LETSHUOER Mystic 8

TONALITY: 8.2/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8.8/10
TIMBRE: 8.5/10
SOUNDSTAGE: 8/10
IMAGING: 8.5/10
CLARITY: 8.2/10
MUSICALITY (subjective): 7.8/10 (really depend music style)
CONSTRUCTION: 8.5/10
ACCESSORIES: 8.5/10
SOUND VALUE: 7.8/10

INTRO

Letshuoer is an IEM company from China that was founded in 2016. They are very experienced and offer a wide range of IEM from budget to high end.

This is a serious company that learn from experience and invest lot of time and research in tuning and acoustic engineering, which pay off with IEM like their tribrid EJ07, their famous planar S12 or lately their even more polished and mature musicality like the Cadenza4, and the S12 2024, a favorite of mine with EJ07M.

Today I will review their latest high end model, the Mystic 8. Priced 989$, it’s a 8 balanced armature using 4 knowles BA and 4 sonions BA.

Letshuoer describe the Mystic 8 as follow:
‘’LETSHUOER presents the innovative Mystic 8 In Ear Monitors featuring a unique Myst series design that includes a phantom Cat pattern on the face covers. The black lines symbolize the cat, silver patterns evoke mist, and the white faux diamond inlay reflects 'starlight through the mist.' Entirely made up of high-quality Titanium Alloy material, the Mystic 8 IEMs bring together 8 Balanced Armature Drivers on each side—four high-performance units from Knowles and four from Sonion—the Mystic 8 has undergone an intensive two-year development process focused on achieving unparalleled sound precision. To achieve the desired sound signature without distortion, the Mystic 8 employs a three-way crossover circuit in conjunction with four acoustic tubes. It ensures accurate frequency distribution and minimal phase distortion, resulting in a seamless listening experience. Additionally, the integration of a low-pass filter module with the acoustic tubes enhances bass depth and dynamics, promising a deep, impactful lower-end response. This approach effectively isolates the bass frequencies from the rest of the audio spectrum, ensuring clarity and preventing unwanted overlap. Letshuoer Mystic 8 IEMs deliver a mesmerising listening experience with ultimate design and professional tuning!! Explore your favorite music in an all-new level of performance with the LETSHUOER Mystic 8!!’’

Let's see in this review if the Letshuoer Mystic 8 achieves its goal to deliver a clear and precise musicality free of harshness, and well, if it will mesmerize my subjective ears too.

CONSTRUCTION-ACCESSORIES

The construction of Mystic 8 is very exotic, it’s all made of a CNC alloy shell that doesn’t feel easy to scratch and has a smooth finish. There's an intricate back plate that will be hit or miss depending on your aesthetic taste. Personally I love cats so it's up my alley, but the inner metal plate seems a bit prompt to finger print and hard to properly clean.
The 2 pin connectors are straight and not recessed, yet they are very very tight and I barely break the cable pin at the first connection attempt so be cautious.
Ergonomic wise, they fit like a glove, they have an organic shape with an angled nozzle that is average in length. I don’t think these are thinked of as a deep fit. Isolation is above average too, due to metal shells as well as not having a back venting hole or grill.



The included cable seems of great quality, but 2 pin connectors are too high so I tend to use other cable. It’s quite thin and has a light braided cable. It’s a silver plated monocrystal copper cable that tends to offer clean and crisp transmission.



Then the unboxing experience feels like a jewellery box and we literally have jewels included: a nice chain and ring. 100% 26 carat gold! (joking, i have no idea of the material, most likely stainless steel).
Presentation is very nice and makes the consumer feel he indeed buys a luxurious product.
We have a nice metal carrying case, generous amount of eartips (i suggest short wide bore) and the cable.

All in all, construction feels high quality as well as accessories, and for those sensitive to box presentation, this is another plus to add.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS



The Mystic 8 is a neutral sounding IEM, but not a plain cold one and not an analytical spiky beast. It’s smooth in balance with a focus on midrange and treble, as well as slight sub bass boost which doesn’t rumble a lot, nor dig deep, this bass tends to feed substance of instruments and vocal more so than adding big punch or long sub bass resonance.

We are into a refined ‘’jack of all trade, master of none’’ territory, which will please mature listeners as well as those seeking a set that can be as good for monitoring music than enjoying it.

It’s a technical IEM taking full advantage of its 8 balanced armature without playing the easy wow effect game, which can impress at first but become tiresome if upper mids or upper treble is too boosted and ultimately, unbalanced.

It’s evident the Mystic 8 was meticulously tuned to deliver a clean and clear sound without abusing spiciness of treble, mid range is focused but nothing stole the show of other frequencies. It’s not an edgy sounding IEM, the definition is in fact softened and macro dynamic fully rounded. Don’t expect crisp super sparkly and airy musicality, even if the soundstage is impressive in width, you don't have plenty of air around the instrument, presentation is intimate in that regard.

The bass is speedy and lean with a light punch. Sub to mid bass has minimal warmth in sustain release that adds a hint of weight but there is no big slam nor long rumble sustain.
Bass lines are well extracted but a bit compressed and don’t release deep, it’s one of main con with these, bass lines feel one tone, you’ll not read them properly. Double bass is muffled in extension, electric bass feels distant too. Yet the attack bite and texture is there, more so than for kick drums which get an envelope of warmth around its definition.
The kick drum is more tactile and weighty than detailed and sharply defined, attack release is short and diffuse, which don’t highlight clarity of it’s definition.
Even if double bass is cut short in extension, the Mystic8 do well with a lot of genres like jazz, rock, pop and classical. It’s not really enjoyable for electronic and big beats, both basshead and bass lover will be underwhelmed by the dynamic energy and overall performance of bass quality. This is lukewarm territory, with minimal mid to sub bass boost to offer a potent slam, that sometimes feel a bit out of place in terms of dynamic heft since both mids and treble are more lively as well as more agile. At least, this isn’t a ‘’no bass’’ IEM, it’s a politely boomy one. My guess is that it uses only one BA woofer. Only multi BA I enjoyed the bass was using 2 Knowles or Sonion BA woofers. While the low end of Mystic isn't anemic and offer potent vibrant slam when (very) needed, it aint an headbanger nor very enjoyable, it's there to add minimum ''oomph'' so this do good for pop, rap (not trap rap), R&B, indie and soul.
Just don't buy these if your obsession is bass, for this, i would suggest their EJ07M, S12 2024 or even S08.

Then the star of the show is the mid range, and this isn’t just about upper mids and presence brightness and clarity boost here, it's both open and full sounding and I do think it’s the ‘’mystical’’ part of Letshuoer musical target goal. Both male and female vocals are wide in presence with a notch of lushness to it that doesn't make it too buttery to the point of affecting transparency and layering of center stage instruments. Nor it’s too upfront and sharp to the point of being shouty or sibilant, it’s lively without going fatiguing or dominating treble and bass. Main vocal and instrument have enough air around them, even if the definition isn’t crispest nor have wide space between 3D spatiality. The texture is barely uncolored, we have minimum air vibrancy that densify and enrich timbre without losing intelligibility of tone, words or harmonics. In chamber classical, I don't struggle to follow each violins line, but it would need active listening since it’s not an analytical sounding IEM, more like a ‘’romantic monitor’’. Female vocals are beautiful whatever their range, Charlotte Day Wilson have enough lower mids to embody it’s lush vibrant voice, Arianna Savall has all it’s soprano range well covered without the shouty piercing peak that can occur with overly boosted upper mids-lower treble. In fact, the upper mids are dry here, so this permits us to have enough energy without being overly rounded and smoothed.
The Mystic8 is a piano specialist too, another proof it excels in mid range. Lower note sound full and vibrant with fast decay, natural resonance is perceivable too, we have weight of attack without too much warmth, then if we go at other side of upper range, it don’t sound unbalanced and too loud like with most IEM boosting upper mids above 10db, piano is not spiky sounding, it’s natural and agile. Those 7 BAs for mids and treble really help to layer effortlessly all piano notes whatever their speed, same goes for violin, saxo, guitar.
Listening to choral is real joy too, again due to this macro layering fluidity and wide presence that envelope the listener. If, like me, you tend to dislike concert hall-like musical experiences that make everything sound distant, the Mystic 8 will offer a different flavor of holographic musicality that might charm you.
But don’t expect pinnacle of excitement either, it’s an overall laid back and mature mid range that focuses more on tone correctness than dynamic fun. This is why I enjoy those IEM mostly with bass-less music. From folk, to classical, to jazz, to country, to world music, to solo instruments of all types, this IEM shines with acoustic music.

