FiiO M23 Review: Powerful Hi-Res Player with Detailed Sound

Experience the FiiO M23, a high-resolution audio player delivering detailed sound and robust performance for true music lovers.

FiiO M23: A Quick Overview

You know how convenient your smartphone is for music on the go. But let’s be honest—any audiophile knows that maximum portable sound quality doesn’t come from a device where the camera often steals the spotlight from the audio circuit. Real, pure sound comes from a dedicated digital audio player. Luckily, we've taken the FiiO M23 digital audio player for a spin, one of the finest MP3 players available today.

The FiiO M23 digital audio player is a sizable, luxuriously equipped, and beautifully engineered DAP (digital audio player) packed with tech-savvy features. Whether you prefer wired or wireless headphones, or want to use it as a USB DAC in your home audio setup, this player is ready. No matter the file type, size, or genre, the M23 tackles it all with confidence and finesse.

It excels at pulling an abundance of detail from digital audio files, laying them out on a wide, crisply defined soundstage. It can hit hard when the music demands it but never loses control—expressing vocals a cappella with vivid emotion and personality. Aside from rare glitches, there’s little to fault in the FiiO M23 digital audio player. Trust me, this is the real deal.

Release Date and Price

• Released: March 2024
• Price: $699 USD

The FiiO M23 digital audio player is already on the market, priced at $699—a solid middle ground in high-res portable players. Of course, it faces competition, including from FiiO itself. The most notable rival is Astell & Kern’s Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 digital audio player, released in May 2023, costing $799, while the SR25 MKII from June 2022 still sells for around $749. Each offers something unique, so the battle for your earbuds is on.

FiiO M23: Key Features

• Dual AKM DAC chips
• THX AAA 78+ amplifier architecture
• 5500 mAh battery capacity

The internet is vast, but if I tried to cover every technical detail of the M23, this would go on forever. So here’s the gist: FiiO’s dedication to quality and engineering shines through in every inch of this device.

The M23 boasts a hefty 5500 mAh battery, providing over 10 hours of playback. It supports dual-mode fast charging up to 30W, meaning even a low battery won't keep you off the music for long. As the battery nears full charge, the charging rate slows to preserve battery health over time.

The internal storage sits at a respectable 64GB, but there’s a microSD slot supporting cards up to a whopping 2TB. That means you can carry a massive library of heavy hi-res files, which you’ll likely need given the player’s capabilities. It supports your favorite streaming services alongside local files, all running on a customized Android 12 OS powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660—keeping things snappy and smooth.

The heart of the sound is a pair of AKM DAC chips—the AK4191EQ and AK4499EX—working in tandem to separate digital and analog stages, using DWA routing technology to minimize noise and distortion. They handle nearly all digital audio formats, including MQA, with resolutions up to 24-bit/384kHz and DSD256.

Amplification comes courtesy of the advanced THX AAA 78+ design, an upgrade over the popular THX AAA 78 used in models like the FiiO M11 Plus digital audio player and FiiO M11 Pro digital audio player. This means more power, less distortion, and a precision that audiophiles will appreciate.

FiiO also incorporates proprietary features like the Digital Audio Purification System, a four-stage power supply with 20 buses, and 28 high-capacity polymer tantalum capacitors—just a few reasons why the M23 feels like a meticulously crafted masterpiece.

Rating: 5/5 for Features

Sound Quality of the FiiO M23

• Direct, nimble, and immersive sound
• Abundant dynamics and insight
• Occasional rare glitches

Now, let’s start with the quirks because they’re few but worth noting. On rare occasions, the M23 might pause playback unexpectedly or chop off the first half-second of a track when jumping to newly queued content. It doesn’t happen often but enough to notice. Thankfully, it never occurs mid-playlist or album.

Putting that aside, the M23 sounds absolutely stunning. Whether it’s a tiny file or a massive hi-res beast, the player delivers delicate but muscular sound, assertive yet subtle, richly detailed, and dynamically alive. It’s like having an attentive, confident companion for every genre, even tolerating lower-quality files gracefully.

A 24-bit/96kHz FLAC track like Big Swimmer by King Hannah reveals the M23’s openness, with a neutral tonal balance and smooth integration of frequencies. From the harmonics and dynamics of the lone guitar intro to the intimate vocal nuances and textured bass, the recording feels whole and alive, as if the band is jamming live in your room.

