When it comes to planar magnetic single driver in-ear monitors, the Letshuor S12 PRO has been a reference for several years. It features a substantial 14.8mm planar-magnetic driver, and it is particularly known for its bass performance. You can read my full review here.
To celebrate the S12’s success and Letshuoer’s 8 years in the business, they’ve released a limited edition called the S12 2024. It is limited to exactly two thousand and twenty four sets and comes in a fancy gold finish. The S12 2024 is tuned differently than the original, but uses the same single 14.8mm planar magnetic driver. The CNC-machined metal housing is made of a titanium alloy rather than the originals aluminium alloy. The cable is basically the same with a different colour, with 392 strands of silver plated oxygen free copper.
The normal S12 PRO has a MSRP of $135; the special edition is priced at $199.
The Kiwi Ears KE4 is also priced at $199. It’s a brand new hybrid driver IEM that utilizes a dual 10 mm dynamic driver for the bass, a balanced armature driver for the mids and lower highs, and a dedicated balanced armature tweeter for the highest frequencies. This is a new approach from Kiwi Ears, who has been rather successful with models such as e.g. the budget-friendly $35 Cadenza and the $219 Quintet. My Kiwi Ears reviews can be found here.
LETSHOUR S12 2024 SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver: 14.8mm planar-magnetic driver
- Impedance: 16Ω±1Ω
- Sensitivity: 102dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz
- Connector IEM: 0.78 dual pin
- Cable termination: 2.5mm / 3.5mm / 4.4mm swappable
- Cable: 392-strand silver-plated monocrystalline copper
- Chassis material: titanium alloy
- Machining process: 5-axis CNC
Check the current price here:
- Amazon: S12 2024
KIWI EARS KE4 SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver configuration: 2 dynamic drivers + 2 balanced armature drivers
- Sensitivity: 102 dB (±1dB)
- Impedance: 28 ohm
- Cable length: 1.25M
- Earphone cable connection: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Cable termination: 3.5 mm TRS jack
Check the current price here:
- Linsoul: Kiwi Ears KE4
- Amazon: Kiwi Ears KE4
LISTENING COMPARISONS
Associated equipment: I used the Topping A90 as an amplifier and the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as a source. Both pairs had the Spinfit CP145 tips mounted.
Here are my track-by-track impressions:
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
Starting with this great recomposition of some of the finest classical music ever made, both IEMs sound very good, but they’re quite different. The KE4 is darker, deeper, with a smaller soundstage but better imaging. The S12 2024 is more neutral, open sounding. It’s more revealing of textures in the music, while the KE4 has a warmer timbre.
Jambi by Tool
The KE4 is darker, with a meatier presentation. The bass is fuller, the midrange warmer. The S12 2024 delivers a more textured presentation, with a wider stage but less depth.
Some Day My Prince Will Come by Coryell/Vitous
The KE4 delivers a warm and enveloping presentation, with nice liquidity and a good tonal balance. The S12 2024 sounds surprisingly similar here; It’s warm and nicely lush.
Identikit by Radiohead
The S12 2024 has a neutral and delicate rendering, slightly warm. It’s smoother sounding than the KE4, which is more articulate. The KE4 has better separation of instruments and image depth.
As Before by Olga Konkova
The cajôn drum sounds thicker and more punchy with the KE4, which generally comes off as slightly warmer. Both are really good and well balanced.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The KE4 in general has a warmer, thicker sound with more bass than the S12 2024. The S12 2024 comes off as very neutral, nothing stands out, it sounds very even.
Treble
The treble is good with both IEMs. Neither of them are prone to sibilance, nor are any of them especially bright. However, the S12 2024 does more often than not come off as slightly brighter.
Midrange
The midrange of the S12 2024 is very neutral with no added warmth, but it’s not recessed either. I find it to sound very textured but not dry. The KE4 has a more upfront, warmer, lusher, and more dynamic midrange.
Bass
The KE4 generally is more bassy, thicker, and fuller sounding also in the lowest regions. Due to variations in frequency response, they sometimes come off as equal in quantity, though. Both have very good bass quality, with excellent definition and detail, but the S12 2024 is the tighter sounding of the two.
Soundstage and Imaging
Generally, the KE4 has a smaller but more prescice soundstage. The separation of instruments is better, and there is a sense of depth that is not as good with the S12 2024. The S12 2024 generally sounds more open, i.e., wider and taller, but not as deep.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
In terms of detailed retrieval, I find them to be on the same level; however, they present detail a bit differently. The S122024 has more texture; the KE4 is more liquid.
In terms of dynamics, I find that the KE4 has more microdynamics and macrodynamics. The S12 sounds slightly “flatter” in direct comparison, but not in a negative way, just different.
The timbre is not too different in the treble; the midrange and bass differs more. The S12 2024 generally is more neutral, not as lush and warm as the KE4.
CONCLUSION
The Kiwi Ears KE4 and the S12 2024 are both excellent choices in the $200 range, each with distinct strengths. The KE4 delivers a warmer, lusher, and thicker sound, with a more intimate yet deeper soundstage. In contrast, the S12 2024 offers a more neutral, balanced presentation, with a wider and taller soundstage and a tighter, more controlled bass. While both provide comparable overall sound quality, they cater to different preferences.
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- Linsoul: S12 2024
- Amazon: S12 2024
- Linsoul: Kiwi Ears KE4
- Amazon: Kiwi Ears KE4
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