The DAP market has become saturated in recent years. Recently we've seen everything from affordable entry-level DAPs to tube players. As each brand tries to outperform the competitive market, better features and price-performance ratios continue to appear. One of the strongest competitors in this market, Fiio, is aiming for the latter. With entry-level to high-end players in their range, they have a lot of experience in creating fantastic audio devices. And that's where their new M23 comes into play. Priced at $799, the M23 offers high-end performance at a mid-fidelity price. But does its performance live up to expectations? Let's find out.
What is in the box?
- M23
- Screen protective film (pre-installed)
- Protective case (for dark blue version)
- Leather case (for silver version)
- USB-A male to Type C female adapter
- tray eject pin
- GPL V2 Manual
- Warranty card
- Type C to Type C Charging/Data Cable
- Quick Start Guide
Build:
The M23 is built in standard block form, although it does have some curves and jagged lines to keep it interesting. One thing's for sure, though: this thing is built to last. It feels premium and durable in the hand, without compromising on the build quality aspect or vice versa. The M23 offers a nice 5.5-inch display that is very readable.
It has a 4.4mm headphone jack and a 3.5mm headphone jack on top. On the left side there is a power/lock button, a multi-function button, and a touch-sensitive volume slider. At the bottom are its two USB-C ports for charging and Desktop Mode, as well as a microSD slot for file storage. And finally, on the right side, there are playback control buttons, as well as a hold switch and a desktop mode on/off switch.
For a feature-rich device, I'm impressed with how Fiio implemented its controls in an easy-to-use version. I especially love the volume slider for its modern, high-tech feel.
Design:
It is in the internal design of the M23 where the value for money begins to take effect. Leading the show is the AKM AK4191EQ+AK4499EX chip combo. The analog signal is then passed through “DWA Routing Technology”, which aims to further improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The analog signal then passes through the THX AAA 78+ amplifier stage, which is intended to deliver an accurate and powerful output.
I am completely impressed with the design here. This helps the M23 compete with higher priced devices and offers the listener excellent value.
Of course, in a feature-rich wearable like this, its features and the implementation of these internal parts will be what decide the performance of the M23. So let's see what this thing is capable of.
Characteristics:
The M23 has a couple of special features worth mentioning. First and foremost is battery life. While this may vary depending on the output and mode you're using (we'll get to the modes in a second), you'll generally get a maximum battery life of 10.5 hours. However, the M23 charges quickly. Just one hour of charging can increase the battery by 80 percent.
Now we'll get into the modes, of which the M23 has several. It's capable of AirPlay, functioning as a USB DAC or Bluetooth receiver, and has a simplified “Pure Music” mode that removes the Android operating system and exclusively uses the Fiio Music app. Obviously, it also works in stock Android mode and even has a Roon Ready mode.
Now, the really interesting thing: Desktop Mode and HiFi Boost Mode. We cover desktop mode a bit in our Fiio KA17 review. In a nutshell, the device is equipped with a second USB-C port, this one for directly connecting the M23 to external power. When plugged in and desktop mode enabled, the M23 draws its power from the AC power supply, allowing for more optimal output levels. In desktop mode, the M23 boasts a full watt of power.
Likewise, HiFi Boost mode allows you to achieve even higher power levels while using the battery. However, using this mode will reduce battery life. So if you want to use power-hungry headphones, it will be a trade-off to consider.
Sound impressions:
Given everything I've mentioned so far, I was very excited to pair the M23 with some of my favorite test headphones. For this review, I primarily used Meze Liric II, Focal Clear MG, and Campfire Audio Cascara.
With the Liric II, I was immediately impressed by the soundstage the M23 was capable of. And with this soundstage came a great sense of separation. Sounds were captured quite well within the robust soundstage. The bass was strong but not aggressive. There was a good sense of dynamics, but it seemed more deliberate than muscular. The tonal balance was very pleasing with a warm and relaxed overall sound signature. I definitely got the impression that M23 is a laid-back player.
This also happened to me in my time with Focal Clear MG. I actually really enjoyed this combination. The delicate presentation of dynamics matched the Clear MG's detail retrieval capabilities very well, providing a tactile yet smooth delivery. What was really nice was hearing the gentle but present decay of the vocals, like on “Long May You Run” by the band Stills-Young. Harmonies very well combined with a smooth attack and release.
Finally, the sound with Cascara offered a great recreation of the instrument and excellent recovery of details. I love Cascara's value proposition because it is lush and warm but also rich in detail. I was able to identify the layers with the shell very well. However, it was with the Cascara that I noticed that, depending on the combination, the M23 could seem too soft. At some points I lost the top end dynamics, with crisp highlights replaced by muted splashes. This will depend on the listener's preferences, as I think a relaxed sound can be very pleasant to listen to depending on the setup.
Final thoughts:
Fiio has delivered again with a fantastic DAP. It offers great features, solid construction, and a relaxed, sophisticated sound signature. If you like a smooth sound for your source or are looking for something that can balance out more aggressive headphones, the M23 may be a great place to start your search.
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