The LETSHUOER DX1 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 DX1 is $159 and you can buy it directly from LETSHUOER.
LETSHUOER
LETSHUOER is a well regarded brand in the world of high-performance in-ear monitors. Their products are known for blending innovative driver technology with refined tuning and premium build quality at affordable prices. The brand gained recognition with standout models like the S12 2024 and S15 planar magnetic IEMs or the Cadenza series that consists of hybrid drivers IEMs, like the Cadenza 4 and the flagship Cadenza 12.
LETSHUOER DX1
The DX1 is the latest addition in LETSHUOER’s catalogue, an in-ear monitor with a single dynamic driver of 11mm diameter that is covered with an aluminum-magnesium nanoparticle alloy.
LETSHUOER employs a self-developed assembly structure with high-precision CNC milled components. The diaphragm of the driver has a diamond-like pattern topology while a 5kHz notch filter is strategically positioned to attenuate specific frequencies for a smoother sound signature.
You can read more technical details here.
Design and wearing comfort
For the DX1 LETSHUOER decided to go back to the classic rounded, bullet style ear-shells. However they cleverly designed the faceplates with a hexagonal outer perimeter and a diamond-like central pattern to break the monotony and make it look more modern and unique. The ear-shells are made from electroplated stainless steel that has a smooth metallic finish while the outer face ring has a contrasting champagne gold finish, a visually appealing combination.
The compact sized shells might be on the heavier side (12g each) but are ergonomically shaped with slightly angled and elongated nozzles to aid with the fit that is truly comfortable. The DX1 fits all ears sizes and offers a pleasant wearing experience even after hours of use thanks to its pressure relief system. The rounded shape doesn’t help much with noise isolation that is average but the DX1 stays stable during movement and is ideal for anyone who wants a discreet looking earphone that doesn’t attract much attention and offers great wearing comfort.
Stock cable and accessories
The DX1 is equipped with a 256-core silver-plated monocrystalline copper braided and shielded cable. It is a 2-pin detachable cable with a Litz construction that is quite flexible and looks durable but the 2-pin plugs are made of plastic.
The cable is not without some microphonic noise and can get a little tangled if you throw it in your pocket but the overall handling experience is rather good. The cable is not modular but you have the option to order it with a 3.5mm or a 4.4mm plug. A strange decision from LETSHUOER considering that the $89 S08 comes with a modular cable.
Other accessories included are a rounded, metallic storage case with a rubber lid and three different types of silicone ear-tips in three sizes each. Not bad for the asking price.
Power requirements and associated gear
The nominal rating of the LETSHUOER DX1 is 30Ω with 108dB of sensitivity, a nice combination that doesn’t ask for much power while it is not sensitive to source noise. At this price point it is most likely to use the DX1 in combination with a high quality USB DAC dongle or a mid-range DAP and thus I did with the iBasso DC07PRO and the FiiO JM21.
Listening impressions
The LETSHUOER DX1 has a balanced sound profile with neutrally tuned low-end, slightly prominent mid-range and a smooth yet not too relaxed treble. The overall tuning reminds that of the LETSHUOER S08 but it does so with a less emphasized bass.
The sub-bass is extended enough to reproduce the lowest tones without any artificial boosting that would end as detracting the listener’s attention by overpowering the rest of the frequencies. The same rules apply to the bass that follows a pretty neutral curve, gently transitioning into the mids without reverting into too much mid-bass emphasis. The tonal accuracy is excellent, the DX1 is one of the rare few examples in its respective category with a reference-like tuning that makes it ideal for critical listening.
Low pitched instruments are reproduced with astonishing precision without a single trace of unwanted coloration or uneven amplification. This kind of tuning will certainly please all people who crave for low-end accuracy but it doesn’t really have the attitude to satisfy the opposite side that seeks for dominant sub-bass and powerful bass.
The technical behavior is up to the modern standards, the bass is fast, tight and controlled with satisfying clarity and definition. It is weighty and full bodied but a little dry and not that elastic, however it has good layering and doesn’t sound as one note. The DX1 can easily follow wide and fast paced dynamic swings, punching really good when the music asks for it but don’t expect ear shuttering physical impact and thrust.
