FiiO’s new M21 MP3 participant is a sonic treasure in your entry-level listening pleasure

The FiiO audio model has made a reputation for itself by bringing high-quality audio merchandise to market which have a protracted record of options, however most significantly, sound nice — working example, the brand new FiiO M21 digital audio participant, or DAP. Persons are starting to comprehend simply how distracted we’re in so many areas of our lives and are asking, “how can I [insert activity] with much less distraction?”

Whether or not it is a exercise, a research session with lo-fi beats to energy you thru, or just listening to your favourite songs and discovering new ones, all with fewer distractions, FiiO hopes their new DAP is the reply to that query.

Learn on to search out out if the FiiO M21 is the reply for you.

4.5/5

Model

FiiO

Storage

64GB inner storage, microSD help for as much as 2TB of expanded storage

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.0 with help for AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX HD/LDAC/LHDC

Show

4.7-inch IPS (750×1334)

The FiiO M21 MP3 participant (aka DAP/digital audio participant) is their first entry-level DAP to characteristic a Desktop Mode powered by a devoted USB-C port and PD3.0 charger. It options 4 Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor with 4GB or RAM and 64GB of onboard storage with a microSD slot that helps as much as 2TB of storage. It encompasses a Tremendous Excessive Acquire mode (950mW 32Ω), which, when paired with a PD3.0 charger, delivers loads of energy to drive demanding headphones and IEMs. The sound signature is characterised by transparency and wonderful element retrieval.

Professionals & Cons

• Wonderful element retrieval
• Stable battery life and fast charging
• Highly effective “Tremendous Excessive Acquire”
• Sturdy PEQ
• A number of connectivity choices
• Sensible Desktop Mode
• Android 13, Play Retailer entry

• Highs might be fatiguing
• No automated brightness

Worth, availability, and specs

Launched in 2025, the FiiO M21 DAP is obtainable in two colours: Titanium Gold and Darkish Blue with gold buttons. The moveable music participant might be discovered for $330 at numerous on-line retailers, together with Fiio.com, Amazon, Aliexpress.com, and B&H Photograph-Video.

The perfect entry-level audiophile DAP available on the market proper now?

“Low-cost” with flagship options

The FiiO M21’s record of {hardware} and software program options is in depth. This might very simply be a few-page-long evaluation to cowl each {hardware} innovation and use case. There are DAPs with related options that value a whole lot of {dollars} extra. Within the curiosity of creating this evaluation accessible to music fans and the “audiophile curious,” I will preserve this as accessible as doable.

Unbox the FiiO M21, and also you’re greeted by a beveled anti-glare frosted glass again, textured aluminum alloy physique, and a handsome 4.7-inch 750×1334 IPS show that comes with a display screen protector already put in, all wrapped within the included, color-matched silicone case. The unit seems to have a really sturdy construct when seen within the field.

Eradicating the gadget from the packaging, it has an excellent in-hand really feel, because of the beveled edges. Along with the included silicone case, FiiO despatched a PU case to take a look at, which is a pleasant contact, and with extra instances accessible from them, together with one which makes your DAP seem like a retro Walkman, you will have loads of choices for protecting, trendy carry. Trying across the gadget, you will discover a 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm Balanced output on prime. Each help line out, with the three.5mm additionally supporting coaxial output.

The fitting facet of the unit homes playback controls, whereas on the left facet, you will discover the facility/sleep button, a quantity rocker, a multi-function button, in addition to desktop mode (D.MODE) and Maintain switches. The underside of the M21 has your microSD card slot that helps as much as 2TB of storage, a USB-C 3.0 information/charging port, and subsequent to that, a devoted charging/energy provide USB-C port that helps PD3.0 20-watt quick charging that can get you again to 100% from zero in an hour and a half.

It is what’s on the within that counts

Energy and connectivity to spare

This part may go on for pages, labeling and explaining all the things contained in the FiiO M21. You get Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 680 processor that runs Android 13 and any apps you obtain, fairly capably. Plus, with an eight-core processor operating as much as 2.4GHz with 4GB of RAM, it is highly effective sufficient so that you can hearken to lossless music information on excessive acquire and surf the online, or crap-post memes concurrently, if that is your factor.

With that processor, you will additionally get Bluetooth 5.0 with help for aptX HD, LDAC, and LHDC, together with the fundamental codecs. The chipset additionally has help for each 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi that helps DLNA, Airplay, Wi-Fi tune switch, and is Roon-ready.

For the primary time on an entry-level FiiO DAP, you get a desktop mode. That second, devoted USB-C cost port turns into an influence pass-through that helps exterior energy and saves you from sporting the battery down faster. When linked to a PD3.0 charger, the 4000mAh battery will not cost or discharge; a characteristic each good DAP and self-powered DAC ought to have.

Internally, powering the sound high quality and output are 4 Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips working in parallel, with a two-stage circuit design whose op amps and different {hardware} guarantee sufficient clear energy that you will have entry to a few acquire ranges, and a further Tremendous-Excessive Acquire when in desktop mode. For the total record of energy outputs for that, see the spec chart.

FiiO M21 in a phrase: Clear

Impartial, with wonderful element retrieval

Let’s get into what you got here right here for: the listening and every day use expertise. I examined the FiiO M21 with a number of headphones, IEMs, and TWS earbuds:

Total, the FiiO M21 is a splendidly clear expertise that brings audio to life with vivid element and nuance. Actively listening utilizing the 4.4mm Balanced port and medium acquire with Sennheiser’s analytical flagship $1500 IE900 IEMs, I used to be capable of hear particulars just like the fingering of saxophone keys as they have been depressed earlier than the saxophonist blows the notes on Charles Mingus’ chaotic Jazz romp, Moanin’.

