Letshuoer Cadenza 4

Introduction:-

Hey guys, today I have the Lethsuoer Cadenza 4 with me. This is the budget version of their flagship iem the Cadenza 12.


I have also shared a video version of the review at YouTube any support there in form of a view, A like or A subscribe is greatly appreciated. But if you so wish to read the written version you can read this.







This is a review unit from letshuoer but all the thoughts and opinions you are about to hear are my own.


Buy it here (Unaffiliated Link) :-

Letshuoer Store - https://letshuoer.net/products/letshuoer-cadenza4-wired-iem-hifi-earphones-in-ear-monitor

Amazon USA - https://www.amazon.com/Letshuoer-Beryllium-Coated1DD-Detachable-Audiophile/dp/B0CRGQ9BMB

Letshuoer Aliexpress - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806531430674.html


I will be as usual following my bullet style format for better readability for those who are dyslexic and in general find it hard to read long paragraphs. I follow this guide in general from the British Dyslexia Association.


Lets get started!

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Build, Comfort and Accessories:-



1. The overall packaging of the Cadenza 4 is exactly as same as the S15, I will show a picture so you get an idea.






2. The iem is this 3d printed plastic which has the same texture as the fantastic case.



3. It has only 2 types of tips one for vocal and one balanced, for my testing I have used the balanced tips



4. The cable is modular and is really supple and is better than the S15 cable in my opinion. The cable also has very minor microphonics



5. The iem is built very well, and the outer face plate is made out of aluminium



6. The fit is fantastic! I mean this is literally the best fit of an iem I have had. For me it seems like a custom mold



7. I can wear them for 8-10 hours and wont find any discomfort.



8. When I wear the iem, there is an immediate reduction of surrounding noise. The passive noise isolation is really good.



9. The price of the Cadenza 4 if ordered from the pre-sale from March 25th to March 31st is $229 and the MSRP is $249



10. The cadenza has a 1 Dynamic Driver and 3 BA drivers with 1 being sonion and other 2 being knowles



11. They have 3 acoustic tubes with a 4-way crossover



12. There is no driver flex here



13. There is a minor BA Timbre

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Sound Impressions:-



1. The overall sound impressions of the cadenza is that its very neutral with a subtle sub-bass boost.



2. While this might seem like a harman tuning at first but the treble is much more well controlled than harman



3. The overall tuning sounds really clean and it doesn’t cater to either basshead or treblehead



4. Honestly its refreshing seeing a tuning like this in a sea of harman or v or u shaped iems!



5. I will be using my usual devices for testing the cadenza 4



6. They are easy to drive but does scale well with power, so some of the testing is done via the 4.4mm



7. In my opinion they sound quite good at low volumes too, but the iem shines when playing at medium to medium high volumes.



8. All my testing is done at variety of volumes to get a proper idea



9. I have used all the stock accessories for testing



Bass-



1. The bass here is sub-bass focused rather than md-bass focused which is good for me personally



2. If you are someone who likes mid-bass over sub-bass, you might be a bit disapointed.



3. But that doesn’t mean that the mid-bass quality is bad.



4. The overall bass quantity is very apt that is its not too much or too less.



5. But, what I did find is that some bass heavy songs like crack crack crackle by classy does lack that final crispness of the bass. A tad bit more bass could have soundeed even better.



6. This bit of lack of bass is also apparent when listening to instrumentals like cassiopea and ymo



7. When listening to the 1985 live album from cassiopea the instruments sounds good but the overall impact of them feel a bit flabby. But when a bit of bass is addeed like lets say by using the Xbass mode of my ifi go blu the instruments gets this body they become tactile and they really shine



8. Using the xbass mode in my ifi go blu also gives me that final crispness of the bass which I found lacking for some songs.



9. While majority of the audience who likes a clean sound will be pleased with the sound of cadenza 4



10. I think adding a tad bit to the bass region with the likes of ifi go blue using a xbass mode really makes the overall bass shine and also giving the instruments a bit of body and edge






Mids-



1. The midrange is really good



2. The male vocals sounds crisp and they come across in the mix



3. Sometimes in some songs deep thick male vocals like bill withers or chris cornell sound a tad bit sterile and their thick luscious nature doesn’t really come across that well.



4. Again adding a tad bit of bass helps a lot here too. Then again this is a nitpick here for the price and tuning it is following, but I still thought of mentioning it.



5. Now female vocals here are exceptionally done!



6. They are really good and come across perfectly, they aren't too shouty but neither are they laid back.



7. Songs like OP from Tearmoon teikoku monogatari which is Happy end princess by Sumire Uesaka comes across perfect! Her voice is neither too shrilly or too laid back.



8. I really recommend this if you want something for female vocals which also has good male vocals



Treble-



1. The overall treble is really well done



2. The treble doesn’t sound shrilly or piercy at all and is perfectly in sync with the upper mids



3. There is a slight roll-off on upper treble which might be a bit of issue for some songs



4. This is not a treble head iem, but it does a very good job in balancing a good treble details while not sounding too piercy



5. People who are sensitive to treble will like this



6. Although someone who loves even darker treble, might have some issues here. And might find it a tinge shrilly at higher volumes



Technicalities:-



The overall technicalities is really good. Its not the cleanest out there, but as I said before it does everything nicely and does a great balancing act






Soundstage & Imaging:-



It is really fantastic! The soundstage is probably best in the price range. And when listening to songs like Galatic Funk by Cassiopea the 1985 live version it is even more apparent. The claps at distance and the placement of the instruments is so well done.



The imaging too is very well done, the left to right transition and vice-versa comes across really well.



Gaming Test:-

Here they do a really good job. The footsteps are heard really well while also having a good idea about the surrounding too. But when there is too much happening and If played at higher volumes they will sound a bit shrilly.

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Comparison & Recommendation:-



1. v/s 7hz Timeless AE – I prefer the cadenza 4 in some cases as it does a good job in most genres. But if I want a fun sounding V-shape iem then the timeless AE will be my choice.



2. v/s EA1000 – The ea1000 is harman done well. Its fantastic iem, but the ea1000 is quite a bit bright sounding when compared to the Cadenza 4. If you are a treblehead ea1000 it is, if you are not and want a more all rounder iem then the cadenza makes a better choice.



3. v/s S15 – The s15 is more of a relaxing iem while the cadenza 4 is more of an all rounder iem. The cadenza 4 has better treble response than s15. But the S15 is almost $100 more than the cadenza 4. So it really depends on what you want.



3. I really like the cadenza 4, specially for the price both MSRP and early bird.



4. I think so the cadenza 4 is an almost perfect neutral sounding iem for the price.



5. While it wont fit the bill for the bassheads or trebleheads out there, it does a great job balancing the act.



6. I personally prefer pairing the cadenza 4 with the ifi go blu and using the xbass mode






7. The tad bit better bass response and giving the instruments a bit of a body which I get by doing that is so well worth it.



8. Its really nice seeing an iem like this in a sea of harman tune or v tune iems.



9. I think so the cadenza 4 is an excellent option for anyone wanting an all-rounder iem.



10. If you do get it, I highly suggest adding a tad bit more bass or if you have an ifi go blu suggest using the xbass mode to improve the overall sound a bit.



11. Unlike the S15, cadenza 4 is priced is fantastically. A default recommendation form me around the $200 price point as of now.



12. So thats my review of the Cadenza 4. I hope you liked, Thanks for stopping by!

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If you have any questions please feel free to ask me and also if you have any issues regarding this format of review please do comment I will try to mend it. Also sorry to those who are used to reading long paragraphs of review in headfi. I hope my review was upto the mark, I appreciate any feedback.

Again a big thanks to Letshuoer for making this review possible.

Have a great day ahead, Bye

The Refined Letshuoer Cadenza4



Disclaimer

I got the Cadenza4 for free in return for a review, I am free to say whatever I want.

All impressions are my own subjective thoughts after having used them for a good time. These are my thoughts at this moment, and as time moves I might change my opinion.
This is also a very subjective hobby where everything from experience, anatomy or age will affect what we hear. Also keep in mind that it is easy to use bold words when talking about differences, while it may be perceived as a small change for you.
While I can perceive something as natural sounding, I do believe we can never get a perfect performance similar to what is achieved live.

Ranking System:
1 Very bad or unlistenable
2 Listenable but not good
3 Average
4 Very good
5 Exceptional or having a special sauce

My rating system highly values what is musical for me, so my rating will always be a subjective opinion.



About me and my gear used for the review

My audio preference is neutral with some warmth, I can also like forward midrange and treble if not excessive. I am a believer in having different tuned gears for different genres or moods instead of chasing the single perfect one.

Main music genres I listen to are Metal, Electronica, Jazz, Indy rock/metal, R&B, Pop. I am a music lover, and can also listen to almost all the genres out there.
I have been into music gear since the mid 90s, gifted some big speakers at an early age. Then moved more and more into headphones with the Koss Porta Pro and a Sony Discman.
I have also tried playing many instruments over the years from piano to sax and have a feel for what's a natural tone, but not the biggest patience in learning to play.

