90%
FiiO JM21
Portable High-Res Lossless Music Player
New octa-core 6nm Snapdragon 680 | Fully balanced audio design | 13mm ultra-thin body
Dual CS43198+dual op-amps | Dual custom femtosecond crystal oscillators | Android13 700mW+700mW output power | 4.7-inch HD display | 16h ultra-long battery life Proprietary DAPS system without global SRC | 4.4mm+3.5mm outputs
SPDIF/USB/LO audio outputs
*Picture are for reference only.The actual product mayvary.
Entry-level price
Flagship chips
An all-new processor beyond the average – inside the JM21 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, featuring 8-cores based on the Kryo™ 265 architecture, clock frequencies up to 2.4GHz, and made on the 6nm fabrication process. Experience a significant performance leap with noticeably reduced power consumption for a silky-smooth experience.
6nm
Fabrication process
2.4GHz
Clock frequencies up to
Note: Due to the larger memory usage of Android 13, and the JM21 being limited to 3GB of RAM due to cost constraints, it is recommended to only install streaming music apps for optimal user experience. Other apps are not recommended for installation. Additionally, to ensure sound quality and performance, please avoid running multiple apps simultaneously.
Powerful penetrating sound
700mW power output
A specially-designed and tuned audio circuit allows the JM21 to achieve a balanced power output of up to 700mW+700mW within an ultra-thin body of only 13mm thickness. This ensures that it drives all kinds of headphones with ease.
700mW 700mW
32Ω/THD+N＜1%/balanced
3 gain levels
3 volume curves
The JM21 has 3 levels of low, medium and high gains, each gain level having its own volume curve. This allows the JM21 to give you a better listening experience with various types of headphones, whether you are using earphones or over-ear headphones.
Dual flagship CS43198 DAC Fully balanced design
Two Cirrus Logic flagship CS43198 DACs are paired with two high-performance SGM8262 op-amps in a fully balanced audio design. Thanks to our learnings from the development of numerous previous products, we have further optimized the segmented power supply as well as the front and rear stage gain stages for wider dynamic range and enriched musicality.
Segmented power supply
Shielded partitions
Segmented power supply
Shielded partitions
The main control, DAC, and headphone amplifier sections are separated into their own zones, each with its own shielding and isolation. This further reduces signal crosstalk and resists external signal interference, resulting in purer sound quality.
Segmented power supply
There are independent power supplies for digital and analog sections. The DAC, voltage, and current amplification stages each are handled by a dedicated stage in the three-stage segmented power supply. Each of the op-amps in the four- channel amplification stage is equipped with four independent LDO precision regulators.
Simply smooth
Custom Android 13 OS
The deeply customized Android 13 operating system is both intuitive and smooth. It also allows you to install major streaming music apps or any other kinds of apps.
Proprietary DAPS
(Digital Audio Purification System)
5th-gen FPGA + dual custom
femtosecond crystal oscillators
FIIO collaborated closely with its suppliers to specifically select for the JM21 10ppm low-temperature drift crystal oscillators with ceramic gold-plated bases and ultra-low phase noise. These custom crystal oscillators are screened at the femtosecond level to ensure consistent and stable output. The high-precision, low-jitter unified clock source ensures that digital audio signals are precisely handled as they go through the audio circuit.
SRC audio degradation
Neatly solved
Whether you are using FiiO Music, Apple Music, or other third- party apps to play local music, or even connecting to an external DAC through USB, the audio’s original sampling rate is untouched to ensure lossless sound quality.
Ultra-thin body
Music flowing through your fingertips
The JM21 features brand-new sky blue contrasting color design in a lightweight design that can be comfortably held with just one hand. Your fingers will simply glide over the 4.7-inch HD screen, allowing the JM21 to produce music that flows through your fingertips.
As thin as13mm As light as156g
Say Bye to battery anxiety!
12.5 hours ultra-long battery life
The ultra-long battery life, enough for continuous listening for an entire day, ensures you can listen pleasantly without anxiety of running out of power.
*JM21 (3G+32G) single-ended battery life is about 12.5h, and balanced about 9.5h; JM21 (4G+64G) single-ended battery life is about 16h, and balanced about 12.5h.
*16 hours of ultra-long battery life means the single-ended output of JM21 (4G+64G). Figure based on testing from FIIO Labs. Actual battery life may vary due to differing usage conditions.
Bluetooth can be HiFi
Two-way LDAC connection
Bluetooth can be HiFi
Bluetooth reception: SBC/AAC/LDAC
The JM21 supports two-way Bluetooth 5.0, being able to transmit and receive Bluetooth signals. This ensures stable yet high-quality Bluetooth audio.
Bluetooth transmission: SBC/AAC/aptX/aptX HD/LHDC/LDAC
Asynchronous USB DAC
Supports 384kHz/32bit
When connected to a MacOS or Windows computer, the JM21 can greatly improve your audio experience there with sampling rate support up to 384kHz/32bit.
*USB DAC functionality is designed for audio development purpose with slightly higher latency. It is not recommended to watch videos using this mode.
Analog Output
3.5mm, 4.4mm headphone output interface: connect headphones
Various outputs
Quite versatile
Various outputs
Digital outputs
SPDIF: Connect to external DACs
Analog outputs
3.5mm, 4.4mm outputs: Connect to headphones
LO mode can be switched in the system settings when connecting to active speakers or power amplifiers.
USB Audio: Turn it into a streaming media turntable in seconds
Body and Interface
Packing list
①---------------------------JM21*1
②---------------------------PET film screen protector (pre-applied)*1
③---------------------------Transparent case*1
④---------------------------USB cable*1
⑤---------------------------Quick start guide*1
⑥---------------------------Warranty card*1
Shielded partitions
Bluetooth reception: SBC/AAC/LDAC
Digital outputs
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Professional Reviews 90/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
84/100
Features Usability
88/100
Value for Money
97/100
The FiiO JM21 delivers natural, lightly warm sound with rich vocals, punchy bass and a quiet, clean backdrop, while its 700mW balanced output brings genuine authority to portable listening. Giz Audio and IWII Reviews highlight its balanced tonality, Android streaming flexibility and exceptional value—a compact DAP built for musical, fatigue-free sessions.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Natural, slightly warm tuning delivers rich vocals, smoothly integrated treble and punchy, extended bass.
Powerful 4.4mm balanced output drives a wide range of headphones confidently, including higher-impedance models.
Exceptionally quiet background suits sensitive IEMs, with no hiss reported in testing.
Android 13, streaming-app support, Pure Music mode and flexible wired/wireless connectivity make it highly versatile.
&
Cons
Upper treble is restrained, so it is less suited to listeners seeking an aggressively analytical or hyper-detailed presentation.
Mostly plastic construction is lightweight and pleasant, but does not project a premium, heavy-duty feel.
Android operation is generally stable but not especially fast, with occasional app shutdowns reported.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
Reviewers describe a balanced, slightly warm and notably natural presentation that avoids a clinical edge. Detail, clarity, punch and stage depth are all strong, while the restrained upper treble makes it less of a deliberately analytical-sounding player.
Tonal Balance Musicality
92/100
Giz Audio found the JM21 essentially neutral but gently warm, with a more analog than clinical character and natural reproduction of vocals and instruments. IWII Reviews likewise praised its rich, full midrange, well-integrated bass and treble, calling the overall balance tonally correct and well rounded.
Resolution Detail
88/100
Both reviewers heard clear, resolving sound with worthwhile high-frequency extension, decent separation and cleanly placed images. Giz Audio notes that the JM21 prioritises natural instrumental and vocal reproduction over hyper-focused detail retrieval, and its treble is slightly tame rather than aggressively revealing.
Digital Performance
90/100
Giz Audio found the player exceptionally quiet with sensitive Andromeda earphones, reporting no audible hiss or background noise. IWII Reviews heard a meaningful improvement in coherence, smoothness and cleaner decay in Pure Music mode, though Android mode was said to sound somewhat flatter and grittier by comparison.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 88/100
The JM21 combines a responsive Android-based interface with a dedicated Pure Music mode and an unusually flexible connection set for a compact player. Its dual headphone outputs, USB DAC function, expandable storage and broad wireless support make it practical for both portable listening and desktop use.
Streaming Software
87/100
Giz Audio found Android 13 adequately responsive, generally smooth and stable, and noted that updates had already arrived. Pure Music mode is a useful option for focused playback, with IWII Reviews hearing a more coherent and smoother result than in full Android mode.
Features Connectivity
91/100
Reviewers highlight Wi-Fi and Bluetooth alongside physical controls, microSD expansion, USB-C and both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs. The analogue outputs can operate as variable headphone outputs or fixed-level line outputs, while USB-C also supports use as a DAC with another digital source.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
84/100
IWII Reviews describes a light, mostly plastic chassis with only a thin aluminium strip, a choice that keeps the player portable and affordable. The reviewer did not find the plastic cheap-feeling, but the available commentary does not portray it as a particularly premium or heavy-duty construction.
Value for Money
97/100
At the reviewed $179 street price, Giz Audio calls the JM21 an “absolute steal,” having already considered it exceptional value at $199. IWII Reviews also places it among the most affordable DAPs on the market, with its plastic construction helping preserve that accessible pricing.
Reviews
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for FiiO JM21
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Advanced MP3 Players — online and in-store — Musselburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- Alpha Audio Pte — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- Audeos — online and in-store — Żywiec, Województwo śląskie (website)
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Basic — in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
and 58 more verified dealers