FiiO M27 review & buyer’s guide: the portable flagship that finally makes no-compromise hi-fi truly pocketable

If you’ve followed the rise of FiiO, you’ll know the brand has a habit of kicking the door in on categories it enters. The new FiiO M27 is that energy turned up to eleven. It’s a flagship digital audio player (DAP) with desktop-class power, reference-grade conversion and a spec sheet that reads like a wish list: cutting-edge Qualcomm silicon, dual ESS pro DACs, aptX Lossless Bluetooth, titanium alloy body, and truly colossal output power. It’s the one many enthusiasts have been waiting for—especially listeners who love the M17/M23 concept but want even more refinement, battery, and wireless modernity in a device they can carry anywhere.

Below is our in-depth look at what makes the M27 special, how it compares to rival players, and—crucially—who it’s for. If you’re considering an upgrade, Audio Concierge can help you decide if the M27 is the right fit for your music, your headphones and your lifestyle.

The headlines: why the M27 matters

• Serious compute, silky UX: The M27 runs Android 13 on Qualcomm’s QCS6490 platform (Snapdragon 770G architecture), with 8GB RAM, 256GB internal storage and dual microSD slots (2TB each, up to 4TB total). Translation: frictionless streaming app performance, rapid library browsing and enough storage for vast native collections.
• True high-end DAC stage: Twin ESS ES9039SPRO chips form the conversion heart, chosen for ultra-low noise and wide dynamic range—ideal for revealing detail without sacrificing tone.
• Desktop-class output on the go: Up to 5,000mW + 5,000mW in Ultra Gain mode (balanced) puts the M27 in rare company; it’s designed to control difficult full-size headphones while keeping finesse at low volumes with sensitive IEMs.
• State-of-the-art wireless: Bluetooth stack includes aptX Lossless, LE Audio and Auracast, thanks to Qualcomm’s QCC5181—so you can finally take a near-wired experience into the wireless world, and broadcast to multiple receivers.
• Clocking & purity: FiiO’s Digital Audio Purification System (DAPS) integrates a high-capacity FPGA with dual RIVER femtosecond oscillators to minimise jitter for a cleaner, more stable sound.
• Battery and build: A 9,200mAh battery aims for genuinely long sessions, while a titanium alloy chassis (with glass-fibre rear) keeps things strong yet elegant.
• Desktop Mode & I/O: The M27’s connection suite includes 6.35mm, 4.4mm and 3.5mm headphone outs plus line-level/digital outputs, with a Desktop Mode for optimised power management when docked at home.

Availability & pricing: Global launch is slated for Autumn/Fall 2025, with final pricing to be confirmed; multiple outlets report an announcement in September. If you’d like first access through Audio Concierge, get in touch to register your interest and secure early allocation.

Under the hood: how the M27 delivers

Fast, fluid, future-proof

FiiO’s use of Qualcomm’s QCS6490 is a big deal for longevity and UX. It brings Kryo 670 cores and an Adreno 642L GPU, enabling snappy navigation, heavy streaming apps (TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music), and painless multitasking. Pair that with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage support and you get smartphone-class responsiveness in a music-first machine. Android 13 keeps app compatibility broad and modern.

Dragonwing AI: DSP without the faff

FiiO says the M27 also makes use of Qualcomm’s Dragonwing AI platform to enable global, system-level audio features: 24-band PEQ at 384kHz/32-bit, All-to-DSD (DSD64–DSD256), global upsampling, MQA 16x full decoding, end-to-end controllable audio processing, and Auto EQ. Crucially, these aren’t confined to a single app—they’re integrated at the system level, so your streaming apps benefit too. That’s rare in a DAP and incredibly useful.

Conversion you can trust

The dual ES9039SPRO layout is about more than numbers; implemented well, it delivers superb micro-detail, dynamics, and stage stability while avoiding the etched or clinical sound some associate with Sabre chips. In our experience with prior flagship ESS designs, the trick is power delivery, clocking and analogue stage topology—the very areas FiiO has pushed hard with DAPS, independent power supplies, and femtosecond oscillators here. Expect a presentation that is clean, open and controlled, with proper weight and timbre when the recording demands it.

