Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.5/5 (#61 and #62 of 450 in-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($125 vs $129), so choose on features and fit.
What the Final Audio A4000 does well: A preference score of 80 and a deviation of only 1.67 dB from target make this one of the most accurate single dynamic driver in-ears available at its price. The tradeoff: Treble runs about 6 to 7 dB above target from 6 to 16 kHz in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with an 8.7 dB peak near 8.7 kHz that can make bright recordings sharp.
The case for the Shuoer S12: A planar magnetic driver is unusual in an in-ear and gives a Harman score of 80 with a smooth 1.62 dB deviation. The catch: A 4.2 dB peak near 8.2 kHz can make cymbals and sibilants slightly sharp, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 1.6 dB hot.
Buy the Final Audio A4000 or the Shuoer S12 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Final Audio A4000 | Shuoer S12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $125.00 | $129.00 |
| Ranked | #61 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #62 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 80 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.67 dB standard deviation | 1.62 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 6mm dynamic | 1 x 14.8mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 18 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0 lbs (18 g) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Frequency Response | - | 10Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Shuoer S12 vs Kefine Quatio
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Final Audio A4000: $125.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 80 and a deviation of only 1.67 dB from target make this one of the most accurate single dynamic driver in-ears available at its price. Sub-bass holds within 1 dB of target down to 20 Hz, and a 3 dB lift in the upper bass adds warmth and punch. It matches the Shuoer S12 in rating while costing less, and at 18 g it is very light.
Cons: Treble runs about 6 to 7 dB above target from 6 to 16 kHz in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with an 8.7 dB peak near 8.7 kHz that can make bright recordings sharp. Listeners sensitive to sibilance may find it fatiguing at high volume. At 100 dB/mW it needs a bit more volume than very sensitive in-ears, though phones still drive it.
Full Final Audio A4000 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.67 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 6mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (18 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 831 Hz | +3.0 dB | 1.09 |
| Peak | 177 Hz | -1.6 dB | 1.02 |
| Peak | 6,348 Hz | -3.7 dB | 2.04 |
| Peak | 2,022 Hz | +2.0 dB | 3.11 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,639 Hz | +2.1 dB | 2.54 |
| Peak | 3,246 Hz | -2.0 dB | 3.75 |
| Peak | 4,630 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.78 |
| Peak | 2,482 Hz | +0.9 dB | 5.02 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Shuoer S12: $129.00 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: A planar magnetic driver is unusual in an in-ear and gives a Harman score of 80 with a smooth 1.62 dB deviation. Bass is lifted about 1.9 dB, adding warmth and punch, while the upper mids and treble stay close to target. The 16 ohm impedance is easy to drive from a phone, and it matches the Final Audio A4000 on rating.
Cons: A 4.2 dB peak near 8.2 kHz can make cymbals and sibilants slightly sharp, and treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 1.6 dB hot. Presence from 3 to 6 kHz sits 2.4 dB under target with a 3.3 dB dip near 3.75 kHz, so vocals can lose some forwardness. The 102 dB per mW sensitivity asks for a bit more volume than efficient rivals.
Full Shuoer S12 review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 14.8mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 776 Hz | +2.9 dB | 0.76 |
| Peak | 162 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.89 |
| Peak | 2,097 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.90 |
| Peak | 3,690 Hz | +3.8 dB | 1.44 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,122 Hz | +1.6 dB | 5.71 |
| Peak | 7,230 Hz | -0.7 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 37 Hz | -0.3 dB | 2.35 |
| Peak | 65 Hz | +0.2 dB | 2.13 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons