HiFiMAN RE800 Silver 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

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.

HiFiMAN RE800 Silver
Letshuoer S12 Ultra

HearWiki score

Sound

8.0

8.6

Value

8.8

8.9

Price (USD)

$120

$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

Letshuoer S12 Ultra (2025) against HiFiMAN RE800 Silver (2024). 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.

RE800 Silver2024
S12 Ultra20251 yr newer

Specifications

RE800 SilverS12 Ultra

Type: Wired IEMs; Wired IEMs
Price (USD): $120; $170
HearWiki score: 76; 83
Released: 2024; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 9.2 mm dynamic; 1 planar magnetic
Driver type: dynamic; planar
Driver configuration: -; 1 planar magnetic
Driver size: 9.2 mm; 14.8 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 20 kHz; -
Impedance: 60 Ω; 16 Ω
Active noise cancelling: No; -
Weight: 27 g; -
Detachable cable: No; -
USB-C: No; -

Specification comparison of HiFiMAN RE800 Silver vs Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Spec	HiFiMAN RE800 Silver	Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Type	Wired IEMs	Wired IEMs
Price (USD)	$120	$170
HearWiki score	76 / 100 Great	83 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2025
Audio
Driver	9.2 mm dynamic	1 planar magnetic
Driver type	dynamic	planar
Driver configuration	-	1 planar magnetic
Driver size	9.2 mm	14.8 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	5 Hz - 20 kHz	-
Impedance	60 Ω	16 Ω
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	-
Design
Weight	27 g	-
Detachable cable	No	-
USB-C	No	-

What reviewers said

HiFiMAN RE800 Silver

The HiFiMAN RE800 Silver is a wired single-dynamic-driver IEM that delivers impressive detail and a vivid, balanced sound with a slightly bright tilt. It offers strong value for its price, packing much of the flagship RE2000 experience into a compact, comfortable shell. While its non-detachable cable is a limitation, its performance and build make it a compelling budget audiophile choice.

Pro:Excellent price-to-performance ratio
Pro:Detailed and clear sound with strong mids and treble
Pro:Lightweight and comfortable design

Con:Non-detachable cable limits customization and durability
Con:Slightly bright tuning may not suit all listeners
Con:Requires a decent source due to 60-ohm impedance

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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