REVIEW – Shanling M8 – Flagship Portable Player
Website – Shanling
Specifications
Price: U$D 1659.
The M8 unit was kindly arranged by Shanling company for the full review.
Available from MusicTeck store.
The Shanling M8 arrives in a much more premium box presentation than any of the previous Shanling products, and well worth the flagship and top-tier category. Inside the cardboard box there is a large wood storage box, where the M8 player is safely arranged and next to it a small leather case that contains the extra three balanced interchangeable audio sockets with the metal removal tool – single 3.5mm socket is already installed. Underneath are the extra accessories, USB cable, screen protector films and all the paperwork. Unfortunately, there is no case included and needs to be purchased separately, and honestly, for the high price it is something that should have been part of the whole package.
Design
The unique design that Shanling has settled on their modern
players continues on this current M8 top model. Basically, the M8 follows an
identical design and shape to that of the M6 and M6 Pro mid-fi DAPs but larger
in all its dimensions and weightier, with a few changes in its general layout.
The M6 is one of the best built portable players and the M8 keeps the same
level of quality – it just does not get much better than that, so the M8 looks
solid and pretty durable. Main chassis consists of a CNC machined aluminum
single piece, sandblasted, anodized and perfectly polished; there are no sharp
corners, the top and bottom sides are flat while the sides are more curved. A
shiny glass panel on the front for the touchscreen and a dark, frosted glass
panel on the back. The color theme is available only in an all-black color
theme.
The screen is now larger with a full 5” display, and like the
M6/M6Pro occupies most of the front panel, making it more competitive to some
direct rival DAPs with full Android OS. As a daily carrying music device, the
M8 can be challenging; it is heavy and large. The M6 was already longer than
the DX220 which I already considered not too comfortable, and so the M8 makes
it even less friendly – personally, the M5s was still pocketable as a player to
carry around all day, but anything larger/heavier is less ideal for me.
Although, when you need the advantages of the Android system you need to be
less picky.
The layout is still very logical, though a bit different on
some key points from the previous Shanling players. A main reason is the unique
characteristic of the M8 player having interchangeable audio output sockets. So
the M8 features single and balanced options but looks simpler. The sides remain
almost unchanged. On the left side are the three physical playback buttons,
rewind/previous, play/ pause and next – and if pressed and held, the previous
and next buttons can be used for back and fast-forward on the current playing
track, even when the screen is off. The buttons’ line is recessed within the
player contour which avoids them from being unwillingly pressed, but each
button is raised and has a good grip; the buttons are larger than on the M6
models and also have a sharper finish on their contour. On the right side,
there is just the already classic multifunctional wheel that works for volume adjustment
when rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise, and as power and screen on and
off button. Pretty much identical to the M6 and just larger to match the
maximized player design. The volume control is very accurate with a low
clicking sound with each rotation. Volume changes are small from each step and
can be perfectly adjusted for most sensitive IEM sets.
Now, the bottom side holds the USB Type-C port in the middle,
for charging, data management and digital audio functions, both as source and
external DAC. From wireless options the M8 can work as a wireless Amp/DAC, too.
To its right, there is the micro SD card slot. It has a different cover than of
the previous Shanling players that instead of being lifted needs to be pressed
on its left marked dot in order to open.
Finally, the key feature of the M8 is presented on its upper
side. Instead of being overpopulated with all the desired single and balanced
outputs, the M8 introduces an exchangeable audio socket system. There are four
different sockets included, the standard 3.5mm single-ended and three balanced,
2.5mm, 4.4mm and 3.5mm Pro (which seems more popular on the Asian audio
market). The sockets are all metal in gold color, and there is a simple tool
inside the leather case (which looks like a knob) to remove the socket. The
process is too simple, just aline and slide the round tool to fully cover the
socket and gently pull it out. To install another socket simply place it with
the small dot facing to the left and push. Worth noting that each of the
sockets can be set as Line-out from the audio settings or directly from the
drop-down menu. It is an innovative design and while it takes just a few
seconds to replace the wished output, it does make the whole layout it
‘cleaner’ and more elegant.