When it comes to treble, it’s smooth without being dull and we barely-i underline barely-get some balanced armature sparkle! Which alas is impossible even with priciest multi-BA IEMs i tested like 64 audio U18T. Only ESTs and excellent DDs can deliver this. And I'm dead serious about this since I'm a sparkle and brilliance lover owning 300 IEMs including 10 tribrid with (sonion) ESTs.
This means the highs are fast and snappy with a notch of brilliance that benefit acoustic guitar and percussions naturalness. It’s a textured treble too, as well as richly layered. You don’t struggle to follow the percussion line, they have their own space to unleash their pace freely. Those percussions are clear and rich in texture, a bit more so than both bass and mids, their definition is more sharpened but never go fatiguing nor plain distracting.
Listening to singer playing acoustic guitar is pure bliss with Mystic 8, i can’t get enough of Gillian Welch with those, vocal and guitar is so well define and layered, when i do so with numerous other IEM their were always a trade off and sparkle can be a con in this case if it’s all we get from thin guitar line…this isn’t the case with Mystic8, guitar is full sounding, have bite, isn’t too greasy with lower mids and has sharp attack with as said minimal sparkle release and brilliance, it’s bright and crunchy in most refined manner you can think off. natural resonance does occur like with piano, a sign of good treble extension: non spiky way.
This soft treble response mean instrument like violin will lack a bit of attack lead energy, i can say the same for clavichord though here it sound full and realist, and mostly lack it’s natural sparkle release, even if we go hint of crisp brilliance like it does for upper range ringing cymbals. Without this minimal upper treble energy, Mystic will lack air and sense of openness and treble would be too sleek for proper macro dynamic rendering, which thankfully it’s not the case. One thing for sure, these aren’t for treble head seeking crazy among of shiny micro details, better bet on tribrid with EST like Letshuoer EJ09 for this task.
What the Mystic treble excell at is pulling out full layers of sound info, from synth pads to well rounded and textured percussions, this permit a multi-layered spatiality with a lot of sound info that live their own transient dynamic, all well balanced within a musical neutrality.

The imaging is quite good and as noted offer an excellent macro layering of fully bodied instruments and sounds, it’s not pristine analytical monitoring imaging, the definition edge isn’t sharp enough for this, nor the space between instruments large enough. Instrument layers tend to slip on each other with enough transparency so we can discern each of them, but you don’t get a ‘’night vision’’ readability of sound info, positioning seems nearer to each instrument than it would be in a real studio or concert hall.

This explains the unique soundstage we get too, it’s wider than taller and deeper, there is a sense of holographic positioning that surrounds you as if you were very near the band. Mid range isn’t recessed but gently forwarded, your part of the music laid back, not like your jamming and headbanging with other musicians. The ear tips greatly inflict on how intimate the soundstage will be, short wide bore tend to widen more the spatiality and is the most appealing musical engagement i find.


COMPARISONS

VS ORIVETI OV800 (8BAs-1000$)

The OV800 is warmer and more V shaped, the bass has more weight and punch and more vibrant sub bass too, it’s more realistic and coherent with overall tuning too. But warmer, boomier and more euphonic too.
The Mystic is more neutral to mid centric, with lighter dynamic and notably thinner and less bodied bass.
OV800 mids are warmer and darker, less clean and open, less wide and transparent in presence. Oddly, they are more prompt to sibilance too. Overall clarity is notably inferior as well as attack control is more diffuse and euphonic (even with 0.1ohm of impedance source).
When you go to Mystic, it’s like pulling off a fog blanket, you can perceive each instrument more clearly, and pianos are less muddy in attack-release. Saxo and vocalists have more air around them as well as wider presence. Instruments are richer in texture too and upper mids are softer.
The OV800 treble is darker and splashier. Mystic is so superior in this department, we have more air, more micro details, faster and snappier attack…just from another league.
Imaging is logically way superior, we have blacker background, more spacious positioning, better instrument definition and clarity.
Soundstage is wider and deeper with Mystic, while a bit taller with OV800.

Their zero doubt the Mystic8 is way superior in technical performance, from imaging to soundstage to level of clarity to attack control, it all feels like another league. As for musicality, Mystic is more neutral and a notch colder, it’s not as dynamic nor as punchy.

VS LETSHOUER EJ 09 (1DD+4 BAs+4EST-1200$)

The EJ09 is notably brighter, more W shaped in balance and analytical in resolution. It’s more vivid in dynamic, punchier and more textured in bass, thinner and less natural in mids and way crisper, sparklier and generous in micro details in treble.

Bass has more mid bass focus and punch, it’s less warm in rendering and sub bass digs deeper, leaner, cleaner. Mystic 8 offers a lighter yet dense sub bass boom and slam, with darker and leaner mid bass punch.

Mids are crisper and more open with EJ09, but they are harsher, more prompt to sibilance and edginess, tone is less bodied and natural and instrument presence is more compressed. Upper mids are more boosted as well as loudness of presence. Let's say if I would gladly suggest Mystic for vocal lovers, I wouldn't with EJ09 which is more artificial sounding, less coherent in the mix of tone and timbre of different drivers used.

Then the treble is way sharper and revealing with EJ09, sense of speed and immediacy is more highlighted, micro details are crisper and more upfront, percussions can feel overly forwards unlike smoother balance of Mystic. It’s thinner highs too, and we have more metallic shine, but brilliance and sparkle lover as well as treble head will have more to bite in with EJ09, which overall technicalities is better though not as good in balance.

Imaging is crisper and more precise with EJ09, we don’t have BAs blooming around instrument presence and we have more air around the instrument.

Soundstage is taller and deeper with EJ09, while wider with Mystic.

All in all, EJ09 is a technical beast and both bass and treble performance is notably superior-better define and resolve, cleaner and speedier. Yet musicality wise the Mystic 8 wins in terms of even balance and multi drivers coherency, mid range is superior in fullness and number of sound layers that release their presence dynamism, timbre is more natural and note weight is heavier.

VS KIWI EARS ORCHESTRA LITE (8BA-260$)

The Lite is slightly similar to the OV800, oddly, i would say it’s an upgrade at 740$ less too. So, it’s more V shape and punchier, with a lusher and more energetic mid range, which make the Mystic sound notably leaner and more U shape too.

I’m surprised to confirm the bass performance is both superior in quantity and quality, which underline the benefit of using 2 BA woofer. The lite has rounded weightier punch and more vibrant sub bass which is faster and better layered too, you don’t feel it’s detached like it can happen with Mystic. This is quite incredible to get this BA bass performance at such a low price.

