Short answer: the 7Hz Eternal. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#345 and #346 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the 7Hz Eternal costs $249 against $269 for the Shanling ME500, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
What the 7Hz Eternal does well: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 69, and squig.link measurements show bass, mids and upper mids all within about 1 dB of target, so voices and instruments sound natural. The tradeoff: Treble above 6 kHz drops 3 to 4 dB below target with an 8.7 dB dip near 10.6 kHz, so cymbals lack sparkle and detail sounds dim.
The case for the Shanling ME500: A one dynamic plus two balanced armature hybrid with a preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement and a balance that leans very slightly bright rather than warm. The tradeoff: An average deviation of about 2.8 dB from target means some frequency bands still stand out.
Buy the 7Hz Eternal. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $20 less than the Shanling ME500.
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Specifications Side By Side
| 7Hz Eternal | Shanling ME500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.00 | $269.00 |
| Ranked | #345 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #346 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.63 dB standard deviation | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.1 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 14.5mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 30 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 109 dB/1kHz | 111 dB |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6 g) per earbud | - |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to 7Hz Eternal:
- 7Hz Eternal vs Tin HiFi P1 Max
- 7Hz Eternal vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4
- TANGZU Wu Legend vs Shanling ME500
- Shanling ME500 vs Tin HiFi P1 Max
- iBasso IT04 vs Fearless Audio S8F
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
7Hz Eternal: $249.00 Linsoul eBay
Pros: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 69, and squig.link measurements show bass, mids and upper mids all within about 1 dB of target, so voices and instruments sound natural. Treble rolls off gently, giving a smooth, unfatiguing sound for warm-leaning listeners. A 30 ohm, 109 dB/1kHz rating means a phone drives it easily, and each earbud weighs 6 g.
Cons: Treble above 6 kHz drops 3 to 4 dB below target with an 8.7 dB dip near 10.6 kHz, so cymbals lack sparkle and detail sounds dim. The IKKO OH10 and Etymotic ER2XR are rated higher for less money.
Full 7Hz Eternal review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.63 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 14.5mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 30 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 109 dB/1kHz |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6 g) per earbud |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +1.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 184 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.82 |
| Peak | 2,246 Hz | -3.5 dB | 2.16 |
| Peak | 812 Hz | +1.3 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 3,369 Hz | +2.6 dB | 3.21 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,115 Hz | +5.8 dB | 2.10 |
| Peak | 4,885 Hz | -8.3 dB | 4.79 |
| Peak | 8,865 Hz | +2.9 dB | 2.22 |
| Peak | 2,465 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.69 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Shanling ME500: $269.00 Apos Audio eBay
Pros: A one dynamic plus two balanced armature hybrid with a preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement and a balance that leans very slightly bright rather than warm. It rates higher than the cheaper Shanling ME200, and at 18 ohms and 111 dB sensitivity it is easy to drive from a phone.
Cons: An average deviation of about 2.8 dB from target means some frequency bands still stand out. The Fearless Audio Shangri-la rates clearly higher for a little less money.
Full Shanling ME500 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | -4.6 dB | 0.24 |
| Peak | 6,418 Hz | +5.5 dB | 2.11 |
| Peak | 876 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.90 |
| Peak | 1,774 Hz | -2.5 dB | 1.61 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,985 Hz | +3.9 dB | 1.20 |
| Peak | 4,343 Hz | -5.2 dB | 4.21 |
| Peak | 3,205 Hz | +2.1 dB | 5.60 |
| Peak | 7,141 Hz | -6.2 dB | 3.77 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons