Wired IEMs
Letshuoer S12 Ultra
83Outstanding
$170
Full review dataLetshuoer S12 Ultra vs Moondrop MAY: 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
Moondrop MAY
75Great
$100
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 5 measures.
- Letshuoer S12 Ultra
- Moondrop MAY
HearWiki score
83
75
Sound
8.6
7.9
Calls
-
7.0
Value
8.9
8.2
Price (USD)
$170
$100
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 Moondrop MAY (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
- MAY2024
Specifications
S12 UltraMAY
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $100
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 75
- Released
- 2025
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1 planar magnetic
- 2-driver hybrid
- Driver type
- planar
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- 1 planar magnetic
- -
- Driver size
- 14.8 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 2
- Frequency response
- -
- 7 Hz - 39 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 30 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 105 dB/mW
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- -
- 120
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Weight
- -
- 4 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- USB-C
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
Moondrop MAY
The Moondrop MAY is a budget-friendly hybrid IEM with USB-C connectivity and a warm, bass-forward sound that suits relaxed listening. It delivers a smooth, easy-going tuning with good midrange presence, though its technical capabilities and DSP-related quirks hold it back from competing with pricier options.
- Pro:Warm, bass-rich sound that's easy to enjoy
- Pro:Comfortable fit with lightweight design
- Pro:Convenient USB-C connection
- Con:Limited technical performance in detail and dynamics
- Con:DSP behavior can be inconsistent
- Con:Vocal clarity and soundstage are not standout
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.