review of the LETSHUOER DZ4! My personal preference is a hybrid/tribrid IEM where I get good hitting bass and have a detailed treble with decent mids. When it comes to an over ear headphone I prefer a spacious sound with a deep low end, the mids to be more forward and the highs to be a little bright with some sparkle. I listen to a lot of genres but I hover in the classic rock, blues and edm music with some rap here and there.

Gear Used​

IPhone 14 Pro Max with headphone adapter, Hiby R6 PRO II, Moondrop MoonRiver 2 Ti, Moondrop Aria, Truthear HEXA and Everolo Z8/SMSL SP400 stack

Looks and fit​

The DZ4 shell has a different design compared to the rest of the LETSHOUER lineup. It has a beige “hearing aid” like color that is softer on the shell. I like the way this feels against my ear and it makes for a comfortable experience on longer listening sessions. The faceplate has a close matching silver-beige color and an orange design that is vented. The vented design on the faceplate does make this an semi-open IEM design. I like the comfort and fit of the DZ4.

Isolation and sound leakage​

The DZ4 does passive isolation pretty well. It does however leak more sound than other hybrid designs. It seems that semi open faceplate probably helps with the passive radiator which has the benefit of a better isolated seal for the user but the trade off is a lot more sound leakage in quiet areas. I wouldn’t use this at normal or higher listening volumes in quiet areas.

Packaging and accessories​

The DZ4 comes in a nice and average size box. When you open the box up, it has the IEMs in some foam, under that is the set of tips on top of a circle style case. The tips come in small bore and large bore sets of 3 sizes. I think this works well as the DZ4 does benefit from tip rolling. The case is a screw on type so it does require a second or two to unscrew which is fine. A more secure case but I still really like their magnet style case from their more expensive offerings.

Sound(overall)​

These final impressions were done off the Eversolo DAC-Z8 connected to the SMSL SP400. These impressions are what the DZ4 sounded like to my ears. This was also using the Spinfit CP100+ tips. Things like ear tip selection and DAC/amp selection will produce different results and impressions vs what my ears hear on my specific gear.

The Dz4 has a neutral tuning which is surprising given the 3 dynamic drivers. I was expecting fun bass cannons but instead I was decently surprised and given a very balanced tuning instead. The Bass does have some decent slam/impact. The mid bass is full but it doesn’t have much weight to the bass notes. It just sounds neutral to my ears. The mids and vocals are nice and relaxed. They don’t sound super fast or artificial. They also don’t have any sweetness or warmth so we get a really neutral sound here. The vocals IMO could use a little extra energy since they blend in with the background instruments more than I personally like. The upper mids are really balanced here but I would say they do lean into a neutral-bright sound which gives a little needed energy to notes. The treble is really tame and it doesn’t sound metallic or lacking in sharpness. Once again, neutral. I would say the treble does trail off pretty quickly which makes sense for the dynamic drivers used. I tend to only like neutral and safe tunings in really high end IEMs but I do like the sound the DZ4 produces. It does feel like it could use a little energy either in lows or highs to make it sound unique but I think it’s fine given that it doesn’t sound bad at anything, it just doesn’t sound fantastic at anything either.

Soundstage/Imaging​

The staging is a little strange here. With my preferred tips, I get a wall of sound type of staging. The depth isn’t very good but I do get fantastic width and a little reverse imaging which does make it sound a little different. The imaging is very good which makes sense given how safe the tuning is.

Sensitivity/Drivability​

The DZ4 is very easy to drive and it doesn’t scale much with higher end gear so I think almost anything modern in the last few years will work well with the DZ4. Some super high volume output amps might be too much for the DZ4 and if you have bad channel imbalance at lower volumes, the DZ4 will possibly not be a good pairing with those specific amps. I also had zero floor noise issues with any of my current gear when run balanced.

Stock cable​

The stock cable looks a lot like the ones they include with the standard S12. I like the braid and cable material is a little thicker which I prefer. This makes for a really high quality feel. I also find it light enough to be comfortable when listening for longer sessions. I wouldn’t swap the cable unless you really wanted to run it balanced.

IEM comparisons​

Moondrop Aria​

The Aria is my favorite under $100 IEM. Does the DZ4 dethrone it? No, it's just a good alternate option to the Aria IMO. I would still pick the Aria for a more exciting listen with the drawbacks being I might run into some sibilance on some music. The DZ4 is just a safer listen for pretty much all genres. The Bass impact is stronger on the Aria and the mids are a little sharper as well. The DZ4 has a more balanced lows and mids and I find the vocals are a little more natural sounding on the DZ4. The Aria has a little more energy in the vocals however which makes them pop. The upper mids are much stronger on the Aria which will result in sibilance issues on some genres. The DZ4 never has this problem which can make them boring at times. The treble is tame on both but the Aria is still sharper but a little more metallic sounding. Both pull in good details given the price. Staging is a little more balanced on the Aria vs the wall of sound I get from the DZ4. Both are great. Aria is more fun and risky. DZ4 will play it safe and be more enjoyable.

Truthear Hexa​

The Hexy is another neutral tuned IEM and is a little more traditional with DD and BA drivers. Bass is stronger on the Hexa but the bass sounds a little more natural on the DZ4. The mids are a little more artificial on the Hexa where they sound a little more realistic on the DZ4. The vocals sound great on both with Hexa still sounding just a bit more artificial. The upper mids have a little more of a noticeable boost on the Hexa over the DZ4 but I prefer the Hexa here. The treble is way more sharp and brighter on the Hexa. The downside is that it also sounds somewhat splashy and not as refined. That being said, both are super neutral sounding in the treble, this in no way suggests the Hexa has a strong treble because it doesn’t compared to other IEMs. Both have about average staging but the Hexa has a more balanced soundstage. The DZ4 has a more pronounced wide but short depth to its soundstage. Both are good in my book.

Amping Combinations​

Moondrop Moonriver 2 Ti​

The DZ4 is a really nice neutral sounding set of lower cost IEMs. This is also a pairing I like with the MR2 Ti. The bass does sound like it has a little extra warmth and adds to the already decent bass performance. Mids and vocals sound accurate but they still sound a little on the sweet/warm side. The treble is about the same as other source gear and it performed the same to my ears. The staging was average(but wide) and imaging was spot on. A good pairing but it doesn’t have much of a sound effect from the small changes as some other IEMs I tested.

Eversolo DAC-Z8/SMSL SP400​

This combo is what I use to review all my current audio gear with. I found the DZ4 did sound a little more lively from my desktop stack. This might be due to the more powerful amp playing well with the 3 DD setup in the DZ4. I however got the same or close to the same results from my DAP as well. So I think an entry level DAC/amp will be good enough.

Overall thoughts​

I do like the DZ4 and I’m interested to see what they can do with this design if they pursue it going forward. A Semi-open design is always neat, even if it’s not quite a traditional semi-open setup. I don’t normally like safe tunings for entry level since it doesn’t normally do anything special. This is still the case for me. I don’t think the tuning is anything special but I do like the way it sounds and I have no issues with the DZ4 that I can think of. My preference for something unique in the ~$100 price range is just a preference and the DZ4 does perform well overall. As such! The DZ4 is an easy recommendation for those hunting a safe yet well balanced neutral tuning. LETSHUOER is willing to think outside the box and try new designs with their IEMs and I really like that mindset. I can’t wait to see what they come out with next! Thanks for reading!!!

Review Of The LETSHUOER DZ4​

Introduction​

Letshuoer is a well-known company that manufactures electroacoustic products. Founded in China, the company has produced many well-known and highly regarded IEMs such as the EJ07M, Galileo, and Cadenza, and continues to delight audiophile fans with their dedication to delivering faithful sound to their listeners. They recently released their new IEM, the DZ4, with a unique configuration never before seen in this audiophile realm, which I will be reviewing today. But before we go any further, I'd like to address a few issues.

Disclaimer​

*Since this unit tour was organised by the kindly people at Letshuoer, 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 “DZ4.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the DZ4 based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

The DZ4 contains four drivers, three dynamic and one passive, which are linked by a four-way acoustic tube and a two-way crossover circuit. The dynamic drivers are titanium dome 6mm dynamic drivers, and the passive radiator is also a 6mm unit. The shells are made of resin, and the faceplate is a CNC-milled anodized aluminum casing with a semi-open design. The shells are light weight and feel very comfortable in the ear; however, listening for a longer session causes fatigue. The cable is a four-core, 216-strand silver-plated copper cable with a 3.5mm termination single-ended plug on one end and a 0.78mm standard dual-pin connector on the other. Other accessories included with the package include a carrying case and six pairs of eartips of different types and sizes. The impedance is 12 Ohms, and the sensitivity is 104dB, according to the technical specifications. The frequency response ranges between 20Hz and 40kHz.

Sound​

The response of the DZ4 fascinates me because the overall presentation is neither new nor unique, yet it sounds so right in every way, especially when only dynamic drivers are pushing such intricate details. Without a doubt, these will easily compete with other IEMs in this price range and higher. The drivers do have a questionable effect in some areas, which I will explain later, but aside from that, it sounds almost perfect for my taste, which is neutral with sub bass boost. The response that follows does sound thin, but only in the sense that it maintains tonal decency and tries to sound natural regardless of whether it is bass, mids, or treble. The use of its drivers, which are three dynamic drivers and a passive radiator, distinguishes this IEM from others. The dynamic drivers provide a non-artificial sound that never allows the signature to sound off or strange, so no need to expect any off timbre or sibilance, I assume. When compared to IEMs like the Quartet and Kima, I find this to be more faithful to reproduction.But let's see what else it has to offer and dig deeper.

Treble​

When it comes to treble response, the DZ4 sounds energetic and expressive, even if there are some nuances that I find a little off due to its tuning, which is explained by what it has achieved thus far. It doesn't matter because the entire treble is detailed and clean. The upper treble is adequately extended, with clean and crisp details, particularly the cymbal crashes, which deliver a non-offensive sound while sounding expressive. Of course, either instrument sounds intricate and forward, but the vocals also seem to shine with good exposure in the mix, though they fail to stretch far enough to fill the entire response of upper treble sounds. This type of response reminds me of 7Hz Legato and Kima, but it provides different details. The lower treble is exciting and precise, with light notes that appear lean but keep the response as tonally decent as possible. The vocals sound forward and vivid, and the instruments sound prominent in the mix, not interfering with but complementing the vocals, keeping the sound vibrant and energetic. Overall, the overall presentation of the treble region sounds intricate, vibrant, and exciting.

Mid Range​

The mid range is extremely well tuned, with just the right amount of energy that I find enjoyable to listen to, though the nuances I mentioned make it a little difficult to sound right for me. Everything about the energy and positioning in this region sounds fantastic. The vocals and instruments sound a little light, which would have been more enjoyable to listen to if there was more warmth in the lower mid range, though I believe this level of clarity would not have been possible if that was the case. The upper midrange is as energetic and exciting as the lower treble, and it maintains the engagement. Because the presence is more dense, the delivery of the vocals and instruments makes it sound more expressive while also sounding a little more tonally acceptable. Now, the vocals may come across as forward and full of energy; the female vocals may be a little too strong for some, but the male vocals sound fantastic. The'ss' sounds are occasionally audible while listening to energetic vocals. The same is true for the instruments, as their response complements the vocals while keeping the response free of any overbearing or clustering mess in the mix. Though the clear response of the vocals and instruments may sound captivating, I prefer a little more dense response that may bring more warmth in the response, though I do not find it unnatural. The vocals and instruments have a clean response with no wobbling sounds or thick dense sound in the mix. Overall, the mid range is expressive, forward, and energetic.

Bass​

I feel the same way about the bass as I do about the midrange, as the response is to my liking with no complaints. However, when considering everyone, I believe the mid bass may lack the weight and organic vibe. When it comes to emphasis, the sub bass is heavily emphasized, whereas the mid bass lacks a lot of presence, though it is noticeable. According to the graph, the DZ4's fourth driver, the passive radiator, should've brought a lot of sub woofer-like bass into the mix with the bass dynamic driver, but it surprisingly sounds very clean and detailed. The reaction is very clean and precise; the punches hit you hard and quickly retract; it is strong but not heavy. The sub bass extension is deep, with a subtle rumble felt in the ear canals. The presentation maintains the flow of interest, making it sound conclusive. The bass delivery of this IEM is a unique experience, even though I was mistaken in thinking that the passive radiator doesn't provide that sub woofer explosive bass, but when only lower frequencies are heard, it radiates it so finely and brings the lows alive, where the sensation of rumble exponentially increases and gives a very thunderous response, which I find thrilling. When it comes to the mid bass, the bass lacks the slam and thick thumps that some may find lacking in organic response, which I agree with, but the bass guitar keeps the notes dense enough to make it sound natural, and the drums have the physicality of its frequencies. However, some would have preferred more warmth in the mid bass; the mid bass does not bleed into the lower mid range, which I find disappointing; if it did, it would have made it sound much better. The bass texture and details are fantastic. The bass region's overall performance is detailed, sub bass focused, and clean.

Technical Performance​

The DZ4's technical performance is actually good for the price, as it competes with other IEMS in this price range, particularly the Legato and the Quartet. The stage is large and open, with good separation between elements and clear imaging. The resolution and details are excellent, and the resolvability is fast.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

The soundstage is wide but not very deep because it is set on a flat plane rather than a 360-degree space, but the response is very spacious sounding. The separation between the elements is distinct, making them far enough apart to easily determine which direction their sound is coming from. The imaging is clear and sharp, which is excellent because a more complex response could have introduced irregularities.

Speed & Resolution​

The details, whether micro or macro, have a very expressive nature, which I find very up front and staggering. The attack and decay of notes are paced very quickly, resulting in a clear and transparent response.

Sound Impressions ​

Sources​

Tempotec V6 - When listening with the V6, the treble felt more energizing, while the mid range maintained the same level of energy. The bass sounded more controlled and clear, which I thought was a little weak. The overall energy was sufficient to allow the full pontential to emerge from the DZ4, but it sounds too lean for my tastes. The technical aspects remained unchanged, but the stage felt larger and deeper. The pairing with the V6 was acceptable but not appealing to me.

iFi Hipdac - While listening with the Hipdac, I noticed a lack of energy in the treble and midrange, which made the sound more pleasing while retaining as many details as possible. To me, the vocals sounded more natural, dense, and rich. The bass was more prominent throughout the region, particularly in the mid bass, which felt warmer and more natural. The stage, imaging, and resolvability seemed to suffer as the stage became more intimate, and the details weren't as sharp or expressive as they had been. However, I find the sound more appealing and pleasant, so the response is both acceptable and likeable to me.

Tracks​

Luna Haruna - Glory days
Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyester Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

To summarize this review, I believe the DZ4 is a worthy competitor in this price range, particularly when it sounds like what I prefer, neutral with sub bass boost. If you're looking for a neutral sounding IEM that brings out great vocal energy with great details and a captivating response, this is the one to get. However, I prefer and recommend that everyone try these because of how well the dynamic drivers are tuned and integrated.

Prelude:
There has always been a lot going on in the headphone market, but manufacturers of IEM headphones, i.e. universal in-ear monitors, are constantly competing with each other in interesting ideas. Letshouer is a brand known for impeccable workmanship, exemplary approach to its products and innovations. This time they served us a quite unusual design, because their latest DZ4 model consists of as many as three dynamic drivers with a diameter of 6mm and an additional passive radiator with a diameter of 6mm, which, thanks to the semi-open design, is designed to strengthen the whole transmission. It’s all packed into a small resin case and priced at $89. It’s not an easy price range because the glut of products under $100 is huge.


Unboxing:
When it comes to unpacking, we have a cardboard box made of slightly cheaper materials than those used to produce the S12PRO packaging. However, it is still very pretty and attractive. Inside we find our headphones, a nice matte and tightly screwed case in the shape of a can, covered with rubber on both sides. It is nice and has the manufacturer’s logo on the cap. However, it is hard to finger and does not protect the headphones from scratches inside. Still, in this price range, the mere presence of a case is a feat, and the more the addition of a case of this class deserves huge applause. In addition, we find a couple of information leaflets, a great braided cable 3.5mm – 0.78mm similar to that of the gaileo model. And three pairs of vocal and balanced tips. Although in my opinion DZ4 are not particularly sensitive to tips. The set is complete and functional, personally I would only give at least one pair of wetsuits, but they are not mandatory for this tuning.


Sound:
DZ4 are headphones strongly focused on a specific style of musical presentation. They are very close to neutral with a slight mutra of warmth. They don’t play bass, instead they maintain a beautiful tonal balance. So let’s move on to a slightly more detailed description of the sound. Their extreme opinions are caused by rather unusual in this price range „audiophile approach to tuning”, instead of entertaining and warm, which is quite rare and may cause that many people did not expect such a move. After all, audiophiles with much more expensive headphones certainly began to look for similarities, and users of cheaper musical models were looking for the same. In my opinion, however, the DZ4 is a unique product that deserves a lot of recognition. First of all, because of its unconventional and correctness. It’s a specific sound for a specific audience. So who is the recipient and what is the sound you will find out in the next part of the article. So I invite you to continue reading.


Bass: Low tones are neutral, slightly warmed in the sub-bass, there is little mid-bass. Which translates into a certain sense of contour, but it is not a defect. Such a procedure helps to strengthen the analytical and technical nature of DZ4. Yes, the DZ4 are not overly selective, but they remain coherent and well-tuned. Bass is present, but still linear and does not stand out above the overall musical presentation. I will not agree with the opinion that the DZ4 does not have bass, but these are not headphones for lovers of low tones. They have much less bass than the s12pro. Its structure close to neutral works great for music monitoring. This is a rare and innovative approach in this price range. However, if the midrange of the bass was slightly strengthened, on the one hand, the whole would gain weight, but on the other, it would lose its analytical and unusual in the positive sense of the word transmission. These are headphones that play as the artist intended.
Diameter: DZ4 focus on direct and clear musical transmission, especially in the field of female vocals. The males are also well realized in a very direct way, but it is the female vocals that gain extra magic with a bit of warmth in the sound. Imaging and separation are at an average level, but in this price range it is acceptable and correct. When it comes to the separation of instruments, it is just right and it is not surprising that the headphones themselves sound above average well for their price and cannot be outstanding in every context, because investing 89 USD and not 200 USD we have to take into account a certain compromise. In this case, it will be a compromise in terms of instrument separation. However, what I want to emphasize is that the DZ4 still has good imaging, which does not stand out above the price, but is not a disadvantage either. This allows you to reduce the feeling of fatigue and just relax listening to your favorite music.

Treble: The treble is present, but due to the strong neutrality, it does not stand out above the whole, so we can have the impression of their reduced presence. It’s not that the DZ4 doesn’t have treble, because it is present. It’s more about how they’re set up. In rock or pop music, it brings very good results, eliminating the feeling of fatigue or sibilants. The soundstage is of average width, but with a nice and good depth, which I personally like a lot. The highs are clean and smooth to show our favorite music, plus we don’t have any impurities or sibilants here.


Comparison:

Letshuoer DZ4 ($89) VS Letshuoer S12PRO ($139)
At the beginning, I would like to point out that comparing planar and dynamic headphones is hard. The S12Pro are more resolving, faster, but at the same time they have strongly withdrawn vocals, which is not present in the DZ4. Of course, the S12Pro are more expensive and better headphones. However, if you have a limited budget and want to buy something neutral and entertaining, the DZ4 will be a good choice because they are a bit easier to listen to and do not require such a powerful amplifier.
Letshuoer dz4 ($89) VS QoA Vesper 2 ($79)
QoA are headphones with more detail, but also less neutral and balanced tuning. It’s all about our individual preferences. More bass will definitely be QoA Vesper 2, but if we are looking for a quiet tuning, it is worth reaching for Letshuoer dz4.
Letshuoer dz4 (89USSD) VS BQEYZ topaz (89USD)
Topaz are very good headphones that I really like. However, they are very bassy and have almost subwoofer bass. Their scene is similar to DZ4. The DZ4 are definitely more balanced, neutral and calmer in presentation. If we are looking for a quiet tuning, we will find it in the DZ4, and if we prefer entertaining and spectacular tuning, then the topaz will show more claws.


Summary:
The Letshuoer dz4 at $89 is a great deal. Great accessories and beautiful neutral tuning with minimal warming make them a great deal if you appreciate a calm and balanced tuning. The build quality is phenomenal and the quality control is excellent, which makes me strongly recommend this model. I was also surprised by the good isolation despite the semi-open construction of the headphones. It is worth considering buying the DZ4 if you are looking for inexpensive headphones to work with music or if you like neutral tuning. Let’s not look for $200 sound here, but remember that there are still few innovative headphones under $100. Thus, the DZ4 are a kind of unique, taking into account their advanced design and stunningly good build quality. In my opinion, it is worth taking a closer look at them and listening to them with your own ears.

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Letshuoer DZ4

The Letshuoer DZ4 has been sent to me directly by Letshuoer in exchange for me to try it out and share my impressions in this review. Letshuoer have not made any requests or comments and I will do my best to be as unbiased as humanly possible.

You can find the official page for the DZ4 here: https://letshuoer.net/products/lets...ngle-passive-radiator-edc-hifi-in-ear-monitor

As always, this is a non-affiliate link.

To avoid being repetetive 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



Intro…

I first heard the DZ4 back in Munich, or at least I think I did, as my current impressions are slightly different to what I remember. This could be due to the fact that I listened to a lot of stuff in Munich and have listened to a lot more since, but I just remember the set being darker when I listened to it back then.

That is not to say that the DZ4 that I have is bright, I will get to my sonic impressions soon, just that it doesn’t seem to be as dark as I remember.

The DZ4 is a set that features 3x 6mm Titanium Dome Dynamic Drivers, along with a 6mm passive radiator. The addition of a passive radiator is an interesting concept, yet it seems to be implemented in a way that is different to what I would expect for a passive radiator. While I do not proclaim to be an engineer, far from it, I have had experience with the implementation of passive radiators in speakers and subwoofers in the past. I even put one together myself for a bass cabinet some time ago, after a lot of trial and error in WinDSD.

Without getting too far into the science behind it, let me briefly mention what a passive radiator is. It is basically a speaker that does not have a voice coil or magnets etc. and does not produce any sound on its own. In other words, you don’t connect cables or an amplifier to it as it is sort of a dummy speaker. This is used, at least in my experience and understanding, instead of a port in a speaker (the hole that lets air in an out) and allows more response in the bass ranges in comparison to a simple sealed cabinet design, although with a steeper roll off. There are obviously a lot more scientific things going on behind this simple explanation but I wanted to just share the basics.

Why am I saying this? Well, in the case of the DZ4, the passive radiator is not actually in a sealed enclosure (the IEMs are semi open), meaning that the way it is implemented is different to what I have learned about the implementation and functionality of this set up. While I can’t say exactly what the passive radiator is responsible for in the case of the DZ4, it would need to be compared to the same IEMs without the radiator, I will say that there doesn’t seem to be an extra boost in the bass and the roll off is not really steeper, in fact, if anything, it is less than on a lot of other dynamic driver sets.

Anyway, enough rambling on about what should and shouldn’t happen, let’s get on with reality and what my experiences have been with the DZ4.



Presentation…

The packaging and contents of the DZ4 are very respectable for a set of IEMs that cost around 80€. The external packaging is a simple white but elegant box, covered by a white sleeve that has some modern looking designs on it and basic info about the set.

Opening the box we find some paperwork under which the IEMs are sitting in their respective foam cutouts at the top, with a large round storage case below. I say storage case because it is rather large to carry in a pocket (although you can obviously transport the IEMs in it). The case is made of a plastic with a satin finish to it, which feels quite nice. The top screws off which is a nice touch but also takes many turns to open, which is not really a complaint but does mean it takes a little longer to open.

Inside the case we receive the cable, which is a very nice cable at that, along with a circular disc that holds 5 sets of tips, plus the ones installed on the IEMs themselves. The tips are labelled as “Vocal” and “Balanced”, 3 sizes of each. Personally I found I preferred the “Balanced”, as the “Vocals” tend to give a little extra harshness to the upper mids, something I find works against the sound presentation that the DZ4 are going for.



Build and Aesthetics…

The IEMs use a shell that looks like plastic, although it is shown by Letshuoer as being anodized aluminum. The shells are a creamy colour with a bit of a pink hue to them, with a metal face plate which has an aluminum finish to it, also with a hint of pink (matching the hardware of the cable). The face plate features a Z shape cutout with a red grille behind it and I have to say that I am a fan of the aesthetics. They look original and are not too “loud” about being different.

The nozzles are rather large but not large enough to cause any issues, at least for me, and in general I find the IEMs to be nice and comfortable. I spent some long sessions with these IEMs and found no issues with comfort at all but, as always, everyones ears are different.

The cable is reminiscent of the cable I received with the S12, although a little thinner and less bulky, something that I prefer. The IEMs use a normal 2 pin connection and in this case, the cable is terminated in a 3.5mm unbalanced connector. While some will miss the balanced option (which is easy to swap to), I have actually found that, when testing with a balanced cable, I didn’t really find the results to be an improvement over the unbalanced. In fact, as with the “Vocal” tips, the small change moving to balanced I think, again, works against the vibe of these IEMs.

In general they are well built, look good and are comfortable IEMs (all to me personally of course).



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.)

Let me start off by saying that these IEMs have a vibe to them that I like but in certain contexts.

