At this time we assessment the Shanling HW600, the most recent open-back headphone from the model. A brand new planar-magnetic mannequin priced at $1,099 USD.
Disclaimer: the Shanling HW600 was despatched to us freed from cost by the model, in change for our trustworthy opinion.
Based in 1988, Shanling has been crafting Hello-Fi merchandise for over 30 years. From high-end CD gamers to elegant tube amps, the model has constructed a popularity for impeccable craftsmanship and top-tier efficiency, with fashions just like the T35—an extremely high-end CD participant—and the SCD1.3, a ravishing all-in-one CD/Amp/DAC that I’d like to attempt.
A pleasant setup already, however the model additionally developed a full vary of pleasant moveable DAC/AMP , just like the Shanling H7, H5 and H2 – three great gadgets that I beforehand reviewed – or compact USB-sized DAC just like the UA4 and UA1 Plus.
And, along with all of that, the model additionally gives a whole vary of gamers and IEMs, just like the M6 and M6 Pro (21) that I beforehand reviewed, now topped by the Shanling M6 Ultra, the M7, and the almighty M9 Plus that Berkhan and Yagiz beloved and praised, with good causes.
And, in parallel to that, the model nonetheless determined to go a step additional, with an entire new flagship planar headphone – a primary time for Shanling – packing all the newest options they developed throughout the final years, at a value that some would possibly contemplate conservative these days – for a planar headphone.
A brand new banger? Time to seek out out
Design & Construct High quality
Shell
For his or her first headphone, the R&D crew at Shanling did fairly a very good job, making a headphone that appears and feels luxurious, sturdy, and, frankly, worthy of its value.
That mentioned, let’s discuss concerning the elephant within the room right here: the Shanling HW600 takes a MASSIVE inspiration of Meze’s newest creation. From the stems to the headscarf to the yoke, all the pieces right here looks as if a mirrored function from my previous Meze Empyrean, combined with the Liric and a contact of the 109 Pro – minus minor variations.
I don’t say that’s a foul factor although, the Romanian model perfected the fashion and the Chinese language crew can be a idiot to attempt to reinvent the wheel, however I could have most popular extra distinctive options on the HW600. As a result of, aside from that, that is one very nice-looking headphone.
Certain, it’s not as dense and hefty because the Empyrean II. Nonetheless, contemplating the huge value hole between the 2, and the shocking comfiness provided by the Shanling – extra on that later – I’d dare to say that this new headphone gives a formidable high quality/value ratio. The cups are completely sized, the headscarf is supple but strong, and even the pivot holding the cups to the yoke was given a golden contact, contrasting properly with the black tint of the principle physique.
And, if the lightness of it gave a plasticky feeling the primary time, on the second attempt I discovered the general end far more spectacular than on on my first look. In fact, if steel isn’t your factor, the Audeze is likely to be extra up your alley. However once more, contemplating the worth, the result’s surprisingly elegant, and I’m fairly positive these might simply stand subsequent to higher-end fashions just like the LCD-2 with out feeling misplaced.
Construct high quality
Despite the fact that not precisely low cost, the Shanling HW600 construct high quality needs to be praised, matching greater contenders, who already set the bar fairly excessive on the time.
The body feels sturdy, with no creaks or pointless flex. The swivels rotate easily, and upon nearer inspection, I used to be impressed to not discover any seen screws or gaps. The sliding headband glides comfortably, stopping precisely the place you want it with out requiring extreme power. There’s a delicate clicky sensation, however it’s discreet sufficient to stay unobtrusive when adjusting the match.
The cups are surprisingly good too, the HW600 that includes intricate patterns rigorously carved by means of CNC machining. The scarf stays in chrome steel for higher torsion resistance, however aside from that, all the opposite items appear to be product of the identical aircraft-grade, anodized, aluminum. Pair that with ultra-thick earpads, product of breathable lamb-skin earpads, crammed soft-foam padding, a sturdy braided cables with balanced termination, and you find yourself with one of the satisfying experiences you may get from a $1000 headphone.
Bonus level for the cables, product of a silver-plated oxygen-free copper base, with quad-core and a single crystal copper wire. It feels wonderful in hand and performs equally nicely in use.
To date so good, so let’s see how they match.
Consolation
Over the pinnacle
With tremendous large cups, giant pads stuffed with reminiscence foam, a floating headband, and a Y-cable, the Shanling HW600 was bliss to put on, even throughout lengthy listening periods.
The clamping power is good—neither too tight nor too unfastened—and the earpads are marvelous, stuffed with reminiscence foam that molds to your ears completely. With exact adjustment steps on all sides, I by no means struggled to seek out the suitable match for my head, whether or not throughout informal listening or longer, extra immersive periods.
Bonus factors go to the floating headband, coated with lambskin leather-based (that I don’t approve of for the document) that felt much more balanced than the one discovered on my Meze 109 Professional – who’d recognized! Along with the sliding steams, not solely does this make the headphones noticeably extra comfy, but additionally simpler to put on when strolling throughout the workplace, when hooked up to a DAP.
Once more, I discovered the Y-cable design to be extra ergonomic than the everyday one-sided cable often seen on trendy headphones, permitting for higher weight distribution, with out the fixed pull you typically really feel from the single-sided setup. General, these little touches improve each consolation and value, making the HW600 an actual pleasure to make use of.
Isolation
Clearly, with an open-back design, isolation on the Shanling HW600 is sort of inexistent even when it gives a gentle damping over some high-frequencies. However, truthfully, if you happen to want some noise-canceling, that is undoubtedly the one for that.
So, time to verify the specs!
The article continues on Web page two, after the click here
Web page 1: About the brand
Web page 2: Comfort, usage
Web page 3: Specifications, Bundle
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