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Choose the Sony NW-A306 if you want the smallest, simplest Android music player, Wi-Fi streaming and the longest claimed battery life in this comparison. Choose the FiiO M11S if you need substantially more headphone drive, balanced outputs and broader Android flexibility. The FiiO M15S is the premium, heavier choice for demanding headphones, Roon-based systems and desktop-style use.
There is no specification-based answer to “which sounds better.” The headphones, listening level, output used and personal preference matter more than the DAC chip name. The useful distinction is whether you need Sony’s compact Walkman experience or FiiO’s higher-power, multi-connector design.
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Quick comparison: NW-A306, M11S and M15S
| Category | Sony NW-A306 | FiiO M11S | FiiO M15S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Portable streaming and efficient wired headphones | Balanced-drive headphones and Android apps | Demanding headphones, Roon and desktop-style operation |
| Operating system and streaming | Android with Wi-Fi and music-service apps | Android 10 with app flexibility | Six operating modes, including Roon Ready and desktop mode |
| DAC information | PCM support up to 32-bit/384 kHz; DSD up to 11.2896 MHz | Dual ES9038Q2M DACs | ES9038PRO DAC |
| Headphone outputs | 3.5 mm output | Multiple headphone connectors, including a balanced output | 3.5 mm and balanced operation |
| Published output figure | Not stated in the cited Sony material | 670 mW balanced into 32 ohms (FiiO product specification) | Not stated in the cited material as one comparable wattage figure |
| Claimed or tested battery life | Up to 36 hours at 44.1 kHz FLAC; up to 32 hours at 96 kHz FLAC; about 26 hours with a music-service app (Sony) | About 14 hours (FiiO) | About 10.5 hours single-ended and 9 hours balanced in FiiO’s stated parameter test |
| Portability | Compact; What Hi-Fi? calls it compact | Portable, but exact weight is not stated in the cited material | Heavier premium design; exact weight is not stated in the cited material |
| Internal storage and microSD | Capacity and expansion details are not stated in the cited material | Capacity and expansion details are not stated in the cited material | Capacity and expansion details are not stated in the cited material |
Those figures describe capability, not a guaranteed listening experience. In particular, battery tests use different files, outputs, screen settings and network conditions, so the numbers should not be treated as a single standardized laboratory ranking.
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Sony’s presentation
Sony positions the NW-A306 as a stylish, compact player for downloading and streaming music. Its Walkman processing and tuning are aimed at a mature, balanced presentation. What Hi-Fi? similarly describes the player as compact with a mature, balanced performance in its listed configuration.
#1 Best Overall
- Wi-Fi compatible for direct download and streaming
- Made with a rigid aluminum frame and gold solder inside a precisely engineered chassis
- Up to 36 hours of 44.1KHz FLAC playback
- Supported by Android
- Connect to a PC to access your music collection
The NW-A306 accepts PCM recordings up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD up to 11.2896 MHz. Those limits are useful when your library contains high-resolution files, but they do not make a recording better than its mastering or make an efficient headphone sound different by default. The player’s practical advantage is that the same device handles local high-resolution files and Wi-Fi music-service apps.
What the M11S adds
The M11S uses dual ES9038Q2M DACs and Android 10. Its important audio distinction is not merely the DAC model; it is the output stage and the balanced connection. FiiO rates its balanced output at 670 mW into 32 ohms, giving it considerably more headroom for headphones that need voltage or current than a small, single-ended player typically provides.
More power can produce cleaner peaks and a wider range of usable volume with difficult headphones. It does not automatically create better tonality. With sensitive in-ear monitors, excess gain can make the volume control harder to use or reveal hiss, so a lower-gain setting and the single-ended connection may be preferable.
Why the M15S is a different class of purchase
The M15S uses an ES9038PRO DAC and supports six operating modes, including Roon Ready and desktop mode. That combination is aimed at a listener who may use the unit as the center of a home system as well as a portable player. Its larger, heavier design is the trade-off for that desktop-oriented flexibility and stronger headphone-system ambitions.
FiiO says the M15S can be adjusted with five levels of gain. Gain selection lets you match the amplifier to sensitive IEMs or harder-to-drive over-ear headphones instead of using one unnecessarily high setting for everything.
