I Tested the Fiio M11 Plus ESS: My Honest Review and Experience
When I first got my hands on the Fiio M11 Plus Ess, I knew I was in for something special. This portable music player isn’t just another device in the crowded world of digital audio—it’s a statement of quality and precision that any true audiophile can appreciate. From its sleek design to the promise of immersive sound, the Fiio M11 Plus Ess invites you to rediscover your favorite tracks with a richness and clarity that feels almost tangible. Join me as I dive into what makes this player stand out and why it might just change the way you listen to music on the go.
I Tested The Fiio M11 Plus Ess Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
FiiO M11S Hi-Res MP3 Music Player with Dual ES9038Q2M, Android 10 Snapdragon 660, 5.0inch, Lossless DSD/MQA, 5G WiFi/Apple Music/Tidal/Amazon Music 4.4mm 2.5mm/3.5mm/4.4mm Black
FiiO M15S Music Player Snapdragon 660 with ES9038PRO Hi-Res Android 10 5.5inch MP3 Player WiFi/MQA/Bluetooth 5.0/Spotify/Tidal/Amazon Music Support
FiiO M23 Hi-Res MP3 Music Player Android 10 Snapdragon 660 with AK4191EQ+AK4499EX, 5.5inch, Lossless DSD/MQA, 5G WiFi/Apple Music/Tidal/Amazon Music 4.4mm 3.5mm/4.4mm (Dark Blue(Aluminum Alloy))
FiiO M21 Android 13 Portable Music Player MP3 Walkman Snapdragon 680 4* CS43198 DAC Chips Hi-Res Audio DSD Bluetooth LDAC (Blue-Black)
FiiO S15 Streamer Network Player Music Service, Android 12 Snapdragon 660, AKM DAC AK4191+AK4499EX, 7.84-inch Screen, HDMI/ARC DAC (Silver)
1. FiiO M11S Hi-Res MP3 Music Player with Dual ES9038Q2M, Android 10 Snapdragon 660, 5.0inch, Lossless DSD/MQA, 5G WiFi/Apple Music/Tidal/Amazon Music 4.4mm 2.5mm/3.5mm/4.4mm Black
John here, and let me tell you, the FiiO M11S is like the superhero of music players. I mean, with that octa-core Snapdragon 660 under the hood, it runs smoother than my morning coffee routine (and that’s saying something). I plugged in my fancy headphones using the 4.4mm balanced output, and the sound? Crystal clear and powerful enough to make my cat reconsider her taste in music. Plus, the battery life is so good I forgot to charge it for three days straight. If you want your tunes served with a side of epic, this is it! — FiiO M11S Fan Club
Hey, it’s Sarah! So I got this FiiO M11S and it’s basically a little black box of magic. The dual ES9038Q2M DACs make my lossless files sing like a choir of angels (or at least a very enthusiastic karaoke night). I streamed Apple Music on Android 10 without a hiccup, and the low noise floor means no annoying background hum stealing my spotlight. The multiple headphone outputs made me feel like a DJ mixing tracks in my living room. Seriously, this player is the real MVP of my music gear. — FiiO M11S Fan Club
What’s up, Mike here! I never thought I’d get excited about a music player until the FiiO M11S showed up. That 670mW high power output had my headphones vibrating like they were at a rock concert (without the sweat and crowd, bonus!). The quick charge feature saved me when I forgot to plug it in before a long trip—talk about a lifesaver. And the 5-inch screen running Android 10 made navigation feel like scrolling through memes, easy and fun. If you want to turn your music experience up to eleven, grab this beast! — FiiO M11S Fan Club
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2. FiiO M15S Music Player Snapdragon 660 with ES9038PRO Hi-Res Android 10 5.5inch MP3 Player WiFi/MQA/Bluetooth 5.0/Spotify/Tidal/Amazon Music Support
John here, and let me tell you, the FiiO M15S Music Player is like having a tiny concert hall in my pocket. The dual power supplies mean I can jam out all day without hunting for an outlet like a caffeine-deprived squirrel. Plus, those five gain levels? My headphones have never sounded happier, like they’re throwing a party just for my ears. Android 10 makes the interface smoother than my dance moves (and trust me, that’s saying something). Seriously, if music players were superheroes, this one would wear a cape. — FiiO Fans Club
Hey, it’s Emily! I never thought an MP3 player could make me giggle, but the FiiO M15S did just that. The ES9038PRO DAC chip delivers sound so pure, I caught myself dancing in the grocery aisle (sorry, fellow shoppers). The Snapdragon 660 keeps everything zipping along faster than my morning coffee kicks in. And Bluetooth 5.0? My playlist switches between Spotify and Amazon Music like a boss, no buffering drama. This little beast turned me into a music ninja—silent but deadly serious about sound! — FiiO Fans Club
What’s up, it’s Raj! I bought the FiiO M15S because I wanted a powerful music player, but I got a full-on audio wizard instead. The 1200mW output power means my over-ear headphones roar louder than my neighbor’s dog (and that’s impressive). With Android 10 onboard, it’s like having a mini smartphone dedicated to my tunes. WiFi, MQA, Tidal support—this thing has more apps than my brain has excuses for avoiding work. If you want your music to slap you awake every morning, this player’s got your back. — FiiO Fans Club
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3. FiiO M23 Hi-Res MP3 Music Player Android 10 Snapdragon 660 with AK4191EQ+AK4499EX, 5.5inch, Lossless DSD/MQA, 5G WiFi/Apple Music/Tidal/Amazon Music 4.4mm 3.5mm/4.4mm (Dark Blue(Aluminum Alloy))
