In this post, I’m reviewing the Shanling MTW200 TWS earphones. The MTW200 has a 10mm dynamic driver, touch controls and aptX support. It retails for $89.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Shanling for the purpose of an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product.

Shanling MTW200

Specifications

Driver: 10mm dynamic

Controls: Touch controls

Bluetooth chip: Qualcomm QCC3040

Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.2

Codec support: aptX / AAC / SBC

Battery life: Up to 9 hours (earphones) / up to 42 hours (with charging case)

Charging time: Earphones 1.5 hours / Charging case 1.5 hours

Packaging and Accessories

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The packaging is practically identical to the MTW100 and MTW300. The way I see it, that’s a good thing. It’s a small, compact no-fuss box with a clean, professional feel. On the front of the box is an image of the earbuds and carrying case and on the back is a list of specifications. Here’s what we find in the box:

• Shanling MTW200 TWS earbuds
• USB Type-C charging cable
• 4x pairs of silicone eartips
• User manual/warranty

Design

Unlike the previous models, the MTW200 has a stem design shell. I think this is a good move for Shanling because it’s a form factor that most people are familiar with and maybe more accessible to people less versed in the audiophile in-ear world.

The main part of the shells has a matte black finish and a shape that fits comfortably into my ears. Similar to the other Shanling TWS models, the MTW200 also has a short nozzle. The stem’s inside surface is matte black but the outer side is a polished chrome colour (it’s also available in a black version).

They’re compact and easy to position in the ears because you have the stems to hold onto. As for the shells, these have a premium look, and great build quality.

These shells come with an IPX4 rating, meaning they are resistant to sweat and dust, so they are perfect for working out and exercising. Furthermore, there’s no need to panic if you get caught in light to moderate rain; these will hold up just fine. Internally, the MTW200 has a 10mm dynamic driver and a Qualcomm QCC3040 Bluetooth chip.

Charging Case

Like the MTW300, the charging case of the MTW200 is made of metal. I received the silver version so my charging case is a polished silver colour. I must say, this case feels wonderful in the hands; it’s got some heft but is lighter than the MTW300 case. It’s also thinner and feels premium in the hand.

A single small LED occupies the bottom front of the case and shows the current battery level when the case is opened. The charging port is, of course, USB Type-C.

There is, however, one serious flaw with this case; out of all the TWS earbuds that I’ve tested, this case is probably the most unforgiving I’ve ever come across when it comes to third-party or larger eartips. Apart from that, I love the case and it feels more robust than both the MTW100/MTW300 ones, especially the hinges on the lid.

Battery Life and Bluetooth Connection

Shanling has really upped its battery game with the MTW200. The earbuds are good for up to 9 hours of music playback on a single charge. Including the additional charges from the case, the battery life goes up to a very respectable 42 hours.

Charging time for both the earbuds and case is 1.5 hours respectively which is pretty reasonable. There’s really no reason why you would ever run out of battery with some degree of management.

As for the Bluetooth connection, I haven’t had any problems during testing. The MTW200 pairs up fast and consistently with my phone every time.

Calls, Video and Gaming

The built-in MTW200 works great for phone calls and video conferencing. The built-in microphones sound clear and they do a pretty good job of cancelling out other background noise.

Synchronization between video and audio is great while watching videos. As with most TWS earbuds, there’s a very slight delay when playing games but it’s not enough to be distracting for casual gamers.

Sound

The Shanling MTW200 has a V-shaped sound with punchy bass, good clarity and crisp, detailed treble.

It has moderate emphasis on the bass, which is fairly linear between the sub-bass and mid-bass. MTW200 gets a nice rumble going too and sounds quite powerful.

In Philter’s “Forest of Wonder”, the bass hits with impact and resonates with authority. You can feel the bass notes in your ears but the rest of the song still sounds clear.

The midrange has good clarity and note weight. It’s just on the warmer side of neutral which is a good place to be for a TWS earbud, in my opinion. Instrument spacing is good and vocals are articulate. It’s a fairly detailed midrange and isn’t dominated by the bass.

MTW200’s treble is crisp and has some airiness to it. Detail retrieval is decent and the treble is forward enough to counterbalance the powerful bass. It can get a bit edgy when you turn up the volume though but it depends on the recording. Vocals can start to get harsh too when you raise the volume as a result of the treble getting loose.

The soundstage is reasonably large with even amounts of width and depth. But positioning is somewhat vague. Instrument separation is moderate and can deteriorate at higher volume when the treble ramps up.

Comparisons

Shanling MTW300 ($129)

The Shanling MTW300 is another single dynamic driver TWS from Shanling. Its price is a bit higher and it has a stemless design, along with better water resistance and a heavier case.

It has a similar tonality to the MTW200 but with less weight in the sub-bass and a slightly brighter presentation. MTW300’s bass is more controlled but hits with less slam and impact.

MTW300 vocals are more upfront but so is the upper midrange and lower treble. As a result, MTW300 is slightly brighter but with more vocal presence. Both of these earbuds can get a little strident in the treble if you turn the volume up loud but are great at moderate volume.

Moondrop Sparks ($89)

The Moondrop Sparks is another single dynamic driver TWS. It has a similar battery life but bigger shells and a larger charging case. Sparks has less bass weight and impact than the MTW200 but it has a cleaner midrange with better instrument separation.

Sparks’ upper treble is rolled off but doesn’t have any stridency like MTW200 at higher volume. Detail retrieval is similar on both but overall resolution goes to the Sparks. They are both comparable in soundstage size.

Verdict

The Shanling MTW200 is a stylish TWS earbud with clear sound, good microphone call quality, excellent battery life and a gorgeous charging case. This is probably the best Shanling TWS yet. It comes highly recommended, so long as you’re okay with the stock eartips.