Short answer: the TANGZU Wu Legend. It ranks #314 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $259; the Shanling ME500 ranks #346, rated 3.6/5, and costs $269, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
What the Shanling ME500 does well: 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.
Buy the TANGZU Wu Legend. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Shanling ME500 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| TANGZU Wu Legend | Shanling ME500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.00 | $269.00 |
| Ranked | #314 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #346 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.23 dB standard deviation | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.0 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 14.2mm planar magnetic + 1 x 6mm planar magnetic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 12.5 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106.5 dB | 111 dB |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for TANGZU Wu Legend:
- TANGZU Wu Legend vs ZiiGaat Crescent
- DUNU DN142 vs TANGZU Wu Legend
- OpenAudio Siren vs TANGZU Wu Legend
- 7Hz Eternal vs Shanling ME500
- Shanling ME500 vs Tin HiFi P1 Max
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
TANGZU Wu Legend: $259.00 Amazon eBay
Full TANGZU Wu Legend review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.23 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 14.2mm planar magnetic + 1 x 6mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 12.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106.5 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.22 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Shanling ME500: $269.00 Apos Audio eBay
Pros: 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. It rates higher than the cheaper Shanling ME200, and at 18 ohms and 111 dB sensitivity it is easy to drive from a phone.
Cons: An average deviation of about 2.8 dB from target means some frequency bands still stand out. The Fearless Audio Shangri-la rates clearly higher for a little less money.
Full Shanling ME500 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.76 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
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 | +7.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | -4.6 dB | 0.24 |
| Peak | 6,418 Hz | +5.5 dB | 2.11 |
| Peak | 876 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.90 |
| Peak | 1,774 Hz | -2.5 dB | 1.61 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,985 Hz | +3.9 dB | 1.20 |
| Peak | 4,343 Hz | -5.2 dB | 4.21 |
| Peak | 3,205 Hz | +2.1 dB | 5.60 |
| Peak | 7,141 Hz | -6.2 dB | 3.77 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons