Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red VS Letshuoer S12 Ultra

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red and Letshuoer S12 Ultra use 2DD and 1Planar (14.8 mm) driver setups respectively. Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red costs $55 while Letshuoer S12 Ultra costs $169. Letshuoer S12 Ultra is $114 more expensive. Letshuoer S12 Ultra holds a decisive 1.6-point edge in reviewer scores (6 vs 7.6). Letshuoer S12 Ultra has significantly better bass with a 1.6-point edge, Letshuoer S12 Ultra has better mids with a 0.9-point edge, Letshuoer S12 Ultra has significantly better treble with a 1.9-point edge, Letshuoer S12 Ultra has significantly better dynamics with a 2.4-point edge, Letshuoer S12 Ultra has significantly better soundstage with a 1.9-point edge, Letshuoer S12 Ultra has significantly better details with a 3.8-point edge and Letshuoer S12 Ultra has significantly better imaging with a 3.2-point edge.

Insights

Metric Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red Letshuoer S12 Ultra
Bass 6.2 7.8
Mids 5.9 6.8
Treble 5.8 7.6
Details 4.8 8.5
Soundstage 5.8 7.6
Imaging 4.8 7.9
Dynamics 5 7.4
Tonality 5.9 7.4
Technicalities 5.4 7.2

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Nymz
Jaytiss Shuwa-T Jays Audio
Tim Tuned Audionotions Gizaudio Axel Head-Fi.org
Z-Reviews Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

6

Mixed to Positive


Letshuoer S12 Ultra Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jays Audio
Web Search
Jaytiss Head-Fi.org

Average Reviewer Score:

7.6

Strongly Favorable


Reviews Comparison

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 5.8 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
C+ Tech
I think this is massivly overhyped, but it's not terrible and a great value with impedance adapters

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: C+ Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: B
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Price: $52

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Letshuoer S12 Ultra reviewed by Jaytiss

2025-10-05
Jaytiss 8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
They saved the best s12 for last.
Youtube Video Summary

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.

Mids: B Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A+

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Price: $199

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Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B- Tech
Great all-rounder, IEF-harman. Bass is a bit pillowy.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Letshuoer S12 Ultra reviewed by Jays Audio

2025-10-09
Jays Audio 6.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A- Tech
Smoothest S12 so far with fun sub-bass and good transients/dynamics. Slight v-shape, similar to the Defiant but a little more bassy. 1.5K vocal peak can be an issue on songs with no bass to cover it, but overall fine on most songs. Not as technical as OG S12/Pro, and not as good value vs cheaper planars, but trade of is Ultra is more refined, natural, and musical - I think the slight hit is worth it for a more enjoyable sound.
Youtube Video Summary

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.


Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 6.8 * score rescaled + normalized
20 community members have rated the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero Red at an average of 4.3/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Excellent.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Letshuoer S12 Ultra reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 8.7 * score rescaled + normalized
One community member has rated the LETSHUOER S12 Ultra at an average of 5.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Masterpiece.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red (more reviews)

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 7 * score rescaled + normalized

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 7* * score rescaled + normalized

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 6.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
Pros: Balanced tuning, smooth and natural timbre, good stage. Cons: Can use more micro details.

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: A+ Mids: S Treble: A-

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 6 Reviewer Score
IMHO no one really needs anything more than this. Impecable tuning. Techs are competitive with anything under $100. Only true knock I have against this is that the nozzle is pretty bad - long and thick, which may be a problem for some. It certainly makes putting eartips on them very difficult. Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 6 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B- Tech
Great balanced, smooth tuning. Needs more bass for my taste, can be a bit soft at times.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 5.7 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
B Tech
check links for more info:

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: B- Mids: C Treble: B Soundstage: B- Details: B Imaging: B+

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 4.3 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
D Tech
Brilliant tonal balance with the option to for extra bass. A bargain at its price point.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: C+ Mids: C+ Treble: C+ Details: D+ Imaging: D

