Synergy
Efficiency
The LETSHUOER Cadenza 12 2024 has an impedance of 16Ω @ 1 kHz and a sensitivity rating of 110 dB/Vrms. Thus, it can be comfortably driven by sources with fewer power specifications, such as dongles and smartphones.
Even if the Cadeza12 does not demand additional power, it does benefit from a powerful source. It can scale a bit, as with added power, I find the stage expanding a bit with better separation and an added sense of openness.
With more power, the dynamics are improved without the IEM getting too loud and remain controlled and balanced.
For an ideal pairing, I would suggest picking up a warm to neutral source. A bright source would further push the treble sharpness, adding to a harsh sound. A source with low-power specifications, such as dongles, can also add to some thinness in the sound.
Source Pairings
The Cadenza 12 2024 has good synergy with the Lotoo Paw Gold Touch. With a decent amount of power and some enhancement in the bass region, it delivers a rich and lush sound. Its warmth is pleasing, and it is missing in my other sources.
The LPGT provides excellent low-end dynamics with nice layering and texture. The midrange remains very clean, with an added sense of sweetness.
The transition from the upper midrange to the lower treble is smooth and not overly sharp. The soundstage depth on the LPGT is also quite satisfactory.
The Astell&Kern SP3000 pushes the performance of the Cadenza 12 2024 even further. It is a bit more resolving and detailed than the LPGT.
The treble is not as sharp as I had feared; on the contrary, the lower treble region is just as enjoyable as it is on the LPGT. The bass has a better impact than the LPGT, with noticeably improved sub-bass depth.
The soundstage sees an improvement in depth, with a better sense of separation in the instruments. The SP3000 takes a volume level near 50, suggesting an easy pairing with the IEM.
Select Comparisons
LETSHUOER Cadenza 12 (OG)
Technical
In early November, LETSHUOER announced some component changes for the Cadenza 12. While most aspects remain the same, including the design, the internal changes have affected the tuning.
Since the announcement, they have released and promoted the Cadenza 12 2024 as an updated version.
LETSHUOER lists the same impedance and sensitivity specifications for the newer version, but I am sure the ratings are different, as the new Cadenza 12 2024 requires more power and scales a bit better.
On my LPGT, I listen to the new Cadenza 12 2024 at nearly 4-5 volume levels higher and does not get as loud with an increase in volume.
Performance
There are some noticeable differences between the two versions of Cadenza 12. One of the best things about the older version is the excellent bass quality and control. However, after listening to the older version, I still feel the bass could be a touch more impactful.
In the new version, they have tamed the bass even further, decreasing the depth and rumble in the sub-bass region while keeping the mid-bass nearly the same, making the bass a bit more mid-bass focused.
This updated bass definition is leaner in comparison, which is a bit disappointing. The only change required was a more impactful mid-bass region.
In the midrange, the older version has a bit more warmth. The Cadenza 12 2024 is more neutral in its approach. In the lower midrange region, the Cadenza 12 2024 is leaner in body. It misses the prominence, richness, and well-rounded presentation of the older version by some margin.
Towards the upper midrange, the Cadenza 12 2024 is sharper and has more energy, whereas the older one is smoother. Both versions extend well, though the newer one can occasionally sound sharp.
The Cadenza 12 2024 has more emphasis in the lower treble region, adding to brightness. The instruments and vocals sound more open and crisper but at the cost of some smoothness and coherency.
There is more extension toward the upper treble region, giving it an airier presentation. The Cadenza 12 2024 sounds a bit more resolving due to its treble region.
Both IEMs offer almost similar presentations in terms of soundstage and technical performance. Images are now sharper and crisper, giving more resolving characteristics to the Cadenza 12 2024.
Overall, I prefer the older version due to its warmth, smoothness, and better bass response. However, those who are looking for treble goodness may be more inclined toward the newer tuning.
Nostalgia Audio NA12
Technical
The NA12 is touted as the best studio reference IEM Nostalgia Audio has ever produced.
The driver configuration of the NA12 features a tri-brid design with 12 drivers, incorporating 8 proprietary balanced armature drivers, dual electrostatic drivers, and the latest Sonion dual-membrane bone conduction vibrator with a 6-way crossover.
The dual bone conduction drivers are specifically tuned for the midrange frequencies, helping the vocals achieve better clarity and precision.
The NA12 is rated at 116 dB @ 1 kHz, 1 mW, and an impedance of 18Ω @ 1 kHz, making it as easy to drive as the Cadenza 12 2024.
Design
The NA12’s larger shells are crafted from resin and feature a deep red, single-tone color with a slightly transparent finish. The Cadenza 12 2024’s titanium shells are heavier and quite ergonomically designed, so fit is not an issue.
Both IEMs use standard 2-pin 0.78mm connectors. The NA12 is offered with two cables: a 3.5mm cable designed for studio monitoring, featuring a thin and supple build, and a more premium 4.4mm high-purity silver-plated cable, which I prefer. The stock cable on the Cadenza 12 2024 is more rugged than the NA12’s balanced cable.
While its packaging is not as premium, the NA12 offers more thoughtful and durable accessories. I prefer the aluminum carry case that comes with the NA12 over the Cadenza 12 2024 version, which lacks space. The ear tips included with the NA12 are also much better.
Performance
The major difference in tuning is how much warmth the NA12 carries, while the Cadenza 12 2024 is noticeably crisper and brighter in presentation. The NA12 focuses on balancing musicality while minimizing the technical aspects, while the Cadenza 12 2024 does the opposite.
Cadenza 12 2024 boasts a better low end. The bass on the NA12 is warm and thick but not as tight and controlled. The NA12 has more mid-bass and sub-bass volume with slower decay, missing some details of the Cadenza 12 2024. The texture and layering in the bass are better on the Cadenza 12 2024.
