Questyle M18i - I Like Your Style

 3.5⭐️

+ Premium build quality and aestetics

+ Phone, PC, and BT modes

+ Seperate USB-C data and charging ports

+ Engaging and exciting sound signature

+ Bass extension, resolution, and texture

+ Dynamics, separation, layering, timbre, and overall depth and body of sound

- Not recommended for those wanting a more relaxed sound signature

- Light on functions

- Abysmal battery life

- Narrow soundstage

- No protective sleeve or case included 

- Price

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was sent to me by Questyle in exchange for my honest and impartial review. I receive no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thank you to Vivian for coordinating this unit for review. 

Non-affiliate product link for those interested: https://questyleshop.com/products/questyle-m18i

There is also a 10% discount offer for the first 100 units purchased.

Code: DPDV38N6J07R

Gear used: 

● Samsung Galaxy s25 Ultra

● HiBy R1 

● Softears SP01

● Various DAC/amps

● Various IEMs

Source:

● Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:

In December 2012, Questyle was founded in Shenzhen, China, focusing on the research and development of high-tech, lossless audio products. Their mission is to help music lovers solve technical problems and break free from restrictive environments, offering an immersive audio experience simply. Since their establishment, Questyle has obtained over 50 patents and won more than 40 international awards, including the CES Innovation Award, iF Design Award, VGP Lifestyle Award, and more. They are well known for both their desktop and portable DAC/amps, such as the CMA15, CMA18, and the M15 series. Questyle's most recent portable release is the M18i. This boasts a dual DAC chipset, lossless audio, and support for the latest Bluetooth 5.4. It is currently available for $349 on Questyle's site and other retailers. Let's break down this exciting new product and see how it performs.

Unboxing and build quality:

The M18i comes in a very small and simple box. Unboxing is straightforward and the contents include a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-C to USB-A adapter, and the unit itself. A case is available but unfortunately must be purchased separately, which is disappointing considering the unit's high price. The M18i is constructed of black CNC-anodized aluminum alloy. The device is fairly small, measuring 75 by 35 by 14.4 mm. It has a decent weight balance, premium build quality, and a minimalistic style that looks very classy and elegant. I must admit that I like the see-through style of Questyle's M15 series, but the M18i does look much sleeker and more elegant. The unit's face is made of glass with a small embedded LED screen, and the back features the company and model names. The screen displays information such as the mode, streaming bitrate, battery charge, volume, and gain levels. There are 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm outputs and two USB-C ports: one for data transfer and one for charging. There are also some buttons on the side, which I will discuss in the next section.

Technical information and features:

●Compatible Operating Systems: Android 5.0 or later, Windows 10 version 18.3 or later, iOs systems, macOS systems

●3.5 and 4.4 output Output Power: 28mW @3000 (4.4mm balanced output)

●Dual Ess flagship ES9219Q USB DAC chip 

●Apple MFi certified

●PC/BT/PHONE Modes

●Qualcomm Bluetooth 5.4; supports AAC, sBC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX         

   Adaptive.LDAC,LE Audio

●Infineon flagship microphone, supports HD Calls with Advanced Noise Reduction Technology

●Battery Capacity: 500mAh

●Decoding Capability:                

   PCM44.1kHz-384kHz(16/24/32bit)

●Frequency Response: +0.1dB        

   (20Hz-20kHz);+2dB (20Hz-80kHz)

●Low and high gain toggle button

●60 steps of volume

Unfortunately, the M18i is pretty light on features. There's no bass boost, EQ, digital filters, or app support, though it does offer three modes: PC, phone, and Bluetooth. Turning on the device is done with a simple tap of the power button. However, powering off the unit is a little strange. You need to hold the power button for about three seconds and then let go. That last bit is important because if you don't let go, it will perform a reset after holding the button for about eight seconds. It's just a bit strange to me that holding the power button doesn't simply turn the device off after a few seconds. There are a few other quirks as well, including the fact that you can't power the device off while it's charging. You have to wait for it to turn itself off after a few minutes of being idle. The buttons are pretty straightforward. There's the aforementioned power button, a gain/multifunction (MFB) button, volume up and down, and the switch to change modes. When using Bluetooth, one press of the MFB will pause/play, and a double press will skip to the next track. Unfortunately, there is no previous track function. There is also a slight input lag, which can be annoying. Regarding connection stability, I was able to travel about 30 yards from my phone without issue, and I did not notice any signal drop due to walls.

Battery life and power consumption:

With my devices in airplane mode and the M18i set to PC mode, I let my library play at a medium-high volume with high gain enabled, while limiting unnecessary screen interaction. Here are the battery drain results after one hour:

~30% on HiBy R1 through 4.4 and ~28% through 3.5.

~8% on Galaxy S25 Ultra through 4.4 and ~7% through 3.5.

