My initial impressions posted above were really early. These are epic.
The main caveat remains its incisive treble. But honestly, there are far too many sleepy-sounding headphones and iems and many in the lower price that have elevated treble can be scratchy sounding. While a bit over-saturated in brilliance, this helps create room space perception, especially when combined with spatial audio. Your brain can acclimate to this treble level, it just becomes more of an issue at louder volumes.
The bass region is very well done for a planar, coming with most of its characteristics. Very well-extended and crazy good with electric, synthetic and acoustic.
I still may prefer my FH5S overall, as it has a similar brilliance, tunable EQ switches, not as hot in treble, and the Be driver dynamic bass quality is incredible (especially as the FH5S is open back). But I'd rank them neck-and-neck, with the S12 being less expensive and really a nice compliment due to the different tech, even though the signatures are similar. FH5S is a bit bigger, but very comfy, and build quality and design is a bit higher. Cables are on par, but the FH5S comes with a ton of tips.
Compared to my HD660S - the 660S has a vivid sound, especially for the 600-series, and has a very clear driver approaching HD800 levels. It is smoother sounding and eminently easy going, with some warmth. The treble is also more refined. The S12 can dig further down though.
For those looking to upgrade from here, I'd actually recommend not 'upgrading' but rather just finding compliments for use-case (ie. wireless ANC, over-ear, etc). You can spend more money, but I'm not sure you will find more enjoyment, just something different.
Or take some of that money you would have spent on kilobuck sets, and buy friends & family some S12s or similar.
The main caveat remains its incisive treble. But honestly, there are far too many sleepy-sounding headphones and iems and many in the lower price that have elevated treble can be scratchy sounding. While a bit over-saturated in brilliance, this helps create room space perception, especially when combined with spatial audio. Your brain can acclimate to this treble level, it just becomes more of an issue at louder volumes.
The bass region is very well done for a planar, coming with most of its characteristics. Very well-extended and crazy good with electric, synthetic and acoustic.
I still may prefer my FH5S overall, as it has a similar brilliance, tunable EQ switches, not as hot in treble, and the Be driver dynamic bass quality is incredible (especially as the FH5S is open back). But I'd rank them neck-and-neck, with the S12 being less expensive and really a nice compliment due to the different tech, even though the signatures are similar. FH5S is a bit bigger, but very comfy, and build quality and design is a bit higher. Cables are on par, but the FH5S comes with a ton of tips.
Compared to my HD660S - the 660S has a vivid sound, especially for the 600-series, and has a very clear driver approaching HD800 levels. It is smoother sounding and eminently easy going, with some warmth. The treble is also more refined. The S12 can dig further down though.
For those looking to upgrade from here, I'd actually recommend not 'upgrading' but rather just finding compliments for use-case (ie. wireless ANC, over-ear, etc). You can spend more money, but I'm not sure you will find more enjoyment, just something different.
Or take some of that money you would have spent on kilobuck sets, and buy friends & family some S12s or similar.
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