Wired IEMs
Letshuoer S12 Ultra
83Outstanding
$170
Full review dataLetshuoer S12 Ultra vs TRUTHEAR PURPLE: 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
TRUTHEAR PURPLE
73Great
$90
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
- TRUTHEAR PURPLE
HearWiki score
83
73
Sound
8.6
8.0
Value
8.9
7.5
Price (USD)
$170
$90
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
- PURPLE2020
Specifications
S12 UltraPURPLE
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $170
- $90
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 73
- Released
- 2025
- 2020
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1 planar magnetic
- 1DD + 3BA hybrid
- Driver type
- planar
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- 1 planar magnetic
- 1DD + 3BA
- Driver size
- 14.8 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 4
- Frequency response
- -
- 7 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 13.8 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 124 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- 2-pin 0.78 mm
- Model code
- -
- PURE
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
TRUTHEAR PURPLE
The TRUTHEAR PURPLE is a hybrid wired IEM combining a 10 mm dynamic driver with three balanced armatures for a warm, coherent, and smooth sound signature. It offers a strong midrange presence, controlled treble, and an easygoing tuning that many find musical and enjoyable. While its soundstage is somewhat narrow and imaging can be less precise, it remains a compelling option in its price range, often praised for its overall value and tuning.
- Pro:Warm, smooth, and coherent sound signature
- Pro:Strong midrange presence with non-sibilant treble
- Pro:Excellent value for a hybrid driver configuration
- Con:Soundstage is somewhat narrow
- Con:Imaging can be blurred or less precise
- Con:Bass performance may lack impact for some 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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