Short answer: the HiBy Crystal 6. Both are rated 3.0/5 for sound quality (#390 and #389 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the HiBy Crystal 6 costs $459 against $559 for the Shanling ME700, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the HiBy Crystal 6: A lively V-shaped tuning with about 3.7 dB of extra bass and a treble lift of 5 to 6 dB above 6 kHz, which gives drums punch and cymbals plenty of sparkle. The catch: Squig.link measurements show a 9.9 dB peak near 7.9 kHz, so sibilance and hi-hats can turn sharp and fatiguing at higher volumes.
What the Shanling ME700 does well: A one dynamic plus four balanced armature hybrid with a preference score of 62 in crinacle’s measurement and a warm leaning balance. The tradeoff: 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 HiBy Crystal 6. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $100 less than the Shanling ME700.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HiBy Crystal 6 | Shanling ME700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $459.00 | $559.00 |
| Ranked | #390 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 | 3.17 dB standard deviation | 2.89 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 6 x balanced armature | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 14 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107 dB/mW | 106 dB |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.0 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (6.8 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Shanling ME700:
- OpenAudio Mercury vs Shanling ME700
- Shanling ME700 vs Yanyin Mahina
- Fatfreq Reference Pro SE vs Shanling ME700
- Shanling ME700 vs Kinera Skuld
- HiBy Crystal 6 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
HiBy Crystal 6: $459.00 HiFiGo eBay
Pros: A lively V-shaped tuning with about 3.7 dB of extra bass and a treble lift of 5 to 6 dB above 6 kHz, which gives drums punch and cymbals plenty of sparkle. Sub-bass stays within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz. Six balanced armatures at 14 ohms and 107 dB/mW run fine from a phone. It matches the rating of the Shanling ME700 for less money.
Cons: Squig.link measurements show a 9.9 dB peak near 7.9 kHz, so sibilance and hi-hats can turn sharp and fatiguing at higher volumes. A 3.7 dB lift from 200 Hz to 1 kHz thickens male vocals and lower instruments. The Etymotic ER4XR earns the same rating for considerably less.
Full HiBy Crystal 6 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 6 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 60kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 14 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 107 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.5 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 | +5.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 173 Hz | -3.8 dB | 0.30 |
| Peak | 1,805 Hz | +2.9 dB | 2.77 |
| Peak | 6,231 Hz | -6.6 dB | 5.99 |
| Peak | 945 Hz | +4.5 dB | 0.93 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,649 Hz | +2.8 dB | 5.98 |
| Peak | 2,604 Hz | -1.7 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 5,438 Hz | -1.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 36 Hz | -0.2 dB | 1.94 |
- 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