Shanling Sono

Disclaimer:​

Good morning, readers! Today I can finally review the Shanling Sono, which were kindly sent to me by them. I hope to have the opportunity to try some of their dongles in the future.


Reading online reviews I noticed how many did not take into account some particularities of the SONO. I will try to carry out a complete analysis.


I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs and DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music.


So I’m not going to use super-technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.

Tech Specs:​

Packaging:​

The packaging is refined and simple in design, reminiscent of the packaging of the Muse Hifi East 6 and some Simgot. Inside, we find the Shanling SONO. They are surrounded by accessories. I found the equipment to be correct for the asking price.


Inside, we find:

• Tips of two types but only one pair of double flange
• Decent-quality cable
• Case (anonymous but good)
• 2 pairs of nozzles
• Manual

Maybe I would have liked to see at least the double flange tips in a complete set but I find the rest adequate. Then there is a question about the particularity of the nozzles, which I deal with in the following paragraph.

Design/Build quality:​

I like the chrome-plated metal IEMs a lot, but I think many other resin IEMs are sometimes unable to compete at all. It’s very personal as a preference; some resin IEMs are works of art. The Shanling SONO design is minimal but this time the shape is correct for absolute comfort: compact and with soft corners.


They fit into the ear without causing discomfort. The Shanling logo appears on the faceplates, and you can see yourself in the mirror. There is only one ventilation hole on the internal side because they chose to place the second one on the nozzles. This choice perplexes me because the nozzles are relatively short, and the hole could be covered by the installed tips. The original tips have a slight step in the “mouth,” but most of the ones you buy don’t. Naturally, covering a vent causes changes, especially in terms of bass response and pressure. I am not sure why we did not make the ventilation hole right before the nozzle. When we remove the nozzle, we can see that the double DD is in the center of the IEM and that the BA is placed sideways, rather than straight and shooting into the ear. I was surprised that none of the reviews I read mentioned this peculiarity. The sound changes, and so does the rating.

Initial sound impression:​

At first listen, I wasn’t particularly impressed by the black nozzle. As a source, I used the FiiO KA17, which is my new point of reference. I noticed its strong V-shaped tendency. The bass response is particularly aggressive; we are almost in Bassheads territory, with sparkling highs but the voices are a little covered. Coming from Kefine Delci, I wasn’t surprised.

Nozzle Filters:​

At first glance, the filters look very similar; both have a tuning sponge in the nozzle, which appears to have a very similar density. They both have a vent hole that you need to be careful not to cover (Shanling confirmed that it needs to breathe). Let me start by saying that the differences are minimal. The nozzle with a black o-ring is for a balanced sound and actually the bass is less accentuated, while for the red one, it seems to bring out the V-shaped signature more. Despite this, I prefer the fun approach. In my opinion, it also sounds better in terms of definition or the perception improves by reducing the highs a little. At high volume with a balanced nozzle, the highs become a little biting.

Comfort & Fit:​

As anticipated, the shape of the shell is spot on; if the Muse Hifi East 6 had had a similar shape, it would have been a good buy. These are absolutely comfortable. The double coaxial DD, one above the other, allows it to remain compact with the shell. You just need to pay attention to how the tips are mounted. Lightweight, hassle-free cable.

Final sound impression:​

Equipment used for testing the above


Device:

• iMac
• Redmi Note 7 (MIUI-Based)
• Poco M4 Pro

Software:

• Amazon music UHD 24bit 96kHz
• Tidal Hifi Plus

DAC:

• FiiO KA17 (strong bass response)
• Moondrop Dawn Pro (bass increases)
• Simgot DEW4X (mids and treble improvements)
• EPZ TP50 (good balance)
• iBasso DC04 Pro
• Muse Hifi M4
• Hidizs S9 Pro Plus (better mids)
• Fiio Ka11
• Fosi SK02 (less bass, more brightness)

I gave them about 10 hours of burn-in but as usual, I think it’s more my brain getting used to it. The red nozzle certainly gives some satisfaction in terms of bass. Even in terms of definition, technicalities, and soundstage, there are now DD singles that have raised the competition tremendously. On a similar hybrid, one expects a precise division of frequencies, which is there but is especially present for the basses, for which one feels that 1 DD is responsible for these frequencies and in fact, they are produced in a more than excellent way. The trebles, instead left to BA, are slightly affected by the somewhat cold timbre of BA. The DD responsible for the mids and, therefore for the vocal part is a little sleepy. The voices are recessed and dull, not at the same level as some single drivers.


