Shanling M3X

I’ve been out of the DAP game for a bit now. The last DAP I had was the original FiiO M11 and while I liked it for the most part, I wasn’t a fan of the overly clinical sound signature. I ended up focusing more on portable DAC/amps I could use with both my iPhone and iPad. Since I do a fair amount of desktop and portable gear, I wanted to branch out a little and DAPs were the first thing I wanted to get back into. I wanted an entry level and mid level Android DAP to review first. The M3X always looked good to my eyes but when I saw the purple and light blue colors announced I had to have one. The M3X is running Android 7.1.1, runs a Snapdragon 430, has 2GB of ram with 32GB internal storage and uses two ESS ES9219C DACs. The M3X comes in at $369 here in the states.

Quick shoutout to Andrew from MusicTeck for hooking me up with a review unit at a discounted price. While I always appreciate stuff being sent in to test and review, It never affects the rating of my review.


Info and purchase links for the Shanling M3X can be found below
https://shop.musicteck.com/collections/shanling/products/shanling-m3x-portable-music-player?variant=39692684034110

Gear used​

Lotoo PAW S1, iFi GO Blu, Shanling M3X, IKKO OH10, THIEAUDIO Clairvoyance, UM MEXT, Moondrop Variations and Sennheiser HD560S.

Looks and Feel​

The M3X came in a claimed “Aurora purple” color but it looks more like a silver with a slight hint of purple. I actually really like the way it looks but a lot of the marketing photos made it seem a little more lavender than it actually is. The DAP doesn’t really weigh that much so it’s easy to take with and doesn’t add much thickness to one's pocket. I love the indents on the side and it makes it super easy to hold onto and feels sturdy even though the whole body has a matte bead blasted finish on the sides that feels very smooth. The font and back glass had screen protectors pre installed which is nice but I would have liked to see aftermarket options for a glass screen protector in case of drops. Button layout is nice on the left side that is used for the next track, pause/play and back track. The rotary knob on the right side is fairly flush and acts as a volume knob as well as a power button. The knob is clicky but smooth to rotate. I didn’t have any issues with accidental volume changes which is nice. There is a flap on the bottom for the memory card and I like that they have something to protect the memory card. The top has the SE 3.5mm and BAL 4.4mm Pentaconn jacks. I would prefer to have them at the bottom since I insert my devices with the bottom side facing up. I really like the overall design of the M3X. Especially in this color.

Accessories and unboxing​

Inside the box we get the player, a charging/data cable, two extra screen protectors and the user guide/warranty card. I’m honestly ok with the included accessories as most people don’t need more than the basics for a DAP.

Sound(overall)​

These final impressions were done only off the M3X. I choose not to output to external amps but it can be done via the line out option in the settings. This will be what the M3X sounded like with all the headphones I used. Things like headphone pairings will produce different results and impressions vs what my ears hear on my specific gear.


The M3X does go for a warmer sound overall. Right off the bat this sounded comfy and more relaxed which is what I would personally want in a lower cost DAP I plan to use on the go. The Lows are pretty good in terms of slam while having ok reach down low. The mids are also good though I noticed the warmer sound tends to blend the mids a little, resulting in vocals not really standing out and feeling further back. The Treble is very neutral to my ears so it sounded a little too tame for my tastes. This did allow me to listen to more headphones that I find too sharp up top but the detail retrieval was still good for the price. I wouldn’t use the M3X for critical listening on $1k plus headphones but I would and do use it with $500-ish headphones and enjoy the sound quality I get from the M3X overall.

Imaging/Soundstage​

I will always say staging and imaging are headphone dependent more than the source gear. That being said, The warmer tuning does make for a more open sounding stage. There is a slightly longer decay which gives a sense of space with the headphones I tried. Still not quite as good as some desktop gear but still nice for the price. The imaging was about average with a little more energy on my part to pick out sounds and instruments within the given soundstage.