Letshuoer S12 Ultra (more reviews)

Letshuoer S12 Ultra reviewed by Web Search

2025-10-05
uses AI-Search to turn user, reddit and head-fi reviews into clear, concise summaries.
Web Search 7.1 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A Tech

The Letshuoer S12 Ultra continues the brand’s planar lineage with a 14.8 mm planar-magnetic driver in a compact metal shell. Notable upgrades include a 392-core silver-plated cable with interchangeable 3.5/4.4 mm plugs and even a bundled DT01 Pro Type-C DAC cable in some packages, positioning it as a self-contained portable solution at an MSRP around $169.

Tonally, the Ultra aims for a lively U-shaped balance common to prior S12 variants—crisp upper-treble energy with solid bass presence—while early impressions from show-floor demos frame it as the most refined take yet. That aligns with the S12 family’s reputation for strong resolution and a brisk top-end; the original S12 was praised for technical performance albeit with a brighter tilt, context that helps set expectations for the Ultra’s direction.

As with many planars, the S12 line can benefit from competent source power to realize dynamics and control; community reviews note the Ultra responds well to suitable amplification. Staging remains more intimate than expansive compared to some hybrids, but imaging and micro-detail are competitive at the price, making the Ultra a pragmatic sub-$200 pick for listeners who value clarity and transient speed over warmth.


Bass: A Mids: A Treble: A+ Dynamics: A Soundstage: A- Details: S- Imaging: A

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Letshuoer S12 Ultra User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

5.5

Gaming Grade

B-

Letshuoer S12 Ultra Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7.2

Gaming Grade

A-

Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B-
  • The tuning leans easygoing, yet occasional unevenness nudges it away from greatness. A bit of EQ polish can smooth things nicely.

Average Technical Grade

C+
  • The presentation is steady if unspectacular, holding onto essential details when the music stays simple. Fine details occasionally slip through the cracks.
Bass B
You get a lively bass response that balances energy with discipline. It balances punch with respectable control.
Mids B-
Expect a competent midrange that keeps vocals grounded and instruments clear. Tone is acceptable across multiple genres.
Treble B-
Highs come through with reasonable clarity while staying mostly smooth. Sibilance is mostly controlled.
Dynamics C+
You get reliable macrodynamics, with micro shifts that remain only adequate. A reliable performer for most tracks.
Soundstage B-
Stage expands beyond the shoulders and finally hints at layers, though vertical cues stay muted. Depth cues begin to emerge.
Details C
You get the outline of textures, though the finer brushstrokes remain faint. Background information is audible but soft.
Imaging C
Center information lands in the right area but not with laser focus. Separation is adequate for casual listening.
Gaming B-
Moderate spatial presentation conveys general directionality. Suitable for casual play where precision isn't critical.

Letshuoer S12 Ultra Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • It balances warmth and clarity well, showing only minor quirks along the way. Timbre feels believable with most instruments.

Average Technical Grade

A-
  • The presentation feels orderly, balancing workable detail retrieval with acceptable imaging cues. It keeps momentum without smearing transients.
Bass A
It serves up confident rumble and texture while keeping the spectrum balanced. You can enjoy bass-heavy music without fatigue.
Mids B+
It offers engaging mid frequencies with pleasing clarity and layering. Details emerge without becoming harsh.
Treble A
Highs feel superbly executed, revealing micro-detail without hint of sibilance. Highs stay smooth even at volume.
Dynamics A-
You get outstanding dynamic agility, from subtle nuances to big hits. Impact comes with quick recovery.
Soundstage A
The stage stretches in every direction, carving out clear three-dimensional pockets for each player. Placement accuracy impresses from the start.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers while maintaining natural timbre. It uncovers hidden layers with ease.
Imaging A
You can literally point to where sounds originate across the stage. You can point to where sounds originate.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations.

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