Then the mids are thicker and louder, but BA timbre is more evident and texture has unwanted noise artefact. It’s not as clean and organic sounding as the Mystic, nor as transparent and crisp. Sound layers are more opaque which affect perception of multiple layers in center stage. Nonetheless I love the vocal and overall instrument of Lite, even if it is warmer and a bit more compressed in the middle of stage.

Then the treble is where superiority of Mystic is evident, attack is more splashy with Lite, micro details aren’t as sharply defined and mix up in macro dynamics. Their way less sparkle and brilliance too as well as air on top.

Imaging is clearer, more transparent and more defined in separation with Mystic.

Soundstage is wider and taller but less deep with the Lite.

All in all, no doubt sound value winner is the Lite here, though the limitation of cheaper balanced armature (apart from bass which use 2x knowles 22955 woofer) is evident in terms of timbre naturalness and attack control. The Mystic is smoother in balance, better resolved, cleaner and more natural in mid range and notably more articulated and snappy in treble response, which underline you have to pay a lot to get slight extra sound benefit return, mostly found in musical refinement, fine detailing and technical performance upgrade.


CONCLUSION

While the musicality doesn't fully appeal to my personal taste in terms of macro dynamic energy and engagement, there is no doubt the Mystic 8 is very well tuned IEM and offers a high fidelity sound performance.

Even with the slight sub bass boost, I consider those neutral sounding, and would never suggest them to bass lovers nor to treble heads. This might not be a very fun sounding set, but it’s not dead boring at all to, as noted, bass offer light but vibrant slam when needed.

The real highlight of Mystic is it’s open and natural mid range, vocal lover will be well served since it covers all range of vocalist, as well, female vocals don’t go shouty but blossom widely in the stage.

This makes the Mystic very appropriate for acoustic music lovers too, from piano to sax to violin and even acoustic guitar, its effortless macro layering permits all types of instruments to cohabit together without mixing their colorful identity. The tone is right, the presence is dense enough too, the dynamic avoids being overly lean as well, offering a musicality that you are part of but can contemplate passively too.

Letshuoer carved their musicality to achieve a refined neutrality where the mid range fully embrace the listener and open like a wide tapestry you can get lost in for hour without hearing fatigue. It achieve this without going plain cold or dull musicality, the dynamic is polite but still lively enough and those 8 balanced armature aren't there for gimmick, this kind of holographic center stage where all sound layers flow effortlessly wouldn't be possible with single dynamic driver nor a 3 or 4 BAs IEM.

As a long time fan of this company, it's fascinating to see how well they evolve in term of balance fluidity, far are the day of overly spicy tuning. The Mystic 8 is a logical evolution from Cadenza 4, in the sens it don't seek to force wow effect with easy treble or bass boost trick, it aim their own elegancy of high fidelity audio and a diversify catologue of sound signature that can please everyone.

-----------------------------------


PS: I want to thanks Letshuoer for this review sample. I want to thanks them for letting me 100% independant too. This is more rare than we think. Like all my IEMs, i would be happy to loan these to kind hearthed canadians.

You can give a check to their website here, the Mystic 8 should be available to buy sooner than later:
https://letshuoer.net/products/lets...em-hifi-earphones-8-ba-drivers-in-ear-monitor

thaslaya's star rating system:
☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!
☆☆☆☆ - Recommended
☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer:
This product was provided to me by Letshuoer in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thanks to Sherry for coordinating this set for review.

Non-affiliate link for those interested:
https://letshuoer.net/products/lets...em-hifi-earphones-8-ba-drivers-in-ear-monitor

Gear used:
●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
●Softears S01
●Hiby FC4
●Kiwi Ears Allegro
●Letshuoer DT03
●Dunu DTC480
●BLON V1
●iFi xDSD Gryphon
●Snowsky Retro Nano
●iFi GO link Max

Source:
●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:
Letshuoer produces many well-received IEMs in various price brackets. Within the last year, I have reviewed the S08, S12 (2024), and most recently, their flagship, the Cadenza 12; all three received high scores from me. The Mystic 8 is Letshuoer's latest release and the first in their new "Myst" series. It features an eight-balanced armature driver configuration (four Sonion and four Knowles) and has a price tag of $989. Let's break down this new Letshuoer IEM and see if it can do enough to set itself apart in an increasingly crowded market.

Build, fit, ergonomics:
Letshuoer IEMs typically have a nice unboxing experience, and the Mystic 8 is no exception. The packaging is well-designed and premium-looking, in line with a product costing around $1,000. The shells are made of CNC titanium alloy with a shiny black finish. Each faceplate features a three-dimensional design with a cat in the foreground and some white/silver swirls behind it. According to Letshuoer, "the black lines on the shell represent the cat, while the silver patterns symbolize the misty veil. The white faux diamond inlay carries the meaning of the starlight beyond the dispersed mist." I think that the packaging and shell design effectively communicate the theme, and it showcases Letshuoer's creativity. The shell is on the small side, fits comfortably, and features a flat, 2-pin connection. It is durable and has a nice weight to it, but it does not feel heavy in the ear. I'd say the insertion depth is average, but I would welcome a slightly deeper insertion. The nozzle measures 6.2 mm at its widest point, where there is a slight lip for the tips. I am unsure if there are any vents, perhaps through the faceplate somewhere, but I did not experience any pressure buildup. The package includes an 8-core silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable. It is thin, much thinner than my usual preference, but to its credit, it is soft, lightweight, pliable, and nicely braided. I have to admit that I am disappointed it is not modular, especially from Letshuoer, which often includes them with some of their much lower-priced IEMs. I used the stock cable for testing, as it offers excellent ergonomics and effectively disappears when in-ear. Nine pairs of silicone tips are included in three different varieties. I opted for the clear tips with black cores, preferring them to others I own, which is pretty rare. The case is an interesting take on the puck style; it has a metal bottom portion with a rubber top. It does feel a bit like Tupperware, but I appreciate Letshuoer trying something different, and in this case, I think it works. They also included a ring and necklace, which is unique but not very practical for me. I do not wear much jewelry, and I would rather the expense went into a modular cable, although I understand the "collectible" nature of this inclusion. A cleaning cloth and cleaning tool round out the accessory package.

Sound impressions:
I would describe the overall tuning of the Mystic 8 as neutral. Like really neutral. In fact, it is probably the most neutral-sounding IEM I have heard to date; yet, the tuning is so well done that it does not sound boring or unengaging. The note weight is about average, perhaps leaning slightly toward the thicker side, which I definitely prefer. It is not a very hard set to drive and can reach very high volume from a simple dongle. The detail retrieval is strong, yet it does a great job of striking a fine balance between clinical and musical. The soundstage is decent, but not expansive. It makes good use of the entire stage, but lacks some depth and fullness; however, it makes up for this with the amount of space it entails. The timbre is very natural and organic. The imaging is superb and impressive, and it is a big strong suit of this set. The dynamics are not particularly strong, and it performs okay at lower-volume listening, but the bass, which was already tame, falls off pretty hard. The separation and layering are another standout feature, especially with instruments.

The Mystic 8 is one of the most source-sensitive sets I have heard. It is very much like a chameleon at times and takes on slightly different characteristics from each new source. When paired with the Hiby FC4, it adds a bit of depth to the soundstage and made the bass more impactful and robust. The Dunu DTC480 brings the midrange more forward and adds a certain smoothness. However, I think the best pairing among those I tested is the iFi GO link Max. It adds just a touch of warmth and bass impact and enhances some of the inherent musicality without skewing the overall neutrality of the tuning.