Android OS/Performance​

The M3X is running Android 7.1.1 which is quite old these days for an OS. I found the M3X with its Snapdragon 430 and 2GB of ram to be perfectly adequate for running streaming apps or quickly scrolling through albums and tracks via Poweramp. I did use the stock Shanling audio player which I thought worked pretty well but I do use Poweramp personally and I think it’s totally worth it as it runs super quickly on the M3X. The M3X I have was able to install the Play store just fine so I loaded up Poweramp and Chrome to test performance. Basic web browsing on Chrome is perfectly fine but it lags on pushing it with multiple tabs open while playing music at times. This is meant to be a music player but it can run normal apps if you wish. The boot up was a nice 22 second affair from the moment the button was held to the moment android was operational.

*Poweramp note*​

Power amp can act funky with using the buttons on the outside of the device which took forever to figure out. If you run into issues when pausing or getting pops from switching tracks with the outside buttons, go to settings, headset/bluetooth, then set wired headset from double/triple press to single press. This fixes the issue.

Battery life​

Shanling claims 23 hours from single ended, 20 hours from the single ended dual DAC mode and 19 hour via balanced. I didn’t attempt to run the device through a full 19 hours to see where it ended up but it did make through my normal work day via the balanced output with 60-ish percent left by the end of the day. I would assume that the claimed battery life times are fairly correct.

Bluetooth/Wired connectivity​

Even though this is using Bluetooth 4.2, the range is still fairly good. LDAC is still a little rough and requires the DAP and LDAC device to be near to keep the connection stable. I didn’t use bluetooth much since there was no AAC support so I didn’t feel like testing SBC quality when I knew from experience it wouldn’t sound that good.


Now for using the M3X as a desktop DAC/amp. Most Android DAPs won’t connect to Apple iPad/iPhones and the M3X doesn’t connect to my iDevices for DAC mode. I used and tested the M3X connected to my desktop using Audirvana and it picked up just fine and I used it in non ASIO mode with zero issues. This is something I do like about DAPs. I personally started out on an OPPO HA2 as both a portable and desktop DAC/amp for a long time before deciding on separate setups. I’ve used my old FiiO M11 in the past on trips as a DAP then paired it to my laptop when away from home.

Personal grips with the M3X?​

My only real complaint with the M3X is the version of Android being used. If you’re using any streaming apps like I do, there is always the risk that the devs will drop support for older operating systems one day. This isn’t a problem if you’re only using locally stored music. I use Soundcloud and Tidal and while I have a DAP that is running a newer version of Android, I always wonder how long apps will be supported for.

Single ended and balanced power output​

I found the power outputs decent for an entry level portable. It has 101 mW into a 32 ohm load using their “dual DAC” mode and 240 mW into a 32 ohm load via the balanced jack. I find these numbers pretty good and most people will be using a device like this for IEMs or easy to run headphones. Those looking to power their hard to drive cans will want to look for a higher and DAP though.

IEM pairing opinions​

FiiO JH3​

I have a hard time using the JH3 due to the rather intense treble. It has a very sharp and piercing upper energy that just doesn't work well for me. I did this pairing due to the neutral treble the M3X provides. It did indeed help calm the violence down a bit in the upper treble and while it was still a little too bright up top for me, I was at least able to listen to it longer than normal. The Lows are still fairly ok with a little more fullness. The mids still have a slight grainy sound but since it’s much more tolerable, I was able to get a feel for the instruments and vocals. I thought the M3X did a good job of handling the treble and I got decent detail retrieval from the JH3. The staging was just a bit more open than I remember with other gear.

DUNU EST112​

I threw my two favorite mid level IEMs at the M3X since I doubt too many people will run anything more expensive off the M3X. I think the EST112 and its mid focus did fairly well with the M3X. It has a nice warm bass that still retains good reach and slam, the mids are a little more relaxed which helps when things get intense with the vocals. The treble struggled a little with the M3X. The EST112 doesn’t have that much energy up top and it sounded a little blunt and dull when it came to the top end bite. Notes just didn’t have that fast speed and sharpness I would like to hear, or would hear off brighter sounding gear. Staging did sound fairly good and if you want a warm overall experience then the EST112 does work well enough.

Moondrop Variations​

The tribrid Variations are a different beast compared to the EST112. We get a V shape tuning here which does really well with the M3X. The Lows were decent with speed and I found the reach down low pretty good detail wise. Mids were accurate to what the Variations could produce and I felt vocals still had good presence if not maybe a little blended into the background than what I’m used to off other gear. The treble is relaxed a little but I still got good detail retrieval and the extra sharpness up top did show up just a bit so it had a little of the treble sparkle I like from the Variations. Staging sounded wide like it should with this IEM and I liked this pairing the best of the three IEMs in this section.

DAC/Amp comparison​

AUNE BU2​

Gonna be lazy and paste the comparison from my AUNE BU2 review below
“I recently received the M3X for review and decided to sneak in a comparison. While the M3X is a DAP, it does come in just $20 more than the BU2. The biggest difference in sound signatures between the two is the treble. The M3X goes for a warm-neutral sound and doesn’t do anything exciting with the treble or detail retrieval. The BU2 has the extra spice and perceived detail retrieval up top. Staging was about the same and both power output numbers were close to each other(BU2 20mW higher). The big thing here will be battery life and what your source device situation looks like. Battery life is claimed 9 hours wired via the BU2 and the M3X wired is 19 hours from using the balanced jack. You also get android on the M3X so you get a place to store your music should you not have enough storage on your source device. The drawback is that the BU2 is using Android 7. The BU2 5 years from now will work perfectly fine with any source device. The M3X might not have any streaming apps that are still compatible 5 years from now. Both are great devices and come in around the same price. I would choose the BU2 if you have a good source device with the music you want. Get the M3X if you need a place to store your music or don’t want to waste the battery life on your phone throughout the day playing music”

Hiby R6 2020​

The bigger R6 does everything better in terms of sound quality and power under the hood. It is also super big and chunky. I found using the light M3X more enjoyable and it didn’t heat up nearly as fast as the R6 2020. While the R6 and M3X both have a warmer tuning, the R6 has a more detailed and natural sound. If battery life and portability are the main focus, I think the M3X is a better EDC device. The R6 2020 is my favorite around the house or when I need to do more critical listening.

Overall thoughts​

I’m very happy with the M3X and for the intended use as a local audio player or audio streamer, I give it a full recommendation. The only thing to keep in mind is long term support for streaming apps as the OS is a bit old at this point. Other than that, I think the design is really nice plus it runs well enough to not feel cheap. Battery life is wonderful as well. I’m happy to be back in the DAP game and I look forward to some of their new offerings down the road! The M3X will definitely be in my daily rotation going forward. Thanks for reading!!

The Shanling M3X Limited Edition needs no introduction. It is a $430usd Android-based DAP that is made in collaboration with MOONDROP and Tanchjim. The trio has tuned this limited edition M3X to provide a new warmer sound output with a darker background and better control. They have also mentioned that its tuning will work best with Tanchjim and Moondrop's IEMs.

The unboxing experience here has been nothing be spectacular. The M3X Limited comes with a big white box with both Moondrop and Tanchjim's mascots in front. Once opened, I am presented with a custom white leather case, a few custom art pieces, a USB cable, a user manual, and lastly, the M3X Limited itself.

There will only be a total of 1500 units of these made, with only 500 units available for the international market. So if you are looking to pick one up, better act quick before it is too late

*This review is split into 3 parts: Non-Audio Opinions, Sound, and Sound Configuration Settings. If all you care about is sound, please skip part 1 and go straight to part 2.

Part 1 - Non-Audio Opinions​

As mentioned above, if you’re not interested in the following, you can skip straight to Part 2 for my sound impressions. However, I'll keep this part very short as I'll only cover things that matter.

