FiiO M11S DAP Review - A Different Sounding FiiO

Get the FiiO M11S: bit.ly/3Se95n6
Get the FiiO M17 (their best yet): bit.ly/3CkWTMv
Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:36 - Design & Build
01:33 - Display
02:08 - Ergonomics
02:40 - Tech Inside M11S
04:44 - Sound Impressions
07:10 - Noise Floor
07:57 - Power Output
09:41 - Soundstage & Imaging
11:30 - Transient Response
12:55 - Detail Retrieval
14:03 - Bass
14:56 - Midrange
15:37 - Treble
16:11 - My Conclusions
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Desktop headphones I’m using:
🎧 Hifiman Susvara: bit.ly/3a39pm2
🎧 Hifiman HE1000SE: bit.ly/3gwkXRW
🎧 Hifiman Arya Stealth: bit.ly/3HORBss
🎧 Audeze LCD-5: bit.ly/3nb5KbD
🎧 Audeze LCD-4: bit.ly/35LFYAK
🎧 Kennerton Rognir: bit.ly/3zD1IxT
🎧 Meze Elite: bit.ly/3RPojys
🎧 Erzetich Phobos V2021: bit.ly/3HMWBhf
🎧 Sennheiser HD800S: amzn.to/3T5FX2J
🎧 Sendy Peacock: bit.ly/3EyZxQf
🎧 Apos Caspian: bit.ly/3nab1QO
Wireless headphones I’m using:
🎧 Sennheiser Momentum 4: amzn.to/3CodrCc
🎧 Sony WH1000XM5: amzn.to/3RUfQKu
🎧 Apple AirPods Max: amzn.to/3rGHQqr
IEMs I’m using:
👂 7Hz Timeless: bit.ly/3q7RNgm
👂 Meze Rai Penta: bit.ly/3j2EhVa
👂 FiiO FH9: bit.ly/3zSWka5
👂 FiiO FH7S: bit.ly/3fYOgi9
👂 FiiO FD7: bit.ly/3nEqw4h
Loudspeakers I’m using:
🔊 KEF Reference 3: amzn.to/3qZKbMm
🔊 Natural Sound NS17: bit.ly/2TuUXx3
🔊 Sound Of Eden Crescendo UNO: bit.ly/3f5jO1X
Integrated/Power Amps I’m using:
💪 Chord Electronics Ultima 5: amzn.to/3CLWVxi
💪 Burson Timekeeper 3X GT: amzn.to/3Ext5hm
💪 Benchmark AHB2: amzn.to/37jcR9M
💪 Topping LA90: bit.ly/3SPThbj
Best DACs I tried so far (in no particular order):
🥇 Gustard R26 Discrete: bit.ly/3TemlZP
🥇 Gustard X26 PRO: bit.ly/2ORB7Ko
🥇 Chord Electronics DAVE: amzn.to/3Tbs2aY
🥇 Denafrips Terminator Plus: bit.ly/3rLr35m
🥇 Rockna Wavelight: bit.ly/3hD33xl
🥇 Audiobyte HydraVox: bit.ly/2VXJjZM
🥇 Musician Aquarius: bit.ly/2U9qwwT
🥇 Matrix Audio Element X2: bit.ly/3Eryerb
🥇 Matrix Audio X-Sabre 3: bit.ly/34oBFyG
🥇 SMSL VMV D2: bit.ly/3q9lIF7
Best Mid-Fi DACs:
🥈 Gustard X18: bit.ly/3CMcJ2W
🥈 Gold Note DS-10 Plus: bit.ly/3f7pYie
🥈 Topping D90SE: bit.ly/3gC5FcO
🥈 Musician Pegasus: bit.ly/2OvCOgn
🥈 Matrix Mini-i Pro 3: bit.ly/3t97FkN
🥈 SMSL SU-10: bit.ly/3Eq9jEm
🥈 SMSL VMV D1SE: bit.ly/3nbaTjT
🥈 SMSL M500 MKIII: bit.ly/3yvztl8
🥈 Soncoz SGD1: bit.ly/36IUQ5r
Best Entry-Level DACs:
🥉 Gustard X16: bit.ly/3SQr6ZL
🥉 Topping D30 PRO: bit.ly/3taPWcE
🥉 Topping E50: bit.ly/3q9e6CE
🥉 Topping D10S: bit.ly/3r1hWNh
🥉 SMSL DO200 MKII: bit.ly/3elkZO4
🥉 SMSL SU-9N: bit.ly/32U7qj3
🥉 Soncoz LA-QXD1: bit.ly/3gf8ONt
Best DAC + Headphone Amp combos:
🎶 Burson Conductor 3X GT: amzn.to/2xcfSKx
🎶 FiiO K9 PRO: bit.ly/3ejKRd3
🎶 Topping DX7 PRO+: bit.ly/3rH6siH
🎶 xDuoo XA-10: bit.ly/39UsS7K
Best Headphone amps:
💣Trafomatic Primavera: bit.ly/3Co8wAZ
💣Trafomatic Head2: bit.ly/3VdNrC1
💣Enleum AMP-23R: bit.ly/3CV2QQN
💣Ferrum OOR + Hypsos: bit.ly/3tbjNSn
💣Burson Soloist 3X GT: bit.ly/3q7nrus
💣Flux Lab Acoustics Volot: bit.ly/3fJegep
💣Benchmark HPA4: bit.ly/2xb6hn5
💣Sparkos Labs Aries: bit.ly/2xcOps1
💣SMSL SP400: bit.ly/3sAUEO2
💣Topping A90 Discrete: bit.ly/2YBwCnZ
💣Singxer SA-1: bit.ly/3eI6aCC
Best USB Dongles & Bluetooth DAC/Amps & Portable DAC/Amps:
📱 Chord Mojo2: amzn.to/3fWXYkM
📱 FiiO BTR7: bit.ly/3fJUhij
📱 Shanling UA5: bit.ly/3yuksQR
📱 xDuoo Poke II: bit.ly/3CIewWO
📱 Topping G5: bit.ly/3Evjs2p
Best DAPs:
🎵 FiiO M17: bit.ly/34pgo84
🎵 FiiO M11 Plus: bit.ly/3Ew0l8K
🎵 Shanling M9: bit.ly/3r4swDh
🎵 Shanling M7: bit.ly/3I9rldH
🎵 Shanling M6 Ultra: bit.ly/3RXGsKQ
🎵 Hiby RS6: bit.ly/3t9mUKw
🎵 Hiby RS5 MKII: bit.ly/3KSqiyE
🎵 Hiby RS2: bit.ly/3EgakPb
My Video/Photo Gear:
📷 / 🎥 (1): amzn.to/2ToU9de
📷 / 🎥 (2): amzn.to/3rKsQI2
🔍 (1) amzn.to/3eTCsZp
🔍 (2) amzn.to/2UTAG4R
🔍 (3) amzn.to/2yPR6A5
🔭 amzn.to/2zAuGn1
💡 amzn.to/2VEDC3l
☂️ amzn.to/2VETyT6
🎤 (1) amzn.to/3yeeS2h
🎤 (2) amzn.to/3aLjYXv
These are my honest opinions in different categories. Some of them are affiliated links that help me manage this KZbin channel at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
#fiio #m11s #DAP

