Review: Shanling M3 Plus DAP — Because Not Every Audiophile Needs a $3,000 Brick to Find Sonic Bliss

Shanling has been in the audio game since 1988—back when equalizers and massive integrated amps were all the rage. These days, they’ve pivoted hard into the portable space, cranking out everything from earbuds and IEMs to a growing lineup of digital audio players. And unlike some brands stuck in their legacy ways, Shanling seems fully committed to making hi-fi genuinely mobile.

Enter the M3 Plus—the latest and most feature-packed version in their M3 series. At $469, it lands right in the sweet spot for budget-conscious audiophiles who still expect serious performance. And let’s be honest: in a category where some flagship DAPs cost more than your monthly rent (looking at you, Astell&Kern), the M3 Plus begs the question—how much do you really need to spend to get great sound in your pocket?

There’s no shortage of competition around the $500 mark. So does the M3 Plus earn its keep—or just remind us why the flagship tier still exists? Let’s dig in.

Specifications & Technology: What Powers the Shanling M3 Plus DAP

The M3 Plus stands as the most powerful DAP in Shanling’s M3 series to date—and it’s not just marketing fluff. With up to 800mW of output into 32 ohms via the 4.4mm balanced jack, there’s more than enough headroom here to drive just about anything short of full-size planar magnets with a bad attitude.

Under the hood, it’s an impressive collection of parts. Shanling went with a quad-DAC configuration using four Cirrus Logic CS43198 chips, capable of decoding up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512. The analog stage is handled by four OPA1612 op-amps and a pair of SGM8262 chips—respectable choices for keeping noise low and dynamics clean. They’ve also implemented AGLO (Android Global Lossless Output), which sidesteps the usual Android OS audio stack and preserves signal integrity across apps. That’s a welcome touch in a market where software compromises can kill great hardware.

Performance aside, usability hasn’t been overlooked. The M3 Plus runs Android 13 with a Snapdragon 665 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage—plenty for smooth playback, streaming apps, and light multitasking. And yes, there’s a microSD slot if you’ve got a ridiculous FLAC archive burning a hole in your drawer.

Bluetooth 5.0 is onboard with LDAC support, and the M3 Plus pulls double duty—it can transmit audio to wireless headphones or speakers, or act as a Bluetooth DAC/amp when paired with your phone or laptop. Handy flexibility for real-world use.

Battery life is another strong point. You’ll get around 11 hours in balanced mode, and 14 hours from the single-ended output. And if you forget to charge it (because life happens), it supports QC 3.0 fast charging and goes from flat to full in under two hours. Thoughtful execution all around.

Design & Build Quality: Premium Feel & Practical Form in the Shanling M3 Plus

The Shanling M3 Plus keeps it simple out of the box: a user manual, USB-A to USB-C charging/data cable, and a screen protector. I was also supplied with a leather case, which is a much-appreciated extra. It’s a snug, form-fitting design that opens from the side rather than the top or bottom—far easier to deal with when you’re sliding the player in and out. If leather isn’t your thing, Shanling also offers a clear TPU case as an alternative.

Connectivity is straightforward. Up top, you’ll find the 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm single-ended headphone outputs. The bottom houses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, alongside a microSD slot for expandable storage. On the left side, Shanling has included physical controls for play/pause and track skipping. Over on the right, a knurled volume wheel doubles as the power and screen wake/sleep switch. It’s tactile, responsive, and doesn’t jut out obnoxiously—a small but important detail that keeps the M3 Plus pocket-friendly.

As for design, the M3 Plus is one of the better-looking DAPs in this price range. The copper-colored chassis (also available in grey and black) has a refined, industrial feel, accentuated by smoothly machined curves along the edges. The volume knob has just the right amount of grip and resistance, and the overall layout is intuitive without feeling cluttered or overdesigned.

The 4.7-inch touchscreen sits front and center. With a 1280×720 resolution, it’s not flagship-tier sharpness, but it’s more than enough for album art, navigation, and streaming apps. It’s bright, vibrant, and perfectly usable in outdoor lighting—something not all mid-tier DAPs get right.

At 205 grams and measuring 115 x 70.5 x 18mm, the M3 Plus feels compact and light in the hand without sacrificing a sense of durability. It’s genuinely portable—easy to carry, easy to use one-handed, and thoughtfully built for real-world use. Shanling nailed the ergonomics here.

User Experience: Smooth Performance and Intuitive Interface on the Shanling M3 Plus

The Snapdragon 665 processor may not be fresh off the fabrication line—it launched six years ago—but in practice, it holds up extremely well in the M3 Plus. Navigation is smooth, input response is snappy, and I encountered zero stutters or lag during daily use. Even with full Google integration and multiple apps pulled from the Play Store, the user experience remained rock solid—far better than expected for a DAP in this price range.

