Specifications
For the nitpickers and nerdy ones here, I’m giving the specs and technical sheets. For all the others, you can just go to the next page to see how the amp performs.
DAC + Amp
Like the M11 Pro, the FiiO M11 Plus LTD runs on a dual AK4497EQ.
It’s the last run for this chip, and FiiO managed to grab a lot of 14 000 of them. If this number can seem like a lot, in reality, it’s a drop in a silicon ocean.
The chip is insanely popular and could be found in various players, or receivers. On paper, you get:
- full high-resolution PCM decoding, up to 32bit/768kHz
- native DSD decoding, up to DSD512
- an insanely high Signal-to-noise Ratio, up to 131dB
- ultra-low distortion, -116dB
And that, for each channel!
To ensure the best performances, FiiO developed a fourth-generation FPGA chip with “more advanced algorithms, more accurate clocks, and even further reduced jitter”. Add a set of two custom Japanese NDK femtosecond crystals, and here you have your full DSD512 / PCM 32bit/768kHz support.
And to top of all that, the M11 Plus LTD continue to use THX-AA78 amps, the same found in the previous M11 Pro. Glorious amp chips even if a bit less powerful than the one found in the M15. In fact, the M11 Plus LTD output the same level of power as the M11 Pro, with a 1mW variance.
All of those chips are covered by custom anti-EMI modules that ensure perfect isolation from each other and avoid the annoying buzz while playing files from your streaming app, or just when you use Bluetooth.
CPU and RAM
To my surprise, the FiiO M11 Plus LTD was given a new CPU, and a better one nonetheless.
When all previous players were given Exynos chips from Samsung, the new M11 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 octa-core chip, with 4 “big” cores and 4 “small” cores. Most of the time, the player will use low-power cores to achieve basic tasks and will rely on the high-power one only when really needed.
Add to that 4Gb of LPDDR5 Ram, 64Gb of internal memory, faster-operating frequency (up to 2.2GHz) and you have the fastest FiiO player, to date.
And, as I said before, it’s not night and day compared to before, but the full experience is much snappier. Switching between various apps is instantaneous, searching for your files is faster, and most of all, boot-up time is 5 times shorter than before/
It is, at the moment, one of the fastest DAPs together with the iBasso DX300 and the awesome Shanling M6 21.
WiFi
The FiiO M11 Plus LTD is exactly the same as the others regarding the wireless connection. It supports 2.4Ghz as 5Ghz bands for faster and steadier connection. DNLA, AirPlay, UPnP are all there and of course, you can access a wide range of high-definition streaming platform :
Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz, Deezer, Napster, TuneIn, etc..
That said, the new CPU makes a big difference when you’re downloading files and music. Like the DX300, it’s now super fast and downloads take seconds, instead of minutes. Also, WiFi transfer is still a thing, if you want to send music directly from your computer, without wire.
Bluetooth
The FiiO M11 Plus LTD does it all SBC, aptX, apt-X HD, LDAC, LHCD/HWA, you name it, it’s supported.
The Hi-Res Audio Wireless Certified logo is well-endowed at the back of the player, with the Hi-Res Audio logo and THX blazon. Like the Shanling M6 21 and iBasso DX300, the M11 Plus LTD supports duplex Bluetooth. You can use the player as a Bluetooth receiver with a smartphone, computer or any Bluetooth emitter. Even if you have AirPlay available, or DNLA, or prefer a Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth is still much easier to connect.
The Bluetooth 5.0 chip can transmit in SBC/AAC/aptX/aptX-HD/LDAC but only supports SBC/AAC/LDAC when receiving.
Basically, with a compatible headphone or receiver, you’ll always get the best quality available. Of course, if you have a TOTL IEM or a massive can, a wired connection will always be the best one.
Do you still want the full specs? Ok, here is for you.
