The best FiiO players of 2023

The best FiiO of 2023:

1. Fiio M11 Pro
2. Fiio M9
3. FiiO M7
4. FiiO M6
5. FiiO M5
6. FiiO M3K

Design:

The Fiio M11 Pro is the best DAP the company has ever designed. It's a truly exquisite digital music player. It's thin, but it's built like a tank. The chassis is made of aluminum and the rear part of carbon fiber. It integrates a 5.15-inch screen that allows you to enjoy high-definition movies with the best sound on the market. The display has a resolution of 1440 x 720p and an 18:9 aspect ratio.

The operating system works perfectly. The Fiio M11 Pro integrates the new 7872 hexa-core processor that offers performance comparable to the Snapdragon 625. You can access and download any application without waiting any time.

It works with WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay and Fiio Link technologies, so you can play your favorite music in the highest resolutions from any service or media. Supports any online streaming program such as SportiFy, Tidal or Deeser.

It has an internal memory of 64 GB and 3 GB of RAM. It also has a card slot that allows you to expand the memory up to 2 TB. The battery lasts approximately nine and a half hours or 55 days in standby mode. The total charging process takes only two and a half hours. It has standard 3.5mm and balanced 2.5mm and 4.4mm outputs.

Sound:

The M11 Pro produces a sound comparable only to much more expensive models. The new DACs and the THX AAA-78 amplifier are the best the company has to offer. The sonic details are sublime at all frequencies and the stability is remarkable: the sound never fails.

The sound profile is impeccably balanced and saturated. This Fiio player can play any high resolution format, including DSD256 and MQA. You can also connect it to your computer to use it as an external DAC. In DAC mode it can play formats with 32bit/384 kHz resolutions.

It's a DAP designed to reproduce high definition formats, superior to those of a CD. However, when you use it to listen to compressed formats the music sounds better than ever. Its sound in wireless mode is impeccable, and you can also use it as a Bluetooth amplifier capable of receiving LDAC, SBC codecs and transmitting aptX, aptX HD, LDAC or LHDC.

Conclusion:

This is, without a doubt, the best digital music player Fiio has ever produced. The quality of construction is impeccable and all the elements it integrates are of the highest quality. It offers many connectivity options and sublime sound. It's expensive, but if you are looking for a player capable of satisfying the most demanding audiophile this is the ideal model. Interested? Find the best prices on Amazon.

Design:

The Fiio M9 has a classic design. Its body is sturdy and solid, yet small enough to fit in any pocket. At the bottom it integrates two headphone outputs, one 3.5mm and one 2.5mm, in addition to the USB-C port for charging. On the side it features buttons for power, play/pause and change songs, a microSD card input and volume control.

The card is necessary because it integrates an internal memory of only 2 GB, and once you install the applications you have little space left to store your songs. It integrates two AK4490EN DACs and the A3P030 FPGA microchip. It has a 3.2-inch display with a resolution of 800 x 400 pixels. It's not designed to play videos, but we would have liked a screen with better contrast and colors.

Regarding wireless connections, the M9 works with WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2. It also supports aptX, aptX HD codecs.LDAC and HWA. It also features AirPlay technology. The USB port also functions as a DAC with PC and Mac computers. You can use it with a Mac immediately, but with a PC you need to download the necessary drivers.

Sound:

Fiio's M9 runs a basic version of Android. It allows you to use third-party applications, but doesn't come with an app store. It comes pre-installed with Fiio's own app and Tidal, but to use Spotify, SoundCloud or Amazon Music you need to install the APKs in your memory. It can handle any file type, from DSD to the most compressed, and the sound quality is great for the price.

The sound separation is remarkable, and just by listening to it for a second you realize the huge difference between the sound quality offered by the Fiio player and a regular smartphone. All instruments are crisp and the vocals have a very pleasant warmth. The details of all frequencies are well achieved. Bass is deep and controlled. Overall, the sound balance is very well achieved.

The company claims that the Fiio M9's built-in battery provides up to 10 hours of continuous playback. However, after testing it we noticed that the capacity varies according to whether you use Bluetooth, volume and USB DAC mode. We got a little over eight hours of playback time from the card. On the positive side, it has a standby mode that preserves the battery for up to 45 days.

