CEntrance HiFi-M8 V2 Review

Sound Options

The HiFi-M8 V2 offers 3 settings: Gain (see previous chapter), bass boost and treble boost.

Gain, in short for those who didn’t read the part just above this one, is handy, especially with full sized, harder to drive headphones such as the Susvara and HD800. I was pleasantly surprised however at how well the V2 drives a lot of full sized gear at low gain.

The bass boost is the one I used most, especially in combination with full sized gear. With IEMs I found the bass boost to quickly become too much with more bass focused IEMs (like the UM MEST and Fir 5×5). And in that case bass also sounder more on the loose side. With more flat sounding, neutrally tuned IEMs, the bass boost can be a refreshing change, but that of course all depends on your personal preference.

The treble boost does what it says it will do, I however never felt the need to turn it on. During my tests I – with say 95% of the gear – never had the need for more treble focus. In fact it to me sounded a bit forced and sharp. But again, if you’re using really dark sounding ear or headphones, or if you like this kind of treble, the treble switch will be your best friend.

Sound General

For this part we’re not touching the treble and bass boost. The impressions were gathered with a whole series of IEMs and headphones.

The CEntrance HiFi-M8 V2 to me has a neutral and flatter tuning. Your sound from top to bottom is balanced, linear and very clean. The HiFi-M8 V2 does not boost treble or bass in any way, unless you want it to. The delivery is precise, clean and fast. It has the typical digital sound as many call it (compared to a smooth delivery), but it on top of that is musical at all times. As mentioned before, the delivery in wireless mode sounds a bit smoother.

Body-wise the HiFi-M8 is what I would describe as normal. It’s not light but not heavy weighted either, it’s realistic and natural. It’s the same from top to bottom and it’s spot on for me.

Overall the V2 has very good detail retrieval, though I personally find the decay and note extension could be more outspoken and refined. Sound stage wise the HiFi-M8 V2 performs well in both width and depth, but there is still is margin for improvement in this regard. The same goes for the separation, spaciousness and airiness: it’s good and you’re not missing out on anything, but it can still be improved. Looking at the segment the V2 is in and the price it is selling for however, the performance is absolutely on par with what the market is offering. If not better.

I absolutely love the V2’s dynamics, layering, energy level and stereo image. It is an exciting unit to listen to and it makes me enjoy my music so much. I keep adding more and more tracks to my playlists when I’m using it, and that always means it’s a special aka really good unit.

Sound Classics

As said a couple of time now already, there is no added bass. Bass is natural and comes delivered tight and fast. Bass is clean and punchy and it’s really realistic to listen to. Bass is about quality and not quantity.

If you feel there isn’t enough bass or you’re using a bass light IEM/headphone, you can always turn on the bass boost, but I do feel it loses precision when you do. Yes you will get more body and impact, but it will be technically less strong. (less resolution, tightness)

The mids sound natural, spacious and have great dynamics. The mids perfectly connect from the bass and to the mids and there’s really not much bad you can say about them. You get musical mids with good detail and all that with an energetic, and lively feel. The mids are realistic and vocals blend in perfectly. They’re not more to the front of the back, but they are realistically present like it should be in a unit with a neutral tuning.

The treble section is lively and exciting and has good detail. Treble never ever sounds harsh or sibilant, in on the other hand sound natural and musical, and it like the mids had great dynamics. I with one of the units I tested the V2 wit felt he need to turn on the (extra) treble switch but that of course might be different for you, depending on your preference and unit in use. When I did turn on the treble boost for testing, I found it to sound somewhat sharp, with a lighter and more edgy presentation. It really isn’t my thing, but it could be yours so it’s nice to see CEntrance is offering the possibility.

All-in-all I am very pleased with its audio quality and overall sound delivery and performance. The numbers might not necessarily be the best according to some, but to my ears there’s really nothing wrong with this unit. Not only when on the go, but also at home at your desk, while doing chores or when going to bed.

Conclusion

As I remember how good and special it was back in 2013, I was expecting a lot from this 20th anniversary V2 version of the CEntrance HiFi-M8. And to be honest, it has delivered.

No it’s probably not the best measuring unit in the world, but the HiFi-M8 is a neutrally tuned, highly dynamic and musical DAC/AMP combo. It to me technically performs well and it offers a lot of connectivity and output options. Sound-wise the HiFi-M8 V2 is natural, exciting, balanced and musical. What’s not to like?

There are a lot of good to great portable DAC/AMP units on the market but they don’t offer the same and multiple output and connection options the HiFi-M8 V2 offers. Looking at its price and performance, mixed with a bit of nostalgia, I can only recommend this unit to anyone who is in the market for one of these devices.

To the recommended buy list it goes!

The full list of Features and Technical specs can be found on the last page of this article. Go there by clicking HERE, or just use the jumps below.