More listening impressions
The mid-range is the star of the show and what makes the LETSHUOER DX1 so special but it doesn’t sound detached, I wouldn’t call the DX1 a mid-centric earphone as the tuning is balanced and honest. The mid-range is really special because it sounds expressive, sentimentally engaging and full of harmonic intensity. The DX1 is especially communicative and it always connects the listener with the music.
The timbre is very convincing and realistic with spot-on tonal accuracy. The presentation is vivid and lifelike with clean articulation and decent resolution without emphasizing the upper mid-range so you can expect a fatigue-free listening experience, even with lower quality material.
The same goes for the higher frequencies that are cleverly tuned to maintain a good balance of energy and presence without crossing the line to become bright and sharp. The treble of the DX1 is smooth and polite but it still packs plenty of information and good definition. Some users might criticize the DX1 as lacking in top end extension, resolution and luminosity but others are going to appreciate its docile character and the complete absence of sterility.
Nothing can beat a single dynamic driver when it comes to the sound cohesion and the DX1 stands as a premium example. No part of the frequency range sounds as detached, the sound is very homogeneous with equal note weight from the lows to the highs and a continuously natural timbre without metallic artificiality in the treble.
The soundstage is sufficiently wide and open with decent imaging but intimate and flat without any significant depth. There is enough space around the performers so the stage doesn’t become congested but large symphonic works and similar material can become challenging and make it lose its composure.
Vs the FiiO FD15
The LETSHUOER DX1 visually and technically resembles the FiiO FD15 so it seems pretty natural to make a brief comparison between these two earphones.
The FiiO FD15 is $10 less expensive, however it comes with a higher quality modular cable that beats that of the DX1 both in ergonomy and handling experience. It also includes a wider selection of ear-tips (5 types vs 3) and it features user swappable nozzles that allow to fine tune it with two different sound profiles. Both earphones are very well made, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to wear despite their relatively heavy ear-shells.
When it comes to their sound signature, they share a lot of common characteristics minus two notable differences. The LETSHUOER DX1 has better sub-bass extension and marginally less emphasized mid-bass so its low-end is more accurately and neutrally tuned in comparison to the slightly warmer and thicker sounding FD15. Then the FD15 adds more sparkle in the upper mid-range that can further be enhanced with the black sound tube. In comparison the DX1 has more energy in the upper presence area so we are talking about two radically different sound profiles. Which one you are going to like, it’s entirely up to you to decide.
Overall value
The earphone market has very strong competition, there are so many models at this price point that it is really difficult for a brand to stay competitive.
Just think that for $89 you can buy LETSHUOER’s own S08 that might lack a couple of ear-tips but it has a high quality modular cable, while it doesn’t sound that worse than the DX1.
For even less money ($79.99) you can get the DUNU Titan S2 that is also a single dynamic driver earphone that comes fully equipped and with one of the best modular cables on the market. It is slightly less comfortable than the DX1 and looks a little odd but it doesn’t sound that worse to justify the price difference.
Numerous other examples can spring to mind.
So, while $159 is a very reasonable price for the sonic performance and the bundle of the DX1, there are other examples that offer more bung for the buck. This is an objective remark though that doesn’t lower the value of the LETSHUOER DX1, there are always going to be people willing to pay more for the best possible sonic performance and for the sound signature they like.
In the end
Small sized, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, the LETSHUOER DX1 excels with its balanced and cohesive sound signature that goes against the norm by emphasizing musicality over strict technical performance. Neutrally tuned, tonally correct and very expressive, the DX1 is going to gather a lot of love from both seasoned and regular audiophiles alike, easily becoming one of this year’s favorite earphones.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2025.
+ Very balanced and musical tuning
+ Excellent low-end accuracy with good technicalities
+ Expressive and engaging mid-range
+ Smooth yet resolving treble
+ Natural and realistic timbre
+ Impressive sonic and textural coherency
+ Easy to drive
+ Classic bullet-shape design that is very comfortable
+ Well made and beautiful looking
+ Good cable for the price
+ Generous accessory pack
+ Reasonably priced for the sonic performance and the bundle
- Average passive noise isolation
- Relatively heavy ear-shells
- The cable is not modular
- Too safe tuning might be a con for some
- Intimate and flat soundstage
- The bass is slightly lacking in physical impact
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