Pair ups.

Having talked quite a lot about the sound in general terms, it is interesting to look more closely at specific pairings to see how they synergise.

FiiO FH7 (FiiO LC-2.5D)

I previously reviewed FiiO’s FH7 together with the LC-2.5D balanced aftermarket cable, so naturally I needed to try out their synergy with the M11 Pro. This pairing is really excellent and it is almost like they were made for each other… *wink* *wink* Clearly FiiO’s own IEMs compliment their DAPs very well and using the red bass filters the result is clear, detailed and with a deliciously thick bass. It is a little on the bright side for my sensitivities, as I can be particularly treble sensitive, but it is very well balanced with lots of detail and tons of musicality. It is bright in the good sense, very even and not a hint of sibilance. So, while it might be a little much for my delicate ears, those less sensitive will no doubt enjoy this pairing tremendously.

64 Audio Tia Trio (PlusSound Exo GPS, 2.5mm Bal)

The Trio offer a wonderful bass, as well as a wonderful treble for sensitive me, and this pairing was really nice. Still a little bit of a brightness similar, but less notable than with the FH7. With this pairing I loved going through my down-tempo EDM list such as Carbon-Based Lifeforms and Astronaut Ape. ‘Interloper’ by Carbon Based Lifeforms was an album where I really felt that the Trio got the maximum benefit from the airy stage of the M11 Pro, which resulted in an almost ethereal treble complimented by a full, but not overwhelming bass. A really enjoyable pairing that felt similar to the FH7 pairing, be it a more mature version.

Empire Ears Phantom (Effect Audio Eros II 8W, 2.5mm Bal)

My “King of Timbre” paired quite well with the M11 Pro, reducing some of the warmth that characterize these IEMs and it made them a little less lush. Woodwinds lost some of their fullness and everything was a little less thick, which actually worked quite well. However, the M11 Pro seemed to highlight the Phantom’s treble peak a little more than I am used to and I actually started to feel a little uncomfortable with it. Rather than their usual bite, it became a brightness that with some music got a little too much bite. Nothing too bad, but with some female vocals such as Caro Emerald and Aurora I felt it was brighter than I would like my Phantom to be.

DITA Fealty (4.4mm Bal)

This pairing was without a doubt my own personal favorite. The M11 Pro seemed to compliment the wide, letterbox stage of the Fealty and push it a little further than I am used to. They were also the first IEMs I tried because the Awesome plug allowed me to use the 4.4mm balanced out, and I was quite surprised. Listening to Paganini’s Violin Concerto #4, I was impressed by the size of the stage. Indeed. with all my classical music this pairing resulted in a very large and airy stage where I could really loose myself in the soundscape. I did notice that compared to the Plenue 2 there was a little less warmth, but it did not feel like anything was lacking.

Conclusions.

The FiiO M11 Pro is much as its “pro” designation suggests a step up from the M11. It retains the same form factor, be it marginally bigger, the same screen and Exynos 7872 CPU to maintain a responsive and smooth user interface, and tops it off with a higher end DAC and amp section. The result is a more refined sounding M11 that offers a natural and detailed signature. The absence of Google Play store support is still a main point of criticism and the battery life can be disappointing if you intend to use the screen a lot for certain apps. Overall I think the M11 Pro is a very good value for money DAP and worth considering over the M11 if sound quality is your priority.