Shanling M8 Android Portable player

[Stu Paddasso]

You should also try the Hiby music app it works really well on M8 also.

 

[RIGATIO]

You should also try the Hiby music app it works really well on M8 also.

Thanx, just installed and scanning my library right now.
How would you compare the sound on UAPP vs Hiby?

 

[Stu Paddasso]

Very close Hiby brighter more detail, Uapp more bass warmer sound

 

[RIGATIO]

Ok just compared the UAPP vs Hiby.
The UAPP has tighter, more focused sound with great and deep holography.
With Hiby App the soundstage isnt as focused and holographic as on the UAPP but it explodes to the right-left even more. The already very wide sounding M8 gains even more width.
The Hiby reminds very much of the Shanling app but with better dynamics and deeper bass.
For me Hiby and UAPP have similar bass extention with the IBasso IT07. I only tried it with this iems until now.
My first impressions.

 

[Stu Paddasso]

I match iem's to app and mood

 

[RIGATIO]

@Shanling any plans on a new flagship that keeps M8's seductive, organic and warm sound sig?
Not that im in a hurry because the M8 ticks all the boxes for me but just asking out of curiosity

 

[German Expat in Vietnam]

@Shanling any plans on a new flagship that keeps M8's seductive, organic and warm sound sig?
Not that im in a hurry because the M8 ticks all the boxes for me but just asking out of curiosity

@Shanling yes please do it!!! I think a lot people will like it. Do the M 8 Pro or Ultra

 

[RIGATIO]

I ended up with the Hiby app- thanx @Stu Paddasso ! To my ears it doesnt change this characteristic for M8 fluid and wet sound sig but it only elevates dynamics and bass in comparison to the original Shanling app. It also has gapless and many nice functions which i dont use haha.
So to sum up- SQ wise the Hiby app is the Shanling app on steroids but retaining same controls and even tuning, its just bit cleaner.
The UAPP is great too but it makes the M8 sounding more like an AK, more reference but still very pleasurable.
Neutron with 16x oversampling sounds very slightly denser in hights (after many careful tests so its almost on the edge of perception for me) but the bass becomes bit weaker so its a no go for me.

 

[German Expat in Vietnam]

For me same. I used also Hiby player

 

[Mhog55]

I ended up with the Hiby app- thanx @Stu Paddasso ! To my ears it doesnt change this characteristic for M8 fluid and wet sound sig but it only elevates dynamics and bass in comparison to the original Shanling app. It also has gapless and many nice functions which i dont use haha.
So to sum up- SQ wise the Hiby app is the Shanling app on steroids but retaining same controls and even tuning, its just bit cleaner.
The UAPP is great too but it makes the M8 sounding more like an AK, more reference but still very pleasurable.
Neutron with 16x oversampling sounds very slightly denser in hights (after many careful tests so its almost on the edge of perception for me) but the bass becomes bit weaker so its a no go for me.

I just purchased the M8! Should be here next week. I'm also using Hiby on my M6 Pro, and I agree with your comments. Also tried UAPP and didn't like it as much. The main reason I use Hiby is because it will hold multiple custom EQ settings, unlike the Shanling music player.

 

[German Expat in Vietnam]

With M8 you not need custom Eq settings All frequency are perfect. Ok for my ears

 

[Mhog55]

With M8 you not need custom Eq settings All frequency are perfect. Ok for my ears

I EQ most all of my headphones. Nothing is perfect out of the box from my experience, so I prefer to dial them in closer to what my brain and ears really like.

 

[German Expat in Vietnam]

Wait for your M8. Is unbelievable

 

[RIGATIO]

Yeah i personally never use EQ but the M8 is my first dap that i dont even feel the need to fix anything. Improving its tuning is way beyond my capabilities.
Literally, with every other dap i wanted to change something- to add sub bass, to lower higher mids, to add more mid bass etc.
Here nothing, it should stay like it is, regardless of the headphones used.

 

[RIGATIO]

I love the M8 more with every day. I have an impression that it sounds better and better. The music never gave me such a pleasure from a portables and even from a desktop setups. The vocals are exactly like i like them to be- in line with the rest of the frequency, not pushed forward but clean, clear and separated, in a slight distance from my face. And the drums.. gosh they are like thunders when they are in the mix. They have such an authority and timbre.
And the sound is like liquid, never harsh or edgy and dry. Its wet, silky and analog. Great device!