The touch screen maintains a good quality for an audio
Android based device – not gonna beat the best smartphones standards, but
serves its purpose. A full touch HD display of 5” diagonal size and 1080×1920
resolution. Still not the largest but yes of very good image quality, sharp and
vivid colors, good view angle, brightness and contrast. Not something I’d take
for video playback or even web browsing (especially when it drains the battery
so much faster), but some people may still consider it. Still no screen
rotation feature on the default firmware, though should work with an
appropriate video playback app.
Inner hardware components. For sound, the M8 equips the best
of the AKM chips, a dual AK4499EQ DAC, found on a few more expensive players
(with a selection of 6 digital filters for those who think they care). On the
other hand, the processor SoC is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 CPU, octa-core chip
and 4G RAM hasn’t been upgraded over the M6. Still a fast Android portable
device, but one could expect greater tech for the high price. 64GB ROM memory,
with only about 52GB of it available for real use; 128GB would have been ideal,
though.
User Interface &
Software
The M8 runs on Android 7 (7.1 to be more specific), same
thing as the M6 and M6 Pro and the Fiio full Android players. It is quite
outdated and kind of disappointing as it was for those players, and more for a $1.5K flagship DAP from
the end of 2020, early 2021. Sure, it is not that important for an audio
dedicated device, but when paying such an amount one would expect to get the
latest software versions possible, even more when other companies already offer
Android 9. The M8 still arrives with Google Play installed, and alternatively
you may use APKpure. Operating the M8 is as intuitive as any smart device,
phone, tablet, with the additional needed audio functions in its modified
Android system. It runs fast and smooth with a very good touch screen response.
The whole experience is identical to the M6 with just the added extra Turbo
gain over the low and high ones. (Yes, low, mid and high would have made more
sense, but whatever).
Upon powering off it starts on the
home screen with a small display to access the Shanling music app right away or
alternatively handle the music playback directly from this main screen. There
is a second screen to the left with few basic apps. At the bottom of the screen
there are four extra icons: clock (time settings), Shanling music app, settings
and info. The extra ‘virtual key model’ feature is also available, which allows
two different gesture navigation options (explanation on the screenshots below
taken from the User guide). And there is also the switch between Android mode
and Prime mode, which sets the player to work only with the Shanling Music app
with no access to the main Android system and stops the other apps processes.
As for the Shanling music app itself it is pretty simple to
use. There is a wide array of EQ presets and a Custom EQ with 10 frequency
bands to adjust from 31Hz up to 16kHz in a range of 12dB+/-. Folder skip is
available, but unfortunately the Gapless playback option is still missing; not
a big issue if you already plan to use another music player app, but annoying
when wanting to stick with the Prime mode option.
Wireless
Finally, Shanling has updated to BT 5.0 on the M8. Not that I
found any great improvements over the 4.2 BT performance on the M6 or any other
Shanling smaller players, but always a plus to have the latest tech possible.
Like with other Shanling players, the transmission is pretty good on the M8,
but honestly, using a $1500+ device for wireless headphones is not what I’d
pick. The more important feature is the Two-Way Bluetooth allowing the M8 to
work as a receiver with up to AptX and LDAC codecs, making it a fully balanced
and powerful wireless Amp/DAC. Moreover, the M8 supports MQA for higher
streaming quality. I cannot comment much here, as I generally do not use
streaming apps.
DAC functionality
Likewise, the M8 can work as an external DAC through Type-C
USB port connected to either a PC or other smart devices. The USB DAC function
starts immediately (when the Type-C port is set to function as DAC). External
DAC can be connected to the M6 as well.
Battery
With a larger battery of 7000mAh, the M8 manages to keep a
good performance, similar to the M6/M6Pro, that considering the larger screen
and higher power output, is very decent. It actually depends on the gain used –
the Turbo will drain the battery even faster. On balanced output it can reach
up to 8~9 hours. Still, the main downside is the charging time that may take
around 2.5~3 hours with standard chargers, for what the Quick-charge (3.0)
feature is highly recommended.