I have said many times that a lot of the music I listen to is simple vocal centric music with simple acoustic instruments and I find that the DZ4 give a special flavour to this. These are not the most detailed of IEMs, I don’t find myself focusing on string attack of guitars nor on minute details happening in the percussion section. I find them more relaxed, smooth, with a habit of making simple things sound a little fuller and more “rounded”. They sort of have a warm sound to them when reproducing simple stringed instruments but without the additional presence of bass.

Let’s take a look at the graph in comparison to my usual preference target as a reference:



You can easily see that they are close to my target and that is something that obviously puts them off to a good start for me personally. However, while I have no disagreement with the tuning, nor do I doubt it is very close to my preference target, I do find that the presentation is very different to the usual more clean and neutral response that the majority of IEMs tuned in this way present.

It is difficult to explain with words but to use a reference that I have used sometimes in the past, it is a similar presentation to a set of Sony speakers that I have had for many years. They (the speakers) are not the most detailed nor impressive of presentations, yet they have a relaxed way of making things seem warm and smooth (again, without additional bass presence). It is similar in some ways to that extra vibrance that a tube amplifier adds, where the frequency response may remain the same but the sensation is of more body.

This is something, as I just said, that I find works very well for my usual preference in music. Adding flavour and intimacy but without losing soundstage or presence. In this regard I have enjoyed the DZ4 very much.

However, moving over to my usual detailed listening session and focusing on my list of test tracks (available here, as always), these things that are beneficial to certain music I find to be detrimental to others. They can actually make the lower end sound thin and almost as if phase cancellation is occurring. So, to keep things consistent with all my reviews, here is what I experience when putting them through my usual tests.

Subbass is not rolled off but I would say that, for those looking for a bass head presence, these are not going to fit the bill. While I don’t find the subbass to be too weak for my tastes, in fact it is over my reference on the graph, the DZ4 does not give a sensation of a huge presence in the lowest of notes. “Chameleon”, as my usual reference, is not a track that I find to be impressive on the DZ4. There is rumble but it is not the cleanest and I get the sensation of more presence due to that than due to the amount of subbass per se. I would much prefer more presence but cleaner (or the same presence but cleaner).

Midbass is something that goes the same way. As far as the quantity, I find the DZ4 to be leaner than I would have guessed looking at the graph. Again there is some body to the bass on simpler tracks, with that almost pseudo-harmonic sensation, but with “Crazy” as an example, I find the lower end of the guitar to be a little boomy but lacking in presence at the same time. This is a sensation that I have not come across before in IEMs.

Moving to something more electronic, like “No Sanctuary Here”, again I find the bass to seem to lack presence yet still be a little out of control. It is not terrible, by no means would I say that the bass is loose and boomy, but I get a similar sensation to “Crazy”, where the bass seems to fill out but not present itself in a way that impresses those looking for a great bass hit.

The mid range is something that works much better for vocals and acoustic instruments than it does for electronically produced music. With something like “Sun Is Shining”, there is again this pseudo-harmonic response that makes things seem a little unclear and thin, whereas a track like “Happens To The Heart” the vocals get a lovely smooth body to them, the same with vocals by Dominique Fils-Aimé in “Strange Fruit”.

The upper mids depend on the tips used and here is where I found the “Vocal” tips worked to bring vocals forward and provide them with a little more clarity, for example “Whole Lotta Love”, whereas the “Balanced” tips sort of merge the vocals into the lows and mids on that track. While I would say that bringing vocals a step forwards may be beneficial, as I said before, it seems to work against the overall presentation of the DZ4. I find that when vocals are brought forwards, it makes them stand out against that smooth bodied signature, making them seem harsher than they actually are.

As we get into the upper ranges, the treble is quite tame and again smooth but with a slightly “off” sounding timbre. There is no sibilance, both “Code Cool” and “Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes” are tamed in this regard, yet I do find that the upper ranges of pianos can come across a little unnatural. This is mainly because, in my opinion of course, the upper ranges don’t seem to have that same pseudo-harmonic sensation that the lower ranges do. This means that when instruments that extend well into the higher ranges, such as the piano, have a tonality that is slightly different to the tonality of the same instrument in the lower ranges. I don’t think that this is because the treble is actually wrong in it’s tonality, just that it is different (possibly more natural even) than the lower ranges, creating the sensation that something is not quite right.

Soundstage is decent. I wouldn’t say it is huge but it is above average for a set of IEMs. However, that extra body makes things sound fuller and as though there is more space around you, which, again, works very well for acoustic instruments and vocals. Detail and image placement is not great but I don’t feel that it is due to it lacking, more that it is smoothed over giving a general presentation rather than individual image placements for the smaller details.



Conclusion…

The DZ4 are a set of IEMs that I have enjoyed immensely for my day to day listening, where I found myself enjoying album after album of acoustic music from many artists. That feeling that there is a bit of tube flavour (sorry but I can’t think of a better description at this moment) going on in the lower and mid ranges is something that I find enjoyable for relaxing and enjoying the music. However, when moving over to specific more detailed listening tests with other genres, I didn’t feel that they were quite as enjoyable.

To be honest, I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing at all. They may not be an all-round detail focused IEM but there are plenty of those already on the market, it is nice to see a different approach to the presentation of music.

I honestly think that if you are someone who mainly listens to vocal centric and acoustic stringed instruments, then the DZ4 are something that you are really going to enjoy. If your tastes lay in other genres and/or you are focused on detail retrieval, then maybe look elsewhere.

By no means is this a negative review, in fact, if I were to review these as a consumer with my tastes, I would say these are excellent. However, reviewing them from the viewpoint of a reviewer, there are things that are to be taken into consideration.

____
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

<small>All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

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Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as how earphones should be used.
- Letshuoer sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
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(Additional note here: I have seen some discussions regarding this IEM’s unusual configuration and its implementation. I have to admit that those discussions are not my forte and will not be the focus of this review. I will review this IEM just like how I usually review my IEMs: hearing them personally and telling everyone what I hear.)
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Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.

Source/s used:
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber
- Fosi Audio DS1
- Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock large eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 3.5 SE plug, 40-60% volume, low gain and high gain.
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Sound signature:
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- The Letshuoer DZ4 exhibits a somewhat “neutral” sound signature, with a noticeably forward mids, which makes it “midcentric” in sound to my ears. This certain sound is one of the unique ones under 100USD in my humble opinion, along with the Truthear Hexa and Celest Pandamon.
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Lows:
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• - The lows here in the DZ4 are fairly controlled, clean, have equal levels of midbass and subbass, and decay quickly. In some instances, the texture may lack and may sound “monotonous” to some. The DZ4 definitely is nowhere near enough for it to be a basshead IEM, but it caters most tracks, particularly the bassy ones quite nicely.

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Mids:
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• - This is where the highlight of the DZ4 is at - its forward, clean, lively mids.It managed to exhibit a somewhat lush, non-fatiguing timbre while keeping sufficient details during my tests. Lower mids show a good amount of thickness and texture. Some would prefer a thicker approach in this region but I’d say that the thickness of the lower mids of this IEM reminds me of my Etymotic ER3SE. It is close, but not quite because the the mids of the ER3SE sounds more natural and uncolored. Upper mids are forward, showing very good clarity, air, and sparkle. Despite being forward, it never sounded sibilant or harsh to my ears. However, in very rare cases, it may sound “shouty” to some sensitive ears. Overall, I love how the DZ4 presented the mids as it reminds me of a somewhat similar approach just like the Etymotic ER3SE and ER2SE sounded to my ears. But if you prefer the profile of the mids of most recent IEMs at this price, you may find this “odd”.

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Highs:
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• - As for the treble, it is well extended and has a good amount of presence albeit not being the highlight of the DZ4. It isn’t as airy as what I would prefer, but it doesn’t sound dark to me nor lifeless either. It managed to avoid any form of harshness and sibilance in this area, while showing a very good amount of macro and microdetails for its asking price.

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Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:
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• - The soundstage is the first thing that I have noticed in this IEM, along with its forward mids. The stage is rather intimate in width with a very good amount of height and depth. The DZ4’s soundstage isn’t compressed nor cramped by any means, and it is comparable to the Truthear Hexa’s soundstage. Layering and separation is average for its price as it is able to render heavy passages neatly most of the time. Imaging is above average in my opinion and leans to the precise side of the spectrum rather than accurate.

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Comparisons!
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VS Simgot EA500 (Black nozzle filter)

• - The EA500 is noticeably brighter and more neutral in the mids when compared to the DZ4. With that being said, the EA500 is also more prone to sibilance and peaks unlike the DZ4. Lows are a bit thicker on the DZ4, but the EA500’s bass is cleaner and tighter. Technical performance is better on the EA500.

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VS Truthear Hexa

• - The Hexa is better on bass performance, particularly on the quantity. Mids are more upfront on the DZ4 but very negligible unless compared side-by-side.The Hexa has an airier and more extended treble as well. Technical performance is better on the Hexa except for the soundstage as that is the region where the DZ4 and Hexa are more or less the same in terms of width and depth.

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VS Celest Pandamon

• - The Celest Pandamon is thicker and more balanced in sound when compared. It has better lows in terms of both quantity and quality while not sacrificing any speed and detail. Mids are a tad bit forward on the DZ4 but the Pandamon has its mids thicker. Treble extension and air of the two IEMs are more or less the same. Technical performance goes to the Pandamon, mainly because of its Square Planar Driver (SPD) and versatile tuning.

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VS Simgot EW200

• - The Simgot EW200 is definitely more airy, engaging, spacious, and technically competent when compared. The mids on the DZ4 are more forward compared to the EW200, but the EW200’s mids are more “well-placed”.Highs are definitely brighter on the EW200 and are more prone to sibilance. The soundstage is definitely wider and taller on the EW200. Layering, separation, and imaging are miles better on the ew200.

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Pros:

• - Unusual“neutral-midcentric” sound signature.
• - Very good, detailed, forward mids!
• - Controlled, adequately thick lows.
• - Non-fatiguing upper frequencies.
• - Average technical performance.
• - Unique IEM design! (highly subjective)
• - Matte, pseudo-rubbery finish (subjective)
• - Very good fit, comfort, and isolation.
• - Visually-pleasing packaging and accessories!

Cons:

• - The overall sound may be perceived as “thin/lacks body” to some (but if you are a fan of Etymotic type of sound, it’s alright, more on that later).
• - The stock eartips do not isolate well (highly subjective)
• - Female vocals may sound “too forward” on some tracks.
• - Bass may lack texture at times.
• - Mids may sound “too forward” to some.
• - Soundstage is intimate.

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It’s quite refreshing to hear a sound like the Letshuoer DZ4 has. While may not be the best in technicalities and timbre for its asking price, what made this IEM stood out or at the very least make this unique among the rest is its forward, lush yet detailed mids which is quite rare in today’s saturated, harman-dominated Chi-Fi market. Do I recommend this IEM? To me, it depends on what type of sound you prefer within the 100 USD range. If you want a mid-forward sounding, non-fatiguing IEM with a quite unique design, consider the Letshuoer DZ4 as one of your choices!

Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: This sounds just fine when plugged straight to a phone, but is vastly better when used with a proper source.
• Eartips: The eartips are alright and enough for the most part. However, it did not fit my ears well. You may always use your preferred eartips. I find the KBEAR 07 eartips work well with this IEM.
• Cable is really good, and robust. You may always use your preferred cable.

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated product link here!: https://letshuoer.net/products/lets...ngle-passive-radiator-edc-hifi-in-ear-monitor

Additional Photos Here:

Introduction!
Today we’ll talk about headphones from LetShuoer, the model is called DZ4 and their cost is $89 !!!
They come in such a very attractive medium sized white cardboard box, and on the front there is the letshuoer logo, the model name is dz4 and such an interesting drawing with circles that reminds us that this model uses 4 drivers, and of course there is a logo hi-res audio.

Well, at the back, the technical characteristics for the sound are 3 6mm dynamic drivers, and one 6 mm passive radiator, and the sensitivity of the headphones is 104 dB and they received 12 ohm impedance.

Let's take a look at what's included.
Now let's look at the package in more detail.
And the first thing that greets us is a product certificate, a card with advertising of the company's social networks with scanning QR codes, and a card with after-sales service, well, this is a rather beautifully designed instruction manual and cable connection in three languages.

Well, here these wonderful headphones are very neatly located and they look quite attractive for my taste and they have such a beige color of the case itself and they are quite light, and they are made of a very smooth and pleasant resin made to order by HeyGear, and in front they have such a metal an insert with an orange grille and a pattern, which we also saw on the box, and they also have a standard 2-pin connector next to which the inscription dz4 letshuoer and the marking on the right and left earphone, respectively, and this is how their nozzle looks and here you can see three such holes, two are slightly larger with a white mesh inside, and one is of a smaller diameter.