After several hours of testing, however, I realized that the red filter overshadows the mids and therefore the voices even more. I went back to the balanced nozle and continued the evaluation using that.


I used the FiiO KA17 most of the time and then switched to the Fosi SK02, which has a brighter sound. The Shanling SONO is particularly suitable for bright sources rather than warm sources. However, although the bass has softened on the mids and highs, the timbre is a little unrefined.

Tips Rolling?​

The rolling tips are quite complex due to the fact that they decided to put a nozzle, which requires tips mounted at the tip. The stocks have a step that keeps them stable even if inserted very briefly into the nozzle. The only ones that could be similarly stable are Divinus Velvets.

Bass​

The bass is good, almost at basshead level but not enough to enter that category. With the black nozzle, it doesn’t stand out, while with the red nozzle, it becomes more impactful and enveloping. To tell the truth, with the red nozzle, the bass becomes more enveloping. Good depth, strong impact, quite fast.

Mids​

The DD, who should take care of the mids, is a little overwhelmed by the rest. The tuning is absolutely V-shaped, but the mids are particularly not very vivid and energetic. The result is that the voices do not have the silkiness and refinement that we expect. They appear a little dark and in the background, failing to fully inspire. Let’s be clear: they are not that bad but there are better representations of mids on the market. If you want to improve the presence of the mids, the balanced nozzle is more suitable.

Treble​

The highs are quite good, there is the right presence of air, the brightness is there without being excessive, and they seem quite smooth to me. The best representation is with the balanced nozzle, which returns some energy to the mids and continues up to the highs. At high volumes and particularly complex songs, the treble becomes slightly spicy due to BA timbre.

Soundstage and Imaging:​

The soundstage is quite good but certainly below average, and the image is precise thanks to the presence of drivers with divided frequencies. Since IEMs are already more than a few months old, several options have been released with even superior performance. All the sounds do not go far outside the ear, and although they are all distinguishable, the sensation is of intimate listening. Personally, I like it but maybe some might expect more.

Fast Comparison:​

vs Simgot EM6L


The Simgot EM6L is special. Full of energy, musicality unmatched anywhere in my collection, and brilliant, vivid, and present voices. There is air in the treble area and a very pleasant soundstage and imaging. As hybrids, they are, in my opinion, one of the best representations in this price range. The low range is excellent and is less pronounced than the SONO but still pleasant.


vs Kinera Celest Phoenixcall

Phoenix Faceplate
Kinera produces hybrids with exotic configurations and a particular sound. The Phoenixcalls are slightly over budget but worth mentioning. Very pleasant and above all, the voices are much more present and at the center of listening. They impress you more at first listen than the SONO. Less natural timbre, less present bass.


vs Kinera Celest Plutus Beast


They sound brighter than the PhoenixCall, with a more tactile bass perception thanks to the BC driver. The sound is immersive and envelops you. Even if you don’t particularly follow fashion, Kinera manages to produce products that stand out from the crowd. In my opinion, these that are positioned at the same price have a more pleasant sound and balance, at least for my personal tastes.

Conclusion:​

Being a model that is now a few months old—to be honest, 8 months—I imagined that it might have been slightly inferior to the newer models. It is still technology that evolves every day. A few months for an IEM is a huge period. The Shanling Solo is, however, a high quality product. Some accessories look very similar to those seen on the Muse HiFI EAST 6, such as the case, which is identical. The construction is similar and of high quality, and the sound is very good but there are now IEMs in this price range and even at a lower price that have literally dominated the market. I am sure that Shanling has much better performing models than SONO and, above all, excellent-quality dongles and DACs. By lowering the price of this model, it could easily return to selling on the market.

