FiiO’s new M21 MP3 participant is a sonic treasure to 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 an extended listing of options, however most significantly, sound nice — working example, the brand new FiiO M21 digital audio participant, or DAP. Persons are starting to appreciate 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 inside 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 Achieve 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 glorious element retrieval.

Execs & Cons

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

• Highs may 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 transportable music participant may be discovered for $330 at varied on-line retailers, together with Fiio.com, Amazon, Aliexpress.com, and B&H Photograph-Video.

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

“Low-cost” with flagship options

The FiiO M21’s listing of {hardware} and software program options is intensive. This might very simply be a few-page-long evaluation to cowl each {hardware} innovation and use case. There are DAPs with comparable options that price lots of of {dollars} extra. Within the curiosity of constructing this evaluation accessible to music lovers and the “audiophile curious,” I’ll hold 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 machine from the packaging, it has an amazing in-hand really feel, due to 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 circumstances accessible from them, together with one which makes your DAP appear to be a retro Walkman, you may have loads of choices for protecting, trendy carry. Trying across the machine, you may discover a 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm Balanced output on high. Each help line out, with the three.5mm additionally supporting coaxial output.

The suitable aspect of the unit homes playback controls, whereas on the left aspect, you may discover the ability/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 knowledge/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 every thing 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 working as much as 2.4GHz with 4GB of RAM, it is highly effective sufficient so that you can hearken to lossless music recordsdata on excessive acquire and surf the net, or crap-post memes concurrently, if that is your factor.

With that processor, you may 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 related 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 3 acquire ranges, and a further Tremendous-Excessive Achieve when in desktop mode. For the total listing of energy outputs for that, see the spec chart.

FiiO M21 in a phrase: Clear

Impartial, with glorious element retrieval

Let’s get into what you got here right here for: the listening and each 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 in a position to 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 also can imply fatiguing treble. Listening to Artwork Blakey’s tackle Moanin’ these harsh horns may be fairly fatiguing at particular moments within the composition.

Lively 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 because of the Mammoths themselves than the M21’s output. With this pairing, you get a powerful sense of the intimate soundstage, and you are going to choose up on issues like room tone and sound reverberation within the studio recordings. If it is a reside recording, these little particulars actually come by way of and provides a reside really feel to the music.

With every thing I threw on the FiiO M21, my major takeaway is that the extent of transparency and element retrieval is elegant. 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 let you know that is determined by 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 gear I related to. Skrillex’s Supersonic (my existence) nonetheless had its deep, darkish rumble, but it surely 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 folks that your headphones are extra vital than your DAP/DAC, and that’s equally true within the case of the M21.

Living proof: 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 nice information is that, with this DAP, you get glorious choices for shaping the sound extra to your liking by way of the sturdy ten-band parametric EQ. In case you have the means to decide on totally different listening gear based mostly in your temper, the FiiO M21’s sound high quality is so good you could 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 would 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 rapidly, and throughput is quick and constant. Bluetooth high quality has been surprisingly stable, even with formidable atmospheric circumstances. As a lot as I like Noble’s Rex 5 TWS earbuds, their LDAC connections to a number of gadgets I’ve examined them with has been finicky. The M21 has been the exception, with the Rex 5 related utilizing the Finest Effort (Adaptive Bit Price) playback high quality possibility, 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 kind, quantity stage, 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 one of the 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.

In case you do not fully energy down the machine after use, my expertise with battery standby was a 6% drain over 22 hours.

What may use enchancment

Not quite a bit at this value

With stable sound high quality, an in depth characteristic listing, and beauty there is not quite a bit FiiO may do to improve the expertise at this value. For the reason that M21 is working a personalized model of Android 13 with a Snapdragon chipset, I would prefer to see automated brightness added to enhance outside use below these vibrant California skies, in addition to aptX Adaptive and LE Bluetooth with Auracast help.

As time goes on, I believe Auracast shall be an vital characteristic for DAPs to have.

Must you 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 value, the M21 isn’t solely some of the highly effective, however one of the 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. With the ability to pop a brand new battery in will enhance the helpful lifetime of the DX180, however that is it.

Personally, I would say that at $329, the FiiO M21 is among the finest entry-level DAPs available on the market at present, so I can completely suggest it.

4.5/5

Model

FiiO

Storage

64GB inside 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)