Ergonomics and convenience.
Well, as for the fit, everything is in order here, they fit very tightly to the ear and provide excellent sound insulation, you can use them for literally hours.
Accessories and handy organizer.
Well, in this black jar there is an excellent 4-core copper cable, which I immediately liked and it definitely makes no sense to change it, it has 216 threads and a silver-plated coating and 2-pin connectors are installed, and very conveniently shaped earplugs and a standard jack connector 3.5 mm.
Well, in such a convenient organizer there are branded ear pads from lethuoer, such black vocals and such balanced vocals are more dense and I recommend using headphones with them.

How do these headphones sound ?
Well, now friends, let's talk about the most important thing, namely the sound of this model !
Low Frequencies :
At low frequencies, the headphones demonstrate a very precise and neat and cheerful rise with a great emphasis on the sub bass, which has excellent weight and volume filling the space, and I was very pleased with the smooth and well-controlled transition to midbass, due to which the bass is perfectly controlled and literally allows the middle frequencies to breathe and open up completely without interfering with them.Yes, of course it's worth saying right away that I was very worried about the midbass that it wouldn't really be enough for me, but in fact everything turned out quite well for me since the mid bass is quite dense, assembled and attacking with good textural elaboration, but of course it doesn't feel super massive, especially if you switch to these headphones after more bass models with a more pumped mid-bass, and at first it will really feel a little strange and unusual and the bassheads will definitely not have enough punch here, but for all the other guys who are familiar with this setup it will be just right.
Mid Frequencies :
Well, the midrange frequencies in these headphones are a real madness stunning from the first listening, they are insanely smooth and correct and clearly focused, I would say that this is literally their calling card, there is also an insane transparency and airiness because of which everything sounds clearly separate and detailed on overtones, there is no box effect or closed space,this whole range literally breathes, and despite the fact that it is very smooth, it did not get excessive overt monitoriness and dryness because of this, but on the contrary everything sounds exciting and emotional, you literally live with music.
And the vocal part is just wonderful that male and female vocals are very clean and insanely transparent and clear, and of course it's worth saying that it's immediately noticeable that the vocals focus on themselves and are pushed forward along with the drum part and everything sounds literally next to you and this gives a very pleasant immersion effect and additional bounces due to clearly emphasized percussion drums that have excellent transients.
High Frequencies :
Well, high frequencies have a very good and correct approach to tuning, there is also sufficient technicality and there is a good bias in analytics and there is a good amount of air for better separation of cymbals and percussion in this range, and of course it is worth saying that headphones are great for heavy and high-speed genres that require a good attack and very little pleasant by ear underlining plates, I am glad that they do not merge the sound into a porridge and a single whole, but on the contrary, on the tops of all the plates, each long after-dinner sounds very detailed and separate, that is, the images are not lost in the mix and are drawn very accurately and informatively.
Stage and stereo panorama :
In Letshuoer DZ4, in my opinion, everything is in perfect order here, the scene itself is wide enough and has an excellent slope in depth, that is, the space and instruments do not feel flat, but on the contrary have good weight and volume, and all images are drawn in great detail and separately from each other.
My conclusion on these headphones :
LetShuoer Dz4 turned out to be very interesting emotional accurate and quite technical headphones that give only positive emotions, yes, it's definitely worth saying that they do not have the most typical tuning at low frequencies for fans of powerful mid-bass punch and basheads, but otherwise everything is in perfect order!

Icygenius was with you, I will be glad if you subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch this full review on Letshuoer Dz4!
Review:

Disclaimer

• Huge thanks to Ivy Gao from Letshuoer for sending over the Letshuoer DZ4 for review purposes. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.

Source(s)

• Truthear Shio
  • Adds some warmth and body to the midrange, making them sound a little fuller.

Ear tips

• DUNU S&S
  • Adds some crisp and clarity, expands the soundstage a little.

Packaging

• Comes with a decent amount of accessories
  • IEM.
    • Attached to 1 pair of silicone ear tips (Balanced, M sized)
  • Hard case that has a premium-feeling coating.
    • Uses a screwing mechanism to open.
  • Wide selection of ear tips.
    • 2 pairs of Balanced silicone ear tips (S, L)
    • 3 pairs of Vocal silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
  • Cable
    • Quality is very good, but ear hooks are really stiff.

Build Quality

• Slightly more heft than usual resin IEMs but feels way more sturdier.
• Has a premium matte finishing to it, and an aluminum faceplate.

Fit

• Nozzle width is on the larger side, comparable to the Truthear Hexa, length is average.
• The stiff ear hooks from the cable causes a little pain after long hours of listening, as there is a force clamping on my ears, not sure if this problem will still persists in the future. But after mentioning this problem to a rep, the heat from a hairdryer can be used to change the shape of the ear hooks to a certain degree, hope this helps.
• Other than the ear hook issue, the body of the IEM is a little on the bulky side, which may cause some discomfort if you have smaller ears.

Tonality

• Neutral with sub bass boost.

Bass

• Sub bass is definitely more prominent, while mid bass can be a little lacking sometimes.
• Very well controlled with good rumble and depth.
• Bass impact scales very well with volume.
  • The louder you listen to, the more impactful the bass sounds.
• Texture and definition is quite good as well, with decently natural speed and decay.
• Quantity is on the tamer side compared to most IEMs I have heard.

Midrange

• Midrange is very clean, may be a little too lean for some.
• Female vocals sound fantastic and clear, quite forward and engaging, perhaps a little shouty for some.
• Male vocals on the other end is a little thin and pulled back, lacking some fullness to it.
• Note weight and density is a little thin on the lower end but average on the upper end.
• Instruments sound quite natural throughout the midrange overall.

Treble

• Treble is relaxing and laid back, lacking some sparkle.
• Lower and mid treble is generally relaxed and toned down from the upper midrange.
• Slight roll off in the upper treble section but it is not the worst, causing it the extension to be average and not very airy.
• However, there is some slight sibilance to me throughout the treble even though it is an overall smooth experience.
• Details in the treble is quite decent.

Technicalities

Resolution

• Resolution is good, not underwhelming at all but not the most resolving IEM in this price range.

Soundstage

• Soundstage is decent, both the width and depth are quite wide/deep respectively.

Imaging

• Imaging and accuracy is decent, I am able to tell where the instruments and vocals quite well from left/right but struggle a little in other directions.
• Gaming:
  • Apex Legends: Similar situation, I'm able to judge the sound of footsteps and gunfire in terms of left and right really well but not other directions like top and bottom.

Separation

• Separation and layering is good, vocals popped out more than any other instruments while each individual instruments are decently separated.

Comparison

Letshuoer X Gizaudio Galileo

• Bass: DZ4 has a better sub bass extension, causing it to sound more rumbly and deep but will somewhat covers up the mid bass at lower volumes. Galileo on the other hand has a much better mid bass texture and definition but lacks a little bit of the depth and rumble from sub bass.
• Midrange: Galileo excels in almost every aspect here for me. It is just more natural with the little bit of warmth, and less aggressive upper midrange in the Galileo is much smoother and textured to my ears.
• Treble: Both sets are quite relaxed but DZ4 excels a little bit more by having a little more air and extension.
• Technicalities: Galileo has a slight edge in terms of resolution and imaging but the DZ4 has a slightly wider and deeper soundstage.
• Overall, I would personally prefer the Galileo due to its more natural and smoother presentation.

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598816374113975871/7171077375452243845#

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2598816374113975871/7171077375452243845#
Conclusion

• Overall, I think that this is a good set that I can recommend if you're into:
  • Unique driver configurations (3DD + 1PR in this case)
  • Neutral tonality
  • Engaging female vocals
  • Clean and natural midrange focused sets
• Definitely a good addition of a neutral set into the budget friendly category!

Thanks for reading!

General/Packaging/Build/Comfort
Letshuoer is a company that most in the community would be familiar with. Particularly with their hit release such as the S12 Planar IEM which is widely received even up till today. I have reviewed their S12 as well as D13 in which both I favored and have positive experience with. Today I have their latest release which is the DZ4, which features 3DD+1PR(passive radiator) configuration. Passive radiator is more commonly used on speakers to create a deeper sounding bass. Letshuoer is fitting their DZ4 with this tech and let’s find out how does it perform. As with most of Letshuoer’s packaging, the unboxing experience is always positive, greeted with premium packaging which consist of a black premium looking storage case, IEM cable (too bad they are not available in 4.4 termination as an option), otherwise the cable itself is very good and solid, two types of eartips, namely the vocal and balanced. The shell is 3D printed with a semi open metallic faceplate, which in a way contributes to the soundstage as well. The nozzle, however, is slightly big which might be an issue for some. Overall i’m comfortable wearing the DZ4 for a long period of time.



Gears used for this review

• Earmen Angel Dac/Amp
• Earmen Colibri
• Earmen CH-Amp
• IFi Gryphon
• DZ4 Stock cable and eartips

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression
The first thing that I noticed when I put on the DZ4 is the soundstage, it sounds open and in fact, it is quite capable technically. The bass is also satisfying as well, I noticed the PR is mostly affecting the mid bass as the mid bass has more body and packs a little more punch to it. Timbre is very natural which is expected from a dynamic driver, no odd/metallic sounding instruments here. It also sounds quite neutral to my ears.

Bass

• Bass has good texture and control, has very good speed
• Speed is good and handled Metallica’s Lux Aeterna without sounding bloated
• Bass doesn’t bleed into the mids
• Sub bass does have some rumble when the track calls for it, it doesn’t go really deep but it is good enough for EDM enjoyment, tested this listening to Ping Pong by Armin

Mids

• Mids are not recessed nor overly forward, quite detailed to my ears
• Male’s vocal sounded a little lacking in terms of body, overall it's not too bad, i tested this with Zhao Peng’s song, it doesn’t sound that full, but its not bad either
• Female vocal such as Faye Wong does sound fuller compared to male’s, very enjoyable
• Lower to upper mid range are very lush and enjoyable, even at high volume, it doesn’t get harsh

Treble

• Treble is smooth and not fatiguing, energetic enough but not excessive to the point where its harsh
• Extension is good and it has good amount of air, i believe the design of the faceplate also contributed to this
• Detail retrieval is good, higher expectation is just nitpicking in my opinion

Soundstage/Imaging

• Good sense of width and height, depth as well, it doesn’t sound boxy and very open sounding to my ears
• Imaging is quite good, instruments can be pinpointed easily

Driveability

• DZ4 is not hard to drive, but it does scales with power as with most dynamic drivers
• Amping it does exhibit slightly better bass control in terms of tightness and a little bit of refinement on the top end
• However it does scale with source, in terms of how the dac/amp affect it in terms of colorization of the sound

Final Thoughts
Letshuoer has once again hit the right spot balancing between good sonic performance and pricing it right. At 89$ a pair, this is an absolute steal in my opinion. You get a high quality IEM with solid build quality, good technical performance and it is versatile enough for various genres. Bass has sufficient quantity and good quality, treble that’s energetic yet not fatiguing. Highly recommended!

If you are interested in grabbing a pair, head over to the following link in getting one:
Letshuoer DZ4 - Non affiliated



*Received the review sample from Letshuoer, however, i am in no way influenced by them in producing this review, all thoughts are of my own, big thanks to them for the support as always

Introduction

LetShuoer became famous for its planar IEMS, but it was already an established brand with several models under its belt. After introducing a PRO version of its famous S12, the brand released an impressive top-of-the-line model called Cadenza, an IEMS with 12 drivers, titanium chassis, six-way electronic crossover, five acoustic holes and 204-strand 6N monocrystalline copper and silver hybrid cable. This model is priced at $2299. A little later the brand has put its feet back on the ground and surprised with a triple 6mm dynamic driver in conjunction with a passive radiator, also 6mm. This is the model that concerns us in this review. It has a semi-open front design and its body is a fusion of metal and resin. Inside, it uses four-way acoustic tubes and a two-way crossover circuit. The transducers are connected to the 2-pin receptacle via a flexible printed circuit (FPC) crossover board.
The model was released before its price was discovered. During this period the DZ4s have passed through the hands of a few reviewers, myself included, and it has elicited various opinions about the use of its passive radiator in a semi-open environment. Be that as it may, after their $89 price tag was revealed, it is time for me to write my opinion about these great IEMS.



Specifications

• Driver Type: 3 x 6mm titanium dome dynamic drivers + 6mm passive radiator.
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz.
• Sensitivity: 104dB.
• Impedance: 12Ω.
• Chassis material: 3D printed resin.
• Jack Connector: 3.5mm SE gold plated.
• Capsule Connection Type: 2Pin 0.78mm.
• Cable: 1.2 0.05m*216 silver-plated monocrystalline copper wire.