My current favorites in Headphones are ZMF Verite Open and Beyerdynamic T1 G2.
My current favorites in IEMs are AüR Audio Ascension and Campfire Audio Bonneville.
My current favorites in Earbuds are FranQL Caelum and Blue Moon.

Gear used in the main rig is Denafrips Ares 12th-1 DAC together with the Topping A90 Discrete headphone Amp. I also have a Schiit Lokius I can swap in if I want to do a little analogue EQ.

Portable main gear being HIBY R8 II and HIBY R6 Pro 2, with some dongles like HIBY FC6 and Colorfly CDA-M1P.





So what is the Letshuoer Cadenza4

Letshuoer is a IEM brand that was founded in 2016 in China, they have had many well received releases. The Cadenza4 is their newest model, it is a hybrid IEM with 1 dynamic driver and 3 balanced armatures. As of this time it retail at $249.



Packaging is excellent and among the better ones, especially when we look at IEMs at this price bracket. That can also be said for the accessories, you get two sets of silicon tips in small, medium and large. One set focusing on vocal clarity and the other for a balanced sound, should be easy to find tips that work for most people.



The IEM cable is also of good quality, it is not too thick or thin. Minimal amount of memory and is quite pliable, the ear hooks seem improved from earlier Letshuoer models and work for me without any modification. It also have Letshuoer angled modular system, so you can swap from 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm. The connection of the modular part is solid, don't need to be afraid of it falling out as it does on some brands.



You get an envelope with some pamphlets, one about warranty and one on instructions. Also a quality control mark.



In my opinion the design is elegant, the aluminum alloy faceplate against the 3D printed resin shell looks very clean. The surface has a smoother surface that's very pleasing, and also feels premium.



The nozzle has a good length and is average in size if not even a little smaller, should fit most ears excellent.



The grooves are subtle, but really help Cadenza4 sit comfortable and snug. There is also a vent on the side of the 2 pin connector to not get any driver flex or ear pressure.



3 way acoustic tubes, with 4 way digital crossover. The internal tubes are 3D printed to get the acoustic properties that Letshuoer wants.



Specs from the product website:

Quad driver hybrid in-ear hifi earphones

• Cadenza4 uses a proprietary 10mm dual-chambered beryllium coated dynamic driver, which possesses the characteristics of being light and extremely rigid.
• The combination of Knowles and Sonion balanced armature drivers which makes the Cadenza4 to be packed with resolution, rich in mid-frequency details, and ample treble extension.
• Cadenza4 adopts three acoustic tubes that are combined with an electronic four-way crossover. The 50μm 3D printed acoustic tubes ensures accurate, smooth, and consistent sound. The four-way electronic crossover allows for precise control of frequency distribution and significantly reduces phase errors.
• Cadenza4 once again collaborates with Heygear Technology to refine the earphone chassis. Ensuring comfortable long-term wear and enhanced durability. The panel is crafted from CNC aluminum alloy material with a matte finish which provides a delicate and textured feel
• Cadenza4 comes standard with a 392-strands high-purity silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable, enhancing the fidelity of the sound. With three types of 90° interchangeable plugs, which significantly improves device compatibility.

https://letshuoer.net/products/letshuoer-cadenza4-wired-iem-hifi-earphones-in-ear-monitor



Timbre

First off, what is Timbre?
From the Wikipedia:
The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Acoustical Terminology definition 12.09 of timbre describes it as "that attribute of auditory sensation which enables a listener to judge that two nonidentical sounds, similarly presented and having the same loudness and pitch, are dissimilar", adding, "Timbre depends primarily upon the frequency spectrum, although it also depends upon the sound pressure and the temporal characteristics of the sound"

First minutes of trying a new set of gear, what I always listen to is how natural and musical it sounds. Much of this goes down to how I perceive the Timbre.

The sound is neutral with a small hint of warmth, it's very coherent for a hybrid IEM. Sort of smooth but clear sounding, just a very balanced and good timbre.

Going to use the ranges here in review:





Details and soundstage

This is not a super resolving IEM, but still quite decent when you look at the price point and against other hybrids. You can then still hear everything that's portrayed without exaggerating the flaws, but also doesn't mask them.

Soundstage is also average when looking at width and depth, what it does very well is having an enveloping stage around me. Sort of 3D where I feel I'm more inside the music, engaging and fun.

Bass

The bass is tight and reaches deep, it's quite fast and not as forward sounding. So its not all music that sounds as full and engaging as I prefer. But if we look at the quality, it's excellent with good texture and speedy decay.
Mid bass could have been a little more powerful, at least for my taste.


Mids

Mids are very natural with good clarity and presence, also without sounding harsh or shouty. The low midrange is very clean without any bleed from the bass, this also means it can be a little lean and soulless if you prefer more lushness.
I am one who prefers more low mids, but lately I have been appreciating this type of tuning much more than usual. This might be better for some music, and also to make vocals more clean and crisp.

This is actually one of Cadenza4's strengths, vocals have very good clarity and presence. Especially on brighter females, it also delivers this without any shoutyness or sibilance.
It does female vocal, or brighter vocalists better than darker ones. Not that males are wrong, just lack a little body. Instruments sound natural and clean also, and similar to vocals depends a little on what range and how they play. For example, sax has a good bite without shouting, and instruments like piano sound coherent and clean front the lowest octaves to the brightest.

Treble

Transparent and open sounding, not the best upper extension and lacks some air. But looking at how clean and resolving the treble is excellent, it is also not sounding sharp or sibilant. Might be someone's preference as you get a very good lower treble without any painful upper treble, that often sounds forced to my ears.

Synergies

I prefer to use warmer sources with Cadenza4, so HIBY FC6 is excellent and sounds very good. Using a player like HIBY DAP is also excellent, sounds more resolving and clear with Cadenza4. Using the dynamics plugin of HIBY is also a great way to add warmth for a more fun sound.

Stock cable is very good for me, both in sound, design and comfort. Divinis Velvety worked perfectly for me, but I did try Final Audio Type-E tips for more bass. But didnt feel it helped, except for making it less open sounding.



Comparisons

When evaluating the sets I use each of them over longer periods and also some shorter sessions swapping back and forth, it takes a long time and is not done in one sitting. The most critical comparison is done on my desktop setup that is highly resolving, with volume matching through a microphone to take away loudness variance.

The spider chart is slightly exaggerated on some points to show differences.





Letshuoer S15

This is their flagship planar IEM costing $329, uses a 14.8mm planar magnetic driver together with a 6mm passive filter. Competition with its own S12 has made it a tough sell, even if its better both in tuning and performance.

The shell has a similar type of material that I wish more brands could start to use, as it helps with comfort and feel more premium. The ergonomics are not as nice on S15 as Cadenza4, it lack some of the subtle nozzle and groves making Cadenza perfect.

Bass is very good as a planar driver, can almost fool me on some music for being a DD. But it lacks some texture and also the decay seems wrong to me, almost a little blunted. So it can't keep up with the quality of Cadenza4 low end, at least for me.

Mids are relaxed and smooth, very forgiving. But also lack some bite and energy that is needed for brighter vocals and instruments. Treble is also forgiving and smooth, and less airy than Cadenza4.
S15 is overall a very forgiving IEm with warm tonality, just better for relaxed listening instead of picking music apart.



Hisenior Mega5EST

This is a tribrid and flagship from Hisenior costing $550, it has 1DD 2BA and 2EST. Reason why it is inside the reviews as comparison is due to both having a very refined natural sound, and Cadenza4 reminds me of a baby Mega5EST with more bite.

Also a quite small IEM, but larger than Cadenza4. Both are very ergonomic, but Cadenza4 is the best. This also uses a more traditional resin shell, getting the glossy look instead of the matt look on Cadenza4.

Both have good bass performance, the Cadenza4 is a little tighter and Mega5EST slightly more textured.
Midrange is both similar sounding and a little different, both have a very clean midrange that's coherent with no BA timbre. The Mega5EST has a more relaxed style, so instruments like brass or cymbals have less bite and presence. Cadenza4 instead pushes this more forward making it more energetic, also why I say Cadenza4 is good for female vocals.

Treble and air are also different, Mega5EST have more shimmery and detailed top end.
Probably due to the EST drivers used in Mega5EST, but both have good highs anyway.

Mega5EST is slightly more technical but it's very close, some music can be clearer on Cadenza4 since the upper mids are pushed more forward. So I rate them about equal on resolution. Soundstage is also very similar, not the widest and deepest and they are quite similar.



Music

https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/ad7bbfa3-2067-4235-b2ed-f5a3fb53ff28

When comparing Letshuoer Cadenza4 to other sets I have used the tracks listed here and more.
The link is to a playlist consisting of some tracks I have saved for testing, it's still a work in progress.

