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FiiO M7 High-Resolution Lossless Audio Player review

REVIEW – I’m not sure anyone has come out with as many different digital audio players (DAP) as FiiO has. In an age where almost everyone (at least here in the US) uses their smartphones for music listening, FiiO has stubbornly stuck to making DAPs in every price range and feature set. What began as me-too iPod wannabes have evolved into sophisticated, Android-based music players that can handle the most demanding high-resolution music files. 

What is it?

The FiiO M7 is a small, portable hi-res Bluetooth digital audio player with a built-in FM radio. It plays high-resolution music files and uses a pared-down version of Android as its operating system.

Specs

  • Formats: DSD64, APE, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, AIF, WMA, ALAC, MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG
  • FM radio
  • DAC: ES9018Q2C
  • Amp: ES9018Q2C
  • Inputs: USB-C (Charging and Data Transfer / USB DAC)
  • Outputs: 3.5mm Headphone Jack
  • Internal Memory: 2GB
  • SD Card Slot: micro SD (512GB max.)
  • Display: 3.2 inch TFT 480×800
  • Battery: 20 hours
  • Bluetooth: 4.2
  • Dimensions (HxWxD): 109 x 52 x 13 mm
  • Weight: 116 grams
  • Warranty: 24 Months

Package Contents

USB Cable, Clear Case, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card

Design and features

The design of the M7 DAP’s operating system is clever and mostly efficient, due to its use of Android as a base. Previous FiiO DAPs I’ve used had their own OS baked into the hardware and were not the most user-friendly interfaces. Since Android is used worldwide, its acceptance is pretty much guaranteed—even to this diehard Apple iOS user. 

Keep in mind that the M7 uses a bare-bones version of Android. FiiO smartly decided to only use what’s needed and ditch the superfluous stuff that adds useless complexity. Good move. 

It’s a bit slow to boot up, but once you get past the Welcome screen, you’re greeted with six icons: FiiO Music, FM Radio (yes, it has FM), File Management, Gallery, Technical Support and Settings. Navigation is easy and fairly straightforward. Only a couple of times was I unsure of how to maneuver out of a screen and had to shut-down to return to the beginning. It was either my fault or a glitch that FiiO will fix. FiiO has an excellent record of updating firmware on a timely basis. 

The FiiO Music icon deals with—you guessed it—music files. This is not as intuitive as I would like. When you tap the icon, you have to choose a folder called just “Folder” to access the micro SD card that holds your music—and you want a micro SD card. The M7 only holds 2GB of space, so there’s not a lot of room for music. I’m using a 128GB micro SD card which is a good size. Note that the M7 will accept up to a 512GB card. There is only one SD slot and SD cards are not included.

The FiiO Music folder shows a lot of song info. It will tell you the most recent songs played, most played songs and recently added. It has separate Artist, Album and Songs folders, so it’s easy to navigate to what you want to hear. It will also store playlists that you create on the M7. 

The Settings icon lets you turn on/off or customize various settings. The M7 can be set up as a USB digital audio converter (DAC) giving the M7 another use for those instances when you may want a better DAC than what’s in your car or smartphone, for instance. The M7 can also be used as a Bluetooth DAC/amp to wirelessly connect almost any non-Bluetooth device to a Bluetooth source. Bluetooth was easy to pair with my Fugoo Style S speaker and various wireless headphones I tried. The M7 found the devices quickly.

One nice thing about the M7 is the inclusion of FM Radio—if you’re into that. I haven’t listened to music on FM in ages and the M7 isn’t going to change that. But some still listen to the radio, so it’s a nice addition. However, it turns out that FM will not work with Bluetooth or wireless headphones. The headphone’s cable becomes the FM antenna—limiting the FM radio’s appeal. Once I plugged some headphones into the M7, the FM app instantly found all the local radio stations around me and listed them in order—way more convenient than manually dialing or searching. The difference in audio quality between FM and the M7’s native music player is night and day. Music on the radio stations sounded muffled and boomy. It made me realize why I gave up FM years ago. Ugh.

The M7 has a built-in 10-band graphic equalizer—difficult to find and difficult to use. Access seems to only be through the window showing a particular song that’s playing. There are 8 presets plus a user mode that only sometimes would accept my finger attempting to access the EQ sliders trying to customize the settings. After fiddling with it, I just turned off all EQ and lived with it. Besides, no EQ sounded better than any of the pre-determined settings.

As intelligent as the OS can be, it’s the hardware where FiiO shines. The M7 is almost beautiful to look at and a pleasure to hold in your hand. It’s made from a solid piece of aluminum with minimal buttons. The large (for the M7’s size) plastic screen is a 480 X 800 TFT color screen. No, it’s not OLED or glass—it doesn’t need to be. It’s plenty bright and easy to read. Plus, the M7’s screen does not show fingerprints as a glass screen can.

There’s a “chin” above the screen which makes the M7 look upside down. It takes some getting used to since most players have the chin below the screen. It looks off-balance.

The M7 is thicker than most newer smartphones and has sharp edges—there’s nothing rounded about it. Even so, it’s comfortable and secure-feeling when held. FiiO includes a clear soft TPU plastic case for the M7. Some people despise the case, but I leave it on since the aluminum shell can scratch or dent easily if dropped. The M7 comes in four colors: Blue, red, black and gray. I have the red one which is the most striking looking and photographs better.

I had an issue with the side buttons on the M7. Unless you turn the buttons off in Settings, it’s far too easy to accidentally press them which will either fast forward, pause or repeat a song. Fortunately, Fiio allows these buttons to be turned off as long as the screen is off, so the M7 can be left in your pocket without any accidental button pressing. 

So how does the M7 sound? It is certified Hi-Res and can handle any lossless music file resolutions up to 192kHz/24bit. What this means in English is that the M7 will store and play files better than CD quality (44.1KHz/16bit). Knowing that some CDs can sound freaking good, does better than CD matter? Only in some instances. When listening to a high-res file, certain details can be revealed that may be missed in that same music file being played at a lower resolution. Keep in mind that this difference will be much more apparent when you compare a CD to a really low-res MP3 file. The difference between a CD and a 192kHz/24bit file will be minimal to audiophiles and not heard at all by most other people. 

And if that isn’t enough, the vast majority of a recording’s quality is determined in the recording studio—long before the customer gets a version, be it high-res, CD or the lowly streaming format. It’s no wonder most people stick with their smartphones for all their music.

Even with all that griping aside, the M7 sounds great when fed high-quality music files. My hi-res version of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s “Déjà Vu” album sounds glorious whether listening with wired headphones or even over Bluetooth. The details hidden within each song is stunning. This is a carefully recorded album that can now be heard as I can imagine it sounded in the studio. Stunning.

Amber Rubarth’s binaural album “Sessions from the 17th Ward” is another aural revelation on the M7. The soundstage of this recording places the listener right in the middle of the stage (credit the binaural microphone set-up for that) and the higher res recording adds clarity that is downright spooky. The M7 effortlessly exhibits the best this album has to offer. It’s an audio cliche, but Ms. Rubarth really does sound like she is in the room with you.

It doesn’t seem to matter what kind of music you’re into—the FiiO M7 can make you smile and sometimes even give you goosebumps with what you hear.

What I like

 The M7 hits the sweet spot between features, price and audio quality. It’s well-built, fairly easy to navigate and can sounds as good as the quality of music you feed it.

What needs to be improved

Even though the price is justified, the M7 is not cheap. Note that FiiO makes less expensive excellent players. The M7’s software can be frustrating at times.

Final Thoughts

I haven’t gone into everything the FiiO M7 can do, but if you’re looking to separate your smartphone from your music collection and move it to a dedicated music player, visit fiio.com and check out their line of players—some more and some less expensive. You should be able to find one that gives you what you want in a player—even if it’s not the M7.

Price: $199.99 US
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this product was provided by FiiO.

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FiiO M7 High-Resolution Lossless Audio Player review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 21, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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Now your iPhone can match your luggage

If you’re a fan of iconic aluminum ribbed luggage, you can get a matching look for your iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max. As long as you don’t mind paying $101 bucks for a phone case, this case will wrap your iPhone in a protective hug of aluminum and shockproof TPU. The cases are available in silver or pink. Head over to Rimowa for more info.

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Now your iPhone can match your luggage originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 21, 2019 at 10:01 am.

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A Cajun Life Seasonings and Spices review

Parade – Mardi Gras is coming, people! And what better way to celebrate than with some Cajun-inspired cooking? The fine folks at A Cajun Life sent me a whole heap of different seasonings and spices to play with, and I’m in the mood for a party. Let’s cook!

What’s in the box?

A Cajun Life offers their mixes & seasonings in a variety of packages. I’ve got the following samples in my test kit:

  • All Purpose Cajun Seasoning
  • Seafood Rub
  • Chicken Rub
  • Mesquite BBQ Rub
  • Blackening Rub
  • Jambalaya Mix
  • Gumbo Mix
  • Red Beans & Rice Mix

Design and features

A Cajun Life produces a wide range of seasonings, mixes, rubs, and boxed meals that are all certified Cajun, non-GMO, and have no MSG. I’ve tested most of the items in the sample kit.  Let’s get down to it!

Rubs and Seasonings

A Cajun Life makes 5 different rubs & seasonings, each of which puts a different spin on traditional Cajun flavors. They’re all naturally gluten-free and, while they still contain salt, are much lower in salt content than some other Cajun seasonings and rubs I see on the market. While each variation shows its roots with Cajun flavors, they each present with a noticeable (and tasty) difference in the flavor profile.