The midrange on the NA12 is more musical to start with, carrying more warmth than the Cadenza 12 2024. The lower midrange on the NA12 has more body and density, while the Cadenza 12 2024 is leaner and lacks body.
The Cadenza 12 2024 prioritizes clarity and detail in the midrange, whereas the NA12 is less resolving. Vocals are thicker and more prominent on the NA12, which also has a slightly more forward midrange than the Cadenza 12 2024. The notes are taller and carry more weight on the NA12, thus sounding more authentic.
The Cadenza 12 2024’s treble is better tuned, whereas the NA12’s is comparatively rolled off and muted. The Cadenza 12 2024 sounds more detailed and well-extended in the upper-frequency range, with a lot more air and sparkle.
The NA12 has a very smooth and relaxed presentation, putting less emphasis on the lower treble region than the Cadenza 12 2024.
I would place the Cadenza 12 2024 ahead on technicalities. Its images are more vivid and detailed, whereas they feel slightly blurred on the NA12. The NA12 has a slightly wider soundstage, while the Cadenza 12 2024 offers better depth. I find the imaging to be more accurate on the Cadenza 12 2024.
Noble Audio Kublai Khan
Technical
The Noble Audio Kublai Khan features a hybrid driver setup, including a 10mm dynamic driver and a bone conduction driver for the lows, four Knowles BA drivers covering the low, mid, and high frequencies, and a 10mm piezoelectric super tweeter for the highs and ultra-highs.
Noble doesn’t provide an exact impedance rating for the Kublai Khan beyond “less than 30Ω.” However, it is sensitive enough to pair well with most DAPs or portable sources.
As with the Cadenza 12 2024, the Kublai Khan is easy to drive, but its dynamics improve with more powerful sources. On both my LPGT and SP3000, the Kublai Khan requires a few extra volume clicks compared to the Cadenza 12 2024.
Design
The Kublai Khan features a 3D-printed resin shell and an eye-catching acrylic acetate faceplate with a stylish dragon logo. Though bigger than usual, the shells are very lightweight and comfortable on the ears.
The titanium shells on the Cadenza 12 2024 are bulkier, but their ergonomic design makes them quite comfortable to wear. It comes down to one’s preference to choose between the two build types, and honestly, I also find it hard to decide which one I prefer.
Both Noble and LETSHUOER offer a very premium experience in terms of packaging and included accessories. However, I prefer Noble’s more thoughtful inclusions, especially the Nanuk 903 case. I also am not impressed much with the ear tips included with the Cadenza 12 2024.
Both IEMs use the same 0.78mm 2-pin connector. Noble offers an 8-core OCC cable, a 1.2-meter wire tightly braided with an all-black PVC jacket.
The cable does not compromise on quality while maintaining a flexible character. The stock cable on the Cadenza 12 2024 is more rugged but takes up a lot of space and can feel a bit stiffer.
Performance
I have always loved Kublai Khan for its mature, refined, and natural tuning. There is some similarity in how both IEMs focus on a very clean, detailed, and highly resolving sound.
In the low end, Kublai Khan offers more impactful bass, with a deeper and more rumbly sub-bass. The mid-bass on both IEMs is a bit shy, with Kublai Khan doing a little better in this region.
While both IEMs have a very detailed bass range boasting excellent texture and layering, the quantity of Kublai Khan’s bass adds an extra layer of fun.
In the midrange region, both IEMs are highly resolving and detailed. The midrange is more musical on the KK due to the extra warmth it offers.
In the lower midrange, Kublai Khan has more body and weight due to its thicker and more impactful lower end. The vocals and instruments from the Kublai Khan sound thicker and denser with taller notes, giving it a fuller presentation.
In the upper midrange region, Cadenza 12 is a bit sharper and better extended, while the Kublai Khan avoids any unnatural sharpness and remains smooth.
In the lower treble region, Cadenza 12 2024 emphasizes and exaggerates a lot more. I prefer the smoothness and evened-out approach that Kublai Khan takes, which makes it more coherent.
Cadenza 12 2024 is more detailed and has more energy in the highs. Kublai Khan has a smoother treble, contrasting with the airier, crisper, and more aggressive highs of Cadenza 12 2024. Some details are more elaborate and vivid on the Cadenza 12 2024.
The Kublai Khan is a champion in its soundstage presentation, which is one of the widest I have come across. The depth is nearly similar on both IEMs. We have sharper images on the Cadenza 12 2024, focusing on precision and how clearly the sounds are positioned and separated.
My Verdict
The Cadenza 12 2024 has been on my radar for a very long time. Luckily, I got a chance to demo both versions and compare them in depth. The older version has already garnered a lot of praise from the community and remains a favorite for many.
The newer version introduces some internal changes that affect the tuning. It retains the essence of the original but still changes many things.
One of the best aspects of the original Cadenza 12 is the bass region, which has been tamed a bit in the newer version. A change I find less appealing. The treble profile has been made sharper, and the smoothness has been slightly compromised.
That said, I still find the newer version highly capable. It maintains its technicalities and delivers an impressive sound.
It provides a top-tier experience, and with its premium packaging, it rightfully deserves to be a flagship. For anyone searching for premium sound in the $2,000 range, the Cadenza 12 2024 should not be missed.
LETSHUOER Cadenza 12 2024 Technical Specifications
- Driver Configurations: 1 x 10mm LCS Kevlar Dynamic Driver, 7 Sonion balanced armature, 4 Knowles balanced armature.
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 30 kHz
- Impedance: 16 Ω (+/- 1%).
- Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW (+/- 1%).
- Cable: 204-strand 6N monocrystalline copper/silver hybrid.
- Modular Termination with 3.5mm and 4.4mm interchangeable plug
- Cable length: 1.2 m
