September 2019


Best Of 2019 Blue Note Equipment Awards

FiiO M3K Portable Hi-Res Audio Player
Price: $70
Click here to read the complete review.

  Being an old timer in battery powered portable audio, including everything from a brand new 1970 Panasonic transistor radio to the world's first portable CD player (Sony D5 in 1985) and toyed with Diamond Rio mp3 player (1999), I am truly impressed by Fiio's M3K portable Hi-Res Audio / Hi-Res Music player. While there's bragging rights with the latest and greatest (and overly heavy imho) 'reference devices', FiiO's M3K portable music player at $69.99 is both lightweight and great sounding.

FiiO's M3K is a stand-alone music player with color screen and touchpad combined with modern AKM AK4376A DAC and amplification circuit, which FiiO chose after many hours of careful listening. If you love to hear music as the artist intended, and have a limited budget, there is no other players I've heard to date that get so much right for under $200, let alone the $70 price!

What surprised me is how well defined bass notes come and go into the music's tapestry. Years ago many battery powered headamps struggled with Trap, Bass, and certain types of modern Pop music. With today's devices using modern chipsets, am happy to report there's plenty of amplifier power to drive your fave IEMs and sanely-designed headphones. Deep bass tones and textures came through without dynamic compression, including very fast bass notes during speed metal and EDM. Tempo and feel were also neutral!

Overall, from orchestral triangle highs to pipe organ lows... my ears come away amazed how this small, under $80 unit have successfully achieved a high level of sound quality. What truly blows my mind is that for under $70 the M3K battery powered portable music player delivers truly impressive sound quality within a small, lightweight package that also features a touchpad and color screen. How does FiiO do all this at such a low price point? Who cares, just shut up and take my money! Bravo to FiiO for their M3K Hi-Res Audio portable music player!

Click here to read the complete review.

Previous Annual Blue Note Awards

Product of the Year Awards 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001.