Shanling HW600 Review – Headfonia Reviews

November 19, 2024

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Today we review the Shanling HW600, the latest open-back headphone from the brand. A new planar-magnetic model priced at $1,099 USD.

Disclaimer: the Shanling HW600 was sent to us free of charge by the brand, in exchange for our honest opinion.

Founded in 1988, Shanling has been crafting Hi-Fi products for over 30 years. From high-end CD players to elegant tube amps, the brand has built a reputation for impeccable craftsmanship and top-tier performance, with models like the T35—an ultra high-end CD player—and the SCD1.3, a beautiful all-in-one CD/Amp/DAC that I’d love to try.

A nice setup already, but the brand also developed a full range of delightful portable DAC/AMP , like the Shanling H7, H5 and H2 – three wonderful devices that I previously reviewed – or compact USB-sized DAC like the UA4 and UA1 Plus.

And, in addition to all of that, the brand also offers a complete range of players and IEMs, like the M6 and M6 Pro (21) that I previously reviewed, now topped by the Shanling M6 Ultra, the M7, and the almighty M9 Plus that Berkhan and Yagiz loved and praised, with good reasons.

And, in parallel to that, the brand still decided to go a step further, with a whole new flagship planar headphone – a first time for Shanling – packing all of the latest features they developed across the last years, at a price that some might consider conservative nowadays – for a planar headphone.

A new banger? Time to find out

Design & Build Quality

Shell

For their first headphone, the R&D team at Shanling did quite a good job, creating a headphone that looks and feels luxurious, sturdy, and, frankly, worthy of its price.

That said, let’s talk about the elephant in the room here: the Shanling HW600 takes a MASSIVE inspiration of Meze’s latest creation. From the stems to the headband to the yoke, everything here seems like a mirrored feature from my old Meze Empyrean, mixed with the Liric and a touch of the 109 Pro – minus minor variations.

I don’t say that’s a bad thing though, the Romanian brand perfected the style and the Chinese team would be a fool to try and reinvent the wheel, but I may have preferred more distinctive features on the HW600. Because, apart from that, this is one very nice-looking headphone.

Sure, it’s not as dense and hefty as the Empyrean II. Still, considering the massive price gap between the two, and the surprising comfiness offered by the Shanling – more on that later – I’d dare to say that this new headphone offers an impressive quality/price ratio. The cups are perfectly sized, the headband is supple yet robust, and even the pivot holding the cups to the yoke was given a golden touch, contrasting nicely with the black tint of the main body.

And, if the lightness of it gave a plasticky feeling the first time, on the second try I found the overall finish much more impressive than on on my first look. Of course, if metal isn’t your thing, the Audeze might be more up your alley. But again, considering the price, the result is surprisingly elegant, and I’m quite sure these could easily stand next to higher-end models like the LCD-2 without feeling out of place.

Build quality

Even though not exactly cheap, the Shanling HW600 build quality has to be praised, matching bigger contenders, who already set the bar quite high at the time.

The frame feels sturdy, with no creaks or unnecessary flex. The swivels rotate smoothly, and upon closer inspection, I was impressed not to find any visible screws or gaps. The sliding headband glides comfortably, stopping exactly where you need it without requiring excessive force. There’s a subtle clicky sensation, but it’s discreet enough to remain unobtrusive when adjusting the fit.

The cups are surprisingly nice too, the HW600 featuring intricate patterns carefully carved through CNC machining. The headband remains in stainless steel for better torsion resistance, but apart from that, all the other pieces seem to be made of the same aircraft-grade, anodized, aluminum. Pair that with ultra-thick earpads, made of breathable lamb-skin earpads, filled soft-foam padding, a sturdy braided cables with balanced termination, and you end up with one of the most satisfying experiences you could get from a $1000 headphone.

Bonus point for the cables, made of a silver-plated oxygen-free copper base, with quad-core and a single crystal copper wire. It feels amazing in hand and performs equally well in use.

So far so good, so let’s see how they fit.

Comfort

Over the head

With super wide cups, large pads filled with memory foam, a floating headband, and a Y-cable, the Shanling HW600 was bliss to wear, even during long listening sessions.

The clamping force is just right—neither too tight nor too loose—and the earpads are marvelous, filled with memory foam that molds to your ears perfectly. With precise adjustment steps on each side, I never struggled to find the right fit for my head, whether during casual listening or longer, more immersive sessions.

Bonus points go to the floating headband, covered with lambskin leather (that I do not approve of for the record) that felt even more balanced than the one found on my Meze 109 Pro – who’d known! In addition to the sliding steams, not only does this make the headphones noticeably more comfortable, but also easier to wear when walking across the office, when attached to a DAP.

Again, I found the Y-cable design to be more ergonomic than the typical one-sided cable usually seen on modern headphones, allowing for better weight distribution, without the constant pull you sometimes feel from the single-sided setup. Overall, these little touches enhance both comfort and usability, making the HW600 a real joy to use.