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Etymotic ER2XR Earphones vs Letshuoer S12 Ultra: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Letshuoer S12 Ultra comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Letshuoer S12 Ultra - Outstanding overall at around $169.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Letshuoer S12 Ultra leads on 3 of 4 measures.

  • Etymotic ER2XR Earphones
  • Letshuoer S12 Ultra
HearWiki score
76
83
Sound
7.9
8.6
Value
6.8
8.9
Price (USD)
$140
$170

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

Etymotic ER2XR Earphones (2026) against Letshuoer S12 Ultra (2025). These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

  • ER2XR Earphones20261 yr newer
  • S12 Ultra2025

Specifications

ER2XR EarphonesS12 Ultra
Type
Wired IEMs
Wired IEMs
Price (USD)
$140
$170
HearWiki score
76
83
Released
2026
2025
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
dynamic
1 planar magnetic
Driver type
dynamic
planar
Driver configuration
-
1 planar magnetic
Driver size
-
14.8 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 16 kHz
-
Sound signature
bass-heavy
-
Impedance
15 Ω
16 Ω
Sensitivity
96 dB/mW
-
Active noise cancelling
No
-
ANC type
none
-
Transparency mode
No
-
Companion app
No
-
Custom EQ
No
-
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
buttons
-
Weight
2 g
-
Detachable cable
Yes
-
USB-C
No
-
Connector
3.5 mm
-

What reviewers said

Etymotic ER2XR Earphones

The Etymotic ER2XR is a wired, single-dynamic-driver IEM that offers a detailed, reference-style sound with a slightly warm tilt and a touch of extra bass. It is easy to drive from portable sources, provides strong passive isolation, and is built around compact aluminum shells with a detachable cable. While praised for its sonic accuracy and value, its deep-insertion fit and cable noise may not suit everyone.

  • Pro:Accurate, neutral-to-warm tuning with strong detail retrieval
  • Pro:Easy to drive from phones and portable players
  • Pro:Excellent passive noise isolation
  • Con:Deep-insertion fit can be uncomfortable for some
  • Con:Noticeable cable microphonics
  • Con:No app support or EQ options

Letshuoer S12 Ultra

The Letshuoer S12 Ultra is a wired in-ear monitor that delivers Hi-Fi sound through a single 14.8mm planar magnetic driver housed in a lightweight aluminum-alloy shell. Aimed at music enthusiasts, it offers the signature planar-driver clarity and detail of the S12 series in a refreshed design, without any active noise cancellation or wireless features. Priced around $169, it's a straightforward, high-performance option for wired listening.

  • Pro:Detailed and fast planar magnetic sound
  • Pro:Lightweight and durable aluminum-alloy build
  • Pro:Accurate bass response with low distortion
  • Con:Requires a wired connection, no wireless freedom
  • Con:No active noise cancellation for noisy environments
  • Con:Open-back style may leak sound in quiet settings

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonEtymotic ER2XR EarphonesLetshuoer S12 Ultra