• What's inside?: Dual ES9219C DAC/Amp from ESS Sabre + Panasonic tantalum capacitors. The non-limited M3X uses "special large-capacity tantalum capacitors" instead.
• Battery Life: Easily 17 - 20 hours of playback time per charge with Dual DAC on. Really impressed with the battery here. Shanling advertised it as having 23 hours with Single DAC and 20 hours with Dual DAC. Pretty spot on IMO.
• Performance: is good. The interface is snappy and responsive. It is rocking an 8 core Snapdragon 430 with 2GB ram.
• Buttons: 4 in total - power button (also as the volume wheel), next track, play/pause, previous track. Pretty ergonomic and well placed, especially for right-handers. However, I would prefer it if the play/pause button is textured/dented. Textured buttons makes it easier to eyeball without looking. First-world problems, I know. But hey, it is worth mentioning.
• Portability: And as for the ergonomics and portability of the M3X Limited, I would say that it is pretty good. It is decently sized, easily pocketable, and I have no problems handling it with one hand with my small Asian-sized hands.
• Features: 16x MQA unfolding, Bluetooth both ways, AirPlay, Wifi… You name it, the M3X Limited has it. However, I find that the WiFi here takes a bit longer than expected to connect to 5Ghz Wifi bands. Do keep that in mind as I find it annoying at times.
• Design: As Yumu Song once said, "the M3X limited edition is more than just a DAP; It is an art piece". The design here is beautiful, with custom number engraving at the side (mine is limited no. 1243/1500! ). Its build is pretty solid too. So no complaints.

Part 2 - Sound​

*Disclaimer: This review is done using Dual DAC Mode on + linear-phase lowpass filter. Check out Part 3 to see why this matters.

PROS :​

• To put it simply, the M3X Limited is a warm-neutral sounding DAP with a focus on adding fullness and thickness to the mids. I would describe it as being a resolving and musical-sounding DAP with fast snappy transients, open soundstage, full-sounding mids, and good detail retrieval.
• The bass here sounds snappy, full, well-textured, and detailed. It has a bit of added weight and warmth to it to make it sound fuller and more engaging. It is also capable of going deep down into the sub-bass regions without any notable early roll-offs. A big plus for me as I initially expected it to roll off a bit earlier, but it did not. However, the bass here isn't your thick, punchy, dominant bass that some might expect from a fun sounding source. It is actually leaning more towards the neutral and resolving side. Do keep in mind that the bass here is by no means lean or neutral. As mentioned above, it has a slight warmth colouration, making it sound fuller.
• The Midrange is the star of the show here. Just like the bass, it has a slight warmth colouration, which in return gives the mids a more forward and fuller presentation. If I were to describe how the midrange here sounds, I would describe it as being full, forward, open, and weighty. The added warmth and fullness do push vocals forward, making them sound more forward and intimate. Do not mistake the vocal intimacy here as having a small soundstage though, as the soundstage here is pretty wide. More on the soundstage later.
• It terms of detail retrieval, as expected from a DAP with Dual ES9219C DAC, the M3X Limited is no slouch. As mentioned above, I find the M3X to be a pretty resolving sounding DAP. With Dual DAC Mode ON, I was able to pick up on tiny nuances and plenty of microdetails easily without cranking up the volume.
• In terms of upper midrange, I find the upper midrange here to be pretty tamed and smooth with zero sibilance or edginess. No typical "upper mids glare" that I find present on most of Shanling's products.
• As for the treble, I would describe it as being detailed, airy, and snappy. It is well extended with great "treble air qualities". Just like most of Shanling's sources, the treble is never bright sounding. In M3X Limited's case, it is never bright, fatiguing, edgy, or dry sounding. You will have no issues pairing bright-sounding gears with the m3x limited.
• As for the soundstage, it is wide and tall with good depth and layering. I would describe the soundstage here as being somewhat like a hall. I am a sucker for soundstages that are tall and deep, and the M3X Limited definitely delivers here.
• In terms of imaging, it is also clean and precise with great image separation. Thanks to the well rounded and wide soundstage presentation, pinpointing where instruments are coming from is, imo, almost effortless. Pair this with the M3X Limited's ability to resolve details and you are in for a treat.
• Pairs perfect with Harman-tuned IEMs or any IEMs with laidback vocals / thinner mids. The added weightiness and fullness in the mids works really well here. IMO, the Shanling M3X Limited pairs perfect with Moondrop Blessing 2: Dusk. Pairing the M3X Limited with my Moondrop Blessing 2: Dusk just sounds like these two are seriously made for each other. They weren't joking when they said they tuned the M3X Limited specially for Moondrop/Tanchjim's IEMs huh?

