These days, you have to be serious about your music to know what a digital audio player (DAP) is, let alone own one.
What was once the favorite device for music lovers, especially after the explosion of the iPod in the early 2000s, quickly came to an end with the release of Apple's own iPhone, which included its powerful player. In 2023, however, Walkmans are still around, still relevant, unfortunately not for the mass market like before, but for a niche audiophile audience.
The FiiO M11S is one of the latest creations from the Guangzhou hi-fi company, a model that will represent the cheapest DAP that FiiO plans to launch in the next two years (according to the press release). Is there a place for affordable music players in an age where DAPs represent the highest audiophile demands for sound quality? Dive in to find out.
M11 series compact design
The younger brother of FiiO's DAP series bears a clear resemblance to his older brothers. From an engineer's point of view, it makes perfect sense for FiiO to take full advantage of its simple yet recognizable design. The design of the M11S follows the design of FiiO products - from the flagship M17 DAP to the flagship K9 Pro Desktop DAC/Amp - I came to give the design an "aggressive" look.
The M11S is a physically "shorter" version of the M11 Plus, which means the screen is also slightly smaller at 5.5 to 5 inches, which is still plenty for a DAP. There are other minor differences to the M11 Plus, e.g. B. that the power button has no light, no "hold" slider, and the output port positions are mirrored. Other than those differences, these two devices are more or less identical.
Another notable difference from the M11S is the removal of the touch slider for volume control. Instead, the affordable DAP features a volume rocker with a consistent carbon fiber aesthetic. I've heard from people on both sides about the touch slider, some love it and some turn it off instantly, so I guess it's up to the individual if it's a contributing factor or not.
The M11S can be seen as a slimmer version of the M11 Plus, with less frills while retaining all the features that make an M11 a gamer.
Lower the price without sacrificing sound
Since the M11S shares obvious similarities with the M11 Plus ESS, which is one of FiiO's best DAPs, especially when paired with a good pair of IEMs, it competes with some of the best headphone setups around. I would describe the sound of the M11S vs. the M11 plus ESS.
There are notable differences when comparing the internals of the two devices: while the M11 Plus ESS uses a pair of ES9068AS, each with 8 channels, the M11S uses a pair of ES9038Q2M, each with 2 channels. Additionally, the M11 Plus uses two of the best-known THX AAA-78 amps, while the M11S uses two versatile Texas Instruments OPA926 amps.
After many auditions and comparisons, just like its aesthetics, the M11S sounds very similar to the M11 Plus ESS in color and even in performance. With both DAPs set to 45% high gain volume, I could barely tell a difference between the two when testing with FiiO's own FH7S, Sennheiser IE900, and Acoustic Contour X.
If I had to be picky, I'd say the M11 Plus has a bit more controlled tone, while the M11S sounds more "fun" and aggressive. But then again, the two sounded so similar acoustically that you could tell the difference in sound when you played them.
The two devices are also very similar in terms of numbers. The M11S actually delivers more power when used with headphones: it hits 670mW with 32Ω headphones, while the M11 Plus hits 660mW.
Small battery, but same autonomy
A recurring practice at FiiO is that they don't necessarily release cheaper products with lower specs, rather newer products are often seen as more efficient and better performance than older products even at higher price points. The M11S's battery efficiency is an example of that innovative spirit.
While the M11 Plus has a 6,000 mAh lithium-ion battery, the M11S boasts 5,300 mAh for the same 14 hours of playback and 41 days of standby. These official numbers seem to hold true in the real world, as I charge the M11S once every few weeks for the occasional 1-2 hour game.
final verdict
Although mobile phones are powerful music players today, for those who are serious about their music, and especially those who need to maximize the performance of their high-end headphones or IEMs, pairing with a DAP is still the way to go. to follow.
The FiiO M11S offers higher sound quality, while the M11 Plus offers a cheaper alternative to the ESS. If you're looking for a relatively compact digital audio player as a portable audiophile setup on the go, the M11S makes very few compromises in functionality and delivers sound that will satisfy even the most demanding audiophile. We awarded the FiiO M11S with the IBTimes Recommended badge for Hi-Fi Portable Digital Player.
David is a techie/writer who travels a lot and is on a mission to find ways to make his flight reviews more enjoyable. This is a contribution to an ongoing IBTimes review series on business travel gadgets.
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