KZ Sonata 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.

KZ Sonata
Letshuoer S12 Ultra

HearWiki score

Sound

7.1

8.6

Value

5.9

8.9

Price (USD)

$160

$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 KZ Sonata (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.

Sonata2024
S12 Ultra20251 yr newer

Specifications

SonataS12 Ultra

Type: Wired IEMs; Wired IEMs
Price (USD): $160; $170
HearWiki score: 67; 83
Released: 2024; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 14× balanced armature; 1 planar magnetic
Driver type: balanced-armature; planar
Driver configuration: -; 1 planar magnetic
Driver size: -; 14.8 mm
Drivers per side: 14; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz; -
Impedance: 22 Ω; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 113 dB/mW; -
Active noise cancelling: No; -
Controls: none; -
Connector: 3.5 mm; -

Specification comparison of KZ Sonata vs Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Spec	KZ Sonata	Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Type	Wired IEMs	Wired IEMs
Price (USD)	$160	$170
HearWiki score	67 / 100 Good	83 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2025
Audio
Driver	14× balanced armature	1 planar magnetic
Driver type	balanced-armature	planar
Driver configuration	-	1 planar magnetic
Driver size	-	14.8 mm
Drivers per side	14	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 40 kHz	-
Impedance	22 Ω	16 Ω
Sensitivity	113 dB/mW	-
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	-
Controls	none	-
Design
Connector	3.5 mm	-

What reviewers said

KZ Sonata

The KZ Sonata is a wired, all-balanced-armature IEM that aims for technical precision and a broad soundstage, with clear mids and notable bass depth for its driver configuration. Its tuning leans toward a mid-centric profile that can sound dark or occasionally bright depending on ear tip choice, making it a genre-dependent pick rather than a universal all-rounder. It is easy to drive and performs well on detail, but its large shell and fit may not suit everyone.

Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and resolving mids
Pro:Wide, immersive soundstage for an all-BA design
Pro:Punchy, controlled bass for a balanced-armature set

Con:Large shell may cause fit issues for smaller ears
Con:Bass impact is lighter than typical V-shaped tunings
Con:Treble can sound dark or fatiguing depending on ear tips

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 KZ Sonata Letshuoer S12 Ultra