Onix XM2 Tocata Finally solves one of my biggest issues with DAPs.

*A lot more pictures and videos of product and use cases in video.

Solving a real problem

I love DAPs, they remind me of my childhood of carrying MP3 players wherever I went. That small pill-shaped device was my dream box. I loved it more than anything, carried it everywhere, my isolation from the world, my deeper connection to music.

Well, it was like that until phones became good enough to have their own internal MP3 players, and until I got deeper into audiophile addiction; that was it for those small devices.

And like I did with my old players, I wanted to have that same experience with digital audio players. But there is one thing that was always kind of a blocker for me to completely immerse myself into these sonic pleasures; that is the size and weight of DAPs.

I do from time to time carry it with me, mostly when I go on vacations or longer holidays. But as I already have a big phone, carrying another big brick with me was uncomfortable and not something I want in my day-to-day commute and walking. And I do listen to a lot of music. My go-to setup is usually those small DAC/headphone amp dongles or smaller DAC headphone amps.

As they are easier to carry in my pocket, I found they work better as synergy to combine my mobile phone needs and music enhancement. Still, I think a DAP is superior in quality in every aspect, but sometimes we choose comfort over utmost quality.

But this device is getting closer to that ideal, which is the truly portable DAP dream. I cannot say with confidence that this is still the device that you can carry without noticing it, but it is much lighter and smaller than similar DAPs in this price range.

Now all that would be for nought if features, UI, build quality, and most importantly sonics were not up to par. So let’s find out.

Build Quality, technical specs, Custom I/V and Software Review

Build quality is pretty neat.

It is a full aluminum body, with physical buttons and a 3-inch OLED screen. The body seems sturdy and is pretty small, going in at 8.2 cm in height and 6 cm in width and only 140 g in weight. As you can see, this is pretty small.

The screen is OLED but at 720p resolution. It is not the sharpest screen, but for what it is, it works well.

The four buttons are nice, physical, and tactile; nothing to say here, and unlike mobile phones, I always prefer physical buttons. You have one FN button which is programmable to be whatever you want. But honestly, it works best as a home button.

Nothing more to say here, except whether you like Onix’s design language or not. They always have these big black bodies with golden buttons. I personally like that, but some people may not. But I think it looks very premium, especially that big rotating gold button that is used for volume and power on/off.

Bluetooth is two-way, and it has all the best flavors in it, including aptX HD and LDAC.

You can use this DAP as a DAC as well, as it has USB-C DAC functionality to use it as a portable DAC only.

But if you want to use it as the gods of Onix intended it, then you will have 3.5 and 4.4 mm jacks. You will have 1.28 V and 2.56 V in 3.5 mm and 2.56 V and 5.12 V in 4.4 mm output power.

But inside there is also a lot to talk about. The DAC inside is Cirrus Logic’s new flagship DAC, CS4308P, which we will talk about a bit later. But what is great is that Onix created their own I/V infrastructure called Brighton here.

Onix/Shanling’s attempts to create their own components will become a benefit in the future, as they will have quality components for cheaper since it is homebrew. Its transition from current into voltage is therefore done more precisely, with less loss in detail and added jitter.

Inside there is a modest 3000 mAh battery, which is a bit disappointing. But it does hold nicely for 18 hours of listening.

It also has a fully balanced architecture power output and an advanced FPGA.

As you can see, there is a lot of great technology in its small body.

But what is most important for most users is software; it can, for this kind of device, be make or break.

And this is not Android-based software. This is a homegrown OS that Onix and Shanling created themselves. It is Ingenic X2000, and it is supposed, with every iteration, to be better and adapt even more to the market.

The system for now is okay, could be better, but I like it more than Android systems. And you might ask why? Because this entire operating system is built around music. While Android systems are built for mobile phones and then readapted to work for DAPs.

Unfortunately, the limit of this OS is that you cannot add applications. So currently there is only Tidal integration with this DAP. Which means if you have Tidal, that is great, but for Qobuz or Spotify users, tough luck here.

I have right away in tiles everything I need: albums, genres, most played, etc. The entire OS is built with one intention, and that is for you to find things faster and more intuitively. There are no obstructions and additional features that do not add to the musical experience.

There are some great features in the device. If connected to the internet, it automatically searches for cover art and lyrics, which I have drawn a lot of enjoyment from.

