SNOWSKY ECHO MINI

Prelude:
Although the idea of a standalone audio file player has undergone a significant transformation over the last few years. Many people still use simple and reliable devices that are supposed to offer maximum sound quality and minimum complications. After all, we have many excellent players on the market with full streaming support, such as the iBasso DX180 or FiiO JM21. However, there are still relatively few classic and small players with SD card support. That is why, delighted with the latest proposal from xDuoo and their latest X5 player, I decided to check out an equally interesting proposal from FiiO, the echo mini player. Its price is not much, at only 50USD, which makes it an inexpensive and very competitive solution on the audio market.

Specification:

Colors: Black/Blue/Pink
Weight: 55g
DAC: CS43131*2
Internal memory: 8GB
External memory: microSD card, support up to 256GB
Bluetooth codec: SBC (Note: Apple Bluetooth headphones are not supported)
Supported playback formats: DSD, WAV, FLAC, APE, MP3, M4A, OGG
Supported sampling rates:
DSD: 64/128/256; WAV: 24bit/192K
FLAC: 24bit/192K; APE: 24bit/96K
Outputs: 3.5mm single-ended/4.4mm balanced
Output power 1: L+R≥100mW+100mW (32Ω single-ended, THD+N<1%)
Output power 2: L+R≥250mW+250mW (32Ω balanced, THD+N<1%)
SNR: ≥131dB (32Ω A-weighted)
THD+N: 0.0004%
Noise level: 0.8uV
Unboxing and ergonomics:
As you can see from the specification alone, the FiiO Snowsky echo mini is a really solid piece of equipment despite its low price. Right from the start, we are greeted by a beautiful colorful box, suggesting that the device itself is intended for a younger audience. Of course, you shouldn’t be fooled by this, FiiO simply opted for a more colorful and bold design of the packaging itself. This is an interesting move, because it allows you to break the classics and gives something fresh. In the box you will find our player and a USB cable, I missed the simplest case a bit and I would gladly pay extra to find them in the set. FiiO Snowsky echo mini is made of plastic and has a large and legible color display. Its design resembles a miniature cassette player, which I like very much. There is also a memory card slot and two 3.5 and balanced 4.4mm headphone outputs. In terms of design, one limitation was applied, namely FiiO Snowsky echo mini cannot function as a USB/DAC in any way, so it will only be a file player. However, Bluetooth support in the SBC standard has been added. The device looks nice, and all the elements are made very well.

Sound:

Low tones:
In my opinion, the lower bands sound natural and are much warmer than I would expect from the Cirrus system. The bass in the FiiO Snowsky echo mini is really massive and musical. Its meaty and dynamic character makes individual tracks even warmer and more engaging. Using my favorite headphones, the Softears VolumeS, I noticed that the lower bands became engaging and exciting. It is worth noting here that the dynamics or other frequencies did not suffer. So if you are expecting a bass monster, this is not yet at that level. I would rather describe the sound as clean and musical, warm and in a sense analog, which adds a unique character to the sound. I think this is a very good direction, and thanks to such tuning, the FiiO Snowsky echo mini sounds even more engaging and shows emotions perfectly. This is a device dedicated to a beginner who will certainly appreciate such a presentation of music.

Midtones:
This area of sound has retained its naturalness and realism despite being warmer. I mean the fact that FiiO Snowsky echo mini, despite playing with a warmer tone, retains great naturalness and realism in the presentation of instruments and vocals. The resolution is quite good for this price range, and the instruments themselves are suitably separated and show a clean and clear tone. Of course, it was not at the same level as in more advanced designs, but I did not feel that I was missing anything. Often, due to such pleasant tuning, FiiO Snowsky echo mini was my favorite, because it was able to strongly engage me in listening. FiiO Snowsky echo mini also coped well with more complicated tracks where it had to show more instruments. Overall, it is a player that plays pleasantly and presents music very cleanly, so there is no question of any noise in the music. At least I did not notice it. It is worth mentioning that FiiO Snowsky echo mini can handle DSD files, which may please lovers of this format.

High tones:
This area in the FiiO Snowsky echo mini maintains full culture and is not overly colored. It is worth emphasizing here that there is no excessive dimming of the high tones, which results in a really good compromise between resolution and listening pleasure. When it comes to the sound stage in the FiiO Snowsky echo mini, this is a player that plays quite widely with a very good depth of sound, of course this is not the level of much more advanced designs, but the FiiO Snowsky echo mini offers a very good level for its price range, matching even much more expensive products. There will certainly be no shortage of resolution in the high tones in both instrumental music and more popular songs. My Softears VolumeS had no problems with excessive sound sharpness on the FiiO Snowsky echo mini, instead they gained a beautiful musical color thanks to the warm and musical signature offered by the FiiO Snowsky echo mini.

Comparisons:

FiiO Snowsky echo mini (50USD) VS xDuoo X5 (199USD)
FiiO Snowsky echo mini costs much less than xDuoo X5, but it does not offer a touch screen or the same power as X5. Additionally, X5 is made of higher quality materials and offers a line output and more in the Bluetooth range. On the other hand, FiiO Snowsky echo mini offers not only a lower price, but also still great sound, FiiO Snowsky echo mini focuses more on warmth and analogue, while not playing as resolvingly as X5. Generally, comparing devices from such different price ranges is difficult and may be unfair. In my personal interpretation, both devices are great and offer very good sound, and although X5 is a higher level of sound than FiiO Snowsky echo mini, the much higher price should be taken into account. Since in my opinion FiiO Snowsky echo mini sounds really good, I recommend listening to both devices.

For whom FiiO Snowsky echo mini may be a better choice:

For lovers of warmer tuning.
For people with a more limited budget.
For people looking for a device without a touch screen.

For whom xDuoo X5 may be a better choice:

For people looking for higher-level sound.
For lovers of touch screens
For people looking for LDAC support.

FiiO Snowsky echo mini (50USD) VS xDuoo X3II (109USD)
Xduoo X3II is a device that premiered some time ago, but still stands out from the competition with a solid price-quality ratio and offers great sound at a very affordable price. What is worth noting in terms of sound, we have a more technical and much more sterile presentation here. The titular FiiO Snowsky echo mini offers a much warmer and analog direction of sound. Both devices are great, but they offer sound at completely different tuning poles. In terms of comfort, the FiiO Snowsky echo mini is lighter but slightly less handy than the classic look of the FiiO Snowsky echo mini. Sonically, they are completely different worlds, on the one hand the clinical purity of the X3II and on the other hand the warm and analog sound of the FiiO Snowsky echo mini.

For whom the FiiO Snowsky echo mini may be a better choice:

For lovers of analog tuning
For those looking for support for a balanced 4.4mm output
For those looking for a warmer sound

For whom the xDuoo X3II may be a better choice:

For lovers of a more technical sound
For those looking for wider Bluetooth support
For those looking for a line output

FiiO Snowsky echo mini (50USD) VS FiiO BTR13 (69USD)
The FiiO BTR13 is a tuning that is somewhat similar to that offered by the FiiO Snowsky echo mini. However, the BTR13 offers a slightly smaller soundstage and supports a much wider range of Bluetooth codecs. However, if you want a Bluetooth receiver, the BTR13 offers a really great price-quality ratio, and if you want a classic player, the FiiO Snowsky echo mini is worth choosing. Returning to the sound itself, the FiiO Snowsky echo mini offers a slightly more pleasant bass and an even more analog sound. The BTR13 also sounds really great.

