Letshuoer DX1- Neutral Bliss

DISCLAIMER:

This unit was sent in exchange of my review and impressions. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Lets get started.😇

And Ohh. You can also watch my video review here:

https://youtu.be/huBqDgKCFjU?si=llPwOGll71a-Gby-

⚜️WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

The unboxing is quite nice for its asking price. You get their new case, which feels like a vaseline case,Hey I’m being honest.

The cables are nice looking and easy to manage. Although the low angled connectors might be a concern for smaller ears. It is easily fixed by heating up the angle to make it wider. Pretty simple unxboxing but very presentable. And it shows how letshuoer focuses their attention to detail. Simple but elegant. In the box, you get 

-the IEMs 

-256 strands silver playlter monocrystalline copper cable

-tri clarion eartips + wide bore eartips + narrow bore eartips

-vaseline case(nah just kidding haha) 

⚜️BUILD and COMFORT

The shells are made of milled stainless steel that is reminiscent of Fiio and Dunu high end single DD sets. The driver is an 11mm aluminum magnesium diaphragm with an impedance of 30 ohms 

As for the fit, they can be finicky depending on eartip. This is partly because of the angle of the cables. I tried divinus velvet eartips and I don't have any issues with comfort and fit.

⚜️SETUP:

-Shanling M3X and Snowsky JM21 using UAPP, Hiby and stock player

⚜️SOUND PROFILE

I would describe the signature  of the DX1 as neutral with less emphasis in the upper mids. Most neutral sets have been following the etymotic gain wherein you see an elevation in the upper mids and a lesser bass. Letshuoer is trying to prove that neutral doesnt have to be shouty, and this is the fruition of that goal. Flat out neutral with good bass, mids and treble presentation. 

BASS at 2hz? 

Now hear me out, I know squig does not show frequncy below 20hz. But when we measure sets on REW, it shows how low the bass can go. The subbass of the DX1 suprisingly reaches very low that your ear dirt vibrates, making their way out of the canal lol.

 This kind of presentation, paired with flat mids creates a stage that is open sounding, yet immersive at the same time. You usually get immersion with V or U shaped sounding sets, and it is a real treat to experience that immersion on a neutral tuned set. 

Less Presence 

As you may have seen on graphs, there is a recession in the presence region. It is not the first time Letshuoer did this. You can find this “experimental” recession with their planar sets like the S15 and the S08. This kind of presentation is well received because you don’t get the shout penalty when you turn the volume up. However, planars tend to do better in compensating the presence region with its treble. That is why, the S15 and S08 does not sound veiled in the upper frequencies.  

It is a bit different with the DX1. Being a single DD, it is hard to do everything in the whole frequency spectrum. My point is, although you don’t get a lot of shout in the upper mids-lower treble, you also lose the edginess of string instruments. I’m not saying they are lacking, but it seems to be lacking the energy needed to portray a proper guitar shred. 

One of the best neutral sets 

 Yeah I mean it. This might be one of the best neutral tuned set, especially in its price range. The midrange reminded me of its older brother, the Mystic 8.  It has that nuance and openness to the vocals that make this set not only neutral sounding, but perfect for people who are looking for a great midrange presentation, except the guitar shered that is.

❤️PROS

-very open sounding mids

-no treble peaks

-tight bass

-good volume scaling for a neutral set

💢CONS

-lack of midbass

-lack of bite in upper mids

-treble might be tamed for some

⚜️SCORING

-Please be reminded that my scoring is always based on its price range.

TUNING - 2.5/3

BASS - 2.5/3

MIDS - 3/3

TREBLE - 2.5/3

TECHS - 2.5/3

FINAL SCORE = 13

generally better than other sets. Very good for the price but the tonality might not match your preferences

Check my scoring here :

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15WhgCgiMzWfF3ccgB8SK5-Cg7m87kpIShtxsyg2u-AI/edit?usp=sharing

⚜️GRAB SCORE:

This is easy, I just rate the set whether I would grab them for listening. Very subjective. 

0️⃣- I will never touch this again

1️⃣- I grab if I remember

2️⃣- Can be part of my rotation

3️⃣- I break my rotation and grab this one today

4️⃣- F**k rotation, I’ll listen to these for the whole week

5️⃣- Im selling everything, I will only listen to these haha. 

💥GRAB SCORE: 2

⚜️COMPARISONS

DZ4 

This is DX1's older neutral tuned set. They graph differently in the gain because the DZ4 follows a more traditional, elevated presence, but the openness in the mids and bass elevation is similar. 

I think the DX1 wins it for me on timbral accuracy and openness. The DZ4 is nice if you want a more forward sounding mids and a more aggressive approach to instruments. 

If your budget is below $100 bucks, maybe the DZ4 is a good choice, otherwise, pick the DX1 for more coherence  and better volume scaling 

Salnotes Dioko 

Do you still remember this collab set with Crin? I know a lot of people do not like the treble on this one, including myself. But the midrange of the Dioko follows Crin’s old neutral target. If you prefer that kind of mids, I think the DX1 is the better pick  because it doesnt have the treble peaks that the Dioko has and the DX1 sounds timbrally correct in comparison.

Hexa 

The hexa is another nuetral set at a cheaper price range. It is unfair to compare both because the driver count is also different. My point is that, the hexa is a neutral set that has a more pronounced presence area, this makes cymbals and guitars forward sounding. The DX1 has a more laidback presentation in the upper mids and treble. One might prefer this kind of presentation if they are sensitive to peaks in the treble.  

I think the DX1 is a safer pick if you don’t mind adding a bit of cash. 

Mystic 8 

I can’t help but comapre these to the more expensive brother. The bass and mid glide is very identitical on graphs and on listening. Both sound very open in the mids, and the only difference is how both present treble. 

If you have the cash and prefer a more extended treble, then you should really try the  Mystic 8. 

If you want to know how the midrange of the Mystic 8 sounds, the DX1 is not that far behind. I can even see how some people might prefer the DX1 over the Mystic 8 just because of volume scaling and that bass impact from a DD.

🤔FINAL THOUGHTS

There aren’t really a lot of neutral tuned sets in the market. The main reason is that most people prefer bassy sets, and neutral sets often become shouty and treble heavy when bass is reduced.

I think Letshuoer provided a very good solution. They tamed down the upper mids, retained the openness in the midrange, relaxed the treble, and added that subbass fun.  

What you get is a very uniquely tuned neutral set that will please most people. It may not have the bass from that of a bassy IEM, but it has the subbass quality that is hard to match. The upper mids might not be as engaging as IEMS with a boosted presence region, but you can blast the volume up when your emotions call for it. You get immersed in your favorite songs and enjoy the openess of sound the DX1 can offer.....this is neutral bliss 

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WHERE TO BUY: non affiliate links

https://letshuoer.net/products/letshuoer-dx1-11mm-single-dynamic-driver-earphones-hifi-in-ear-monitor-gaming-earbuds?srsltid=AfmBOora3n6k3CJdVTBR5yCIS1wA9UYr5CK6q5d2rEsP4Uwn8AGy29JJ

⚜️MY LIBRARY:

I grew up listening to 90’s music. Alternative, punk-rock, screamo, rap, Philippine OPM, Anime songs, JPOP, KPOP, metal, reggae and a lot more.

The artists I regularly listen to are: 

⭐Rock-Alternative-Metal

Incubus, 311, BMTH, Matchbox 20, The Goo Goo Dolls, Paramore, Polyphia, The Calling,, Babymetal, Metallica, Slipknot, Bon Jovi, Coheed and Cambria, Deftones, Red Hot, Green day, 

⭐OPM(Original Pinoy Music):

E-heads, Slapshock, Parokya, Urbanddub, Up Dharma Down, Bamboo, IV of spade, Kamikazee, Rivermaya

⭐POP:

IU, Yoasobi, Yorushika, Milet, Reona, Maroon 5, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Taylor, Dua Lipa, Oliva Rodrigo, Billie Eilish

⭐OTHERS:

Carpenters, Micheal Learns to Rock, Celine Dion, Bob Marley, Sitti, Daft Punk, Pink Floyed, Earth wind and fire, Amber rubarth, Sia, Yosi Horikawa

I listen to more, but I can’t just list them all here.haha. Just giving you an idea on what I listen.

Thanks for reaching here. Hope you enjoyed reading. :)