The ME900 is the IEM top model from Shanling. Available at a price of 899€, the ME900 consists of a hybrid system with a total of 8 drivers, which is housed in a titanium cabinet. The use of such materials in this price range is quite remarkable.
The driver selection is made up of 2 dynamic drivers and 8 BA drivers. The two 6mm dynamic drivers are responsible for the precise reproduction of the bass range. They are made of crystal-coated polymer biomembranes. Each of the dynamic drivers contains a pair of N52 neodymium magnets, which achieve a particularly high magnetic flux density. This is to produce a very powerful and dynamic bass range. Two dynamic drivers for the bass range - haven't we had that before? Exactly with the 64 Audio Volür. However, two 9mm drivers are arranged in a special isobaric configuration and only one of the two drivers produces the sound at a time. With Shanling, both drivers sound simultaneously for the bass range. The midrange, treble as well as the ultra-high range are each covered by two BA drivers.
The ME900 offers a total of two switches that allow individual sound tuning. If both switches are in the "Off" position, the standard balanced sound mode is active. The first switch controls the bass range, which can be boosted by the "On" position. The second switch is the so-called "Vocal focused mode", which emphasizes voices and details even more. More on how this all sounds in comparison later.
When I opened the package for the first time I was surprised to get such a presentation in the 900€ class. The storage box consists of 2 floors. Above with the IEM and the cable itself and below by a pull-out drawer, which contains a noble leather case, plug adapters, a brush and a number of different eartips. The thing that smiled right at me was this titanium milled astrein finished faceplate with a custom interwoven design depicting traditional Chinese mountains and rivers. This design is a real eye-catcher! With a titanium case, you certainly don't have to worry about the stability of the IEM. The included cable is also not just any ribbon, but a very high quality 8 core Furukawa copper cable in coaxial construction is used here. These are double-layered conductors with independent shielding, which are covered with a special protective layer. The cable is very flexible, lightweight and looks great. So does the Y-splitter, which is made of metal and includes a Shanling logo. Another highlight are the included adapters. The cable can be used unbalanced with 3.5mm or 6.35mm as well as balanced with 2.5mm or 4.4mm. Many manufacturers set IEM on the side of 2 pin. Shanling went with MMCX, which I think is a bit of a shame because all my after market cables are 2 pin. There are a total of 12 pairs of eartips included. 4 different types (Vocal eartips, Sound Stage eartips, Bass eartips, Balanced eartips) in 3 different sizes. Since I now own so many of my own eartips I have not even tried the enclosed.
The ME900 is already the third generation of IEMs from Shanling and in each generation the ideal ergonomic shape has been further improved. And the result is something to be proud of. This is one of the most comfortable IEMs I know!
To test the sound quality, I again use my iBasso DX320 MAX Ti. The ME900 connects to the iBasso via a 4.4mm adapter. Like almost every IEM, the Shanling can be driven very easily and so the gain level 1 is always enough to get loud to very loud levels in the control range 9 to 12 o'clock.
With the eartips I decided here quite quickly for the SpiralDots, which are on the one hand very comfortable and achieve a bombproof seal with the ME900 and on the other hand sound very balanced. First, I'd like to highlight the basic neutral setting.
Tonally, the Shanling IEM flagship plays with a V shape tuning, with the bass range only minimally boosted. On the right side of the frequency diagram, upper mids and highs are boosted even more. The whole thing leads to an overall slightly bright tuning. The special Shanling House sound, which I still know quite well from the DAP M8 has the M900 also in his genes. There is this slight focus on the full mids, which conjures a high naturalness especially in voices.
The bass range has a lot of steam, but the midbass range is more pronounced than the subbass. Bass attacks come to the fore with a really nice punch. In the subbass, the ME900 doesn't have the level that a Radon6 or Volür offer. The audibility suffers somewhat, although the bass range is presented cleanly and quickly. I wish a U12t had the punch that the ME900 delivers. Personally, I prefer the bass control in the "On" position. It's just more fun for more modern genres, and the ME900 sounds too "well-behaved" for me in the neutral position.
The stage is wider than average in its expression, and so is the depth level. The ME900 doesn't play as airy as a Raven or Radon6, but it can easily keep up with a U4s here, even surpassing it slightly in instrument separation and detail.
The mids are really great Shanling like succeeded. Vocals play not so direct but also not too relaxed. Just the way I like it and with beautiful timbres. But then the "vocal switch" is too direct for me personally. I like it best in the neutral position.
I mentioned at the beginning that the treble is boosted. Fortunately, only as much as I can just tolerate. This tuning, chosen by Shanling does not cause annoying highs with any of my tested recordings even at very high levels. Resolution is very good for this price range and, as I said, surpasses a U4s. Volür and Blanc show the ME900 its limits. Here, individual facets are then not as good to hear out as with the other two. But they are also a multiple more expensive than the ME900!
With the ME900, Shanling has a really good IEM to offer in the price range under 1000€, which can also keep up with higher-priced models or even trumps them. Through the individual setting via controller, it can also be adapted to your own needs. I can recommend the ME900 to anyone who is looking for a musical tuning and likes the shanling house sound. Bassheads or people who are looking for very neutral tunings are not at the right address here.