Welcome to the Audio Amateur's Review. Straightforward reasoning: I'm an amateur and I love audio.

Disclaimer
Shanling does not sponsor me. I bought the unit's total price for myself. The review will be simple but honest.
I bought it for around $80 in my country.

Gear Used
- MacBook Pro M1 2020
- FiiO Q11
- iPhone 13
- xDuoo MT-602
- Arturia Minifuse 2

To the review...
Let's break down the review into 3 parts, which are Packaging and accessories, Build and comfort, and Sound.

Packaging and Accessories - 8/10
I love the packaging. It's compact but fully loaded. It came with the IEM, several ear tips, the cable, a hard carrying case, and the replaceable filters. The presentation is pretty straightforward, but I liked it. The cable is great looking and of kind of great quality. The case is minimal but very adequate. The included eartips are fine, and even double-flanged eartips are included but only in 1 size. The filters can be replaced, and the package includes red and black filters. The black filter is pre-installed on the IEM. Overall, it is sufficient for the price.

Build and Comfort - 9/10
The IEM is built like a luxury item. It is soft to the skin yet feels solid. It is fully metal-built and cast. All that means that the surface of the IEM is also a fingerprint magnet, especially for oily hands like mine. When I tried the IEM for the first time with the included tips, it fit perfectly on my ears and they stayed put for a long time. It is not too heavy on the ear, nor does it hurt when you use it for a longer listening session.

Sound - 9/10
Allow me to elaborate. I pair the IEM with the MT-602 and the FiiO Q11.
I will provide both red and black filter impressions.
I made this playlist on Apple Music to test all of my audio equipment.

---Red Filter---
Bass - 10/10
Alert: Bass head, this is the way to go. The bass extends so deep. and provide a really good rumble. The bass is more of a sub-bass rather than a mid-bass. It is one of my picks for EDM tracks, Hip-Hop, and any bass-oriented tracks. This is my default filter and the one I prefer because I am bored of a mild V-shaped / more neutral set.

Mid - 8/10
The midrange is even more recessed than the already recessed mid with the black filter. This is due to the more pronounced bass and highs. Worry not, the mid is still great. The vocal doesn't shine in this filter though, and sounds even further than the black filter. The presence is great but what do you expect at a v-shaped set? Surprisingly enough, the details are still there. It sounds more intimate than the black filter. The timbre is correct and sounds natural. Imaging is pinpoint. The soundstage feels intimate and a bit lacking in width.

High - 9/10
Oh boy, the high extends a bit more than the black filter. This makes the overall signature extremely V-shaped. Detail retrieval is amazing. Cymbals and Hats sound amazing. The high is sparkly and airy, yet for me, it's not sibilant. It's perfect for my liking. No early high roll-offs and so on.

---Black Filter---
Bass - 8/10
This is the default filter that comes with the IEM. It provides sufficient bass-boosted sound and good rumble, but not as good and huge as the red filter. However, I feel that the bass definition is somehow more pronounced with this filter. The bass extension is still deep.

Mid - 9/10
The midrange in the black filter sounds far and that's expected because of the V-shape characteristic. However, the vocals still shine quite well and are intimate. Vocal presence is good. The timbre is correct and sounds natural. Imaging is pinpoint. The soundstage feels intimate. Somehow, the filter makes the overall stage feel.. better? I am not sure why it does that, but it did feel better with the black filter in terms of the soundstage.

High - 10/10
The high, though, is very detailed and smoother than the red filter. It is still sparkly and airy, but no sibilant is present in my set. Detail retrieval is amazing and extension is good.

