Letshuoer DX1 Review: Naturally Engaging
About Letshuoer
I've praised Letshuoer left and right in previous reviews. I love their attention to detail, unwillingness to settle, and knack for crafting premium IEMs. I also enjoy their artistry. Whether it's awesome HeyGears builds or all-alloy builds like the DX1, Letshuoer always tries to impress. They always deliver solid unboxing experiences, nice boxes, cables, carrying cases, and a slew of tips. They also switch up their tunings all the time – I don't hear a "house sound." I've been nothing but impressed with this brand.
Unboxing Experience
The DX1 comes in a fairly large, ornate box – one of the best I've seen at any price. It's a stylish silver & gold box with a large "DX1" embossed on the sleeve. Under the sleeve is an all-white cardboard box (very Apple-like). Inside, the beautiful DX1 earphones sit in white cut-outs. A white tab reveals a small accessories box, and under that is the carrying case. The unboxing is cool and satisfying – typical Letshuoer.
Carrying Case
I love this case – it's the same one that came with Letshuoer's flagship Mystic 8. It's a circular aluminum case with thick side walls, feeling very durable. The lid is made of thick black rubber and uses friction (suction) to stay on. It's a nice case, large enough for the DX1, cable, and some tips. It's not huge, but great for throwing in a bag without worry.
Cable
The cable is about average for the price – not spectacular, but not bad. I'd like a fatter cable with a modular system. It's a bit thin and less luxurious than I'd prefer. But it's functional: a white braided wire, 2-pin, with right-angle jacks, made of 256 cores of silver-plated monocrystalline copper. It comes in 3.5mm single-ended or 4.4mm balanced. It serves its purpose well, but I would've liked a better-looking cable to match these beautiful earphones.
Internals & Technology
The DX1 houses an 11mm dynamic driver with an aluminum-magnesium diaphragm and an alloy nanoparticle-coated topology coating in a diamond pattern. Topological drivers help disperse sound in a balanced, clean way and reduce distortion. Letshuoer states all internal components are self-developed. They used notch filters to regulate the 5kHz area, resulting in a smoother overall sound. They nailed it – the set is extremely smooth, clean, and never distorts.
Sound Signature
The Letshuoer DX1 offers a very close-to-accurate depiction of sound. It's fluent, natural, and unsullied. One of the clearest single DD IEMs I've heard under $200. The caveat: less naturally emphasized bass and slight lack of treble sparkle. But adding more bass warmth or treble sparkle would alter what makes the DX1 special. So, it's not an all-rounder – it does some things in a very special way.
Tonality: Slightly relaxed or laid-back W-shaped signature. Warm/neutral with a foot on the neutral side. A slight tinge of warmth from a moderate sub-bass boost and less intense treble. Wonderful balance of each frequency range. Crystal clear – no background noise, grain, or fuzz. A clean "smooth style" tuning.
Who Is It For?
The DX1 isn't the most "traditionally" fun IEM. It doesn't have shaking bass or lively treble. Bassheads and treble heads, look elsewhere. But "fun" is subjective. The DX1 offers a balance of musicality and analytical precision. It's for those who adore prominent vocal presentations in an intimate setting with audiophile clarity. It's for instrumental tracks with remarkable projection. The midrange projection is not overly energetic, making it a pleasure to listen to at any volume.
Smooth, Yet Fast...
The DX1 has a nice musical/analytical balance. The clarity creates a focused sound, while the smooth delivery brings a fluid, rhythmic quality that doesn't undermine technical capabilities. Usually, a smoother delivery is helped by more bass presence, and a technical sound is helped by boosted treble – but the DX1 has neither. It's just a nice, unsullied sound that's both melodic and detailed.
Source Pairing
A warm-to-neutral source works best for me, preferably something warmer. I like the added warmth and subtle weight improvement in the bass. The DX1 is "bass lite," so propping up the low-end without clouding the mix is good. But the DX1 is so clean that extra warmth doesn't smooth over definition. Neutral sources also sound nice. It comes down to personal preference.
Competition
The $150-$200 range is chock-full of fantastic IEMs. It's especially difficult for a single DD in this range, as there are some highly praised single DD earphones. But the DX1, for its particular tuning, is extremely clean and sits comfortably against the best.
Final Thoughts
The Letshuoer DX1 is a special IEM for a specific audience. It offers outstanding clarity, a smooth and balanced sound, and a premium build. If you prioritize vocal clarity, instrumental separation, and a non-fatiguing listen, the DX1 is a strong contender under $200.
Buy the Letshuoer DX1