Rank #2
- Plays All Formats - The Portable CD Player is easy to use and plays back your favourite Music CD, CD Audio books, Kids CD Disc, Recordable CDs CD-R, or ReWritable CDs CD-RW. NOTE: Does not support the MP3 CD's.Number of discs : 1
- Music On The Go - With the 60 Second Anti Skip protection CD Walkman. Do not let your everyday life interrupt your music! Take it with you on the bus! or While you take a walk outside (Please allow music to play for at least 60 seconds before moving for best performance)
- Connect to Your Speaker or Car - Using the INCLUDED 3.5mm Aux in cable you can easily connect your Deluxe CD Players for home to your favourite speaker, or car! Just ensure your device or Car has a 3.5mm AUX in or LINE in connection
- Long Battery Life - The discman CD player Uses 2 x AA Batteries (Batteries not included) – or You can power your portable cd players using the INCLUDED AC USB Cable (Smartphone USB wall adapter – NOT INCLUDED). The Deluxe Personal CD Player is the perfect Mini CD Player you will ever need Listen to your favourite CD Audiobooks
Why there is no universal winner
The cited sources do not provide a controlled, level-matched test using the same headphones, the same files and the same volume. Without that control, declaring Sony or FiiO the universal sound-quality winner would be misleading. Select the NW-A306 for its compact, balanced Walkman approach; select the M11S or M15S when the headphone load and connection options are the deciding factors.
Battery life: compare the test conditions, not just the headline
| Player and condition | Published result | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| NW-A306, 44.1 kHz FLAC | Up to 36 hours | Sony’s highest claim, for local FLAC playback |
| NW-A306, 96 kHz FLAC | Up to 32 hours | Higher-rate files reduce the claim compared with 44.1 kHz playback |
| NW-A306, music-service app | About 26 hours | Streaming and the Android app use more power than the local-file claim |
| NW-A306, What Hi-Fi? listed configuration | Approximately 32 hours | A review figure for that publication’s configuration, not a universal runtime |
| M11S | About 14 hours | FiiO’s approximate figure; the cited product information does not describe a matching protocol to Sony’s claims |
| M15S, 3.5 mm output | About 10.5 hours | FiiO parameter test using MP3, 32-ohm load and screen off |
| M15S, balanced output | About 9 hours | Same stated test conditions, with balanced output |
The NW-A306 has the longest claimed runtime here, but its app figure is the most relevant number if you stream over Wi-Fi. The M15S results show why output choice matters: balanced operation consumed more power than single-ended operation in FiiO’s test.
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How to estimate your own runtime
- Use the local-file figure only when you mostly play files stored on the player.
- Expect streaming to reduce runtime because Wi-Fi, the display and the Android service remain active.
- Expect high-resolution files, high gain and balanced output to consume more power than efficient files and low-gain single-ended listening.
- Keep screen brightness and timeout low, disable radios you are not using, and download albums for offline playback when a service supports it.
- Carry a USB power bank for long travel; the published figures are maximums or test results, not guarantees for every library and headphone.
Headphone power and connector choice
When the NW-A306 is enough
The NW-A306 has a 3.5 mm headphone output and is the straightforward match for efficient IEMs, portable headphones and other loads that already reach your preferred volume cleanly. Its compact size makes it easier to carry in a pocket, and there is no balanced cable requirement to manage.
The cited Sony specifications do not give a comparable output-power number. If your over-ear headphones are quiet or sound compressed from a phone or small player, check their impedance and sensitivity before assuming the NW-A306 will provide sufficient headroom.
When balanced output changes the decision
The M11S provides multiple headphone connectors and a balanced output rated at 670 mW into 32 ohms. Balanced wiring uses separate signal paths and a different connector; it is not simply a louder version of the same 3.5 mm cable. You need headphones wired for the chosen connector, or a correctly made replacement cable.
Rank #3
- SMALL SIZE AND EASY HANDLE-TOMASHI walkman cassette player is small and compact and easily portable,rewind fast forward stop play and record button,are easy to use.
- TAPE PLAYER RECORDER-Multifunctional portable personal walkman cassette player tape recorder with built-in speaker support either built-in speaker playing and listening or headphone mode listening,built-in microphone or microphone recording. Most people use this cassette recorder listen to music,learn language.
- AUTOMATIC STOP- To protect your cassette tapes and prevent unnecessary wear to the pinch roller of the cassette mechanism,this unit is equipped with an Automatic Stop System. When the tape ends during play, the PLAY BUTTON will automatically release to stop the cassette from running.
- AC/DC POWER SUPPLY-This walkman uses 2 AA batteries (no included) or an USB power supply (no included), if you use the USB power recommend remove any battery first.
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Do not use a passive 3.5 mm-to-balanced adapter that shorts channels. Use a cable or adapter designed for the player’s specified balanced socket. Also avoid judging two players at different loudness levels: the louder device will often seem more exciting even when the tonal difference is small.
Matching the M15S
The M15S is appropriate when your headphones benefit from a powerful amplifier, multiple gain levels or a system that can move between portable and desktop use. Its balanced battery result is shorter than its single-ended result in FiiO’s test, so use balanced only when your headphones and listening goals justify the additional drain.
Streaming, Android apps and wireless use
NW-A306: the compact streaming route
The NW-A306 combines Android, Wi-Fi and a 3.5 mm output. You can install or use compatible music-service apps, stream when connected, and keep local files for offline listening. Sony quotes about 26 hours with a music-service app, which is the relevant battery context for a streaming-first routine.
App availability, account requirements and offline-download behavior depend on each service and its Android support. Confirm the service’s current requirements before buying if one particular app is essential.
M11S: Android 10 and broader app flexibility
The M11S runs Android 10, allowing a wider range of player and streaming applications than a closed, file-only device. Its value is highest when you want to switch between services, local-library software and a powerful wired output without carrying a separate amplifier.
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Rank #4
- Skip-Free G-Protection¿ Technology
- Digital Mega Bass Sound
- 1 Line LCD
- 8 Playback Modes
- Up to 16 Hours battery life with 2AA batteries (not supplied)
Android flexibility also means more background activity. Notifications, automatic updates, screen use and Wi-Fi scanning can reduce battery life, so configure the player as an audio device rather than leaving every phone feature enabled.
M15S: Roon and desktop mode
The M15S supports six operating modes, including Roon Ready and desktop mode. That makes it the clearest choice for a listener who wants one premium device to participate in a home network or act as a desktop-style source. The cited material does not establish an equivalent desktop-mode feature for the NW-A306 or M11S, so buyers who specifically need that workflow should verify the exact mode and connection requirements in the current manual.
Portability, storage and everyday handling
Size and weight
Sony’s advantage is physical simplicity: the NW-A306 is described as compact and has one main wired headphone connection. The M15S is the heavier premium option, while the cited specifications do not provide exact weights for a like-for-like table comparison. The M11S sits between those use cases: portable, but designed around more connectors and a stronger output stage than the Sony.
For commuting, walking or airplane use, pocket space and cable simplicity can matter more than peak amplifier power. For a desk, hotel room or dedicated listening chair, the M15S’s additional operating modes may matter more than its extra weight.
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The supplied product information does not state internal-storage capacities or microSD expansion details for these three models. Check the current regional specification page before purchase, especially if you plan to carry a large lossless library. Storage needs also depend on whether you download from a streaming service or keep files in a separate library.
Best Value
- Plays All Formats - The Portable CD Player is easy to use and plays back your favourite Music CD, CD Audio books, Kids CD Disc, Recordable CDs CD-R, or ReWritable CDs CD-RW. NOTE: Does not support the MP3 CD's
- Music On The Go - With the 60 Second Anti Skip protection CD Walkman. Do not let your everyday life interrupt your music! Take it with you on the bus! or While you take a walk outside (Please allow music to play for at least 60 seconds before moving for best performance)
- Connect to Your Speaker or Car - Using the INCLUDED 3.5mm Aux in cable you can easily connect your Deluxe CD Players for home to your favourite speaker, or car! Just ensure your device or Car has a 3.5mm AUX in or LINE in connection
- Long Battery Life - The discman CD player Uses 2 x AA Batteries (Batteries not included) – or You can power your portable cd players using the INCLUDED AC USB Cable (Smartphone USB wall adapter – NOT INCLUDED)
- Package Includes: Portable CD Player, Stereo Earbuds, Micro-USB Cable and Aux in Cable. (Speaker Not included)
Total system cost: include the accessories that make the player useful
A player is only one part of the system. Your actual budget should include headphones or IEMs, a replacement cable if you want balanced output, a protective case, and possibly a USB power source for travel. The M11S’s balanced capability has little value if your existing headphones have only a fixed single-ended cable. Conversely, buying a premium player before upgrading inefficient headphones may produce less audible benefit than improving the transducer.
