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Nature force for the senses - Lotoo Mjölnir
It's been a few days since the Lotoo Mjölnir arrived, but only now do I dare to describe my impressions of the device. This is a product that shouldn't be taken lightly; the Mjölnir is a (musical) heavyweight among mobile all-in-one devices.
So, over the last two weeks, I've tried to test as many different headphones and in-ears as possible with the Mjölnir.
Test setup
Sources
- Lotoo Mjönir
- Hiby RS8 (as a comparison)
- Cayin N8II (as a comparison)
headphones
- Spirit Torino Twin Pulse Torino 1706 Edition
- Spirit Torino Pulsar
- RAAL SR-1b (with interface box)
- RAAL CA-1a (with interface box)
In-ear monitors (IEMs)
- Empire Ears Raven
- Empire Ears Odin
- Unique Melody Multiverse Mentor
- Kinera Loki
- Elysian Labs Annihilator 2023
Foreword
When Lotoo releases a new product, the audio community pricks up their ears, as Lotoo enjoys a reputation—or rather, a "nimbus"—among audiophiles for the highest quality in sound and workmanship. Lotoo devices are uncompromising, regardless of their respective price range.
This is especially true, of course, for Lotoo's new flagship, the Mjölnir, which they spent quite some time fine-tuning and tuning before releasing it, so to speak. "Released" is also very apt in a musical sense, but more on that later.
What is Mjölnir?
In short, the Mjölnir is an all-in-one device, or DAP (Digital Audio Player), designed to please both mobile and desktop headphone enthusiasts by serving as a high-quality source for all types of in-ears and headphones. No easy task!
But who, if not Lotoo, is up to such a task?!
Lotoo claims that Mjölnir can easily drive almost all headphones on the market - apart from a few exceptions that require special amps with extremely high power (electrostatics, etc.).
Before we delve into the musical qualities of the Mjölnir, here is our unboxing and a few photos.
As you can see in the unboxing, the packaging and accessories are very simple.
When asked, Lotoo told us that due to the complexity of the product, they wanted to keep the packaging and accessories to a minimum so that customers can enjoy their music as quickly as possible.
There is nothing wrong with that in principle and everything you need is actually on board:
- The Mjolnir
- A handmade, extremely high-quality leather carrying case
- A USB-C (charging) cable
- And a manual
I admit that at first I was a little disappointed by the very unspectacular unboxing experience, but Once you've unpacked the Mjölnir, the rest is quickly forgotten and I think that was exactly the goal.
While others want to shine with elaborate packaging and tons of accessories, here the focus is on the actual product and you can hardly get enough of it - even after days and not for weeks! 😵😍
Okay, I'll just say it straight:
"The Mjölnir is the most beautiful piece of hi-fi I've ever had the pleasure of holding or using. Period."
First impressions
Since I simply don’t have the time to write a comprehensive review about the Mjölnir and there are more experienced contemporaries, such as the colleagues from heafonics.com, hedfonia.com and twister6.com I'll leave you with my current impressions. Even though they are probably considerably more comprehensive than any other device I've tested so far.
Actually, I just want to listen to music with the "big" Lotoo! (Which, of course, is what I'm doing while writing this blog.) 😅🙌
Sensual experience
Anyone familiar with Lotoo devices knows that their tactile qualities are beyond reproach. The Mjölnir is no exception, taking the "sensory experience" to the extreme.
You want to look at and touch the device all the time - revel in its details - if it weren't for the all-encompassing acoustic experience that inevitably directs your attention inward - to the music - where it belongs!
Fast and uncomplicated
With the Mjölnir, Lotoo once again relies on its "Lotoo OS" operating system, which has been continuously developed for over 20 years and is accordingly mature and polished. Lotoo OS is based on Linux and is designed for "leanness" and speed – meaning the Mjölnir is ready for use in just a few seconds.
With a little trial and error, the usability is easy to grasp even without a manual, and it's not that different from that of a modern smartphone. Lotoo has finally integrated a system-wide search function, accessible by swiping from the top edge of the display. Very useful!
Overall, the user interface is simple and clear and offers direct access to the most important functions.
The touchscreen is high-resolution and very responsive, although the viewing angle could be better - but it's not a problem.
The hardware buttons and switches are practical and easy to reach—just like the Mjölnir, they can also be operated without the screens active. These turn off after a (definable) period of time to save energy. The Lotoo runs on a battery that's supposed to last between 8 and 15 hours.
Visually and haptically, the whole thing looks more like a professional measuring device than a consumer product - and that's a good thing!
