Fiio M3 Pro Portable Music Player Review

[@juanblanco7898]

Hello! Thank you for this review, it's a great one, actually. The into is unexpectedly satisfying and it's a pleasure to watch overall! I'd like to see more content from you Could you, by any chance, report on how this thing performs as a digital transport? Are there any differences in sound/audio related performance compared to a smartphone in this use case? I have found out that active background processes (running apps and system services) on my phone have an impact (subjectively negative, i.e. "darker" sound, lesser perceived channel separation) on sound when I'm using it as a transport with BTR5 in both wired (via UAPP, Neutron MP) and wireless modes, even with 16/44,1 files without any additional resampling and DSP. Same goes for my PC. This leads me to believe that processing power available matters in handling of audio files/digital signal. With this point in mind, I'm concerned about M3 Pro's apparent hardware limitations. I need a dedicated mobile digital transport device, but my budget is very limited, so the only viable options for me are budget low-performance DAPs like this one or the ShanLing Q1, or a budget smartphone like, say, Redmi Note 8 Pro. I'd like to go with the latter to be sure, but in my current financial situation I'll have to save up for it for a few months at least. Sadly, this issue seems to be pretty obscure to say the least, and it's very hard to find any information on this topic.

[@goodnightmoon]

the best thing about this player is the battery life and especially standby time

[@zombie_music4life]

Sir which dap u recommend me as my first ? My budget is till 500 usd

[@koolstup]

Great review 👍🏽 Does this player have a line out feature out of the 3.5mm jack, I'd like to use this with an aux in, in my car?

[@samma3afans]

It does have a lineout option, but this is probably not a true lineout in the sense of taking the signal directly from the DAC... It's more likely just a "shortcut" to setting volume to maximum.

[@-.-1724]

Nice review! How‘s this compared to a M6 or M7? I could get an M7 for the same price as the M6 (130€), which is just 35€ more than the M3 pro. I hear some people saying the M6 sounds better than the M7, but they use the same DAC and I don‘t need wifi and the short battery life of the M6 turns me off...

[@crossroadD2518]

Have you tried shanling q1

[@breandanminogue9946]

This player vs Fiio M7? I can get the M7 for the same price at the moment? Any suggestion?

[@elbonja]

Where do we draw the line between smartphones and DAPs in terms of sound quality? Can you tell me a list of devices under $400 were the sound quality is significantly(not slightly) better than smartphones? I can't make up my mind between the iBasso DX120 and the Cowon Plenue D2.

[@samma3afans]

Personally, I'd just get something like the E1DA 9038s G3 and connect it to a smartphone. It sounds as great as anything else I've heard but you MUST use a balanced cable with your headphone with this device (no 3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter allowed)

[@elbonja]

@@samma3afans That's really not an option for me, I rather use a dedicated device. My smartphone is only for phonecalls and a bit more.

[@elbonja]

@@samma3afans I can't get anything over 300, and I came to realize it'll be absolutely ridiculous to purchase a DAP just to find out it sounds "slightly" better than a smartphone. I've had some recommendations: Fiio M7, Hiby R3PRO, Shanling M2X, Cowon Plenue D2, iBasso DX120... Can't help but wonder if they really sound detailed, clean with more pronounced instrumentation compared to smartphones. After all my research I came up with 2 option. DX120 Plenue D2

[@ДенисСергеев-щ3о]

Zishan z3 or m3 pro ???

[@mobilepsycho]

Hi well done. Will it play AAC files (iTunes)? Thank you.

[@voidstellar5770]

Yes

[@theblackknight870]

I don't see bluetooth not being there as a problem, you can just get a bluetooth adapter if you want the convenience of bluetooth. Probably won't sound as good though. Im buying this thing tomorrow. I don't currentoy have a good set of bluetooth headphones/earbuds anyways, but I want to get the Samsung galaxy buds pro soon. Would probably go nicely with this if I did have a bluetooth adapter.

[@J276]

The pro looks more like a mini smartphone.

[@yaqubshaikh6161]

Which do you think is better: The FiiO m3 pro, FiiO m6, or the Shanling q1? (mainly in terms of SQ, battery, UI ease of use, and just generally overall)

[@samma3afans]

Pretty much impossible to answer, really. The difference in sound quality is nowhere near as big as the difference in features, functionality, and size. In fact, I wouldn't consider sound quality a deciding factor at all. They all have similar power ratings. The Q1 perhaps more compact, but the M6 and M3 Pro are easier to use in terms of navigating the UI. The UI on the M6 is slower. M3 Pro doesn't have BT, and only the M6 allows you to install other apps and access streaming services. Overall the M6 is probably the best bang-for-buck given how compact and feature rich it is... But there are instances where either of the other 2 devices would suit you better. In the end it comes down entirely to what your needs are.

[@yaqubshaikh6161]

@@samma3afans Appreciate the fast response. The UI on the M6, how bad is it in terms of it's speed? And I've heard that the WiFi capabilities of the m6 is really slow, and that it *really* drains battery. Also, I've heard the usability of the apps that're supported on the m6 really suck. Is all of this true? And if that's the case, would u still recommend the m6 vs the rest overall?