No current prices are established in the cited material, and retailer pricing varies by region and promotion. Compare the complete setup rather than the player alone: player, headphones, cable, storage and any desktop accessories you will actually use.
Which player should you buy?
Choose the Sony NW-A306 when
- You want the smallest and simplest Android Walkman in this comparison.
- Wi-Fi streaming and music-service apps are central to your routine.
- You use efficient IEMs or portable headphones with a 3.5 mm cable.
- Long claimed battery life matters more than balanced amplifier power.
- You prefer Sony’s mature, balanced Walkman presentation and processing features.
Choose the FiiO M11S when
- Your headphones need more drive than a compact single-ended player can comfortably provide.
- You want a 4.4 mm or other balanced connection and multiple headphone outputs.
- You want Android 10 app flexibility and a player that can replace a separate portable amplifier.
- You accept shorter battery life in exchange for output power and connector choice.
Choose the FiiO M15S when
- You use demanding headphones and want a premium amplifier-oriented player.
- Roon Ready operation or desktop mode is part of your listening setup.
- Five gain levels and a heavier chassis are worthwhile for your system.
- You accept the shortest stated battery results and greater weight for broader operating modes.
A five-step decision process
- Identify your headphones. Note their connector, impedance, sensitivity and whether they already have a balanced cable.
- Decide how you listen. If streaming on the move is primary, prioritize Android, Wi-Fi and practical battery life. If local files and difficult over-ears dominate, prioritize output capability.
- Choose the output. Stay with the NW-A306’s 3.5 mm path for efficient headphones. Consider the M11S or M15S when balanced drive, gain control or multiple connectors solve a real problem.
- Check the home workflow. If you need Roon Ready or desktop mode, put the M15S first and verify the exact connection behavior for your system.
- Price the whole kit. Add the required cable, headphones, storage and travel power before making the final comparison.
Common pitfalls and fixes
Mistaking a high-resolution number for better sound
PCM and DSD limits show what a player can decode or process. They do not prove that one device sounds better with every recording. Use the formats your library contains, then judge comfort, noise, volume headroom and headphone matching.
Comparing battery claims as if they used one test
Sony’s figures distinguish 44.1 kHz FLAC, 96 kHz FLAC and a music-service app. FiiO’s M15S result specifies MP3 files, a 32-ohm load and screen-off testing. These conditions are different. Use the result that resembles your actual playback rather than the largest number on a box.
Buying balanced cables without checking the socket
Balanced connectors are not interchangeable. Confirm the player’s socket, headphone wiring and cable termination before ordering. A correct balanced cable can unlock the M11S or M15S output; an incorrect adapter can create compatibility or safety problems.
Running sensitive IEMs at excessive gain
Start at the lowest gain, raise volume gradually and listen for hiss or channel imbalance at very low volume. Move to a higher gain only when the headphones need more headroom.
Expecting a desktop feature from every Android player
The M15S is the model in this comparison explicitly described with desktop mode and Roon Ready operation. Do not assume the NW-A306 or M11S offers the same workflow; verify the current manual if a USB or network-based desktop setup is a purchase requirement.
Bottom line
The Sony NW-A306 is the sensible all-round portable choice: compact, Wi-Fi capable, app-friendly and backed by the longest claimed battery life here. The FiiO M11S is the better technical fit for listeners whose headphones need strong balanced output or who want multiple connectors and Android 10 flexibility. The FiiO M15S earns its premium position when demanding headphones, Roon Ready use or desktop mode matter more than weight and battery endurance. Sound-quality superiority remains system-dependent; choose the player that matches your headphones and listening workflow rather than the most impressive specification.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