Connective
Hardly any other "mobile" or portable hi-fi device offers such a variety of connections as the Mjölnir. It offers four different options for connecting headphones and IEMs.
There are also digital and analog inputs and outputs, and a whopping 3 USB ports for connecting external storage devices, charging them, or connecting the Mjölnir to a PC/tablet/smartphone.
It contains just about everything an audiophile's heart desires in a compact format.
But what does it sound like?
I could go on for pages about the technical details and finesse of the Lotoo Mjölnir, but let's get to the most important point: the sound.
TLDR - Summary
For those who don’t have the time or inclination to read on, or can’t wait, here is a brief overview
- Reference tuning at high-end desktop level
- Very airy and spacious
- Very natural
- Very coherent
- Incredible dynamics
That's basically all I need to say, and we can go home... But since I've already written everything down, here are my more detailed impressions.
Resolution/Details
The Lotoo Mjölnir offers one of the highest resolutions and best details I have ever heard in a (portable) device. While I often thought that other sources couldn't get any better, Mjolnir proved me wrong!
It sounds like a perpetual audiophile mantra, but I can actually hear things in the recordings that I haven't heard before, even with the best other equipment.
Channel and instrument separation
At the beginning of "Hurt" by NIN, I thought the left channel was broken, the channel separation was so severe, and only when sound actually came from the left did I know everything was fine. In short: It couldn't get any better!
Bass/Dynamics
The bass is dry in the best sense, fast and abysmally deep. The large Lotoo has truly incredible dynamic capabilities, provided you have the right headphones or IEM. (With the EE Raven, you're on par with a real desktop subwoofer and feel like you're sitting in front of a large and very expensive system!)
Mids/Voices
Voices are very natural and sonorous and stand out clearly from the ensemble/orchestra without being out of context. The singers sound intimate and haunting - as if they were standing in front of you.
Heights
The Mjölnir makes even the finest details audible and even the highest frequencies become silky without Sharpness—but with plenty of sparkle. The Lotoo replicates chordophones (string instruments) with unprecedented intensity.
Stage/space
The stage presentation is realistic, with an almost three-dimensional feel. One of my favorite live recordings in a small club (Sara K.) sounds just as if I were there. The position of the singer and the instruments is clearly identifiable. The live feeling comes across extremely well.
The live recording of "Misa Criolla" (Mercedes Sosa) in a church conjures up the space in my mind's eye. I immediately get goosebumps all over my body.
The "Alchemy of Souls" soundtrack brings tears to my eyes. Mjolnir surpasses everything I've ever heard, including my own expectations.
My conclusion
The Lotoo Mjolnir is my device of the year for 2023—no, it's actually the device I've been waiting for. If the Mjolnir performs similarly well with other flagship IEMs and headphones, this could be the only (mobile) source device a serious audiophile will ever need again.
Since I unfortunately don't have the time to go into detail about all the headphones and in-ears I tested, here is a brief summary:
All tested Flagship in-ears reached new peak performance and the Mjölnir was able to squeeze even more out of its "playmates" compared to the already incredibly good DAPs Cayin N8II and Hiby RS8.
The Spirit Torino headphones They don't need a lot of power—but they do need control, and they showed off their best side on the Mjölnir. Even when compared to really large desktop components in a similar price segment, the Lotoo held its own, playing naturally and full-bodied—great!
The two RAAL Headphones are known for requiring a lot of power to deliver their full potential (a whopping 40 watts), and even with the optional RAAL interface (which converts the 0.1 ohms to 16 or 32 ohms), RAAL's headphones still require at least 2 watts per channel. This is no problem for the Mjölnir, with its 2x 2.5 watts balanced output.
A test with a Planar Magentic headset is still pending, until the new version of the Spirit Torino Centauri arrives in about two weeks. However, I have no doubt that the Mjölnir will handle this headset without any problems.
Test in the showroom
Of course, interested customers can now try out the Lotoo Mjölnir themselves in our new showroom Try it out in Küsnacht (with a delicious coffee or tea)! Please send us an email or give us a quick call.
A dream comes true - our new showroom!
More blogs on the topic
Odin's Raven Magic - Empire Ears Raven
Truly divine - Empire Ears Odin
Into the Multiverse - UM Multiverse Mentor
The new naturalness - Hiby RS8 Flagship DAP
I can't believe it! - RAAL SR1b
It works, and how! - RAAL SR1b + existing headphone amplifier
Visit from Italy - Spirit Torino headphones