Packaging

The LetShuoer DZ4 comes in a white, elongated box with dimensions 157x105x51mm. On the main side there are four circles nested by a kind of chains. They are partly orange. They give the impression that they are the three dynamic drivers plus the passive radiator. At the top left is the brand name and slogan. Bottom right is the model name. On the back are the specifications, in several languages. At the bottom are the brand's logos, as well as the logos of the certifications that the product complies with. With the outer cardboard removed, the box is completely white with the brand name in the centre and its slogan underneath in silver ink. After lifting the lid, there is an orange instruction manual on one side, white on the other. There is an enlargement of the external image, focusing on the circle with a tunnel in it. Then there are several cards, a product certificate, a card with QR links to the various social networks and a warranty card. Finally, you come to the foam layer containing the capsules and a rubbery, circular, black box containing the silicone cable and tips, along with a sachet of silica gel. In summary, the contents are as follows:

• The two DZ4 capsules.
• The cable.
• Three pairs of black silicone tips, sizes SxMxL, "Vocal ear tips".
• Three pairs of translucent white silicone tips with black core, sizes SxMxL, "Balanced ear tips".
• Social media card.
• Product certificate card.
• Warranty card.

The round case is rubbery on the outside and has a black rubber coating on the inside. It has a screw top closure and looks like a cream jar, if not for its completely black colour. I think it is a great box for storing and protecting IEMS, although I think it is not completely suitable. Firstly, because the thread is long, it is not quick to open or close the box. Secondly, because of the size and shape of the box, it is not very practical for transport. However, it is possibly a very suitable storage for IEMS.
On the other hand, it is not clear to me which are the vocal tips or the balanced tips. The text "Vocal ear tips" is above the small black tips, but the text "Balanced ear tips" is in between the large black tips and the small white tips, being ambiguous. For the clearest reference, I would say that the black tips are the "Vocal ear tips".



Construction and Design

As mentioned in the introduction, the capsules are made of metal and resin. The outer face is metal and has the N pattern that is on the outer face of the case. At each junction and termination of the N is a circle that grows in one direction. Underneath this pattern is a perforated orange grid, which is the open part of the IEMS. The shape of this face has the form of an equilateral triangle with an extra side on the hypotenuse. On the other hand, the three vertices are rounded. The body is covered with a very light brown rubbery resin. It has been 3D printed. On the edge of the capsules you can read the model, below it the brand name and on another line the channel letter inside a circle, all in black ink. The 2PIN 0.78mm connection is embedded in a rectangular transparent plastic plate with rounded corners. This plate is completely integrated into the capsule and does not protrude at all. The nozzles are projected and regular. It is a double cylinder, narrower at the base, with a diameter of 6 mm. The crown is 6.3mm in diameter and the total length is approximately 5mm. The nozzle has three orifices, one is narrower and does not appear to be protected, the other two have a kind of metal cup inside, at the bottom of which there is a grid attached to the walls.
I have to say that the design doesn't leave me indifferent. While the external N-shape doesn't quite convince me, the body of the capsule and its rubbery look (which is also repeated in the round case) are irresistible to me. It's a pity that the light colour and matt surface can be a magnet for dirt.
As for the cable, LetShuoer is used to creating good cables. On this occasion, the cable is made up of four twisted strands, equal in pairs, some lighter and some darker. It is specified as consisting of 216 0.05m strands of silver-plated monocrystalline copper. The sleeve of the plug is a faint champagne-gold coloured microtextured metal cylinder. The brand name is written on it lengthwise. The splitter piece is the same, but smaller, the past is a hollow translucent plastic cylinder. The 2PIN 0.78mm connector sleeves are both cylinders of the same type, with a ring at the end closest to the cable. The 2Pin base is coloured plastic, red for the right side, transparent for the left side. There is a grey Velcro strap to tuck the cable in, with the brand lettering in white.
On this occasion, the cable is unbalanced and the 3.5mm SE connector has a plastic protector.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

A construction is not excellent if the ergonomics fail. Luckily, LetShuoer knows what it is doing and the ergonomics are outstanding. The weight is low, the feel is very soft, the fit is superior, the insertion is completely adequate, somewhere between shallow and slightly deeper, for use with narrower tips. I can comment that my ear canals are like underground tunnels and that's why the diameter of the nozzles doesn't seem big to me, but it's possible that, together with the length, it could be a problem for some people. In my case, with my large tips filled with homemade foam, the DZ4s fit spectacularly in my ears. The fit is immediate, the seal is high, there is no rotation and none of the capsule parts rub annoyingly against my ears. The experience is very pleasant even for several hours. What makes it not so suitable is that being open, they can disturb people around more obviously than the other closed IEMS.



Sound

Profile

Its profile is close to a neutral curve, but with an emphasised sub-bass nuance, something that adds a point of colour and fun. On the other hand, the treble is smooth, beyond neutral. Despite what you might think, I don't consider the DZ4s to have a midcentric profile, nor a dark one, although they are pleasant, musical and balanced.



Bass

The first thing you might think coming from LetShuoer and being an IEMS with 3 dynamic drivers and a passive radiator, is that the bass should be the star of the show. What's wrong? They are not. The bass is not thunderous, this is not a Bass-Heads set. But neither are they neutral in this respect. It is clear that the size of the drivers can have an impact on the power in the lower range. But there is one element that should add that missing bonus. This is the passive radiator. You can look up information about this element, for example, on Wikipedia. As a quick summary, it is a dynamic driver with no coil, no magnet, "it is simply a cone and a suspension, so it does not need any electrical energy to work. The energy that makes this bass radiator work comes from the driver that accompanies it in the loudspeaker itself, from the air that it displaces with each movement. Its purpose, like the bass reflex, is to add a reinforcement of the lower frequencies by entering into resonance with the frequencies radiated by the driver that accompanies it in the same loudspeaker".
I found it very eloquent to include this description taken entirely from Wikipedia because it puts the finger right on the problem. The idea for the passive radiator to work accordingly is that it must be in the same enclosure as the bass driver and that the enclosure must be closed. In the manufacturer's pictures you can see that the passive radiator is in the same enclosure as the three drivers, but it is not a closed enclosure. So, to what extent does the passive radiator influence the bass development? This could be a clear question, but I am sure there are many others. On the other hand, the discussion of this element is beyond my knowledge and is something that has been commented on in the networks by some famous reviewer we all know. You only have to google it to find out. As a humble reviewer, I will leave aside the actual performance of the passive radiator and proceed to the description of each range, as usual in my reviews.
While it is true that the bass of the DZ4s is not powerful, I repeat that it is not neutral. There is its elevation at the sub-bass end and also the cleanliness of its sudden drop towards the mids. Such tuning generates a bass of fast consumption and very low persistence. Its body mass is low and its energy feels limited by this effect. The volume occupied is small, hence its influence on the sound is quickly diluted. It is also true that the presence of the bass is not superimposed on any other frequency, something that could attest to its neutrality. But the tilt of the sub-bass adds a little more bite to the bass drums, a different sonority, a sensory and subtly visceral motif that brings a bass emphasis beyond innocuousness. It's not big enough to move a newsworthy amount of air, capable of flooding our ears, nor does it possess the power to deliver a punchy kick. But in the very low frequency pure tone test, the DZ4s perform very well, offering a quite sensory and natural low-end, but with limited power. You can clearly feel the power drop from 40Hz to 75Hz, hence the bass feels so clean, albeit with a subtle vibration that becomes more noticeable above 40Hz. Such an effect is very small and not noticeable in real music, but some may wonder where it comes from and why this is so. I don't think in that sense, there are many other IEMS with a similar effect, let alone what happens when the bass driver is a BA.
The result is a relatively dry bass, low in roughness, relatively fast in its punch, faster in its decay and evaporation. Its impact on the sound is low even though the music is loaded with bass. There is a clear presence and energy to it, but so focused on the low end that its impact is minor. Again, that is its cleanliness and the reason for the neutrality in the sound. It is able to follow complex, unfiltered bass lines because its reproduction does not generate an unmanageable mass of air. Being a more low end focused bass its volume is much more limited and that allows for continuous, glued and overlapping bass lines to not pose a difficulty or problem in its reproduction. It is true that its presentation feels reduced and minimised, but it enjoys a realism in its timbre and more controlled execution. In addition, such a differential cut makes the mids be totally decoupled from the bass. As they say: every cloud has a silver lining.



Mids

It is clear that a neutral tuning in the centre favours female voices. In addition, the cleanness of the bass does not generate warmth in the first mids. Although the sound may seem to be slightly warm, it is more because of the softness of the treble than anything else. I must stress that this tuning generates a very analogue, even euphonic, representation of the female voices. They are not sparkling, but their musicality, tone and timbre is extremely pleasant, silky, melodious and musical, highly enjoyable. The mid-highs are controlled in a sweet spot, free of sibilance, with a calibrated and homogeneous amount of brightness, enough to bring clarity, but not brightness. There is no glare, there is adequate lucidity to avoid ambiguity and help discern the elements to gain in freedom, neatness and separation.
The male voices don't have as much of a base, they are a little leaner and less corporeal. But they do have presence and impact in the sound. They feel near and close, but they lack the physicality that the female voices possess, better balanced and more fully composed. There is also a lack of texture in the male voices, a deeper rumour, a broader base. On the other hand, the details are more evident and the balance leans towards this side more ornamental than fundamental. Something similar happens in the instruments of this initial part, the sound is thinner and lacks a certain density to lift the weight of the notes. There is not much forcefulness, the representation is soft, lighter, it may lack punch in certain aspects and in musical genres such as rock, it will lack a certain bite that makes the music more vibrant, realistic and effective. On the other hand, the timbre is not penalised and the sound is really pleasant in this area, although I still think it lacks some brute force to enhance the music.
The upper midrange is sufficiently emphasised to detract from warmth in music that is so, as well as alleviating density in music that is overdone in this regard. Arguably, the DZ4s are able to thin out the music in some respects, but without adding extra or detrimental brightness. Clarity is still very appropriate and calibrated to add detail and widen separation within the density, but without sibilance. The DZ4s are never overdone in negative respects, never sounding piercing, hurtful, grating or out of place. They are, however, delicate, though not overly inclined towards micro detail. The execution is neat, the low density helps in this respect, but the technical skill is not superior in exposing micro nuances to the foreground. In that respect, the DZ4s are not analytical and their level of resolution is good, but it is not an ultra-detailed set. That affects the mids not to feel as exposed in their level of detail.



Treble

The treble is relatively nuanced and smoothed. The DZ4s belong to a set of IEMS that have a more analogue cut, in which the treble is softened and rounded in its representation. They are not sparkling, not crisp, not piercing, not sharp. It is a controlled, respectful, even warm high end. There is an initial sparkle, restrained, but apparent, based more on the gain of the bell than on the treble zone itself. The extension also feels clipped and I don't understand why if, in theory, there is a driver for the high end. A more excited result would have broken the balance of the tuning, perhaps it could have thinned the notes more, but a little more brightness could have raised the technical aspects, at least, in an apparent way. Possibly, the upper zone is too safe and is the least represented band of the ensemble. And this may lead one to think that the DZ4 is more midcentric than homogeneous, but because of the sub-bass elevation I don't think so. This is not a strange range, I have reviewed IEMS with similar tuning in this respect. But it is clear that those looking for more finesse, more incisive, delicate, sharp and refined high notes will have to look elsewhere. The DZ4s are just the opposite, the treble is meant to complement the sound and not for its own showcasing. In this sense, it is a complementary range, which works well for the midrange and adds relative richness. But more was expected.



Soundstage, Separation

The scene is open but not too big. There is a good level of separation and the sound does not feel congested. Its low density helps in this respect, as does its thinness. The sound is wide, especially in width, and is able to offer a good ethereal, vaporous, even three-dimensional feeling. But it is not a very deep sound, nor is it very high. On the other hand, the mids are presented in a close manner, which gives the sound an intimate, close aspect, but combined with a volatile character that helps it to spread out. It seems somewhat contradictory, on the one hand the DZ4 are able to offer a somewhat holographic staging, where the elements enjoy an enveloping provenance. However, the elements are close to the listener. It is not a claustrophobic scene, nor is it concentrated, it is just that the stage is not so big, but a smaller environment, a smaller room. But that does not detract from the fact that there is a three-dimensional projection within it. Perhaps this aspect is what makes the DZ4 unique in this price range.
In terms of detail it is good, bordering on a B. But it lacks the level of resolution to describe fine details with superior descriptive ability. There is some finesse, more for the leanness of its sound than for any technical or analytical skill. However, in some phases of the sound it can be surprising in its exposition of detail, while in others it will remain a mere exposition of it, especially those at deeper levels.