Shanling’s native music player continues to be one of the better stock apps in the business. It’s clean, intuitive, and most importantly, it works without hiccups. No lag, no crashing, no weird UI hang-ups. Third-party apps like TIDAL and Spotify also ran without issue, and the physical playback buttons on the device mapped correctly and consistently—no guesswork required.

Bluetooth performance was equally impressive. I used LDAC to stream to my Edifier STAX Spirit S5 headphones and had zero dropouts or connection issues. Bonus points for battery life: using the M3 Plus as a Bluetooth transmitter reportedly extends playtime to a ridiculous 61 hours. I didn’t stress test it to the very end, but battery drain was noticeably slower in this mode.

I also tested the Bluetooth receiver function by pairing it with my phone while streaming Spotify. As with every other feature on this thing, it just worked. No setup headaches, no weird software behavior—just clean, uninterrupted playback.

Using the M3 Plus as a digital transport via USB-C worked flawlessly as well. I plugged it into my JDS Labs Element IV desktop amp/DAC, and it connected immediately with zero driver drama or sound quality issues. Everything came through with clarity and punch, exactly as expected.

All in all, Shanling didn’t just check boxes here—they made sure every mode works as it should. Whether you’re using it as a standalone DAP, a Bluetooth hub, or a digital source, the M3 Plus delivers consistent, reliable performance across the board. No shortcuts, no half-baked features. Just a clean, well-executed user experience.

Listening Impressions & Headphone Synergy

My listening sessions with the Shanling M3 Plus were centered around its core function as a digital audio player, using the 4.4mm balanced output paired with a variety of full-size headphones. Playback sources included TIDAL and Spotify streams, along with hi-res FLAC files loaded onto a microSD card.

Sonically, the M3 Plus leans into a warmer-than-neutral tuning that should appeal to a wide audience. It’s the kind of DAP that smooths out treble glare on brighter headphones while giving the low end a tasteful bump. Think refinement over raw analysis—more musicality, less microscope. This character made it an excellent match for the Beyerdynamic DT880 Edition 600 Ohm, which can veer toward shrillness without a warm partner. The Shanling filled in the bass floor and smoothed out the top end without smearing detail.

Bass performance is tight, well-controlled, and has just enough midbass lift to add body without overwhelming the mix. While it doesn’t reach the surgical bass texture of the iBasso DX180 (which I borrowed briefly for comparison), the M3 Plus came across as more dynamic and lively. For those who enjoy a touch of low-end punch, Shanling’s tuning is going to feel just right.

Midrange is where the M3 Plus really flexes. It’s rich, clean, and doesn’t sacrifice clarity for warmth. Vocals, in particular, come through with excellent presence and natural tone. Tracks like ¿Téo?’s Palm Trees had a lifelike quality—full-bodied, emotionally engaging, and easy to get lost in. There’s a density to the mids that never feels congested, even with more complex arrangements.

Treble extension is smooth and effortless, with just enough sparkle and air to give the presentation a sense of openness. The result is a surprisingly expansive and holographic soundstage for a DAP in this price class. When paired with headphones like the HiFiMAN HE1000 Unveiled—already known for massive staging—the effect was wide, layered, and precise, with excellent imaging.

That said, 800mW doesn’t mean it’s a silver bullet for every headphone. I tested the M3 Plus with the Modhouse Tungsten at CanJam London, and it came up short—couldn’t hit my preferred listening volume around 70dB and lacked the grip to bring out its full capabilities. It’s a capable DAP, but not a portable powerhouse for insensitive, power-hungry planars.

At the opposite end, Shanling included three gain settings, and the lowest gain mode works beautifully with sensitive IEMs. There was no audible hiss or background noise, making the M3 Plus a great option for both efficient earphones and more demanding dynamic headphones—within reason.

The Bottom Line

The Shanling M3 Plus delivers a lot for the $469 asking price—sleek industrial design, intuitive software, and a warm, dynamic sound signature that flatters a wide range of headphones. It’s compact, well-built, and versatile enough to serve as a DAP, Bluetooth DAC, or transport. The tuning leans rich and inviting without getting muddy, and its midrange clarity and wide soundstage punch above its weight.

That said, it’s not perfect. The Snapdragon 665 processor, while competent, is showing its age and may struggle to keep pace with flagship-tier DAPs over time. The screen resolution is fine for usability but lacks the sharpness and polish of more expensive models. And while 800mW of balanced power is impressive for the price, it still falls short with extremely power-hungry headphones.

If you’re after a no-nonsense DAP that looks great, sounds even better, and won’t buckle under the weight of your music library or streaming habits—this is one of the best values in the sub-$500 category. 

Pros:

• Stylish and premium design and build
• Very lightweight and small enough to comfortably carry and operate with one hand
• Enough power for the vast majority of headphones
• A warm tuning that won’t offend anyone and will be approved by everyone

Cons:

• Snapdragon 665 processor may struggle with newer apps in the future
• Can’t drive some very power hungry headphones to satisfying levels

Where to buy:

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