FiiO JM21 Portable High-Res Lossless Music Player | Review

[@CompoundNihilist]

Great review, especially describing this as a stress free, light "on the go" player. If I dropped this, I wouldn't worry as much.

[@pokrog]

I am not having a good time with my JM21. The bass always sounds like it has a distortion pedal turned on. Hopefully Fiio releases a firmware update that fixes it because unless I use the USB out, the audio is flat out bad.

[@sulf49]

Correction. Hiby R4 do have Bluetooth Receiving Mode. Have you update your Firmware? And Hiby R4 has a USB-C 3.2 Gen1 port that have transfer rate of 5Gbps that is important if you want to transfer files from your pc directly to your DAP with microsd inside.

[@Musicophile-p5l]

The screen size looks comfortably accessible.

[@DoncampbellUSMC]

How is it compared to Sony a306

[@Oun104]

Thank you Can you elaborate on the Sound quality vs r4 and sq in general where it stands

[@jasonc5781]

Send AND receive BT signal? Nice, always wanted a DAP that can work like 1.

[@bash3245]

Not sure what is the point of doing a DAP review without talking about a single word on sound quality or comparison with R4

[@sebsexperience]

Most DAPs sound the same in terms of neutrality, it boils down to how much power they can provide, in this case the JM21 seems like a winner

[@NealzOfficial]

2nd this reviewing an audio product without mentioning a word about its sq is kinda ridiculous!

[@NealzOfficial]

@@sebsexperience no they don't, even DAP's from the same brand sound different. It's just that you can't tell the difference.

[@AronAddams7]

​@@sebsexperienceeven budget daps containing the same chip sounded very different to me.

[@Durwood71]

Sound quality is subjective. I know audiophiles think they have magic ears that can hear things that are inaccessible to mere mortals which allows them to objectively judge sound quality, but they really don't. You're going to find that most modern solid state audio players all sound more or less the same.

[@HARD__UK]

I am also facing the choice of my first DAP. I am interested in your opinion as the owner of these two devices (JM21 and HiBy R4) Which of them is better in terms of sound and what is the autonomy of both of them in the same conditions. I think that I am not the only one interested in such a comparison

[@leah9227]

Have you considered Hiby m300?

[@RuiPret]

Battery life is about 5-6 hours… , you can see the battery draining in real time, great device but battery isn’t adequate

[@chienbotrung7093]

i really like this design looks exactly like the sony z5

[@wahid-lg1kk]

This one doesn't have src bypass of any sort, right?

[@wasannakponcom1914]

I think it cannot find this lower than 200$ so far, all resale prices is over than 230$

[@Durwood71]

Currently selling on Amazon US for $180.

[@ricenoodles632]

Is there line out mode from the 3.5mm?

[@darrencotter8206]

If price wasn't an issue, this one or the R4? I've heard the battery life isn't very good on the R4.

[@axelmetal7]

Apparently the battery life in this one is waaaay worse.

[@AindriuMacGiollaEoin]

Is it water resistant?

[@abdullahalmohaimensindid3914]

What measurement rig do you use to measure iems?

[@SuperSynoptic]

RMS power?

[@InDueTime25]

No response to any questions is just sad. It would have helped if the reviewer took the time to answer some good questions.

[@SuperSynoptic]

Official specs (from an official retailer in China): Snapdragon 680 Dual CS43198 700mw+700mw output 12 hour battery life Android 13 Own OS (SRC bypassed)

[@audio_tron]

Does the JM21 have Global PEQ?

[@sebsexperience]

Android has several to choose from, I recommend Poweramp Equalizer

[@audio_tron]

@ Will take a look. Haven’t had luck with Wavelet and Apple Music on my M11 Plus.

[@enadegheeghaghe6369]

​@@sebsexperienceI use the full poweramp app as the music player on every android device I own. It's brilliant

[@Durwood71]

It always makes me laugh when audiophiles use the label "beginner" to refer to products, as if you need to develop advanced skills in order listen to music.

[@famousibarra1]

You are overthinking it though? In these instances I would think "beginner" means "entry-level". As in, people who aren't shopping Shanling and Cayin DAP's.

[@Durwood71]

@famousibarra1 "Entry-level", as if people need to be eased into music players.

[@famousibarra1]

@@Durwood71 ahh I see you are being intentionally obtuse. Entry level is in terms of cost my dude. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Durwood71]

@@famousibarra1 But what does "entry level" even mean in this context? Low price simply means affordable. When I think of "entry level", I think of something that is simpler to operate and that eschews certain features that are only of interest to those with advanced knowledge and skills, like the Roland TD-02 electric drum kit which parents buy for their kids versus Roland's flagship TD-50 which is used by professionals. So in that sense, what makes the JM21 "entry level" compared to other digital audio players on the market?

[@bobyeo69]

How do u compare with hiby m300, if you have tested b4.

[@tamersosman]

Whats actual battery life compared to hiby r4 ?

[@RuiPret]

About 50% for the JM21 easily

[@sapphiro]

No, to android DAPs with 10h battery life. I would not recommend this to anyone. What's the point if the battery dies faster than your phone? My ancient Sony walkman mp3 player still has 30h playtime and 6 months on standby...

[@alamak_89]

Dont buy android dap ,if u want longer batterylife

[@Durwood71]

That's 10 hours of active use, which means playing music. Smartphone batteries also drain quickly during active use.