The LetShuoer D13 features large 13mm DLC diaphragm driver in conjunction with powerful N52 neodymium magnets. It has a smooth and highly detailed sound without being harsh. Three vent holes on the inner shell ensures a ear-pressure free experience. The D13 has two sets of filter nozzles to modify the treble response.
Cons: -Lacks air and sparkle
-Detail retrieval can be better
-Overly smooth treble with silver nozzle
INTRO
Letshuoer (antecedent Shuoer) is a brand based out of China that is great in producing innovative In-Ear monitor. The Letshuoer D13 is their IEM which packs in a 13mm DLC (diamond-like carbon) diaphragm, a High-performance Neodymium N52 and two interchangeable tuning nozzles. The Letshuoer D13 pleasantly surprised me with its performance especially considering its budget friendly price.
Disclaimer
I would like to thank my friend OB ODIO for loaning a unit for me. My opinions are unbiased, and I haven't been influenced or instructed to praise these IEMs. Every detail in this review is actual experience made by listening for hours everyday.
Specification
•Driver Type: 13mm dynamic driver with DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) diaphragm
•2 interchangeable filters for mid-high and treble tuning
•Jack Connector: Choice of SE 3.5mm or BAL 4.4mm
•Cartridge Connection Type: 0.78 2pin
•Cable: 0.05mm * 216 high purity copper wire
Build and Comfort
The build is sturdy, and the design gives a more premium feel than expected in this price range. The earphones are lightweight, making them comfortable for extended use.
Finding the right fit is easy. The earphones stayed comfortably in place during various activities, making them suitable for daily use.
Sound Aspects
Source used :
Realme 9 Pro
Jcally AP7
Ibasso DC04 pro
This iems spend 40-50 hours of burn in before taking details of this review
Bass
Bass is the greatest aspect of this IEM where the sub bass has more prominent over the mid bass making some great rumbles in the low end. The sub bass makes dig deeper producing great satisfying rumbles while also maintaining a clear quality from the mid bass thus not overlapping each other. The mid bass is good but not overwhelm thus making the whole presentation well-bodied.
Midrange
Midrange is quite recessed while the vocals are made to appear upfront. The instruments like percussion and piano takes the backstage making it to sound thinner in texture making the vocals take the lead. The lower mids making a good presentation. The male vocals sounds with good tonal texture. The upper mids is the same as the lower mids where the female vocals can be more energetic causes shoutiness can be fatiguing sometimes. Nevertheless the realistic timbre of the instrument pleasantly present.
Treble
Treble is tamed, clean presentation, offering smooth dispersing decays. it is present enough to be heard with just the right amount of sparkle and shimmer adding more will just definitely enough. I can’t find any sibilance especially when paired with neutral sounding sources making a slight balanced sounding instead.
Technicalities
Just the right amount of good sense of space and width for soundstage. Not as tall and deep but I can’t find any consideration to complain about its overall staging.
Having enough clean separation. Detail retrieval can be better given the other aspects performing well it still literally good.
Conclusion
The Letshuoer D13 is a commendable option for budget-conscious consumers looking for a reliable pair of earphones. While it may not compete with premium models, it still stands out in its price
category, delivering a satisfying fun and engaging audio experience with a comfortable fit and durable build.
Build:
The D13 comes in a sturdy box, good graphics and no-nonsense details on the back. inside one finds the D13 with its all-metal build and cool rounded looks, underneath that is a typical Letshuoer case with the tips, a very nice cable and nozzles a set of two kinds they look similar to the Letshuoer singer nozzles, so they are probably interchangeable.
Build is very good and while the round shape is unique it is pretty small so it might fit most ears well. in comparison with the ARTTI T10 that has an identical shape the D13 is much smaller. despite being all metal they are not heavy and comfortable to me. Isolation was above average.
Sound:
THe Letshuoer D13 is a smooth V-shaped IEM.
Bass:
Lows present with a good amount of Bass impact Sub-Bass has a nice depth to it with a noticeable rumble and natural decay. Mid-Bass is more focused and speedier with good texture and details to both.
Mids:
Mids are tuned relaxed and warm with both male and female vocals even in their centered position. There is average separation and very good thickness to the mids in general. details are rich but smooth.
Treble:
The highs sound natural with decent air and sparkle but they are very safe and relaxed, treble sensitive will enjoy this, but I would have liked better energy up top. Still no harshness here just a safe upper tunning.
Soundstage:
While the staging is similar to listening in a small club, the positioning and overall imaging is accurate and doesn't fall apart on crowded recordings.
In conclusion: The Letshuoer D13 is a single dynamic with a warm smooth performance, for casual listening and for enjoying pop, jazz, hip-hop or even electronic it could be very enjoyable.
