Wired IEMs
Letshuoer S12 Ultra
83Outstanding
$170
Full review dataLetshuoer S12 Ultra vs Moondrop Starfield: 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 Starfield
67Good
$120
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
- Moondrop Starfield
HearWiki score
83
67
Sound
8.6
7.4
Value
8.9
5.5
Price (USD)
$170
$120
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
The Letshuoer S12 Ultra is 5 years newer, but it is 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. For 5 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- S12 Ultra20255 yr newer
- Starfield2020
Specifications
S12 UltraStarfield
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $120
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 67
- Released
- 2025
- 2020
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 1 planar magnetic
- 10 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver configuration
- 1 planar magnetic
- -
- Driver size
- 14.8 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 10 Hz - 36 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 122 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- 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
Moondrop Starfield
The Moondrop Starfield is a wired, single-dynamic-driver IEM that delivers a well-balanced and detailed sound signature for its price. Its attractive design and comfortable fit make it a popular choice for both newcomers and experienced listeners seeking a reliable daily driver. While it offers excellent value, it faces stiff competition from newer models in the same price range.
- Pro:Refined and balanced tuning
- Pro:Excellent detail retrieval for the price
- Pro:Stylish and durable build quality
- Con:Not a major upgrade over cheaper alternatives
- Con:Lacks active noise cancellation
- Con:May require an amp for optimal performance on some devices
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.