I, a 40-something full-remote worker with zero commute, analyzed the 'points to compare before sound quality' between the FIIO JM21 2026 and higher-end DAPs from a cost perspective

Hello. I am an IT salaryman living in Kyushu and working fully remotely!

To conclude, the FIIO JM21 2026 is an excellent model with the best cost-performance ratio. Honestly, even if it loses to higher-end models in sound quality, I couldn't find a reason to pay an extra 30,000 yen for that difference given how I use it now.

It has been 6 years since I started working fully remotely. My commute disappeared, and the way I listen to music has changed completely. Previously, 'good sound while on the move' was the top priority, but now I spend an overwhelmingly longer time using it at home. That being said, I would like to talk about how the primary indicator to look at when choosing a DAP also changes.

I should have looked at the difference in usage environment before the 'difference in sound quality'

In the DAP community, it tends to become a discussion about 'which DAC chip' or 'which amplifier circuit,' but I think the first thing to confirm is 'where and how much will I use it?'

For me, with zero commute, outdoor use is limited to weekend outings. I clearly spend more time at my desk. In other words, usability at the desk affects me more than performance as a portable device.

The JM21 is equipped with a USB DAC mode, allowing it to be used as a desk DAC supporting up to 384kHz/32bit and DSD256 just by connecting it to a PC. This is more convenient than I thought, and I usually connect it to my MacBook Air and let it blend into my BenQ ScreenBar Pro desk environment. It has become a typical remote worker usage pattern where I 'bought a DAP but it is almost permanently stationed at my desk' (lol).

The 10,000 yen difference is an 'investment in comfort,' not 'sound improvement'

The JM21 has a 2025 model and a 2026 model, and the price difference is about 8,000 yen at the time of writing. The DAC chip and sound quality are the same. So what is different? The RAM went from 3GB to 4GB, the storage from 32GB to 64GB, and the battery was upgraded from 2400mAh to 3100mAh, extending playback time to about 16 hours.

When my wife asked, 'Did you buy something again?', I explained, 'It's not something that makes the sound better, but something that lasts longer,' and she replied, '...Isn't that the right way to buy?' (lol). Yes, when you think of it as an investment in being able to use it comfortably for a long time rather than paying for sound quality upgrades, the extra cost of just under 10,000 yen for the 2026 model is quite convincing.

Compared to the higher-end FiiO M21, 'where does the 30,000 yen difference go?'

Looking even higher, there is the FiiO M21, which is around 57,000 yen at the time of writing. The difference from the JM21 2026 is over 10,000 yen. What I want to consider here is not 'how much the sound quality changes with that difference,' but 'what can I buy with that difference?'

In my case, it is the amount that could add an Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1). I have the Sony WF-1000XM6, and since the quality on the earphone side is sufficiently secured, I decided that there was no need to concentrate investment on the playback device that much.

If you think about the cost spent on a DAP only in terms of 'absolute sound quality value,' you will fall into a trap. If you choose based on axes of cost calculation such as usage time, usage location, existing earphone environment, and whether it can be repurposed at a desk, I think there are many cases where you can be more than satisfied even with entry-to-mid-class DAPs. Especially for those who focus on remote work, the JM21, which can also be used as a USB DAC, should be a device that gets more use than you imagine.

In the end, I will honestly say whether I am glad I bought it

To conclude, I am glad I bought it. I can say that for sure.

Since my commute disappeared, the way I listen to music has changed, and the distinction between 'background music for multitasking' and 'time to listen properly' had been quite vague, but since I started putting the JM21 on my desk, I feel that it has been naturally organized. With both the Sony WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM6 at hand, the change where the role of each has become clear is quietly significant.

My wife said, 'You bought something again' (lol), but after that, every time she passed by my desk, she started asking, 'Are you playing something?' It's like music has become the atmosphere of the house. I like that kind of change.

Honestly, for those I would recommend this to, it is people who work fully remotely or from home and want to listen to music in both the desk and living room areas. It is unexpectedly convenient to be able to use it as a USB DAC, and I feel that the monitor sound source during desk work has also been upgraded in combination with the MacBook Air M5. Conversely, for those who want to use it for their daily commute or use it extensively outdoors, it might be better to look for other options.

DAPs have an image of being 'equipment for sound quality geeks,' but regarding the JM21, I feel it is a device that can be used as a tool that fits into daily life. My honest impression is that I didn't expect it to be a purchase that would get this much use when I chose it by calculating the cost.

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