I will also do it a little differently than what I usually do, I'll mention a small part under each track with how each IEM sounds like compared to the Cadenza4. I will provide a link to each track for you to test out, my own listening being with my FLAC files or Tidal streaming.



Djo - End of Beginning
https://songwhip.com/djo/end-of-beginning

Cadenza4
Pleasing and clean sounding, enough body to make drums, bass and vocal be engaging. This is not the most technical recording, so it's better to just use it for enjoyment evaluation. And the Cadenza4 nails that one.

S15
A very similar weight to the music, but lacks the organic natural side of Cadenza4. Especially noticeable on his voice, it is also not as clean and open sounding with some darker upper frequencies.

Mega5EST
Very similar to Cadenza4, has some extra body due to the warmer tilt. Have a small edge on the details, but the difference is small.



Adam Baldych, Leszek Mozdzer - Passacaglia
https://songwhip.com/adam-baldych/passacaglia

Cadenza4
Clean and natural sound, has a good bite without being sharp. The violin sounds rich and vibrant, and the same can be said for the piano. Good amount of detail to show the nuanced plucking or bowing of the violin or the grand piano.
Cadenza4 is my new recommendation for orchestral music in this price segment, nails both timbre and technicalities.


S15
Softer and darker than the two other models here, very forgiving. Also a step below in resolution, I think this is more due to tonality than the driver. As the S15 has a very capable planar driver, the biggest downside is that I still don't find the planar driver correctly sounding on acoustic music.

Mega5EST
Very natural sounding and spacious, both piano and the violin are lifelike. Amount of texture and body to the violin is natural and slightly more correct than Cadenza4, it also sounds more airy on the Mega5est. Some parts are softer on Mega5EST, while the Cadenza4 has some extra clarity and presence on certain parts.



Gidge - Gausta
https://songwhip.com/gidge/gausta

Cadenza4
Gidge just released this album, and Cadenza4 was my first IEM hearing the album with. The beryllium driver has very good bass texture and decay for electronica, I have no need for EQ on this track. Warmth is tasteful and not too weighty so the rest of the elements can also show, but I'll focus on the bass: Bass is sort of dense and round, it sounds solid and fast.

S15
This is the best sounding planar I have used, specially for bass and low mids. Still it doesn't sound the same as a good dynamic driver, sort of more plasticky and hollow. This goes also here for this electronic track, sort of lacking something.

Mega5EST
The bass is tuned very similar to the Cadenza4, with good sub bass extension and some natural mid bass warmth. Driver is Bio Cellulose and is softer than the Cadenza4 driver, this can also be heard in this electronic track.
Bass is still dense and round, but softer in the bounce and less speedy (not slow by any means). In a way slightly more textured, both are excellent on texture anyway.



girl in red - Too Much
https://songwhip.com/girl-in-red/too-much

Cadenza4
Her newest album and perhaps best track from it, also a radio hit in Norway.
The Cadenza4 has a tasteful forward upper midrange with clear low mids. In return it shines with female or brighter vocals, and has a lot of bite on her vocal. Also means it shows every nuance of her voice, and doesn't hide it when she has some edge in her voice.
Vocal lovers should be very pleased for female vocalists, be it this style or something like J-pop.

S15
Softer and darker, she doesn't have the same bite and clarity and lacks some soul. This is not only due to tuning, but also some due to the planar driver. Still don't really nail acoustic music or vocals, I am exaggerating some. And I might be more sensitive to the planar timbre, but even so I don't think female vocals are S15 strength.

Mega5EST
Going from the Cadenza4 it's clear that Mega5EST has less bite and presence on her voice, making the music softer and more forgiving. Her more intense or edgy parts are more forgiving, and not really noticeable here like they are on Cadenza4.
So depending on what you like, this might be too safe and lack the clarity on vocals like Cadenza4.



WENDY - Wish You Hell
https://songwhip.com/wendy/wish-you-hell

Cadenza4
Very clear and crisp, for me almost too energetic sounding. But I am more used to sets with less vocal presence, even if it's forward it's very clean and not piercing or metallic.
In return you do get a very resolving presentation here, riding a good balance of detail and fun.

S15
Actually find the S15 quite decent and fun on this track, softens some of the energetic elements and makes music more pleasing. Lack the clarity and don't sound as detailed as the Cadenza4, but it's not bothering me as much here as with the previous track.

Mega5EST
It's a reason why this has been my favorite set lately, the relaxed upper mids is to my preference. It does give you a less energetic sound, but in return the music is smoother and more forgiving.
It's as resolving as Cadenza4 on her vocal, and actually has a more airy silky top.



