FiiO M11 Plus LTD Android audio player review

[@PortaFi]

Text version of the review: porta.fi/fiio-m11-plus-ltd-kinesthetic-pleasure-and-more/

[@santibergallo]

It looks great! The functionality, specs and the style are on point.

[@JuanTapiaSilva]

Thank you!!. It has helped me a lot to decide to buy this DAP .

[@PortaFi]

glad to be of help

[@CLaudiusClemensJimmy]

love daps reviews! always a new tech delivered to user. great reviews as always pavlo. God Bless

[@PortaFi]

Glad you like them!

[@mehdineggaoui2263]

Perfect review as usual, i will get mine soon ! Thanks !

[@SuperZedd]

A shame it is Ltd. I guess it won’t be easy to own one because of that reason. Hopefully a non limited version perhaps ESS chips will be available next year.

[@mckidar]

They supposedly making 6000 of the aluminium and 1000 Stainless steel, but they can't even get that right.

[@Rockthespaceship]

This message aged very, very well.

[@matthewsaul2531]

In your opinion Pavlo how much more can DAP manufactures make improvements to sound? Isn't it time they focused on more innovative and additional features than minor sound improvements? we must be reaching a sound glass ceiling soon. These items are too expensive for small improvements that only audiophiles will notice

[@biconditionals]

Thanks for the review, very helpful! Thinking about upgrading from my Q5S

[@PortaFi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AQUPAS]

This was the aluminum version of the LTD and not the Stainless Steel version?

[@PortaFi]

it's a regular aluminium one

[@rawjugv.u9519]

Some other channel said this is a great DAP but due to limited AKM driver, everywhere is sold out..I am so sad, is it dx300 can beat this m11 plus? I hope you can answer this on your perspective and not depending on general answer.. I mean, if you, which one you will choose m11plus or dx300?

[@PortaFi]

DX300 is slightly better in terms of sound, but it's much bigger and more expensive

[@rawjugv.u9519]

@@PortaFi thanks man, its really help my decision. I dont care bout the size and price compared to that three, my preference is the audio quality. Thank you very much ☺️

[@PortaFi]

@@rawjugv.u9519 good luck with the purchase! hope you'll like it

[@rawjugv.u9519]

@@PortaFi hahaha yes, you will the first person I will tell after I bought

[@rawjugv.u9519]

@@PortaFi anyway I will buy with 7hz Timeless..I hope is a great pair. For now I just bought Bose QC 35ii. I was thinking that IEM that I can afford is 7hz Timeless although my dream IEM is QDC Anole VX ☺️

[@longnguyen.hornist9894]

I have 2 questions for you: 1. Between this and Ess version and Shanling M6 pro 21 which one do you think have better stage ( depth, wide ) ? 2. Among TOTL Dap for neutral sound like Dx300, Fiio M17, Hiby R8 ... which one do you think have the best technical in general like Depth, Wide, Imaging, Layering, Separation ? Thank you.

[@PortaFi]

Hello, stage is a totally subjective thing. Probably the most subjective in personal audio. For me usually bigger stage is built with a more neutral devices, so in this case M11 Plus will build a bigger stage. As for a flagships, they are about the same in this aspect for me, as it much more depends on a particular earphones/cans I'm using. FiiO often wins with headphones, thanks to a power and dynamics, with IEMs - often DX300, but not always

[@longnguyen.hornist9894]

@@PortaFi Thank you so much.

[@normaldy]

You had positive opinions for Fiio X7-II compared to the M11! Does that opinion still stand when compared with the M11 pro or M11 plus?

