Kinera Celest Relentless 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.

Kinera Celest Relentless
Letshuoer S12 Ultra

HearWiki score

Sound

7.4

8.6

Value

6.4

8.9

Price (USD)

$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 Kinera Celest Relentless (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.

Celest Relentless2024
S12 Ultra20251 yr newer

Specifications

Celest RelentlessS12 Ultra

Type: Wired IEMs; Wired IEMs
Price (USD): $170; $170
HearWiki score: 68; 83
Released: 2024; 2025
Availability: Discontinued; Sold new
Driver: 1DD + 6BA hybrid; 1 planar magnetic
Driver type: hybrid; planar
Driver configuration: 1DD + 6BA; 1 planar magnetic
Driver size: -; 14.8 mm
Drivers per side: 7; 1
Impedance: 27 Ω; 16 Ω
Detachable cable: Yes; -
Connector: 2-pin 0.78 mm; -

Specification comparison of Kinera Celest Relentless vs Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Spec	Kinera Celest Relentless	Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Type	Wired IEMs	Wired IEMs
Price (USD)	$170	$170
HearWiki score	68 / 100 Good	83 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2025
Audio
Driver	1DD + 6BA hybrid	1 planar magnetic
Driver type	hybrid	planar
Driver configuration	1DD + 6BA	1 planar magnetic
Driver size	-	14.8 mm
Drivers per side	7	1
Impedance	27 Ω	16 Ω
Design
Detachable cable	Yes	-
Connector	2-pin 0.78 mm	-

What reviewers said

Kinera Celest Relentless

The Kinera Celest Relentless is a seven-driver hybrid in-ear monitor that pairs a single dynamic driver with six balanced-armature drivers for a detailed, layered sound. It comes with a detachable modular cable, making it a versatile wired option for audiophile use. With a 27-ohm impedance, it's easy to drive from most sources.

Pro:Rich, detailed hybrid sound signature
Pro:Detachable modular cable for flexibility
Pro:Easy to drive with low impedance

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:Requires a wired source
Con:Bulky fit may not suit all ears

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.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparison Kinera Celest Relentless Letshuoer S12 Ultra