Short answer: the Tin HiFi P1 Max. It ranks #342 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $219. The Shanling ME200 ranks #364, rated 3.4/5, at $179, $40 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Tin HiFi P1 Max: Its 14.2 mm planar magnetic driver earns a preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement, and across 12 hobbyist measurements on squig.link bass, low mids and treble from 6 to 10 kHz all stay within about a decibel of target. Watch for: Hobbyist measurements show the presence region about 5.6 dB below target with a 6.6 dB dip near 3.6 kHz, which pushes vocals and lead instruments back, while a 4.8 dB peak near 8.1 kHz can make sibilants stand out.
What the Shanling ME200 does well: A one dynamic plus one balanced armature hybrid with a preference score of 66 in crinacle’s measurement and a gently warm balance. The tradeoff: Its response deviates about 2.7 dB from target on average, so it is not especially even.
Buy the Tin HiFi P1 Max. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $40 saving on the Shanling ME200 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Tin HiFi P1 Max | Shanling ME200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.00 | $179.00 |
| Ranked | #342 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #364 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 66 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.79 dB standard deviation | 2.71 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.57 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 14.2mm planar magnetic | 1 x dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB @ 1kHz | 111 dB |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.0 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (6.3 g) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Tin HiFi P1 Max:
- 7Hz Timeless II vs Tin HiFi P1 Max
- 7Hz Eternal vs Tin HiFi P1 Max
- Shanling ME500 vs Tin HiFi P1 Max
- Shanling ME200 vs Muse HiFi Power
- Shanling ME200 vs Tipsy Dunmer Pro
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
Tin HiFi P1 Max: $219.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Its 14.2 mm planar magnetic driver earns a preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement, and across 12 hobbyist measurements on squig.link bass, low mids and treble from 6 to 10 kHz all stay within about a decibel of target. That gives instruments a clean, uncolored foundation. It rates higher than the pricier FiiO FH7S.
Cons: Hobbyist measurements show the presence region about 5.6 dB below target with a 6.6 dB dip near 3.6 kHz, which pushes vocals and lead instruments back, while a 4.8 dB peak near 8.1 kHz can make sibilants stand out. Its 98 dB sensitivity is low for an in-ear, so it needs more volume than most. The cheaper Etymotic ER2XR and Samsung Galaxy Buds2 both rate higher.
Full Tin HiFi P1 Max review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.79 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 14.2mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB @ 1kHz |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.5 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 | +3.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,217 Hz | +5.8 dB | 1.42 |
| Peak | 124 Hz | -2.9 dB | 0.65 |
| Peak | 1,773 Hz | -2.6 dB | 1.13 |
| Peak | 2,792 Hz | +1.7 dB | 3.50 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 434 Hz | +1.1 dB | 2.30 |
| Peak | 228 Hz | -0.5 dB | 1.92 |
| Peak | 6,433 Hz | +1.6 dB | 5.31 |
| Peak | 43 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.18 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Shanling ME200: $179.00 Apos Audio eBay
Pros: A one dynamic plus one balanced armature hybrid with a preference score of 66 in crinacle’s measurement and a gently warm balance. It weighs only 6.3 g per earpiece, and at 16 ohms and 111 dB sensitivity it plays loud from any phone.
Cons: Its response deviates about 2.7 dB from target on average, so it is not especially even. The wired Sennheiser IE 40 Pro rates higher for less money.
Full Shanling ME200 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.71 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.57 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.3 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 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 | +1.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +5.8 dB | 0.69 |
| Peak | 153 Hz | -4.3 dB | 0.49 |
| Peak | 996 Hz | +5.5 dB | 0.82 |
| Peak | 1,532 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.99 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,590 Hz | -1.9 dB | 3.66 |
| Peak | 6,043 Hz | +2.8 dB | 5.81 |
| Peak | 7,382 Hz | -2.0 dB | 5.56 |
| Peak | 3,395 Hz | +1.1 dB | 4.13 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons