Short answer: the OpenAudio Mercury. It ranks #370 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $599.99. The Shanling ME700 ranks #389, rated 3.0/5, at $559, $40.99 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the OpenAudio Mercury: A bass-forward tuning with about 4.7 dB of extra sub-bass below 60 Hz and a 5.8 dB lift at 30 Hz, so kick drums and synth bass carry deep rumble. Watch for: A 6.6 dB dip near 5.9 kHz in squig.link measurements softens vocal consonants and the leading edge of guitars and snares.
The case for 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 OpenAudio Mercury. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $40.99 with the Shanling ME700 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| OpenAudio Mercury | Shanling ME700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.99 | $559.00 |
| Ranked | #370 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 | 65 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.46 dB standard deviation | 2.89 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 9.2mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW | 106 dB |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+5.8 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (6.8 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to OpenAudio Mercury:
- Sennheiser IE 600 vs OpenAudio Mercury
- OpenAudio Mercury vs Fatfreq Reference Pro SE
- Fatfreq Reference Pro SE vs Shanling ME700
- Shanling ME700 vs Yanyin Mahina
- Shanling ME700 vs Kinera Skuld
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
OpenAudio Mercury: $599.99 Shenzhenaudio eBay
Pros: A bass-forward tuning with about 4.7 dB of extra sub-bass below 60 Hz and a 5.8 dB lift at 30 Hz, so kick drums and synth bass carry deep rumble. The midrange from 200 Hz to 3 kHz tracks target within half a decibel, keeping vocals natural. A 9.2mm dynamic woofer and four balanced armatures at 110 dB/mW play loud from a phone.
Cons: A 6.6 dB dip near 5.9 kHz in squig.link measurements softens vocal consonants and the leading edge of guitars and snares. The Fearless Audio S8F rates higher for less money, and the Fearless Audio S6Rui matches its rating for considerably less.
Full OpenAudio Mercury review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.46 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 9.2mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+5.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | -3.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,898 Hz | +5.0 dB | 0.59 |
| Peak | 1,655 Hz | -4.0 dB | 1.64 |
| Peak | 190 Hz | -1.7 dB | 1.58 |
| Peak | 766 Hz | +1.6 dB | 1.15 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 69 Hz | +1.4 dB | 2.47 |
| Peak | 4,352 Hz | -3.9 dB | 5.29 |
| Peak | 3,442 Hz | +2.2 dB | 4.15 |
| Peak | 5,697 Hz | +3.1 dB | 5.70 |
- 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