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Immediately, we assessment the Shanling MG800 which is a flagship 11mm single dynamic driver IEM with a semi-open acoustic design and adjustable tuning. It’s priced at $899.
Disclaimer: It is a pattern despatched to us in alternate for our trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. We thank Shanling for this chance.
To search out out extra about Shanling merchandise we have now beforehand coated on Headfonics click here.
Notice, that this text follows our newest scoring pointers which you’ll be able to learn up on here.
The brand new Shanling MG800, see the corporate take their in-ear monitor semi-open design first seen within the MG600 and elevate it to the flagship stage by making it their most superior IEM up to now.
They’ve additionally packed in some distinctive implementations and premium elements to reinforce the sound high quality of the MG600. The aesthetics and sound efficiency on this open-back unit are gorgeous, let’s not wait to stroll by way of the options!
Tech Highlights
Housing
The very first thing you’ll discover on the MG800 is its extraordinarily mild (6.6g) and hard housing, carved out by CNC machining from aviation-grade Titanium blocks, then endure oxidization remedy that makes the floor much more immune to scratch and corrosion.
Driver
Contained in the extremely compact chassis, Shanling places of their new 11mm driver design with Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC) plating additionally with a Carbon Diaphragm layer.
The driving force incorporates robust N48 Neodymium Magnets and CCAW (Copper Clad Aluminum Wire) coil utilizing Daikoku 0.035mm wires. This inflexible membrane and better magneticity improve responsiveness to energy for stronger extension within the two ends of the spectrum plus boosting the dynamics.
Acoustic Chamber
Shanling additionally put in a whole lot of work on the acoustic chamber, the place the rear cavity design permits the diaphragm to maneuver freely with out being hindered by the strain developed.
The driving force additionally adopts a particular suspension system that’s designed to eradicate all undesirable vibration between the motive force and the shell, enhancing effectivity and readability.
Filter System
The MG800 additionally options an interchangeable filter system with three presets “Stability”, “Heat” and “Clear” on the three Brass nozzles elements, tuned to drastically change the response and sound like 3 completely different fashions.
Completely different patterns might be noticed on the grills of the nozzles and on the FR diagrams inscribed on the nozzle holder we are able to see the very completely different responses after making use of these filters.
Design
Since across the Fifties titanium has been commercially used for the manufacturing of high-end merchandise and it has been a premium materials ever since, however solely till just lately, audio producers begin to use them on transportable DAPs and earphone chassis. Most likely as a result of this can be very onerous and costly to software a bit of Titanium.
The identical design utilized by Shanling on the MG600 utilizing stabilized wooden was unquestionably a allure to take a look at. Nevertheless, the MG800 has taken it additional with its lustrous ending.
On the centerpiece, Shanling’s brand is engraved and round that, an space exposes the round filtering layer for strain regulation, which has a sample much like brake pads on race automobiles.
Consolation & Isolation
The MG800 is extremely mild on the hand even when the development feels extraordinarily stable and daring. With its slightly small dimension and prolonged nozzle, it may match immediately on any ear with out the necessity of adjusting infrequently.
The feather-light housing additionally works properly for lengthy listening classes. The provided cable is a bit thick however it wraps properly across the again of the ear with out creating a lot strain over time.
As a result of it is a semi-open design, the isolation is barely weaker than frequent closed-back IEMs. There may be nonetheless a good diploma of passive noise cancellation however it will not be supreme for listening on a prepare or in a loud space.
Nevertheless, the design led to sure deserves like enhanced openness and permitting the ambiance to mix with the music.
Ideas
The MG800 comes with an enormous choice of ideas with completely different bore sizes. Now we have seen these on another Shanling gadgets and as standard, the information embrace the next three units: bass-optimized, balanced, enhanced staging performances. I will likely be utilizing the balanced ideas for checks which sounds extra pure to my ears.
For individuals who need deeper insertion, there’s a pack of SpinFit CP100 ear ideas offered as properly and to me it’s pushing the treble sharper and slimming down the mid-bass.
Inventory Cable
The MG800 is paired with an Octa-core cable with Furukawa Japan cores inside, together with 2 x Silver-plated Copper (SPC) cores and 6 x single-crystal Copper cores. The cores are then wrapped right into a coaxial double-layer formation and shielded independently for enhanced EMF blockage.
The cable is terminated with MMCX on one finish and a sizzling swap system then again that enables prompt switching between 2.5 / 3.5 / 4.4mm plugs. The metallic joints are sturdy and there aren’t any indicators of them loosening up after dozens of makes an attempt to unplug and reconnect.
Packaging & Equipment
The MG800 packaging was not what I initially had anticipated. It has a playful illustration on prime and tons to find inside. It feels extra like a followers service merchandise with a medallion to have a good time Shanling’s thirty fourth Anniversary.
Down within the field, one can find not solely an enormous metallic plate to retailer the filters, inscribed with the FR utilizing completely different filters on the MG800.
