Wired IEMs
CrinEar Reference
86Outstanding
$350
Full review dataCrinEar Reference vs Shanling ME500: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the CrinEar Reference vs Shanling ME500, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Wired IEMs
Shanling ME500
Not yet scored
$270
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
CrinEar Reference leads on 3 of 4 measures.
- CrinEar Reference
- Shanling ME500
HearWiki score
86
-
Sound
9.1
-
Value
8.9
-
Price (USD)
$350
$270
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The CrinEar Reference is 7 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 7 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Reference20267 yr newer
- ME5002019
Specifications
ReferenceME500
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $350
- $270
- HearWiki score
- 86
- Not scored
- Released
- 2026
- 2019
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 2DD + 3BA hybrid
- 3-driver hybrid
- Driver type
- hybrid
- hybrid
- Driver configuration
- 2DD + 3BA
- -
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 5
- 3
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 18 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 104 dB/mW
- 111 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- -
- No
- ANC type
- -
- none
- Transparency mode
- -
- No
- Companion app
- -
- No
- Custom EQ
- -
- No
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- none
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- MMCX
What reviewers said
CrinEar Reference
The CrinEar Reference is a wired in-ear monitor with a hybrid 2DD + 3BA driver setup, offering a balanced and detailed sound signature. It features a detachable 4.4mm balanced cable and relies on a tight seal for passive isolation, making it a strong choice for critical listening at its price point.
- Pro:Hybrid driver configuration delivers rich, layered sound
- Pro:Detachable 4.4mm balanced cable for flexible connectivity
- Pro:Good passive isolation from proper eartip seal
- Con:No active noise cancellation, so external noise isn't fully blocked
- Con:Requires a balanced source to fully utilize the 4.4mm connector
- Con:Fit may be finicky for some users to achieve optimal seal
Shanling ME500
The Shanling ME500 is a wired universal IEM with a hybrid triple-driver setup, delivering a balanced and warm sound. Its solid brass construction and MMCX connectors provide durability and flexibility for cable swapping, making it a solid choice for audiophiles on a budget.
- Pro:Balanced, warm sound signature
- Pro:Sturdy brass build quality
- Pro:Detachable MMCX cables
- Con:No inline controls or microphone
- Con:Lacks active noise cancellation
- Con:No app support or EQ customization
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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