Switching gears to DSD64, the swinging I Can Dig It by Les McCann shows off the M23’s rhythmic precision and bass clarity, keeping percussion bright without losing control. The player stays engaged and expressive throughout, giving a palpable sense of unity and groove.

You can tweak the EQ, gain, and passband on the touch screen, but honestly, the M23 knows its sonic identity well and doesn’t call for heavy customization.

Rating: 4.5/5 for Sound Quality

Design and Build

• Stainless steel or blue titanium finish
• Dimensions: 137 x 76 x 18 mm; weight: 299 g
• 5.5-inch display with 720 x 1440 resolution

At 137 by 76 by 18 mm and 299 grams, the M23 is definitely not pocket-sized like your phone. But it’s built like a tank, crafted from premium materials with a high-end finish. Sharp edges are softened by a protective silicone case (blue titanium version) or leather case (stainless steel version), so no worries about scratching pockets or bags.

The front is dominated by a bright, vivid 5.5-inch display sporting a crisp 720 x 1440 resolution. The interface offers plenty of options to adjust font sizes and brightness, making navigation a breeze.

Rating: 5/5 for Design

Usability and Setup

• Analog 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced outputs; 3.5mm digital coaxial output
• Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD and LDAC codecs
• "D-mode" bypass for desktop use

The M23’s controls are thoughtfully laid out and easy to use. One side sports three buttons for play/pause and track skipping, the other a power button with LED indicating file resolution, a multifunction button, and a beloved carbon-fiber volume slider that offers slick touch and press control.

A hold switch prevents accidental inputs, and a "D-mode" switch lets you run the player purely on external power through one USB-C port, bypassing the battery—perfect for desktop setups. Another USB-C port handles data and allows the device to work as a USB DAC.

On top, you get both a 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone jack, plus the 3.5mm jack doubles as a digital coaxial output. Wireless options include dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 with support for SBC, AAC, aptX HD, and LDAC codecs in both directions.

The touchscreen runs Android 12 on a Snapdragon 660, keeping the interface snappy and giving easy access to streaming apps and more.

Rating: 5/5 for Usability

Value Proposition

Value is tricky, right? You could pick up a cheap MP3 player for a fraction of the price if you just want to ditch your phone for music. On the other end, Astell & Kern’s top-tier Ultima players hit around $2399.

If you’ve followed the specs and features, you’ll see the FiiO M23 digital audio player offers great “bang for your buck” in sound quality. It’s not the smallest player out there, but in terms of audiophile value, it’s a genius choice.

Rating: 4.5/5 for Value

Also Consider

Astell & Kern SR35

Priced slightly higher, the SR35 brings Astell & Kern’s signature direct and detailed sound and a distinctive design flair.

FiiO M11S

If you want to stick with FiiO but save some money, the M11S is about $200 cheaper and slightly lighter, offering similar sound quality for a tighter budget.

How I Tested the FiiO M23

• Two weeks of hands-on testing
• Streaming and local file playback
• Wired and wireless headphone use

I loaded up my Tidal and Qobuz accounts and filled the M23 with hi-res files from 24-bit/96kHz FLACs to DSD128. I used top-tier full-size headphones and IEMs with balanced and single-ended outputs, plus more affordable true wireless buds over Bluetooth.

Sound quality is one thing, but user experience on the go is just as critical. After thoroughly exploring the M23’s features and enjoying diverse music for hours daily over two weeks, it was bittersweet to return it to its rightful owners.

“FiiO M23 is a true powerhouse of detail and emotion wrapped in a thoughtfully engineered package.”

Whether you're chasing pristine hi-res audio or just want a serious upgrade from your phone’s music service, the FiiO M23 digital audio player deserves a spot in your gear lineup. Ready to turn every song into an experience?

FAQ

• What audio formats does the FiiO M23 support?
  It supports nearly all major formats, including MQA, FLAC up to 24-bit/384kHz, and DSD256.
• How long does the battery last on a full charge?
  The 5500 mAh battery delivers over 10 hours of continuous playback.
• Can the M23 be used as a USB DAC?
  Yes, it supports USB DAC mode via a dedicated USB-C port.
• Is the M23 suitable for wireless headphones?
  Absolutely, it has Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD and LDAC codecs for high-quality wireless audio.
• Does the M23 have expandable storage?
  Yes, it includes a microSD slot supporting cards up to 2TB.

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