Pros: D13 Pros:
Impeccable LETSHUOER presentation
Strong build materials
Pleasant cable and overall accessories
Good balance between low and mid frequencies
Cons: D13 Cons:
Odd ergonomics may not provide a good fit
Highs are excessive in various songs
Lack of airiness
Somewhat lacking in detail
Minimal soundstage
Tough competition at a better price than the D13
Which LETSHUOER set is right for you? ft. D13, S12 PRO & DZ4
Introduction
This week, since the LETSHUOER D13 is not a novelty and has already generated quite a buzz, I thought of creating an extensive comparative review among the 3 models that LETSHUOER sent me. Overall, they target an accessible segment for all consumers, all of these being IEMs priced around $100 USD.
S12 PRO: Warm, slightly V-shaped signature with a good focus on subbass without sacrificing too much presence in the mids, and with highs that aren't overly bright, avoiding uncomfortable sibilance.
DZ4: Signature aiming for neutrality (similar to the new IEF neutral target). It's the least "musical" of the 3, focusing on giving more prominence to the mid frequencies (especially upper mids). Optimal highs for individuals sensitive to this frequency range.
D13: The S12 PRO’s son in terms of tonality, with a slightly lesser emphasis on subbass/bass, allowing voices and instruments to come forward, but with highs that are somewhat brighter, which might become fatiguing.
Scores (TL;DR for those who prefer a more concise format)
Best to worst (left to right)
More ">" indicates a greater difference
"=" is used to indicate that the left and right sets are similar in a certain aspect
“>=” indicates that two IEMs could be similar depending on the song
. Ergonomics: DZ4 >> S12 PRO = D13
. Driveability: D13 >> DZ4 >> S12 PRO
. Bass: S12 PRO > D13 > DZ4
. Mids (Male Vocals): D13 >= S12 PRO > DZ4
. Mids (Female Vocals): DZ4 >> S12 PRO = D13
. Mids (Instruments): S12 PRO > DZ4 > D13
. Treble: S12 PRO >> DZ4 > D13
. Imaging: S12 PRO >> D13 > DZ4
. Soundstage: DZ4 >= S12 PRO >> D13
Testing with different songs
*For the sake of simplicity, I will only mention a few songs and how they were reproduced by the different models I have tested*
"Five Magics" - Megadeth
S12 PRO: The tactile sensation it provides to both electric guitars and bass is astonishing; every note in the introduction can be easily distinguished. The drum kicks are quickly noticeable, precise, and well-controlled, along with the impact of cymbals which keep the hi-hats and crashes in check, both maintaining a high level of extension. When Dave Mustaine starts singing, the S12 PRO manages to prevent the instruments (especially the bass) from overshadowing the lead vocalist too much, although I must acknowledge that it's the signature that hides the lead singe the most.
DZ4: As soon as the song's lyrics begin, it's easy to notice that the bass is less present, allowing Mustaine to showcase his talent. Additionally, the attack and decay of the hi-hats are quicker compared to the S12 PRO, which has a greater amount of air. The electric guitars have a similar reproduction across the three models, but the DZ4 takes the lead here, representing them with more energy and managing to provide the most detail in each strum. The drum kicks are considerably attenuated compared to the S12 PRO and D13, and the same goes for the bass, which gets somewhat lost in the mix.
D13: Among the three, I feel that the D13 achieves the best balance in reproducing this song. The singer's voice articulates almost perfectly with the guitars, preventing them from interfering with each other. Meanwhile, the bass remains audible despite taking a backseat, and the cymbals have a reasonable impact, with the crashes being slightly piercing. The issue with the D13 is its representation of soundstage, and this is something you'll likely see me mention several times throughout my analysis, as it narrows down the space in which the songs are being played, causing the instruments to obstruct each other, thus losing clarity and details.
"Vivo Per Lei" - Andrea Bocelli
S12 PRO: The body and weight of both male and female voices are nearly equivalent, resulting in a beautiful duet in this case. As for instruments, the piano takes precedence until it stops playing. That's when the bass takes the lead role, while the drums set the rhythm and the strumming of the guitars also accompanies weakly. Fortunately, cymbals are pleasing to the ear along with good clarity during drum kicks.
DZ4: In this song where two voices of different genders sing in unison, something I had already noticed in my previous analysis of the DZ4 becomes apparent. The female vocals have more vividness in their reproduction, and when singing the chorus, Bocelli falls slightly behind. However, compared to the other two models, the DZ4 is focused on highlighting the vocals more than the instruments in the lower range. In the song's introduction, the piano asserts its authority and is adequately detailed, but after the first chorus, both the bass and the drums serve only as background, with the most notable being the impact of the drummer's sticks against the toms and snare drum. The reproduction of the highs is somewhat lacking, losing a bit of detail that the cymbals should provide.
D13: The experience is quite similar to what the S12 PRO offers, where his and her voices are balanced very well, with both taking the lead role. In this particular song, the instruments don't suffer as much from the D13's limited soundstage presentation and are easy to identify and differentiate. Also, with slightly less elevated bass, the guitar strumming sounds a bit clearer, although the definition of the piano is slightly worse than in the other two models. The impact of cymbals is just slightly brighter than in the S12 PRO but never becomes bothersome in this case.