Conclusion:

The M9 is one of the best Fiio players. It's not the most elegant nor does it offer the highest technology, but it does have an excellent price/performance ratio. It's robust, can be used as a USB DAC, supports aptX codecs and reads any high definition file. Most importantly, the sound quality is superb. To see the best prices on Amazon, click here.

Design:

The Fiio M7 is available in silver, red, blue or black. The casing has smooth finishes that make it quite pleasing to the eye and to the touch. The build quality is exceptional with no faults detected in our tests. It has rounded and smooth corners, sturdy buttons, a volume control wheel and 3.5 mm output along with USB-C port.

The new DAP Fiio M7 measures 52 x 109 x 13mm and weighs only 116 grams, figures that make it a fairly small and portable device among its class. It's designed to be operated with one hand and even blind without any problems. On the left side of the player are the “Next”, “Play/Pause” and “Previous” buttons.

At the top is the small volume wheel, which despite its size, offers good grip and is very easy to rotate. You can also feel the clicks as you move it which will give you a tactile prompt so you can select the exact volume you are looking for.

On the top of the player is the on/off button on the left side. It's a small round button with a red circle around it, and a small LED light in the middle that, when it turns blue, indicates that the Fiio M7 is ready to use.

The 3.5 mm output, which also serves as a line output, is located on the upper right side. Fiio is a strong advocate of 2.5 mm balanced outputs, yet this device doesn't have it. This is because the equipment is intended for a more general audience who are unlikely to be aware of the advantages of connections of this type.

On the right side of the player you only have the microSD slot, and a little further down the USB-C connector to charge the Fiio M7 and connect it to an external DAC. The Fiio logo imprint is on the back, along with some information about the player and its certification labels.

On the front of the player, you have the 3.2-inch 480×800 display with support for image zoom. It's a pretty cool screen, but remember: if you don't use a protective case, the danger of destruction after a simple drop on a hard surface is imminent. Battery life is also amazing and can yield up to 20 hours of continuous playback.

Sound:

The first impression you get listening to the M7 is that it's a very full sounding DAP with quite punchy bass, mids and treble. The balance between these is quite acceptable, presenting the music in a soft and warm way.

The Fiio M7 is easy to listen to and musical. As a result, you get the sounds of a DAP that has the hallmark of satisfying a wide audience. Of course, the Fiio is purposely tuned this way, as it's perhaps one of the brand's few devices made for a non-specialist audience.

The bass is a little higher than usual but not excessively so. It's present without becoming overwhelming, not particularly detailed or refined but it's audible and has good speed and impact. For the majority of musical genres, it works perfectly well, but audiophiles may find the texture and depth insufficient.

The mids are smooth and musical, full-bodied and easy to listen to. They flow well from the lower frequencies with vocals that blend perfectly to deliver a compact whole that serves its purpose. Treble is light yet energetic. The presentation is very clean and free of background noise.

The soundstage of the Fiio M7, on the other hand, performs quite well for its price but is not exactly amazing. The Fiio M7, in this sense, can be considered as a transitional device between the most basic and mid-range DAPs, with a fairly good price/performance ratio.

Conclusion:

This DAP is easy to listen to. It's tuned to meet the needs of the general public, but it's definitely not a device that will satisfy audiophiles. Anyway, the Fiio M7 is more than we expected, because its unpretentious sonority carries it with enough quality: it's musical, and in the end, that's what we all look for. There are very good competitors in this price range, and we believe the M7 is one of them. Interested? Check out the best prices on Amazon.

Design:

The FiiO M6 is the latest entry-level digital player offered by the company. It's smaller (11.5 x 92.5 x 53.3 mm) and cheaper than the M7, but is better in some ways. It has a 3.2-inch screen and a resolution of 800 x 480. The multi-touch IPS display is made by LG, and is better than the M7. It comes with a plastic case for protection, and although it doesn't look fragile at all, its design is lighter than it looks: it only weighs 83 grams.

This Fiio digital music player features four buttons that allow you to navigate the menus, Android interface and manage playback options. The top panel integrates a 3.5 mm audio output and a power button. It integrates an internal memory of 2 GB.

This capacity is quite limited, but it also has a micro-SD card slot that allows you to add up to 2 TB of extra memory. It has a USB-C port for charging the internal battery. The battery has a 1200 mAh capacity and provides up to 13 hours of continuous playback.

It integrates the Samsung Exynos 7270 dual-core processor and the Android-based Fiio interface works great. On the other hand, it integrates the superb ESS Sabre 9018Q2C DAC with integrated amplifier that allows you to play files up to 192 kHz/32 bits and DSD64/128.

You can also use it as an external USB DAC. It works with Bluetooth 4.2, Wifi and AirPlay technologies. You can play aptX, aptX HF or LDAC codecs seamlessly from any online streaming service.

Sound:

During sound tests, the FiiO M6 responded in tune with the expectations we had. Sounds like clicks sound clean and crisp, and tracks that have progressive buildup of instruments or voices never sound forced. On the other side of the band frequencies, the drum sounds have a noticeable punch, while the bass drum sounds exhibit enough firmness to be the foundation of the track.

It can play any type of audio files and the power is amazing. It offers much more power than the M7. It has a signal to noise ratio of 118 dB, a frequency response of 10 – 85000 Hz and the audio output is surprisingly clean. No matter what type of headphones you use, noise is non-existent.

The responses are very positive on complex sounds, such as drum cymbals of different intensity or small reverberation effects on wind instruments. Even this behavior is maintained when the FiiO M6 is put to the test in DAC mode.

The lead vocals with backing vocals are well placed and each finds its own place, even when a distorted guitar is added. The sound quality is great for this price range.

Conclusion:

The Fiio M6 DAP is compatible with a large number of audio types and the most popular music streaming services. Its design and usability fully meet the standards expected for a device of its kind, with a strong and durable construction that nevertheless doesn't reach 90 grams in weight. The value for money is unbeatable. Find the best price on this link.

Design:

This DAP has a compact design that resembles the old iPods or Apple Watch. It has dimensions of 44 x 42mm, about the size of an Apple iWatch. It comes with a grip clip, but you can purchase a strap to use it as a watch while you work out.

The M5 also functions as a Bluetooth receiver, which is very useful if you want to listen to Spotify from your phone. You just need to connect the Fiio M5 wirelessly to your smartphone to listen to your favorite music from the player. You can also connect the M5 via Bluetooth to your phone to receive calls using the player's headphones and microphone.

This Fiio player can receive aptX, aptX HD, AAC, LDAC, SBC high resolution files and stream aptX, LDAC or SBC. It integrates the AKM AK4377 DAC that can play files up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD files natively. It has NO internal memory, although it supports up to 2TB through a microSD card.

Another plus point of this Fiio player is its microphone. It's very sensitive, and allows you to make calls or record conferences clearly. The Fiio M5 has a battery life of 10.5 hours of continuous playback or 13.5 hours if used as a Bluetooth preceiver. It has a USB-C fast charging port that also allows you to use it as a USB DAC.

It integrates a sensitive and fast-response display. You can control all functions through the Touch screen, although it also features two buttons on the top to turn on, control playback or turn off the screen to save battery life.

Sound:

The sound profile is well balanced and presents good details in all tonalities. In addition, it offers different equalizations optimized for playing different genres of music. It can read MP3, DSD64, DSD128, APE, FLAC, WAV, AIF, Apple Lossless and WMA Lossless files.

When testing the Fiio M5 we perceived a pleasant and natural sound, clear and separate. No tonality is emphasized or colored. Bass and treble are crisp and clear, while the mid-tones stand out for their delicate details. The sound spatiality is not very good and may present some noise, but considering its size and price it offers a great sound.

Conclusion:

The build quality is solid and it's a very versatile model. This Fiio player offers very good sound quality for an affordable price. It's one of Fiio's latest models and we believe it will be one of the most popular. To see the best prices on Amazon, click here.

Design:

The Fiio M3K is a portable device and even qualifies as close to the ultra-portable category, without losing the capabilities that normally such equipment must give up to be so small. It's precisely sized to maintain the necessary, more traditional physical buttons, in addition to the internal space for processor and battery.

