FiiO M15 vs M15s: How FiiO Improved Their Desktop-Grade DAP

If you're an audiophile searching for a high-quality portable music player, the FiiO M15 and M15s are two of the best options in the market. The M15s is the second generation of FiiO's flagship digital audio player (DAP), and it brings several improvements over the M15. In this post, we'll take a closer look at these two fantastic devices and show you how FiiO has updated one of their most popular DAPs.

Design and build

Both the M15 and M15s share a similar design language, featuring sleek and stylish exteriors. The M15s is slightly heavier (346g) than the M15 (307g), but the difference in weight is unlikely to be a significant factor when choosing between the two devices.

DAC and amplifier

The M15 is equipped with two AK4499EQ DACs, while the M15s uses a single ES9038PRO DAC chip. Both DACs are considered top-of-the-line and offer exceptional audio quality. However, the ES9038PRO in the M15s provides a more accurate and richer sound, thanks to its eight independent D/A converters.

The M15s also features a comprehensive multi-stage audio circuit, which includes IV, LPF, gain adjustment, and amplifier sections, contributing to a cleaner and more faithful sound reproduction.

Operating modes

The M15s offers six operating modes, including Roon Ready, Pure Music, Android, AirPlay, USB DAC, and Bluetooth Receiver. This versatility allows the M15s to cater to a wider variety of listening preferences and use cases than the M15.

Connectivity options

In terms of connectivity, the M15s significantly upgrades its wireless capabilities compared to the M15. The M15s incorporates AirPlay and DLNA streaming and transmission, offering greater compatibility and versatility with a wide range of devices. The Qualcomm QCC5124 chip in the M15s enhances 2-way Bluetooth performance, ensuring stable connections and better sound quality. On top of that, the M15s supports a comprehensive list of Bluetooth codecs, including SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX LL, LDAC, and aptX Adaptive.

Display capabilities

The M15s is also equipped with a larger display, a 5.5-inch 18:9 HD screen, providing a more immersive and enjoyable user experience. This makes navigation and interaction with the device much more convenient than the M15's smaller 5.15-inch screen.

Operating system improvements

Another noticeable improvement is the inclusion of Android 10 in the M15s, paired with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor. This combination delivers a smooth and stable user experience, allowing you to install third-party apps and enjoy high-quality music without any global SRC restrictions.

Summary

In summary, the FiiO M15s is a superior choice over the M15, offering a more powerful DAC, improved gain levels, additional operating modes, better wireless capabilities, a larger display, and an upgraded operating system. Its advanced heat dissipation design and comprehensive shielding ensure a clean and pure sound, while added safeguards make it a reliable and versatile portable music player for any audiophile.