Review – Shanling ME500 Platinum Edition
Website – Shanling Audio
Specifications
Price: ~U$D
300.
Like other Shanling products the ME500 in this
Platinum Edition arrives in the typical rectangular cardboard box, white outer
box holding all the product info and inner black box with everything neatly
organized. The earpieces are arranged in thick black foam inside the leather
case along with the silver-plated cable (detached). The ear tips selection is
varied (though all single flange tips) consisting of four sets of silicone tips
in three sizes each and two pairs of memory foam tips. All the tips are labeled
according to their suggested impact on the overall sound. The difference in
sound is noticed but nothing major, so it is more a matter of finding the best
tips in terms of fit and comfort; personally I’ve opted for the ‘bass’ tips as
they provided the best balance, that despite their labeling are pretty much
identical in sound of the suggested to ‘balanced tips’, and just offer the
better seal.
Design
The ME500 in its Platinum Edition is simply outstanding. Top
notch build quality with premium materials, a comfortable fit and so beautiful
design and perfect finish. Shells are made of brass and so they certainly are
heavier than even stainless steel ones. This edition also features the platinum
plating over the brass that not only should improve durability on the shells,
but also add a very luxury mirror-like finish. It reminds of the E5000 from
final, though it is easier to appreciate on the ME500 due the larger design.
The brass shells while on the heavy side are thick and feel very solid. They
consist of two pieces very strongly attached; on the inner side there are two
small holes which appear to be made for venting matters for the dynamic driver
inside, though does not seem to affect the sound performance when tapping them.
The nozzle is bit wide and also features an all metal grill. All the included
ear tips fit well on it and extra tips can be used as well, including Spinfit
and Spiral Dot.
The fit is fixed for over-ear use and the oval shape is completely smooth. The weight is noticed when wearing them and in occasions the fit might get loose if moving around; the fixed guides on the cable help a bit. The nozzle has a proper angle and enough length, just that the width might imply a shallower fit for those with narrow ear canal and also result large for small ears, what ends reflecting in the isolation level – personally, these are quite comfortable, just about average in isolation.
Cable connection is the common MMCX option on the shells
side. For the cable plugs, however, Shanling implemented a more secure type
adding like an extra ring at the tip of the plugs, giving a better lock on the
MMCX sockets avoiding unwanted disconnection. Detaching the cable is not
difficult, just a little force is needed compared to standard MMCX types. The
cable itself is supposed to be an improved version over the regular ME500
cable. On the Platinum Ed. it uses an all silver-plated copper wire of thin 8
strands very tightly twisted. Quality seems good so far and hasn’t showed any
signs of discoloration from oxidation.
Sound
Main
players used: Shanling M5s, iBasso DX220, HiBy R6 Pro & R5 – all single
ended 3.5mm output.
A triple driver hybrid IEM is nothing new nowadays and the
dual balanced armature with single dynamic driver setup could be one of the
most used. Moreover, the selection of the Knowles dual TWFK-30017 for mid and
high tuning is almost a default when seeking best clarity and detail with a
bright tonality. The presentation is always detailed but the final tuning tend
to vary, from very v-shaped to well balanced full signatures.
In the case of the ME500, and Platinum Edition here, the
sound goes for a wide v-shaped sound, with typical TWFK qualities together with
a very well matching dynamic part to compensate for bass and that still keeps
up with the speed and detail of the armature units. Despite the lively
presentation, the ME500 shows good linearity on the low-end, very even in
quantity from sub to mid-bass with very good dynamics. The whole bass is very
full, plenty in power but no really too thick; it is not an option for
heavy-bass preference. Sub-bass is quite effortless, though missing a bit of
sheer rumble. In comparison, the mid-bass is slightly lifted, but the balance
is well kept. There is excellent control too and fine layering. Speed is well
achieved, as it should be if meant to match those super-fast Knowles units.
The kind of v-shaped signature is more noticed when reaching
the low midrange. The jump from bass to low-mids is smooth and the ME500 is not
really warm sounding so the bass doesn’t affect too match the midrange
performance. The whole mids still sound more distant than neutral. Primarily on
low midrange, less noticed on instruments and more with vocals, sounding thin
and less textured. Detailed is there, just not authoritative enough. Upper
midrange is better, still sitting a half step behind in the whole presentation but
at least more forward and expressive. I can find the Knowles TWFK very well
tuned here. The midrange is smooth and so liquid. The transparency, tightness
and precision is very difficult to fault, too. There is air and lot of detail -
a bit too technical maybe with that usual analytical tendency.
Treble is bright, and no surprises here. These BA units can
go for bright to extremely harsh. Fortunately, it is not source independent
with the Platinum ME500. The own Shanling M5s showed the smoothest treble
response. On the HiBy R5 it is less forgiving and bit of sizzling treble, more
prone to sibilance; the R6 Pro is the brightest, treble forward, but has gains
much better treble control. The DX220 gives more bass-treble balance, still on
the bright side but not extreme; very treble-sensitive people may not apply. Regardless,
the treble is too effortless and fast if a kind of aggressive.
Soundstage shows more width with more equal depth and height.
The presentation is spacious and very airy. The detail is set on high priority
so missing some musicality and emotion on the sound. Not a ‘fun’ type of tuning
but yes a detailed and very accurate.
Brief Sound Comparisons
Final E5000 (Single Dynamic)
The E5000 is much darker sounding with stronger focus in the
low-end, with more depth and rumble. Bass extension is easier to notice too.
Midrange is logically warmer and thicker on the E5000 as well, and the treble
while still present goes smoother. Vocals sound full and sweeter on the E5000
too. Soundstage is similar in width at least when the E5000 is well powered.
Detail is higher and much more forward on the ME500, typical TWFK type of
signature, being brighter and more aggressive.
Advanced GT3 (Single Dynamic)
Compared to the ME500 the GT3 has a very lively, v-shaped
type of sound that while can be tweaked with the different exchangeable nozzles
still maintains a much more aggressive and energetic sound. Speed is also very
good on the GT3. Mid-bass is more emphasized on the GT3 while midrange is
thinner distant and a bit sharper next to the more liquid ME500. Both sets are
bright, though the GT3 is harsher, less forgiving, whereas the ME500 shows
better treble control. GT3 has a wider stage effect and the ME500 is more
rounded.
Akoustyx R-220 (Dual BA – Knowles TWFK)
The R-220 uses, supposedly, an updated version of the
TWFK, which can be similar to the ones implemented on the ME500.
Logically, the lack of dynamic driver for lows makes the R-220 very light and
shy in bass response, but then it is faster and tighter. Midrange and treble
share more similarities, being liquid, resolving and highly detailed. R-220 is
very linear, maybe too flat, more forward in mids and tuned brighter than the
smoother and weightier ME500. R-220 is also more aggressive and sibilance
prone. Stage width and depth is better on the ME500, but both are similarly
spacious and airy.