For whom the FiiO Snowsky echo mini may be a better choice:

For people looking for an even more analog sound
For people looking for a slightly better bass structure
For people looking for a player

For whom the FiiO BTR13 will be a better choice:

For people looking for a Bluetooth receiver
For people who prefer a slightly smoother sound
Dla osób, które wolą cichsze słuchanie

Podsumowanie:
FiiO Snowsky echo mini to świetnie zaprojektowane i przemyślane urządzenie. Oferuje nie tylko bardzo dobry stosunek ceny do jakości, ale także dobrą jakość wykonania i przyjemne analogowe, ciepłe brzmienie. Podoba mi się czystość dźwięku oferowana przez FiiO Snowsky echo mini i świetne brzmienie basów, w którym FiiO ostatnio pokazało doskonały poziom. Jeśli chodzi o czas pracy baterii, to jest on również znakomity i bez problemu pozwala FiiO Snowsky echo mini grać przez cały dzień pracy. Jeśli więc szukasz niedrogiego odtwarzacza, który może być Twoim codziennym towarzyszem podróży, to FiiO Snowsky echo mini jest z pewnością bardzo ciekawą propozycją. Zwróć uwagę na świetny system EQ w samym urządzeniu, dodatkowo do dyspozycji mamy sporo ustawień audio, w tym regulowane filtry i dwa poziomy wzmocnienia. Wszystko to sprawia, że naprawdę lubię korzystać z FiiO Snowsky echo mini. Ogólnie rzecz biorąc, FiiO wkłada wiele serca w swoją nową serię retro i robi to naprawdę dobrze, co należy pochwalić.

The strengths of FiiO Snowsky echo mini are:

Excellent price-quality ratio.
Clear sound.
Considerable power of the device.
Decent or even good battery life.
Lots of audio options

What I would improve in FiiO Snowsky echo mini:

I would like support for more Bluetooth codecs.
I would like support for USB DAC.

Disclaimer
Please note that I am not an audiophile, and this review does not delve into the technical aspects of the DAC/Amp. My impressions are based on my personal preferences, and others may have different experiences with this product. I also have a very limited experience with audio products so please take this review with a grain of salt.

The Snowsky Echo Mini and Snowsky Wind were sent to me by Fiio, but opinions remain my own. My review was not checked by them prior to publishing.

Price: 49.99 USD
Link: https://www.fiio.com/echomini

Part 1: General Product Details

Package Inclusions:

The Echo Mini DAP (in Black, other colors available are Cyan and Pink)
USB C to A cable
Documentation (Warranty card and manual)

General Specifications

Input: USB-C
Output: 3.5mm Single-Ended,4.4mm Balanced, Bluetooth 5.3
OS: RTOS
DAC Chip(s): CS43131 x 2
Storage: 8 GB internal, expandable up to 256 GB
Battery: 1100 mAh
Screen: 1.99” 170x320 IPS screen
Weight: ~55g

Audio Parameters

3.5mm rated power output: L+R≥100mW+100mW (32Ω, THD+N<1%, USB IN)
4.4mm rated power output: L+R≥250mW+250mW (32Ω, THD+N<1%, USB IN)
Bluetooth codec: SBC
SNR: ≥131dB (32Ω A-weighted)
THD+N: <0.0004% (-4dB, 32Ω)
Noise floor: 0.8uV
Formats supported: DSD, WAV, FLAC, APE, MP3, M4A, OGG
Sampling rates supported: DSD: 64/128/256; WAV: 24bit/192K; FLAC: 24bit/192K; APE: 24bit/96K

The DAP

The body and buttons are all made of plastic.
There’s a molded portion at the back that makes it look like there’s a battery compartment. This is just a design and not functional. There are also 4 visible screws which seem to be the only thing stopping you from opening the Echo Mini. Yay for repairability?
At the top are the buttons:
- Power - turns the Echo Mini on/off, also toggles the screen on/off
- Volume Up/Down - also used for navigating up/down or left/right when in menus. When playing music, double press to go to previous/next song. Press and hold to fast forward/rewind music
- Play/Pause - also used for confirming menu choices
- Menu
- Back - mainly used for navigation
The front has an IPS ~2” screen. You can brighten or dim it through the menus
One side has the SD Card and USB-C charging port
The other side has the reset hole, 3.5mm jack, and 4.4mm jack
In the bottom left corner is a strap for lanyards.

Part 2: Subjective review

Gear Used

Philips SHP9500 via 3.5mm
Snowsky Wind via 3.5mm
Letshuoer S08 via 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Moondrop May via 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE via Bluetooth

Songs

Asticassia - Takahashi Ohmama
The Witch From Mercury - Takahashi Ohmama
Otonoke - Creepy Nuts
Tomorrow and Tomorrow - Masayoshi Soken
Answers - Masayoshi Soken
Close in the Distance - Masayoshi Soken
Wasted Nights - ONE OK ROCK
Falling (Feat. Taka) - Jin, Taka
Hatena - Penguin Research
Something Comforting - Porter Robinson
Shelter - Porter Robinson, Madeon

General Usage Impressions

It’s so TINY! Even smaller than my phone’s charging brick! It’s also super light because it’s made of mostly plastic. Being used to large handheld devices, it took me some time to get used to how small it was.
The screen is surprisingly good, clear and bright enough for glancing in direct sunlight.
Setting up the Echo Mini was very much straightforward, just grabbed my already prefilled SD Card, insert it, navigate to the SD card, and the Echo Mini updates all the songs on the device.
Updating firmware was pretty straightforward too. Just go to the website and follow the instructions at the top. I didn’t check the firmware version on first run, but I did make sure to update it to 1.3 when I got it, and then to 1.4 when that was announced.
I had no problems learning how to use the Echo Mini’s controls, the buttons had a very tactile feel to them as well as audible “clicks”.

Sound Impressions

The Echo Mini’s wide soundstage and crystal clear details really blew me away.
The tuning is neutral with a bit of warmth and it is fascinatingly transparent and clean.
The bass is average to above average, and there’s some subbass rumble which are pretty satisfactory for listening to Rock, JRock, and Dance/Electronica.
The mids are also above average, when it comes to the clarity of male and female vocals.
The treble is satisfactory to me, I can’t detect any sibilance and my treble-sensitivity isn’t triggered when using the Echo Mini

Nitpicks

No USB-C output - this would have been a HUGE game-changer!
The newly added feature to turn on Cover/Album art is cool! Though I had some FLAC files that already had embedded album covers that were not showing up on the Echo Mini. When I asked support why this was so, it turns out my album cover photos were PNG format and the Echo Mini only supports JPG. Kinda a bummer, I'll have to go through my music and update the covers.
Non-removable/replaceable battery - a missed opportunity here, they could have done the same to the Echo Mini what they did with the Retro Nano. The Echo Mini’s battery are soldered with 2 wires inside.

Comparison with the Hiby R1

The Hiby R1 is a more modern DAP with it’s Linux-based OS and touch screen with an 85USD base price. It’s packed with features like the MSEB and you’re able to use USB-C out.
The Hiby R1 is a vocal-forward set that I honestly had a hard time adjusting to, while the Echo mini has a warm-balanced tone with satisfying bass rumble, which I preferred more. This is more of a preference opinion though.
Depending on what you're going for, if you want something that can connect to WiFi and has a USB-C output, the Hiby R1 is for you. Otherwise if your goal is to do a digital detox and go as simple as possible, the Snowsky Echo Mini is perfect for you!

Final Thoughts
Budget DAPs are definitely getting better and better, giving more value at a price point that’s hard to ignore, and the Snowsky Echo Mini is not an exception. Despite its compact form factor, an all-plastic build and modest storage, it delivers clear, engaging sound with versatile output options like the 4.4mm balanced jack. Its design also makes it an appealing choice for those who miss the 90s vibes but value high-fidelity audio on the go.

It's not hard to like the Echo Mini, and I've found myself daily driving it each time I have had to go out and pairing it with wireless headphones for exercise, or my Moondrop May to relax. This is so far my favorite DAP.

More Photos

hey, great review thanks. Just one thing Hiby R1 is not android based it has HiByOS based on Linux. Also Hiby R1 only has 3.5mm output while Snowsky Echo Mini has both 3.5 and 4.4 which is amazing for such a low priced player.

@Javier22

Thanks for the correction @Javier22, you're absolutely right on the HiByOS part!
And agreed on the 4.4, definitely something you don't see at this price point! The Hiby R1 does have USB-C output so you can connect a dongle DAC to get that 4.4 balanced if you really needed it though!

Randomly specific question for my use: How do you delete the current playing track on it? I want to know the process before I buy it as I do it often with how I play my music.

SNOWSKY Echo Mini Review!
Video review here

Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the Snowsky Echo Mini. A jam-packed nostalgia!

========================================================================
Disclaimer:

- FiiO/Snowsky sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
-The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
-This DAP came with the stock v1.2.0 firmware, and is currently at v1.4.0 firmware since I updated the firmware from their official website as FiiO/Snowsky advertised. Rest assured that my findings about this DAP are also rewritten and updated along with the v1.4.0 update.
-No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
-Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 5 days.

========================================================================
Essential Product Specifications:

Brand SNOWSKY
Product name Portable High-Res Lossless Music Player
Product model ECHO MINI
OS RTOS
Decoding support Up to PCM192kHz/24bit, DSD256
Input Type-C
Output 3.5mm single-ended/4.4mm balanced

Output power (single-ended) L+R≥100mW+100mW (32Ω, THD+N<1%, USB IN)

Output power (balanced) L+R≥250mW+250mW (32Ω, THD+N<1%, USB IN)
SNR ≥131dB (32Ω A-weighted)
THD+N <0.0004% (-4dB, 32Ω）
Battery life About 15 hours (Normal volume, Bluetooth off)
Charging time About 2 hours
Noise floor

Single-ended: About 0.8uV@A-weighted;

Balanced: About 0.8uV@A-weighted

Dimensions About 80*54.5*14.5mm

Weight Bare weight about 55g

Color Black/Cyan/Pink

========================================================================
Sound signature:

If you have heard and experienced the Snowsky Retro Nano under the same brand, the Echo mini isn’t that far, in terms of its sound character. There is a subtle difference between the two sets though, probably because the Retro Nano operates mainly on a wireless connection, while the Echo Mini is intended mostly to be used wired. Their differences are mostly observed in the technical department and the overall transparency of the sound. The Echo Mini is more neutral, less colored in sound compared to the Retro Nano to my ears and observation. On its own, if we will be specific, the Snowsky Echo Mini is still a neutral sounding source, with a slight warmth and emphasis on the vocals, accompanied with a very good technical performance under 100 USD. This makes it a very good and a versatile pair for most IEMs, flathead earbuds, and some headphones. I also like to add that having your earphones, earbuds, and headphones in a 4.4mm connection is noticeably better compared to having it paired with a 3.5mm connection, as it is noticeably cleaner in sound to my ears. To most people this is unnoticeable in all honesty, but for those purists and with a set of ears that are keen to certain differences, this will be noticeable. Overall, the sound of the Snowsky Echo Mini follows the current FiiO house sound wherein they aim for a more neutral, less colored approach, making it very versatile and pairable with most IEMs, flathead earbuds, and headphones existing in the market.

Build Quality:

First things first, I’ll state the obvious first: this DAP is enclosed in a hard plastic material. By the time I write this review, the build quality of the Echo Mini isn’t really a deal breaker, nor a remarkable innovation of mankind. To put it simply, you get what you pay for. This DAP is under 60 USD, brand new. Everything you see and feel outside, aside from its screen, is made of plastic. The plastic they used here is a matte version of plastic, which I prefer more, as opposed to the glossy plastic they used with the Retro Nano. Despite it using a plastic housing, I can confidently say that it feels compact and non-hollow and does not have any creaking for what it is, while keeping things light in weight. This can be a good or a bad thing depending on your preference, but for a 50 USD everyday carry, this is a win-win to me, at least. One thing that sort of let me down however, is its non-user-replaceable battery. The Echo Mini literally has a cutout for a battery door located at the back of the player, and they already made the user-replacement batteries possible with the Retro Nano, so this kind of bugged me at first. Overall, for 50 USD, the build quality of the Snowsky Retro Nano is acceptable and actually decent for its price. I’d also like to inform you that they did not include a lanyard and/or a screen protector here with the Echo Mini, which the Retro Nano has a lanyard included, despite both products exhibiting a lanyard hole. FiiO also informed me that there will be a PU case made for the Echo Mini that will be released soon, sold separately.

Device Compatibility, Features:

Just like the Retro Nano, I did not have any problems connecting the Echo Mini with all of my devices and audio equipment during the testing period, even when connected and used with bluetooth. It is also detected right away when it is connected to my laptop and smartphone as a storage device only, which means that you can’t use the Echo Mini as a USB DAC, unlike the Retro Nano. In a nutshell, the Snowsky Echo Mini operates like a basic audio player - without any frills or bells and whistles, to keep the overall experience light and simple. It also has an onboard 8gb storage for you to start storing your files quickly, with a separate SD card slot that can utilize up to 256gb. For most people this is enough, assuming you rip your CDs to 16-bit FLAC like I do, but for those complex audiophiles who keep the 24-bit FLAC as a minimum requirement, they may find this lacking.

Software, UI, Navigation

The operating system used here in the Snowsky Echo Mini is based on RTOS - which focuses more on patterns and time-constraint tasks. This system is commonly seen in medical and automotive equipment, which is an odd sight to see here in this DAP. In return, this observation reflects on Echo Mini’s overall performance, as it is snappy and straightforward. Don’t get me wrong, there are still some rare cases of slowdowns and bugs that I have experienced here in the Echo Mini particularly when loading some album art or DSD files, but those are currently lessened and are almost non-existent here in the latest firmware update. The UI here in the Echo Mini is simple and does not have anything extra with it, which is to be expected at this price. Navigating through the software is plain, simple and intuitive, ready to get things done.

Battery Consumption, Charging Time

Since this is a non-android DAP, the Snowsky Echo Mini exceeded my expectations in terms of battery consumption throughout the week. Sure, it charges its 1100mAh battery for two hours from 0-100, but it drains the battery very, very slow, for its price and performance. After the V1.4.0 update, I am getting 10-13 hours of usage on a single charge, with a 1 bar left, which makes it very reliable during long trips and commutes. In theory, I can last longer by turning the album cover off, setting the screen brightness to a minimum, and playing smaller sized file types, such as 16-bit FLACs and MP3s. Do take note that my usage of this DAP is in mixed loads wherein I use this with the screen on most of the time, played with large files such as DSDs, in high and low gain, and paired with headphones in 4.4mm port at some point, so your mileage will vary.

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Pros:

Currently one of the two “best” non-android DAP under 100 USD, I have tried, brand new! (as I write this review)
Nearly transparent, neutral sound character!
Reasonably clean and pitch black, in terms of floor noise!
Lightweight, compact yet non-hollow form factor!
Fairly powerful for its asking price!
Has 3.5 and 4.4 ports!
Simple yet clear screen quality!
Tactile, easy to navigate controls!
Easy yet feature-packed UI! (as of v1.4.0 firmware update)
Has bluetooth support!
Has internal storage!
Unique, retro design! (subjective)
Excellent battery life for its price!

Cons:

Charging time takes almost 2 hours to fully charge from zero (not really a big deal since using this DAP took me 2-3 days to drain it from a full-charge).
Cannot be used as an external DAC (this is only “nice to have” scenario, not a con)
256gb max SD Card support might be lacking for those who use 24-bit files as their minimum file format for their listening experience.
Rare cases of slowdowns and bugs can be experienced on performance tolling scenarios, particularly when used with DSD tracks (not really a big deal for its asking price)
Battery is not user-replaceable (they already had the battery of the Retro Nano user-replaceable, so this is a slight downer for me)
Bluetooth codec is SBC only (not really a deal breaker for this price point)
An included case, screen protector, and a lanyard for this DAP would be a solid treat (although they are already planning to release a PU case for this DAP, sold separately)

========================================================================

Verdict

It is very pleasing and an excellent move that FiiO created subbrands in order to cater a wider variety of people in the market, instead of just sticking to the “professional 100USD” as their entry-level route. In this context, I can confidently say that the Snowsky Echo Mini hit its target market so well that it automatically put itself in my top recommendation if you are looking for the cheapest, non-android yet DAP yet has all the necessities for its price possible. Not to mention that Snowsky did not only implemented the features in the Echo Mini without checking the quality, they managed to implement it so well. Its pitch-black noise floor and relatively neutral sound character is a solid treat for those people who are always on the go but still want the cleanest sound possible under 100 USD. Definitely one of the top recommendations I can recommend for those people who seeks for a lightweight, non-android, reliable DAP with little compromises under 100 USD.This one really stands out, Snowsky!

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated links here!:

Additional photos here:

Nice, thanks for sharing. Curious what is the other "one of the two “best” non-android DAP under 100" for you?

Thats most likely Hiby R1 as there is nothing in this range aside from echo mini which can compare to it

They say how history never get repeated, but Fiio did it, back in days like 2015, Fiio released budget dap Fiio X1, but ChiFi community in that type was very weak and it was more era of earbuds and headphones, and X1 pass unnoticed i had x1, but after few months rid of it, since i was an apple fanboy, and few years later i regret it realizing how iem's are better choice(at least for me), and after 10+ years Fiio releasing new dap ultra budget dap, even few dap's from some other famous companies have been released this Echo Mini beating em all with ease. It's incredible, even with simplistic retro design and physical buttons, I even like it more. There aren't so many dap's in this price range with both 4.4 and 3.5 output, enough capable Dual CS chips providing amazing sound experience. It's clear Fiio dedicate to create something truly unique and amazing, even more what pleasing me, fiio directly communicate with a community in order to bring useful features, which updates get released on a weekly basis.

I don't need to introduce Fiio as company, but for some people who don't know, it's very famous in ChiFi and Audio world for most premium products, which i tried but before never was able to afford, because some of it are very premium and expensive, i have few dongles and dac's, and to be honest with this Echo Mini i got really surprised to the point i was little bit sceptical, 49$ for sucha dap, and its from Fiio ok lets go blind buy, which later on blew me away!!!

Disclaimer:

Echo Mini was purchased by me from Aliexpress, this will be my experience of the product, usually i wait some period of 2-3 months before I write a review or share something...

Pros:

Ultra Budget 49$
Neutral Sound with little bright notes
Compact Retro design
IPS screen is sharp with more than decent visibility
Button quality above average
Very light
Regular Updates(High Gain, Fast Forwarding)
BT
8gb internal memory
Battery of 1100mAh

Cons:

It's not removable battery like on Retro Nano
Basic package(but with this price is OK)
External Memory is up to 256gb(which is enough at least for me)

Unboxing, Design, Specs and other:

Unboxing is straight forward, in box is dap with type c cable, everything nicely packaged and protected, protective sponge was there to protect product, Design is very minimalistic Retro style reminding on Compact Cassette player back from old days, dap have 4 buttons and one volume rocker and reset button, all buttons are very responsive and above average quality, i didn't noticed some creaky sounds or strange noises. Little hole is on the left bottom corner for some lanyards. This feature could be an option for people who will not use pockets, dap comes in 3 colors black, pink and cyan or blue... When it comes to Specs it's not the last word of technology, but for 49$ this is golden! Echo Mini packs Dual CS43131 this chip provide enough power for most demanding iem's and sometimes even cans, 3.5 is 100mw per channel on 32 ohm, while balanced 4.4 is 250mw on 32 ohm, playback formats are supported, flac, wav, dsd, mp3 and other... Sampling rates, DSD is from 64 to 256, flac and wav are 24bit/192khz. Bluetooth is supported but only SBC codec, 8gb of internal memory is enough if you don't have a Mini Sd card prepared with music, micro Sd is supported up to 256gb, for me this is more than enough. Battery is 1100mAh which is proven much better than I had anticipated, it lasts like 11hours on 4.4 with High Gain, which is huge, Echo Mini is very light, for full specification you have Fiio Site...

Sound:

Sound signature is neutral with little bright notes, it's very rich and clear, with a lot of energy, detail retrieval is above average as well as resolution, it's a little bit surprising how this inexpensive Dap can perform so well, some other companies tried this combination and didn't make it possible.

Bass:

Bass on Echo Mini is surprisingly good, its above average, there is enough rumble and doesnt decay fast, its not deep bass, its clear slightly rounded bass which adjust to iem or earbuds, slam isn't aggressive, subbass is here, not greatly defined like not so pronounced, i think all of this small daps have that issue of low or weak subbass, midbass have just enough energy to be fun and engaging but for this price i cant really complain, instruments in low region sound above average with a lot of details...

Mids:

Mid area is with great clarity and enough crisp, both vocals sound natural and sometimes due to that bright note on some tracks could sound little bit dry, there is enough energy in upper mids especially with instruments like piano and guitars, while violins benefit from that little bright note giving enough expressive sound, the whole mid presentation is more than ok, even on most demanding tracks i couldn't see any fatigue in mid area, dynamic range is ok.

Highs:

Echo Mini delivers above average experience in highs area, the way Echo Mini handles transients response and combines it with decays is incredible giving me that feeling of sound is more alive and dynamic and since transients are not so pronounced and well balanced there is no harsh sound or some sibilance. Detail retrieval is above average like i wrote, some tracks with jazz and classical music, i could easily catch even the most finest details. While resolution isn't best at Echo Mini, harmonic resolution is beyond my expectation while musical resolution is slightly worse, but overall this is great in this price range.

Soundstage and Imaging:

Even its not some super expensive dap Echo Mini provide pretty decent but not unlimited spacious soundstage, structure is well defined with enough space around vocals and instruments, i know people will expect something crazy-amazing but still have in mind this is budget dap, soundstage isn't holographic but its very close to 3d presentation, vocals are slightly forward and instruments are behind but not far away, almost ideal presentation. Imaging is solid, instruments and vocals are distinguishable even on the busiest tracks.

Testing Gear:

Most of iem's i have tested are 4.4 unless with a fixed cable of 3.5, and with few open koss and few can's, i will not push the full list otherwise this will last...

EW200 with Epro EP00 eartips, legendary allrounder doing amazing job with Echo Mini, pristine and precise sound ideal for critical listening, with high gain option on(which is always on) treble sparkling more than ever, i know ew200 are sensitive and 3.5 is enough, but with 4.4 experience is even better, due to player low bright effect and ew200 sometimes could appear little bit bright, on some tracks could be overwhelming, but overall it's amazing experience. EW200 scaling nicely with Echo Mini, much better than any budget DAP...

Tripowin Piccolo with NiceHck 07 eartips, even EW200 is better in almost any field than Piccolo, there is improvement with resolution and details with Piccolo followed with NiceHck 07 eartips and Echo Mini this is perfect budget combo, for almost any genres, music simply flying and its enjoyable to listen, neutral Piccolo complimenting nicely with Echo Mini giving you that of relaxed and chilled sound...

Final E500 with ePro Pro01 eartips, this eartips are mostly designed for incredible soundstage and iem is oldtimer mainly for binaural music, with Echo Mini soundstage is improved and better defined giving you extra of nice touch around stage, some additional layers are now more noticable, even e500 are little bit warmer Echo Mini will not spoil sound nor clashing bright with warm, there is enough power to feed already small but yet very hungry driver of e500, high gain contributing to mid-area will almost trick you, like having better iem on head. Oldtimer is proven it can be very competitive even with newer iems with much more advanced drivers.

Castor Bass with S400 eartips, this is also one of the budget iem/eartips combo, Echo Mini providing enough bass and there is quite enough rumble to satisfy hungry bassheads, vocals are corrected due to s400 and Echo Mini giving more than decent experience with resolution and details, even iem is more oriented toward low area, it's really pleasure to enjoy with mids/highs which are now more pronounced due to amazing capabilities of this inexpensive dap.