Comparisons

KiiBOOM Allure

Surprising as it may seem, there are a few IEMS that I have reviewed this year that have a similar profile to the LetShuoer DZ4. Perhaps not with as much emphasis on sub-bass, perhaps not as shaded in treble. But, for example, TinHifi has several current models that have similarities, as can be seen in the comparative frequency response graph. Even, the TKZK Ouranos also moves in those parameters, but even with more air (you have to take into account that the IEC60318-4 01 microphones are not very reliable in the high end).
But I'm going to go for another model that is particularly soft in the treble, but with a more powerful sound in the mid-range. This is my beloved KiiBOOM Allure. Anyone could say that this model is also a niche model and looking at the graph there are clear similarities. In principle, the Allure is more expensive, $99 compared to $89 for the DZ4. In terms of construction, the Allure are metallic, except for the external face, with that stabilised wood panel in shades of green and black. Although I like the internal surface of the DZ4s a lot, because of the smaller size, thinner and design, I prefer the Allure. Although the cable is better on the DZ4s, as well as in terms of accessories. The huge zippered case of the KiiBOOM is hilarious, for so few accessories. In this respect, LetShuoer could be a good example in terms of quality/price/packaging. In terms of ergonomics, the DZ4s have a good fit due to the projection of their nozzles. But the integration is superior in the Allure, they are tighter and better inserted in the pinna.
In terms of sound level the first impression is in the sensitivity, at the same volume the Allure sound louder. Another aspect is the density of the sound, while the DZ4s are lighter, the Allure is characterised by a much denser and somewhat darker sound. The emphasised sub-bass of the DZ4s is not present in the Allure. In contrast, the bass-midrange and the first bars of the mid-range are more bodacious in the KiiBOOMs. This is the source of the sensation of density and wall of sound that the Allure offers, perhaps the big difference between the two: the level of power, energy and punch in that area from the lows to the initial mids. In the low end, the behaviour is key. The cleanliness, the restraint, the greater dissipation in the DZ4 contrasts with the more extensive, forceful, voluminous and physical bass offered by the Allure. Both are fast, but the decay is slower in the Allure, because of the differential characteristics it possesses. In favour, the texture is more pronounced, pleasant and enjoyable. Yes, the fun factor falls on the side of the Allure, but they are also deep, weighted, more gummy, but they also enjoy a good level of technical, resolution and agility. They are also capable of carrying heavy loads, generating a good level of layering and drawing bass lines with clarity and crispness. Comparatively speaking, they are darker than the DZ4s. All this is simpler in the DZ4. Due to their tuning, they do not tend to go into difficult terrain, as they have a lower level of presence in these areas. Thus, by avoiding the complex range, certain problems are avoided, although a certain comparative hollowness is also evident, in favour of the Allure.
The battle is very complex between two mid-ranges that I like. The DZ4s are thinner, leaner, with no contamination from the bass. The Allure have a denser, more physical and corporeal first half, also darker and somewhat more nuanced, not so much in the foreground, despite the wall-of-sound feeling they offer. The cleaner DZ4s make the mids brighter and better separated. However, the male voices have a deeper and more fundamental base, they are thicker and that makes them fuller and more complex. That feeling carries over to the strings, guitars, even pianos. With a more succulent base, the descriptive capacity is juicier, other nuances are appreciated that in the DZ4 are more relegated and missed after a quick switch to the Allure. When the music is warmer, the Allure adds more meat, while the DZ4 thins the mix.
In the upper-mids there is a little more light and clarity in the DZ4s. They seem to have more definition, more proximity, sharper edges and that characteristic cleanliness. The Allure is still more grounded, but a little more diffuse and fuzzy. The timbre of both is a very combative point, but for the greater weight, base and fundamental capability I'll take the Allure.
There are also many similarities in the treble area of both models, but I think there is more extension in the Allure and a subtly brighter sound. In terms of definition, cleanliness and separation, the DZ4s are above them, albeit with less airy feel.
The level of separation is more evident in the DZ4s, but the amount of detail is very even. Looking for differences in tracks with hidden detail in the mid-range, the level of resolution of the two is very similar. They are not able to highlight these minute nuances, but they manage to intuit them. The analytical level of both is at that point, neither of them reaches that level of definition. But in more obvious aspects, in terms of better separation, thinness, delicacy and neatness, the DZ4s are a little above.
The soundstage is more open in the DZ4s, with that more pronounced three-dimensional feel. The Allure presents a wall of sound that is louder, wider and deeper, but also more frontal, with more volume, but without that surrounding, gauzy or ethereal feel that the DZ4s possess.



Conclusion

It is clear that this new LetShuoer release has had a certain impact due to its triple dynamic driver, its passive radiator and its open design. At first glance, such a configuration might make some people think that the DZ4s would be a bass cannon. But this is not the case. If you look at the concept closely, these are 6mm drivers, which are relatively small to deliver a powerful bass. But that's where the passive radiator should come in, to positively influence the area it shares with the driver it's attached to. And, well, maybe that's the reason, is it really attached to any driver in the same enclosure? That could be a question. And speculation is just another game in this hobby. But, if one takes away all this theoretical stuff related to the construction of the DZ4, one finds oneself in front of some remarkable IEMS.
When they arrived I didn't know their price and I liked them for their open, clean, smooth and clear sound. The feel of the capsules, their cream box for men, conveniently rubberised both on the outside and, above all, on the inside, their cable and their set of tips led me to expect a price of over 100$. But, to my surprise, they have stayed at $89. And I must say that, for this price, they are very good. Then we have to talk about their profile and performance. These are IEMS that follow a line that is being usual in many IEMS that I have tested lately, but with a clear emphasis on the sub-bass and more smoothness in the treble. Some label this profile as midcentric, but I don't completely agree. The drop from the sub-bass is obvious and that makes the lower range and the transition to the mids very clean and quick, without any aftertaste. Consequently, the mids are clear, but somewhat lean and light in this initial part. Even so, they are present enough to bring out that midcentric aspect that other reviewers talk about. This is coupled with a controlled emphasis on the mid-highs, which favours luminosity, more prominent and vivid female voices. Possessing a relatively light, but natural, smooth, organic and analogue timbre, as a result of the conjunction of nuanced, controlled and not overly extended trebles, which are coupled as a support band, rather than as a single band in its own right. Another big plus is the separation and sense of openness of the sound. Without being too wide in volume, like a small sphere, the sound is remarkably enveloping, ethereal, even gaseous, allowing detail to come from many different directions, yet without giving off a close, close intimacy, driven by a subtle lack of depth. The DZ4s are not analytical, they are pleasant, smooth and musical, made for hours of enjoyment, supported by their great ergonomics and feel.
The LetShuoer DZ4s are a great set, but perhaps, the expectations of their configuration made us ask for something more, even something different. And maybe this is the problem that prevents us from better understanding the sound of these remarkable IEMS.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + EarMen ST-Amp.
• Tempotec MARCH III.
• Burson Audio Playmate II.
• Aune M1p.
• Tempotec V6.

Purchase Link



You can read the full review in Spanish here

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank Letshuoer for providing the DZ4 review unit.
It can be gotten here (no affiliate links): https://letshuoer.net/products/lets...ngle-passive-radiator-edc-hifi-in-ear-monitor





SPECIFICATIONS

• Driver configuration: 3 x 6 mm titanium diaphragm dynamic drivers + 1 x 6 mm passive radiator
• Impedance: 12 Ohms
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz
• Sensitivity: 104 dB
• Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; 4-core 216-strand silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable; 3.5 mm
• Tested at $89 USD

ACCESSORIES

Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 x "vocal" silicone tips (S/M/L)
- 3 x "balanced" silicone tips (S/M/L)
- Cable
- Metal screw-on circular hard case

The accessories are decent enough for a sub-$100 USD set.




The hard case is a really solid addition - no pun intended - it is a screw-on metallic circular case that is spacious enough to store the IEM plus some accessories. Verily, the contained contents should handily survive a drop.




While no foam tips are included, we have 2 choices of silicone tips. The white variant has a wider bore, and increases the upper frequencies and soundstage, whereas the black types boost bass but compress soundstage slightly.




Letshuoer has provided a stock 4-core 216-strand silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable. It is not modular, and only comes in a 3.5 mm (single-ended termination). The cable has a chin cinch and is of a 2-pin variant. Is pretty well-braided and tangle-free, with minimal microphonics, with good heft and haptics.

The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and white tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.


BUILD/COMFORT

The DZ4 shells are pretty unique amongst the usual black or silver hued designs. The faceplates are fashioned from CNC-milled anodized aluminum, whereas the rest of the body is made of resin. The shells employ a 3D printed chassis from HeyGear, and sandblasting finishing was done to give a smooth matte feel.




The shells are very light and almost weightless, and comfort is very decent in my book. The inner aspects are smooth - as alluded to above - with no weird protrusions to stab the ear.



2-pin connectors are always welcome in my book. I've encountered quite a few MMCX connectors in budget sets failing with repeated cable changes.

Isolation is average, with this IEM incorporating a semi-open design, though the DZ4 should still be usable outdoors. I did not find any driver flex on my set.


DRIVABILITY

I tested the Letshuoer DZ4 with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Colorfly CDA M1 DAC/AMP dongle
- Creative Sound Blaster X5
- E1DA DAC/AMP dongle
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone

This IEM is easily driven off the weakest of sources, and robust amplification is not necessary.


INTERNALS

The DZ4 incorporates a rarely seen 3 DDs (6 mm titanium diaphragm) + 1 x 6 mm passive radiator design. These 4 drivers are paired in a 4-way acoustic tube with a 2-way crossover. Knowles acoustic dampers are also placed within the shell for tuning and resonance modification.



What is a passive radiator then?
The Passive Radiator (PR) driver (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_radiator_(speaker)) is a unique transducer, where it is placed in the same acoustic chamber as another "working" driver. The PR has has no voice coil or magnet, and isn't hooked up to an electrical circuit or other amplifier.

So when the other "working" driver vibrates and generates sound waves, the PR also catches these waves and vibrates at its own resonance (usually at the bass frequencies). In a way, it reduces the effort of the "working" driver, as the PR is harnessing unused byproduct sound waves to move.

This technology is used in speakers, where it is useful in smaller acoustic chambers where there is insufficient space for venting. Not many IEMs deploy this technology - perhaps the Simgot EA2000 is another CHIFI using it. However, to my understanding, for a PR to work effectively, it needs to be in a sealed enclosure together with other driver(s), and the PRs in the DZ4 seem to be in an open-backed enclosure.


SOUND & TECHNICALITIES

Graph of the Letshuoer DZ4 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

The DZ4 can be described tonally as having a smooth U-shaped balanced signature, which should be quite pleasant for most consumers other than die-hard trebleheads.

This IEM is sub-bass focused, with decent extension, though the bass isn't the most rumbly or impactful, compared to bona fide basshead sets. Bass quality is a bit lacking though, with below average texturing and an occasional "one-noted" bassline heard. Bass speed lies on the slower side, with a slight scoop out in the mid-bass. As such, I'm not sure if the PR driver here is fully implemented, especially since the "enclosure" is not totally sealed with the PR inside.

The lower midrange has a vinyl-like tone to the sound, which is very euphonic sounding. With an 8 dB ear gain, I find the upper mids forward without being piercing, so vocals are pushed thru the mix without shoutiness - though this region is also somewhat dependent on ear anatomy (pinna gain), volume played at (Fletcher Munson curve), eartip choice and hearing health.

The DZ4 is a very smooth and darkish IEM, with a lack of treble air and sparkle. Sibilance is hence kept to a minimal, with no fatigue for our treble sensitive brethren, but on the flip side, trebleheads will lament at the distinct dearth of resolution and clarity. So depending on which side of the fence you are on, trebleheads might need to consider alternative options, though this IEM is very sedate and enjoyable for laid back chilling sessions or extended usage.

Timbral accuracy is organic for vocals and acoustic instruments, timbre freaks should have nothing to complain in this department.

The DZ4 is not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to technical fidelity, and I would provide class it as average in this department. There is a lack of edge definition to notes, and imaging isn't the most pinpoint. Micro-details and clarity aren't class-leading, which is partially due to the rolled-off treble. Thankfully, the soundstage is quite decent (above average at its price), though instrument separation can get congested on occasions.


COMPARISONS

The DZ4 sports a special driver configuration, and I don't have any other IEMs in my inventory that have a similar setup (3 DD + 1 PR). As such, I will be doing some A/B comparisons against some other well-recognized gear in the $80 - 120ish USD bracket.


Simgot EA500

One of the benchmarks at the $50 - 100ish region, the single DD EA500 has 2 tuning nozzles to bestow different flavours to the sonics - it can vary between a Harmanish set (red nozzle) and a colder neutral bright tuning (black nozzle).

With the red nozzles installed, the EA500 has lesser sub-bass, though the bass is cleaner, faster and more textured. The EA500 is thinner in note weight, and the timbre is a tinge more metallic than the analoguish DZ4.

