Short answer: the Shanling ME700. Both are rated 3.0/5 for sound quality (#389 and #392 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the Shanling ME700 costs $559 against $599 for the Fatfreq Reference Pro SE, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
What the Fatfreq Reference Pro SE does well: It is a wired, closed-back in-ear that blocks outside noise passively. The tradeoff: In crinacle’s measurement it scores only 62.0 for preference, with a 3.18 dB deviation from target, so the tuning departs noticeably from what most listeners prefer.
Why pick the Shanling ME700: A one dynamic plus four balanced armature hybrid with a preference score of 62 in crinacle’s measurement and a warm leaning balance. Watch for: Its response strays about 2.9 dB from target on average, so tonal balance is less even than on higher rated in-ears.
Buy the Shanling ME700. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $40 less than the Fatfreq Reference Pro SE.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Fatfreq Reference Pro SE | Shanling ME700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 | $559.00 |
| Ranked | #392 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #389 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.18 dB standard deviation | 2.89 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Driver Type | - | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | - | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 106 dB |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (6.8 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Shanling ME700:
- OpenAudio Mercury vs Shanling ME700
- Shanling ME700 vs Yanyin Mahina
- HiBy Crystal 6 vs Shanling ME700
- Shanling ME700 vs Kinera Skuld
- Fatfreq Reference Pro SE vs Yanyin Mahina
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
Fatfreq Reference Pro SE: $599.00 FATfreq eBay
Pros: It is a wired, closed-back in-ear that blocks outside noise passively. It holds an equal rating to the Cayin Fantasy and the Shanling ME700.
Cons: In crinacle’s measurement it scores only 62.0 for preference, with a 3.18 dB deviation from target, so the tuning departs noticeably from what most listeners prefer. The equally rated Cayin Fantasy costs less.
Full Fatfreq Reference Pro SE review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.18 dB standard deviation |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.8 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 | +8.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 78 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.20 |
| Peak | 996 Hz | +3.3 dB | 0.84 |
| Peak | 1,675 Hz | -4.1 dB | 1.47 |
| Peak | 9,708 Hz | +6.2 dB | 0.76 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,897 Hz | +2.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,550 Hz | -1.9 dB | 3.96 |
| Peak | 7,117 Hz | -2.9 dB | 5.77 |
| Peak | 5,664 Hz | +0.7 dB | 4.21 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Shanling ME700: $559.00 Apos Audio eBay
Pros: A one dynamic plus four balanced armature hybrid with a preference score of 62 in crinacle’s measurement and a warm leaning balance. At 18 ohms and 106 dB sensitivity it plays loud enough from a phone, and each earpiece weighs just 6.8 g.
Cons: Its response strays about 2.9 dB from target on average, so tonal balance is less even than on higher rated in-ears. The HiBy Crystal 6 earns the same rating for less money.
Full Shanling ME700 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.89 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.8 g) |
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 | -0.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 174 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.80 |
| Peak | 5,657 Hz | +6.1 dB | 1.73 |
| Peak | 3,797 Hz | +2.2 dB | 1.06 |
| Peak | 6,643 Hz | -2.1 dB | 2.56 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +4.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,444 Hz | -2.2 dB | 2.49 |
| Peak | 9,994 Hz | -2.3 dB | 1.67 |
| Peak | 2,291 Hz | +1.6 dB | 3.58 |
| Peak | 695 Hz | +0.8 dB | 1.88 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons