LETSHUOER S15
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First of all, I would like to thank Letshuoer for providing me with the new S15 for a review before its release (planned release is December 2023). Since I have already taken a close look at Letshuoer's top model, the Cadenza 12, I can compare the two models very well. With the S12, Letshuoer has already released the company's first planar magnetic IEM and has received a lot of praise for it. With the S15, this technology has now been taken to new heights with the installation of a passive filtering module for the first time. In addition to achieving a higher sound pressure level by increasing the excursion of the driver, this also improves distortion. Letshuoer is talking about an S15 that is no longer comparable to an S12, but has been improved in all respects. This is (unfortunately) also reflected in the price. The S15 costs around 329 USD compared to 150 US for the S12. I will analyze whether the S15 is worth the money later on.
The supplied connection cable is surprisingly good in this price range. This is a 216-core silver-plated copper cable. It is elegantly finished and very soft and light. The highlight of the whole thing is that in addition to the cable, three interchangeable plugs (3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm) are also supplied so that the S15 can be used with all possible sources. This is something I would like to see from every manufacturer in the future!
The S15 itself is solidly finished in a light blue shell with a silver faceplate. Of course, you won't find a reflective titanium housing like the Cadenza 12 or an elaborately designed storage box here. But I wouldn't expect that in the USD 329 price range, because the Cadenza 12 costs USD 2000!
By using a single driver, the housing is nice and light and the S15 sits ultra-comfortably in my ears. The fact that I almost exclusively own IEMs with umpteen drivers makes the difference to the S15 very clear. The price you pay for multiple drivers always comes with the weight, size and comfort. The S15 is like balm in the ears and can hardly be felt. Two different silicone tips are supplied, known as "Vocal ear tips" and "Balanced ear tips". The former emphasize the mids somewhat. As I have an extensive collection of ear tips myself, after a few trials I decided on the Azla Clear, which I found to be the most balanced sounding with the S15 and also very comfortable.
In addition to the cable, the adapters and the IEMs, the box also contains a round metal box and instructions. For the sound test, I use my iBasso DX320 MAX Ti to which I connect the S15 via a 4.4 mm plug. The S15 is a little harder to drive than BA or DD IEMs, so I occasionally switch to the 2nd gain stage depending on the recording. One thing up front: the S15 is really very level stable and can effortlessly reproduce very high volumes.
Until now, I only knew of one IEM with a planar magnetic driver, namely the Audeze Euclid. However, this much more expensive IEM cannot compete with the S15 in terms of coherence. In my opinion, the Letshuoer is much better tuned over the entire frequency range and technically on a par with the Audeze. So how does it sound? Compared to the Cadenza 12, the S15 is slightly boosted in the upper mid-range and has softer highs. Overall, this results in a warmer sound with a bass range that is roughly on a par with the Cadenza 12 in terms of quantity.
The highlight of the S15 is certainly the bass range. The character of the planar magnetic driver can be heard directly. It sounds different to a BA or DD bass. It's just like comparing the bass of a Focal Utopia with that of an Audeze LCD-5. The planar magnetic driver sounds fuller, especially in the low bass range, and doesn't drop down into the deepest cellar, which leads to a tremendous audibility of the entire bass range and is also very level stable. With the S15, it's not just the bass quality that impresses, but also the fullness and kick bass that is never too little, even with modern genres such as rock, pop, metal and EDM. I would say that even bassheads will enjoy this type of bass reproduction. BA drivers for the bass range still sound a touch faster, DD drivers provide the better visceral impact. I think planar magnetic drivers are somewhere in between and combine both characteristics if they are well implemented. I wasn't blown away by the bass range of the Euclid. I am delighted with the S15!
How does it look in the other areas? Thanks to the slightly warmer, smoother tuning, even the brightest recordings I own never lead to sibilance. Where I can almost sense the sibilance in the Cadenza 12, I never have that feeling with the S15. It also makes poorer material sound quite acceptable and doesn't immediately reveal everything. The resolution is good, but can't quite keep up with a Cadenza 12 or a U4s.
The stage presentation is rather intimate and not as expansive as with the Cadenza 12, but the very good separation and fast reproduction of transients ensure that the instruments have enough air and distance between them. Overall, it doesn't sound too warm but also not as airy as a Radon6, which is also one of the best IEMs in the world in this discipline.
The S15 is an IEM that cuts a fine figure across all genres and is ideal for simply unwinding after a hard day's work and enjoying a pleasant carpet of sound. The S15 invites you to take a relaxing journey into your own music collection and after a short time you forget that you have an IEM in your ear, because the comfort is really top class!
