Shanling M3X vs FiiO M11 PRO (340 USD vs 650 USD) – This may seem like an unfair comparison, as M3X is far cheaper than M11 PRO, but being cheaper in price does not necessarily mean that it is cheaper in build or features. From the start, the battery life is better on M3X, and driving power is much better on M11 PRO on Single Ended. In fact, M11 PRO has on single ended as much as M3X has on balanced, and the balanced of M11 PRO is far better than even that. M11 PRO is still a killer DAP in general, but if you need a downsized version of that, there is nothing from FiiO to fill in the gaps, so I would like to nominate M3X as the best option there if you loved M11 PRO, and wanted to get something for half the price, and for about half the driving power. M3X is sweeter in the midrange, has a similar bass presentation to M11 PRO, and a deeper presentation, with a more rounded presentation, where M11 PRO is wider than it is deep. M11 PRO has better detailing and overall clarity, but not twice as good, so for budget-limited folks, M3X may be able to give that better price / performance ratio if M11 PRO doesn’t cut it. The overall treble is a bit more sparkly on M11 PRO, with M3X having a smoother and more refined treble, being more forgiving. Single DAC mode is smoother and more relaxing sounding. It isn't as resolving nor is it as detailed as dual DAC mode, but I can see myself using Single DAC mode on days when I want better battery life or a smoother sounding experience.

M3X is our newest Android Hi-Res portable player, built on the same platform as our previous three Android models. But this time we are aiming at the more affordable part of the market, with a little bit less focus on the most demanding DAC chipsets and the most powerful amplifiers.

Shanling M3X

On the right of the device is the all-familiar volume scroll wheel which is purposefully positioned at the natural resting point of the thumb allowing for easy ergonomic tampering of volume levels. Apple Music 3.7.2 on another Android 10 device (from Google Play, albeit) works great, suggesting it's not something intrinsic in Apple Music. The promised 16X unfolding for MQA is done for local files, and it is done 2X by the CPU, and 8X by the DAC, while for streaming, MQA is done at 2X level. I’m not a strong proponent of MQA, but I do recommend trying it for fun. Nothing is mentioned about the glasses used on both the sides and I have not tried scratching them either but the pre applied protectors do help with confidence. Thanks to the use of glass the M3X will barely survive a fall even from the height of an average table so getting a case is totally a necessity. Current IEMS: MEST Indigo | Xelento 2 | IMR RAH CIEM | Senn ie800s | incoming: IMR Na Le | WF-1000XM5

The AnTuTu measurements are similar to what we have seen on other Shanling Machines, which is satisfactory in offering enough calculation power to music apps and other simple apps. M3X AnTuTu Score Sound Impressions SummaryINTRODUCTION: I wrote the review after 150/200 hours of listening (more or less). The curiosity of listening to a Dac Saber (ES9219C) mounted on a Shanling was remarkable. I had listened to the Shanling M6 Pro (loaned by my friend Xinlisupreme) and I must say I enjoyed it greatly. M6 Pro is equipped with the AKM AK4497EQ Dac and therefore with M3X I was able to have a term of comparison from the point of view of the converter, because otherwise M6 Pro stands at a price range higher than M3X. Although M3X.

The tuning has Shanling’s usual mid-lows coloration, also gentle roll-off in the treble to color the vocal sweet and rounded, without compromising transparency by adding a bit of brightness to the treble. DAP/portable: Fiio M15S, X7 MK II (3A/3E), BTR3, KA5 | Hidisz AP80 Pro | LG G7 ThinQ | Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 | TRI TK-2 | Tanchjim Space | HifiMuse M1 impressed if we remember the price range of this DAP. I also liked the focus, present but always pleasantly soft and tending to warm. The sound in general is however in its totality quite neutral with (as already mentioned) a tendency to warm always pleasant and never over the top.

IEM pairing opinions​

Audio-wise, Shanling used the ESS’s ES9219C DACs in dual mode, which can offer high efficiency and x16 MQA support. Shanling also used large-capacity AVX tantalum capacitors to further enhance the low-frequency performance of the M3X. Additionally, they integrated two Japanese KDS crystal-oscillators and combined them with their custom FPGA algorithm to improve the performance and decoding capabilities of the M3X. We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. PRaT, Texturization, Detail, Resolution, Dynamics, Impact, and overall tonality are all revealed by those songs. We recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! Thiccness: Fiio M17 -> (Ultrasone Signature Master does not give the idea of being an entry level DAP, especially from a qualitative and multimedia point of view.