Sean Ono Lennon - Acidalia
https://songwhip.com/sean-ono-lennon/acidalia

Cadenza4
Very clean and open sounding, instruments are crisp and nuanced. It lacks bass, which would have sounded better with a little extra bass boost. As it gets a little thin on drums or the guitar, but again that's for my preference.

S15
A little too safe sounding, but also very pleasing. The drums are softer, cymbals also have less bite and clarity. But again it sounds warmer than Cadenza4, and fits the track more.
The guitar itself is actually very dreamlike with the softer sound on S15.

Mega5EST
Warm and smooth sounding, fuller than Cadenza4. Due to the mids it sounds less resolving and open, so looking at clarity and energy the Cadenza4 is better here. But it's not as safe as S15, and a step closer to Cadenza4.



My Dying Bride - Her Domination
https://songwhip.com/my-dying-bride/her-dominion

Cadenza4
While the Cadenza4 has good clarity and sound fast for rock and metal, it does lack some warmth and mid bass presence to sound full and engaging. Cadenza4 is quite airy on the cymbals, and adds some realism to the track.

S15
Sound thicker and have more life on the drums and guitars, also the growling sound fuller and more husky. But the cymbals are very dark and veiled after having listened to Cadenza4, also doesn't sound as resolving as Cadenza4.

Mega5EST
Absolutely the best of the three for metal and rock, have the fulness like S15. But have a clarity more similar to Cadenza4, just softer on the cymbals. But the cymbals have more airiness to them even if they are not as powerful as with Cadenza4. His vocals are also the best mix of fullness and clearness, in the middle of Cadenza4 and S15.



Conclusion

I truly recommend the Letshuoer Cadenza4 for the ones looking for a good natural sounding IEM.

The Cadenza4 is an excellent release, one of the best ones this year. It is now my favorite sub $500 neutral hybrid IEM, especially a favorite for natural sound. It is good with most music, while really shines with vocals or acoustic music. It mixes smooth tonality with good clarity, a pleasing and refined sound.

You also get a clean and nice looking IEM, perhaps the most ergonomic IEM out there due to size, material and shell design. You also get good accessories and a nice presentation, it is just a very good deal you get here.

It's a solid 4 star release, if I also used price to performance I would rate it even higher.

LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 ($249): Does Trickledown work? Me thinks so.

4.25

LETSHUOER Cadenza 4

Intro: Following on the heels of the successful Cadenza 12 (a wonderful TOTL), and the S15 (A smooth-sounding IEM), the Cadenza 4 tries to fit into a niche using both (IMO) IEMs as models. A hybrid that uses both DD and two types of BAs (Knowles & Sonion), the company uses the expertise from both models mentioned to fashion a high “low-end” model.

The Cadenza 4 was given to me for review. It is implied that the critter is mine, but may be asked back for any time. This of course bears no bearing upon my review. Plus, I still feel that flipping review units is uncool.


Specs:





In The Box:

Gear Used/Compared:

Cayin N6ii mkii
FiiO CP13
iFi Diablo2

Shanling MG100 ($159)
LETSHUOER S15 ($329)
QoA Aviation ($199)


Music:

Tidal-Jazz, Blues
Qobuz-same w/ Big Band & Norah Jones



Unboxing:

Just like the S15, the unboxing is Empire Ears-like, with a slide-out tray, which contains the IEM cable inside the case. To the right are the three interchangeable jacks (2.5mm bal, 3.5mm se, & 4.4mm bal). But above that, you get to see the Cadenza 4 set in a paperboard-covered soft foam insert (which takes some effort to retrieve).

Below that you have the instruction manual in an envelope along with a warranty card. The tips are stored initially inside the round case, with the cable. But, once the Cadenza 4 is mounted to the cable, you cannot get all of that back into the case comfortably. At least I couldn’t without smashing the tips. A good idea, but in need of a bit of fine-tuning.

That IEM case also seems a bit lower quality than the S15 case. I had a more difficult time screwing the lid back on, and the feel, while good tactility-wise, felt less luxurious.

LETSHUOER includes 6 sets of tips, including a mounted set on the IEM. The two types are vocal and balanced, coming in three different sizes – small, medium, and large.

The balanced tips have longer and thinner stems, making for a well...more balanced approach while restricting openness and the soundstage. The vocal tips are shorter and have thicker stems, enhancing the midrange with a more open sound, while showcasing vocals and adding grunt down low comparatively.



Build/Fit:

The Cadenza 4 is made from a 3D-printed resin, in a typical teardrop shape, with a larger nub to help with fit. A narrow nozzle helps with insertion, and the overall quality is good with three well-fitting parts. The faceplate shines in silver with the LETSHUOER logo in black on both the left and right sides. The Fit of the faceplate seems off, but when you feel for a gap between the shell and faceplate there isn’t one.

The shell fits nearly flush in my average-sized ears, with no discomfort, which led to long listening sessions. Thankfully there is a dedicated sheath for an ear hook, too. This made the cable lay in a much better position behind my ear, even wearing my reading glasses.

There are minor microphonics associated with the cable, but not as much as some in this category. The cable has a clear plastic rectangular cinch, which works quite well above the burnished silver Y-splitter. The two-wire cable contains 392 strands per cable of silver-plated monocrystalline copper.

As many companies are doing, there are three jacks included as mentioned above. Instead of sliding in, complete with a slot and having a screw cover; the Cadenza 4 only has the slide-in part. But I did not worry about it coming loose since the two parts fit together with good pressure.

The cable laid nicely when unwound, but it did take a bit to do so. I found that if you ran your hand down the cable as you unwound it, the shape immediately went straight.

Combine all of this, and I think the Cadenza 4 fits and functions very well.



Technology:

The Cadenza 4 contains a new proprietary 10mm dual-chambered beryllium-coated dynamic driver and 3 BA drivers (a single Sonion with dual Knowles drivers) making for a quad-driver hybrid in-ear monitor.

The 50-micrometer 3D-printed acoustic tube aids in fine-tuning the sound, while an electronic 4-way crossover network finalizes the process. Combined, this makes the Cadenza 4 easy to drive with an impedance of 15Ω @1kHz and a sensitivity rating of 102 db/Vrms.



Sound:

All listening was done on the sources mentioned above in combination to get the most out of determining the synergy of the Cadenza 4.

Summary:

The Cadenza 4 sounds more towards the neutral part of the sound spectrum, with a natural uncolored feel to it, which departs from some of LETSHUOER’s previous offerings. While not bass-shy, it evenly presents both ends to make for that balanced signature. Think “just right” in the realm of Goldilocks



moar:

Subbass goes fairly low, but without the impact that basshead-oriented IEMs may carry. Quality comes across as neutral. An upright bass instrument adds good girth down low, but more in the manner of coexisting with the overall signature as opposed to a foundation of weight. Since it does not reach as low as others, whose slant is for grunt; the quality of that bass must come across well. And it does. I found no bleed into the mids, which could overshadow or smear the connection. Complex pieces represent very good quality on the lows, not barging into the mids as noted. Good layering and texture to the notes help sort all of the above out, keeping the lows in tune.

The midrange comes with the clarity of notes that fits the overall character. Neutral, but allowing for good weight to the notes, which is aided by quick attack and decay; giving an illusion of thicker notes. While this may seem diametrically opposed, it isn’t due to the succinct nature with which those midrange notes promote a natural response. This aids in providing transparency to the notes and the illusion of a weightier note, which I find quite pleasing. Combine this into a natural-sounding timbre, and you get a thoroughly competent mid-range.



One thing I do wish for is a bit more sparkle up top. Coming from me, who does not favor too much in the treble region, this should not be considered a bad thing; only that if the top end had extended more, the overall signature would be presented with a bit more of an open signature; lending space to the whole sound. This should be taken into account only if you prefer a more detailed signature. And here is where that extra bit of extension may have helped define the signature. Bassheads will enjoy this. Those seeking succinct, accurate signatures may not like it so much.

The soundstage comes across as completely average. But in a good way. Layering & Separation is done very well, even with complex pieces. To me, this comes about from the more neutral overall character. This goes to show that even average can come across as excellent. The fault of this? Micro-detail suffers and the precision of notes. But this is not meant to be used as a reference tool; even with the nearer-neutral signature.



Pairings:

I found the Cadenza 4 easy to drive due to the impedance of 15Ω @1kHz and sensitivity of 102 dB/Vrms. While this is true, I found myself raising the volume to make for a more pleasing listen to me. Plus, the better the source, the better the Cadenza 4 seemingly sounded.

Having the sheer power of the iFi Diablo2, the Cadenza 4 sounded “best” of the “turbo” setting, while increasing the volume. “Nitro” provided little headroom with which to play, and using Turbo afforded me excellent control of the volume, per each song.

Clear amplifiers such as the Diablo2, or Cayin N6ii mkii DAP showed that with decent power doing the driving, the signature presents more down low while sending alacrity down the stream (better detail presentation).

