FIIO M23
Bohemian DAP buddy
Put that smartphone down –a digital audio player this divine will get your on-the-go musical moments properly elevated
Some body to lug
Stainless steel looks chic, but you pay a weight penalty: it’s 392g, almost 100g heavier than the blue titanium option.
Smartphones might’ve put the iPod out to pasture, but demand for dedicated DAPs never went away in high-end audio land. FiiO’s latest packs new AKM DACs that bring wider file format support and even more nuanced sound than the old M11 Plus model.
This unit is as chunky as you’d expect –about twice as thick as a phone –though it’ll still squeeze into a pocket. So there’s plenty of room at the sides for physical controls, a (very sensitive) volume slider and a hold switch to prevent accidental pauses or skips.
Android 10 is a bit behind the times (an update to 12 is due), but does mean streaming apps like Tidal and Qobuz are just a trip to the Play Store away. The UI is clean, looks crisp on the 5.5in LCD, and feels smooth to swipe through.
LDAC and aptX HD Bluetooth will please wireless fans, but this player is about wired listening. The 3.5mm output has enough oomph to power any in-ear monitors, and the balanced 4.4mm port can drive more demanding over-ears.
Tech specs
Screen 5.5in 1440x720 LCD Outputs 3.5mm, 4.4mm, Bluetooth (aptX HD, LDAC) Inputs 2x USB-C Storage 64GB + microSD OS Android 10 Battery 5500mAh Dimensions 137x76x18.1mm, 299/392g
Filler queen
The 64GB of internal storage fills up pretty quickly if your library is mainly hi-res files. The microSD slot can take up to 2TB cards, but needs a smartphone SIM tray tool to access it. Time to swap all those small cards for one large one?
The flow must go on
The two USB-C ports aren’t for charging at double speed: one handles data transfer while the other is purely for power. With an external supply the M23 becomes a meaty desktop DAC, with up to 1000mW output per channel.
The FiiO’s audio presentation is wonderfully neutral, with zero noisefloor even through sensitive headphones and impressive levels of detail. It has a balanced sound that does equal justice to scruffy MP3s and lossless FLACs. Battery life isn’t outstanding, though: just over 10hrs via the 3.5mm output.
STUFF SAYS You don’t have to be a sonic snob to appreciate the M23’s repertoire ★★★★★
FiiO will rock you with this superb phone-shaming portable player
It’s by no means a bargain, and will probably go over the heads of anyone happy with their phone plus some basic wireless earbuds and a Spotify subscription. But the FiiO M23 is far more accomplished, no matter what music you put through it. Wired or wireless, in-ear or over-ear, sat at home or on the move –this player can do it all, with absolutely stellar sound quality and expansive streaming support.