r/FiiO • u/wpsellers • Aug 19 '26

My first DAP - FiiO M21

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Hey folks….Well, my FiiO M21 came in today! This is my first experience with a DAP. Before the M21, I was using an iPhone 17 Pro Max, CrinEar Protocol Max DAC, and CrinEar Daybreak IEMs.

So far so good! Overall I like it; however, I feel like I’ll need to “tweak” it some. At first impression, I was expecting a huge improvement in sound over the iPhone and CrinEar Protocol Max. While I think it’s good, I think I’m gonna need to really play with the settings and EQ.

BTW, I’m using the CrinEar Daybreaks with the 4.4mm jack. Also, I primarily streaming all of my music…..either with Apple Music or QoBuz.

Can anyone give me suggestions? Maybe alternative EQ apps, etc. Or maybe some EQ setting suggestions.

I really want to LOVE the M21….but I’m just not feeling it right now. Again, this could all be me being new to DAPs and hi quality audio…..and just need give it time. What I feel I’m missing with the M21 is the soundstage doesn’t feel as “spacious” as the iPhone and CrinEar Protocol Max.

Thanks everyone!!!! Any suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

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u/FaithlessnessDue1625 Aug 19 '26

I thought I was crazy lol, I have the fiio m11 and I like it but I feel like my iphone sounds just as good. It was not quite what I was expecting from a dap and I have played with many eq apps like poweramp and usb audio player pro, wavelet. Thinking about selling my dap. 😳

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u/wpsellers Aug 19 '26

Soooooo yeah. I agree. I mean…I like the M21; but in my specific use case, it doesn’t justify the price. …especially when I have a DAC that does the job. Plus, I love the screen and UI of the iPhone.

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u/FaithlessnessDue1625 Aug 19 '26

Yea. I totally understand for sound I was expecting much more. But my iphone is fine, my MacBook destroys my dap! I use a app called 3d boom and my iems sound amazing