[@PortaFi]

X7-2 is outdated player, both in terms of UX and in terms of sound, so newer players makes much more sense in buying

[@jorgeluisfernandez2560]

Is this version is better than de m11 plus ESS? Both have snapdragon, thanks

[@PortaFi]

I didn't test ESS version yet, so I don't know. Quite possible it can be better than this. But I suspect that difference will be taste-based. But it's just a speculation so far :)

[@jorgeluisfernandez2560]

@@PortaFi ohhh thanks for the answer, i know its quite the same, the only difference is the dac chip, since LTD is out of stock i think im going to go for the ESS

[@PortaFi]

@@jorgeluisfernandez2560 I'm almost sure ESS will be good to )))

[@jorgeluisfernandez2560]

@@PortaFi i think so, i wanted LTD cause its for collection now

[@PortaFi]

@@jorgeluisfernandez2560 totally understand this aspect :) I'm a big fan of limited versions too ))) FiiO had M11 Plus in stainless steel, but I've mised it

[@quochungtran3242]

Great review, but could you show me how "disable after inactivity" of tocuh panel works. Last time in previous firmware, I remember that it will display a very big ugly prompt message telling that you have to double tap to unlcok. It is still remain? or Fiio has fixed it. A pic or short video is much appriciated. Many thanks.

[@PortaFi]

it has two buttons, and pressing "Ignore" makes it doesn't appear more

[@ferryjunigwanmurdiansyah4307]

Hi man, can you share a bit how to choose gain on m11 plus? When to choose high/medium/low? If we choose incorrectly, would it damage our iem? Thanks

[@PortaFi]

Hello, in vast majority of situation I just use low. If with some headphones 75% of volume isn't enough - I'm trying next level of gain Most probably choosing high gain won't damage your earphones, but it's better to avoid such experiments and I recommend starting with a lowest one

[@ferryjunigwanmurdiansyah4307]

@@PortaFi thanks so much

[@robertinoau]

Thank you so for detailed review, keep up the great job. Ok so the Dx300 is right now out of my price range, so it’s a two horse race between this and the Hiby R6 2020. I have watched your review of the Hiby and honestly I cant decide between them. I think I like my music on the warmer side, which one would you recommend ? Alternatively should I just wait longer and get the DX300 ?

[@PortaFi]

well… to make things even more complicated, iBasso announced DX240, it's like DX220, but with newer chipset and audio part. logic says that price will be lower than DX300… anyway, unfortunately, it's a decision that I can't make for you. I've already told that for me DX300 costs extra, but it's subjective, so you need to decide what suits YOU more

[@ferryjunigwanmurdiansyah4307]

Hi, what do you think the best scenario if you want to drive headphones with >300 ohms or higher with the m11 plus?

[@PortaFi]

plug them to balanced out and select highest gain but to be honest, IMO such models are created to use with a desktop devices

[@BopWalk]

They need to hurry up and release the Fiio M17, it's been too long already. Then I will see if I will sell my DX300 or forget the M17 a d keep the DX300.

[@PortaFi]

I don't think that it could be too late to release another DAP as long as DAP is good

[@danthemanwhocancan]

Don't forget the DX300 Max

[@danthemanwhocancan]

@@PortaFi That would be great! I have m11 pro with fh7. I had the Dx300 the week it came out. Kept it for 2 months and sold it on. It was better than the m11 pro but not massively better. I've been following the HeadFi Dx300 thread and the new amps have now made the Dx300 that extra level better I was looking for.... m17 and Dx300 max are the ones I'm interested in but then will have to get UM Mest mkii and will have to sell my children for science experiments...

[@pinoylanggaming9449]

@@danthemanwhocancan im confused. Dx300 max? Do you know timeline when its coming out? Im in market getting my first dap. Been reading dx300, so far i am liking the reviews. Should i hold until dx300 max? My set up right now, fiio q3/iPhone 10max/iem. Bgvp ns9.

[@danthemanwhocancan]

@@pinoylanggaming9449 they are on preorder at main ibasso stockists now. It is a very limited run. It is £2000 about $2200. There are no reviews yet but from the buzz (Google it) it look like one for me in the future on the second hand market...

[@candidobm]

Brilliant review. What do you like more (sound and build quality): this or Shanling M6 (21)?

[@PortaFi]

I like both, as they really compliments each other. Probably if I'd be forced to chose one, I'd prefer FiiO, but more because I've used to their UX (and sound a little bit too). So, I really recommend you to think what signature you'd like to achieve. And on your non-sonic preferences too. For example, Shanling has better work time, while FiiO has more modern Android

[@johnmc3862]

The line out to an amp is excellent quality I thought.