As you can see, the M18i performed better with the S25 Ultra, which is to be expected. However, I was pretty surprised at just how much juice it drained on the R1. It might not be the best pairing with cheaper DAPs, but that's not necessarily a deal breaker. In Bluetooth mode, the battery only lasts about two hours using the 4.4mm output and high gain. In phone mode it didnt fair much better, only lasting a little longer. In my opinion, this is pretty terrible and almost unacceptable for a device priced at $350 in 2025. For a product boasting both lossless audio and the latest 5.4 Bluetooth capabilities, why would Questyle choose to utilize such a small 500 mAh battery? In fairness, the battery can be charged while in use from the separate USB-C port. But that doesn't excuse the poor battery life, and I don't really want to have to carry an additional portable power supply for the M18i if I'm using it in the go. It also doesn't charge very quickly, at just over two hours from 0-100%. I would imagine a 1:1 ratio of charging to use time is less than ideal, and in practice, it felt pretty bad.

Comparisons:

●Qudelix T-71 ($229) - This is an interesting DAC/amp that I received for a trial period. This and the M18i have similar build quality with a metal casing and an LED screen. The T-71 is larger, but both weigh about the same. The M18i has a more refined aesthetic and feels more premium. Both have internal batteries, but the T-71's lasts much longer. The M18i does include a separate USB-C port for charging. The T-71 has 2.5mm and USB-C outputs, which are not available on the M18i. When it comes to features, the T-71 wins hands down. It has full app support, a built-in EQ, seven digital filters, and a slew of other features like 7.1 surround sound. The M18i does have Bluetooth functionality, unlike the T-71, but the battery life leaves a lot to be desired. For my sound comparisons, I utilized the linear phase filter on the T-71. The M18i sounds much more dynamic and has a certain fullness to its presentation. The soundstage is deeper, too, and they have a similar width. Overall, the M18i is more musical with added bass rumble and extension, but it is also a little more accentuated in the treble, so there is somewhat of a V-shaped presentation. The T-71 does sound a bit flat in comparison due to its more balanced and even-kiltered tuning, but it also has a slightly unnatural quality to the sound at times. The M18i accentuates piano strikes and the bow draw of string instruments exquisitely well, as if you're at a live performance and can hear the passion of the performers. It really gives me that goosebumps feeling when there's an emotional connection to the music that the T-71 doesn't quite have. It is good quality, just not emotionally charged like the M18i. From a purely sound quality point of view, I definitely prefer the M18i, but for the overall package and value, the T-71 is a much better bang for buck, especially for those who enjoy EQ.

●Hiby FC4 ($79) - The FC4 is smaller and does not include a screen. It also does not include any bells and whistles; it is basically plug and play. The M18i has more functions like a gain toggle, an internal battery, and Bluetooth capabilities, which make it the much more versatile option. As for the sound, the M18i's bass sounds a little fuller and better resolving, with deeper sub-bass extension and more reverberation. The FC4 does have more mid-bass impact and punch, though. It also accentuates the treble a bit more, and cymbals sound a little splashier in comparison. The M18i has a slightly more natural timbre and tonal accuracy, especially with string instruments. The FC4 has a wider soundstage, but the M18i has much more depth, dynamics, and separation, and sounds more natural. Vocals on the M18i are a bit more engaging and forward, with a little more life and soul. The M18i is hands down the better-sounding device, and the phone and Bluetooth modes add some versatility. However, the cost of the M18i is quite high—over four times the price of the FC4. Diminishing returns are real, and the difference in sound quality between the two isn't enormous, but I do prefer the M18i.

●Snowsky Retro Nano ($59) - These two have quite a difference in price and build quality. The M18i has a much more premium design and build and feels very nice in hand with a decent weight. The Nano is small, with a retro design and is mostly made of plastic. It feels pretty cheap in hand, but it does have a screen and a replaceable battery. Both have three modes (PC, phone, and Bluetooth), but the Nano also includes built-in EQ and FiiO app support. The M18i has better Bluetooth quality but a shorter battery life. Like the gap in their prices, the sound quality of these two is quite different. The M18i has better bass extension, rumble, and resolution. Instruments and vocals are very natural and never sound strained. The difference in the depth of the soundstage is striking, with the M18i being the clear winner. It also offers better dynamics, separation, and layering, and a more natural timbre. Overall, the M18i offers a more mature sound with better technicalities and better performance across the board, which is not really surprising. Yet, I would argue again that diminishing returns do not necessarily justify the vast price difference. The Retro Nano is a fun, feature-packed little device; however, the M18i's sound quality is clearly superior in just about every way. 

