Wired IEMs
Letshuoer S12 Ultra
83Outstanding
$170
Full review dataLetshuoer S12 Ultra vs Meze Audio Alba: 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
Meze Audio Alba
80Great
$160
Full review dataScore 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.
- Letshuoer S12 Ultra
- Meze Audio Alba
HearWiki score
83
80
Sound
8.6
8.2
Value
8.9
7.8
Price (USD)
$170
$160
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 Meze Audio Alba (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.
- S12 Ultra20251 yr newer
- Audio Alba2024
Specifications
S12 UltraAudio Alba
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $160
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 80
- Released
- 2025
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 1 planar magnetic
- 10.8 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver configuration
- 1 planar magnetic
- -
- Driver size
- 14.8 mm
- 10.8 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 15 Hz - 25 kHz
- Sound signature
- -
- warm
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 109 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Weight
- -
- 14 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- 2-pin 0.78 mm
What reviewers said
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
Meze Audio Alba
The Meze Alba is a lightweight, wired IEM with a warm, mild V-shaped sound that suits a wide range of music. Its 10.8mm dynamic driver is easy to drive from any source, and the included USB-C adapter adds convenience, making it a strong value pick for everyday listening.
- Pro:Comfortable, lightweight build (14g)
- Pro:Warm, engaging tuning with good bass
- Pro:Easy to drive; works without an amp
- Con:No built-in microphone
- Con:Stock cable and tips may need upgrading
- Con:Sound lacks a standout specialty
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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