FiiO M21 Review: Affordable Hi-Res Portable Audio Player with Retro Flair

Explore the FiiO M21, an affordable hi-res audio player blending flagship hardware and charming retro design for budget-conscious audiophiles.

Filling the Gap Left by iPod Touch’s Farewell

The retirement of the iPod Touch in 2022 left a noticeable void in the portable audio market. Since then, premium players designed for hi-res enthusiasts have mostly been cornered by brands like South Korea’s Astell & Kern. But what about those of us seeking solid portable sound without breaking the bank? The options have been surprisingly sparse.

Astell & Kern’s sub-brand Activo tried to crack the budget segment with the P1 (about $450), but its disappointing sound quality and flimsy build kept it from taking off. Sony’s NW-A306 portable media player (roughly $410) showed promise a couple of years ago but faltered over minor quirks, stopping short of a five-star rating.

Enter the FiiO M21 portable audio player, priced around $380, aiming to fill this niche with a much more wallet-friendly alternative to costly Astell & Kern models. This player boldly combines flagship-grade innards with a retro-inspired aesthetic — and all without denting your budget.

Build and Design: A Solid Retro Companion

The FiiO M21 is one of those players that feels substantial but not unwieldy. Its size is reminiscent of a somewhat elongated deck of cards. Not enormous by any means, it fits comfortably in most jean pockets (except perhaps the skinniest cuts) without risking damage. However, it’s undeniably chunkier compared to the svelte iPhones and Android phones we’re used to.

Don’t expect premium metals like on pricier Astell & Kern models; this is a world of plastic and rubber. But that’s no bad thing considering the target audience and price point. The back panel resists scratches and feels sturdy, while the plastic buttons offer a satisfying tactile click — no hints of corners cut here.

FiiO M21 Specifications at a Glance

• Supported formats: up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512, MQA
• Headphone outputs: 3.5mm (unbalanced) and 4.4mm (balanced)
• Built-in storage: 64 GB
• MicroSD slot: Yes (up to 2 TB)
• Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• Charging: USB-C
• Battery life: 15 hours (3.5mm), 11.5 hours (4.4mm)
• Dimensions: 120 x 68 x 17 mm
• Weight: 193 g

The 4.7-inch touchscreen dominates the front and proved fairly responsive during my time with the device. While it lacks the lightning-fast precision of modern smartphones, occasional hiccups—like fiddly scrubbing in Tidal—were the only minor frustrations. Overall, the interface remains smooth and user-friendly.

The player features a generous spread of buttons: on the left, volume rocker with a customizable multifunction switch above it for toggling filters, listening modes, or locking the screen. On the right, the playback controls nestle together: play/pause flanked by skip forward/back. The top hosts both balanced 4.4mm and standard 3.5mm headphone jacks.

Price and Availability

FiiO products are officially available in major electronics retailers and marketplaces, with the M21 priced between $380 and $420 at launch, aligned with global pricing after factoring in currency and logistics. Stock shortages are unlikely as the brand actively supplies this market.

Ready for Use with Local Streaming Services

Out of the box, the M21 is fully functional, supporting the Russian language (among others) and granting access to Google Play for installing popular streaming apps like Yandex Music, VK Music, and Zvuk without any restrictions.

Purchasing officially means you benefit from a full one-year manufacturer warranty, serviceable through authorized centers or the original retailer. There are no functional or software limitations for local users.

Features: Powerhouse Audio Meets Android Flexibility

Under the hood, the M21 runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 octa-core chipset, delivering snappy Android performance. You get full Google service integration and free rein to download all your favorite music (and beyond) apps from the Play Store.

With 64 GB of internal storage, it accommodates a respectable music library. If that’s not enough for your Beethoven sonatas, a microSD slot can expand storage by up to a staggering 2 TB.

The sound stage is powered by four Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips arranged in a matrix to reduce crosstalk and noise, aiming for a “clean and dynamic audio profile.”

The player supports PCM files up to 32-bit/768kHz, plus DSD512 and MQA decoding. Bluetooth options include SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. Though most users will likely tether it to wired headphones, the reliable Bluetooth functionality is a welcome bonus.

