The LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 is $249 and you can order it from the LETSHUOER online shop with free standard shipping.
LETSHUOER Cadenza 4
As you may already know, the LETSHUOER Cadenza 12 is an outstanding in-ear monitor that delivers exceptional sound quality. As one of my personal favorites, I frequently use it for both music listening and as a reference for reviewing.
The Cadenza 4 is a slightly smaller version of the flagship model, featuring four drivers per side. It combines a 10mm dual-chambered dynamic driver with a beryllium coating, which provides a lightweight yet rigid construction.
The balanced armature drivers in the Cadenza 4 are a combination of Knowles and Sonion, resulting in rich mid-frequency details and extended treble response.
In addition, the Cadenza 4 incorporates a design with three acoustic tubes, which are seamlessly integrated with a four-way electronic crossover. These acoustic tubes, made using 50μm 3D printing technology, ensure precise and consistent sound reproduction. The four-way electronic crossover enables accurate control of frequency distribution and effectively minimizes phase errors.
Appearance and wearing comfort
LETSHUOER has partnered with the well-known HeyGears to develop ear-shells featuring an ergonomic design that conforms to the natural shape of the ear. The 3D printed resin ear-shells come with aluminum faceplates that have a sleek matte silver finish, exuding an air of sophistication and luxury. However, some may find the contrast between the faceplates and white ear-shells to be a bit jarring, lacking in overall harmony.
The ear-shells are compact, lightweight, and provide a snug fit, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free listening experience. Passive noise isolation is effective, although it’s worth mentioning that the sound tube is slightly short, potentially requiring double or triple flange ear-tips for some users, which are unfortunately not included in the package.
Stock Cable
The Cadenza 4 is equipped with a detachable cable featuring a 392-strands high-purity silver-plated monocrystalline copper construction. It utilizes a 2-pin interface and modular plugs, and the package includes three types of right-angled interchangeable plugs. This lightweight cable is highly flexible, ensuring easy bending without any tangling or microphonic noise. While the stock cable is of excellent quality, it is worth mentioning that the swappable connectors are made from plastic rather than aluminum.
Accessories
The bundle consists of a circular plastic carrying case with a screw-on lid that is water resistant, the cable, and two pairs of silicone ear-tips (vocal and balanced) in three different sizes each.
Power requirements
The LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 features a 15Ω impedance and 102dB sensitivity, making them highly compatible with portable sources. However, they also respond excellently to higher quality and more powerful equipment. The LETSHUOER DT03 USB DAC dongle is a good pairing, but I have also tested them with higher quality gear like the FiiO M23 and iBasso DX180.
Listening impressions
The Cadenza 4 is a finely tuned pair of earphones that deliver a balanced sound profile, distinct from Harman and V-shaped target curves. Ideal for audiophiles seeking precise listening experiences, these earphones feature a neutral bass, well-defined mid-range, and smooth yet extended treble. While following a monitor-like tuning, the Cadenza 4 maintains musicality and enjoyment without sacrificing reference-quality sound.
The sound quality of the Cadenza 4 is incredibly realistic with just a subtle of warmth to it. The timbre is exceptionally lifelike, capturing every nuance with remarkable tonal accuracy across the entire frequency spectrum. This makes it an ideal choice for enjoying classical music, as it flawlessly reproduces the rich sounds of all symphony orchestra instruments and vocals. From the deep bass notes to the soaring sopranos, the Cadenza 4 delivers precise pitch and vibrant overtones, creating a truly immersive listening experience. Furthermore, the integration of the four drivers is outstanding, resulting in a cohesive and harmonious sound that is completely free from any balanced armature timbre.
The upper mid-range and treble frequencies are subtly boosted to improve clarity and definition, without becoming overly bright or fatiguing. The Cadenza 4 performs admirably in terms of resolution, offering competitive levels of detail retrieval. It doesn’t lack anything in the long run, and the sound remains clear without any veiling. However, this earphone prioritizes timbral accuracy over exaggerated levels of insight or excessive sparkle. That being said, it still manages to deliver energy and luminosity without sounding sterile or overly analytical. Percussion instruments and high-pitched brass instruments, such as the natural trumpet, are reproduced with impressive physicality and a satisfying amount of weight, avoiding any metallic, piercing, or strident qualities.
More listening impressions
The bass is finely tuned, showcasing impressive sub-bass extension and a neutral, linear mid-bass that remains crystal clear without overpowering the midrange. Layering and separation excel within its category, while the low-end skillfully combines technical precision and weight. It delivers a fast, tight, and controlled bass, leaving a satisfying dynamic impact, albeit with a little dry and not that visceral texture.