Using the 4.4mm bal jack on the N6ii mkii, I found the pairing to be delightfully neutral, which is something I do not usually say when dealing with neutral. The level of details coming forth from the pairing made me appreciate how good the Cayin is, even as it moves into the geriatric section of its life.

Using the FiiO CP13 was an odd treat. Reviewing the CP13 for Headfonics I decided to combine the pair. While cassette tapes are coming back into style, there is no denying that the signature is VERY different from digital. I found the pairing worked well, with plenty of volume to be attained through the FiiO. Not the most detailed of the pairings here, I came away with an appreciation that the two could happily coexist together for a good listen.



Comparisons:

LETSHUOER Cadenza4 ($249) v Shanling MG100 ($159):

Not only have interchangeable jacks become common, interchangeable filters have as well. I did have a strong preference for the bass-oriented filters on the MG100, but the level of detail was still well ahead of the Cadenza 4. I also find the MG100 easier to drive, with a slightly better impedance and sensitivity of 16Ω and 113+/-3 dB @1kHz, respectfully.

That excessive bass does bleed into the mids, but a simple change to the balance filter quells that. Plus, the bleed did not inhibit the overall character of the MG100. The balance filter adds a bit more textural response to the sound as well, plus better detail and clarity.

This will come down to whether you like a more neutral signature or the ability to tailor the IEM to your preferred listening or flavored genre of choice.


LETSHUOER Cadenza4 ($249) v LETSHUOER S15 ($329):

Where the Cadenza 4 goes neutral, the S15 goes smooth and rich. There is no hiding behind the fact that the S15 will not cater to those seeking a reference signature. Maturity, but slower response come about in this signature. To me, this is an excellent choice for jazz with a smooth richness pervading my senses as Red Garland’s “Please Send Me Someone To Love” played. Deep sound from the upright bass is foundational instead of coexisting on the Cadenza 4.

I found the notes to have better texture, but the smooth character overrides this a bit. A thick richness pervades the listen as opposed to a neutral response that is used as a tool rather than engaging. Where the Cadenza 4 allows you to listen, the S15 engages you to relax and enjoy the sound. Quite different.




LETSHUOER Cadenza4 ($249) v QoA Aviation ($199):

Until the Aviation, I had never listened to a model from QoA. Needless to say, I came away with an impression of a decent listen for a good price. From my Headfonics review, the Aviation “...presents a vibrant, smooth character with an even frequency response. A small peak at 3kHz gives resolve to the upper mid-region.

Another fairly steep peak at the 8kHz region (then drop) adds brilliance in the treble region but without too much peakiness or sparkle. The drop after the 8kHz peak makes for a vibrant, but not overly exuberant, signature.”

The Aviation is also the most sensitive of those compared at 118 dB @1kHz and a somewhat high (for an IEM) 39Ω impedance rating. It was as easy to drive as the S15 and MG100, which were both easier than the Cadenza 4 (I cannot explain that, using a volume test of plug-and-play of each model into the iFi Diablo2 without changing volume levels).

There is more bass grunt and girth down low on the Aviation, which does bleed into the midrange. Richness pervaded the mids, with a smooth texture to them, which seems set a bit behind where the Cadenza 4 plays, even if I thought they were “powerfully forward.” This shows that the mids in the Cadenza 4 while more forward, present a more neutral flavor, which to me is more pleasing.

I would state that while the Aviation is a bit more vibrant than the Cadenza 4, it cannot match the level of detail coming out of the MG100.



finale:

I had to stop myself from comparing the Cadenza 4 to the S15 and Cadenza 12 (an extraordinarily good IEM) and judge the 4 on its merit. When doing this, the neutral flavoring comes across as quite competent and appreciated. Many “flavor of the month” IEMs come about with the grace of a used car advertisement in Chicago, aka LOUD!

The Cadenza 4 comes about with an understated accurate neutral tonality to its coloration (or lack of...). I appreciate this aspect and find myself reaching for the Cadenza 4 equally with the S15 when playing jazz. What little microphonics I could hear were easily countered by the sound signature, even if a bit harder to drive than what you might expect. The smooth, forward midrange comes to the front with any good jazz sax solo, making for a wonderful listen.

The combination of jacks affords the user the ability to change signatures a bit, or devices, omitting the need for multiple cables. The focus is then on the sound, where it should be. I find the Cadenza 4 to be a very competent IEM with a good build (which shows 3D printing is much better than even two years ago), looks, and sound to back up those goods.


I thank LETSHUOER for sending the sample and congratulate them on a very competent model.