[@mrben1183]

A great, thorough and informative review. Many thanks!

[@asan1050]

Thank you for the recommendations!

[@sudipchatterjee]

Excellent review! Thanks, mate! 🙌

[@sevensoulcostanza]

I was thinking of picking this up and it’s reassuring that it has a low noise floor for sensitive IEMs. Right up my alley.

[@vukasmarko]

Good job with the review. Well spoken and detailed comparison. Does the M11S have a FM radio? Am using it more and more on my M7 since the quality is outstanding when compared to the car radio in my Passat.

[@ActualFish]

Wow! I'm just so impressed of your knowledge and the quality of this review. One of the best i've seen in years browsing youtube. I'm all new to audiophile stuff as a whole, but i've become really interested in it lately, so will definetly keep watching your videos.

[@Soundnews]

Thanks mate! More stuff is being posted weekly ;)

[@victorhugoreyesjuarez600]

Great review!

[@sylvainbel]

Merci pour ton vidéo très détaillé 👍

[@Soundnews]

Avec plaisir ;)

[@anncleverley4721]

Just subscribed to your channel and what a very informative review you gave. Please can you help me decide. I am thinking of buying either FIIO M11S or FIIO M11 PLUS or the Shanling MX3 Ultra. Which would you go for. I have the Focal Bathys (bluetooth) which is amazing at the moment with my Iphone but I want a dedicated player. Thanks again

[@altarance]

I’m about to choose a dap, hesitating in between shandling m3 ultra, fiio m11s and fiio m11 plus ii I own a meze 99 classics. I’m looking for a nice balance into nice soundstage, analatycal sound and nice organicity. Which one fo i have to choose? Thanks a lot for your great and serious work.

[@Flavius7]

There are only a few companies that can still justify investing in a higher end DAP, and amongst those Fiio is definitely on top. If you think about Fiio then portable DAP or Bluetooth receiver is the thing that pops in your mind. Looks like a good option, hope it will do fine, WE STILL NEED good DAPs , no matter what some people might think.

