Short answer: the Shanling ME700. It ranks #389 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $559. The Kinera Skuld ranks #411, rated 2.7/5, at $550, $9 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
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. The catch: Its response strays about 2.9 dB from target on average, so tonal balance is less even than on higher rated in-ears.
The case for the Kinera Skuld: Five balanced armatures and 120 dB sensitivity mean it reaches loud levels easily from a phone. The catch: Hobbyist measurements on squig.link show the presence region about 7.5 dB under target with a 9.7 dB dip near 5.5 kHz, which makes vocals and guitars recessed and dull.
Buy the Shanling ME700. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $9 saving on the Kinera Skuld is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Shanling ME700 | Kinera Skuld | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $559.00 | $550.00 |
| Ranked | #389 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #411 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 58 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.89 dB standard deviation | 3.57 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature | 5 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 18 ohms | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB | 120 dB |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.8 g) | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Shanling ME700 compares with other leading options:
- OpenAudio Mercury vs Shanling ME700
- Shanling ME700 vs Yanyin Mahina
- HiBy Crystal 6 vs Shanling ME700
- Fatfreq Reference Pro SE vs Shanling ME700
- Yanyin Mahina 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
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
Kinera Skuld: $550.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Five balanced armatures and 120 dB sensitivity mean it reaches loud levels easily from a phone. Bass and low mids sit within about 1 dB of target, giving a full, warm midrange that suits listeners who prefer a dark, relaxed sound. The closed in-ear design isolates well from outside noise.
Cons: Hobbyist measurements on squig.link show the presence region about 7.5 dB under target with a 9.7 dB dip near 5.5 kHz, which makes vocals and guitars recessed and dull. Sub-bass also falls about 4 dB short, so electronic music lacks rumble. The FiiO FA9 carries a higher rating for less money.
Full Kinera Skuld review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.57 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 5 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 58 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 120 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.9 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 | +5.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,986 Hz | +5.8 dB | 0.19 |
| Peak | 151 Hz | -3.5 dB | 0.39 |
| Peak | 1,435 Hz | -5.0 dB | 2.04 |
| Peak | 3,102 Hz | -3.4 dB | 4.12 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 697 Hz | +0.5 dB | 1.91 |
| Peak | 294 Hz | -0.3 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 4,766 Hz | -1.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 5,372 Hz | +1.6 dB | 5.99 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons