Shanling HW600 Open-Backed Headphones Launched

Posted on 22nd October, 2024
Shanling HW600 Open-Backed Headphones Launched

Shanling's HW600 planar headphones promise "the ultimate audiophile experience" thanks to a mix of flagship high-tech and retro looks.

Chinese audio brand Shanling's HW600 headphones have been "designed to meet the expectations of the most discerning audiophiles". Moreover, the HW600 promises cutting-edge acoustic tech with retro aesthetics with an aim to "set a new benchmark in the audio industry." Strong words.

Shanling HW600

At the Shanling HW600's heart sits a high-performance planar driver with an "oversized" 86x110 mm diaphragm constructed from ultra-thin 8μm polymer materials. The company says this gives it the necessary skills to cover a quote frequency range of 12-40000Hz. The rigid driver design also strives for a widened soundstage and detailed reproduction, aided by the 7xxx "aircraft-grade" aluminium earcups.

Shanling HW600

We're told that 14 neodymium-iron-boron magnets in a dual-sided magnet assembly reach a magnetic flux density of 1.8T, making the HW600 relatively easy to drive with a listed 30Ω impedance and 104±3dB sensitivity.

Shanling HW600

That open-backed design boasts optimised airflow through the HW600's dual acoustic chambers, which Shanling claims results in the new headphones offering a sound that blends spaciousness with intimacy across a wide range of musical genres while enabling "a natural and expansive sound." Furthermore, the design promises comfortable and fatigue-free listening.

Shanling HW600

To that end, a high-density memory foam headband and earcups promote a soft yet secure fit, while the earcups offer a three-axis swivel mechanism. Interestingly, the design of the HW600 was based upon the traditional way of creating bamboo joints and Shanling has integrated the look into the unique triangular geometry of the earcups.

Shanling HW600

​The Shanling HW600 is bundled with an "audiophile-grade" four-core single-crystal copper cable designed to secure an unblemished signal path for maximum audio fidelity. The detachable cable allows you to switch between single-ended and balanced audio connections, and the HW600 comes with 4.4mm balanced and 6.35mm single-ended adapters.

​The Shanling HW600 are now available with an MSRP of US$1,099 | €1,099.

Jay Garrett's avatar
Jay Garrett

StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.

Posted in: Headphones

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