Now personally, it is not perfect, and from someone who is an audiophile but also a UI/UX product designer who builds these things for a living, I think some more tweaks could be added, and here are just some small ideas for improvements. For example, while speaking to users, you can notice that people in Europe who use DAPs use them to listen to high-res files. So among filters, there should be a way to filter or sort files by DSD and 16/24-bit music.

Sometimes I want to listen to things at the highest possible rate and chase albums that are DSD only.

Also, when I listen to music and I want to equalize, I want right-away access to that. So there should be a shortcut in the music player to the equalizer and return faster to the music player, as that is the flow I need for faster and more intuitive EQing.

And one more thing. While it is great to have tiles in the main area to choose albums, artists, favorites, etc., it would also be great if I didn’t have to leave that area to switch between categories. It could be done via tabs, especially if I entered albums and now want to see my most listened albums, etc.

And regarding UI, while I think there is some value in having brand colors as the main theme because of consistency, the gold-and-black theme can become boring really fast. Maybe add just a bit more variation.

And for more, I don’t want to clog this review, but there are a lot of other things I would personally change and add to the OS.

But to me, this kind of approach—building an OS to support users’ needs for listening to music—is always going to be better than giving Android, which truthfully offers much more flexibility and features but always feels like they are just not needed and too much, and act as an obstacle between you and the music.

Some problems with small build

But even though I love that this is a small body and all the positives it carries, unfortunately it carries some downsides.

First, there is no internal memory. So if you want a DAP that comes with memory and is ready to use right away out of the box, unfortunately you will need to use either Tidal or a microSD card.

Also, the 3000 mAh battery, while okay, is small compared to alternatives in this price range, which have 4000–5000 mAh. But there is no place to put a big battery in this small body.

Power output is decent, but not top of the line in this price range. There are more powerful DAPs on the market with more output power.

One other thing which is not that bad, but is a point of concern, is that it can get warm over long listening hours—more than some others I had here. Not something that the device will shut down from or become unpleasant to have in hand, but definitely warm.

Also, ergonomics, while not bad, are definitely not the most comfortable. It is easier to hold something like the M21, as you can grab it with your entire hand. Here, you are grabbing it with two-thirds of your hand. It is not bad, but after long listening and holding sessions, I started having fatigue in my arm—not from weight, as it is light, but because my hand is in a strange position.

With this small body, you get something and you lose something.

Amazing portability, use cases and companion app

And what you get.

I have to say the idea to add a magnetic ring in the case cover for XM2 is a great and forward-thinking decision. Most modern phones have magnetic rings inside, and many cases also have magnetic rings.

This will make product synergy easier, as it will stay stuck to each other in your pocket, on your table, etc.

But also, as this is a smaller device, if you have those small USB-C cables, you can connect it to your mobile phone and use this DAP as a DAC and headphone amplifier, and your mobile as the player.

This way, it helps with one of my other big problems with DAPs, and that is when I use DAC/headphone amp dongles and portable players, it is still my mobile phone that is the player. And when I get a call or message, I can get notified. This way, I kind of isolate myself with a DAP and can miss some crucial calls or messages.

This way, even though it is not the best thing—as it could be better if it were a slimmer model—you can bring more versatility and use out of your DAP. It is not the main way I use this DAP, but there is a possibility.

You also have a companion app for this DAP that allows you, via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, to connect to the XM2 and then use your mobile phone to control it. It is a great thing, which I mostly used when traveling. While at home, I did not bother with it. It helped make two different products work as one.

And it is not Bluetooth or Wi-Fi transfer; it just controls your device. That means you can change albums, artists, play/pause, change volume, etc., as a remote.

This actually made this my favorite DAP, as its size became more portable and allowed greater flexibility with my phone, which is important to me.

Sound Quality

Now, how about the sonics.

I thought exactly what I was going to get out of this device, and while I did get what I was expecting, I was pleasantly surprised.

This thing is exactly what I expected: a very neutral sound. And that is what you will get. But how effortlessly the XM2 channels detail and precision surprised me. It is a dynamic sound while remaining transparent and clean. Which means that this DAP is audiophile, but knows how to have fun.

Not the most colored sound in the world, but Cirrus Logic retained its own characteristics, and Onix played to its strengths with added dynamics at the top and back.

Bass is swift and has attack. It is more about how deep it can go rather than how big it can get. So if someone uses this DAP for the utmost basshead experience, bassy headphones would help, but it will never go as large and massive as some DAPs can.

But you will get upper bass and lower mids that are smoother and textured, which is good with specific genres like some rock, electronic, and jazz that focus more on instrumentals. Every bass string will be heard and have its own placement in the mix and soundstage. The lower kick is the same—you will hear it, and it will force you to analyze it and think about the organics and how it was produced rather than be surprised by sheer force and size.

And that is not a bad thing, knowing that the midsection is decently clear, transparent, and unintrusive. In the end, it is a very transparent-sounding DAC inside this device. So the sound is very neutral and will adapt to your headphones’ character.

If your headphones are warmer or brighter, it will allow that to be the main driving force behind the sound. As this is very neutral, there is a lot of room for blackness as well. Some more expensive DAPs allow more insight into production, room, and space than this one, but this one does a great job of decluttering space and allowing the soundstage to grow neutrally, which is also good.

Do you know who benefits most from this? Vocals. Clarity and space around vocals were great. There was a lot of texture around vocals, even though they are neutral in the sense that they are not laid back or pushed at you in a showmanship way. Production and your headphones will dictate their behavior.

But I loved listening to some singer-songwriters with this. Rock and folk songs as well, because it allowed articulation and breath around vocals to be great.

But the biggest surprise is actually treble and upper mids. They were clean and extended more than I expected from a player like this. Drums in upper registers—toms, cymbals, percussion—had decay, attack, and definition.

This was a surprise and is all due to the flagship Cirrus Logic strength. It was insightful, palpable, open, and it helped with the dynamic overall sound of this DAP. Just a nice way to listen to some jazz and classical music.

Pairing and synergy

To me, this DAP is super easy to pair with. But you must know from its character that any kind of headphones you take will be a major driving force of the sound. I personally loved warmer headphones with it.

I think bass could use a bit more definition and scope, so allowing warmer headphones to add more drive and passion, while its own personal signature allows detail and clarity in the soundstage.

But also, neutral headphones are good, and treble-rich ones too. Just be aware that when you push one area, it takes from another, and if there is too much in some area, it might become fatiguing.

But here are some alternatives; some are cheaper, some have better battery life, and some are in the same price range.

vs. Fiio M21

To me, the first comparison should be with the Fiio M21, an astonishingly good DAP in its price range.

Fiio M21 is cheaper by around 100 dollars, and it is a bigger device. Fiio can be classified as a medium-sized device, but it is still much larger than the XM2 in both size and weight.

But its size brings better ergonomics, a better screen, internal storage, more power output (although side by side it never really felt like the Fiio had more amplification), and a bigger battery. Some here might add Android OS, which truly is magnificent if you want an all-in-one software experience—browsing, downloading apps, viewing pictures, watching videos, and customizing it to your needs. In that sense, Onix’s OS feels like child’s play and cannot even begin to compare.

Now, from all those things, the most important to me is battery life. And yes, Fiio just lasts much longer. All of those things I could trade for a smaller form factor, but it is true that Fiio is more comfortable to hold in the long run.

But what about sonics? On paper, when I first got the XM2, I felt that Fiio might be on the same level or maybe even better. It has four Cirrus Logic DACs and good internal architecture. But here is the catch: while XM2 has one flagship DAC, it also has a custom I/V architecture, which means it can extract a lot more information from the DAC signal. And because it is better implemented, the sound is subjectively better on the XM2.

It is certainly more detailed and clearer. I feel that Fiio is a warmer DAP and smoother, more easy-listening. Bass was larger and bigger on Fiio. But to me, the sound quality of the XM2 is just better—not night and day, but more detailed up top and clearer around vocals in the midrange.

Now, is that worth 100 dollars more? It depends. I still believe value is a bit on Fiio’s side, but overall quality, if you are ready to live with some sacrifices, lies in the XM2 direction.

vs. Hidizs AP80, AP80 Pro and AP80 Pro Max

Hidizs AP80, AP80 Pro, and Pro Max are smaller DAPs and much cheaper.

AP80 and AP80 Pro are around 100–130 dollars and are around the same size, maybe even smaller than XM2. They are decent DAPs that sound better than their puny price point. But in every aspect, XM2 is better—and it should be, as it is 300 dollars more expensive.

But the AP80 Pro Max is an interesting alternative. It is the same height but much leaner, and it is insanely light at just 80 grams. It costs around 230 dollars less. Many functionalities are similar, except that the AP80 Pro Max uses two ESS Sabre chips.

Now there are issues. The battery of the AP80 Pro Max is 1300 mAh, which is poor. Its OS is not as polished as Onix/Shanling’s. Its sound is good, but Onix sounds much more refined and dynamic.

This is an alternative if you want a very small and ultra-light DAP. This might be a good choice. But if you want a small device that sounds great and mature, the XM2 is the better choice.

vs. HiBy R3 Pro II

But the HiBy R3 Pro II is also a small device that has great battery life. It sounds good and is around 200 dollars less. It has less power output, an Android system, and a worse DAC. But the sound quality is surprisingly good.

Not on the level of the Onix XM2, mind you, but this is a fantastic alternative if you want this smaller experience with good sonics for cheap, with a battery that just holds and holds.

vs. Shanling M3 Plus

If you want to stay in the Shanling/Onix ecosystem, you might want to consider the M3 Pro. They are around the same price. The M3 Pro is, of course, a bigger DAP—more standard in size and weight—so you lose all the perks I mentioned in this review.

But you get the Android experience, quad Cirrus Logic 4308P DACs, great body and design, great battery life, internal storage, and more power output.

Even the sound quality is somewhat similar, with the M3 Pro sounding just a bit more dynamic. It is, after the Fiio M21, if you add around 130 dollars more, one of the better DACs on the market.

So it remains a great option to get a Shanling device with great build quality, sonics, and much more features than the XM2. But the XM2 still has all the perks I mentioned before in its size, portability, and usage. So depending on which camp you are in, you might want one or the other.

Conclusion and why all of these Matters

The ONIX XM2 is not a perfect DAP, and it never tries to be one. What it does instead is solve a very specific and very real problem that many audiophiles quietly struggle with: portability without compromise.

For someone like me—who loves DAPs, values sound quality above convenience, but still lives with a large phone and a busy daily routine—the XM2 finally bridges a gap that has existed for years. It brings true audiophile sound, a mature and transparent DAC implementation, and a thoughtfully designed music-first operating system into a body that is genuinely small, light, and flexible in how it can be used.

Yes, you give up things. Battery life is shorter than most competitors. There is no internal storage. Power output, while sufficient, is not class-leading. Ergonomics are not perfect, and the OS still has room to grow. But none of these feel like careless compromises—they feel like intentional trade-offs made to achieve something else: a DAP that you actually want to carry every day.

Sonically, the XM2 punches above what its size suggests. The CS4308P DAC combined with ONIX’s custom Brighton I/V stage delivers a sound that is neutral, highly transparent, dynamically alive, and technically confident. It does not impose its character on your headphones; instead, it lets them speak. Vocals shine, treble is extended and articulate, and bass is fast and controlled rather than exaggerated. This is a DAP for listeners who value clarity, precision, and balance over coloration and brute force.

What ultimately makes the XM2 special for me is not just how it sounds, but how it fits into my life. The magnetic case concept, companion app, dual-role DAC functionality, and compact form factor allow it to work alongside my phone instead of competing with it. That flexibility transformed it from “just another DAP” into my favorite one.

I can only dream that someday Onix might release a DAP that is very portable and yet has high-end specs and features inside, but I am here waiting, and miracles can happen.

But if you want maximum features, Android apps, long battery life, or raw power, there are objectively better options—often cheaper ones. But if you are searching for a truly portable, audiophile-grade DAP that prioritizes music, focus, and everyday usability, the ONIX XM2 stands out as something genuinely different.

It may not be the best DAP for everyone—but for the right listener, it is exactly the DAP they’ve been waiting for.

Thank you for watching my review. If you like it, please like and subscribe. All the best, see you in the next video. Bye!

Pros

• Exceptionally compact and lightweight

• Premium aluminum build and physical controls

• Neutral, highly transparent and quality sound

• Excellent vocal and treble performance

• Custom I/V stage improves technical performance

• Balanced output in a very small form factor

• Companion app and magnetic case enhance usability

• Music-first OS avoids Android clutter

Cons

• No internal storage

• Streaming limited to Tidal

• Proprietary OS can be really limited in compression to Android

• Battery capacity smaller than competitors

• Power output not top of its class

• Ergonomics can cause hand fatigue (after prolonged use)

• UI theme lacks visual variety