[@peterscrace3530]

In the last 18 or so months FiiO have been making some killer IEM's too, FD7, FH9,FH7S etc.

[@Soundnews]

I wish they would discard THX modules and go their own path (like many others did).

[@Flavius7]

@@Soundnews I'm sure they will, after all their best sounding DAP (still M15 in my opinion) is THX free.

[@Itsuro]

Fiio m11s v/s shanling m3 ultra which one is the better choice for travelling?

[@teet0n]

Will going with the 11s be a big upgrade from my fiio BTR5 usb dac?

[@mcnaugha]

I would love to hear what you think of the comparison between listening to IEMs on balanced cable with the same IEMs on FiiO UTWS5 via the LHDC codec available on this player. Not many people do this in reviews. I’m really curious to hear what differences you’d pick out.

[@Soundnews]

Would gladly do that. UTWS5 needs to be connected to M11S or to my smartphone?

[@mcnaugha]

@@Soundnews The M11S. It’s first DAP from FiiO in some time to support LHDC. They added LHDC to UWTS5 in last firmware update.

[@leonardopapantoniou4227]

@@mcnaugha indeed? How can I get the update?

[@johnsoriano3812]

very cool

[@Leysner77]

I wanna buy me 1 fiio for mij car ..and myabe i wanna use it analog ,what is the best choice the fiio m11plus ess ,fiio 11plus ess or the fiio m11 pro?

[@BrianVallotton]

Thank you for this thorough review. I am still wavering on whether to buy a DAP or just stick with my iPhone and Qudelix 5K

[@JWdA]

M11 S is not worth the upgrade !

[@BrianVallotton]

@@JWdA Thanks for the input. I am driving myself crazy trying to get the extra X percent… the quest never ends… or does it? 😀

[@Soundnews]

Depends on the load and on its quality. What IEMs/headphones are you driving?

[@BrianVallotton]

@@Soundnews Hello and thanks for your reply… I have a pair of Sennheiser 58X and also a pair of Hifiman Amanda’s.

[@Ceif3iro]

boa tarde, você tem uma revisão do M11 PLUS ESS? boa tarde, você tem uma revisão do M11 PLUS ESS? good afternoon, do you have a review of the M11 PLUS ESS?

[@sandhyarani8720]

In term of sound performance only which one is better sounding... Hiby r5 gen2 or fiio m11s....?

[@Soundnews]

Sound Performance is such a personal thing and it so broad as well (see how many chapters I have in my videos). Subjectively speaking, I liked R5 MKII a little bit more, mostly thanks to its discrete amp stage (bipolar transistors) that can work in Class-A.

[@Audioupgrade220]

como conecto ele pra ouvir musica em um amplificador com caixas acusticas grandes ?

[@emilianpredescu3477]

Glad they stopped using THX, that was boring, even if transparent and detailed. I have high hopes with this one since I am looking for a mobile unit to replace my Fiio M9 . Hope this one sounds better. Thanks, Sandu, I was waiting for this.

[@peaceandquiet]

Hello, did you buy M11S? If yes, how is the sound quality?

[@AMG-BENZ-1]

How many hours of playback/burn-in do you run on any DAP before making a sound review?

[@alwayza9er]

I have seen a lot of issues with the battery swelling and causing issues with Fiios, and difficulty getting them repaired/customer service. How prevalent is this through the Fiio ranges? Why?

[@RetapitarecanapeleRoTapiter]

My M11 battery was about to explode after 2 years but it was my fault I kept the player all the time plug in my computer usb. It is easy to replace the battery you can buy a new one from Aliexpres. I personally replace the original battery with a Lenovo phone one, exact the same size and capacity. And the M11 is working perfectly fine since then.

[@peaceandquiet]

@@RetapitarecanapeleRoTapiter Hello, if I may ask, how is the sound quality? I will buy one soon, but I am worried, does it sound like any new smartphone or better?

[@michaelvicano4938]

Can this M11s DAP be used in car audio? ie. would connecting via Aux in produce better sound quality in your car stero than streaming from an iphone via USB?

[@joegarcia6276]

Yes way better i use it in my car

[@marchaberberger4464]

Is this something for over ears? Or would you recommend something else?

[@MoistCrouton]

I have used it for iems and over ears (60 ohm impedance) both over non balanced. The iems are comfortably driven at about 1/3 volume, and the over ears at around 1/2 volume. Obviously balanced output would be even better

[@Soundnews]

For anything really, including a few desktop headphones.

[@wengezhu1]

Compared to DX170, or RS2, which one you like more?

