KIWI EARS CANTA 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 CANTA
Letshuoer S12 Ultra

HearWiki score

Sound

6.6

8.6

Value

6.8

8.9

Price (USD)

$89

$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 KIWI EARS CANTA (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.

CANTA2024
S12 Ultra20251 yr newer

Specifications

CANTAS12 Ultra

Type: Wired IEMs; Wired IEMs
Price (USD): $89; $170
HearWiki score: 62; 83
Released: 2024; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 1DD + 2PL hybrid; 1 planar magnetic
Driver type: hybrid; planar
Driver configuration: 1DD + 2PL; 1 planar magnetic
Driver size: 10 mm; 14.8 mm
Drivers per side: 3; 1
Impedance: 14 Ω; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 104 dB/mW; -
Active noise cancelling: No; -
Weight: 5.6 g; -
Connector: 2-pin 0.78 mm; -

Specification comparison of KIWI EARS CANTA vs Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Spec	KIWI EARS CANTA	Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Type	Wired IEMs	Wired IEMs
Price (USD)	$89	$170
HearWiki score	62 / 100 Good	83 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2025
Audio
Driver	1DD + 2PL hybrid	1 planar magnetic
Driver type	hybrid	planar
Driver configuration	1DD + 2PL	1 planar magnetic
Driver size	10 mm	14.8 mm
Drivers per side	3	1
Impedance	14 Ω	16 Ω
Sensitivity	104 dB/mW	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	-
Design
Weight	5.6 g	-
Connector	2-pin 0.78 mm	-

What reviewers said

KIWI EARS CANTA

The KIWI EARS CANTA is a wired hybrid IEM that blends a 10mm dynamic driver with two planar drivers for a lively, vocal-forward sound. It offers a fun, slightly colored tuning with strong clarity, solid bass, and impressive technical performance for its price, making it easy to drive and versatile across genres. While its energetic presentation suits many listeners, the bright upper mids and treble may feel intense or tiring for those preferring a more neutral or relaxed signature.

Pro:Engaging, vocal-forward tuning with strong clarity
Pro:Solid bass quality and good separation
Pro:Easy to drive with broad genre versatility

Con:Bright upper mids and treble can sound fatiguing
Con:Micro-detail retrieval is not a standout strength
Con:Tuning may limit full driver 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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New comparison KIWI EARS CANTA Letshuoer S12 Ultra