Sound Quality
Main gears
used: qdc Anole VX, Campfire Audio Solaris 2020, final A8000, Fir Audio VxV,
iBasso SR2, Sendy Aiva, Hifiman Sundara. Lotoo PAW 6000, iBasso DX300, Fiio
M15.
I had already tried and covered in full reviews several of
the modern Shanling players, from the cute and minimalistic M0 and its
retro-looking alternative Q1, to the more advanced M5s and M6 (which both
became among my personal favorites DAPs). And I couldn’t find a shared tuning
within them that could be called a Shanling’s house sound. So when getting to
the M8 flagship there wasn’t a specific sound that could be expected. Well, for
the price it ought to be great, but couldn’t guess in what way.
The use of the best AKM DAC chip yet, AK4499EQ in dual setup,
doesn’t say much about the final tuning itself, either. However, in technical
abilities it should be top of the line. Personally, for a TOTL flagship player
(and price) I thought the M8 would be offering the most neutral, uncolored and
even a bit more analytical air compared to the previous mid-tier models.
Instead, Shanling had opted for a more flavored sound that departs from total
neutrality adding weight and some color to the sound. It leans a bit towards a
‘warm’ sound, not to be mistaken as being too thick or even dull, but definitely
has an extra richness and texture. There is that sense of fullness from lows to
mids that ends up with a smoother high end. Dark it is not; there is plenty of
air and treble energy but you certainly get a more comfortable, less
compromising treble response.
First thing to notice is the low freq. response, striking
with more power and greater impact. While the whole bass deviates from total
neutrality to a more enhanced in terms of quantities, it does not get congested
or overwhelming. On the contrary, it is roomy and spacious. There is more depth
and excellent extension reaching the lowest sub-bass regions with more ease.
Layering too, is very good and despite the boosted bass amounts it sounds very
natural and tight. Dynamics are top-notch and so is the resolution.
Surprisingly, I find the synergy good with a variety of headphones, from the
very neutral to the warmer and darker ones; I’m not a fan of pure heavy-bass
sets, but for reference, the Campfire Solaris and Hyla Sarda pair quite well with
the M8 tonality and gain greater technical prowesses.
The midrange is a bit more forward than neutral; fuller,
richer and still very detailed. The M8 may be less transparent than DAPs as the
PAW6000 or M15, but in exchange it is less dry and not as thin as those. You
may refer to it as more ‘musical', where the sound is more engaging and
immersive. The imaging is very precise with a correct positioning and distance
of elements, good weight and texture to each instrument, that despite the
flavored tuning provides good density to lower instruments and sparkle and
crispiness to upper ones. Vocals sound sweet and more natural than other DAPs I
tried so far.
The treble is easier to describe. For the M8, Shanling had
opted for a smoother treble presentation compared to their other DAPs (with
exception of the M5s which sounds even darker and safer than the M8). It is not
laid-back and far from being dark or dull sounding, but clearly a more pleasant
and forgiving tuning. To me it is not a ‘safe’ tuning as there is all the
needed sparkle and energy when used with brighter sets like the Hifiman Sundara
and Sendy Aiva planars or IEMs like the qdc VX and Inear PMX. On the technical
side, it is at top-tier level with best control and precision; high and very
effortless extension. Sibilance is taken under control with almost anything
(with only exception of the Tin P2 with its flawed impossible treble tuning).
Detail retrieval is excellent and while not presented in a
forward way, as its tuning suggests, all the minuscule details and nuances are
easily heard and flow with more naturality. It is on the point where you can
appreciate the whole music and still find all the detail without starting to
analyze the sound. The soundstage is another merit of the M8, and honestly I had
not expected any less at this price point, especially after trying the M6 which
stood out in soundstage for its mid-fi league. It has a large presentation that
expands to all directions. Everything sounds like in a larger space with a
greater out-of-head perception. Won’t make a miracle for closed or intimate
sounding headphones, but those with decent stage and space scale immediately
higher with the M8.