I think Letshuoer has achieved a great success with the S15 in the form of a planar magnetic driver. I haven't heard a better one myself, but I have to say that I only know the Audeze Euclid. What you can say for sure is that there is not much in the USD 400 range that can hold a candle to the S15. Because it easily outperforms higher-priced models. If you like a warmer and smoother reproduction, I can warmly recommend that you consider the S15. It is not really suitable for audiophiles looking for a magnifying glass of sound. For this, Letshuoer has the Cadenza 12 model in it
The supplied connection cable is surprisingly good in this price range. This is a 216-core silver-plated copper cable. It is elegantly finished and very soft and light. The highlight of the whole thing is that in addition to the cable, three interchangeable plugs (3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm) are also supplied so that the S15 can be used with all possible sources. This is something I would like to see from every manufacturer in the future!
The S15 itself is solidly finished in a light blue shell with a silver faceplate. Of course, you won't find a reflective titanium housing like the Cadenza 12 or an elaborately designed storage box here. But I wouldn't expect that in the USD 329 price range, because the Cadenza 12 costs USD 2000!
By using a single driver, the housing is nice and light and the S15 sits ultra-comfortably in my ears. The fact that I almost exclusively own IEMs with umpteen drivers makes the difference to the S15 very clear. The price you pay for multiple drivers always comes with the weight, size and comfort. The S15 is like balm in the ears and can hardly be felt. Two different silicone tips are supplied, known as "Vocal ear tips" and "Balanced ear tips". The former emphasize the mids somewhat. As I have an extensive collection of ear tips myself, after a few trials I decided on the Azla Clear, which I found to be the most balanced sounding with the S15 and also very comfortable.
In addition to the cable, the adapters and the IEMs, the box also contains a round metal box and instructions. For the sound test, I use my iBasso DX320 MAX Ti to which I connect the S15 via a 4.4 mm plug. The S15 is a little harder to drive than BA or DD IEMs, so I occasionally switch to the 2nd gain stage depending on the recording. One thing up front: the S15 is really very level stable and can effortlessly reproduce very high volumes.
Until now, I only knew of one IEM with a planar magnetic driver, namely the Audeze Euclid. However, this much more expensive IEM cannot compete with the S15 in terms of coherence. In my opinion, the Letshuoer is much better tuned over the entire frequency range and technically on a par with the Audeze. So how does it sound? Compared to the Cadenza 12, the S15 is slightly boosted in the upper mid-range and has softer highs. Overall, this results in a warmer sound with a bass range that is roughly on a par with the Cadenza 12 in terms of quantity.
The highlight of the S15 is certainly the bass range. The character of the planar magnetic driver can be heard directly. It sounds different to a BA or DD bass. It's just like comparing the bass of a Focal Utopia with that of an Audeze LCD-5. The planar magnetic driver sounds fuller, especially in the low bass range, and doesn't drop down into the deepest cellar, which leads to a tremendous audibility of the entire bass range and is also very level stable. With the S15, it's not just the bass quality that impresses, but also the fullness and kick bass that is never too little, even with modern genres such as rock, pop, metal and EDM. I would say that even bassheads will enjoy this type of bass reproduction. BA drivers for the bass range still sound a touch faster, DD drivers provide the better visceral impact. I think planar magnetic drivers are somewhere in between and combine both characteristics if they are well implemented. I wasn't blown away by the bass range of the Euclid. I am delighted with the S15!
How does it look in the other areas? Thanks to the slightly warmer, smoother tuning, even the brightest recordings I own never lead to sibilance. Where I can almost sense the sibilance in the Cadenza 12, I never have that feeling with the S15. It also makes poorer material sound quite acceptable and doesn't immediately reveal everything. The resolution is good, but can't quite keep up with a Cadenza 12 or a U4s.
The stage presentation is rather intimate and not as expansive as with the Cadenza 12, but the very good separation and fast reproduction of transients ensure that the instruments have enough air and distance between them. Overall, it doesn't sound too warm but also not as airy as a Radon6, which is also one of the best IEMs in the world in this discipline.
The S15 is an IEM that cuts a fine figure across all genres and is ideal for simply unwinding after a hard day's work and enjoying a pleasant carpet of sound. The S15 invites you to take a relaxing journey into your own music collection and after a short time you forget that you have an IEM in your ear, because the comfort is really top class!
I think Letshuoer has achieved a great success with the S15 in the form of a planar magnetic driver. I haven't heard a better one myself, but I have to say that I only know the Audeze Euclid. What you can say for sure is that there is not much in the USD 400 range that can hold a candle to the S15. Because it easily outperforms higher-priced models. If you like a warmer and smoother reproduction, I can warmly recommend that you consider the S15. It is not really suitable for audiophiles looking for a magnifying glass of sound. For this, Letshuoer has the Cadenza 12 model in it
subguy812
Sounds like it might be good
