Shanling EH3 Review

User Experience

Despite having a favourable experience with the EH3, I believe that Shanling could make certain improvements, particularly in the software department. Before delving into details, allow me to provide a brief overview of my overall experience with the device.

First of all, you have many possibilities to use your EH3 in a home environment. You can use it with your DAP, PC, TV or smartphone. You don’t have any obligation to connect to a source even, as it can play your archive through a USB connection. And you can control the device with the “Eddict Player” app from Shanling. It can also serve as a DLNA server. So it gets the job done in terms of being a complete music solution. However, I mostly used it as a desktop DAC/Amp as I think other features need some work to remove bugs. 

The device can be controlled remotely via Shanling’s “Eddict Player” software as I remarked. This software helps to control the device’s playback, so you don’t need to be right next to it at all times. However, the app is not quite stable and the user experience in that case isn’t great. Sometimes it disconnects randomly while setting up Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. Another example is the Synclink function, which is a bit difficult to set up, and once you manage to set it up, it can disconnect occasionally. Do note that my sample unit is upgraded to the latest 1.3 firmware.

Another issue I experienced was a playback issue with my USB stick. Playing your archive directly from a hard drive or a USB stick is a good luxury to have, but some of the songs I played suffered from stuttering and stopping/playing randomly. 

With all of the issues I have remarked above, the device is still wonderful when everything works well. I enjoyed it with my TV the most since the optical connection works flawlessly, and I can control the volume with the supplied remote controller, using the EH3 as a DAC/PreAmp for my active speakers. 

There’s one more thing I discovered with the EH3 (positively). When you plug two headphones into BAL and SE outputs, you can listen to them both simultaneously. I didn’t expect that to happen. This was the thing I liked about Chord Hugo when it first came around. A rare feature that allows you to listen to both headphones/IEMs at the same time.

Lastly, a Roon Ready function would’ve been fantastic for this device, in my opinion.

Sound Quality

The Shanling EH3 impresses with its sound performance, albeit accompanied by a few quirks and software issues that could benefit from a future firmware update. Despite these issues, its sonic delivery stands out for its balanced, relaxed, smooth and cohesive presentation, offering precise stereo imaging at the same time. Notably, the EH3 excels in dynamism and soundstage, delivering clear and distinct audio across all frequency ranges.

What distinguishes the EH3 is its touch of musicality, elevating the listening experience. While it retains Shanling’s signature sound profile, the treble presentation differs from the latest offerings. Overall, it presents a subtle yet distinct musical essence. This fine balance offers compatibility with a wide array of IEMs and headphones, making it an adaptable choice for music enthusiasts.

A standout quality of the EH3 lies in its fidelity to the original sound. It remains faithful to the essence of the Shanling house sound while avoiding excessive alterations. This makes it a very capable source or streamer, preserving the authenticity and integrity of your music, and making the EH3 a compelling choice.

Bass

The EH3 has a smooth/warm bass presentation. It doesn’t add any excessive warmth to me but it certainly is a warm bass. Decay and texture are not extraordinary, but very good, and you have good decay/speed. Even dynamic drivers are handled with good precision, and the pace is very good.

So I would say the bass is very clean but warm with good enough quickness. There are better setups that you can bring together, but the EH3 aims to be an all-in-one solution, so I wouldn’t expect it to be the perfect source device in that regard. Besides, you’d have to pay much more than this to achieve that. 

The best thing here is the definition and warmth of the bass, and the lows hit well with good definition. However, don’t expect a bass performance that is very high on PRaT. Of course, this would depend on your choice of IEMs and headphones, but the EH3 isn’t a reference tool by any means. Yet, the bass performance that it provides is surely enjoyable. Overall, the EH3 has good focus and emphasis in the bass region.

Mids

The Shanling EH3 shines particularly in its musical mid-range, showcasing good timbre and resolution. Within this frequency band, it offers a nuanced definition with good detail that captivates the listener. The level of musicality within the mid-range is evident, delivering a natural and melodious timbre that’s both engaging and expressive.

While the EH3 might lack a touch of body in its rendition of instruments, its performance remains remarkably commendable, rivalling that of a full-fledged desktop setup. The mid-range is delicately elevated, providing a deeply musical quality to the device, ensuring a thoroughly enjoyable listening journey. With clear, crisp, and focused mids, the EH3 preserves clarity while presenting a rich sound.

What truly elevates the EH3’s sonic prowess is its exceptional detail, coupled with impressive tonality and definition, creating an immersive and delightful listening experience. It’s undeniable that the mid-range is the EH3’s crowning achievement, standing as a testament to its prowess in delivering captivating, detailed, and melodically rich soundscapes.

Treble

The Shanling EH3 diverges slightly in its treble presentation compared to earlier Shanling models. Its treble profile leans towards sharper tones, offering heightened definition and detailing. Yet, it manages to avoid inducing fatigue or sibilance, ensuring a comfortable listening experience. It’s important to note that overly bright headphones might not be an ideal match with the EH3’s particular treble output.

What’s noteworthy about the EH3’s treble is its blend of precision and smoothness, striking a balance that remains enjoyable unless paired with very bright headphones. It impresses with its articulate and detailed delivery, showcasing a treble range that’s both resolved and energetic, with good extension.

One of the standout qualities of the EH3 lies in its ability to deliver good detail and articulation within the treble spectrum. It manages to maintain a level of clarity and energy that enhances the overall listening experience, albeit with caution for pairing with excessively bright gear.

Page 1: Intro, About the Device, Design & Build

Page 3: Technical Performance, Comparisons, Conclusion