FiiO’s new M21 MP3 participant is a sonic treasure on 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 checklist of options, however most significantly, sound nice — living proof, the brand new FiiO M21 digital audio participant, or DAP. Individuals 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 inner storage, microSD assist for as much as 2TB of expanded storage

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.0 with assist 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 function 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 includes 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 wonderful element retrieval.

Professionals & Cons

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

• Highs might be fatiguing
• No automated brightness

Value, availability, and specs

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

One of the best entry-level audiophile DAP in the marketplace proper now?

“Low-cost” with flagship options

The FiiO M21’s checklist of {hardware} and software program options is in depth. This might very simply be a few-page-long evaluate to cowl each {hardware} innovation and use case. There are DAPs with related options that price tons of of {dollars} extra. Within the curiosity of constructing this evaluate accessible to music fans and the “audiophile curious,” I’ll maintain 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 protector already put in, all wrapped within the included, color-matched silicone case. The unit seems to have a really sturdy construct when considered within the field.

Eradicating the system from the packaging, it has an incredible 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 will have loads of choices for protecting, trendy carry. Trying across the system, you will discover a 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm Balanced output on high. Each assist line out, with the three.5mm additionally supporting coaxial output.

The best aspect of the unit homes playback controls, whereas on the left aspect, you will 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 may 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 part 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 will additionally get Bluetooth 5.0 with assist for aptX HD, LDAC, and LHDC, together with the fundamental codecs. The chipset additionally has assist 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 function 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 Achieve when in desktop mode. For the complete checklist 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 day by 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 gorgeous synergy, however that transparency may also imply fatiguing treble. Listening to Artwork Blakey’s tackle Moanin’ these harsh horns might 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 as a result of Mammoths themselves than the M21’s output. With this pairing, you get a robust 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 stay recording, these little particulars actually come by means of and provides a stay really feel to the music.

With every part I threw on the FiiO M21, my main takeaway is that the extent of transparency and element retrieval is classy. It’s a “colder” hear than some DAPs in that the underside finish heat is not hyped, so you are going to get the music simply as recorded. Some would possibly name it a bit flat, however I can completely let you know that relies on 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, nevertheless it simply wasn’t as hyped because it comes off when performed from a DAP or DAC with V-curve tuning. I all the time inform people 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 wonderful 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 way in which, 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 means of the sturdy ten-band parametric EQ. When 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 that you may 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 can 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 by way of the 4.4mm port with medium acquire and display 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 strong, 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 gadgets I’ve examined them with has been finicky. The M21 has been the exception, with the Rex 5 linked utilizing the Greatest 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 degree, and music style, I discovered myself getting anyplace from 10 to fifteen hours of playback. You will get extra stamina out of the three.5mm port, however the most effective 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.

For those who do not utterly energy down the system 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 strong sound high quality, an intensive function checklist, and attractiveness there is not quite a bit FiiO may do to improve the expertise at this value. Because the M21 is working a custom-made model of Android 13 with a Snapdragon chipset, I would prefer to see automated brightness added to enhance outside use below these vivid California skies, in addition to aptX Adaptive and LE Bluetooth with Auracast assist.

As time goes on, I believe Auracast might be an necessary function for DAPs to have.

Must you purchase the FiiO M21 digital audio participant?

There’s strong 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 highly effective, however the most effective 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 enhance the helpful lifetime of the DX180, however that is it.

Personally, I would say that at $329, the FiiO M21 is likely one of the finest entry-level DAPs in the marketplace at this time, so I can completely advocate it.

4.5/5

Model

FiiO

Storage

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

Bluetooth

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

Show

4.7-inch IPS (750×1334)