FiiO FX17 vs Shanling ME1000: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the FiiO FX17 vs Shanling ME1000, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
FiiO FX17 leads on 3 of 4 measures.
- FiiO FX17
- Shanling ME1000
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?
The FiiO FX17 is 3 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 3 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- FX1720263 yr newer
- ME10002023
Specifications
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $1,500
- $1,300
- HearWiki score
- 83
- Not scored
- Released
- 2026
- 2023
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1DD + 4BA + 8EST tribrid
- 12-driver tribrid
- Driver type
- tribrid
- tribrid
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 4BA + 8EST
- -
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 13
- 12
- Frequency response
- -
- 9 Hz - 70 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 18 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 99 dB/mW
- 105 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- Weight
- 12.2 g
- 300 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- 2-pin 0.78 mm
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
What reviewers said
FiiO FX17
The FiiO FX17 is a premium wired tribrid IEM that combines a 10mm dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and eight electrostatic drivers per side for a detailed, multi-layered sound. Its titanium shell and five-way crossover aim to deliver a refined, high-resolution listening experience, while the included 4.4mm balanced cable offers versatility for audiophile setups.
- Pro:Precision-milled titanium shell for durability and resonance control
- Pro:Hybrid driver array (1DD + 4BA + 8EST) offers expansive treble and dynamic bass
- Pro:Swappable plugs on the cable provide flexible connectivity
- Con:No active noise cancellation, requiring a quiet environment or isolation tips
- Con:High price point may limit accessibility
- Con:16-ohm impedance may need a powerful source for optimal performance
Shanling ME1000
The Shanling Majestic ME1000 is a premium in-ear monitor built around a sophisticated 12-driver tribrid setup, aimed at delivering a detailed, audiophile-grade listening experience. Its wired, high-impedance design with a detachable 2-pin cable and balanced output support targets discerning users seeking accurate sound reproduction. The lightweight-yet-substantial construction and broad frequency range suggest a focus on both comfort and extended treble response.
- Pro:Complex 12-driver tribrid design for detailed sound
- Pro:Very wide frequency response from 9 Hz to 70 kHz
- Pro:Detachable 2-pin cable and balanced output for flexibility
- Con:No active noise cancellation, limiting isolation
- Con:Relatively heavy at 300 grams for an IEM
- Con:High price point may not suit all budgets
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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