The Letshour S12 PRO has been a reference planar-magnetic IEM for several years. Featuring a substantial single 14.8mm planar-magnetic driver, it excels particularly in bass performance. Crafted from CNC-machined aluminum alloy, its housing is both compact and comfortable. Additionally, it comes with a high-quality cable equipped with exchangeable termination connectors.
Also a beloved choice among many, the Sennheiser IE200 is a dynamic single-driver IEM featuring the renowned 7mm True Response dynamic driver also found in the IE600 and IE900 models. The differentiating factors along the Sennheisers primarily lie in the housing material and, crucially, how each model handles its internal acoustics.
SENNHEISER IE200 SPECIFICATIONS
- Single dynamic 7mm extra-wideband True Response transducer, the same as in the IE 300, IE 600, and IE 900.
- Frequency range: 6 – 26,000 Hz.
- Impedance: 18 Ohm.
- Sound pressure level: 119 dB.
- 1.2 m MMCX cable.
- 3.5 mm stereo mini jack (angled, gold-plated)
- Braided cable with MMCX connectors and a 3.5mm plug
- Adjustable ear hooks and a choice of ear tip adapters.
Price when reviewed: 99 USD (on sale)
- Amazon: Sennheiser IE200
LETSHOUR S12 PRO SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver: 14.8mm planar-magnetic driver
- Impedance: 16Ω±1Ω
- Sensitivity: 102dB
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz
- Distortion: 0.5% ±0.1%
- Connector IEM: 0.78 dual pin
- Cable termination: 2.5mm / 3.5mm / 4.4mm swappable
- Cable: 392-strands silver plated monocrystalline copper
- Chassis material: Aluminum alloy
- Machining process: 5-axis CNC
Price when reviewed: 109 USD
COMPARISONS
I used the Topping A90 amplifier and the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as source.
Walk It Back by The National
Starting with the IE200, the bass is very powerful, and the vocals are full sounding.
The S12 PRO is not too dissimilar, but it has a tighter bass, and the vocals are a bit leaner-sounding, but at the same time slightly clearer.
The bass that kicks in at 3:40 is quite massive with both IEMs, but it is fuller-sounding with the IE200 and slightly tighter with the S12 PRO.
Europe is Lost by Kae Tempest
Starting with the IE200, it sounds huge in the bass, and the vocals are again quite full-sounding. The S12 PRO is, however, quite different here. The base is significantly tighter, and the vocals are differently tuned. There is more energy in the upper regions of the female vocals. The treble is also sharper with the S12 PRO. It sounds more aggressive and up front than the Sennheiser. The IE200 is lusher and warmer, and the S12 PRO is thinner and dryer sounding, but with more articulated details.
He Won’t Go by Adele
The S12 PRO sounds very crisp and snappy. The bass drum is tight and has great definition. Adele’s vocals are very clear and crisp.
The IE200 is quite different. The percussion is not as snappy, and the bass drum is not as tight. Adele’s vocals are more laid-back, they sound more velvety and lush. The imaging is less precise. Basically, the sound of the Sennheiser is more relaxed and has a rounder presentation.
Under Cover of Darkness by The Strokes
Again, the IE200 has a fuller and lusher sound, while the S12 PRO has a crisper, dryer tone with more articulate detail and textures.
Deep as Love by Tord Gustavsen Trio
This sounds very smooth, lush, and delicious with the IE200. The brightest piano tones are very clear and powerful, but not sibilant.
The S12 PRO also sounds fabulous, although it isn’t quite as lush and smooth. There is more texture, and details are better articulated. The bass has quite a lot more definition and is tighter. The piano sounds crisp and very enjoyable, but with the brightest tones, it becomes a tad sibilant.
Summer 3, Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
The S12 PRO is very crisp, and the strings have a lot of texture. There’s good instrument separation as well.
With the IE200, everything sounds smoother. There’s a heavier low end, and the strings have less explicit texture.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
Both the S12 PRO and the IE200 have elevated bass and highs with relatively polite, but not very recessed sounding, mids.
Treble
The Sennheiser IE200 is detailed yet quite smooth in the upper regions, as opposed to the somewhat brighter and crisper treble of the S12 PRO.
Midrange
There is a velvety feeling to the midrange of the IE200. It sounds lush and a bit polite. The S12 PRO offers crisper and often more pronounced midrange with more texture and better articulation at the cost of smoothness. The S12 PRO can sound a bit dry sometimes, while the IE200 can feel a bit too polite and polished.
Bass
They both have a good presence in the bass. The IE200, however, is more powerful in the lowest regions. The S12 PRO, on the other hand, has more detail and delivers more texture and definition. It is tighter.
Soundstage and Imaging
The sound stage is quite similar, and the imaging is mostly on par. Often, the S12 PRO feels a bit more open and also more precise in terms of imaging, assumedly because it has a crisper sound.
Detail, Dynamics and Timbre
Both the IE200 and the S12 PRO are detailed-sounding IEMs. I do not really find one more detailed than the other, but there is no doubt that the S12 PRO is more articulated and has stronger microdynamics. The IE200 presents the details in a smoother and, maybe, more refined-sounding manner. When it comes to macrodynamics, I find them a bit different but, in general, equally strong.
When it comes to timbre, the S12 PRO is crisper and more textured, sometimes a bit dry-sounding. The IE200 is smoother and more velvety; often, it sounds a bit more organic, but it is also quite laid back in comparison to the more aggressive sounding S12 PRO.
CONCLUSION
In summary, the Letshour S12 PRO and Sennheiser IE200 share elevated bass and highs with moderately presented mids, but diverge in key aspects. The IE200 offers a softer treble, velvety midrange, and powerful deep bass, while the S12 PRO features a brighter, crisper treble, textured midrange, and tighter bass response. Both have similar soundstage and imaging. The S12 PRO excels in microdynamics and has a textured timbre, whereas the IE200 offers a smoother detail delivery and a more laid-back feel.
- Buy on Amazon: Sennheiser IE200
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