Kiwi Ears Airoso 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.

Kiwi Ears Airoso
Letshuoer S12 Ultra

HearWiki score

Sound

8.2

8.6

Value

8.3

8.9

Price (USD)

$130

$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

Both shipped in 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.

Airoso2025
S12 Ultra2025

Specifications

AirosoS12 Ultra

Type: Wired IEMs; Wired IEMs
Price (USD): $130; $170
HearWiki score: 79; 83
Released: 2025; 2025
Availability: Sold new; Sold new
Driver: 1DD + 4BA hybrid; 1 planar magnetic
Driver type: hybrid; planar
Driver configuration: 1DD + 4BA; 1 planar magnetic
Driver size: 10 mm; 14.8 mm
Drivers per side: 5; 1
Impedance: 18 Ω; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW; -
Active noise cancelling: No; -
Weight: 12 g; -
Detachable cable: Yes; -
Connector: 2-pin 0.78 mm; -

Specification comparison of Kiwi Ears Airoso vs Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Spec	Kiwi Ears Airoso	Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Type	Wired IEMs	Wired IEMs
Price (USD)	$130	$170
HearWiki score	79 / 100 Great	83 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2025	2025
Audio
Driver	1DD + 4BA hybrid	1 planar magnetic
Driver type	hybrid	planar
Driver configuration	1DD + 4BA	1 planar magnetic
Driver size	10 mm	14.8 mm
Drivers per side	5	1
Impedance	18 Ω	16 Ω
Sensitivity	110 dB/mW	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	-
Design
Weight	12 g	-
Detachable cable	Yes	-
Connector	2-pin 0.78 mm	-

What reviewers said

Kiwi Ears Airoso

The Kiwi Ears Airoso is a wired hybrid IEM that pairs a single 10mm dynamic driver with four balanced-armature drivers for a five-driver setup. Built for audiophiles, it offers detailed, versatile sound and a detachable 0.78mm two-pin cable for easy upgrades or replacement. Its light 12-gram build and low 18-ohm impedance make it easy to drive from most sources.

Pro:Five-driver hybrid design for rich detail
Pro:Detachable 0.78mm two-pin cable
Pro:Lightweight at 12 grams for comfort

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:Requires a wired source, no Bluetooth
Con:May need a good amplifier for optimal bass control

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 Kiwi Ears Airoso Letshuoer S12 Ultra