FiiO M3 Pro Review

Sound performance

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For the purpose of this review, I used the same sets previously paired with the FiiO M6 and FiiO M5. The BGVP DMS, my Onyko IE-C3, and the Fearless S8F, for good measure. All files were played from a computer in USB DAC mode, the SD card and with my iPhone as Bluetooth source.

Overall signature

As strange as it may be, the FiiO M3 Pro is, indeed, better than the M5.

Like last time, this player doesn’t make much sense if you were to compare it to another DAP. There is plenty of better options out there, not so expensive compared to the M3 Pro, unless your budget can’t reach more than $80/€80. But, if that’s the case, or if you just want something to replace your smartphone as your portable source, please bear with me.

It carries the same dry sound signature, but shows improved dynamic and, slightly, a better level of resolution. On this aspect, the M3 Pro fits right above the M5 and below the M6, even if it costs even less than the M5.

It’s never as lush as the FiiO M6, which remains my top choice in terms of low-price player, but it’s still a true audiophile player. It’s a bit too dry in my opinion, recalling me the first Astell&Kern players, which sounded too harsh in the higher range, and the slight bump around 8kHz and 2kHz tends to put the emphasizes on sibilants.

It’s powerful enough to drive most modern headphones, like the Meze 99 Classics, the Audeze LCD-1, and, evidently, IEMs like the BGVP or Fearless. The soundstage is quite good, not impressive by any means, but on par with its competitor. You don’t get those amazing 3D effects, with ethereal voices coming from the back of your head.

Again, once with a headphone amplifier the M3 Pro really begins to shine and the narrow soundstage seems to widen, by a fair margin. Pair it with a DAC like the Chord Mojo or Earmen Donald DAC and you’ll access another world of performances.

Though, if you can’t afford, or don’t want to pair the FiiO M3 Pro with a DAC, there is still a lot to love. The ES9018p makes a wonderful job in this regard, infusing a lot of unheard details, nuances or notes with sensible IEMs. My best combo was the M3 Pro + Fearless S8F IEM, but you can even get your kick with the S6Rui, sold for $100 less.

Honestly, don’t expect it to beat the FiiO M11, but you can easily reach the M9 level with a good amplifier. Yet, this would be missing the point: it’s a pocket player, made to be paired with IEMs on the go. And for that purpose, the sound is quite adequate.

Tonality

Highs : dry and fast. Like the M5, the FiiO M3 Pro sounds a bit too dry out of the box. If that was not an issue with the Fearless S8F, when combined with the Onkyo it felt way too bright. Fortunately, there is a lot details and some finesse to compensate for that. Yet, I’d advise you not to use analytical IEM with the DAP, unless that’s really your thing.

Track : Blackmagic – José James

Mids : good layering and clean voices. Voices always been good with FiiO player, and the M3 Pro is, again, no exception. Compared to my iPhone, the difference is quite obvious : better separation, more texture and depth, not a long fight. It’s, again, on par with the FiiO M6, the latter one enjoying better cohesion with the upper range.

Track : Clap your Hands – Leo Dessi

Lows : good, but too shy. Bass lacked the presence found in the upper models in my opinion. It’s good, even better than the M5, but it lacks the deep “thumb” that entertain you over the day. Still, with a good amp, this can be fixed quite easily. It fits, just between the M5 and M6, again.

Tracks : Negative – F-Rontal

Comparison

FiiO M6: the FiiO M6 cost a little bit more than the M5, but for a reason. It supports third-party app, so you can enjoy Spotify/Qobuz/Tidal/Amazon/Deezer online, or offline. Also, sound performance is superior, not by far, but that’s still audible. My main choice for a first player, up to this day, but if your budget is tight or don’t need streaming support, just take your time and listen to the M5 too.

FiiO M5: where the M3 Pro uses a Sabre DAC, the M5 prefers an AKM alternative. Obviously tonality is very different and if both players sounds a bit dry, the M3 seems to offer slightly more dynamic range. Also, the M3 Pro is quite more powerful, when paired with the same headphone, I felt that the M3 delivered more power than the M5.

NuForce Hi-mDAC : not a player, but a small USB DAC that can be paired with your player. Sound-wise, the Hi-mDAC is superior in every way. Sound is richer, with more body and bass suddenly pop-up, even if I play with the M3 Pro EQ. But, you’ll need a source, where the M3 Pro can work autonomously.

Conclusion

The FiiO M3 Pro follows the path of the M5. It’s a cool-looking, compact audiophile player, offering good sound at an affordable price.

It’s not as good as the FiiO M6, in terms of sound, but this DAP is much more pleasant to use on the go. It’s sleek, lightweight and offers solid performance overall, plus some extra quirks. 

Obviously, if you combine the M3 Pro with a DAC, thanks to the USB-Out, it can be a very potent solution. But, honestly, I’d just take the DAP for what it is: a side source that you can leave in your bag or your jacket pocket, and enjoy whenever you just need a to-go-source.

If the question is : FiiO M3 Pro or FiiO M5 ? The answer is simple :

• FiiO M3 Pro for the sound
• FiiO M5 for the Bluetooth

Give it a good pair of IEMs, and you will be surprised, in a good way.