Short answer: the ZiiGaat Odyssey 2. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#762 and #692 of 1291 in-ear headphones), and the ZiiGaat Odyssey 2 costs $249 against $269 for the Shanling ME500, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
The case for 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 catch: An average deviation of about 2.8 dB from target means some frequency bands still stand out.
Why pick the ZiiGaat Odyssey 2: Bass sits close to target and holds down to 20 Hz, so low end sounds full without bloat. Watch for: Presence sits about 5.5 dB low with a 7.2 dB dip near 6.1 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
Buy the ZiiGaat Odyssey 2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $20 less than the Shanling ME500.
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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
Bass sits close to target and holds down to 20 Hz, so low end sounds full without bloat.
Amazon $249.00 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 Odyssey 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 | $249.00 |
| Ranked | #692 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #762 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 68 (median of 23 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.76 dB standard deviation | 2.00 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.74 (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 | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 3 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 18 ohms | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB | 105 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 25kHz |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
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