Testing the FIIO JM21 – the high-res era Walkman
Remember when we used to consciously listen to music instead of just sticking it on in the background? Well, the FiiO JM21 is bringing back that evocative mixtape/Walkman/hi-fi vibe. But is the music player worth buying? Or is this just the nostalgia talking?
When 12-year-old me discovered the joy of listening to music on the go in the 1990s, it took my life to a whole new level. The first device to soundtrack my youth was a Sony Walkman, but I soon graduated to a portable Technics CD player.
Shortly before the turn of the millennium, I was recording my own house mixtapes directly onto minidisc. Naturally, I had the right portable player for that. In fact, my first car – a Peugeot 106 – was equipped with a Sony radio complete with minidisc slot.
Later, I swapped these physical audio mediums for MP3 players from Archos or Apple. I digitised all my CDs and flogged them at flea markets for one franc each. Over the last ten years, Spotify and Apple Music have made the concept of «owning» music feel like a thing of the past.
A trip down memory lane
In more ways than one, testing the FiiO JM21 feels like a trip down memory lane. Its look, size and weight are similar to a Walkman, while the start, stop and skip buttons on the outside could well have come from a Technics Discman.
The file management system and memory card slot remind me of my MP3 player days. However, the FiiO JM21 – kitted out with a 4.7-inch touchscreen – runs on Android 13. That means you can install all kinds of apps via the Play Store, just as you would on a smartphone.
Even so, the device’s main purpose is playing music. After all, that’s why it has buttons and two headphone jacks. The jacks, measuring 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm respectively, can actually be used simultaneously. They’re also equipped with headphone amplifiers. The integrated music player is designed for various hi-res music formats, such as AIFF, FLAC, WAV and DSD. High-quality audio can also be transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, LDAC and AAC.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer has scrimped on internal memory. When you consider how much space hi-res audio files take up, this is a pity. The device comes with 32 GB, but it can be expanded to up to 2 TB using memory cards.
Where does the sound come from?
Streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music mostly offer compressed music. Competitors such as Tidal, on the other hand, specialise in hi-res audio. In a recent article, my colleague Florian summarised his top tips for high-performance streaming.
For my own review, I decided to go down the traditional route and buy songs in the way I used to. I got them from German audio specialist Highresaudio.com, a platform specialising in high-quality sound.
It offers a wide selection of classical music, jazz and blues, but it also sells pop, rock and chart music. If you click on an album, you see details of the file formats it’s available in. Highresaudio.com promises all available titles are «fully tested, native and true 24-bit Studio Masters».
Albums start at five euros, but most of them are priced around the 15- or 16-euro mark. For my review, I bought Myriaden by the German rock band Selig and a sampler of film music by Hans Zimmer. If you register with the site, you can also download a free hi-res audio mix sampler. In other words, you get a commitment-free taster of your new audio world.
I listen to my new music with Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. Like the player itself, I’d consider them mid-range in terms of quality. The main advantage of these headphones is that I can connect them to the FiiO JM21 via cable, preventing potential quality losses during Bluetooth transmission.
All of a sudden, I’m with the band in the recording booth
I start the test by comparing Selig’s track «Süsser Vogel» in two different sound quality formats: the 44.1 kHz FLAC file I downloaded and Spotify’s standard audio quality. I don’t have any issues doing that; since the FiiO JM21 is a typical Android device, I just download the app from the Play Store.
When I do, I can hardly believe my ears. In the hi-res version, the song sounds much fuller and closer. The difference is clearly audible after the first few bars. On Spotify, «Süsser Vogel» sounds pretty flat, with singer Jan Plewka’s voice dominating the intro.
In the less compressed recording, the bass, piano, drums and guitar are much more balanced. When I listen closely, I notice details that are indiscernible in the Spotify version. For instance, the seventh hit of the hi-hat is significantly quieter. I feel like I’m standing right there in the recording studio, and can follow the slow build-up of the song. The kettledrums and strings come in next – a dense construct I manage to break down into its individual parts when listening.
Orchestral oomph
There are also clear differences between the two versions of film composer Hans Zimmer’s orchestral scores. When I play the music on Spotify, I feel like I’m listening to a chamber orchestra from the back row of Winterthur City Theatre. Listening to the hi-res recording, on the other hand, makes me feel like I’m standing right next to the conductor as a symphony orchestra’s in full swing right in front of me. Oh, and we’re in a concert hall with outstanding acoustics – say the KKL in Lucerne or the Tonhalle in Zurich. The distorted electric cello in the intro to Dune II Suite packs much more of a punch in high quality. Even through my fairly mediocre Sony headphones, I can feel every facet of the sound. In the Spotify version, by contrast, it sounds more like a horn.
Is it worth investing in a high-res music player?
The FiiO JM21’s biggest plus point is that it keeps entry barriers to the world of high-res audio low. At the time of testing, the device cost around 240 francs – a fair price for a complete system. You can play music as a file – similar to how you use your favourite streaming service.
At the same time, the player’s equipped with all the basics you need to enjoy high-quality audio, and supports the most important hi-res formats. You can kickstart the music right away by pressing the buttons on the side. And thanks to the two headphone jacks, you can hook it up to both a headset and a traditional stereo system. The battery life is okay; I managed to listen to music for almost twelve hours before having to recharge the player.
The buttons are both a blessing and a curse. Although it’s handy that you can use them to start the music without having to switch on the player, I also did it accidentally a couple of times when carrying the device in my backpack. Having a slider to lock them would definitely be practical.
The difference in quality is definitely audible, but only if you’re willing to invest in it. At a minimum, you need to be signed up to a hi-res streaming service. Opting to buy music as individually downloadable files is even better, though more expensive. High-quality, wired headphones or a suitable hi-fi system are also a must. Basically, you’ve got to be willing to throw yourself into the endeavour – and stump up the cash for it.
For comparison, I listened to the same songs on the Sony LinkBuds Open. Listening via Bluetooth connection, there’s hardly any difference between regular Spotify streaming and FLAC music files, so it’s not worth getting a separate player for that.
Despite the noticeable step up in quality, I personally won’t be switching to hi-res. Too often, listening to music is a background activity for me. What’s more, I appreciate Spotify’s podcast selection, curated playlists and opportunities to discover an infinite number of bands. Even so, I really enjoyed my musical trip down memory lane (and into the future).
In a nutshell
For savouring music, not mainlining streaming junk
Casting a glance over the hi-res audio landscape, the FiiO JM21 is a decent, budget-friendly, entry-level device. It’s worth buying – but only if you’re willing to invest in good headphones and media of better audio quality.
If you want to consciously listen to music on high-quality equipment, the FiiO JM21 will win you over. When it comes to Bluetooth streaming via Apple Music or Spotify, on the other hand, it isn’t much better than an everyday smartphone.
Pro
- Walkman-style design
- Two audio ports
- Fair price
- Straightforward to use
- Button-based music controls
Contra
- Not equipped with the latest version of Android, no updates available
- High-res audio requires a bigger investment
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Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
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