CONS :​

• Bass could be thicker and punchier.
• Treble could be a tad bit sparklier.
• Full and forward midrange presentation might be fatiguing for some after long listening sessions.
• Mids colouration could make thick sounding gears sound too thick. (potential "fix" in Part 3. See "Lowpass filters comparison")
• Upper mids might be too laid-back/shy for some. (potential "fix" in Part 3. See "Lowpass filters comparison")
• Dynamics could be a bit better. (High gain mode helps with the dynamic issue, but not without introducing some cons. See Part 3 - "Low gain vs High gain mode" for more info)
• Requires burn-in. Sounds bloated OOTB. I recommend at least 3 days (or 15 charge cycles).
• Limited to only 1500 units worldwide. When it's gone, it's gone.

Part 3 - Sound Configuration Settings​

Here is where I describe the sound differences between different outputs, lowpass filters, gain modes, and DAC modes.

1. LOWPASS FILTERS COMPARISON (LINEAR PHASE FAST ROLL-OFF VS APODIZING PHASE FAST ROLL-OFF):​

• I find the linear phase filter to sound more natural, with fuller bass and better timbral characteristics.
• Apodizing seems to give vocals and upper mids a slight edge, making notes sound somewhat edgy? This in return takes away a bit of the timbral characteristics, making notes sound dryer. However, the bass is leaner and less "bloaty" now. If you find your M3X Limited to be too warm to your liking or lacking some upper mids energy, switch to Apodizing filter.

2. DUAL DAC MODE VS SINGLE DAC MODE:​

• With Dual DAC on, you get better detail retrieval, better separation, more resolution, crispier notes.
• Single DAC mode is smoother and more relaxing sounding. It isn't as resolving nor is it as detailed as dual DAC mode, but I can see myself using Single DAC mode on days when I want better battery life or a smoother sounding experience.

3. SE VS BALANCED:​

• Balanced out gives you better instrument separation, better layering, better soundstage depth, and more power.
• Recommended to use Balanced out with the M3X Limited.

4. LOW GAIN VS HIGH GAIN MODE:​

• Low gain sounds more relaxed, open, balanced, with mids that are more forward.
• High gain seems to give the M3X Limited a slight V-shaped tonality. Bass becomes punchier and more dominant. Upper midrange are slightly pushed forward, and mids/lower mids are slight recessed. I find high gain mode to sound more dynamic and tighter overall, but soundstage seems to be tighter and smaller.

PART 4 - In Conclusion​

I think what Shanling x Moondrop x Tanchjim did here is great. They took the original M3X, which is deemed "the best $300usd DAP" by many, retune it, and make it even better. Yes, it is slightly warmer. Yes, it is slightly more coloured. But this colouration is what gives it that musicality that the original M3X needs, making the M3X Limited a musical yet resolving sounding DAP.

In my opinion, if you are looking for a DAP that is warm-neutral, with full forward mids, snappy bass, and airy treble, the Shanling M3X Limited Edition should definitely be considered.

Remember, there are only 1500 units available (only 500 available for the international market). So act fast before it is all gone!


