LETSHUOER DZ4 Review – Energize Me

The $89 LETSHUOER DZ4 is a safely tuned triple-dynamic driver earphone with bass-enhancing passive radiator that offers a relaxed listening experience but paradoxically falls short on midbass impact, dynamics, and sparkle.

Introduction

LETSHUOER are a very ambitious established in 2016 by a group of experienced “geeks” around a former Panasonic engineer. They have been very transparent to us since one of their reps lives in Vancouver, Canada. In fact, our own Biodegraded has met him personally to exchange gear.

I once wrote a rather non-descript review of the non-descript $625 EJ07M iem. The EJ07M was simply not wowing me. But, it always did well in comparison with the competitors…and is one of my go-tos to this day.

The DZ4 shares many features with the EJ07, but the question is whether it performs similarly well.

Specifications LETSHUOER DZ4

The LETSHUOER DZ4 was provided by the company for my review – and I thank them for that. You can get them from LETSHUOER.

Physical Things and Usability

In the box are the earpieces, 2 sets of silicone eartips, cable with 0.78 mm connectors and 3.5 mm plug, metal storage box and paperwork. The 3-D printed earpieces of CNC-milled anodized aluminum share the shape with their big EJ07M brother, which is one of my standard go-to iems. They fit my ears well and are very comfortable.

The wider white “balanced” eartips work best for me (same as with the EJ07M), but the don’t isolate well. The big difference between the black and white tips is their form factor. The black “vocal” ones simply don’t fit my ear canals well.

The DZ4 feature a few technical gimmicks such as a 6 mm passive radiator aiming to increase bass response. “Passive” refers to that this part is purely mechanical and not connected to a current. It is essentially a woofer and very similar to a bass reflex design.

The robust cable is of high quality build.

Tonality and Technicalities

The LETSHUOER DZ4 offers another Harman Target style tuning with a slightly attenuated lower midrange and a recessed lower treble relative to the 2019 original. It comes across as lacking bass response. Safe but somewhat unexciting.

Yep, midbass kick and impact are somewhat missing which benefits the midrange transparency. I always have the feeling to insert the earpieces deeper into my ear canals to get more punch. Unsuccessfully.

The bass shelf is reduced compared to many peers, it lacks bite and heft, although it digs deep. A rather polite attack for my liking. While the bass quantity is missing, the quality is not the best either: it lacks tightness and definition and dribbles along in the background

Emphasis is on the sub-bass lowest octaves, which makes the vocals stick out. Although they are not the most forward and robust either, they are “free standing” in that it they are not overrun by the bass. Voices are reasonably well presented and quite natural. They are relaxed with rounded corners and could be a bit edgier and better defined, and they can sound hollow. Midrange continues the low end’s polite tradition. Upper midrange is well behaved, there is no shoutiness.

Low end and midrange collectively produce a goo that could be much better defined.

Treble kind of follows suit. It is tame and lacks energy and air…but it is safe. Cymbals are somewhat hidden.

Soundstage is of reasonable width, depth is missing, imaging is not great, neither are separation and layering. Dynamics are lacking. Timbre is as organic as you expect from a single dynamic driver and probably its biggest tonal asset. The DZ4’s technicalities are dead middling.

In comparison, the Whizzer HE 10 is way more dynamic because of its punchy bass which is overly dominant. The Truthear x Crinacle Zero: RED has much better note definition and an interesting take on the low end, and the Moondrop Aria still trumps all of the above based on its superior note definition and resolution.

Concluding Remarks

The LETSHUOER DZ4 is undoubtedly a technically very interesting and sophisticated earphone design. Sonically, it is yet another average single-dynamic driver iem in the sub-$100 category. Harman-tuned minus some bass and treble with middling technicalities. Safe and sound. It is somewhere between heaven and earth and cannot throw the Moondrop Aria off our Wall of Excellence.

Until next time…keep on listening!