[@samma3afans]

It's important to keep in mind that the entire purpose of the M6 was to offer people a super-compact Android-based device and at a very affordable price. So with that came a couple of compromises such as a low-power CPU and just OK WiFi performance. If you only had those 3 devices to pick from, I'd personally go for the M6 just because it gives me the most options But if possible I'd say it's better to stretch your budget to something more capable.

[@kelany10]

Great Review Samma03. What am asking myself is how do Fiio manage to get the hi res certification for almost all their players even when the sound quality is not particularly great? It make me question this misleading marketing certification

[@samma3afans]

It's nothing special, really as the requirements for the certification aren't all that difficult to get.

[@MrBenEye]

@@samma3afans Other than playing lossless, wav, this dap also plays DSD & DSF...a great entry level dap that you can insert up to 2 TB micro sd card!

[@yc844]

Please give me some advice! Which one is better, sony nw-a55 or fiio m3 pro? I am considering buying one of them!

[@samma3afans]

If you want to use an external DAC, the FiiO would be better. For everything else, sound quality, Bluetooth connectivity, battery life, etc, the Sony wins.

[@manuelmorales9841]

I have the Fiio M3 pro and I want to think about buying a high impedance open over ear, do you recommend an amplifier or go for a new one.

[@goodnightmoon]

high impedance headphones such as?

[@manuelmorales9841]

@@goodnightmoon HD 658 sennheiser

[@krayozmines]

Portable dac/Amplifier . U can connect it to m3 pro via usb

[@exitustutoriales6169]

@@krayozmines Thank you

[@oriomenoni7651]

How do you load CDs into this unit? Is there a dedicated PC software? Could you please describe the procedure?

[@LloydZyanRUy]

RIP your CDs then copy the files from the pc to the m3 pro

[@goodnightmoon]

can you review the new cheap dap xduoo x2s?

[@nantericable]

Fonction Gapless ? Fonction Hold ?

[@RobertoBlatt]

Is it possible to install tidal or spotify it?

[@suteishia4710]

This or Hiby R2?

[@prabhuja7554]

U take with Osmo pocket and muvi app great..thought a 5D or bigger ones

[@zach0gr]

Bad the video t doesn't support subtitles Doez it show id3 tags?

[@crossroadD2518]

How big is the difference in sound from a smartphone to a dap

[@samma3afans]

Oh there are just way too many factors to consider. Some smartphones (like the LG V-series) are great, whereas other DAPs like FiiO's M15 can drive some really power-hungry headphones. Generally DAPs tend to be better than the majority of phones though.

[@crossroadD2518]

@@samma3afans thanks for your reply, Do we notice the difference very quickly.

[@Kawartha65]

I’ve got the M3 pro and I do notice the difference compared to my iPhone 7. Seems to be greater detail, larger sound stage and greater power. I am also enjoying having my music separate off my phone more than I thought I would. If you’re an audiophile and you purchase something like this.... you just enjoy your music more and aren’t as apt to be sidetracked doing something on the phone. Suddenly I am re-listening to albums I had on the phone at a lower bit rate.... and put them at a higher bit rate on this device and enjoy them all over again as if for the first time. I will say menu can be a little glitchy from time to time but you get used to it. All in all really enjoying the device .... especially it’s small real estate in my pocket.

[@alvarovillarreal1284]

I want to know if fii mp3 has random or shuffle option? Thanks

[@samma3afans]

Yup, it does do shuffle.

[@daughterofthesea8805]

People please help me, this might be the most basic thing I could ask about this device but I'm having a horrible time trying to actually put music on it. I keep hearing I can do it through youtube premium but I have that and it's not helping at all. Please can someone give me step-by-step instructions for putting music on this darn thing in layman's terms.

[@Lebyy]

anyone know where to buy this now?

[@ulsantos8]

Fiio m3 pro vs xduoo 3ii which is the best in your opinion?

[@megamind8359]

Fiio m3 is better in everyway !

[@walterzannoni]

Does work it in OTG con iphone?

[@erinhymaadams8770]

Does Fiio m3 pro have cases available?

[@goodnightmoon]

sadly, no

[@zell863]

Have one. Never worked for one second. Can not read the card. When connected to the car's audio head unit it froze. Worst pos electronic I ever had.

[@simonbcity]

Is it android based and can you get Spotify on it ? Thanks

[@goodnightmoon]

don't have spotify

[@EtreGenerique]

Why fiio made a so bad tactile interface ?! I guess if this dap shouldn’t be a revolution with smooth tactile.

[@maruf.ahmed6432]

is it worth to upgrade from m3k?

[@samma3afans]

Personally I much prefer the larger screen and touch interface, so I'd definitely say it's a worthy upgrade over the m3k

[@cupcakeobsession]

"Hit that dislike button twice" bruh 😂

[@maryhinge128]

i hit the dislike button twice

[@ziggybartdust1298]

Doesn't Bluetooth completely go against the reason to get this kind of device

[@krayozmines]

Not necessarily