The EA500 is shoutier in the upper midrange. Treble extension and sparkle is more apparent on the EA500 too, though treble sensitive folk might have an issue, compared to the serene DZ4.

The EA500 has slightly better micro-detailing, with improvements in edge definition and imaging, though instrument separation is similar. The EA500 is more intimate in soundstage and sounds more "in your head".


7Hz Legato

The Legato is a 2 DD unashamed V-shaped basshead set. The Legato sports a massive bass extension and much more copious bass quantity than the DZ4. The Legato's bass however, bleeds a bit, which is unsurprisingly considering the profuse amounts on bass on tap. The Legato is a bit more sizzly and sibilant in the treble.

The Legato is a few steps behind in technicalities, and the DZ4 handily wins in this area.


Kiwi Ears Quartet

The Quartet is a 2 DD+2 BA set with 4 tuning switches, so it theoretically more versatile than the DZ4. The Quartet is bassier, with more treble extension (ie more V-shaped) across most tuning options.

The Quartet has better imaging and micro-detailing; however, it is notably inferior in soundstage and instrument separation, and sounds very claustrophobic in comparison. The Quartet also has BA timbre noted in the upper frequencies, and doesn't sound as natural as the DZ4.


CONCLUSIONS

The DZ4 is a chill and agreeably-tuned IEM, with fatigue-free sonics and a lush, laid-back signature. Treble-sensitive listeners will be very at home with the tuning - this IEM can be used for hours on end without harshness - and the timbre is also very natural. Accessories and fit are great, and the DZ4 can be driven off almost all sources.

The DZ4 will not be a treblehead's cup of tea, due to the rolled-off upper end, which suppresses air and sparkle. It also isn't the tightest in the bass or the most technical IEM, so analytical heads may need to look elsewhere.

In a nutshell, the the DZ4 is an IEM that eschews outright technicalities for tonal balance and timbre, so it will find a niche for users who desire these traits - it will excel at slower acoustic genres - and users wanting something calm and comfy will find a match made in heaven. If getting the utmost resolution and technicalities is your aim, then please consider other alternatives.

Pros:

• Warm smooth sound
• Natural timbre
• Good clean midrange
• Non fatiguing
• Good accessories
• Soundstage above average
• Good bass extension

Cons:

• Lacks treble and air
• Maybe boring for some due to not being that energic
• Resolution is average for the price
• Bass is not that impactful
• Mid bass is lean
• Plays better at higher volume, especially for low range

Letshouer DZ4, mini review and impression. Posting it on product page for more easy access.

I got the LETSHUOER DZ4 for free in exchange for some impressions online, thanks to @Letshuoer Marketing for this.

Disclaimer

The DZ4 is my second IEM from LETSHUOER, I got it for free in exchange for written impressions online.
All impressions are my own subjective thoughts after having used them for some 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.







Accessories and the presentation are good, you get two sets of tips and one cable. The tips are silicone, one set for vocal focus and one that is more balanced. In small, medium and large.
The cable is good, both in comfort and sound. Look quite good also, the only downside is aggressive ear guides.

How does it sound

First of all the sound is very natural, not too dark and not too bright. While some music might lack a little magic, overall I find it very pleasing.

Bass is a little light, it extends well down into the sub range. Can also have a good impact when the bass kicks are more in the lowest range. Mid bass is what is lacking the most, so some music will not have the fullness that you may love. The drivers are also rather small, so I don't feel that so much air is moved. This also is true if I eq up more bass, bass seem to lose detail also when boosted to much.

Mids is very correct, goes for instruments and vocals. Has some sort of warmth and softness, makes it sound very pleasing while also retaining much resolution. Does for example bright female voices very well, due to no mid bass bleed at all. While on some artists I personally would have liked more fullness and presence. I found piano and brass to be very good, same for string instruments. Drums and some electric guitars can lack a little grunt.

Treble is relaxed, extension is average and I have heard better sets for treble. it is not veiled but lacks sparkle and treble energy.

Soundstage I find above average when comparing to single DDs under100usd.
Resolution is slightly above most single DDs at this price, while under the champions.

Comfort is superb with a small shell with just the right nozzle diameter and length that should please most people. I have large ears and prefer bigger IEMs or longer nozzles than most people, I still think DZ4 is great.





Comparison to Tangzu Wan'er S.G Jade, Simgot EA500 and VE SiE.



Tangzu Wan'er SG Jade

Single DD IEM that is known as the best midcentric budget IEM, very refined sound perfect for vocals. One reason that I chose this model is that the first listen with DZ4 reminded me of Wan'er on vocals. But when I tested more, I found out it doesn't have the more analog feel that DZ4 has.

Compared to the rest, this one has a cheap feel to it. Plastic is not premium and it feels too light. But ergonomics is perfect for me personally, just wish it had normal 2 Pin.



Simgot EA500

Single DD IEM, but it is similar in price and looks very good in its metal shell. Comfort is good for most people, while I personally prefer more ergonomic designs. Biggest problem for me is the aggressive angle on the nozzle, and since it is short the body of EA500 hits the concha.

Maybe the most resolving IEM under 100usd, great tonality for most people. The midrange is a problem spot for me, that can make it sound shouty or metallic. Also the bass could have been bigger to meet my preference, but the bass is of superb quality. Simgot clearly has used a very good driver in EA500. It is very easy to mod the EA500 to get more bass, or use filters to change the upper range. But to make it fair, I will use the stock config here.



Venture Electronics SiE

Single DD IEM, similar price as DZ4 and EA500. Maybe my favorite single DD, has a lush and more analog feel. it is almost like a mini Penon Serial, for those who know that one. Bass is boosted in the whole range, and it also thickens up vocals. Mids forward and full, treble detailed while maybe slightly dark since bass is so prominent.

Metal build that is slightly heavy, but very ergonomic for me. Color and design will not be for everyone, while I think this is very classy. Uses the MMCX connector, not the biggest fan of this.



Comparison

Using Kbear 07 tips, cable on EA500 and Wan’er is XINHS 16 core copper and a XINHS 2 core SPC for SiE.
Both Simgot EA500 and LETSHUOER DZ4 are free units, so my take should be neutral between those two. SiE and Wan'er I bought at full price, SiE is also the most expensive of the 4.

I have mostly used my own files or Tidal, but I will provide a YouTube link for you to test.



Electronica from Germany, Epsilon has many releases I like. Not the most advanced track, but great for just seeing how the bass performs.

DZ4 had good bass even though the amount is not that much, sounds correct to me in the quality. What I noticed is that it plays better loud, and seems like the bass at low volume can have a weird resonance to it.
The vocals and the rest are also very clear and detailed.

Wan'er has more bass and more visceral, overall warmer sound than DZ4. The rest is more fuzzy and less detailed than DZ4.

EA500 is more on the cold side here, bass is tactile but lacks in amount so you don't get impressed. Lots of detail, maybe more than DZ4.

SiE is warm sounding, bass is absolutely the most with more air that is moving so you really feel the bass. Bass is softer and less impactful, it is on the slower side here. Detail is similar to DZ4, and above Wan'er.

My preference here:
1: SiE 2: DZ4 3: Wan'er 4:EA500



Deeply Disturbed is one of my favorites from Infected Mushroom, blends rock and electronica into a brilliant mix. Lots going on so will just focus mostly on rhythm and tonality, how well it handles them all together.

DZ4 does lack bass for this, the bass is not as full and feels hollow. Tonality is also too midcentric where it is actually a little tiresome. Overall resolution goes down since it can not handle some parts so well.

Wan'er has much better tonality for this, either due to it being a bigger and better dynamic driver or just the amount of mid bass. Slightly less detail going on, but a much more enjoyable tonality for this. Don't feel like it is too slow, but at the same time it lacks a little of the wow factor.

EA500 has also very good bass here, quality is maybe better than Wan'er but should have had a few dB more. Resolution is top notch, but also due to more forwardness and energetic sound it gets the most tiresome over time. Also has the blackest background of them all, so it sounds really clean.

SiE is epic for this, low end is spectacular and slams with authority. Never feels too busy, and has high resolving capability that is above DZ4 here. The sound is the most analog, maybe the one with the most thick warm sound that is bordering slightly towards darkness compared to the rest.

My preference here:
1: SiE 2: EA500 3: Wan'er 4: DZ4



Terrace Martin has some great releases within the jazz or jazz hop genre, this is no exception and is a superb album and track. He has a nice voice and has an old school vibe, like a 90s hip hop sound blended with jazz. The track is bass heavy with a thicker mid presentation, great vocals by Phoelix here.

DZ4 has a great low end, and the bass is not too prominent and makes his vocal stand more forward. The song uses a slow type of bass that rumbles, and DZ4 has no problem doing it.
Can clearly hear all the details in his vocals and the rest of the mix.

Wan'er is much thicker here, almost so the bass takes over more of the sound. His vocals lack a little detail compared to DZ4, just the little extra lacking. At the same time his vocal is slightly thick, and might be more fun for some.

EA500 lacks a little in the amount here, slightly less than DZ4. Not the quality, as the bass quality is great. Lacks a little fullness in his voice, it's a little thin sounding. Also the cymbal and the sparkle sound are sharp and unpleasant. This sharpness can be more of a problem for me, since EA500 hits a pain zone for me. While overall resolution is great and the best.

SiE has the most bass obviously. it is also the one who shows the most detail in the rumble, be it a little soft compared to DZ4. Sounds better than Wan'er on the vocal part, even if the low end is more boosted it does not drown the vocal. The sound here gives off more of a R&B or Hip Hop sound, really fun while maybe not as correct as DZ4.

My preference here:
1: SiE 2: DZ4 3 Wan'er 4: EA500



Very cool track from Emily King’s last album Special Occasion. Lots going on here and fun to keep playing track on repeat while comparing. Both instruments and vocals are very clear and present.

DZ4 is fun here, while personally I would have preferred more mid bass here. Her voice is superb with good detail, lots of nuances in both the slow and fast parts. The instrument parts have some nice organic sound to it, like how it sounds real and not metallic like some sets.

Wan'er has a much more correct amount of bass here, with also better quality than DZ4. It does the buzzed bass sound in a more detailed and pleasing way. Her vocals are also more forward in the mix than DZ4, more front row and in your face. This also shows more details for the vocal parts, while maybe the rest of the sounds are behind DZ4.

EA500 has the most clean and lean sound, crystal clear in fact. The bass is of very good quality and I would only have more of it. Her vocal has similar forwardness in the mix like Wan'er, with a little more resolution than Wan'er for her voice. Borderline to energetic sound here, get fatigued much faster due to it.

SiE has a thick presentation here, very addicting and fun. The sound is slightly dark, still very detailed anyway. Bass hits are seriously good, impactful on every hit. And that slow distorted bass part is great and even better than Wan'er. She has a lot of expression in her vocal while being slightly thick sounding, in a way it suits the song more.

My preference here:
1: SiE 2: Wan'er 3: DZ4 4: EA500



Tell Me is J-Pop by millet, I often use it to check female vocal, sibilance and overall energy.
Intense track, very in your face with the whole presentation. The more intense parts have lots going on, some sets get more congested make it a mess.

DZ4 has good control and doesn't sound that bright here, she has some sibilance to her voice. The amount is not bad, and the overall tuning is quite pleasing.

Wan'er has more note weight, and her vocal is slightly more forward. At the more intense part Wan'er is showing the sibilance more than DZ4.

EA500 is super clear for J-pop, but it doesn't go well with female vocals. The upper midrange is very energetic, and makes it the most fatiguing of them all. Sibilance shows the most of all the sets, at the same time it also has more presence in her voice. Showing every thing that comes out.

SiE is much thicker sounding than the rest, while still keeping great detail. Personally I find this tonality the most pleasing, but she also lacks presence for her voice. Hear the least sibilance of them.

My preference here:
1: DZ4 2: SiE Er 3:Wan'er 4: EA500



Grew up with this as one of my first CDs, and loved it while maybe Enter Sandman was my favorite.

DZ4 does the intro very well, the guitar is sounding full and detailed. Drums lack a little impact and fullness, cymbals also are a little hollow. His voice could have had a little more thick presence.

Wan'er with more mid bass makes this much more correct, but Wan'er has a problem with sharpness on many of the parts. Drums are better here due to the bass, also his singing. While it is behind on the guitar. Less detailed than DZ4.

EA500 has great detail, especially on the cymbal and the guitars The drums are very behind, and don't show much. Cymbal hits are painful, rings in my ears. Same goes for his voice, it has some insane forwardness on some parts.

SiE is what I love for Metallica, perfect on everything. Detailed, full, energetic and full head bang power. Only small part is that his voice lacks a little something on the presence part, even while being full sounding.

My preference here:
1: SiE 2: Wan’er Er 3: DZ4 4: EA500



Heavy metal and quite different from the style on the track over, Ritual is really cool and I love it.

