Shanling MG600
Intro
Hello friends, today I am reviewing an iem which I have wanted to get my hands on for at least a little while, the Shanling MG600. The MG600 is Shanling’s mid-tier Single Dynamic Driver and has kind of flown “under the radar” for the most part. Coming in at $599 the MG600 is not cheap and tussles with some fantastic competition sitting in that $400-$700 price point.
I have enjoyed Shanling’s offerings in the past, from their budget tier to their higher priced sets and even Shanling’s wonderful digital audio players. In fact, I am using the Shanling M6 Ultra to conduct this review. Shanling has been around the audio hobby for many years and actually have made a name for themselves in the dap, portable dac/amp space while they sprinkle in a few well-conceived iems in the process. I realize most of you are very familiar with many of Shanling’s products, but the MG600 is simply one of their latest. With that, let’s get into the review of a beautiful iem, both inside and out. The Shanling MG600…
“MG” Line
The MG600 is part of a new “MG” line of single Dynamic Driver iems which Shanling states will all use exotic materials for the drivers and with equally exotic Shell materials and designs. I think Shanling is just having fun. Shanling always stretches the boundaries of build quality per price point, but this new MG series seems to be taking that to another level. You’d be very hard pressed to find better looking iems. Of course, that is a very subjective thing for me to say. The point is, Shanling is trying something different, they stand out, they are unique, and I can respect the greater degree of imagination and creativity. Let’s take a closer look shall we.
MG600 Pros🔥
-Build Quality
-Stunning design
-Top tier packaging/accessories
-The cable is great
-Fit/comfort
-Musical/Lively/Dynamic
-Tight yet authoritative low end
-Lush and vibrant
-Midrange is clean for fresh vocals
-Treble is airy with good body
-Soundstage is massive
-Nice technicalities for a single dd
MG600 Cons🥶
-Fit may be finicky for some
-Price is steep for the average user
-Can be a bit peaky in the upper midrange
-Could use a dB or two more in the sub-bass (subjective)
Gear used
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
Packaging
What’s inside?
The MG600 comes packaged in a relatively large box that is fitting of flagship level iems (whatever that means). The outer sleeve has an electric blue coloring with “MG600 Dynamic Earphones” printed across the front and some letters in Chinese that I am clueless to know or understand. Pretty flashy and flamboyant but honestly… I don’t care even slightly about that stuff. Pull off the sleeve and you will see a more modest and classier inner box. Open that and you will be met with the bewitching and handsome MG600 earphones in a foam cutout with the equally fetching cable attached. Under that is a box which contains the eartips as well. Pull out that layer and you’ll find the rest of the accessories. Here you’ll see the rest of the eartips, the modular cable Jack’s, a nozzle tool and the carrying case. Honestly the entire package feels very premium and well laid out and put together.
Cable
The provided cable is a very girthy modular cable in a silver and bronze braid with beautiful stainless-steel fittings. Really, this one is a looker. Hefty in weight, which may be a con for some, and slightly stiff, the cable has a nice and thick quality to it that feels very durable. The modular connection is a simple process of pushing each jack on once you line them up.Â
The included cable is an octa-core consisting of six cores of high-purity single crystal copper and two cores of silver-plated copper. Each wire has Independant shielding as well as a corrosion resistant coating so that the cable can maintain the beautiful look. Within the packaging you also will receive three modular right-angled jack’s (2.5, 3.5, 4.4) which again, simply push on and have a very solid connection. Much unlike some cheaper modular cables. I adore this cable, the way it feels in hand and how it contrasts in color with the earphones themselves. It really is a striking pairing and a great design theme.
Eartips
Included in the packaging you will also receive two pairs of Spinfit CP100 tips (Large, medium), three pairs of Bass tips, three pairs of Soundstage tips, three pairs of Vocal tips and two pairs of Balanced tips. Shanling actually indicates in the packaging that the MG600 sounds best with the CP100 Spinfits but I actually beg to differ. Eartips are so very personal, and each ear is different as well as not everyone has the same preferences so that was an odd indication. Anyways, all of the tips are of fantastic quality and are perfectly useful and each set does help to tune the MG600 in its own unique way.