Koss family, Ksc75/Kph30i/Sporta Pro, all 3 headphones benefit greatly from high gain option, there is enough power to feed em. Ksc75 sound is preserved nice and warm touch, with much more details than with some other daps i have tried in this budget area, while neutral Sporta pro and not so popular in community, providing you with neutral and bassy experience its slightly richer with few DB and with Echo Mini sound is more full with some extra details, and finally kph30i benefit mostly from Echo Mini due to power demand, but rewarding you with clear sound full of details, similar experience i had with more expensive dap and this experience is very close with Echo Mini!

AKG/Sen and a few other can's, all of them benefit from the strong power output of Echo Mini, even most cans are 3.5, I couldn't catch any noise, no fatigue, Echo Mini pushed to the limit in their perspective boundaries...

Comparision:

It is very hard to compare this budget Dap with some little bit or more expensive, because it's not fair, since almost there isn't dap on planet with such a ratio of quality/price...

Sony walkman NWZseries, its very old dap, i have this dap so many years, yes its proven reliable, but doesn't stand chance to new Echo Mini, ok to be honest slightly dynamic range is better on oldtimer Sony, but 4.4, overall output, details i mean almost everything is on Echo Mini side, i mentioned only because price now for second hand is similar to Echo Mini...

Shanling m0 pro, while m0 pro is 75$ more than Echo Mini, both mini dap offer different experience, in UI, controls, but personally i believe Echo Mini is better deal, due to more wider options, like 4.4, better battery, and price, yes M0 pro is little bit older its more versatile, it have option to become dac, bigger capacity for songs, chipsets are not the same ES vs CS, it will come more about personal preference and money... Sound of m0 pro is slightly warmer, while Echo Mini is slightly brighter, bass experience is better on Echo Mini, but even on m0 pro isn't bad, while upper mids dominate on Echo Mini, highs are a bit better on M0 pro due to better ES, it's just some slightly difference, which for someone could be everything or nothing. My point of view, for 75$ extra I could buy a decent iem, with eartips and cable + sd card, or 2 echo mini with super budget 2 x iem/eartips...

Hiby R1, it is one of also budget dap, but what i liked about r1 is decent UI, even software is sometimes bloated, forcing me to reboot device, and even after it doesn't become faster, its touch screen, what i didnt liked its super bright sound, to the point i cant listen more than 15 minutes compared to Echo Mini Neutral and little bit bright, for 35$ extra than on Echo Mini, its only 1 CS compared to Echos 2 x CS, R1 lacking 4.4 which for this price should be implemented, batteries last more less same, High Gain on Echo Mini is much better than on R1, some very sensitive iems like ew200 on R1 sound so dry and cold, occasionally some glare will happen killing almost any musical experience, while on Echo Mini are enjoyable...

Updates:

I'm so happy Fiio listen and communicate with community, constantly trying to improve software and fix the bugs, updates get released regularly, which for me is very nice thing, Echo Mini gets improved with every version, even im on 1.3.0 and current is 1.4.0, volume levels on are not defined to my taste(since i like grumpy steps), even its same power output, but this will be changed with new update, yes 1.4.0 offer some really nice features, like fastforwarding tracks especially useful for longer tracks and many other...

Conclusion:

Echo Mini is such a brutal small budget Dap, Fiio created currently like best inexpensive Dap for wide mass, bringing this product to budget customers, and in same time keeping quality and prestige of company, this small Echo Mini put on test other companies to create something better but yet inexpensive, and i doubt this will happen in near future or EVER!...

Link:

Fiio Store Echo Mini

Nice review man, very informative.

Disclaimer: FiiO provided me with a review unit. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Introduction

The Echo Mini (not to be confused with Amazon's spying speakers), is the second product from FiiO’s sub-brand, SNOWSKY. Retailing at a mere $50, this is actually CHEAPER than the Bluetooth dongle, Retro Nano, and actually a full DAP. It is kinda mind-blowing now I think about it.

At this price point, there isn't much competition in the DAP market from the big audiophile brands nowadays. But, despite the price point, will it still be competitive? Let’s find out!

Packaging, Build & Specifications

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Packaging and build wise, the Echo Mini does feel like a toy. The light weight and the all-plastic build kinda remind me of the Fisher-Price toys I had bought for my kid, in a good way. I feel that it can withstand quite a bit of knocks here and there (again, just like toddler’s toys capable of withstanding their erratic play style).

Looking at its design, from the front, it is indeed trying to look like a tape cassette from the 80s, but a bit smaller (I don’t have a real cassette at hand, so I can’t put up a direct comparison). At the back, there is something that looks like a battery cover, but alas it was just decorative. I was pretty disappointed at that, I was really hoping for it to be replaceable just like the Retro Nano. The USB cable and the usage manual round up the rest of the packaging, and there aren’t any other extra goodies like lanyards or stickers like the Retro Nano, even though the Echo Mini does have a lanyard hole. I think for the price point it is certainly fine.

The screen is OLED, but it is certainly of a lower grade. It is similar to the OLED screens in the KA15 and Retro Nano, serviceable but not that great. I can see the contents clearly even under the harsh sunlight of Singapore. There is an animation that plays when a track is playing, emulating a tape rolling. Nice design touch that is fun and creative!

Overall, build and packaging is a solid 6 out of 10, but hopefully the sound quality can make up for it…

Sound Impressions

IEMs/Cans: 64 Audio U18S, U4S; Moondrop Dusk; Sennheiser HD800S; Final Audio D8000 Pro LE; Thieaudio Monarch Mk2; SNOWSKY Wind
Setup: High gain, Slow LL or NOS filter, tested from version 1.25 to 1.30
Music Sources: Lossless FLACs

Impression from listening is a very subjective experience depending on individual ear shape, choice of eartips, music library, and personal preferences, so your experience may vary. I personally listen mostly to pop (J-pop especially), jazz, some rock, and very limited metal and EDM.

And whaddya know? The sound quality does redeem the Echo Mini. On a first listen, I was pretty taken aback at how detailed it is. Even compared to the JM21, on the first glance, I find the Echo Mini seems to offer better dynamics and resolution, which is quite impressive. However, upon further listening, I realized that it wasn’t really more resolution or more dynamics, just that the “placement” of each sound in the staging is way more forward with the Echo Mini, effectively squeezing the soundstage in exchange to enhance the perception of detail retrieval and dynamics. The Echo Mini is such a fun listen.

There isn’t much colouration in the sound overall. Bass, mids, and treble are relatively neutral with the option of changing the sound via built-in EQ presets (and to a subtler extent, several DAC filter options). I personally like the Jazz and Pop presets, depending on the situation. To my ear, I could sense a slight emphasis on the uppermids and more sparkle in the treble in some tracks but without glare or over-sharpness. That is probably how the Echo Mini increases the perceived sense of resolution. I would say, just the sound quality, it punches way above its price point.

Power-wise, despite the official specs only listing a peak of 250mW at 32 ohms, I find it to be exceptionally powerful (or at least very high gain). I threw in my HD800S and it can drive it so well with plenty of headroom. Similarly, my D8000 Pro LE didn’t really push this to the limit yet, driving these flagship headphones decently. Maybe I should borrow my friend’s Tungsten if I get the chance to see how I can torture this thing. As far as IEMs, low gain is all you need.

Bass: neutral and extended
Mids: some uppermids emphasis
Treble: some sparkle
Technicalities: intimate soundstage, great layering and resolution, powerful

Daily Usage Experience

The buttons are pretty mushy with a tactile feel at the bottom of the press. I do sometimes accidentally activate the play-pause button while using the volume down (they’re next to each other), so the tolerance isn’t that great. Not really a big deal, and it might be just my particular unit. That said, it’s fine in day-to-day usage, I rarely touch them anyway.