Conclusion
Overall, I like this IEM a lot. This definitely will be my daily cans. For the price it is meeting expectations and for me, this is the first V-shaped cans that I liked so much (I am a neutral head). What's not to like if you are looking for a V-shaped IEM? It's great at retrieving details, absolute bass cannon, is built amazing, and is very comfortable for a longer session.

Introduction:
Shanling's history in the audio domain stretches back to 1988. Launching their first Hi-Fi stereo amplifier then, they've since spread their wings, offering a gamut of products from Hi-Res portable music players to Hi-Fi headphones. Positioned in Shenzhen with their main production hub in Dongguang, Shanling's reputation in the industry stands tall due to their commitment to quality and collaboration with international manufacturers.

Disclaimer: I wish to be transparent with my readers, so it's essential to note that I purchased the Shanling Sono with my own money during an Amazon Prime Day sale for €65. This ensures that my review is unbiased and purely based on my personal experience with the product. No incentives, sponsorships, or free samples have influenced my thoughts shared within this review.

Packaging & Unboxing Experience:
The Shanling Sono comes packaged with the essentials and a bit more. Within the box, you'll find the IEMs, a protective PU leather case, three sizes of silicone tips, one pair of double flange tips, a robust silver-plated copper cable with a 3.5mm termination, and two sets of tuning nozzles.

Design & Aesthetics:
With a full-metal build, the Sono is both durable and sleek, presenting a modern yet timeless look. The standout feature in the design is the Triple Magnet in its drivers, underscoring Shanling's pursuit of sound excellence.

Comfort & Fit:
These IEMs don't skimp on comfort. Their design is ergonomic, with a snug fit that doesn't grow uncomfortable over extended listening sessions. I did switch out the tips for the Spinfit W1 for the best fit.

Soundstage & Imaging:
The Sonos deliver a soundstage that transports you to an intimate jazz club. The imaging, clear and uncluttered, creates a spacious listening environment.

Sound Profile: Deep Bass, Clear Notes -The Sound of Pure Indulgence.

The Shanling Sono doesn’t just reproduce sound; it crafts an auditory narrative. Behind this audio prowess is a discerningly chosen driver configuration of 2DD+1BA Hybrid.

• Bio-Diaphragm: The bass response, powered by the biocellulose driver, is a revelation. Combining the precision of metal diaphragms with the organic resonance of paper, the outcome is a bass experience that's both lush and detailed, characterized by a slow, immersive decay.
• LCP Diaphragm: Handling the midrange is the Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) driver. It brings forth vocals and instruments with clarity while ensuring there's no shrillness. This meticulous handling of the mids ensures a warm, yet clear sound profile.
• BA Driver: This isn't just a token addition. The BA driver ensures the high frequencies shine without overwhelming, offering a crispness that complements the warmth of the dynamic drivers.

Genre Proficiency:
Now, if your playlists are brimming with Hip-Hop, Funk, Rock, or any bass-heavy music, these IEMs are your new best friend. They shine brilliantly, especially in these genres. It's a basshead's dream, but with the clarity and distinction that audiophiles crave.

Comparison:
To draw a parallel, the Sono feels like the evolved, more sophisticated cousin of the 7HZ Legato. It's got that 80/90ies Boombox tuning - bass in all its glory. But it's not just about the thump; it's about the warmth, the vibrancy, and the sheer joy it brings.

Value for Money:
Given the sound and build quality, the $65 tag on the Sono seems fair, presenting good value for your money.

Durability & Build Quality:
The heft in hand suggests that these IEMs are built to last.

Connectivity:
Equipped with a 2-Pin connector, the Sono ensures a solid connection every time.

Final Thoughts:
Indulgence to Every Note: Sono's Signature Sound
The Shanling Sono stands out as a unique IEM that consistently tempts the listener into diving into "just one more track." The intrigue of deciphering the sonic nuances of a particular track with the Sono makes it irresistibly engaging. This yearning for continual exploration, combined with the Sono's well-executed and unique sound signature, embodies what makes an IEM exceptional in my opinion.