That said, I of course by-passed all of the tips in the package and went with KBear 07 Large tips… at first anywyas. If anyone has followed me at all you already know that no other tip fits me so perfectly. Darn near all iems that I review will eventually have those yellow 07’s on them eventually. I did however circle back and check out the foam/silicone hybrid tips and I gotta tell ya, I am beginning to like those the most. You’ll notice most of my pictures actually have the hybrids on the MG600.
Carrying case
The case which comes equipped within the packahing is a very charming darker green case with a flip top that stays shut with a magnet. It is all leather and very deluxe in its appearance with some very nice lighter green stitching and the company label adorned on its front. I love that it is just the right size internally for the MG600 to comfortably sit inside while the box has a slight border around it to keep them from falling straight out. I believe this carrying case is a very nice addition and goes right along with the upscale theme.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit / Drivability
Design
Just exceptional! I could finish this entire section with those two words. Shanling quite literally carved the Shells from a solid chunk of stabilized maple wood. Weighing in at only 3.3 grams the Shells are very lightweight for prolonged long-term listening. The final design was completed using different resins, paint and dyes to formulate the marbled look.The design is simply gorgeous. I could also add a few more descriptive words like… exquisite, beautiful, pristine, elegant… shall I keep going? The artisans which hand painted and dyed the Shells obviously worked with the grain of the wood using deep blues, light electric blue and contrasting hues of orange with slices of yellows than coated with a fine gloss. Exquisite, beautiful, pristine, elegant, but really they are… just exceptional.
Build
The build is completely solid with almost unseen seams which are only visible due to the grain lines not matching the two shell halves. The Shells are rounded and unlike most iems which come across my desk. The shape is very nice for most ears as I can’t see how anyone would have a difficult time getting a decent fit. The nozzle is actually made of what appears to be brass and does extend a hair further than most. At the backside is a female mmcx cable connection which gives a very tight and well-constructed fit to the cable. When the cable is attached it is not even remotely loose at all. There is obvious quality in this set.
One of my favorite aspects of the design is the Faceplate area. The MG600 is actually a semi-open design which allows good airflow and normally provides a wider and deeper soundstage, which is an element of some psycho-acoustic trickery that actually works. More on that later. Anyways, the faceplates have a rounded back vent with an ornamental circular piece of wood on top of a beautiful metal mesh underneath. On the faceplate you’ll see the company logo as well as the inscription of “Shanling” imposed across the middle in a very sexy manner. I would have never thought to use this combo of colors but… I really dig the look of this set.
Internals
Shanling chose to use some exotic materials for their new “MG” line of single Dynamic Driver earphones and the MG600 is not an exception. The MG600 has a 10mm Carbon/Graphite Composite Diaphragm with an Aluminum Magnesium Center Dome as well as a Japanese voice coil. Shanling went with N48 Neodymium magnets as well to further help with the tuning which offer a higher magnetic flux than other magnets.
Fit
This may be a tricky one for some of you. The MG600 is almost in a globe shape. Now, it fits me like a glove but also, almost every iem fits me well. The nozzles are a hair longer than normal and it may take some fiddling in your ear but the MG600 nestle perfectly in mine. Of course, we are all very much different and no two of us are the same, but I have to imagine that the MG600 will fit most hobbyists just fine.
Isolation
This is an area which surprised me quite a lot. I have found the MG600 to isolate outside noises very well. Obviously, they don’t compare to a set with actual ANC but for a semi-open back iem the MG600’s ability to isolate or attenuate the outside world is very well done. Let me put it this way. I didn’t hear any of my daughter’s ridiculously loud TV shows except for slightly muffled sounds. Isolation is great. On the flip side, as far as sound leakage is concerned, I’d say that Shanling produced a set that isn’t going to be an annoyance to others around you either. My wife says she can only very faintly hear Too $hort “Get In Where You Fit In” while he’s blaring in my ears. Nice!
Drivability
The Shanling MG600 is rated at 22 ohms with a sensitivity of 105 db’s so they are pretty sensitive and can be driven fairly well from most any source. I don’t have any very weak sources to test this theory, but I am assuming this is the case. So, take it with a grain of salt my friends. However, using the IFi Go Blu or the Qudelix 5k on “Balanced” I had an awesome mobile solution out of both. What’s most awesome is that the MG600 synergizes well with both differing dac chip’s signatures.