DZ4 does this one better than Enter Sandman, it has a more full sound. His voice is super clean and detailed with good fullness. Cymbals lack a little and are almost hollow, I think this is something to do with not having good enough treble extension. While the guitar parts are nice, same for the bass part. In a way the sound is almost more analog and matches better than what I would believe. Maybe since this track is not as fast, with less going on than Enter Sandman.

Wan'er has less detail than DZ4, maybe just the cymbal has more air. His vocals are more forward, but lack the detail of DZ4. While good, the Wan'er lacks some of the DZ4 magic.

EA500 does this really well, the more energetic energy don't wreck my ears. But it lacks fullness, and sounds too thin. Super resolving, can hear everything like a microscope.

SiE is good here, but since the Ritual already is on the darker side the matching isn't perfect. But this is nit-picking, I still love SiE on this. Give a very thick presentation, and his vocal has some extra soul.

My preference here:
1: DZ4 2: SiE Er 3: EA500 4: Wan'er



GoGo Penguin has some great contemporary jazz, Bardo is a lively and busy track.

DZ4 has some really good tonality for this, a good balance of warmth and natural sound while never being peaky on the brighter piano parts.
Nice resolution, can clearly hear detail in everything from how the cymbals are hit to how the strings buzz.

Wan'er is softer in the sound, for example how piano notes lack the tactile notes and sound more rounded instead. Even easier to listen to than DZ4.

EA500 is competing against DZ4 on resolution here, overall sound is colder with more bite to it. Still sound quite natural, but don't have the more analog feel of DZ4.

SiE is the darkest of them, lacks some clarity of the rest. Bass does also take over much of the music.

Ranking for me on this 1: DZ4 2: EA500 3: Wan'er 4: SiE



Train to Kyoto is a complex and simple track, there are only two instruments playing tenor sax and double bass.
Mellow and slow, it is easy to listen after details in both the sax and double bass.

DZ4 has a mellow feel to this, smooth and relaxing. The stage also is quite deep and wide, the biggest of them. I like this very much.

Wan'er is the least detailed of them, with the stage being average and slightly under SiE. Maybe the best balance of mellow and clear presentation.

EA500 moves everything more forward in your face, like the stage is quite small. The double bass has so much detail, you can hear every vibration. Sax is also nice and detailed while it lacks a little of the more mellow feel that the other sets have.

SiE is not what I like here, I much prefer less bass for this. Reason being that the double bass gets too forward. Sax is very good with loads of detail, while lacking a little clarity. Stage is quite wide and detailed but under DZ4.

My preference here:
1: DZ4 2: SiE Er 3: Wan'er 4: SiE

A spider Graph of how I position it, it is very roughly done. Exaggerations done slightly to position them better.





Conclusion

I had a good time with LETSHUOER DZ4, I was expecting it to be a total wreck after all the passive radiator talk. But the truth is that DZ4 has a good tonality that goes well with many genres, not everything is a perfect match. I found the sweet spot for more easy music with less instruments going on, for example jazz trios are super. Most pop music is nice, be it from the west or j-pop/k-pop. Even some sub bass oriented IDM has been great.

Sound has an organic feel, and doesn't feel unnatural or artificial. Bass has great sub extension and okay amount, but lacks in amount of mid bass that makes some music thin. Midrange natural and well textured, both vocals and instruments are pleasing and detailed.
Treble is where it falls behind, lacking both energy and detail.
Only good thing about this is that the sound is never fatiguing, and it depends on person to person if it's a deal breaker.

According to my friend this is a budget LETSHUOER EJ70M, lacking the technicalities but give you a taste of it.

It is not a set that will destroy the competition, it doesn't do anything particularly wrong. Do I recommend it, yes if you don’t have any sets like this. Or you just want to test a triple DD setup, and want to see what it's about. The competition is strong around this price, so I doubt it will have a lasting impression in the community.
Ranking System

1 Very bad or unlistanable
2 Listenable but not good
3 Average
4 Very good
5 Exceptional or having a special sauce

Price can push something up or down half grade.

Going by this ranking system together with my deeper evaluation matrix.
From sonic standpoint I would give it 3 stars, and this is not bad. Since its new tech they are truing and price low it gets 3.5.

Introduction

This time, the LETSHUOER company seeks to innovate with a new IEM featuring an interesting driver configuration (3 dynamic drivers and 1 passive radiator), all while entering the sub-$100 USD segment. Let's see what the LETSHUOER DZ4 have in store for us!



Video Review here

Previous Reviews here

If you wish to read this review in Spanish, click here


Disclaimers:

• LETSHUOER kindly provided me with this product for an honest review. You can find the DZ4 here: https://letshuoer.net/es/products/l...ngle-passive-radiator-edc-hifi-in-ear-monitor
• Analysis over 5 days - Sessions of approximately 2 to 4 hours
• All music is lossless (Qobuz > 16-bit - 44.1kHz)
• Gear Used: IFI Zen Air Can (AMP) + Fiio E10K (DAC)

Unboxing, Build & Comfort

To no one’s surprise, LETSHUOER offers us a sublime unboxing experience even in their products aimed at the budget range. The box has a unique design with vibrant orange accents. The presentation is visually pleasing, showcasing the IEMs in the upper section and the included case in the lower part, which will contain both the cable and the different silicone tips.



The DZ4 is, in my opinion, a beautiful pair of IEMs, with a plastic body in an unusual beige color that gives it a very elegant aesthetic touch, and a slightly textured metal faceplate with a lightning bolt-like design in its middle, revealing semi-open grilles in orange. I believe it's a well-achieved combination of sturdiness and lightweight. According to my rough measurements, the nozzle size is slightly larger than 6mm.







The driver implementation in this model consists of 3 dynamic drivers with 6mm titanium domes each and a passive radiator, also 6mm, which responds to the sounds produced by the dynamic drivers using the air pressure created to generate resonance and assist in the bass region. The dynamic drivers interact through a two-way crossover and all deliver their sound through four channels of acoustic tubes.

Accessories are also a strong point in LETSHUOER's products. The cable of the DZ4 is lightweight and pliable, made of silver-plated copper with 4 cores and 216 strands, and it has a 0.78mm 2-pin type connector. For those who have tried the cable of the S12 PRO, I feel that the company listened to the criticisms about the weight of that cable and managed to correct it excellently in this release.



The included silicone tips come in 2 types: some called vocal tips, with a narrower bore, and others balanced tips, with a neither wide nor narrow bore, one could say it's a "standard" size. There are 6 pairs in total, comprising 3 pairs of each variety.



Last but not least, the provided case is a nice addition. It is made of rubber-coated plastic and has a good size to store the IEMs along with their cable. One small criticism I have is that I think the interior should be lined with some foam or similar material to cushion and protect the IEMs from impacts. Additionally, the material used on the exterior easily gets dirty just by touching it.



The comfort of the DZ4 is good with a decent seal using the provided tips. Their low weight makes them comfortable to wear for several hours, but I find that they protrude more than I usually prefer. Nevertheless, I would say it's a comfortable in-ear to use.



Frequency response description


Credits: Hobby Talk

• Signature leaning towards neutral
• Lower frequencies focused on subbass. Gentle bass
• Neutral mids following the new IEF Neutral target, with only a lift at the upper end of the spectrum
• Treble with "mellow" peaks

Subjective sound description

Bass

With a tuning focused on the subbass region, songs like "7th Dimension" by Koan Sound create a very pleasant rumble sensation. The subbass has a decent extension and appreciable impact.

However, when it comes to the bass frequencies, I find them more attenuated and gentler. The bass during "Follow" by Martin Garrix lacks the punch I can find with other earphones. It's a matter of personal preference, but I feel that this area could be improved. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean that the bass is entirely absent; in fact, it is fast and precise, but its presentation leaves me wanting a bit more.

For those who are Heavy Metal lovers like myself, the bass and drum kicks take a backseat in this genre, giving the spotlight to the guitars and singers and kind of “hiding” those instruments behind in albums such as Iron Maiden's "Powerslave" and AfterLife's "Five Finger Death Punch."

The differentiation between bass and subbass is well appreciated, although at times, it can be confusing when sounds from both ranges are reproduced together. In Tove Lo's "Kick In The Head", the bass notes play before a powerful subbass sound. I find that the transition between how the sounds are reproduced could be better represented, but I can still notice the difference between the two.


Mids

In summary, the DZ4 aims for a neutral midrange. Both male and female voices have a natural timbre. Male voices are reproduced smoothly but may appear somewhat subdued compared to the more vibrant and characterful presentation of female voices.

In the introduction of the song "Flaca" where Andrés Calamaro sings along with a higher-pitched backing vocalist, it can be noticed that the backing vocalist's voice can overpower the main artist due to the nature of their voice.

During "Billie Bossa Nova," Billie Eilish maintains a lower midrange tone that can also slightly mitigate her voice in the presence of the bass and acoustic guitar.

On the other hand, high female registers, like Adele's during the chorus of "Someone Like You," really bring her voice forward, making it the protagonist. The warmth in her tone is noticeable but not overwhelming.

Moving on to the instruments, during "Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104: II. Allegretto moderato" - Jean Sibelius by the Oslo Philharmonic, I noticed a proper articulation among the entire orchestra. The winds sound full-bodied in this piece, while the strings have less bite in this particular piece. In "Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39: IV. Finale. Quasi una fantasia" by the same artist, the violins come forward a bit more but still fall a bit short in conveying the sensation that each note should have. To a lesser extent, this also happens with the harp here. On the other hand, horns and trumpets make a strong presence with good definition and clarity, considerable weight, and an organic timbre, thanks to the elevation in the upper mids.

Precisely in the mentioned upper midrange, electric guitars gain a greater tactile sensation in their notes. In "Deceiver, Deceiver" by Arch Enemy, they retain a level of detail above average during the solo at the 1:50 mark, without becoming aggressive at any moment and even showing a hint of warmth in their reproduction.




Treble

Up to this point, the tuning comes quite close to my sound preferences. However, LETSHUOER opted for treble that is, I would say, overly cautious.

In songs like "Black Magic" by Slayer, the cymbals suffer from a somewhat strange timber and significantly attenuated highs due to the signature, making them a bit dark for my taste. This affects and reduces the definition of cymbals and bell like sounds.

After listening to "Bicycle Race" by Queen several times, I also notice that the interval where various bicycle bells sound tries to be gentle with our ears by lowering the level of brightness these sounds can have. I can see situations where this more relaxed treble could be useful, but it's a pity that it comes at the cost of losing details and crispness.


Soundstage & Imaging

The soundstage was adequate in terms of width and depth, nothing to fault in this aspect. It allowed me to enjoy songs from "Queen at Live Aid," giving me a good sense of how far back the drummer was from Freddie and roughly estimating the distance of the accompanying guitar.

However, the imaging is a different story. The instrument separation is more compressed than I would prefer. During "The Trooper" on the album "Live After Death" by Iron Maiden, the guitarists tended to blend together despite being separated on the stage. So, the imaging is decent, but I know there are budget IEMs that do better in this regard.


Quick comparison vs 7Hz Salnotes Zero



Surprisingly, and luckily for me, the DZ4 has a similar tuning to the Zero, IEMs that received great praise from myself due to their excellent price-to-performance ratio.


Credits: Hobby Talk

So, after a comparative testing between both, I found:

• Rumble and definition of the subbass is more satisfying in the DZ4.
• Both sets leave me wanting more bass.
• DZ4 and Zero present organic mids with a similar timbre, although the DZ4 brings instruments slightly forward in the upper mid frequencies like electric guitars.
• The Zero "wins" in terms of treble reproduction, having more brightness and detail, which I appreciate, but without being overwhelming. On the other hand, the darkness of the LETSHUOER IEMs can be useful for those seeking to listen to music with a high amount of treble for longer periods.
• Soundstage and imaging are almost equal. In imaging, I lean slightly towards the DZ4, and in soundstage, I feel the Zero achieved a greater sense of depth.

The DZ4 is a clear improvement in terms of build compared to the Zero. Regarding technicalities, I would say that the DZ4 is a sidegrade, not offering a significant leap in performance. However, the darker treble of the DZ4 might be something to consider for users who found the treble of the Zero too bright or sibilant.


Conclusion



After listening to this set, I was left with some questions: What motivated the use of 3 small-diameter dynamic drivers instead of one or two larger ones that might have helped with the bass? And on the other hand, what was the reason behind the odd timber of the treble? Could the passive radiator have had something to do with it?

These doubts that arose do not take away merit from this IEM, which has a pretty balanced tuning aiming to be relatively neutral and performed well with the various musical genres I tested them with.

Edit: updated my rating (downgrade from 4 to 3.5) after making extensive testing between the 3 sets that LETSHUOER kindly provided me to review.