●Lows - The bass is a bit more sub- than mid-bass focused. It is very resolving and capable but does have somewhat of a typical BA bass response. The texture is a bit dry, and the impact and slam are more on the polite side. The extension does not reach super low, but it is still capable of exhibiting a decent sub-bass response, especially for an all-BA set. However, it lacks some rumble and reverberation and the decay is a bit short which can sound somewhat unnatural at times. The speed is quite quick and double bass kicks are easily discerned. There's also no bleed into the midrange to my ear. Overall, the Mystic 8 definitely has one of the more capable BA bass implementations I have heard, but I would welcome more quantity, a deeper extension, and a bit longer decay for my usual preferences.

●Mids - This is where the Mystic 8 gets magical, and it's without a doubt my favorite aspect of the tuning. The mids are simultaneously forward but remain balanced with the other frequencies, keeping that neutral flavor. Vocals are not shouty or too in your face, but neither do they sound recessed. Both male and female vocals are equally well-represented. They could even come forward a bit more for my usual preferences, but that would betray the neutrality of the tuning. Instrument reproduction is sublime, especially on jazz, but the lower midrange does lack a little body on things like cello in orchestral arrangements. The entire midrange is just fantastic; it sounds clear and natural without any coloration and is very enjoyable.

●Highs - One of my main concerns with any neutral set is that they often sound too bright due to the lower bass shelf. I consider myself fairly treble-sensitive, and while the treble is outside my usual preference, I would still consider the Mystic 8 to lean more toward neutral than neutral/bright. The extension and air are more than adequate for me, but I am not sure it is enough for true treble enthusiasts. I wouldn't say the highs are super energetic, but they don't present as boring either. Unfortunately, it can come across a bit thin and wispy at times. While I didn't experience any true sibilance, there can be a little harshness on "s" and "sh" sounds, depending on the track. Cymbals, hi-hats, snares, and claps also have a certain edge and crispness that treble-sensitive listeners like myself may find a bit troublesome, but again, it is mostly track-dependent. Overall, I am pretty satisfied with the treble response, although I would be lying if I said I wouldn't appreciate it being a bit darker.

Comparisons: Credit to Super Reviews for the graphs.

●Dita Mecha ($900) - Here we have a single full-range DD versus an 8 BA configuration. Both sets have decent unboxing experiences and accessories. I'd give Dita's modular Churro cable the nod over the Mystic 8's cable, but the latter has a better tip selection and a sturdier case. Both have metal shells, but their designs are starkly different. The Mecha does feel a bit more durable, and the brushed matte finish seems better poised to withstand normal wear and tear. The Mystic 8's aesthetic is quite unique, and I personally think it is the better-looking of the two. The Mecha's shell is a little bigger, and the nozzle is a bit shorter. The Mystic 8 offers a better fit for me due to the shell shape and angle of the nozzle. Like their overall designs, the sound signatures of these two are also quite different. The Mecha is U-shaped with bold bass and an emphasis on the upper mids/lower treble. In comparison, the Mystic 8 lacks a certain amount of energy and engagement, as it pretty strictly adheres to a neutral tuning. The bass is probably where these two deviate most. Not only is the quantity higher on the Mecha, it also offers better sub-bass extension, more mid-bass warmth, and superior rumble and reverberation. The Mystic 8, though, does have slightly better resolution and speed, and a faster decay. The midrange is probably the strongest aspect of the Mystic 8's tuning. It has strong instrument timbre, and both male and female vocals are well-represented, with just enough emphasis to stand out. Personally, I like my vocals to be a bit more forward and prominent, with a touch of warmth and a certain soulfulness and musicality that the Mecha provides well. The midrange is a bit flatter on the Mystic 8 and lacks the same depth as the Mecha, although it does have a cleaner bass-to-midrange transition and a bit more lower-midrange emphasis. In the treble, the Mystic 8 continues that sense of neutrality and balance, while the Mecha has a bit more energy and emphasis in the lower and mid-treble, but also less air and extension. However, the more boisterous bass response of the Mecha serves as a great counterbalance to the added treble energy, and it actually comes across as less bright than the Mystic 8. Things like cymbals, hi-hats, and snares are a bit thinner and slightly harsh at high volumes on the Mystic 8 compared to the Mecha. As for the technicalities, the Mystic 8 has slightly better timbre, imaging, separation, and detail retrieval, whereas the Mecha offers superior dynamics, soundstage depth, and note weight. This matchup really comes down to tuning preference. The Mystic 8 adheres well to a neutral tuning, and the entire frequency response is very well-balanced, coherent, and enjoyable. But the Mecha hits many points of my preferred tuning. The bass is quite bold, with great rumble and reverberation; the vocals are more accentuated and forward, and the treble is rolled off with just a hint of sparkle and energy to keep it interesting. Add in a deeper and more immersive soundstage, and the Mecha is simply too good to ignore.
My pick: Mecha

●BGVP Phantom ($900) - These two have the same number of drivers but share only one driver type (2DD, 2BA, 2EST, and 2BCD versus 8BA). The Mystic 8's unboxing and packaging are better, but the overall accessories are about even, although the Phantom has a modular cable. Both sets have similarly sized shells, but I personally prefer the Mystic 8's more solid build quality and overall design. It also has a lip on the nozzle, and the fit is more comfortable for me. The sound signatures of these two are quite different. The Phantom is V-shaped and exciting, whereas the Mystic 8 is neutral, almost to a fault. The Phantom's bass is much more prominent and full-sounding, with deeper extension and rumble thanks to the combination of the DD and BCD. The Mystic 8 has a bit more mid-bass impact and is slightly more resolving, but it could definitely benefit from a bass boost to suit my preferences. The Mystic 8's midrange offers superior balance, with vocals positioned more forward and instruments retaining good presence without being overshadowed. However, the Phantom's portrayal of midrange instruments in orchestral and classical arrangements is unparalleled. While neither set's treble perfectly matches my preferences, the Mystic 8 is definitely better for me. It is not thin and ethereal like the Phantom, but it still has a certain zing and energy to keep it exciting and fun. It also offers superior treble extension and more air. Technically, the Phantom's bass and lower midrange have superior note weight; however, its upper frequencies become very thin, so I prefer the Mystic 8's more even note weight. The soundstage goes to the Phantom, as it offers superior depth and fullness. Detail retrieval, timbre, imaging, and separation are all slightly better on the Mystic 8, but the margin is small. This matchup comes down to a few factors for me. The Phantom's bass is great, and the BCD adds a nice depth and fullness. The BA bass of the Mystic 8 does not reach as low or rumble the same way; however, the Phantom's upper mids and treble do not sound right to me. There is a lot of brightness and thinness that is hard for me to overlook. Unless I were to use the Phantom for instrumental music only, the Mystic 8 is a better choice for me.
My pick: Mystic 8

●Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite ($249) - This is the comparison I was most looking forward to when I first demoed the Mystic 8 at CanJam last year. These two have the same eight BA driver configuration, and I was immediately reminded of the Orchestra Lite when I tried the Mystic 8 for the first time. The unboxing and accessories favor the Mystic 8. It has more premium packaging, a better stock cable, and a sturdier and more unique case, but both offer decent tip selection. The build quality and aesthetics of these two are quite different. The Mystic 8 has a titanium alloy shell whereas the Orchestra Lite is solid resin. The former is smaller and feels a little heavier, more solid, and more premium in hand. The Mystic 8 has a slightly longer nozzle that is better angled to provide a comfortable fit and seal. It is also vented to alleviate pressure build-up, which is one of my big complaints about the Orchestra Lite. As for overall tuning, the Mystic 8 is quite neutral, whereas the Orchestra Lite has a somewhat warmer, neutral tuning. The Orchestra Lite's bass has more quantity and more mid-bass slam and punch, but less sub-bass extension and can sound a little pillowy and soft at times. The Mystic 8 comes across as much more balanced between sub- and mid-bass with better resolution, a cleaner texture, and a superior transition from bass to mids. In the midrange, the Orchestra Lite's vocals are more to my liking. They are a bit more accentuated and are also warmer-leaning and more colored. However, the Mystic 8's vocals have superior balance, a more natural and mature presentation, and are clearly a level above in clarity and detail. The same applies to instruments as well, but the Orchestra Lite does have more body and weight in the lower midrange for things like cello that I find more enjoyable. While I wouldn't consider either to be bright, the Mystic 8 clearly has more treble emphasis and energy, and better extension and air. It's also more balanced across the entire tuning, although there is a hint of thinness on some tracks. The Orchestra Lite is a little rolled off and can sound somewhat muted, but there is no hint of sibilance or harshness, even in breathy vocals. On the technical front, the Mystic 8 surpasses the Orchestra Lite in almost every category. It offers better detail retrieval, timbre, layering and separation, and a wider and deeper soundstage. However, the Orchestra Lite does have slightly thicker note weight and a sense of musicality that I like. In conclusion, my initial thought that the Mystic 8 was very similar to the Orchestra Lite was flawed. While they do share a somewhat similar tuning philosophy, they are quite different in A/B comparison. One is warm and colored, while the other is the epitome of neutrality. The biggest difference for me is the mid-bass heft and warmth and the slight vocal emphasis offered by the Orchestra Lite. It's so much easier for me to enjoy, and that is one of the big reasons I hold it in high regard. To the credit of the Mystic 8, it does offer better clarity, resolution, and balance, as well as superior technicalities across the board. I know not everyone prefers a warmer tuning, and I appreciate both for what they offer; however, the Orchestra Lite wins out for me, if only by a small margin.
My pick: Orchestra Lite

●Softears Studio 4 ($450) - This might seem like an unfair comparison based on price, but both sets have an all-BA configuration, and they graph remarkably similarly. It's no surprise that the Mystic 8 offers a better unboxing experience and better overall accessories, although some may prefer the Pelican-style case of the Studio 4. As for build quality, the Mystic 8's metal shell is a bit heavier and more sturdy, while the Studio 4 is made of a lighter-weight resin. Both are very similar in shape and size, but the Studio 4 has a longer nozzle which also lacks a lip for tips. Their designs are quite different, although the Studio 4's normal black colorway would be closer to the Mystic 8. I personally prefer the Mystic 8's very unique aesthetic, but the Studio 4 is likely less polarizing. Both have very neutral tunings, but the Mystic 8 offers better extension on both ends and a certain engagement factor lacking in the Studio 4. From a purely quantitative point of view, both sets have a similar amount of bass, but the Mystic 8 is more balanced and even-kiltered with better resolution and texture. The low end of the Studio 4 cannot quite dig as low in the sub-bass, and it also has a bit more mid-bass presence with a slightly softer impact. In the midrange, the Mystic 8 presents a cleaner, more natural, and more organic quality to vocals and instruments. The vocals on the Studio 4 do not quite have the same natural timbre and maturity and are also a bit more accentuated, moving them away from truly neutral tuning. In the treble, the Mystic 8 continues its effortless neutrality and balance, while the Studio 4 sounds a bit rolled off and incomplete in comparison. The Mystic 8 sweeps the board in technicalities, but its biggest margin of victory is in the soundstage and the sense of depth and space around notes. The Studio 4 can sound almost claustrophobic during A/B comparisons. Overall, I find the Mystic 8 to be simultaneously more neutral yet more engaging and musical than the Studio 4. It performs better in almost every notable category and has a sense of depth, naturalness, and maturity that the Studio 4 simply cannot match.
My pick: Mystic 8

In conclusion:
There are those in this hobby that talk about hearing music "as the artist intended." While it may not be entirely possible, since everything is so subjective, I feel the Mystic 8 is about as close as one can get. It is bassy when needed, tonally uncolored, energetic and exciting when appropriate, revealing but not overly clinical—truly neutral in every sense of the word, as far as I am concerned. Now, the argument can be made that this style of tuning is not very "fun." Again, that is a subjective take, but one I somewhat agree with. I personally prefer a warmer, bassier tuning with a rolled-off treble response, but the Mystic 8 has impressed me during my testing, and I can still appreciate it for what it does well. The BA bass response is very good. Sure, there is not a ton of quantity here (we are talking about a neutral tuning, after all), but the quality is standout among other all-BA sets I have heard in the past. The midrange is where the Mystic 8 is strongest. It could use a little more emphasis on the lower mids, but the presentation of vocals and instruments is fantastic. There are some strong technicalities, including imaging, layering and separation, detail retrieval, and timbre. It does struggle a bit with dynamics, though. When paired with the right genres, which is pretty much anything not requiring a lot of bass emphasis, the tuning really shines. It is great for acoustic, jazz, instrumental, and OSTs. I would also recommend it for neutralheads, and it might be a good option to consider for mixing and gaming. One of the upsides to a neutral tuning done this well is the opportunity to EQ and tailor the tuning to your specifications. While I personally don't use EQ very often, I can confirm the drivers in the Mystic 8 are up to the task and take to it very well. Another draw of the Mystic 8 is its source sensitivity. Having an IEM in your arsenal with the ability to hear subtle differences in sources can make finding a certain synergy easier and more rewarding. While a neutral tuning wouldn't be my first choice, the Mystic 8 has a flair for making it enjoyable. Part of me wishes Letshuoer had made this the Mystic 9 instead (which would match the cat theme, too). Adding a single dynamic driver for the low end and increasing the bass would put this one more in line with my usual preference. As it stands, the Mystic 8 remains a unique and strong release but also one that could be more competitively priced. I think any lover of neutrality would be very happy to own it, and I'm excited to see what's in store for the future of Letshuoer's Myst series.

DISCLAIMER:

This set was provided by Letshuoer in exhange for my honest thoughts and opinions. I am reviewing this set based on my personal preferences so your mileage may vary.


You may want to watch my video here:




Otherwise, you can go ahead in reading my review.



WHAT’S IN THE BOX?


The unboxing is quite, yes, mystic. There is a mystic gift included, which looks to be a ring and a chain from a necklace. Both are silver finish, but I don’t think they are actual silver metal.


The new carrying case is also included. The new carrying case has an easy to open lid and seems to have an airtight seal. Underneath the mystery gift, you have three sets of eartips to suit your preference.


The cable is a silver plated monocrystalline copper. It feels like thin industrial rubber that is braided to perfection. This may not be your thing, but I dig the rubber feel on them.





BUILD and COMFORT



The comfort is amazing. The contours are snug and fit really well, at least for me. I do think that these would fit most ears since letshuoer is really good at making comfortable sets, except for a few.


The shell is made up of black alloy titanium shell, which makes them really clacky like marbles. It has a unique design that is hard to put into words, so go ahead and see my photos.




SETUP:

-Shanling M3X using UAPP, Hiby and stock player, Fiio Jm21, snowsky retro nano Dac Amp.

-stock cable

-stock eartips




SOUND PROFILE


A new beginning

It feels good to write again especially while listening to this beautiful set. A new beginning for me, and a new beginning for letshouer. I think this is their first all BA IEM using branded BAs from Knowles and Sonion. It has 8 BAs per side, and what a surprise. A three way corssover and frour way acoustic tubes for the tuning.The shells are made of titanium alloy. This thing is built to impress I tell you, not just on paper, but on the hand and on ears.