Using the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 on High Gain mode really stepped up my audio. Something so special about the Dawn that it just devours any other dongle dac that I own in sound quality. Really one of the better price-to-performance dongle dacs out there. The MG600 takes the Dawn’s dynamic and crispy neutral flavor and just dances with it. Really a fine option for audio in this format. The Dawn uses a fully balanced CS43131 dac and really meshes well with the MG600 by tightening up the entire spectrum while adding some nice luminance to the sound up top.
More juice
Moving onto the Shanling M6 Ultra with its ridiculously resolving and smooth Shanling sound suits the MG600 very well. The M6 Ultra uses the fantastic AK4493SEQ dac chip and packs a bunch of output power. The MG600 is something akin to heavenly, lush, detailed and ridiculously robust when paired with the M6 Ultra. Just as heavenly but slightly more on the neutral and snappy side of things is the iBasso DX240 which uses a ES9038Pro dac chip and is basically a more refined Dawn 4.4, but on steroids. I use the Amp8 MK2 module attached to the DX240, so there is a ton of output power and easily enough the MG600 can handle all of it. So, the MG600 doesn’t need more power, but really scales up well with additional juice.
For the majority of my critical listening, I used my DX240 or the M6 Ultra. On both Daps I used either “medium gain” or “high gain” but mostly high gain. There is a definite tightening of the bass region as well as some added density down low coupled with some greater grandeur in the soundstage with more power. That said, let me be clear, you certainly don’t need higher power and will be more than fine listening on a simple dongle dac. The fidelity is pretty nice on anything I tried.
Bite Sized Sound Impressions
The Shanling MG600 presents a wholly rich and resolving sound which stretches the stage in all ways. I hear a slightly warm sound which hovers around neutral, yet very punchy and crisp throughout, and completely dynamic. The sound is mostly balanced throughout. The MG600 is a FULL and effervescent listen, it’s lively yet constantly controlled at all times. I find it very hard to nitpick on this set, though for $600 it may be the nitpicks that are a deciding factor for the buyer. With that said, this is a great single DD as the MG600 has a very clean, resolute and speedy sound while maintaining the affluent richness of its replay.
Each 3rd of the mix
The bass region has a balanced emphasis which doesn’t overtake any other frequency. The sub-bass hits deep with no real perceived roll-off and great tactile rumble. The mid-bass slams with nice texture and decent speed as well as some lifelike timbre. The bass is not “basshead” at all, but it is strong and impactful and very tastefully done. It’s mature, if you will.
The midrange is engrossing. Not too far laid back and actually very present and clean. Males are “bodied-up” with nice weight to vocals and come across very resolute. Females sound so energetic, forward, sweet, yet powerful and vivid. Instruments have a nice timbre, but I will cover this all shortly. Possibly the pinna gain may be a turn off for some people but I happen to adore it.
The treble has good energy and balances very well with the rest of the mix. Just the right amount of buoyancy and lift to the region. Extension is only okay up top. The treble is snappy enough with a nice and rapid treble punch while there is just enough bite in its note definition up top too.
The MG600 has great technical chops for a Mid-fi single DD. Details and micro-details are nicely perceived and brought to the forefront. The stage is large in all directions with a 3D like presentation.
Bass Region
Sub-bass
The sub-bass grumbles and rumbles in the deep my friends. Not at bass head levels but certainly at the level of those who enjoy good bass. I hear excellent texture to any notes which adds a certain depth to any track which it is tasked with replaying. In the track “Slowly Rivers Turn” by The Tallest Man on Earth, as the bassline kicks in (while listening with the MG600 of course) you can really feel that deep rolling rumble, as if the surface texture almost wraps the fundamental body of the notes… holding it all tight. There is a reverberant quality with a hard-edged attack and an atmospheric type of decay. The sub-bass adds a nice vitality to the low-end and works in tandem with the rest of the mix. Now, It isn’t the world’s deepest sub-bass and bass junkies may want more, but there is enough to satisfy the demands of any genre. The MG600 has nice haptic buzz and reverb when it is called upon to do so.
Quality over quantity
The lowest of lows may not be a bass-boi’s perfect answer to their head bobbing desires, and no it isn’t going to tickle their ears in the type of reverberant density of some sets which are created for that type of bass. Despite that, the MG600 displays the sub-bass with a natural density which is emphasized enough to increase the macro-dynamics of a track while feeling less forced. There is more of an effortless prowess on display as the MG600 happily marries both guilty pleasure and faithful reproduction of my tunes. I seek out a rumbly sub-bass, yet I do so with good resolution in mind and I’d surely suffer my teenage-like wishes of accentuated resonant fun for a more organic and realistic type of a balance. Quality will always win my audio friends, and in the case of the MG600 I do believe that competence has been achieved for the price. At least it has to my meager understanding.