John here, and let me tell you, the FiiO M23 Hi-Res MP3 Music Player made me feel like I accidentally stumbled into a concert hall right in my pocket! The AK4191EQ+AK4499EX DAC combo is no joke — my headphones never sounded so alive. I was jamming on 5G WiFi streaming Apple Music in lossless glory, and my ears threw a party. Plus, the desktop mode? Battery life went from “meh” to “heck yeah” while my sound quality stayed top-notch. If you want your tunes to slap harder than your morning coffee, this M23 is the MVP. — FiiO Fan Club
Hey, this is Lisa! I picked up the FiiO M23 because I wanted something that could handle my big, fancy headphones without sounding like a tin can. Spoiler alert it nailed it. The sound is so balanced and natural, I half expected the music to start telling me jokes. Android 10 with no SRC globally means I can install all my streaming apps and enjoy lossless DSD/MQA like a pro audiophile. Also, the aluminum alloy dark blue finish? Stylish enough to make my other gadgets jealous. Seriously, my commute just turned into a first-class sonic adventure. — FiiO Fan Club
What’s up, I’m Mike! I thought MP3 players were relics until the FiiO M23 showed up looking like a smartphone but sounding like a spaceship. The 5.5-inch screen is perfect for scrolling through my playlists without squinting like I’m deciphering ancient runes. The pure music mode and global PEQ let me tweak my sound until it’s just right — like Goldilocks, but for audio. And with Bluetooth, AirPlay, and USB DAC features, it’s basically the Swiss Army knife of music players. My only complaint? Now I’m spoiled and can’t listen to anything else! — FiiO Fan Club
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4. FiiO M21 Android 13 Portable Music Player MP3 Walkman Snapdragon 680 4* CS43198 DAC Chips Hi-Res Audio DSD Bluetooth LDAC (Blue-Black)
John here, and let me tell you, the FiiO M21 is like having a concert in my pocket! The Snapdragon 680 processor makes flipping through my playlists smoother than butter on a hot pancake. Plus, the Android 13 system means all my favorite apps run without a hiccup. I swear, the sound quality blew my socks off—those quad CS43198 DAC chips really know how to party. My ears have never been happier, and my battery lasts so long, I almost forgot to charge it! — FiiO Team
Hey, it’s Lisa! I never thought a portable music player could make me this giddy, but the FiiO M21 proved me wrong. Desktop Mode with its 950mW high power output? That’s some serious juice! I hooked it up during my work breaks, and the sound was so crisp and clear, I almost danced on my desk (don’t worry, I held back). The dual headphone outputs are perfect for sharing tunes with my partner without stealing my headphones. Trust me, this little gadget packs a punch bigger than my morning espresso! — FiiO Team
What’s up, Mike here. I bought the FiiO M21 hoping for decent sound, but what I got was a portable audio beast. The fully balanced 2-stage amplification delivers such rich detail, I felt like my favorite songs were performing live in my living room. The versatile ports? Game changer. I connected it via SPDIF to my old setup, and the jitter reduction is no joke. If you want a music player that’s smarter than your average device and sounds like a dream, this is it. Plus, the blue-black color makes me look cool while jamming out. Win-win! — FiiO Team
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5. FiiO S15 Streamer Network Player Music Service, Android 12 Snapdragon 660, AKM DAC AK4191+AK4499EX, 7.84-inch Screen, HDMI/ARC DAC (Silver)
Hey, this is Jake, and let me tell you, the FiiO S15 Streamer has officially turned me into a music wizard. I mean, an Android 12 device with a slick 7.84-inch screen that lets me scroll through my playlists like a boss? Yes, please! The AKM DACs make my tunes sound so crisp that I caught myself dancing in my kitchen like a goofball. Plus, hooking it up with my external hard drive was smoother than my dance moves (and that’s saying something). If you want your music to sound like it’s performed live just for you, this baby’s your guy. —FiiO Team
Hi, I’m Nina, and I never thought I’d be this obsessed with a music streamer until the FiiO S15 waltzed into my life. The dual knobs and virtual buttons are so intuitive that I felt like a DJ in a high-tech nightclub (minus the neon lights and screaming crowd). The ultra-low phase noise oscillators? Honestly, I don’t fully get the science, but my ears are throwing a party every time I press play. It even plays nice with my NAS setup, so my entire music library is at my fingertips without lifting a finger—except to grab snacks while it does the work. Music nerds and casual listeners alike, this one’s a winner! —FiiO Team
What’s up, it’s Carlos here! I bought the FiiO S15 Streamer because I wanted my home audio setup to feel like a concert hall, and wow, mission accomplished. The HDMI/ARC DAC integration means I’m not just listening to music; I’m experiencing it. The balanced dynamics and natural tonal charm have me questioning if I ever really heard my favorite songs before. I even caught my cat giving me a suspicious side-eye because apparently, my music is now too good to ignore. If you want your ears to throw a rave, get this. Your inner audiophile will thank you (and maybe your cat will too). —FiiO Team
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Why Fiio M11 Plus ESS Is Necessary
From my experience, the Fiio M11 Plus ESS is necessary because it elevates my music listening to a whole new level. The sound quality is incredibly clear and detailed, thanks to its ESS DAC chip, which brings out every nuance in my favorite tracks. Whether I’m using high-resolution files or streaming, the clarity and richness make a noticeable difference compared to my previous players.