Those unfamiliar with neutrally tuned bass might misinterpret frequency response graphs and believe that the Cadenza 4 is focused on sub-bass. However, the actual sound you hear depends on the final mix. Tracks with excessive sub-bass, such as electronic music, will sound heavy on bass because there is little else going on, whereas pieces with multiple bass instruments will sound balanced and true to their intended sound. The Cadenza 4 is akin to professional monitors, so expect them to accurately reflect the mix. This is not magic; it is simply how earphones should be tuned for critical audiophile listening. In fact, I would argue that the low-end tuning of the Cadenza 4 is more successful and neutral compared to the Cadenza 12, which leans towards mid-bass prominence.
And more
The mid-range is expertly calibrated, delivering a natural and authentic sound with precise tonality and vibrant harmonies. It maintains a neutral profile, leaning slightly towards being forward. The clarity and resolution are unmatched, creating a spacious and crystal-clear audio experience with exceptional definition. The Cadenza 4 offers a captivating and immersive musical experience, whether you’re listening to instruments or vocals, while still maintaining transparency and fidelity. As mentioned earlier, the upper mid-range is slightly emphasized to enhance clarity and perception, without any harsh or fatiguing elements. The textures are robust and full-bodied, although not excessively rich or lush, and the mid-range is free from any artificiality or imbalances in sound.
The soundstage provides an immersive and technically proficient experience. It is wide without any artificial expansion, offering a spacious and roomy feel. The imaging is surprisingly good, with decent layers of depth. The sound remains within the listener’s ears but without feeling congested or restricted. There is an abundance of ambient information and a general sense of grandness, although it may be slightly lacking in holography and dimensionality.
Vs the LETSHUOER S15
The LETSHUOER S15, priced a bit higher at $299, serves as the next generation model following the highly praised S12 PRO, and arrives as the brand’s most recent offering right before the Cadenza 4. It features a 14.8mm planar driver with a unique R-Sonic passive filtering module. While the unboxing experience, design, and accessories may appear quite similar between these two models, they are actually tuned differently to suit various preferences.
The S15 and Cadenza 4 earphones have a strikingly similar appearance, featuring 3D printed resin ear-shells in blue and white respectively. However, they differ in terms of their aluminum alloy panels, which have distinct patterns. In comparison, the S15 is slightly bulkier with a longer sound tube than the Cadenza 4. Despite this, both earphones offer a comfortable fit, with the latter providing a slightly superior and hassle-free wearing experience. When it comes to packaging and included accessories, they are exactly the same for both models. However, the stock cables do exhibit a slight variation. The Cadenza 4 comes with a lighter and softer cable.
Sound comparison
These two earphones exhibit distinct tuning characteristics. The S15 places an emphasis on the low-end frequencies, extending up to the lower mid-range without muddying the sound or overpowering the higher frequencies. The bass quantity is of high caliber, delivering a more visceral and weighty experience compared to the Cadenza 4. It offers a more impactful and dynamic sound, although it may not be as transparent and well-defined as the latter. On the other hand, the Cadenza 4 provides better low-end tonal accuracy but lacks the same level of fun and excitement as the S15.
The mid-range tuning is quite similar in both earphones, but the S15 offers richer, thicker textures with more weight. In terms of technicalities and transparency, the Cadenza 4 outperforms the S15, which is something that also applies to the treble. The Cadenza 4’s treble is considerably more energetic and extended in its tuning. In comparison, the S15’s treble is slightly subdued, resulting in a darker and warmer sound. It may also lack some airiness, sparkle, vividness, and crispness. The Cadenza 4 is designed as a monitor-like earphone suitable for critical listening without sounding dull, while the S15 offers a more enjoyable and casual sound experience without compromising on technical capabilities.
In the end
The LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 is a delightful and much welcomed surprise, featuring a unique tuning that stands out in a market saturated with V-shaped and Harman target sound profiles. It delivers tonal accuracy and a neutral sound signature, along with top-notch technical performance while maintaining musicality. Ideal for critical listening and reference use, this earphone caters to those who appreciate accurate tonality and realistic timbre, while also delivering emotional depth. Highly recommended for its exceptional qualities, the LETSHUOER Cadenza 4 has earned its place as my go-to reference earphone in its category.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Neutral and reference tuning
+ Great technicalities that surpass the category
+ Natural timbre without artificiality
+ Ideal for critical listening
+ Not lacking in musicality and enjoyment
+ Non aggressive treble
+ Very cohesive sound
+ Wide soundstage with excellent imaging
+ Lightweight and comfortable
+ High quality modular cable
+ Good build quality
+ Excellent value
- Not as fun sounding
- Slightly dry bass
- Dull appearance
- Limited selection of ear-tips
- Plastic cable plugs
- Shallow sound tube may cause fit problems
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