The All-Purpose Cajun Seasoning is the multitasking workhorse. Salt and spice are the big flavors in this all-purpose mix, with heavy hits of chili powder, paprika, and spices. It still has noticeably less sodium than some other Cajun seasonings I have in my cabinet, allowing the spice to be the featured attraction. I use Cajun seasoning on just about anything: vegetables, seafood, chicken, pork, beef, etc. I tested this one on a green bean side dish sauteed with roasted peppers, garlic, and onion. The Cajun seasoning adds a pop of extra flavor that you don’t get with salt & pepper. Finished product below, served with roasted Andouille sausage and red beans and rice (more on that below): 

The Blackening Rub is the simplest of the rubs in the set with an emphasis on paprika, garlic, and onion flavors. Some sugar and spice round that out to add some balance when you bring the heat. I tested this out on Tilapia steaks, the blandest of fish, which I seared in a skillet on the stovetop:

It turned out great. The fish developed some nice blackening, and the flavors level out nicely when put to the fire. My tilapia was singing a whole new tune when I was done:

The Mesquite Rub is a classic barbecue rub. It’s got a touch of Cajun spice to keep things interesting, but a sweet & smokey flavor is what you’ll get here. You can use this on anything from fish to beef to pork. I really like it for ribs or chicken (bone-in thighs and legs are my faves) that’s going for a long, low, slow cook on the grill. If your guests aren’t big on spices, they’ll be very happy with this one.

The Chicken Rub takes things in a completely different direction with a rub specifically designed for poultry. You’ll find a bit of Cajun heat here, but the blend adds earthy, herbal, and citrus notes that give it a distinct flavor that compliments chicken nicely. I rubbed down some thick chicken breasts with this mix and put it in the electric smoker for an hour to see how it would do:

You know what? It really does bring a unique flavor to the bird. The earthy and citrus notes complement the natural chicken flavors in a really interesting way. Check out the crust that formed on the chicken breasts… it tasted as good as it looks. I’m going to try this on whole chicken next time.

To close out the rubs & seasonings, we have the Seafood Rub. This is another Cajun variant that dials up the peppery heat and lemon/lime citrus flavors to compliment the proteins that swim. I created a cajun shrimp Scampi variant for this test, tossing shrimp in the seasoning and doing a quick saute in a combination of olive oil and butter:

The citrus and pepper accents highlight the shrimp nicely. I’d throw this on just about any seafood, really… salmon, tuna, scallops would all benefit nicely from this rub.

Meal Boxes

The boxed meal sets are designed for quick and easy preparation of a whole meal. You’ll add your base ingredients, water, and the mix for a complete dish in 25-40 minutes depending on which meal you’re preparing.

I started by testing the Jambalaya mix. This is a mix designed for use with other proteins like chicken, sausage, and shrimp. I wanted some extra vegetables since I was doing a one-pot meal, so I started by building a base of sauteed peppers and onions and added a pound of Andouille sausage.

Once those were browned a bit, I added the Jambalaya mix and water.

I brought it to a boil, covered the pot, and simmered the dish for 20-25 minutes until things started to thicken up.

I was feeling fancy with this one, so I added some big ol’ sea scallops during the last couple of minutes of cooking. Check out this beauty! A total of 35 minutes from start to finish on a weeknight. It was so good, my teenager was pilfering leftovers for three days. Dad is winning in the kitchen.

The Jambalaya has a nice blend of Cajun flavors, but I wouldn’t categorize it as overly spicy. That’s ideal for a base so that you can add extra heat as you need it. The Andouille added that extra kick at the end of cooking, but you could add some hot sauce if you’re feeling feisty (I like Crystal personally).

I also tested the Red Beans and Rice Mix. This one I did as a side dish, so I did not add any extra proteins during cooking. Add water and the mix, bring to a boil, and simmer for 20-25 minutes. No sweat.

Some red beans and rice mixed are just… bland. Not this one. You’ll get that earthy goodness that makes red beans and rice so tasty, along with a nice dose of spice to give it pop. It’s got a well-rounded flavor that stands on its own, or can be used with a protein as another one-pot meal.

Gumbo is religion in my household. I have a personal recipe that I make from scratch that I’ve refined over the years and takes several hours to cook. I have not yet tested the Gumbo Mix. It’s designed as a flavoring mix to which you add a lot of water (4 quarts) along with your proteins and Okra. Simmer for 40 minutes, and serve as a soup over rice. I’ll be putting this one up against my recipe soon, and I’ll let you know how it does!