Link to purchase (non-affiliated):
https://hifigo.com/products/shanling-m3x-asano-tanch-mitsukihimi-limited-editon

Specifications

System: Open Android 7.1, with AGLO
Screen: 4.2 inch, 1280 x 768
CPU: 8-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430
Memory: 2GB RAM + 32GB ROM
Expendable memory: MicroSD card slot
DAC / AMP: 2x ESS Saber ES9219C
Hi-Res Audio: Up to PCM 32/384 & DSD256
MQA Support: Full unfolding, 16X
Outputs: 3.5mm jack Single Ended & 4.4mm Balanced
Wi-Fi: 2.4G & 5G
Bluetooth transmitter: LDAC, LHDC, aptX HD, aptX, SBC
Bluetooth receiver: LDAC & SBC
USB: USB-C, with USB DAC and USB transport function
Battery: 3200mAh
Battery life: Up to 23 hours (SE, single DAC) / 20 hours (SE, dual DAC) / 19 hours (Bal)
Dimensions: 109 x 72 x 15.9 mm
Weight: 168g
Output power: Up to 240mW @ 32Ohm (Bal)
Output impedance: <1Ohm

LINK: https://en.shanling.com/article-M3XIntro.html
LINK: https://en.shanling.com/download/77

INTRODUCTION: I wrote the review after 150/200 hours of listening (more or less). The curiosity of listening to a Dac Saber (ES9219C) mounted on a Shanling was remarkable. I had listened to the Shanling M6 Pro (loaned by my friend Xinlisupreme) and I must say I enjoyed it greatly. M6 Pro is equipped with the AKM AK4497EQ Dac and therefore with M3X I was able to have a term of comparison from the point of view of the converter, because otherwise M6 Pro stands at a price range higher than M3X. Although M3X.
does not give the idea of being an entry level DAP, especially from a qualitative and multimedia point of view.
I also own an Astell & Kern Kann which in terms of "multimedia" offers much less even if it belongs to a much higher price range than M3X.

PACKAGING: Blue box, with asymmetrical closure (detail). Housing of the DAP in a black spongy tub. Below, we can find the guide booklet, warranty card and screensaver adhesive films. On the side a box with the USB cable.









DESIGN: M3X measures 109 x 72 x 15.9 mm for a weight of 170 grams approximately. Small, handy, non-slippery. Frontally it presents the screen for almost its entirety with a very small frame (4.2 inch, 1280 x 768). Above and below the frame is ½ mm, while on the sides (right and left) it is full screen. In the upper edge we have the two Outputs inputs: 3.5mm jack Single Ended & 4.4mm Balanced.
On the right side, the on / off button and the black wheel for adjusting the volume. On the lower side, starting from the left we have the trolley with the micro sd housing (which as mentioned I think it should be used with considerable care and attention to prevent the breakage of the plastic flap that closes the slot where the micro sd is stored moved more towards the center we have the input of the usb / dac cable.
On the left side of the dap, we have the 3 buttons for play, forward or rewind. On the back we have a glass-like side, with the small Shanling logo placed in the center at the top in a very refined silver color. All the details seem well studied and overall a sober but classic line at the same time.



INSIDE: System: Open Android 7.1.1, with AGLO, very fluid, smooth. Excellent brightness and visibility even in sunlight. CPU: 8-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430
Memory: 2GB RAM + 32GB ROM Expendable memory: MicroSD card slot
DAC / AMP: 2x ESS Saber ES9219C. Wi-Fi: 2.4G & 5G.
When turned on, the display starts up after about 10/12 seconds. The home screen we have (in order from the left side): Clock Icon, Shanling Player Icons, Settings Icons, and Firmware Icon. I forgot: Really good battery life (3200 maH)