Voice

As a vocal lover, the Mystic 8 has to be one of the best sets to render female vocals with great realism and intimacy. The overall tonality does not come across warm because the tuck starts at around 100hz. This may not be for people who likes midbass or an overall punchy bass. However, because of the lack of midbass, it makes the mids very open sounding and makes the upper mids shine more. The result? Heavenly vocals with good nuance and space around it.


The lack

This seems to be a bold move from letshuoer in a way that, the trend in the recent tuning is moving in the direction of warm and bassy sets. Most collabs and releases sell more if they are warm and bassy. The new Meta tuning is even warm for my ears.


Going back to the Mystic 8, it does not have a lot of bass. The market audience is going to be smaller, just like the amount of midbass it has. I really wish it had a bit more, like even a Db or two. But I also think that if they do that, this is just going to be another “all rounder” set.


But does really sound lacking in the bass? I honestly dont think so. Well for midbass yes, but I think they did a great job in polishing the subbass hit. They sound quick and snappy. There is bass, but may not be enough for your preference.


Specialize

The more expensive the sets are, the more they specialize in something. That is one thing I noticed when I was in Japan trying out TOTL stuff. The Mystic 8 has a similar approach, although not quite TOTL in pricing. This is targeted for a specific audience, a niche, a specialty. The Mystic 8 specializes in vocals, both male and female. One of my favorite sets for vocals is the OG EJ07, I feel like the quality of the EJ07 carries through the Mystic 8. Well, it’s not a mystery, but my point is, I think they improved the EJ07 but with a different appoach. The Ej07 may sound a tad warmer because of the less forward treble. The Mystic 8 on the other hand does treble in a brighter way.


Open up


Less treble is resolving for me. I find sets that has less upper treble energy to have better or if not, have the best timbre especially on cymbal hits. This is what the Msystic 8 is doing, well kind of. It does not boost a lot of upper treble, and it makes the overall signature open sounding, paired with a lesser midbass, this thing opens up and gives you that airy stage. Perceveid 3d stage is there, but it gives more of that sense of width. Although the treble can come across forward, I honeslty do not feel they are piercing or sibilant. They are very well extended for my ears . I would have liked for it to have the EST treble finish at the tail end, but hey, I think they did a great job in tuning the treble in general.


Dazzled

It was honeslty hard for me writing this review, mainly because the mystic 8 keeps dazzling me with its sound quality. Every time i move on typing the next sentence, the Mystic 8 does not fail to get my attention with its nuanced and realistic vocal rendition. I pause, I listen, and I just don’t care what to do next at all. The mystic 8 has this quality to it that it gives you solace and comfort, that works for the sound and fit by the way.




PROS

- Clean Open Midrange

- well extended treble

- almost realistic female vocal reproduction

- wide and airy stage


CONS

-not a lot of stage depth

-lacking midbass punch

-techs could be better for the price



SCORING

-Please be reminded that my scoring is always based on its price range.


TUNING - 2.5

BASS - 2

MIDS - 3

TREBLE - 3

TECHS - 3


SCORE = 13.5

generally better than other sets. Very good for the price but the tonality might not match your preferences




Check my scoring here :


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15WhgCgiMzWfF3ccgB8SK5-Cg7m87kpIShtxsyg2u-AI/edit?usp=sharing



GRAB SCORE:

This is easy, I just rate the set whether I would grab them for listening. Very subjective.


- I will never touch this again


- I grab if I remember


- Can be part of my rotation


- I break my rotation and grab this one today


- *** rotation, I’ll listen to these for the whole week


- Im selling everything, I will only listen to these haha.



GRAB SCORE: 3

Yes, they dazzle me a lot, enough to break my rotation.




COMPARISONS


7th acoustics supernova

The Supernova comes with a warmer bass response, not at bass head levels, but relatively balanced. The mystic 8 is tuned neutral with very clean mids and vocals. Both have good mids. Get the supernova if you want a balanced tuning with good mids. Get the mystic 8 if you want a neutralish tuning with good mids



DUNU brain dance

The mystic 8 is going to be more expensive but I am comparing both because of the tuning. Both feature a Meta ear gain, wherein they peak around 3khz. Although the brain dance might look like bassier on graphs, they are more similar than different on listening. Both feature clean sounding mids, but the mystic 8 has a more natural timbre and presentation. The Brain Dance is brighter and emphasized treble more, whereas the Mystic 8 is smoother and has a more correct timbre.

OG EJ07

This is a set that I did not get a chance to review, but had a chance to audition. I thought vocals sound really good with the EJ07. I tried the EJ07m and kinda lava versions and I think they are nowhere close. Anyhow, if you want a cheaper alternative and a less forward treble, then maybe the EJ07. If you want a brighter and leaner bass, then the Mystic 8


Elysian Diva

I thought the Diva is one of those sets that handle female vocals like a Queen. However, the mystic 8 is almost twice as cheaper and is as good as the Diva in terms of cleanliness and finesse. Well, I would suggest you audition both. The Diva has a more natural approach and the Mystic 8 has a brighter tinge to its tonality.




FINAL THOUGHTS



The Mystic 8 is tuned neutral with a little bit of shine to the treble. It presents a subbass over midbass profile, very clean sounding mids, a smooth yet forward sounding treble. Technicalities are relatively great for the price, considering these don’t have ESTs. A very good set for vocal lovers.


The Mystic 8 is a specialty set that quenches your thirst for the best female vocal rendition in any IEM. It is well thought from the packaging, design, build and comfort, and the additional jewelry for your partner.


It puts me into some kind of trance when I listen to them. They may not be the best sounding, nor the most natural sounding set in its price range, but they surely are exquisite in its tonal delivery.


Thanks for reading/watching my review. Peace up.




==========================

WHERE TO BUY: non-affiliate:
https://letshuoer.net/products/lets...6uFMt0vzaDppMRzC28w9KR44KLe7g7f-QwkI6whYTTs_a



MY LIBRARY:

I grew up listening to 90’s music. Alternative, punk-rock, screamo, rap, Philippine OPM, Anime songs, JPOP, KPOP, metal, reggae and a lot more.

The artists I regularly listen to are:


Rock-Alternative-Metal

Incubus, 311, BMTH, Matchbox 20, The Goo Goo Dolls, Paramore, Polyphia, The Calling,, Babymetal, Metallica, Slipknot, Bon Jovi, Coheed and Cambria, Deftones, Red Hot, Green day,


OPM(Original Pinoy Music):

E-heads, Slapshock, Parokya, Urbanddub, Up Dharma Down, Bamboo, IV of spade, Kamikazee, Rivermaya


POP:

IU, Yoasobi, Yorushika, Milet, Reona, Maroon 5, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Taylor, Dua Lipa, Oliva Rodrigo, Billie Eilish


OTHERS:

Carpenters, Micheal Learns to Rock, Celine Dion, Bob Marley, Sitti, Daft Punk, Pink Floyed, Earth wind and fire, Amber rubarth, Sia, Yosi Horikawa


I listen to more, but I can’t just list them all here.haha. Just giving you an idea on what I listen.


Thanks for reaching here. Hope you enjoyed reading.

LETSHUOER Mystic 8 - Sound of Clarity

Disclaimer

I got Mystic 8 for free in return for a review, I am free to say whatever I want.

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

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

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







So what is LETSHUOER Mystic 8

This is the newest IEM from LETSHUOER, this is a high end model priced at $989. The Mystic is part of a new series from the Myst Series.