"Swan Lake, Op. 20, TH. 12 / Act I: No. 2 Valse (Corps de Ballet)" - Tchaikovsky (Brightness test)
S12 PRO: Predominant reproduction of violins with sufficient texture for a semi-analytical listening experience, while cellos and double basses have good weight to avoid getting lost among other instruments. The winds are softer and delicate when they take the lead role. When both strings and winds come together, they articulate well, and in general, there are no issues with instrument separation. At higher volumes, the triangle at 2:15 might sound a bit bright and fatiguing for some, but at moderate to low volumes, it won't pose a problem for most listeners.
DZ4: Unlike the other two sets, the winds take on an impulsive character and match the violins while playing together around the 1:30 mark. This also indicates that the tactile sensation of the stringed instruments' notes is somewhat reduced. Cymbals have a quick decay, and the DZ4 manages to make the triangle at 2:15 sound as non-fatiguing as possible, sacrificing some microdynamics for a more soothing reproduction for the listener.
D13: Once again, the rendition of this piece is similar to the S12 PRO, but in this case, the compressed soundstage does significantly affect the orchestra, crowding the instruments together. It's still possible to discern between the different instruments being played, but the orchestra as a whole feels tight in one place, causing the sounds to come more from the center than the sides. However, the main issue in this song is that the highs become extremely fatiguing during the impact of the triangle. Furthermore, there is a loss of resolution in this domain since the D13 has the weakest extension in the highs. Apart from this, the strings have better bite than in the S12 PRO, making them more authoritative and resolute than the winds. Also, the timpani, being less powerful, allow other instruments to shine more.
"Miami" - Sonic (Hotline Miami EP)
S12 PRO: This song highlights how the S12 PRO has the best extension into the subbass region, excellently (even a bit viscerally) carrying the baseline with constant subbass notes while also clearly representing the drum kick. The cheerful synthetic sounds also don't tend to get lost, creating a good harmony within the whole ensemble.
DZ4: This model also provides good differentiation between the drum kick and the subbass bassline, with the latter having a bit more authority but not reaching the satisfying level offered by the S12 PRO and D13. However, electronic sounds steal the show in the DZ4; they come forward much more than in the other two IEMs and carry an extra energy that makes them very lively.
D13: In most EDM or similar songs, where the separation of instruments isn't as involved, the intimacy of the D13 is welcomed. It offers well-extended bass, nearly on par with the S12 PRO, and achieves a slightly better balance between subbass and synthetic sounds.
"Live After Death" (album) - Iron Maiden (Soundstage, Imaging & Instrument Separation test)
S12 PRO: A well-wide soundstage, effectively separating the two guitarists, though I feel that the drums could be slightly deeper in terms of placement – Imaging and instrument separation are top-notch. Each guitar has its side, then Bruce Dickinson is nicely centered, the bassist close to him, and the drummer feels somewhat behind both.
DZ4: The soundstage width is narrower than that of the S12 PRO, but it notably has more depth, making the drums sound closer to the occipital region – Imaging can get a bit congested in situations where the guitarists need to play the same notes together. It's also possible to lose focus on the bassist. Apart from that, the instrument locations are perceptible.
D13: The most intimate of them all, making the guitarists come too close to the lead vocalist. However, the drummer maintains reasonable depth – Because the soundstage is limited, the image is affected due to the clutter instruments face. The bassist is much more noticeable than in the DZ4, but there isn't proper differentiation between the left and right guitars.
Conclusion
There is a clear winner in this lineup, and it's the S12 PRO, justifying why it’s priced around $40 USD higher than its relatives. As I mentioned in my review of this set, the sound quality of the S12 PRO is quite astonishing to obtain for under $200 USD. In this analysis, it became clear to me that it is the most detailed and has the best imaging among the three sets I own from LETSHUOER, also demonstrating incredible fidelity in its bass and treble reproduction. It adapted perfectly to my favorite genres (heavy metal, EDM, and classical music), but I imagine it's an IEM capable of superbly reproducing any song that comes its way.
On the other hand, the DZ4 is the counterpart to the other two models analyzed, as they are more neutral IEMs, focused on vocals and instruments in the midrange, highly recommended for those who love genres with female voices as protagonists (lyric pop, opera, or even soloists like Adele in my case). Additionally, the more relaxed presentation of the highs could be a plus for some, although with a slight loss of details. The real drawback (at least for me) is that you'll have to forget about getting powerful bass with these IEMs.
At the beginning, I mentioned that the D13 aims to be a little S12 PRO, and I think it comes very close to achieving that. It adapts quite well to various genres, with EDM and melodic studio albums being its strong points, offering a more accurate representation of both male and female registers compared to the DZ4. However, its major issue is the soundstage it provides, causing live performances to sound overly compressed (other issues: lack of detail due to soundstage and strident highs).
I believe that if the prices of the D13 and DZ4 were a bit lower (around $50-70 USD), they would be strong rivals against the competition, allowing more people to experience the quality LETSHUOER has to offer in a more attractive consumer segment.
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