Wired IEMs
Letshuoer S12 Ultra
83Outstanding
$170
Full review dataLetshuoer S12 Ultra vs TRN BA8: 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
TRN BA8
44Weak
$150
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
- TRN BA8
HearWiki score
83
44
Sound
8.6
5.4
Value
8.9
-
Price (USD)
$170
$150
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
- BA82020
Specifications
S12 UltraBA8
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $150
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 44
- Released
- 2025
- 2020
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1 planar magnetic
- 8× balanced armature
- Driver type
- planar
- balanced-armature
- Driver configuration
- 1 planar magnetic
- -
- Driver size
- 14.8 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 8
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 20 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 100 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- ANC type
- -
- none
- Controls
- -
- none
- Weight
- -
- 25 g
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 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
TRN BA8
The TRN BA8 is a wired, all-balanced-armature in-ear monitor that prioritizes detail retrieval and a crisp, energetic presentation. Its treble-forward tuning delivers strong clarity, but the sound can feel aggressive and slightly sterile, making it a specialized choice for detail-focused listeners rather than those seeking a warm or relaxed signature. The lightweight build and detachable cable add practicality, though the accessory package is basic.
- Pro:Exceptional detail retrieval and resolution
- Pro:Tight, controlled bass response
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable shell
- Con:Hot upper-midrange can cause listening fatigue
- Con:Timbre comes across as sterile or unnatural
- Con:Treble-forward tuning is not for all listeners
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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