●iFi GO link Max ($79) - The Max is very basic and about as simple a dongle as you can get. It has a nondetachable cable and no buttons or extra functions. To its credit, it is very compact, has a decent metal build quality, and comes with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs. The M18i is better built, has a premium aesthetic, and is quite a bit larger, which is not surprising considering it has an internal battery. As for the sound, the Max is more laid-back and smooth, whereas the M18i is very much not. Compared to the Max, the depth of sound and the dynamics of the M18i are off the charts. The difference in orchestral music is like sitting in the back of a concert hall versus sitting on the stage next to the performers. The instruments absolutely envelop me on the M18i, and the crescendos are otherworldly. The depth of the sound and the rise and fall of instruments joining in and falling out are so much more noticeable and less nuanced. It also has better layering and separation, and more natural timbre and tonality. The Max has a warmer midrange and a slightly wider soundstage, but some "s" notes can sound a bit thin. The M18i has better bass resolution and sub-bass extension, but it can also sound a bit bright at higher frequencies, with more treble resolution and air. The Max is a great, simple dongle with a very nice and somewhat relaxing sound for the price. However, the M18i has far superior sound quality and more functions, including Bluetooth. Granted, it's over four times the cost, but the sound is just so good.

●KAEI TAP-2 (~$100) - The TAP-2 is an interesting device, offering the choice of using it with or without tubes. It can also function as a standalone amplifier, bypassing the DAC. It is quite large and bulky and is more transportable than portable. The M18i is small in comparison and has a sleeker, more expensive aesthetic. The TAP-2 has no screen, no app support, and no balanced input/output, but it does have an internal battery for use on the go. The TAP-2 does pick up some electronic noise and interference from the phone at times and has a high noise floor with quite a lot of ringing/buzzing. The M18i has a more natural timbre, better resolution, and a more dynamic presentation with a deeper soundstage, but the TAP-2 offers a little more warmth due to the tubes. The M18i has a bit more sub-bass emphasis, and its slightly V-shaped signature leads to more incisive treble notes. I do like the TAP-2's warmer and slightly darker sound, and the price and longer battery life are great. However, the M18i's sound quality is far better; it is much more portable, and the Bluetooth adds extra versatility, even if the battery life is poor.

Sound impressions:

Through my listening sessions and comparisons, I was able to draw conclusions about the M18i's overall sound signature. It has a somewhat V-shaped tuning that is engaging, exciting, and a bit in-your-face. It represents a marked improvement over each dongle I compared it to, granted it is also much more expensive. However, as I have stated many times in the past, the audiophile world is plagued by diminishing returns. There is almost always better quality to be found, but there will be a premium price to pay for it. While the M18i is better than the other dongles, in some cases the improvement is subtle and may only represent a 30% increase in sound quality. But hey, better is better, and my goal is to accurately and honestly convey what I hear, price be damned. The consistencies of the M18i that I noticed are the excellent bass articulation and texture, sub-bass extension with more rumble and reverberation, and an overall fuller-sounding low end. It also has a certain depth and maturity to the midrange, with both vocals and instruments sounding more natural and organic. The treble exhibits just a little more air and extension and comes across a bit brighter as well. The technicalities also improved, including the dynamics, timbre, separation, and layering. One area where the M18i could be vastly improved is soundstage width, as it can be quite narrow depending on the transducer.

In conclusion:

My initial impressions of the M18i were not all that favorable, but once I spent more time with it and understood its strengths, I started to enjoy it much more. So, who is the M18i for? I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a very dynamic and engaging DAC/amp with an exceptional ability to push any IEM to a more exciting presentation and get the best out of the bass response. It has great synergy with all BA sets like the Orchestra Lite, bringing out a better sub-bass presentation. It also paired well with the Softears Volume S. I reviewed this one recently and found that the low impedance mode lacked a bit of excitement, but the M18i helps bring it out. It might be the most engaging-sounding dongle I've heard to date, and when it hits just right, nothing can compare to the dynamics and depth of sound. While it definitely adds a lot to any transducer, it wouldn't be the first DAC/amp I would reach for when I'm in the mood for relaxing. So, who should pass on the M18i? Obviously, if you don't have $350 to spend on an accessory like this, you should look at the plethora of cheaper alternatives. Also, anyone wanting a more relaxed sound signature or one that offers a wide soundstage will probably not enjoy it. Based on sound quality alone, I can vehemently recommend the M18i. However, those needing a long-lasting battery for on-the-go use should look elsewhere. There are also virtually no extra functions such as app support, EQ, or digital filters. There are many great products on the market today, and the FiiO BTR17's existence might make you pause on purchasing the M18i. I haven't heard it myself, so I cannot comment on its sound quality, but it boasts a larger battery capacity, built-in EQ, app support, better stock accessories, and is $150 cheaper. I do not want to minimize the M18i's sound quality, because it really is fantastic. However, considering the price, poor battery life, and lack of features, the M18i unfortunately leaves much to be desired.