Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 3.6/5 (#692 and #706 of 1291 in-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($269 vs $269), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick 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.
The case for the ZiiGaat Doscinco: The median of 14 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 69 with a 2.04 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The tradeoff: Its 2.04 dB spread is less even than the best measured sets.
Buy the Shanling ME500 or the ZiiGaat Doscinco on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
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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.
Apos Audio $269.00 eBay
The median of 14 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 69 with a 2.04 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $269.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Shanling ME500 | ZiiGaat Doscinco | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 | $269.00 |
| Ranked | #692 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #706 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 69 (median of 14 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.76 dB standard deviation | 2.04 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.81 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) | Hybrid |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature | 2 x 10mm dynamic + 3 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 18 ohms | 11 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
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