Wired IEMs
FiiO FX17
83Outstanding
$1,500
Full review dataFiiO FX17 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.
Wired IEMs
Letshuoer S12 Ultra
83Outstanding
$170
Full review dataScore 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.
- FiiO FX17
- Letshuoer S12 Ultra
HearWiki score
83
83
Sound
9.0
8.6
Value
6.0
8.9
Price (USD)
$1,500
$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
FiiO FX17 (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.
- FX1720261 yr newer
- S12 Ultra2025
Specifications
FX17S12 Ultra
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $1,500
- $170
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 83
- Released
- 2026
- 2025
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 1DD + 4BA + 8EST tribrid
- 1 planar magnetic
- Driver type
- tribrid
- planar
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 4BA + 8EST
- 1 planar magnetic
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- 14.8 mm
- Drivers per side
- 13
- 1
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 99 dB/mW
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- -
- Weight
- 12.2 g
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- -
What reviewers said
FiiO FX17
The FiiO FX17 is a premium wired tribrid IEM that combines a 10mm dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and eight electrostatic drivers per side for a detailed, multi-layered sound. Its titanium shell and five-way crossover aim to deliver a refined, high-resolution listening experience, while the included 4.4mm balanced cable offers versatility for audiophile setups.
- Pro:Precision-milled titanium shell for durability and resonance control
- Pro:Hybrid driver array (1DD + 4BA + 8EST) offers expansive treble and dynamic bass
- Pro:Swappable plugs on the cable provide flexible connectivity
- Con:No active noise cancellation, requiring a quiet environment or isolation tips
- Con:High price point may limit accessibility
- Con:16-ohm impedance may need a powerful source for optimal performance
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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