SOUND: We then come to the main aspect of the Shanling M3X. Before dwelling on this aspect I must say that the Dap is sensitive to the various IEMs I have tried. In no particular order: Dunu SA6, Tansio Mirai TSMR5, Faerless S8P, BGMP DM8. All BA, but despite this M3X behaves differently depending on the IEM that is fed to it. While in general it behaves very well with MP3s (little highlighting the qualitative limits of these recordings) and obviously it behaves even better with Flac and DSF formats. I have tested the Shanlig M3X with numerous IEMs, such as Dunu SA6, Faerless S8P, BGVP DM8, Tansio Mirai TSMR 5, Vision Ears VE3. I noticed a remarkable sensitivity to the various impedances of the IEMs in question. For example, with the TSMR5 I was at just over half the volume to listen at sustained volume, while with the BGVP DM8 I reached the maximum volume of the M3X. The piloting of Faerless S8P and DUNU SA6 is also very easy.
M3X is a fairly balanced sounding dap, with a very good amount of body and three-dimensionality. The Saber DAC, gives a little more texture to the mid and mid-high range, without ever becoming excessive or invasive. The speed of execution and the recovery of details are also good, which at times leaves favorably
impressed if we remember the price range of this DAP. I also liked the focus, present but always pleasantly soft and tending to warm. The sound in general is however in its totality quite neutral with (as already mentioned) a tendency to warm always pleasant and never over the top.
The heat in question does not invade and does not invalidate either the clarity of the sound or its three-dimensionality which is not very large but far more than sufficient. M3X combined with very easy to drive IEMs (like the Faerless S8P) amplify this factor even more. But this obviously happens a little with all the IEMs I've tried, and logically with different results. Whether they like it or not becomes a subjective factor.
It is not a DAP for bass lovers beyond all things. In the sense that it has a full-bodied, present, warm bass, but always very correct, defined and circumscribed. And here the Dac Saber does its part. In the mid-range M3X plays with exemplary body and correctness, again in reference to its price range, of course. The amplification is really excellent, which always seems to work smoothly and always leaves the feeling of still wanting to turn up the volume. With the VE3, M3X amplifies its full potential as it seems to fit perfectly with the Vision Ears sound philosophy. Although I personally preferred (but here it comes down to subjectivism) Faerless S8P and Dunu SA6, where everything manifests itself in a faster, clearer, more open way to the detriment of the warmth of the mid-range, its body and its involvement. emotional. With the TSMR 5s, the MX3 sounds very similar to the VE3s but with a slight high-end brilliance. The opening of Prince's 1999 song (listened over and over again with all the IEMs listed) made me prefer the balance of the VE3 to the brilliance (but I'm on top) of the TSRM 5. For the rest the two IEMs behaved the same way. In terms of nuances, the quality of the VE 3 was preferred, but the TSMR 5 had an enormously wider and wider stage. And here it becomes a matter of preference.





Faerless S8P: Overall very three dimensional sound. Slightly lacking in body and warmth. Good details and separation of tools. Slightly fast well-defined low range.


Dunu SA6: Here too the sound impresses with its 360-degree perception. Medium and medium-low range, clearer than usual but with a record speed. At the expense of some details and a warm tone that some might lack


Tansio Mirai TSMR 5. Here it borders on perfection along with VE3 which I will describe below. Great body across the range. Good detail recovery and remarkable speed. The three-dimensionality in a slightly more intimate stage than SA6 is also excellent. Only in the high range there is a slight emphasis. Not annoying but noteworthy.



CONCLUSIONS:

In all cases, however, the M3X always maintains its own personality, consisting of a good body in terms of musicality in general. The warmth in its complexity is always kept in good evidence even in the presence of IEM with a “studio” character like Dunu SA6. Obviously (at least personally) I have always preferred the M3X sound with IEM in balanced. Even if the difference with 3.5 in unbalanced is not very noticeable. Sometimes in unbalanced M3X it sounds less open but more intimate and "cerebral". And here too it becomes a question of pleasantly subjective choices. Excellent construction, beautiful and classic design. Simple but for this reason sober and at least to my taste, very pleasant. "Grip" in the norm even if the dimensions of the dap make it easy to manage and very little slippery. With a small price difference you can also buy the cover for now available in two colors (at least at the time of my purchase). Shanling's really good job, in my opinion, lies in the implementation of all the port engineering solutions.