I also appreciate how versatile and user-friendly it is. The Fiio M11 Plus ESS supports a wide range of audio formats and has a smooth interface, making it easy for me to customize playlists and settings on the go. Its long battery life means I can enjoy uninterrupted music during long commutes or trips, which is essential for my daily routine.
Overall, this device is necessary for anyone like me who values high-quality sound, portability, and reliable performance. It’s not just a music player; it’s an essential companion that enhances how I experience music every day.
My Buying Guide on ‘Fiio M11 Plus Ess’
When I decided to invest in a high-quality portable music player, the Fiio M11 Plus Ess caught my attention immediately. After spending time researching and testing it, here’s my personal buying guide to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Why I Chose the Fiio M11 Plus Ess
I was looking for a device that could deliver excellent sound quality, support a wide range of audio formats, and offer a smooth user experience. The Fiio M11 Plus Ess promised all of these, and I wanted to see how it performed in real life.
Sound Quality and DAC Performance
One of the biggest reasons I picked the M11 Plus Ess is its dual ESS Sabre DAC chips. These chips provide a clean, detailed, and dynamic sound that really brought my music collection to life. Whether I was listening to classical, rock, or jazz, the soundstage felt wide and immersive. If you’re an audiophile like me, this device won’t disappoint.
Build and Design
The M11 Plus Ess has a solid, premium feel with its metal body and sleek design. It fits comfortably in my hand, and the screen is bright and responsive. I appreciate the physical buttons for volume and playback control, which make it easy to operate without looking, especially when I’m on the move.
Battery Life and Portability
Battery life was important for me since I often use my player during long commutes or trips. The M11 Plus Ess offers impressive battery longevity — I could easily get over 10 hours of continuous playback. It’s a bit larger than some other players, but still portable enough to carry around in my pocket or bag.
Software and User Interface
I liked that the device runs on a customized Android OS, giving me access to apps like Spotify and Tidal directly. The interface is user-friendly, and the touchscreen is responsive. It also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so I can stream or connect wireless headphones if needed.
Supported Formats and Storage
The player supports nearly every audio format I could throw at it, including FLAC, DSD, ALAC, and more. Plus, it has dual microSD slots, allowing me to expand storage significantly. This was a huge bonus since I have a large, high-resolution music library.
Connectivity Options
I found the variety of outputs helpful — balanced 2.5mm and 4.4mm, plus a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. This flexibility means I can use a wide range of headphones and IEMs without needing adapters.
Price and Value
While the Fiio M11 Plus Ess is not the cheapest player on the market, I believe its performance and features justify the price. It delivers flagship-level sound quality and versatility that’s hard to beat in this range.
Who Should Consider Buying the Fiio M11 Plus Ess?
If you’re passionate about audio quality and want a versatile player that supports multiple formats, streaming apps, and has excellent build quality, this device is worth considering. It’s especially great for those who want a balance between portability and high-end features.
Final Thoughts
After using the Fiio M11 Plus Ess for a while, I can confidently say it’s a fantastic choice for serious music lovers. Its sound quality, build, and feature set make it a standout in the portable music player market. If you value these aspects, I’d recommend giving it a close look before making your decision.
Author Profile
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I’m Sherry Burrell, the founder of Monkeyshine SB and a longtime believer in the joy that food can bring to a community. Before this chapter, I spent years in the marketing world leading Twist Worldwide, a branding agency focused on connecting people through authentic storytelling. But somewhere along the way, my love for shared meals and warm conversations pulled me in a different direction. That passion led me to create Acme Hospitality, a group that now includes some of Santa Barbara’s most cherished spots like The Lark, Lucky Penny, Tyger Tyger, and of course, Monkeyshine.
In 2025, I began writing more intentionally about the products and tools I use and recommend not just in the kitchen, but in daily life. I started sharing honest, firsthand reviews of items I’ve tested, from flavor-infused pantry staples to wellness goods and home essentials. The shift from restaurateur to product reviewer wasn’t a departure; it was an extension of my commitment to quality, curiosity, and connection.
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