Moreover, the M8 also offers a high level of driving power
for more demanding headphones. The single-ended 3.5mm output is strong enough
on Turbo gain, but when switching to any of the balanced sockets there is not
just greater output power but also better more space and air with an even wider
and more extended presentation. For demanding IEMs like the final B1 or E5000
there are no issues, and could even drive the Tin P2 to a remarkable level.
Only have the Sundara and Aiva as demanding open planar cans, and the M8 can
drive them really well and also present a good synergy in tonality.
Comparisons
Fiio M15
With a close price and
also very similar technical features, same DAC implementation of AKM dual
AK4499 chip, OS, build and form factor, the M15 is one of the direct rivals of
the Shanling M8. Both players are pretty much equal in driving power too, and
specifically from their balanced output options. Focusing on sound alone, they
share some similarities in terms of technical performance such as speed,
resolution, dynamics, extension and level of detail. They do, however, differ
in the final tuning. The M15 is more linear and fairly less flavored, with
still good weight and dynamics on the lows, though with less ‘felt’ extension,
more leveled from sub through mid-bass. Midrange is more neutral and noticeable
drier, full but not as rich, with a bit more “clinical” touch on it. Treble is
a bit more pronounced and less forgiving. Soundstage is about the same, with
the M15 trying to sound a bit wider, whereas the M8 is better rounded. Overall,
the M15 is more a ‘technical’ DAP while the M8 is more forgiving and engaging.
Lotoo PAW 6000
Sound-wise while these
both DAPs are very technically strong they quite differ in their tuning. The
PAW 6000 is neutral to bright with a slightly midrange forwardness, super clean
and very focused in micro details. It offers a tight low-end with very good
dynamics and speed with high transparency through midrange to treble. However,
it is much less forgiving when paired with brighter headphones, and the bass is
much softer in impact than the M8. The sound is leaner and lighter, too.
Soundstage is decent on the PAW 6000 but not yet its real forte; imaging is
very accurate. The M8 is clearly bigger in stage dimensions and the extension
reaches further on both ends. Much fuller sounding, more bodied in the midrange
and much more powerful on the whole bass. The highs are smoother, not missing
energy on their own, but certainly laid-back next to the PAW 6000. Even so,
while the PAW 6000 puts the details more forward, the M8 is capable of even
better detail and resolution as the higher AKM dual DAC should suggest.
Overall, the M8 has a more entertaining and immersive presentation. The M8 is
also a more powerful source, especially in balanced output for more demanding
headphones without asking for external amplification.
Shanling M5s & M6
Both of these previous
Shanling’s DAPs are among my favorites sounding portable players. The M5s has
the right size to be used as a daily portable device without having an Android
system and works very fast. The M6 is toughly built (as good as the M8) and
while less portable, its sound quality rivals more expensive devices. Compared
to the M8, neither of these can reach its higher sound quality, and while they
each present a different tuning, the sound out of M8 takes some characteristics
of the M5s and M6. Wide stage and open sound like the M6 and great sub-bass
extension. Treble is smooth and forgiving, a bit like the M5s (though the M5s
is much ‘safer’ sounding), but has more energy and extends way further. The
midrange is rather different, more forward and much richer than both M6 and
M5s.
Pairings
qdc Anole VX
If the qdc VX is one of
the best sounding earphones I’ve tried, the synergy with the M8 is excellent.
‘Epic’ would be the best term to describe this combo. With other sources, the
VX turns to be more neutral with great balance and unbeatable detail. With the
M8 it gets a more flavored, bit colored, presentation that deviates from its
usual neutral signature to a fuller and richer tuning. The bass has strong
impact, with greater sub-bass reach and impressive dynamics that are very BA
unlike. Still a forward midrange with more body on the lower mids and a
smoother yet energetic treble response. The detail is the best so far and the soundstage
is very large, open and airy, in the way the open large headphones can perform.