The Mystic 8 has driver configuration of 8 Balanced Armatures, all of them are branded drivers from Knowles (4) and Sonion (4). The Mystic 8 have been under development for two years, with carefully tuning to make it perfect for their vision.
The Mystic 8 has a total of 4 acoustic tubes together with a 3 way crossover circuit, this to get tuning how they want without distortion of the sound.
The model uses a low-pass filter module with acoustic tubes to make the bass deeper and more dynamic, this is also done to make the bass being well separated from the rest of the sound.

Instead of me mentioning about all the specs is better to copy some from the product page:

• Myst Series Design — Phantom cat
• 8 Balanced Armature Drivers
• Sonion + Knowles BA drivers
• Low-Pass Filtering Module
• Three-Way Electronic Crossover
• Four-Way Acoustic Tube
• Precision CNC Titanium Alloy Shell
• 8-Strand × 20-Core Single Silver-Plated Monocrystalline Copper Cable
• 0.78mm dual pin connector

https://LETSHUOER.net/products/LETSHUOER-mystic-8-wired-iem-hifi-earphones-8-ba-drivers-in-ear-monitor?srsltid=AfmBOoqpzYs5ZGKYyN3IBzH1t2jFQiuHQl1KxraZRRi_ERdMQjMlrhh2



The packaging and accessories are as great as always from LETSHUOER, this time they have included a new type of accessories that I really like. The box is also a nice unboxing experience without going over the top making the IEM more expensive.



The face plate has a 3D effect since the chrome plate lay deeper in the shell with the cat design above and around, the plate also reflects a lot so depending on angle or light the design is not that visible.

The black titanium alloy shell is a nice touch, at first glance it looks similar to resin shells. But immediately you can feel the solid material when picking them up, making it feel way more premium in the hand.

The design is very subjective, and for some this might look too much. Personally I love when brands think outside the box to make something special and unique, so the mythical cat creature is artistic and I appreciate it.

The design has some meaning with the black representing the Phantom Cat, and the silver part being the misty veil with the diamond being the star that lights up the mist.



The shell has ergonomic grooves and is not large, this is close to the exact same as the flagship Cadenza 12 or the cheaper model Cadenza 4. There is some subtle branding on the side, mine says DEMO as I have a review unit while customers will probably get a serial number.

The nozzle is thin with good length, I cannot see anyone getting problems with the fit of this set. But there will always be exceptions to this, as some have very different ears than others.



The accessories are really nice here, I love the new cable and storage puck. They match the design perfectly of Mystic 8, and are of good quality.

The storage puck is this time metal with a silicon lid, this seems to be air tight and make storing it very secure. Just beware if you live in a humid environment, then you should have a silica gel or something equivalent to remove moisture. The inside and underside of the box also have silicon material, so the IEM is very secure in the puck.

Then the cable, wow I love this thing. It is very sleek and minimalistic, the cable has perfect weight and size making it ergonomic. Only downside is that it can tangle more easily when rolled together, so you should use something like the rodeo wrap. But when rolled out it has no memory, has little extra length than many stock cables and non modular jack in 4.4mm. This is personal opinion but I prefer cables not being modular, as this is less prone to get damaged and should provide the best sound.
The cable also sounds really good, I see no reason to change this cable unless you have very high end cables.

Cable information from LETSHUOER:
Premium Silver-Plated Monocrystalline Copper Cable
Lossless Transmission
The Mystic 8 features a high-quality 8-core silver-plated monocrystalline copper
cable with 20 strands, each measuring 0.05mm thick. This premium cable, shielded by a dielectric material, effectively reduces distortion and improves signal transmission, ensuring a pure acoustic experience and smooth transition across the frequency bands. The cable's interior incorporates 200D Kevlar fiber strands, providing exceptional
tensile strength and flexibility. The 2-pin female connector design offers immaculate compatibility, allowing for customization and upgrades down the line.



There are also some accessories included for yourself, one ring and necklace. I am not one to wear jewelry and do not see the need for this being included, but some can probably love this as we like different things.

Does make it quite special as I cannot remember seeing jewelry being included with an IEM before, the Phantom Cat dark design is already made special so the included ring and necklace can complete it.



Sound impression

The sound of the Mystic 8 is what I consider neutral and resolving, with a focused and beautiful midrange presentation. There is also some smoothness to the sound that matches well with the tuning.

Going to use the ranges here in review:





Details and soundstage

Detail in IEMs is down mostly to quality driver and how it amplitudes the frequencies, also when the driver is faster it increases the resolution you hear.

The Mystic 8 is definitely among the sets that have more clarity and microdetails, it also manages it without being overly bright. I guess some of the reason is the drivers and the combination of tuning not being overly warm, but also since it has extended top end and no excessive recessed areas.

Soundstage is very personal, I find Mystic 8 to be above average in how separated and holographic the stage is. Even the stage width is really good for an IEM, makes spatial cues be very easy to pinpoint and paints a holographic sound picture.



Bass

Downside of BA sets is the bass, it always lacks some elasticity of a dynamic driver and can therefore sound a little lifeless and dry. The best BA sets can still convince with very good quality bass, what they excel at is fast, clean and punchy low end.

The Mystic 8 has excellent sub bass reach, it can produce good rumble and is well suited for both music and movies. The bass is very agile and has good definition, it can even deliver some good punch with fast rebound in the decay.
It has more of a sub bass focus than mid bass, so for me it excels more at electronica or jazz than rock or metal. Metal still sounds very good and Mystic 8 handles fast kick drums with ease, it's just that I prefer more thump for it.

It just lacks that extra elastic quality only dynamic drivers can achieve, but even so it does a very good job and one is one of the better BA implementations for bass I have heard.

Mids

The midrange is beautiful on Mystic 8, it is clear and nuanced without being aggressive. It has no amount of bloom from the bass, this makes the midrange sound very open.

I would say it excels more at higher pitched instruments and vocals more than lower pitched ones, the main reason for this is since I like more husk on stuff like tenor voices or guitars and more.
It is still very natural and is more of a preference thing, so when listening to music with a grand piano that uses octaves from low to high it just sounds very natural and realistic. Some would see this presentation of the low midrange as perfect, as its minimal coloration if any.

Had to look at measurement of the Mystic 8 to understand how it managed to be so midrange focused without ever being too intense for me, I usually do not do much graph sniffing as I think this can skew my impressions.
It seems like the combination of clean low midrange and how the pina/upper mids is executed, upper mid range peak is with 6-7 dB of gain around 2 KHz. It is very good that it's fully raised early enough to get good resolution, and the use of lower pina works great since the bass isn't overbearing. I am sensitive to too much elevation, but often it is needed for clarity and Mystic has done well to go around this problem.



Treble

The high frequencies are plenty extended and airy, music is open and can shimmer when called for. For balanced armature the quality is excellent, being airy without any intense unnatural quality in the highs. I believed that I needed EST for the upper treble, as some sets from 64audio and Symphonium had what I call uncanny and tiresome treble. I found out with Cadenza 12 that good premium treble can be done with BA alone, being both well present without any uncanniness. And the same is true for Mystic 8, even more so that Cadenza 12 as its more present on Mystic 8.



Synergies

Since this has the same ergonomic shell as the Cadenza 12 almost all types of silicon tips work for me, with that my favorite have been the Divinus Wide variant as it keeps the sound full with being open and wide sounding. I also tried to use some tips to enhance the low end, variants like JVC Spiral Dot could sound similar as the one above but with less open sound. From the stock tips the transparent variants work best for me, the wide bore is actually pretty decent and close to the Divinus Wide.



