Most of us are content using a smartphone to listen to music, and indeed for the average listener, a phone gets the job done perfectly well. However, audiophiles and advanced users might not be satisfied with this option, especially considering that more and more smartphones today are omitting the 3.5mm socket. Most people will agree that high-resolution audio is best enjoyed on a pair of wired earphones or headphones.
That's exactly what high-resolution audio players such as the Shanling M0[1] are for. This palm-sized portable music player offers wireless and wired connectivity, so you can use it with your best headphones or earphones. What's more, this ‘Chi-Fi' product is priced at just Rs. 8,999 — the ideal entry price range for anyone looking to give the audiophile life a try. We review the Shanling M0 to find out if it's good enough to be your first high-resolution audio player.
Shanling M0 design and specifications
The most striking aspect of the Shanling M0's design is its size — this audio player is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Its size and shape, as well as the rotating dial on the side, make the M0 resemble a smartwatch, albeit one without straps. The device isn't very slim though, and is a fair bit thicker than the average smartphone. However, it's still extremely pocketable and portable, and you won't have any trouble finding somewhere to put it whether you're using it or not.
The Shanling M0 has a metal unibody with a 1.54-inch touchscreen on the front. The only physical control on this audio player is the power button on the right, which doubles up as a rotating dial to adjust the volume. The bottom of the audio player has...