Like several FiiO models including the popular M23, the M21 offers a handy “desktop mode,” transforming it into a DAC/amp when connected via USB-C to a laptop. This mode bypasses the internal battery and pumps out up to 950mW per channel to 32 Ohm headphones—ample power for demanding cans without draining the device’s battery.

There’s also a “Pure Music mode” that suspends all other apps and background processes to minimize system interference, letting the FiiO Music app run exclusively for the cleanest possible sound.

Battery life is solid: about 15 hours through the 3.5mm jack and 11.5 hours via the balanced 4.4mm output. Not record-breaking, especially compared to Sony’s NW-A306 portable media player offering nearly double, but respectable for this price.

Sound Quality: Detailed and Balanced but Slightly Reserved

I didn’t expect the M21 to be paired with ultra-premium audiophile headphones — connecting it to something like Yamaha YH-5000SE headphones would be overkill. Instead, I tested it mostly with the capable yet affordable Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X headphones (around $270) and the ever-reliable Grado SR325x headphones (around $370).

Surprisingly, the M21 proved a gifted little player. Starting with the sun-dappled folk tune Right Back To It by Waxahatchee on Tidal, the sound conveyed rich textures of shimmering guitars perfectly matched by Katie Crutchfield’s vocal subtleties—from warm mids to soaring highs.

Switching gears to a lush orchestral epic, Hans Zimmer’s The Battle from Gladiator soundtrack, the M21 maintained clarity through thick arrangements. It held the sprawling layers of brass and percussion together with precision despite the complexity.

The overall sound has a smooth, weighty balance, delivering a powerful punch when needed. Tracks like Alice In Chains’ Lesson Learned came through with sharp, textured riffs without turning into a muddy wall of noise, even at higher volumes.

My fondness grew further when engaging Pure Music mode and playing 24-bit/192kHz FLAC files like Tom Waits’ Rosie and Muse’s Panic Station. The cleaner, more dynamic rendering was evident—details popped, the sound sharpened, and the M21’s precision became more apparent compared to its standard Android playback.

For just about $380, this is impressive. Yet, the more I listened, the clearer it became that the M21 offers a pleasant rather than truly immersive experience.

What’s missing is genuine rhythmic drive. While Panic Station sounds articulate and clean, it lacks the energetic pulse to really ignite the track. The sound isn’t lethargic, but it doesn’t quite hit that bouncy groove I crave.

Dynamic range also doesn’t pack quite the punch. The Battle is tidy and detailed, but it falls short of the swelling drama and adrenaline rush you’d expect from Zimmer’s masterwork. The dynamics feel dense but somewhat flat, unable to fully unleash the tension and cinematic buildup.

These limitations persist regardless of file quality. Still, the M21 is an excellent choice for those who want balanced, detailed, and ultimately forgiving sound. It might not touch your soul deeply, but it will deliver plenty of musical enjoyment.

Verdict: A Worthy Affordable Hi-Res Player

I’ve long awaited a more affordable portable music player that doesn’t skimp on sound quality, and the charming FiiO M21 is a commendable effort. It’s not flawless, but you’ll need to spend significantly more to get something noticeably better. For its price, it’s a genuinely enjoyable portable player.

Ratings at a Glance

• Sound: 4/5
• Features: 5/5
• Build Quality: 4/5

“For its price, M21 is a very pleasant portable player.”

FAQ

• What audio formats does the FiiO M21 support?
  It supports PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD512, and MQA formats, covering a broad spectrum of hi-res audio files.
• Can storage be expanded on the M21?
  Yes! Besides its 64GB built-in memory, you can insert a microSD card up to 2TB for huge music collections.
• Does the M21 support Bluetooth streaming?
  Absolutely. It supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs for wireless listening convenience.
• How long does the battery last?
  Expect around 15 hours on the 3.5mm output and about 11.5 hours when using the balanced 4.4mm jack.
• Is the FiiO M21 suitable for audiophile headphones?
  While not designed for ultra-high-end cans, it performs very well with mid-range audiophile headphones, delivering clear and balanced sound.

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