The UI/UX, however, comes straight from the early 2000s, along with the annoyances from that period. There is no touchscreen, slow scanning speed, weird tag display (pre-1.30, the title wasn’t even shown and instead it was showing filename), and many other small creature comforts that I am used to with other DAPs that are missing in the Echo Mini. Something that I really wish that Echo Mini had is DAC mode. I sometimes find that while at work, I want to connect it to my work PC as a DAC/amp, which I sometimes do with my other DAPs. There is no USB host functionality either, so I can’t use it as a digital source for a dongle or other DAC/amp. This is just a pure music player, plain and simple.

Navigation is pretty tough without a touchscreen, especially if you have large storage. I put in the largest possible capacity Micro SD card, 256GB, with about 4000 songs, browsing the songs via the library is just too tedious. Fortunately, I organized my files in neat folders, so I can just use the file browser to pick the songs. And if FiiO reads this review, for the love of everything good in the world, PLEASE add “Album Artist” as one of the library grouping categories (that includes the FiiO Player app too, by the way).

Talking about the music library, copying into the Micro SD card was also problematic. Initially, I just used an existing Micro SD card from another device formatted to exFAT. The Echo Mini couldn’t detect the songs. OK, small deal, I’ll just use Echo Mini to format it. Now, it was not detected in Windows, so I tried formatting it again. It worked and now it showed up in Windows. I went in to copy using an external card reader since it is faster. Then, Echo Mini bootlooped when it tried to scan my songs.

Turns out, my usual folder structure is not compatible with the Echo Mini. Normally, I put all my songs in this structure:

Code:

<drive>:\Music\<artist>\<album>\<track>.<extension>

Echo Mini can’t go down that deep, so I had to put the artist folder into the root of the drive:

Code:

<drive>:\<artist>\<album>\<track>.<extension>

Just take note of this issue when you are setting up your Micro SD card.

There was a frequent bug where the library would reset when you turn off the device. This was supposedly fixed in 1.30 but I did experience a library reset once after the 1.30 update, so it may not have been completely fixed, but the frequency has dropped significantly. Another bug was that if you set the clock in the device, it would randomly reset itself, which was also fixed by 1.30 update.

Then when you start playing the song, another quirky UX turns out to be another small problem: the directional button becomes volume control and track control. Short tap to change volume, holding the button to go to the previous and next track. To change volume quickly, I have to tap once, then tap again and hold. There is no way for me to seek within the track itself since the functionality is taken over by volume and track control (EDIT: firmware 1.4.0 has added fast forward and backward function). Since the buttons are pretty protruded, putting it in a tight jeans is not an option since it is quite easily pressed. Using the lanyard from the Retro Nano kinda alleviates the issue.

After that, I turn off the unit for the day. The next day, I decided to use the Echo Mini with IEM, then went into the music page… Then my ears promptly got blasted by high volume settings I used on my headphones. The reason was that going to the music page will auto-play the previous track with the previously set volume. And since the volume control is only available while a music is playing, I had no way to change the volume until a track is playing. Subsequently, I always go into the music page with the transducer disconnected to avoid this issue.

Lastly, the Bluetooth feature is not something I’d recommend. Supporting only SBC codec, along with the clunky interface to connect to devices, I just don’t think it is worth using at this point.

All these small issues came together into quite an annoying experience. Of course, some behavioural adjustments on my end did alleviate the issues, but I think they are still some notable things potential buyers need to think about. That said, as I previously said, the sound quality did make up for a lot of these issues. I ended up just putting a small amount of songs into the unit in a smaller Micro SD card, then just shuffle play them, which turned out to be the best way to enjoy this small device.

Select Comparisons

FiiO JM21 ($199):
When it comes to usage experience, JM21 certainly beats out the Echo Mini hands down. However, surprisingly, in terms of sound quality, I find they are pretty close with some tradeoffs. JM21 sounds more natural, effortless, and clean, while the Echo Mini sounds more intense and aggressive. Like I mentioned earlier, Echo Mini does give a higher perceived resolution, in exchange for a more intimate soundstage compared to the JM21. In the end, I would say I still prefer the JM21 overall, but considering that Echo Mini is a quarter of its price, with better battery life too, I think the Echo Mini is still worth the consideration.

Xduoo X2S ($59):
Now for the DAP within the same price range, the X2S has been a long favourite “pick up and throw” kind of DAP that many people like. I bought one a few years ago for fun and surprisingly, it still sounds great even after these many years. However, Echo Mini easily steals the show here. Having more power, 4.4mm port, higher max capacity Micro SD card (128GB vs 256GB), bigger screen, and overall better technicalities in sound (higher resolution, more dynamics), it easily replaces the X2S in my usage scenario. That said, I am still hoping for an update to the Echo Mini that would enable DAC mode, similar to how it was added to X2S in a firmware update.

Conclusion

Echo Mini is quite a surprising product with a great value. Given the price and sound quality, I personally can forgive many of its issues. While I might be quite critical in some aspects, I think it is an absolutely superb small DAP with plenty of power.

Introduction

Well, a lot of time has passed since the last time I’ve tried a portable DAP. In fact, I do not own any DAP right now besides my old yet functional AGPTEK M30B (a.k.a. Benjie S8), so receiving the Snowsky Echo Mini is a breath of fresh air for me.
In this review, I will try to share what I think about this new DAP from Snowsky, a new brand under Fiio’s hat that focuses on portable gear with a focus on nostalgia-driven devices and vintage designs. I will also try to provide some comparisons between this solution and the more common pairing between a phone and a good dongle DAC, so let’s get straight into the review.

Disclaimer: the Snowsky Echo Mini was sent to me by Fiio free of charge in order to write an honest review. This review represents my personal opinion and it is by no means a promotional or paid content.
At the time of the review, the Snowsky Echo Mini was on sale for about $60 at Fiio’s website.

EDIT: increased rating from 4/5 to 4.5/5, they are updating the device, they're adding functions and correcting bugs. It's a super device (not perfect yet great for the price).

Technical Specifications

DAC Chipset → CS43131 * 2
Built-in Storage → 8GB
External storage → TF Card (Micro SD), support up to 256GB
Bluetooth codec → SBC
Bluetooth version → 5.3
Supported formats → DSD (64/128/256), WAV (24bit/192k), FLAC (24bit/192k), APE (24bit/96K), MP3, M4A, OGG
Output interface → 3.5mm single-ended/4.4mm balanced
Output power 1: L+R ⩾ 100mW + 100mW (32Ω single ended, THD + N<1%)
Output power 1: L+R ⩾ 250mW + 250mW (32Ω balanced, THD + N<1%)
Signal to noise ratio (SNR): ⩾ 131dB (32Ω A-weighted)
THD+N → 0.0004%
Noise Floor → 0.8Uv
Battery capacity → 1100mAh
Declared battery life → 15 hours
Size → 80mm * 54.5mm * 14.5mm (L x W x H)
Colors → Black/Cyan/Pink
Net weight → 55g
Display → 1.99-inch color LCD

Packaging

The box looks super cool thanks to the “young-age” colors thanks to the reference to the golden ages of walkmen. It includes:

The Snowsky Echo Mini
A Type-C to Type-C cable (for charging and data transfer)
User manual and warranty card

Since there’s also a lanyard hole on one side, not including one is a missed opportunity.

Design, Build Quality and Buttons

The Echo Mini looks like an old cassette player and this is already a good selling point: those who are nostalgic about the golden era of cassette players and/or walkmen will definitely fall in love with the design. The build quality is exactly what you’d expect from a budget DAP: a well assembled plastic body, plastic buttons, an LCD screen and that’s it. It’s sturdy, it looks pretty durable, just make sure you’ll take care of it (at least the bare minimum attention).

The back shows a battery slot that is (unfortunately) not usable, so you can’t open it to hot-swap the battery and it’s there just for the sake of the design.

There are six buttons on top:

A multifunction button (power on/off, screen on/off and so on)
Volume up (also operates as a UI navigator and “previous track” button)
Volume down (also operates as a UI navigator and “next track” button)
A play/pause button (also operates as “enter” while navigating and operating in the UI)
An “options” button (speaks for itself)
A “back” button (another one that speaks for itself)

There is no lock button as accidental inputs can happen while keeping the player in your pocket.

On the right side of the player we find a 3.5mm port (single-ended), a 4.4mm port (balanced) and a reset button that requires a sewing needle or something very thin to be used.

On the left, instead, we find the memory card slot, the Type-C port and a lanyard hole.

UI navigation, features and battery life

The UI looks pretty clean and well organized, and there is basically a white theme and a black theme to choose from. Navigating through the various menus and options doesn’t feel laggy and instead it’s a quite responsive device that provides for a very intuitive and no-frills user experience.

There’s a file browser, a playlist menu, a “now playing” section, a “music settings” menu and a “system settings” menu.
One by one:

The file browser lets you navigate through the various folders (both in the root folder and in the microSD) and eventually delete the files that you don’t want anymore.
The playlist section speaks for itself
The Now Playing section moves you to the track that’s being reproduced
The music settings menu lets you select an equalizer preset, a filter, a different type of repeat/shuffle function, the max volume limit and there’s also a gain adjustment (which is set to high by default)
The system settings menu has some “general” settings such as the bluetooth pairing (you can pair the device with an output device such as bluetooth speakers or TWS earphones), screen and brightness settings, energy saving settings, date and time, interface style, language, factory reset and format functions and there are also some informations about the current software version and about the supported formats.

What’s missing?

Parametric EQ
Rewind and fast forward in tracks (big no for those who like audiobooks or those who listen to very long live-recorded tracks.
USB-DAC mode (this is a missed opportunity)
Gapless playback: this is a pretty annoying lack since some albums are made to be listened continuously and with no pause between each track
256GB max for the microSD card is not a lot of space if you want to carry a lot of albums, DSD files and so on
only SBC as bluetooth codec

I think that Fiio still needs to invest some time and effort in this new Snowsky Echo Mini: the overall software is very intuitive and runs smoothly but some features need to be added and/or refined to provide for a fuller user experience.

At the time of the review, I’m using the 1.2.7 version of the stock software that includes some fixes from the previous 1.1.0, from which I have upgraded. You can find the firmware updates on Fiio’s website and they are very easy to install: download the zip, unzip it, put the firmware file into the root folder, remove the memory card from the player and turn it ON. The installer has no percentage of completion but it doesn’t take a lot of time (around 20-25 seconds on my sample to update from 1.1.0 to 1.2.7) and when the device turns OFF just turn it ON again and check if the new version has been installed.

Battery life

The declared battery life of 15 hours is not impossible to reach, but I doubt it will be possible to use the Echo Mini for 15 hours from the balanced output and at sustained volume levels. From my experience, I have been able to average around 12 hours using IEMs from the balanced output, whereas 8-9 hours are a more realistic average when it comes to driving my HE400SE (all with .flac files, gain level set to high and level 3 brightness) at medium volume levels. Be aware that my average listening time wasn’t measured with continuous reproduction tests and I am mostly speaking about real-life usage in multiple days.
In any case, it's a very respectable battery life and I can see myself carrying this device around without worrying too much about the battery life.

Performance

Power
There’s a good amount of power from the two outputs, and I gotta admit that the 3.5mm was already enough to play some proper music with my HE400SE. At medium volume, it was already pretty high and above my average level of loudness for sure.
From the balanced output, the sound was clearly louder even though the differences in terms of sound weren’t very noticeable. The HE400SE sound a tad better through the balanced output but the loudness was the major differentiating factor.
I’d say you’re not going to have any issues with most IEMs (I’d also expose myself by saying that you’ll be able to drive basically every IEM) and a good number of over-ear cans except for a few cases that require stronger sources.
The KSC75 aren’t hard to drive, but for reference, they are VERY loud after 30/60 volume from the 3.5mm single-ended port of the Echo Mini; going above 35/60 would mean putting my own hearing at risk, so there’s plenty of power.

Sound
There is no background hiss even when very sensitive IEMs are connected, there isn’t any pop or strange noise when plugging-in/unplugging earphones from the output ports and overall everything sounds clean.
The sound is mostly on the neutral side, the resolution is very good for the price, and considering that we’re speaking about a digital player (that also sports a screen and some other features), I am pretty happy with the performance.
If I compare it with some of the most interesting dongles from 50$ to 100$, then the sound is a touch below in terms of detail retrieval and resolution, but they aren’t standalone products and this is probably the real selling point of this tiny yet well packed piece of tech.

Some comparisons:

Snowsky Echo Mini vs Retro Nano
Straight to the point, I think that the Echo Mini sounds better than the Retro Nano both in bluetooth and wired mode. It’s a bit more powerful and less lean with better dynamics, perceivable superior end-to-end extension, and it sounds a tad “fuller” overall.
However, the Echo Mini still needs some proper updates to the firmware to become as practical and functional as the Echo Mini, since the Echo Mini can work as a USB DAC (even without the battery, you can connect it through the Type-C cable and use it) for your PC or phone, you can use it just like the Fiio BTR11 as a bluetooth DAC with LDAC compatibility, you can set customized EQ profiles… there are a lot more things you can do with it, let’s put it this way, and it also has a removable battery!
I find myself reaching for the Retro Nano a lot more, I am not gonna lie.

Snowsky Echo Mini vs Smartphone + Fosi DS2, Truthear SHIO and Dunu DTC480
Since I do not have other comparable DAPs, I think that clarifying the main differences between the two “choices” could be useful for some.

Some people periodically ask me why they should buy a portable DAP instead of just getting a dongle DAC and connecting it to a phone.
Well, there is a big difference, and that’s basically the willingness of the listener to have a device that is dedicated to music listening and that doesn’t have any other distraction on it.
On the other hand, suggesting to buy a dongle DAC and using it paired with your day-to-day smartphone is a very good idea and nowadays it’s what I suggest the most.

The Echo Mini has a very interesting price and this question will probably get raised again, so how does it compare with some well-equipped dongles that can be bought for the same price as the Echo Mini?
The Fosi DS2, for example, is more powerful and has better resolution and extension on both sides of the spectrum overall, and the same applies for the Truthear SHIO. The DTC480, for example, is not more powerful than the Echo Mini, but the sound quality is a touch better overall with better note weight overall and slightly superior end-to-end extension.
The Echo Mini shines in its category because it’s a unique product that focuses on its “stand-alone” usability, a thing that was basically disappeared in its price range in the latest years (after Benjie players progressively faded out), and even though it’s not the strongest performer in terms of technical prowess, it still has a category on its own, providing for a breath of fresh air in a market that is filled by dongle DACs only.

Final Thoughts

The Echo Mini is a very interesting, well-packed and great sounding portable DAP that’s born to be a standalone device, a thing that is in contrast with the actual market trend of releasing and selling tons of dongle DACs that still need a phone or similar device to be used on the go.
It’s not a perfect product, and in a very short time-frame a few updates have already fixed some things and added a few controls, so I am confident that Fiio will improve this little device with future updates. In fact, there are things like the lac of fast forward/rewind and the gapless playback that would contribute at making this a lot more interesting, features that I was honestly expecting by the Echo Mini along with some other things that I am missing.

Overall, after mentioning all the strengths and weaknesses of the Echo Mini, I am happy to recommend it for this price: it’s a concrete device that does most things well and that provides for a very intuitive user experience along with powerful outputs and great sound quality.
Cannot wait to see newer products from Snowsky.

The Echo mini seems like one hell of a deal but not being able to use it as a desktop DAC or even be able to pair it with another DAC is a bummer, this would have paired really well with my FiiO KA13

I think the USB DAC function would have seriously impacted this product positevely. Hopefully they will look into this possibility and think about that for a future Echo Mini "Pro", if it will ever happen.

Imagine sipping your morning coffee while flipping through a playlist on a device that looks like a mini cassette player but packs a serious punch in sound quality. That’s the Snowsky Echo Mini, a budget-friendly digital audio player (DAP) that doesn’t just bank on nostalgia—it delivers where it truly matters: sound, functionality, and sheer value.
At just $50, this pint-sized wonder doesn’t try to compete with high-end streaming DAPs or audiophile-grade gear, but it carves out a compelling niche. With dual CS43131 DACs, both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, and support for high-resolution formats up to DSD256, it’s easily one of the most feature-packed budget players on the market. But does it live up to the hype?

Whats in the box? here is my quick unbox video:

Design & Build – A Nostalgic Throwback
Right out of the box, the Echo Mini is an instant eye-catcher. Designed to resemble a miniature cassette tape, it taps into the retro charm of the ’80s and ’90s while blending modern functionality. The 1.99-inch IPS color display is crisp, though compact, featuring a fun animated cassette UI. Despite weighing only 55g, the Echo Mini feels surprisingly solid and well-constructed. While the body is made of plastic, it doesn’t feel cheap in the slightest. In fact, when I first held it, I mistook the front panel for metal—it has that sturdy, premium feel. Compared to the HiBy R1, the Echo Mini feels more robust and refined in hand. I also appreciate the sharp edges, which give it a sleek, modern touch while still maintaining its retro-inspired aesthetic.

Available in Black, Cyan, and Pink, it caters to different aesthetic tastes. The buttons offer satisfying tactile feedback, and the overall layout is intuitive, simple enough for casual users while offering enough depth for more seasoned listeners.

Features & Functionality:

For an entry-level DAP, the Echo Mini doesn’t skimp on features:

Dual CS43131 DACs – A rare find at this price, these DACs ensure clean, detailed sound with low distortion.
3.5mm single-ended & 4.4mm balanced outputs – Uncommon in this price range, the balanced output delivers up to 250mW at 32Ω, making it powerful enough to drive most IEMs and even some headphones.
Full format support – WAV, FLAC, DSD256, MP3—if it’s a music file, chances are the Echo Mini can play it.
Bluetooth support – A nice bonus for those who want wireless convenience.
Built-in 8GB storage + microSD expansion (up to 256GB) – While 8GB isn’t much, the microSD slot makes up for it.
Long battery life – Respectable playback time, especially given its small size.

The only major omission? No Wi-Fi or streaming support. But at this price, expecting Tidal or Spotify integration would be wishful thinking. This is a pure offline player, which can be a dealbreaker for some but a blessing for audiophiles who want to disconnect and focus on their music.

Sound Quality – Surprising Clarity for the Price

Budget DAPs often fall into one of two traps: overly processed sound that feels artificial or lackluster DAC implementation that leaves the music lifeless. The Echo Mini, however, defies these expectations, delivering a level of performance that punches well above its class.

Thanks to its dual DAC setup and independent power supply system, the Echo Mini offers a sound signature that’s clean, dynamic, and highly engaging. It leans towards a neutral presentation with a slight brightness, giving it a crisp, airy character without veering into harshness. If you're familiar with FiiO’s house sound, you'll immediately recognize its influence here—neutral yet slightly bright, with excellent clarity, detail retrieval, and precise imaging. It's the kind of tuning that brings out microdetails in recordings while maintaining a natural and spacious presentation, making it a compelling option for those who appreciate a more analytical but still musical sound.

Bass
The low end of the Echo Mini is tight, controlled, and well-defined, prioritizing texture and accuracy over sheer impact. It doesn’t aim to overwhelm with excessive boom, but rather delivers a refined and articulate bass response that complements a wide range of genres.

Sub-bass extension is good, reaching deep without muddying the mix, allowing rumbling notes to be felt rather than just heard (depending on what iem or headphone you use.) Meanwhile, midbass carries enough punch and body to keep the sound lively and engaging, adding warmth where needed without bleeding into the mids. It strikes a great balance—there’s enough weight to give drums and basslines a satisfying presence, but not so much that it overpowers the rest of the frequency range.

Mids
Vocals on the Echo Mini are clear, detailed, and slightly bright, which brings out nuances in both male and female voices. However, in some tracks, this brightness can make vocals sound a bit thin, lacking the full-bodied weight that gives them a more natural and organic presence. While it’s not the warmest or most euphonic midrange, there is just enough warmth to add a touch of richness and emotion—enough to keep vocals engaging without muddying the overall presentation.

Instrument separation is handled well, allowing complex arrangements to remain distinct and easy to follow. Acoustic guitars have a crisp bite, pianos resonate with good clarity, and string instruments maintain their delicate textures. The tonality is balanced and largely uncolored, ensuring that instruments sound true to the recording. The mids remain clean and highly detailed, making this tuning ideal for those who prioritize clarity, resolution, and transparency over a warmer, more colored presentation.

Treble
The treble is energetic, bright, and well-extended, giving the sound an open and airy presentation. Highs are crisp without being piercing, striking a nice balance between clarity and smoothness. There's enough brightness to bring out fine details and microtextures, but it avoids becoming overly sharp or fatiguing, making long listening sessions more enjoyable.

There’s a good amount of air and sparkle, which enhances instrument separation and adds a sense of spaciousness to the sound. Detail retrieval is impressive for the price, allowing subtle nuances—like the shimmer of cymbals or the delicate decay of high notes—to come through with remarkable clarity. While it leans toward a more revealing treble, it manages to stay controlled, ensuring that sibilance is kept in check.

Soundstage & Imaging
For such a compact and budget-friendly device, the Echo Mini delivers a surprisingly spacious soundstage, especially when used in balanced mode. While it won’t match the vast, out-of-head experience of high-end DAPs, it does an impressive job of creating a sense of openness. There’s a good amount of width and depth, allowing instruments and vocals to breathe rather than feeling cramped or congested.

Imaging is precise and well-defined, making it easy to pinpoint the location of different instruments in complex tracks. Whether it's the placement of a vocalist front and center, a guitar off to the side, or subtle background elements, the Echo Mini keeps everything distinct and well-separated.

Usability & Performance – Compact but Capable

The RTOS-based OS is simple but snappy. Boot times are fast, navigation is intuitive, and playback is lag-free. The interface isn’t as polished as premium DAPs, but it gets the job done.

The buttons are a welcome touch—no need for a touchscreen, just simple, reliable controls that work without distractions.

In terms of drivability, the balanced output (250mW @ 32Ω) can handle a variety of IEMs and even some full-sized headphones. Low-impedance, high-sensitivity IEMs work best, but even slightly harder-to-drive sets get ample power without distortion.

Final Verdict – A No-Brainer for Budget-Conscious Audiophiles

The Snowsky Echo Mini is one of the best bang-for-your-buck digital audio players available today.

It doesn’t try to be a high-end DAP, nor does it pretend to replace your smartphone for streaming. Instead, it excels at what a DAP should do: deliver pure, high-quality music playback in a compact and stylish form factor.

For $50, it’s an absolute steal. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, high-resolution, no-frills music player with great sound quality, balanced output, and nostalgic charm, the Echo Mini is a no-brainer.

Would it be better with streaming? Sure. But sometimes, less is more, and in a world of distractions, having a dedicated offline player that just plays music beautifully is a refreshing change.

Highly recommended for budget-conscious audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

Links:

https://www.fiio.com/echomini

https://hifigo.com/products/fiio-sn...CXafotoWXCPyFzgwwlVWVYkf-PHqcIO9OLHeqndzPCv5C

https://thehificat.com/products/fiio-snowsky-echo-mini?srsltid=AfmBOorY5BByP2zq4x1bkNBMYA1jd5jlKp1OdOeFCxng5MxaCu2ysa0q

SNOWSKY ECHO MINI

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