Mid-bass
The mid-bass has a nice punch with layered texture, which adds some realism to my library of music with a sprinkling of fun. There is a fullness, or better said, a brute sturdiness to this region that is engrossing with the right songs. “Wolves” by Big Sean absolutely slays listening with the MG600. The song begins with an underlying bass buzz that drones very low in pitch. When the bass drops, friends… It hits like a hammer! Notes are rendered with this fluid roundness and effortless authority on the MG600. Furthermore, there is a definite slam sensation that hits fast with chiseled edges outlining those bass drops. “Rich Off Pain” by Lil Durk hits pretty hard too. With the MG600, what I get is a bouncy, gravelly, and bullish sounding slam that sets the tone for the rest of the track. The mid bass carries a fast attack with a tight leading edge and just like the sub-bass, it gives off an atmospheric and accurate sounding decay and sustain.
Bass guitar
The bass guitar comes across with some meat, they mostly sound profuse in their edginess and can get downright growling listening with the MG600. Shanling seems to cover it all with this omnipresent dynamic balance across the mix. In the song “Redneck, Unread Hicks” by Adeem the Artist there is a slightly pervasive bass guitar grunt which runs deep and the MG600 does this track justice as the mid-bass is lifted just enough to add a gruff bite to this beloved instrument.
Dynamic balance
I love good bass and I always need at least a small amount of emphasis down low to really enjoy my library of music. However, I don’t like 100% basshead iems all that much. I desire a good balance, yet within that balance I most enjoy some vigor, some pep, or some accentuated attempt at liveliness in each area of the mix. Basically I want some musicality. I think the MG600 pulls this off quite well. The mid-bass echoes this claim with a slightly colored portrayal of a balanced tuning while also nicely counter balancing across each area of the frequency with equal accentuation.
The bass doesn’t really bleed at all into the mids but does add some warmth to male vocals. Not enough to add too much meat to fundamental frequencies of instruments and not at all muddy or veil inducing. Just enough I’d say. Some may want more and some may want less, but I think Shanling tastefully emphasized this region.
Midrange
The midrange is musical, pretty well detailed and nuanced in its auditory expression. Melodic is a word which comes to mind. Just because a set plays music doesn’t make it musical or melodic. The MG600 on the other hand has nice timbre which comes across euphonious and harmonious. The midrange doesn’t sound recessed to me but also it doesn’t sound in your face either. There is a sense of air and of space between elements of the stage coming across more expansive than not. The core of this region is nicely organic and rhythmically inclined with touches of warmth that adds brushes of color to this mostly balanced midrange.
Male Vocals
Male vocals have a nicely girthy weight to them and are slightly warm but also very resolving. They have an accurate portrayal of a man’s voice stretching from bass, to baritone and to tenors. Bass singers like Avi Kaplan sound great with a deep, smooth and resounding sound to his voice. In a track like “First Place I Go” his voice sounds booming and deep on the MG600. There is this resonant echo which stays in great control and stays smooth in body yet crisp at note edges. Higher pitch males like James Bay in “Hold Back the River” comes across both breathy and coarse depending on the undulations in his singing, just as his voice should sound. The MG600 presents males well, with energy and good presence and placement in an imaginary stage.
Females
Females like Joss Stone in “No Regrets” have such an effervescent and all-encompassing type of vivaciousness. Yes, I said vivacious. Her voice just leans in with glowing resolve on the MG600. She is the type of singer that has up and down oscillations in her voice going from soft and breathy to a ballad style inflection which can occur within any one line of a song. The MG600 has just the right balance to not come across metallic or grainy or piercing, especially when Joss hits those power notes. Instead, she sounds silky when she’s silky, she sounds alluring and charming when she’s emotional. Her voice can be coarse at times yet also controlled, and the MG600 displays this measured ability with a saturated crispiness. I could do this for so many females, but I won’t bore you guys. Let’s just put it this way, female vocals are fantastic on the MG600.