CA Solaris (2020)
For best sound results
I use the Solaris with the JVC Spiral Dots and new final E tips for TWS. With
the M8 the sound is warm and full. Bass is rather powerful, and to my taste
close to being bass-heavy in pure quantities that occasionally can get tiring,
more on the mid-bass area, and still with deep sub-bass. The quality is still
excellent, fast, very well layered and very, very dynamic. Midrange is more
forward and thicker on the low-mids, something more favorable for the Solaris.
Upper-mids and lower treble are a bit more relaxed while remaining natural and
very detailed. If the Solaris is known for its large soundstage, then it is
well revealed when paired with the M8, beating the above VX in that single
regard.
Fir Audio VxV
Now, this is a hybrid that I found very likeable the more I listen to.
Easy to drive, but as it arrives with a balanced cable ready to take advantage
of the M8’s 2.5mm socket. Soundstage expands wider here and has better front to
back distance. Tonality differs from the more neutral/mid-forward and gains a
bit more body and density on the lows with less sharp, more forgiving treble.
Excellent detail retrieval and a touch more organic, natural timbre.
final A8000
Being the only single
dynamic driver earphone among these higher IEMs, the A8000 benefits more from
the better amplification part of the M8 player, and with a standard 100dB /
16Ωrating it is also less sensitive than the hybrids and full-BA options. With
the more linear and brighter sound of the A8000 I was expecting a similar
synergy tithe qdc VX + M8 pairing, though the A8000 seems less sensitive to the
M8. Still, what the A8000 gains here is impressive dynamics through the whole
frequency, better speed and control, more body and depth on the bass with more
effortless extension don’t find it to have more impact on the mid-bass area,
though. Midrange does not sound more forward but yes more spacious. The treble is
still bright, but less so than with the PAW 6000 or M15, more controlled and a
bit more comfortable to listen to. Wide soundstage, open and very airy
presentation and very accurate imaging.
Hifiman Sundara
The M8 is good enough to drive the Sundara open-back planar headphones. Out of the single 3.5mm ended output, on Turbo gain and volume above the 50 steps is already comfortable to listen, and the M8 provides plenty of power and great dynamics. Soundstage is very decent, wider and more open sounding, even though the Sundara are not any master in terms of stage. The bass is more present and forward, gains more punch on the mid-bass and the midrange is thicker starting already from the low-mid area. Female vocals sound pretty sweet, but occasionally edgy and shouty. Treble is still very energetic, if a bit more forgiving, and noticeable less prone to sibilance.
iBasso SR2
The SR2 is a much
easier to drive set, and half of the volume is already too loud on the High
gain. Paired with the M8, the SR2 benefits from a better defined low-end with
finer layering and depth, greater sub-bass extension and cleaner mid-bass. The
midrange is more resolving, vivid and even more forward. Female vocals are very
clear and detailed, yet male vocals stand out more with more realistic texture.
Treble is more presented and natural (especially compared to the M6 and DX220),
still lacking some upper extension but very detailed. Personally, I find the
SR2 very fun to listen to with the M8 and has a more correct timbre.
Summary and final
thoughts
Shanling is not a new company when it comes to portable audio, and while for several years their players’ line has been focused on the more traditional style, their rise to the full Android platform has been rather fast. And now managed to reach the top-tier level with one of the best DAC chip and audio components and still maintaining their own unique design and impeccable build quality. The implementation of exchangeable sockets may or may not suit everyone, but nonetheless, it is a unique feature worthy of praise. The M8 is priced high but it does perform at a very high level. Perfect it is not, though the disadvantages are addressed to the software side, mainly running under an outdated OS and the limited music app, which even lacks some of the basic features (especially if you want to use it in Prime mode). As for sound quality, the M8 has its own flavored tuning that departs from total neutrality and yet is easy to like. Driving power is high, especially through the multiple balanced outputs, boosting impressive dynamics, soundstage, space and very high detail.