FiiO M21 and Sony NW-A306 reshape high-res portable music landscape with contrasting approaches

The FiiO M21 features a versatile Android-based design with flagship audio specs, while Sony’s NW-A306 offers a more focused, dedicated hi-res experience, highlighting a growing divide in portable music choices.

The FiiO M21 stands out as the most broadly capable option in this group because it combines modern Android software with a feature set aimed at serious portable listening. What Hi-Fi says the player uses a Snapdragon 680 chipset, four Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, and supports 32-bit/768kHz PCM, DSD512 and MQA, while also offering both 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm outputs, Bluetooth with LDAC and a microSD slot for expansion. That mix makes it more flexible than a simple file player, but it also places it squarely in the category where app management, battery use and interface complexity matter as much as the audio specification. The wider lesson is the same one repeated across hi-res players: a higher-resolution logo does not guarantee a better listening experience if the source, headphones and output chain are not suited to each other.

For buyers who want a smaller FiiO player, the JM21 is the more compact alternative and is better judged on its physical design than on any assumed jump in sound quality. HiFiOasis describes it as 13mm thick and 156g in weight, with a 4.7-inch touchscreen, textured rear panel, microSD expansion and well-positioned playback controls. That makes it easy to carry and straightforward to use, especially for listeners who value a dedicated music device without the bulk of a larger Android player. In practical terms, the JM21 looks like the sensible choice when portability is the priority and the user does not want to spend on features that may never be used.

Sony’s NW-A306 takes a different approach. What Hi-Fi describes it as a pocketable hi-res player that delivers clear and composed sound, but also notes that its Android interface can feel awkward and that the available internal storage is limited. That tension is important: the NW-A306 is attractive for people who want the familiar Walkman experience and a dedicated music device, yet it is less appealing if the buyer wants a frictionless streaming platform. In other words, it is a player for listeners who are prepared to trade software convenience for a more focused hi-fi-style product.

The more traditional offline players in this field make a convincing case for simplicity. Surfans says the F20 supports formats including FLAC, WAV, APE and ALAC, handles DSD64/128 and 32-bit/384kHz PCM, and adds bi-directional Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX, while also shipping with a 64GB microSD card and support for cards up to 512GB. HiFiOasis’ review presents it as a retro-styled device with a CNC aluminium body, a small IPS screen and a physical scroll wheel, all of which point towards direct control rather than app-led navigation. The HIFI WALKER H2 sits in the same category: according to HiFi Walker, it is built for local music files only, with no streaming apps, and pairs that narrow focus with a compact zinc alloy body and a dedicated scroll wheel. These models are not trying to compete with Android players on breadth; they are designed for listeners who want a stored-music machine that is simple to manage and easy to carry.

Taken together, the field splits cleanly into two buying patterns. Android-based players such as the FiiO M21 and Sony NW-A306 suit people who want streaming services, wireless connectivity and a more phone-like interface, even if that adds complexity. Offline players such as the Surfans F20 and HIFI WALKER H2 are better for users who already maintain a local library and want fewer distractions. The most important checks before buying remain the same across all of them: confirm the outputs you will use, make sure the storage is sufficient for your library, and do not assume that a hi-res label alone means the player will sound better with every headphone or every track.