Short answer: the Yanyin Mahina. Both are rated 3.0/5 for sound quality (#388 and #392 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the Yanyin Mahina costs $551.65 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 Yanyin Mahina: A seven driver hybrid with a 10mm dynamic woofer, four balanced armatures and two electrostatic tweeters, tuned dark and relaxed for listeners who dislike bright treble. Watch for: Squig.link measurements show presence about 7.3 dB below target with a 10.3 dB dip near 5.4 kHz, so vocals, strings and percussion lose clarity and attack.
Buy the Yanyin Mahina. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $47.35 less than the Fatfreq Reference Pro SE.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Fatfreq Reference Pro SE | Yanyin Mahina | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 | $551.65 |
| Ranked | #392 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #388 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 | 2.78 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Driver Type | - | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Impedance | - | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 118 dB |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Yanyin Mahina:
- Shanling ME700 vs Yanyin Mahina
- HiBy Crystal 6 vs Yanyin Mahina
- Yanyin Mahina vs FiiO FA9
- Yanyin Mahina vs Kinera Skuld
- Fatfreq Reference Pro SE vs Shanling ME700
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
Yanyin Mahina: $551.65 Linsoul eBay
Pros: A seven driver hybrid with a 10mm dynamic woofer, four balanced armatures and two electrostatic tweeters, tuned dark and relaxed for listeners who dislike bright treble. From 60 Hz to 1 kHz it sits within half a decibel of target, so bass and lower mids sound even and natural. At 118 dB sensitivity it plays loud from any phone. It rates above the Audio-Technica ATH-CK2000Ti for less money and matches the InEar StageDiver SD5 for considerably less.
Cons: Squig.link measurements show presence about 7.3 dB below target with a 10.3 dB dip near 5.4 kHz, so vocals, strings and percussion lose clarity and attack. Sub-bass sits about 2.5 dB under target below 60 Hz, softening rumble. The HiBy Crystal 6 earns the same rating for less money.
Full Yanyin Mahina review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.78 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 118 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.8 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 | -1.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,493 Hz | +4.7 dB | 0.21 |
| Peak | 213 Hz | -2.9 dB | 0.77 |
| Peak | 1,633 Hz | -6.5 dB | 1.15 |
| Peak | 9,800 Hz | -0.2 dB | 1.87 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 74 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.64 |
| Peak | 4,343 Hz | -1.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 7,760 Hz | +1.3 dB | 2.43 |
| Peak | 132 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.19 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons