Hi there,
I wanted to write a practical ownership review of the M15 hoping that it may benefit some of you.
I have very recently purchased the M15 along with an HD 800S and so far it has been a terrific choice giving me the pleasure of a mid-level high-end set which would cost much more.
1. M15 is a pretty well-built iphone 11-sized but heavier source+amp that offers many extra features thanks to its android os.
2. The device is rather sleek and heavy thus it is slippery so buying a non-slippery protective case should be seriously considered. FiiO's website does not offer any cases for the M15 and I suspect some web hits direct to fake FiiO website. FiiO as a company does not have good representation, the user's manuals are not informative and do not explain the features but repeat the like A Dac is a DAC. Their website is amateur and contains little info. I spent some time to play with the device to learn about it rather than dealing with their literature.
3. The musical qualities are super good and I have been very happy across a wide range of music. Needless to say, the 800S is a perfect can that I can wear for two hours (while sitting) before any neck strain.
4. Uploading music into the M15 was problematic. My Mac did not recognize the M15 thru the cable connection so I had to buy a new larger sd card that came with an adapter and this enabled me to upload 60 GB of music from the computer into the card in 30 minutes. Then the device easily imported 12,000 songs into its library without me having to do anything except one click.
5. I experienced major difficulties with the wifi and thought about returning the device but it appears those were related not to M15 but to Tidal which failed to download songs at home (acceptable streaming quality around 5-10 mbit) and also at the office (75 mbit-ish so rather fast.) At the end, I deleted the Tidal app and will cancel my subs. This may be a Tidal-android problem because Tidal on an iphone worked better for me with still streaming issues. On the M15 there were so many disconnections during the downloading that it simply is not usable.
6. M15 is a little computer and this is very handy because you can listen to music and if you shall choose to do so, you can do other things without having to use your phone/laptop. I guess the android choice was a good one!
7. It is very portable despite not being light and I use it anywhere at home and in my view it can be used anywhere.
8. Its battery has been pretty good so far giving me 10+ hours including some internet usage so it's a device you can definitely take around.
9. FiiO's own music app is pretty good and you have the option to use various streaming services.
10. I could not use Tidal because of streaming problems so I will stick to my own music but when it comes to trying something new, there is also Amazon Music which may be handy. Apple Music is not present on this android device and maybe I shall find a different
- I did not try its DAC only mode and can't comment on the M15 purely as a source. However, for a very short time, the dealer switched on this feature so I could compare M15's amp with a stand alone Cocktail Audio's 2500€ amp. The M15 as an amp did far better (or CA was far worse) when it came to delivering hard and progressive beats of heavy metal. Maybe on the CA you are never meant to listen to metal/rock but only classical?
With proper planning or a little post-purchase struggle, the M15 can make you and your ears really happy.
I wanted to write a practical ownership review of the M15 hoping that it may benefit some of you.
I have very recently purchased the M15 along with an HD 800S and so far it has been a terrific choice giving me the pleasure of a mid-level high-end set which would cost much more.
1. M15 is a pretty well-built iphone 11-sized but heavier source+amp that offers many extra features thanks to its android os.
2. The device is rather sleek and heavy thus it is slippery so buying a non-slippery protective case should be seriously considered. FiiO's website does not offer any cases for the M15 and I suspect some web hits direct to fake FiiO website. FiiO as a company does not have good representation, the user's manuals are not informative and do not explain the features but repeat the like A Dac is a DAC. Their website is amateur and contains little info. I spent some time to play with the device to learn about it rather than dealing with their literature.
3. The musical qualities are super good and I have been very happy across a wide range of music. Needless to say, the 800S is a perfect can that I can wear for two hours (while sitting) before any neck strain.
4. Uploading music into the M15 was problematic. My Mac did not recognize the M15 thru the cable connection so I had to buy a new larger sd card that came with an adapter and this enabled me to upload 60 GB of music from the computer into the card in 30 minutes. Then the device easily imported 12,000 songs into its library without me having to do anything except one click.
5. I experienced major difficulties with the wifi and thought about returning the device but it appears those were related not to M15 but to Tidal which failed to download songs at home (acceptable streaming quality around 5-10 mbit) and also at the office (75 mbit-ish so rather fast.) At the end, I deleted the Tidal app and will cancel my subs. This may be a Tidal-android problem because Tidal on an iphone worked better for me with still streaming issues. On the M15 there were so many disconnections during the downloading that it simply is not usable.
6. M15 is a little computer and this is very handy because you can listen to music and if you shall choose to do so, you can do other things without having to use your phone/laptop. I guess the android choice was a good one!
7. It is very portable despite not being light and I use it anywhere at home and in my view it can be used anywhere.
8. Its battery has been pretty good so far giving me 10+ hours including some internet usage so it's a device you can definitely take around.
9. FiiO's own music app is pretty good and you have the option to use various streaming services.
10. I could not use Tidal because of streaming problems so I will stick to my own music but when it comes to trying something new, there is also Amazon Music which may be handy. Apple Music is not present on this android device and maybe I shall find a different
- I did not try its DAC only mode and can't comment on the M15 purely as a source. However, for a very short time, the dealer switched on this feature so I could compare M15's amp with a stand alone Cocktail Audio's 2500€ amp. The M15 as an amp did far better (or CA was far worse) when it came to delivering hard and progressive beats of heavy metal. Maybe on the CA you are never meant to listen to metal/rock but only classical?
With proper planning or a little post-purchase struggle, the M15 can make you and your ears really happy.