Love good vocals
I love good vocals friends. I love em. Just like I seek out good bass, I seek out something which can playback solid and alluring vocals. Do me a favor, or rather, do yourself a favor and check out “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by Home Free. You can thank me later. They are a very good acapella group and yes this is the remake of U2’s famous hit. This song has every type of male voice in perfect harmony and the MG600 replays it with a musicality that seems almost pregnant with resounding euphony. I say all this but I also will say that vocals are not the MG600’s specialty. Vocals on the MG600 are simply a benefactor of the tuning and capabilities of this driver. There are certainly sets which specialize in vocals within the price point of the MG600.
Instruments
Instruments for the most part replay nicely due to the balance of the tuning in this area. Electric guitar sounds gritty, crunchy and abrasive while acoustic guitar sounds detailed and nicely weighted. Every little micro-detail pluck or finger slide is captured as if I’m right next to it. Piano sounds as it should, as does violin. Percussion, like the fundamental frequency of a cymbal strike has good body sounding organic and not too energetic. Snares have that nicely sharp but deft pang with whetted and honed in edge lines and natural decay.
Issues
The only thing which can be a bother is; the MG600 can come across a bit sharp on some tracks. In my opinion, it doesn’t bother me at all, but I’m sure it may bother some warm/dark and smooth lovers out there. Somewhere in the upper mids to lower treble is a slight rise which can add a hair too much forwardness for some, I’m sure. However, what you won’t hear is any sibilance and nothing too grating. You won’t hear anything metallic and there isn’t any moments of odd tonality and timbre. There’s nothing grainy or veiled either. Instead you’ll hear clean, clear and resolving sounds with smooth and detailed notes carried out in high res quality.
Treble Region
To my great surprise the Shanling MG600 has an energetic and uplifted treble region which doesn’t push anything too far. The treble is pretty airy which is helped from the semi-open back structure of the build. Timbre and tonality are on the smoother side yet with a snappy enough attack to carve out a nicely detailed listen. There is a certain liveliness that is pretty upbeat and mildly illuminates the whole of the mix… affecting everything. I hear good separation as well in this area. You won’t hear anything shouty or piercing up top, nor will you hear any moments of tizzy timbre. Actually the treble here has some density and a contoured leading edge which doesn’t have sound glassy. Give the MG600 some juice and the treble region does react quite well depending on the source.
Secondary harmonics of a cymbal strike have an altogether natural release and decay which never encroaches into tizzy or splashy. What you have is a seemingly natural weight to instruments. Piano and flute both sound bold and raw, but also polished. Strings which are located in the upper areas of the mix seem to have good harmonics, which breathe life into my music and release in a wholesome fashion. Electric guitar never becomes shrieky, or too bright, or ear gouging, but has such a radical fundamental depth in their overtones which adds depth and authenticity.
Orderly Brilliance
I enjoy the transition from midrange to treble as it seems there is no overlap, staying true to the Dynamic Driver cohesiveness and this can be heard in some females and instruments which cater to the upper-mid/lower treble areas. The detailed replay is evident as micro-details quite easily find my ears. There is a pretty structured and orderly brilliance in the treble region which does enhance the soundstage to a degree. However, extension into the highest of highs isn’t mind blowing on the MG600, but it also isn’t something I’d call a con either.
Check out “Bishop School” by Yusef Lateef. This track is absolutely lathered in blistering treble activity. You’ll hear the flute, congas, electric guitar, the trumpet and percussion all moving at a zippy pace. This is a nice track to test for separation, imaging, treble snap, peaks, transient response and a host of other attributes. The flute comes across ethereal, bright, silvery and rich. The trumpet sounds brassy with a controlled brilliance that isn’t harsh as the trumpet blare comes across like a saluting banner of volumous sound. The MG600 is able to keep up with this track which surprised me, for a single DD that is. Transients in the treble region stay tight but notes are outlined with a subtle soft snap to the sound.
You Betcha
Note weight on the MG600 in the treble region comes across relatively weighted. I don’t hear anything dry and too analytical and certainly not thin. The MG600 is flexible in its playback whether it be tracks that have a more feathery sound or tracks which display a more intricately clamorous and strident sound. The drivers inside of the MG600 are very capable and easily speedy enough to keep up with songs like “Ice Bridges” by the phenomenal Billy Strings. Listen to how well every rapid fire banjo and guitar pluck is effortlessly picked up and every single note is accounted for. Is it perfect… No, nothing is perfect. Is it one of the better single DD’s that I’ve heard… you betcha.