Digging deeper there’s a large metallic carrying case with a shiny glass insert on prime, this matches the design language of Shanling’s gamers and MG800’s gun metallic colour, finishing the bundle completely.
Sound Impressions
Abstract
The MG800 is provided with 3 completely different Brass tuning filters and they’re very able to delivering a staggeringly completely different set of signatures to match completely different genres or tonality preferences.
The semi-open again design permits a whole lot of air to be delivered by the motive force and the inflexible membrane materials enhances the response velocity to ship the bass precisely and deeply with out blurring over on the midrange.
With all filters the MG800 shows good steadiness in tonality, first rate mid-bass density and dynamics additionally readability within the higher mids.
Transparency and management are glorious on this set and the vocal is well-rounded to be free from harshness, although if you would like it to be extra thrilling, the overtone space might be brightened through the use of the “Clear” filter that’s on the identical time urgent down the midrange for extra swiftness.
The “Heat filter” affords a thicker, lusher response that lifts the readability within the higher mids and treble on the identical time.
The “Balanced” filter has the evenest power distribution among the many three and has an earlier roll-off that makes it sound sweeter, and it’s used for the beneath impressions primarily after greater than 2 weeks of burn-in.
Bass
The bass on the MG800 is full-bodied, punchy, and spacious on the “Balanced” filter. There may be a whole lot of air pushed by the big diaphragm and regardless of having nice fullness within the low finish, the motive force assaults speedily with a slightly clear decay that strengthens the transient efficiency within the mid-lows in addition to enhances the decision.
Decrease strings on bass and guitars are notably distinguished and moist, with nice fullness and air captured.
When switching to the “Heat” filter the bass guitar is imaged larger and fuller, radiating with a powerful and denser physique whereas good readability within the higher frequencies is maintained. The “Heat” filter additionally permits the bass to replenish the area which is nice for membership music and synthesized music.
Whereas some filters could sound clearer the others, all of them show glorious response velocity and layering. When feeding the MG800 with sufficient energy, the mid-bass space particularly can sound very dense and highly effective with loads of air, which makes pops and EDM very rhythmic.
Mids
The midrange on MG800 is surprisingly ethereal, agency, and plush regardless of its semi-open design. With the “Heat” and “Balanced” filters on, the core vocal frequencies and acoustic guitar assault with good depth and are powerfully delivered whereas sustaining fairly a pure tone.
By utilizing stable Titanium as housing materials, Shanling appears to have taken away the slight boxiness with the softer materials on the MG600 and permits far more element within the midrange to be heard.
Though there may be nonetheless loads of power round 500Hz, the MG800 can sound outlined and speedy and is compensated by a small enhance earlier than the sibilance zone that helps define the vocal clearer.
The impactful and elevated mid-lows are inclined to convey darker voices additional ahead and sound a bit denser, whereas lighter voices are well-polished and distinguished on all filters and are swiftly delivered.
The tuning works properly with completely different voices to sound stereophonic and it’s enjoyable to roll filters and enhance the presence of various voices and devices.
Treble
The hi-mids on MG800 are usually not shy but it’s well-rounded to free harshness from the combo whereas not killing the air and urgent down overtones.
Testing with EDMs and chamber music, on the “Balanced” filter the MG800 sounds pretty prolonged and ethereal, however it’s your decision a bit extra aggressiveness that may be added through the use of the “Clear” filter.
The “Clear” filter boosts the higher register for readability and has far more power within the prime finish which makes flutes and brass devices extra thrilling and unlocks some ethereal particulars that might be missed on the “Balanced” or “Heat” filter.
The staging boundaries are additionally pushed additional which is nice for stay exhibits that sound hotter within the treble however extra genuine to the precise spacious expertise.
Total, the treble has the correct quantity of depth and presence, and the design provides it a better stage of versatility because the filters might be switched to make the treble tamer or extra aggressive.
The filtering system is a superb implementation on the MG800 that doesn’t block off the lows or highs however cares in regards to the steadiness and the subtleties within the highest and lowest registers.
Staging
With a semi-open design, the MG800 can pull off a simple and expansive soundstage that’s wealthy in treble element, particularly with filters that push the presence of frequencies past 10kHz.
Whereas the bass radiates powerfully with a considerable quantity of punch, the motive force responds speedily such that the picture holds collectively densely with nice definition and readability, vocals additionally sound spaced and really ethereal with the breathy tones properly smoothened.
The sound aligns very properly with the look of the IEM and once more there may be a whole lot of enjoyable tweaking with filters, whereas all 3 filters sound very ethereal as a result of open-back design, the “Clear” filter stands out to ship the very best penetration energy and openness.
The “Heat” filter feels extra confined and each ingredient is nearer within the headroom rendered, vocal additionally sounds extra intimate and intense.
On a facet observe, when switching to single-ended output, the midrange sounds even denser, smoother, and extra dynamic, in comparison with balanced output that’s extra expansive and stronger marginally in decision.
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