Etymotic HF5 vs Letshuoer S12 Ultra: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Etymotic HF5 vs Letshuoer S12 Ultra, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Wired IEMs

Etymotic HF5

Not yet scored

$150

Full review data

Wired IEMs

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 HF5
Letshuoer S12 Ultra

HearWiki score

Sound

8.6

Value

8.9

Price (USD)

$150

$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

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.

HF5Year unknown
S12 Ultra2025

Specifications

HF5S12 Ultra

Type: Wired IEMs; Wired IEMs
Price (USD): $150; $170
HearWiki score: Not scored; 83
Released: -; 2025
Availability: Availability unknown; Sold new
Driver: balanced armature; 1 planar magnetic
Driver type: balanced-armature; planar
Driver configuration: -; 1 planar magnetic
Driver size: -; 14.8 mm
Drivers per side: -; 1
Sound signature: mid-forward; -
Impedance: -; 16 Ω
Detachable cable: No; -
Connector: 3.5 mm; -

Specification comparison of Etymotic HF5 vs Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Spec	Etymotic HF5	Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Type	Wired IEMs	Wired IEMs
Price (USD)	$150	$170
HearWiki score	Not scored	83 / 100 Outstanding
Released	-	2025
Audio
Driver	balanced armature	1 planar magnetic
Driver type	balanced-armature	planar
Driver configuration	-	1 planar magnetic
Driver size	-	14.8 mm
Drivers per side	-	1
Sound signature	mid-forward	-
Impedance	-	16 Ω
Design
Detachable cable	No	-
Connector	3.5 mm	-

What reviewers said

Etymotic HF5

The Etymotic HF5 are wired in-ear monitors featuring a balanced armature driver and a closed-back design, delivering strong passive noise isolation and a secure, portable fit. Their sound signature is notably mid-forward, which some listeners may find overly prominent for critical listening, though it suits those who prioritize vocal clarity.

Pro:Excellent passive noise isolation
Pro:Stable and portable fit
Pro:Clear mid-forward tuning for vocals

Con:Mid-range may be too emphasized for some
Con:Non-detachable cable limits repairability
Con:No active noise cancellation

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 comparison Etymotic HF5 Letshuoer S12 Ultra