Technicalities
Soundstage
Listening with the MG600 you will notice the expanded stage which extends pretty wide with good height and depth within the field of sound. This is one area that I really enjoy about the MG600. Listening to the song “Hook” by Blues Traveler will hit your senses straight away as the sound is far and wide, with a symphony of sound cascading around you. Every instrument is so well captured as the harmonica sets the tone, dab smack right in the middle of the sound field. There is definite depth which offers very nice layering to the sound.
Obviously the MG600 is an iem and so expecting a stadium sized performance should not be expected, but I do think this set may surprise some people. The macro-dynamics of the MG600 are big and expressive, and the sound is very full across my mindscape.
Take a track like “Oil” by The Gorillaz featuring Stevie Nicks. My word FRIENDS! The sound envelopes me in this powerful, and vibrant, and stretched out stage that is mellifluous and so very deep in its presentation. The sound is simply big.
Separation / Imaging
I found separation to be very well accomplished for a single Dynamic Driver. It’s amazing how well one driver can actually delineate each individual instrument so well. The MG600 does well to carve out each element of the stage with fine lined and localized pockets of sound surrounding instruments and voices. There are a few ridiculously chaotic tracks that can blend a bit with the MG600, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone. However, as far as single DD’s goes I have yet to hear anything far and away better than this set. Yes, there are multiple drivers sets and hybrids, heck even planars that will be able to keep up with more confusing songs. Nevertheless, that can also be at the expense of some of the qualities which make a set like the MG600 so nice. That is, the full sounding single DD cohesion and natural note dynamics as well as that DD timbre.
Still, the MG600 partitions off elements of a stage quite well, creating distinct and contained objects. The imaging ability follows suit with how well it can separate. The two attributes walk hand in hand. The MG600 quite easily paints the psycho-acoustic setting where elements of a stage are always where they should be. Left to right and front to back, the MG600 provides a nice mental image.
Details
No this is not a detail king. Yes, there are most certainly better iems at picking up the subtleties and you can find them cheaper. I have quite a few of them too, but I would personally never be willing to give up the sheer musicality of this set for a few momentary tiny details. This set is made to playback music, and it does a great job at doing so. I say all of that to also say… The MG600 actually has some pretty nice detail retrieval, especially for what it is and for the way it was tuned. Key words… “for the way it was tuned”.
Details raise the bar of your music and bring it to life and the MG600 is able to do so very well. Stuff like finger slides and plucks, harmonics, the little intonations in a voice or even subtle background noise in your favorite live track are fairly well illuminated and brought to the forefront. The MG600 does have a smoother, richer and slightly lusher presentation, but that is not at the expense of its tight, controlled and clean dynamics. The little nuances within a song are picked up pretty well due to the agility of the driver and the balanced tuning along with the perceivably quicker transient attack, decay and sustain.
Comparison
Note: I wish I had more to compare with but unfortunately this is the only other iem I have at the price point at the time of writing. Any comparison I perform is not a duel to the death but instead just a way for me to better describe the sound of the set I am reviewing.
Fiio FH9 ($599)
The Fiio FH9 is a set that I have greatly enjoyed. Quite easily one of the better tuned iems in its price point. Depending of course on what one may like or not. Built like an absolute tank and gorgeous in design the Fiio FH9 will show off its pedigree everytime I listen to it. Fiio used a huge 13.6 mm DLC Dynamic Driver along with six Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers. The FH9 also has interchangeable sound nozzles to further tune them to your liking and is accessorized to the nines. A fantastic iem, no doubt about it.
Check out my Fiio FH9 review HERE.
Differences
This is a seven-driver hybrid against a single DD. Maybe not the best comparison and possibly not fair on many fronts. However, the FH9 is a good measuring stick for a set like the MG600. Having said that, the raw cohesiveness of a well made and well tuned single DD may actually surprise you. There is a very good reason why single Dynamic drivers have been around so long. I won’t go into all the benefits, but I will try my best to describe some differences between the two sets in this comparison.
The first thing which comes to mind is the tightness and quantity of the bass response from the MG600 as it does have a hair more in volume than the FH9, believe it or not. You’d think the FH9 would slam harder and deeper with its massive driver and Fiio’s usual “House Sound” but the MG600 does have a crisper and punchier sound down low. I think a lot has to do with the contrast from the rise up top which helps distinguish the bass a bit more and add a more defined lead attack. The FH9 can thump with authority but the MG600 has a bit more in the tank. The difference is minimal. The MG600 may be a hair more compact but both sets really do well in the bass region.