Its construction consists of an aluminum body and tempered glass on the entire front panel. The device is made of a single piece of metal with a smooth finish with rounded corners. In addition, Fiio gave its M3K a more modern look similar to the X1-II version. It's very light, which makes it very pocket friendly.

The button connections are well arranged. On the left side there are four physical buttons: on/off (which also functions to turn the screen on or off), volume up and down, and play and stop. The playback can also be designated for the A-B repeat function, although this is a feature that few people really care about.

At the bottom, there's a micro-USB input for uploading and managing data, and also for using the M3K as an external DAC. On one side is the microSD card slot (there is no internal memory so everything is stored here), the 3.5 mm output and a small hole where the microphone is located.

All navigation settings are made with the touch pad. While we miss a fully functional touchscreen, the touch bar fulfills the function of scrolling, similar to the lower versions of the X1 and X3.

There is a button in each corner; the ones in the lower left and right corner are used for previous and next, the one in the upper left corner for menu shortcuts and the one in the upper right corner is a button to return to the previous screen. The battery easily reaches twenty hours of use.

Sound:

The Fiio M3K has an overall neutral sound presentation in a very smooth and linear way. It's not a warm-sounding DAP but there is a certain sense of musicality and touches of sweetness hidden in the mids that are particularly noticeable on vocals, and reach all the way down to the lowest treble.

The bass follows similar characteristics with a decent resolution for the price, with little impact and attack. On the other hand, we observe a very good control and a flat texture, with a mixture of layers without much dynamics.

The mid-ranges show the Fiio M3K at its best. They are well balanced throughout the range from bass to treble, and clean thanks to the emphasis on softer bass, natural timbre and lots of smoothness. The sounds are heard with a fair amount of clarity and detail considering the price, not with a cool kind of tonality but with some musicality.

The separation of sounds is acceptable without being outstanding, although perhaps some heavy instruments can sound a bit soft.

The treble maintains the formula of neutrality, not as reserved as the bass but generally smooth and secure. A little limited perhaps at the top end, they maintain a good level of resolution, with a balance given by a small touch of brightness in the lower treble.

The soundstage is average, which is fine for a cheap player. With its front midrange, it generates an intimate sound, well oriented towards music with vocals, delicate and with a great sense of melody. The Fiio M3K can sound loud enough with most speakers, although with large headphones it may seem that its maximum volume is a bit low.

Conclusion:

The Fiio M3K is the best solution for those new to the world of high resolution MP3 players and DAPs. It has an extraordinary portability and manages, despite this, to maintain the minimum performance necessary for you to clearly appreciate the difference between a smartphone and a device especially designed to enjoy your favorite music.

You can enjoy the benefits of the high-resolution audio world on a budget, and then see if you're ready to take the next step. To see the best prices on Amazon follow the link.

The Shanling M0 is another excellent portable option.

Final Conclusion

We reviewed in detail all Fiio devices available on the market in their latest versions. We have seen the brand's commitment to its users, from those with the most demanding and professional requirements to those who are just entering the world of high-definition sound.

And regardless of the price range of each model, they all tend to stand out among their competition for their great value and for ensuring that, in general, each generational update does indeed have new features that entice you to spend those extra euros to move up to the next level.

• The best audio quality with the greatest playback possibilities are offered by the Fiio M11 Pro. It's a high-end player that delivers a superior listening experience and has a choice of analog, Toslink and coaxial output.
• The FiiO M9 stands out for its solid construction, modern design and intuitive usability. The price/quality ratio is excellent.
• The FiiO M7 is a more affordable alternative to the M1, but maintains its quality in terms of sound and other features.
• FiiO M6 is your choice if you're still aiming high but have a smaller budget. You'll get solid sound, strong rhythms and great value for money.
• Your choice may be the FiiO M5 if you are on a tight budget. The M5 has great features not found in its competition for the same price,
• For those who are just getting familiar with this kind of devices, but at the same time want to understand the hype, your option is the FiiO M3K . Handsome, rich sounding and the most affordable of the family.

Fiio MP3 players and DAPs Technical Features