[@Soundnews]

If you want a flagship below $1K, please check my latest Shanling M6 Ultra review.

[@leonardopapantoniou4227]

@@Soundnews could you compare this M11s to Shanling m3x? I have M3x, what do you think of upgrading it with this M11s or Rs2? For me one problem of Shanling app is that is not gapless

[@suntanglory]

@@leonardopapantoniou4227 l have shanling m3x, you can use power amp, neutron or USB audio Pro, you don't have to use the shanling app.

[@leonardopapantoniou4227]

@@suntanglory no, you don’t but with prime mode Shanling app sounds a bit better. That ‘s why I think it is a shame that does not support gapless

[@leonardopapantoniou4227]

@@Soundnews well, if it seems useful the Spanish speaking channel VIVIR DIGITAL had compared shanling M6 2021, Hidisz Ap80 pro X, Hiby R2S (the new R2R dap) and Tempotec V6 including SOUND DEMO samples which seems very unique in dap reviews and it seems quite clear to me that Shanling M6 2021 is the best of the four

[@Strravigor]

Thanks a lot .how is it colpare to m11 about sound quality and stage ? Is there a réal gap ?

[@Soundnews]

If you mean the original M11, then there isn't a huge difference. M11S is mainly faster and thumpier sounding, with a mild improvement in detail retrieval.

[@Strravigor]

@@Soundnews ok , thank you , I keep my m11 with his 2 sd card ( 2 teras of music in high resolution ) that s great

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

yes roxanne is a very solid ciem hard to beat by anything

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

except their own higher ends

[@yanava]

I'm sorry but you said it does not use desktop class components when in fact almost all chips used in the audio section are desktop class. Care to elaborate? Also you said it's higher resolution because of ESS chips but not as much as the higher end models. They all have 32 bit output. Actually the modulator inside the M17 dac and the M11S are exactly the same. The stream processors work at the same amount of bits.

[@jacegreen3696]

This or the Shanling M3 Ultra? I mostly listen to electronic, house/trance/progressive, dub, reggae and very few instrumental bands. I already have a few Fiio products, FHE Eclipse IEMs, K7 DAC, Fiio UTWS5. Other IEMs I use are S12 pro and Zetian Wu Heyday also using the iFi GoBlu as a dongle DAC. I prefer the form factor of the M3U and all reviews I've seen so far say that it's a warmer sound signature than the Fiio which I prefer. Another thing is Shanling support seems crap, their website won't even open for me to download updates. Would appreciate your input to make the decision easier, thanks.

[@pierrefornallaz364]

I have the FiiO R7 which contain the DAP M11s. I also have the Shanling M3X and to me the FiiO is by far superior in term of sound quality.

[@masterazlan6999]

I hates ess..dun come in akm?

[@MobileDecay]

I bought the HiBy R5 Gen 2. F. 😔

[@Baxwar2092]

I've heard the m11 plus has way better standby time then the m11s..

[@joseavilasg]

Hello. Do you think I could use this as a smarthphone? I don't care about sim card, just navigate on the internet, watch videos on youtube and social media.

[@Soundnews]

Hey, you can do that easily on M11S

[@joseavilasg]

@@Soundnews Thank you so much.

[@peterscrace3530]

FiiO already stated that they had no future plans to replace their low end line up of DAP's as there simply was no profit margin and the fact by their own admission that the sound quality from a dongle plus a phone is just as good if not better than a low end DAP.

[@kristwi37]

I can tell you even flag ship phones from any brand sound worse than FiiO M6 and the difference is more than you’d think. I don’t know what you talk about… Wired or over Bluetooth M6 is way better than SamsungS22 or iPhone 13pro, from my experience. More detail more natural more power.

[@peterscrace3530]

@@kristwi37 If you had read properly what I said about using a phone with a dongle. I'm simply repeating what FiiO themselves have stated on the Headfi forums a couple of years ago, that's why there has not been and won't be a replacement for your M6 etc. I own a FiiO BTR7 and I can assure you the sound from this bluetooth dongle with its THX AAA-28 amp modules and the using LDAC codec with my S21 Ultra as the source is far superior than the sound from the FiiO M6.

[@Soundnews]

Yep, that's a fact.

[@leonardopapantoniou4227]

@@peterscrace3530 I agree. I had M6 and felt it little involving. Did you listened to btr5?

[@peterscrace3530]

@@leonardopapantoniou4227 Yeah I had a BTR 5 and loved it. But honestly the BTR 7 is superior in every way sonically.

[@ggdfggdfgdffgfddg34]

+

[@Vidar.m]

I like sonys mp3 players. I dont need streaming

[@_Pretender]

Я всё ещё использую Fiio x5iii...