Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red VS Letshuoer S12 Ultra

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LETSHUOER S12 Ultra wraps up the S12 line with a 14.8 mm planar driver and a familiar metal shell in gunmetal or mocha. The housing is vented, comfy for long sessions, and solidly built with a flat 2-pin interface that grips tips well. The stock package is practical: a soft case, a fair tip spread, a braided cable with swappable 4.4 mm termination, and even a plug-and-play USB-C DAC that performs capably for on-the-go use.

Sonically, this set aims for a mild V-shape with tasteful tweaks that elevate it over prior S12 iterations. There’s a touch more sub-bass than the S12 Pro and a smoother 10 kHz zone, reducing fatigue while keeping upper-treble reach for air. The presentation favors balance over sparkle: detailed without the brittle edge many planars flirt with, and notably non-fatiguing over longer listens. Technical chops are strong for the class—clean, clear, and “planar-fast”—though instrument separation can lag behind pricier hybrids, and the topmost “crispy” sheen is slightly restrained.

On graphs and in practice, S12 Ultra reads as a refined take on modern planars—more bass weight, tidier 4–6 kHz, and better treble behavior than its siblings. Listeners hypersensitive up top may still prefer something like the S15 for a softer treble contour, while those chasing maximal separation may lean to sets like AFUL Performer 7 (with a spicier treble). With the usual planar caveat about unit variance and fit, this edition comes through as the standout of the S12 series: a clean, engaging, and genuinely high-value recommendation under $500.

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Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red makes a strong case as an endgame budget pick for listeners who mostly game, study, commute, or run music in the background. The tuning reads neutral-balanced, distinctly Harman-ish, with no glaring weaknesses: clean, open vocals that aren’t shouty or recessed, smooth upper-mids that avoid Blessing 3-style sharpness, and respectable treble extension without harshness. Bass is punchy and neatly separated from the mids, and the bass plug adds simple versatility. Under casual listening, the “small upgrades” of pricier IEMs tend to disappear, making Red more than “good enough” for many.

Against peers, Red feels like a smart refinement: versus the original Zero it fixes the spicy upper-mids and scoop for a more natural, weighted presentation; compared to Quarks/Tanya DSP, its analog 3.5 mm connection avoids hiss/phasing, with sharper imaging and a fuller low end from the dual-driver setup. Hexa can edge it in separation on busy tracks, but the gap is small unless listening with full focus. PR2 may stage cleaner yet suffers from elevated treble and inconsistent tuning—recommendation depends on mods. Taken together, Red sets a benchmark value in the $50–$100 bracket and comfortably sits in a top-five conversation for entry-level enthusiasts—perfect for anyone ready to “take the red pill” and step off the upgrade carousel.

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The Letshuoer S12 Ultra comes through as the smoothest tuning in the S12 family— a sub-bass boosted all-rounder with quick transients and satisfying rumble that makes pop, hip-hop, and EDM notably fun. Technical performance sits around earlier S12 variants, but treble detail is dialed back a touch versus the OG/Pro in exchange for a more natural timbre and less “planar-bright” edge. It’s the bassiest S12 to date, hitting with better texture, impact, and extension, while keeping imaging crisp enough to stay engaging rather than clinical.

Tuning tweaks tame the upper range: a cut past 1.5 kHz and an 8–15 kHz dip ease shout and sibilance, with air returning via a lift around 15 kHz. Vocals sit a bit pulled back and the treble is the least energetic of the series, which helps long-session comfort—though brighter, heavily produced tracks or songs with little low-end can still sound peaky if pushed. Best results come at ~65–70 dB; tip-roll toward clear or bass-supporting tips to smooth the top and reinforce the lows, while avoiding brightening tips that exaggerate energy.

Versus peers, S12 Ultra feels like a bassier, less shouty take on Supermix 4/Nova and a slightly more V-shaped, punchier alternative to Defiant. It’s not a value monster for sheer detail compared with cheaper planars (T10, F1 Pro, etc.), but the payoff is a presentation that’s more musical, smoother, and easier to live with. For listeners wanting added slam without losing the S12’s speed and airy sense of space, this version offers the most enjoyable balance in the lineup.

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Tip rolling transforms everything. With the small-hole stock tips the Zero:Red comes across as a clean, adult, measurement-focused tuning—neutral, tidy, a bit narrower in stage. Swap to the large-hole set and it gets fuller, more open, and more fun. The gargantuan nozzles make tip fit a chore, but pairing with grippy “Render” tips blows the doors open: soundstage feels doubled, highs smooth slightly, and imaging tightens to the point where this stops behaving like a budget IEM. The refrain repeats: this doesn’t sound like a $50 IEM once the right tips are on.

Under the hood it’s a dual-dynamic setup (≈10 mm + 7.8 mm) with a bundled 10-ohm bass adapter that lifts the low-end shelf but demands much more power; handy for a quick “more bass” button, though straightforward EQ remains the cleaner route. The stock cable is cheap but serviceable, the faceplates are surprisingly handsome, and amp synergy matters—these dynamics reveal changes moving from single-ended to balanced or even tubes. The takeaway is simple: highly recommended, especially with aftermarket tips. Treat Zero:Red like a tuning canvas—roll tips, give it real power—and it responds with stage, warmth, and width that punch far above its price.

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Accessories are generous for the price: a pocketable carry case, three sets of ear tips (including foam), spare nozzle filters, and a 10Ω impedance adapter. The cable is thin yet practical with a working chin slider and 2-pin connectors, though the right-angled plug is clunky once the adapter is attached. The shells reuse the original Zero’s lightweight plastic chassis with a red faceplate—clean but a bit plain. Fit is generally secure, but the nozzle is long and wide, which could trouble smaller ear canals.

Sonically, this is Crinacle-neutral with a sub-bass boost: a flat, clean midrange, modestly elevated low end, and safe but well-extended treble. Lower mids carry a touch more warmth than sets like Blessing 3, keeping vocals natural without thinning; engage the included adapter and bass steps up smartly without muddying the mids. The trade-off is technicalities: transients are a bit soft, separation is average, and staging feels restrained versus more contrasty rivals like the original Zero; Moondrop LAN sounds tighter, while Hexa pulls ahead on microdetail, and Aria is warmer yet similarly softened. At $55, though, the Zero:Red is a small tuning triumph—balanced, versatile, and easy to recommend if target adherence matters more than wow-factor technicals—earning a solid 4/5.

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Final revision of the series brings a very coherent, slightly warmer presentation with treble pulled into safer territory and mids that feel a bit weightier. Ultra sits between the smoother S08 and the rawer S12 Pro, and it comes across a touch bassier than the graphs suggest. As a single-driver planar, it retains solid resolve and a natural, easy tonality that will suit most listeners, especially at the 169 price point.

Despite graphs looking similar to S12 2024, Ultra sounds smaller and flatter, with less transparency and dynamics. Soundstage is mainly left-right; height and depth are curtailed, so placement is not always in the right place on more spacious tracks. The smoother top end avoids harshness and makes long sessions comfortable, but the trade-off is reduced sparkle and air versus the 2024 tuning.

Versus budget planar standouts like KZ PRX, Ultra is a clear, smoother upgrade; versus S12 2024, it is the safer all-round pick but not as open or exciting. Dense mixes can nudge the bass toward a slight bloom and compress the center image. For most, this is the one S12 to buy; stage and transparency chasers may still prefer the 2024 version.