What I like

  • Great flavor balance in all the samples I tested
  • Lower sodium than many competitors
  • Non-GMO and no MSG
  • Really variety in the flavors of each seasoning and mix
  • Easy to work into a wide variety of dishes for just about any cooking application

What needs to be improved

  • None to be found yet

Final thoughts

I’m really enjoying the products by A Cajun Life. You won’t miss the Cajun roots in any of these seasonings, but there’s a lot more going on than just spicy heat. Each item I have tested has a well-rounded, balanced, and unique flavor. Whether you’re looking for quick options to spruce up a weeknight meal or you’re settling in to cook for company on the weekend, the variety of products also gives you all kinds of options to play with. Break out the cold beer, and crank up the Zydeco. We’re ready for a party!

Price: Prices vary based on the item, or if you buy combination packs. Single-serve samples like the ones seen in the featured image for this article are also available.
Where to buy: Go to A Cajun Life’s web page. Also available on Amazon.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by A Cajun Life.

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A Cajun Life Seasonings and Spices review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 21, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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DIY dollhouses for adults

NEWS – If you always wanted a dollhouse when you were a kid but never got one, now is your chance to change that as an adult. Robotime dollhouses are small 7-8in one room diorama kits that come with everything you need to create a cool miniature model of a study, greenhouse, and more. Each kit can take up to 20hrs or more to construct, and when you’re done, you can buy a special see through dust cover to protect it so it doesn’t get dirty and your kids won’t be able to play with it. Prices start at $27 and go up to $48 for each kit. Visit Robotime and Amazon for more info.

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DIY dollhouses for adults originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 20, 2019 at 10:30 am.

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Steam Clip review

REVIEW – Meet your new favorite travel buddy! The Steam Clip was initially designed to enable you to hang your clothes while you shower, using the steam to get out those nasty wrinkles from your suitcase. But it has a bunch of other features that make it an essential multipurpose tool for life on the road… or the resort… or the cruise ship. To the review!

What is it?

It’s an award-winning multifunction travel accessory that acts as a hangar, a bottle opener, a thread/tag cutter, and a smartphone stand.

Design and features

Steam Clip inventor Randy Blevins came up with the idea after logging way too many travel miles. He was looking for a gadget that would allow him to hang his clothes in or near the shower to enable the steam to unwrinkle his clothes, but it had to be something that could work in the different environments one finds in hotel rooms, ship cabins, and rental properties. Add in a few very useful bonus features, and the Steam Clip was born.

The Steam Clip is a single piece of molded plastic, with an assortment of hooks and slots that enable the multitasking magic. Those two big loops enable you to hang the device over a standard door, a shower door, or a closet bar while leaving an open hook to hang your items:

The smaller loop is slotted so that you can hang those micro-hook style hangers or ball hangars you find in most hotel rooms:

Here’s a shot of the Steam Hook hung over my closet door. Check out how it’s got plenty of width to get over thicker doors:

The combination of a large hook, a small hook and a clip allows you to hang it just about anywhere. I tested it on shower doors, shower rods, and wire rods in my closet:

In addition to the hanging feature, it’s got a couple of other tools built into the design. The business end here has a little ruler and an edge to cut tags off of your clothes:

It also works as a bottle opener. This comes in very handy, as I never seem to have a bottle opener when I get to my hotel room:

It will also work as a smartphone stand. If you have a thicker phone or a phone in it’s case, use the hook side to stand it up. This is my iPhone Xr MAX for reference:

Without the case, it slips right into the clip side of the device and works in either vertical or horizontal mode:

The Steam Clip has a lot of uses on the road in addition to creating a solution for steaming out your clothes. If you travel a bit you know that hotel rooms are often lacking in places to hang your stuff. The construction is beefy enough that you can also use it to hang your bag or an organizer when you get to your destination. It’s great for hanging a suit jacket (or suit bag) from the rear grab handles in a rental car. I’ve also found it to be very handy to keep my bag or jacket off of those questionable floors in public restrooms or coffee shops. Toss in that tag remover for that new dress shirt and a bottle opener, and you’ve got a clever little addition to your kit that takes up virtually no room. Genius!

What I like

  • A well thought out multitasker that has multiple uses for the heavy traveler.
  • Solid construction.
  • Small enough to stash anywhere in your bag, your carryon, or your suitcase.

What needs to be improved

  • None that I have found yet!

Final thoughts

Who says that innovation is dead? The Steam Clip is a brilliant little piece of design that solves multiple problems for the traveler. I can see why it has won so many awards. I’ll be grabbing a few of these for friends and family that travel. I have some trips scheduled in the spring, so I’ll report back on the different uses I find for it on the road!

Price: $15.95, but on sale for $12.88 with discounts available if you purchase multiple Steam Clips at once.
Where to buy: Visit the Steam Clip web site for purchase.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Steam Clip.

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Steam Clip review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 20, 2019 at 9:30 am.

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