The article continues on Page five, after the click here
Full specs
- Type: Digital Audio Player
- OS: FiiO OS
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
- RAM : 4Gb LPDDR5
- Rom: 64 Gb (4Gb for the system)
- DAC : 2x AK4497EN
- Sample rate : PCM : 8Hz – 768Hz (8/16/24/32bits) native – DSD64/128/256/512 – MQA 8X
- System clock: Full synchronization technology with 4rd Gen FPGA processor and dual Japanese crystal clock
- Outputs: 3.5mm headphone out – line out – coax out / 2.5mm TRRS / 4.4mm Pentaconn
- Input: USB Type-C
- Screen: 5.5″ 1440×720 IPS Screen from LG
- Micro SD: SDHC / SDXC (single slot)
- WiFi: 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz support
- Streaming supported directly – Full Google Play Support
- Bluetooth support: SBC, apt-X, apt-X HD, LDAC, HWA, (AAC receive only)
- Duplex Bluetooth: player can emit and receive music
- Battery: 3.8V 6000mAh Li-Polymer
- Quick Charge : yes, QC2.0/3.0/4.0, PD2.0, DC12V/1.5Ah, 9V/2A, 5V/2A
- Battery life: 10.5h with wired headphone, 20h with a Bluetooth headphone
- Charging time : around 3.5h
- Size : 75.6mm*136.6mm*17.6mm
- Weight : 310g
Line Out
- Frequency Response : 5Hz – 90kHz (-5dB)
- THD: 0.00079%
- SNR: >121dB
- Crosstalk: 105dB
- Line Level : 2.0V
3.5 mm Headphone out
- Output power : 295mW @16ohm / 206mW @32ohm / 23mW @300ohm
- Frequency Response : 20Hz – 80kHz
- THD : > 0.0006%
- SNR : > 120 dB
- Crosstalk : > 76 dB
- Output impedance : < 1.0 ohms (32ohms)
2.5mm / 4.4mm Headphone out
- Output power : 500mW @16ohm / 588mW @32ohm / 88mW @300ohm
- Frequency Response : 20Hz – 92kHz
- THD : > 0.00146%
- SNR : > 111dB
- Crosstalk : > 103 dB
- Output impedance : < 2 ohms (32ohms)
Time to plug the player now!
The article continues on Page five after the click here
Page 1: about FiiO
Page 2: Design, build quality
Page 3: UI, Usage, Bundle
Page 5: Sound performance
Page 6: Sound Part 2, Comparison and conclusion
Jean
Hi.
Good review. How the DX300 compares with This m11 plus?
Thanks
dmac6419
I have both the DX300 is the better choice in my opinion.
Eli Segal
How does it compares with the new HiBy R6?
Tom Tam
Too many typos in this review! Very non-professional.
E.g. You said AirPlay is ditched on one page, but you mention AirPlay function is there on the other page. The thing that is really ditched is the HWA but you put it on the spec. Very bad review.
Louis
Good lord man. Instead of pointing out one or two typos, why don’t you focus on the positive. Thank the guy for taking the time to write a well thought out review of some nice equipment instead of being a troll.
Lieven
Thank you, Louis.
Paulo
It’s not that bad unless you’re the editor. No one paid for the review.
Daniel
Me gustaría saber tu opinión comparándolo con el New Hiby R6 2020.
Gracias.
Nicholas Chan
They are still awfully ugly… Just no taste at all…
Lieven
Taste is a personal thing. What you don’t like another loves.
rob willy
Thanks for the informative review..
I did enjoy reading it, also convinced me to finally place my order…. : )
Mark
How is then fiio m11 plus compared to the shanling m6 pro 21?
Fenom60
I tested both at the shop, the Fiio touch volume button is no no for me, feels cheap and you will turn the volume by accident. Shanling M6 pro is smaller, feels more premium, the sound is warm lively and much more emotion than the sound from Fiio M11plus ltd. I tested the same song on both player with Female vocal, very big difference. Bought the Shanling M6 pro 21 right away, sounds very very good for the price. Tried the Shanling M9 clean sound but I like the M6 pro 21 sound more imo.