[@autoexec5367]

does it byoass the THX amp internally?

[@pinoylanggaming9449]

Good and thanks for the review. I am new (just started this year) and hooked on this audiophile thing. Recently and currently using only Fiio Q3, BGVP NS9 and PC. I streamed Amazon HD and iTunes. I mostly listen to Jazz/Classicals/Vocals when I am relaxing or critical listening. My question is would this M11 be upgrade compare to my current set up? or should I just change some of my input/output devices.

[@PortaFi]

hello, to answer this question you need to decide, what usage scenarios you want to cover if you're going to listen everything with a PC as a transport, then it's better to invest to better DAC/earphones but if you want to listen to music on the go, player will be a reasonable choice

[@pinoylanggaming9449]

@@PortaFi ty !

[@blokkka9inety293]

Are you keeping the most products after u reviewed them Paul?

[@PortaFi]

yep

[@kennethnie5051]

Hi, I was also thinking to get a DAP, will you recommend me one ? I was thinking among shangling M6 pro, Dx300 and Fiio M11plus LTD. I use Apple Music more in my daily life, I’m not a serious person but I just want a relax n long listening time so which one you recommend? Thank you

[@kennethnie5051]

I’m trying to use on my Dunu SA6 and BGVP NE5

[@PortaFi]

hello, unfortunately, it's a decision that you have to make yourself, as the main question here is what signature you prefer? :) also, I'm not sure if Apple Music works on Shanling, it has Android 7, and as far as I remember, it's not enough for Apple Music. And I'm not sure about DX300 actually too )))

[@kennethnie5051]

@@PortaFi ok got it thank you for replying me

[@daliborpuhar7322]

@@PortaFi referring to Apple Music and limitations of Android (16/48 kHz), does m11 plus ltd support Apple Music hi-res audio natively up to 24/192 kHz? Or is it limited to 16/48? Thanks.

[@PortaFi]

@@daliborpuhar7322 sorry, I don't know the answer here, it's better to ask FiiO's support

[@piyusho1]

How is M11+ against n6ii (t01) sound quality wise and ux wise?

[@PortaFi]

M11+ is more neutral in terms of sound, and noticeably faster in UI (and has a fresher Android)

[@ferryjunigwanmurdiansyah4307]

Sorry im new to this, so for example if i have bluetooth audio devices, it can connect wirelessly? How is the sound as compared when you connect it with wire?

[@PortaFi]

worse. Bluetooth use lossy codecs, so sound quality by cable is better

[@ferryjunigwanmurdiansyah4307]

@@PortaFi thanks, reason i ask is that, right now i only have Audeze penrose (it has bluetooth and wire) and im thinking to buy Moondrop Variations. Just to make sure it can work with my Penrose while i still making my saving for Variations. Thanks

[@PortaFi]

@@ferryjunigwanmurdiansyah4307 it will work with any standard bluetooth earphones (or headphones) :)

[@ferryjunigwanmurdiansyah4307]

@@PortaFi thank you. Subbed

[@tomascesnauskas3689]

My music collection is itunes 256 kbps or the sound quality wouldn't be bad through this music player?

[@PortaFi]

probably compression will be a limiting factor here, unfortunately

[@hemanthsonu4]

How about battery replacement for fiio dap?? Can they be replaced after few years down the line?

[@PortaFi]

probably yes, same as in modern smartphones but it's just my guess

[@KrazyDoctor]

How do you take the cover off?

[@PortaFi]

flip opens in the lower part

[@taranagnew436]

can you plug a antenna into the port, receive radio and play it via BT?

[@PortaFi]

no

[@gustavomendoza1487]

I hope that you could help me with these, I'm between this one, R6 2020 and DX300?

[@PortaFi]

if you can pay extra, DX300 is a better choice

[@harrysamuel8990]

Fiio m11 plus or Hiby R6 2020 ?

[@PortaFi]

both are good, so it's a matter of your preference in sound

[@afistfulofpimples1745]

Hiby 2020 has poorly optimized volume knob implementation . M11 plus has very well optimized volume control.