Power that changes what’s possible

Up to 10W balanced (5W + 5W) is a staggering figure for a portable. No, you don’t need that much for every headphone—but power isn’t just about loudness. It’s about grip, transient control, bass authority and headroom on complex passages. Planar magnetics that sound a little compressed on lesser players often breathe on the M27; dynamics feel more effortless. And because the gain structure is wide, sensitive IEMs remain quiet with black backgrounds at normal listening volumes.

Wireless that’s finally worthy

With aptX Lossless, LE Audio and Auracast, the M27 is among the first DAPs to make near-CD-quality Bluetooth a practical reality, and to broadcast to multiple receivers. If you switch between wired cans at your desk and premium wireless on the move, the M27 adapts without asking you to compromise.

Sound impressions (what to expect)

While we’ll save formal measurements and pairings for dedicated listening sessions, the architecture points to a sound that’s:

• Neutral-to-slightly-musical: A precise, low-distortion core with convincing body and tone when the track carries it.
• Expansive stage with stable imaging: The clocking and FPGA control should help with image lock and separation, especially on dense mixes and classical works.
• Excellent macrodynamics and control: That power reserve tends to show up as ease on crescendos and realistic drum hits, even into tough planars.
• Low noise floor for IEMs: Expect silent backgrounds and excellent micro-detail at low volumes.

If you loved the coherence and grunt of FiiO’s M17/M23 but wanted a still quieter background, more refined treble and next-gen wireless, the M27 feels purpose-built.

M27 vs the world

• vs FiiO M23: The M23 was already a performance bargain with a strong amp and desktop mode. The M27 levels up on compute (QCS6490 vs lower-tier chipsets), conversion (dual ES9039SPRO), power delivery and wireless (aptX Lossless + Auracast). If you stream heavily, use tough headphones, or want future-proof Bluetooth, the M27 is the clear step up.
• vs Astell&Kern SP3000 family: A&K’s industrial design and tuning remain exceptional, but the raw output and wireless stack of the M27 are compelling, especially if you need desktop-adjacent power in a single device. Early reporting suggests the M27 will be priced to challenge premium rivals without SP-series sticker shock.
• vs iBasso/Shanling/Cayin flagships: Several competitors offer superb DAC stages and boutique amp modules. The M27’s distinction is the combination of: system-wide AI DSP, titanium chassis, 9,200mAh battery and 5W-per-channel grunt—all in a cohesive package with mainstream Android app support. For one-box versatility, that’s hard to beat.

Real-world use cases

• The all-in-one home & travel rig: Dock the M27 in Desktop Mode at your desk, feed powered monitors or a hi-fi amp via line out, then unplug for a red-eye flight with the same library and DSP. The big battery and output stage make it a credible home hub as well as a flight companion.
• Planar magnetics tamer: If you run headphones like HiFiMAN Arya/Edition series, Audeze LCD-X, or similarly current-hungry models, the M27’s reserve gives you headroom to play with EQ without choking dynamics—especially useful with the 24-band global PEQ.
• Serious IEM listening: Low noise and precise clocking reward high-end IEMs (64 Audio, Campfire, FAudio, Vision Ears) with holography and micro-detail—without hiss.
• Wireless done right: Premium aptX Lossless headphones/earbuds finally make sense with a DAP this capable; Auracast also opens multi-listener scenarios (share a mix with a partner or engineer).

Connectivity & ergonomics

• Headphone outs: 6.35mm, 4.4mm, 3.5mm, covering pro and portable standards.
• Storage: 256GB internal + two microSD up to 2TB each (yes, up to 4TB on cards).
• Chassis: Titanium alloy frame with a layered, sculpted aesthetic that nods to prior FiiO flagships while feeling more premium in-hand.
• Battery: 9,200mAh for long sessions; Desktop Mode optimises power when docked for longevity.

Who should buy the M27?

• The perfectionist streamer who wants every app to feel instant and to sound reference-grade, with global PEQ and All-to-DSD on tap.
• The hybrid listener who splits time between desk and travel and wants one rig for both. The M27’s Desktop Mode and power mean fewer boxes, fewer compromises.
• The headphone collector with both sensitive IEMs and tough planars—the M27 is quiet when you need it, muscular when you demand it.
• The Bluetooth sceptic who’s been waiting for aptX Lossless & LE Audio to mature; here it’s finally delivered in a flagship-grade implementation.

If that’s you, the M27 isn’t just a spec bump. It’s a simpler, more powerful way to listen—one device that can credibly replace a stack in many use cases.

Early impressions vs expectations (what we’ll be listening for)

When we audition the M27 with clients, we’ll pay attention to:

1. Stage depth & image lock on classical and live jazz: does the femto clocking translate into a more 3D stage with stable centre focus?
2. Low-level detail at night-time volumes, especially with sensitive IEMs: do reverbs and room cues remain audible without turning up?
3. Bass authority & speed with planars: does the 5W-per-channel claim pay off as control, not just volume?
4. Wireless transparency with aptX Lossless: how close can we get to wired perception with the very best Bluetooth headphones today?
5. System-wide PEQ usability: are the 24 bands implemented with the finesse and latency-free feel needed for live A/B tuning?

Buying advice from Audio Concierge

Choosing a flagship DAP is about synergy. We’ll help you pair the M27 with headphones and IEMs that match your tonal preferences, whether that’s warm and romantic or ultra-neutral and studio-clean, and we’ll guide you through balanced vs single-ended, gain settings, EQ templates, and app setup so you hear what this machine can truly do from day one.

What we can do for you:

• Curate listening chains (cables, headphone/IEM pairings) tailored to your library and habits.
• Help set up offline libraries on dual microSD with sensible tagging and folder structure.
• Configure global PEQ and All-to-DSD workflows so every app benefits without friction.

Frequently asked questions

When can I get it?
Global release is slated for Autumn/Fall 2025, with pricing due in September. Contact Audio Concierge to register your interest and we’ll keep you updated on UK availability and allocations.

Is the M27 overkill if I only use IEMs?
Not at all. Excess power translates to effortless dynamics even at low volume, plus you gain pristine conversion, silent backgrounds and the convenience of wireless that finally sounds right.

Will my streaming apps work?
Yes—Android 13 with a powerful Qualcomm platform means modern app support and snappy performance across services like TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, Spotify, Plexamp and more.

How much storage can I add?
Two microSD slots, 2TB each, plus 256GB internal. Perfect for DSD, DXD and big offline libraries.

What headphones pair best?
If you crave slam and scale, try full-size planars; for intimacy and detail, high-end IEMs shine. We’ll help you find the sweet spot based on the sound you love.

Specs at a glance

• OS / SoC: Android 13; Qualcomm QCS6490 (Snapdragon 770G architecture)
• Memory / Storage: 8GB RAM, 256GB internal; dual microSD to 4TB total
• DAC: Dual ESS ES9039SPRO
• Wireless: aptX Lossless, LE Audio, Auracast (Qualcomm QCC5181)
• Outputs: 6.35mm, 4.4mm, 3.5mm headphone; line-level & digital connections
• Clocking / DSP: DAPS with FPGA + dual RIVER femtosecond oscillators; 24-band global PEQ, All-to-DSD, MQA 16x, global upsampling
• Power: Up to 5,000mW + 5,000mW (Ultra Gain, balanced)
• Battery: 9,200mAh
• Chassis: Titanium alloy with glass-fibre rear
• Availability: Autumn/Fall 2025; pricing TBA (September)

Final word: should you buy the FiiO M27?

If you’ve been holding out for a no-compromise portable that behaves like a desktop rig, the M27 is the most convincing argument yet. It fuses serious power, reference-grade conversion, and modern wireless with an OS and chipset that feel fast today—and should still feel fast years from now. For the discerning listener who wants one device to anchor a home setup, travel system and premium Bluetooth experience, the M27 sits firmly at the top of the audition line.

Ready to experience it?

As a luxury audio specialist, Audio Concierge exists to make purchases like this easy and deeply personal. Tell us how you listen, which headphones you own (or want), and what you love about your favourite records. We’ll tailor a demo, recommend perfect pairings, and make sure your M27 is set up to dazzle on day one.

Register your interest today to secure early allocation of the FiiO M27 through Audio Concierge—and let’s build the most satisfying portable system you’ve ever owned.