Then for the cable, the stock cable is already an excellent choice and from my testing seems like a good quality cable that you need to spend a lot to get something better. If I change over to the PlussoundSilver Silver + Gold Tri-Layer Coaxial Type 6 Litz I get a slightly more silky top end that's more pleasing on the ear. The difference is not day and night but it's a nice little tweak. My favorite cable is actually the Dual-Copper from Plussound, as this does sound richer than the stock.



Sources is where the fun starts, this is where I find the most change on Mythic 8. I use my desktop stack for lots of my review time, this is magical on the Mystic 8. The combo is DENAFRIPS Ares 12th-1 and AUNE S17 Pro EVO, so an analog and rich R2R DAC together with an overly powerful Class A amp with JFET transistors for even more lushness. This combo adds both more body and make the sound more rich and natural than using a typical dongle or dap like iBasso DC Elite or HIBY R6 Pro 2. Other than the more rich and natural texture, the combo makes the treble more pleasant where I can play the volume much louder without getting fatigued. It is not advised to play music loud for long periods, as this can quickly damage your hearing.

I have also taken this another step by using the DAC together with Cayin HA-2A to get some tube magic, the sound gets a little softer up top then with little extra body. Biggest change is that it really improves the soundstage width and height making it more 3D holographic.

I do not expect folks to go and buy large expensive desktop gear to enjoy Mystic 8, and in fact a HIBY FC6 dongle sounds close and very similar to my desktop tube combo. Or my SONY WM1AM DAP has a similar sound as the AUNE/R2R combo, just with a little less dynamic sound and bass slam.

And even with the iBasso DX180 the Mystic 8 sounds great, this is a more clean and crisp presentation that some would prefer than the combos above.



Comparisons

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

The spider chart is slightly exaggerated on some points to show differences, this is a subjective evaluation and reflects what I prefer.



LETSHUOER Cadenza 12

The LETSHUOER Cadenza 12 represents the company's flagship IEM, featuring a hybrid configuration of one dynamic driver and eleven balanced armatures.
Both models have titanium shells, though the Mystic 8 uses a titanium alloy variant. The Cadenza 12 with a polished finish, while the Mystic 8's being black with more design esthetics on the faceplate. Both IEMs share the same ergonomic design, making them comfortable for long listening sessions.

The technical performance is impressive on both, with each having different strengths. The Mystic 8 presents a wider soundstage, while the Cadenza 12 excels in creating a more holographic presentation. The Mystic 8’s tuning allows it to outperform Cadenza 12 in resolution for everything outside bass texture, this is more due to tuning than the drivers. Since the Mystic 8 has more up top, and also a cleaner low midrange.

While both IEMs being musical and natural, for me the Cadenza 12 leans more into the musical description with its warmer tuning. The Mystic 8 excels with more clarity and open sound, with more brightness than Cadenza 12. None of them have an intense upper midrange, this is just about warmth and upper clarity.
Cadenza 12 having some sweet bloom of the bass with more mid bass weight that is instead more clean on Mystic 8, the DD of Cadenza 12 gives it more elasticity and realistic bass performance. Cadenza 12 can sound a little slow after having listened to Mystic 8, and this is due to both the tuning and use of a dynamic driver for the lows.



Campfire Audio Fathom

The Fathom is Campfire Audio's latest balanced armature IEM, standing as the spiritual successor to their legendary Andromeda. Priced at $1,049.00 in a similar price range as Mystic 8, it houses six custom balanced armature drivers in a more compact shell design. While lacking the ergonomic grooves found in LETSHUOER models, Fathom has a sleeker and more minimalist design that may appeal to those who find the cat-themed design of Mystic 8 too much.

Both are technical and midrange focused, just different how they sound.
Fathom has crisper, drier transients while Mystic 8 sounds more realistic with some softness to transients making timbre timbre more organic. Fathom emphasizes mid-bass punch, while Mystic 8 excels in sub-bass with an overall more realistic bass texture and slam. Fathom's midrange is fuller in the lower regions, benefiting guitars and drums. While Mystic 8 handles higher frequencies better with more air and detail, so for female vocal lovers this has more clarity and nuance.

Also need to mention sensitivity, Fathom is similar to Andromeda and is super sensitive. So Fathom needs way less juice and can even pick up noise/hiss from any sources, this never happens on Mystic 8. For example single ended low gain on my desktop amp is 3/60 with Fathom, while Mystic 8 can use then 22/60.



Music

Click here for Audio with Leo playlist

When comparing IEM to other sets I have used the tracks listed here and more, I will also provide a few albums I have enjoyed with Mystic 8 with some short notes.



Sabrina Carpenter has cliche lyrics but catchy music, she has a sweet voice and Mystic 8 excel at making her voice be full and emotional. There is just enough warmth making it sound engaging without being thin, and in return the balance delivers high clarity.



During the review I have been revisiting some of the music I listened to in the early 2000s, with that Evanescence appeared. The vocal driven goth metal sound good on Mystic 8, while it lacks some body to the sound it has excellent speed and clarity. And as expected it has great control and clarity without being tiresome on Amy Lee voice, not the case on many other sets out there.



John Tejada is one of my favorite electronic artists, often music that's more minimalistic and clean. I need deep sub bass for his music, and Mystic 8 is well extended and has surprisingly good rumble for BA. It lacks some sustain and decay, but the texture and impact is really nice.
The tuning and fast sound excel at letting it be very open and resolving, and even more so if you listen to even more busy and advanced techno than this.



I love fusion, and Allan Holdswarth has some really good records blending rock and jazz.
His guitar is nuanced and very resolving, and the drums sound clean and open with both the cymbals and toms. However it does have a little less weight than what I want, so adding a bass shelf that starts at 300 hz gives Mystic 8 a tonality more preferable for this.



This is very special music from Norway, Terje is originally a drummer and creates music with ice.
The ethereal and experimental music is of ambient sort, and sound best on sets with open clear sound like Mystic 8. There are both airy elements taking use of the highs and deep echoing low notes, just sound extremely good on Mythic 8.



Technical electronica with a vast soundscape, Mystic 8 is capable of the deep and vibrant bass that this music needs. And the resolving and open sound let the music breathe and be super open, its electronica like this that Mystic 8 excels at.



One of my favorite albums from 2023, it is minimalistic and beautiful jazz. So many instruments here like harp, percussion and sax and more, and it all sounds nuanced and clear with the Mystic 8. The sound is also very separated and layered in a realistic soundstage, I could see Mystic 8 as one of my top choices for contemporary jazz and neo classical.



Summary

The LETSHUOER Mystic 8 is a great IEM for folks who are looking for a resolving and neutral set, with a focus on deep sub bass, elegant midrange and extended controlled treble.
While I often reach for more warm sets the Mystic 8 has been very enjoyable, it excels at accuracy and letting the music breath. So for this reason some music like technical electronica, jazz or classical is where it shines, this is also perfect for vocal lovers who want pristine sound without sibilance or congestion.

While the Mystic 8 sounds beautiful, it also has BA bass and that comes with both pros and cons. It manages deep and vibrant sub bass and impactful punch, but loses some elastic quality that only dynamic drivers can achieve. And is much more focused into the sub region than mid bass, so it lacks some body. But I need to mention that the quality of the bass is excellent for BA, and it's mostly DD fanatics like me who will look at it as a fault.

The design is special and some will love it and others probably not, for me it's an unique and elegant design that sets it apart. What most will appreciate is the quality of the titanium alloy shell and the well thought out ergonomics, a set that can be worn for hours.

The price is around other well regarded BA sets, and I see the price as justified. I would even pick this over some other BA sets costing even more, this is also the perfect alternative to the flagship Cadenza 12 if you want an even more clean and technical sound with less warmth and bloom.

Personal score is 84/100 and a 4.5 star on Head-Fi.