[@daliborpuhar7322]

Can M11 Plus output hi-res audio (24/192) natively with apps such as Apple Music or Tidal? I am asking because M11 Plus is an Android device and usually Android is limited to 16/48 kHz output.

[@PortaFi]

I don't know about Apple Music, but Tidal has only 44/16. Higher resolution in Tidal is only achievable via MQA

[@daishi4120]

@@PortaFi I can confirm that it will play 24/192 through Apple Music (the Hotel California album is 24/192, for example, and turning on the bitrate status icon in the M11 settings will display 192 as expected). Not sure about Tidal though.

[@PortaFi]

@@daishi4120 thank you so much for a valuable info!

[@dragomirpetrov6469]

Any comment on this player vs astell and kern kann max?

[@PortaFi]

A&K is more monitoring, while M11 Plus is more lively due to slightly highligted dynamics

[@abuanwp]

Thanks for the review,, The product looks cool until you see the holes. I'm waiting for it to be available in local stores then decide if I'll but it as backup to my zx507.

[@PortaFi]

thank you for a feedback

[@Destinied]

Hi! @Porta.Fi, congrats for such a review. I am currently using shanling m0 with SoundMagic e80, what do I have to expect in terms of sound quality If I upgrade to this player?. Is it going to be a very noticeable difference?

[@PortaFi]

hello, sure, difference will be a pretty big, but it's better to upgrade earphones too, to unveil DAC's full potential

[@Destinied]

@@PortaFi Thank you for your feedback, I am thinking about Fiio FA7 in case of earphones upgrade, are they a worthy upgrade?.

[@PortaFi]

@@Destinied FA7 is a specific earphones, if you like a warm signature with additional weight on mids, you'll like them. Otherwise, it's better to consider something more neutral

[@Destinied]

@@PortaFi can you please recommend me neutral earphones at the same price range as FA7?

[@PortaFi]

@@Destinied actually, there are plenty of them, for example, Dunu's DK-2001, or something like LZ A7 or Anew X-One if your prefer a more natural signature

[@taranagnew436]

can you transmit (to headset) and receive (mobile device) at the same time?

[@taranagnew436]

what is spif and what does it do?

[@PortaFi]

no, it can't, but what the sense of using player as in-the-middle device? it won't add anything to the sound in this scenario

[@PortaFi]

it's an interface to transmit digital audio

[@mcmcx5514]

How does this compare to M15 in SQ and UI speed?

[@PortaFi]

in terms of SQ they have a different signature with M15 being more weighty and more impactful, and M11+ closer to neutrality in terms of UI speed M11+ is a clean winner

[@chichaphile4943]

😻

[@SkyPianoHeart]

what about comparison with r6 2020?

[@PortaFi]

it's in the comparison part at the end of video. in short, R6-2020 is more neutral and more focused on microcontrast

[@17shakil]

My car has usb input how can I use this with my car ?

[@PortaFi]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with car audio, so I don't know what modes of USB are used by car audio and can't advice anything useful here

[@uttamkumardutta529]

What is the price?

[@PortaFi]

$850 if I remember right, but I'm not certain

[@Powergeek2011]

M11 plus or DX300 ?

[@PortaFi]

it's in comparison part, but in short - DX300 is better sonically

[@beemmusic]

@@PortaFi Would you say this depends on what music genres you listen to? Or is it better on anything? Some say the M11 plus is a bit more relaxed. Thanks!

[@PortaFi]

@@beemmusic no, it doesn't depend on music genres, it's more a matter of subjective taste. M11 Plus is indeed bit less analytical and monitoring, so some can prefer it. But "in general", DX300 is slightly more "technical", and usually that is considered as "better" :)

[@ab-jv2ve]

Is it possible to surf the web using google aplication ?

[@PortaFi]

you can surf the web in Chrome. But not sure what google application you mean

[@marasalas6656]

Please...gift me!!! I don't have $, but I like it....please!

[@PortaFi]

sorry, I don't gift them