Sound performance
Tonality
Highs : super sharp. The FiiO M11 presentation was all about subtlety and the M15 about grandiloquence. Meanwhile, the M11 Plus LTD is more about precision. It sounds TOTL and you’ll hear every micro-detail but never feel overcome by the sound. Like a good maestro at a concert, the M11 Plus LTD conduct sounds more than it delivers.
Mids : excellent layering and dynamic. Voices have always been good on FiiO players, and the M11 Plus LTD is no exception. This is especially true with big cans, as the sound pressure delivers superb vocals, when the track is well recorded.
Lows : best in class. This is where the M11 Plus LTD impressed me the most: whatever the track, the player was able to reach the deepest note, with ease. You never have to raise the volume, but if you do the bass will remain strong and steady, with no dragging sound. It’s the BEST bass you can get, in my opinion.
Tracks : Way down we go – Kaleo
Noise and power
Noise: nothing to worry about, the residual noise is absent. Even my hypersensitive Onkyo could not spot anything! Even with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, EMI shielding made a great job and I never encountered any parasite or buzz during my listening.
Power: now FiiO offers three different levels of gain for its player. If low is really low and should only be used with IEMs, the mid-level was enough for 90% of my headphones, even cans like the Grado. Obviously, if you want to drive cans like the Audeze or Sennheiser flagship, you better put the gain in high and stick to the balanced output. If not as powerful as the M15, there is clearly enough power for daily use.
Line out/Coax out: a quick word regarding the line out. If the FiiO M11 Plus LTD offers the classic 3.5mm output, to connect your amp, the player also introduces a new balanced, 4.4mm, line-out. Unfortunately none of my gear support this type of plug, but it’d be pretty interesting to see if this matches the usual XLR line out.
Comparison
Shanling M6 21: you can find this player for approximately the same price. It’s a great edition of a superb player, now with a Sabre chip to replace the AKM one. Visually, the M6 is better looking and offers a nicer screen, but sound-wise, it’ll just come down to your personal choice. Both are exceptionally gifted players and if the M6 21 got into my recommendation list, so did the M11 Pro and so will the M11 Plus LTD…
Astell&Kern SR25: the SR25 was just a SR15 revamp, but it’s still an A&K from knees to toes. The dual Cirrus-Logic is a great alternative to AKM chips and the Astell did a great job with this later player, giving us the perfect balance between sharpness, and sweetness. That said, compared to the FiiO and Shanling, the SR25 seems a bit limited and the UI falls far below its contender in 2021.
Conclusion
Let’s make it simple, like the FiiO M11 Pro before, the M11 Plus LTD is one, if not the best player you can get in this price range.
UI is fast, the sound is superb, and it does almost everything well, either as a DAP or as a source. You can just fill it with your own music, install the music APP of your choice or simply use it as a great source for your car (yes FiiO did earn a certification for that too). Add a layer of finesse, thanks to years of work at FiiO’s engineer camp, and you got it all.
If you didn’t have the chance to get the M11 Pro before, you should seriously consider the M11 Plus LTD. It’s equally good, if not better in some aspect. The only viable contender that I could think of is the Shanling M6 21, but it’s also one of my top picks. So here it is people, two players, two choices, but at the end of the day two incredible devices. And you better get one till you can, who knows what could happen this year again.
The Fiio M11 Plus replaces the Fiio M11 Pro on our list of recommended DAPs. So yes, the FiiO M11 Plus LTD wins our recommended buy award!
Page 1: about FiiO
Page 2: Design, build quality
Page 3: UI, Usage, Bundle
Page 4: Technical specifications
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.
NA7
Loved the detailed review of FiiO M11 Plus LTD! Your comparison with other DAPs was really helpful in making up my mind about which one to purchase. The photos and specs were also greatly appreciated. Kudos to Headfonia for another awesome review!