Midrange
Male vocals in the lower-mids sound fuller and warmer on the FH9 as there is a bit more mid-bass bleed into this area. The FH9 is more forward than the MG600. The MG600 comes across cleaner with equally good note definition. There is also a big difference in timbre and tonality as the MG600 is closer to neutral while the FH9 has a warmer replay. Both sets offer a great take on male vocals. Female vocals follow suit in almost every regard. The FH9 is more laid back, less energetic, but also lusher and more forward and fuller. The MG600 is flat-out cleaner but also more energetic and shimmery with a more open sound and with more air. Both sets have nice separation in this region and imaging and both sets have a nicely detailed midrange. The FH9 fares better in complicated tracks.
Treble Region
I hear good snappiness and a nice leading-edge attack for both iems in the treble region. I’d say the FH9 carries better details and while it isn’t a bloodbath, I do think the additional drivers help tremendously in illuminating the finer details. However, I would also say that the overall character and timbre of the MG600 is much airier and present which adds nice clarity to sound as a whole and comes across more uplifted. Not that the FH9 has anything to feel ashamed about. Extension is probably a bit wider out on the FH9 as well, but it certainly isn’t a huge difference. I’d say the biggest difference in this region is the overall treble punch that the MG600 can have compared to the slightly softer side of the FH9. Again, two great sets which perform very well in the price point.
More differences
Once again, the FH9 is more laid back, more non-offensive yet the overall tonality is mellower in non-veiled warmth. The MG600 is much closer to natural in my mind with a more effervescent and open sound. This is not to say that the FH9 doesn’t sound open either. The FH9 has its own charm which sets it apart as it is a highly resolving iem which will not become fatiguing. The MG600 on the other hand does have some pinna gain which may turn off those who are very sensitive to this area.
I personally have a hard time choosing which I enjoy more between the two of these. Both sets offer different high-level characteristics that make each a joy inducing experience. I suppose I reach for the MG600 quite a bit more as I do like a more neutral and clean sound though there are always times that a lush and warm sound will tick all the right boxes.
Is the MG600 worth the asking price?
I can answer this question for myself with a resounding yes. I’ve grown very fond of its timbre, tonality, dynamism and just the overall musical and harmonious nature of the MG600. It’s punchy, deep, airy and sets a great dynamic balance in each 3rd of the mix. Basically, there isn’t a lot to complain about. A phenomenal iem with such a refined character while not leaving out the musical and melodic aspects within its tuning. The MG600 is absolutely stunning and is built so very well. The aged maple wood helps to create a distinct sound, and the use of the specialty drivers creates an immersive atmosphere to the music in my library.
Now, I cannot speak for the rest of you. Please trust me I have a hard time spending $600 on anything and if this was even two years ago I would have said you were out of your mind to buy an earphone for that much. I suppose that is the grip of the hobby. You learn more, enjoy more, and curiosity just calls on me like a siren. Anyways, I can’t answer for you if this $600 earphone is worth the price but compared to similar sets in the price point I couldn’t in good conscience say it isn’t worth it.
Ratings (0-10)
Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles. In the case of the MG600, that would be $500-$650 single DD’s.
Aesthetic
-Build Quality: 10.0
-Design: 9.9
-Accessories: 9.9
Overall: 9.9 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Sound Rating
-Timbre: 9.7
-Bass: 9.3
-Midrange: 9.5
-Treble: 8.9
-Technicalities: 8.9
Overall: 9.3 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Conclusion
To conclude my review of the Shanling MG600 I want to thank any of you willing to read any of my thoughts. I love to write about this hobby as it is completely cathartic and joy inducing for me. It is true that I spend an obscene amount of time on these reviews and so anyone who takes anything positive away from these write-ups… well…thats what this is all about.
I must also add in this and every review for that matter that… I do want you all to seek out other thoughts about the MG600. It will only benefit you to find out everything you can about this set before you shell over $599 for it. We all have different likes and dislikes, different libraries of music, we may have different gear, our hearing can be different, and we haven’t all been down the same journey in audio. Please listen to, read, or watch other perspectives and I know you will find the right audio gear for you. Thank you all so much and please take care and stay safe.
