Watch my full review here:
Purchase Links
Buy from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SkM9s5
Buy from AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4CCeolB
Buy from Linsoul: https://www.linsoul.com/products/onix-xm2?sca_ref=5236667.OhF52MYHpZ
Buy direct from Shanling: https://store.shanling.com/ONIX-XM2-pd520705048.html
Key Specifications
- Price: $439 USD
- Connections: 3.5mm SE output, 4.4mm balanced output, USB-C (charging, data)
- Output power: 3.5mm SE (204mW), 4.4mm balanced (800mW)
- WiFi: Yes, 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz
- Bluetooth: 5.2 (SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC)
- Music Streaming Support: Tidal (streaming only, no offline playback)
- Supported File Formats and Sample Rates: DSD512, 32-bit/768kHz PCM, MQA, MP3, WAV, APE, FLAC, DSF, DFF, ISO, CUE, WMA, OGG, AAC, OPUS, AIFF
- Internal Storage: None
- Expandable Storage: Yes, MicroSD (up to 2TB)
- Battery: 3000mAh, up to 8.5 hours of playback
- Display: 3 inch OLED touch screen, 720×720
- DAC/Amp Chipset: Cirrus Logic CS4308P, 2x SGM8262
- SOC Chipset: Ingenic X2000
- RAM: 128MB
- OS: MTouch OS
- Dimensions: 86mm x 65mm x 18mm
- Weight: 140 grams
- Notes:
- 20,000 track limit for the Music app, but essentially unlimited for the File browser.
- Noise floor is actually low, and there’s no hiss with sensitive IEMs. In my video review, I mentioned I heard noise, but high gain was on -_-
HiFi-Dawson Verdict
HiFi-Dawson Verdict
8
10
0
1
-
Design & Build Quality8/10 Very good
-
Sound9/10 Amazing
-
Features/Accessories8/10 Very good
-
Software Experience8/10 Very good
-
Value7/10 Good
8/10
Total Score
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Low noise floor
- Compact, premium build
- Sharp OLED display
- Responsive non-Android OS
- Physical playback controls
- 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support
- USB DAC functionality
- Physical volume knob
Cons
- Slightly expensive at $439 USD
- The limited Tidal streaming support is mediocre
- Shorter battery life than comparable DAPs
- Phone-mount case sold separately, magnet not the most powerful
- Some software quirks
Thanks for your reviews–I find your content quite helpful.
Have you had a chance to test the XM2’s gapless performance? Many players claim gapless support, but actual performance can vary. What about the XM2’s support for cue sheets and related data? Cue sheets can be an important way to circumvent file and track limitations.
Finally, what about battery access and replacement? $440 for a short-lived paperweight surely isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time.
Thanks again.
You’re welcome!
Yes, gapless playback works perfectly once you enable it in the settings (why it needs to be a setting I do not know). I did not test cue sheet support, but I know other DAPs running the MTouch OS (like the Shanling M1 Plus) do support cue sheets perfectly. Let me test that though and get back to you on it.
Battery replacement is not easily done and needs to be done by Shanling/Onix. I have actually talked to them about this, and they will replace batteries and other parts for a fee. They have a distribution network in most countries so it can be done somewhat locally, you just need to contact them to arrange it.