The transparency and element retrieval of the M21 with the analytical IE900 had a lovely synergy, however that transparency can even imply fatiguing treble. Listening to Artwork Blakey’s tackle Moanin’ these harsh horns might be fairly fatiguing at particular moments within the composition.

Energetic listening utilizing Campfire Audio’s heat Mammoth IEM’s was a deal with — I listened utilizing each 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm jacks, and the quantity of readability, transparency, and nuance was excellent. The stereo imaging was merely passable, however this was extra as a result of Mammoths themselves than the M21’s output. With this pairing, you get a powerful sense of the intimate soundstage, and you are going to decide up on issues like room tone and sound reverberation within the studio recordings. If it is a dwell recording, these little particulars actually come by and provides a dwell really feel to the music.

With all the things I threw on the FiiO M21, my main takeaway is that the extent of transparency and element retrieval is classy. It’s a “colder” pay attention than some DAPs in that the underside finish heat is not hyped, so you are going to get the music simply as recorded. Some may name it a bit flat, however I can completely inform you that is dependent upon how a tune was mastered and the headphones/IEMs/TWS earbuds you pair the DAP with.

For instance, The Roots’ Do You Need Extra?!?!?! is mastered with deep bass that had pleasant extension and presence with all listening tools I linked to. Skrillex’s Supersonic (my existence) nonetheless had its deep, darkish rumble, however it simply wasn’t as hyped because it comes off when performed from a DAP or DAC with V-curve tuning. I at all times inform those who your headphones are extra necessary than your DAP/DAC, and that’s equally true within the case of the M21.

Working example: listening to these songs with the superb Noble Rex 5 TWS earbuds imbues these songs and others with extra weight, extra drama, extra of that soul-stirring vibration with none want for the PEQ, which, by the best way, doesn’t work with Bluetooth earbuds.

The good information is that, with this DAP, you get wonderful choices for shaping the sound extra to your liking by the strong ten-band parametric EQ. If in case you have the means to decide on completely different listening gear based mostly in your temper, the FiiO M21’s sound high quality is so good which you can forgo the PEQ altogether and simply use the headphones/IEMs/TWS earbuds that match your required sound signature. Need extra hype within the lows? Join them to these headphones with the menacingly darkish bass and sub-bass response. Rinse and repeat, throughout the frequency spectrum.

Battery life

And different experiences

The inclusion of a devoted charging port that helps quick charging is a delight right here. In half-hour, I charged the DAP from 53% to full. It is going to take roughly 1.5 hours to cost from 0% to full utilizing the devoted port and a PD3.0 charger. For analog or digital playback, I discovered roughly one hour of play through the 4.4mm port with medium acquire and display screen at max brightness drained roughly 20% of the battery.

Having each 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi makes streaming easy. The M21 connects shortly, and throughput is quick and constant. Bluetooth high quality has been surprisingly stable, even with formidable atmospheric situations. As a lot as I really like Noble’s Rex 5 TWS earbuds, their LDAC connections to a number of units I’ve examined them with has been finicky. The M21 has been the exception, with the Rex 5 linked utilizing the Finest Effort (Adaptive Bit Charge) playback high quality choice, having no points with sign breakup. In my testing utilizing Bluetooth, I discovered that one hour of play utilizing LDAC with the audio round 70 steps of 125, drained the battery by 10%.

Relying on my connection sort, quantity degree, and music style, I discovered myself getting anyplace from 10 to fifteen hours of playback. You may get extra stamina out of the three.5mm port, however the very best audio high quality comes from that 4.4mm port. Regardless, I used to be by no means involved about battery life with the FiiO M21’s quick charging capabilities or the devoted energy port on faucet.

When you do not utterly energy down the gadget after use, my expertise with battery standby was a 6% drain over 22 hours.

What may use enchancment

Not lots at this worth

With stable sound high quality, an intensive characteristic record, and beauty there is not lots FiiO may do to improve the expertise at this worth. For the reason that M21 is operating a custom-made model of Android 13 with a Snapdragon chipset, I might wish to see automated brightness added to enhance out of doors use below these brilliant California skies, in addition to aptX Adaptive and LE Bluetooth with Auracast help.

As time goes on, I believe Auracast will probably be an necessary characteristic for DAPs to have.

Do you have to purchase the FiiO M21 digital audio participant?

There’s stable competitors for the FiiO M21 within the type of the HiBy R4, Shanling M3 Plus, Astell&Kern Activo P1, and iBasso DX180. For the worth, the M21 is just not solely one of the vital highly effective, however the very best worth of the bunch. The one issue that might trigger me to think about any of these in opposition to FiiO is iBasso’s DX180 and its user-replaceable battery. Having the ability to pop a brand new battery in will improve the helpful lifetime of the DX180, however that is it.

Personally, I might say that at $329, the FiiO M21 is without doubt one of the greatest entry-level DAPs available on the market immediately, so I can completely suggest it.

4.5/5

Model

FiiO

Storage

64GB inner storage, microSD help for as much as 2TB of expanded storage

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.0 with help for AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX HD/LDAC/LHDC

Show

4.7-inch IPS (750×1334)