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Force of nature for the senses - Lotoo Mjölnir
It's been a few days since the Lotoo Mjölnir arrived, but it's only now that I dare to describe my impressions with the device, because this is a product that shouldn't be taken lightly Mjölnir is a (musical) heavyweight among mobile all-in-one devices.
Over the last 2 weeks I tried to test as many different headphones and in-ears as possible with the Mjölnir.
Test Setup
Sources
- Lotoo Mjonir
- 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 release a new product, the insider audio community listens up, because Lotoo have a name or rather "nimbus" among audiophiles of the highest quality in sound and workmanship. Lotoo devices are uncompromising, regardless of their price range.
This is of course particularly true for Lotoo's new flagship, the Mjölnir, which was "fined" and tuned for quite a while before it was released to the public, so to speak. By the way, Let Go is also very apt in the musical sense, but more on that later.
What is the Mjölnir?
In short, the Mjölnir is an all-in-one device or DAP (Digital Audio Player) that is intended to make both mobile head-fi and desktop head-fi fans happy by offering all types of in-house audio. Ears and headphones should serve as the highest quality source. Not an easy task!
But who if not Lotoo are up to such a task?!
Lotoo claims that the Mjölnir can easily drive almost all headphones on the market - apart from a few exceptions that require special amps with extremely high power (electrostats, etc.).
Before we turn our attention to 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 could can devote themselves to enjoying music as quickly as possible.
There is basically nothing wrong with that and everything you need is actually on board:
- The Mjölnir
- A handmade, extremely high quality leather transport bag
- 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 unpack 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, the focus here is on the actual product and you can hardly get enough of it - even after days and weeks! 😵😍
Ok, I'll just say it straight out:
"The Mjölnir is the most beautiful piece of hi-fi that I have 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 my colleagues at heafonics.com, hedfonia.com and twister6.com, I'll leave it with my previous impressions here . Even though these are probably much more extensive than any other device I have tested so far.
Actually I just want to listen to music with the "big" Lotoo! (Which of course I do when writing this blog) 😅🙌
Sensual experience
Anyone who knows Lotoo devices knows that their feel is beyond any doubt. The Mjölnir is no exception and takes the “sensual experience” to the extreme.
You would want to look at and touch the device all the time - revel in its details - if it weren't for the overpowering acoustic experience that inevitably directs your attention inwards - to the music - where it belongs!
Fast and uncomplicated
With Mjölnir, Lotoo are once again relying on their operating system called "Lotoo OS", which has been continuously developed for over 20 years and is correspondingly mature and "polished". Lotoo OS is based on Linux and is geared towards "slimness" and speed - which means that the Mjölnir is ready for use in just a few seconds.
The usability becomes apparent with a bit of "trying around" even without a manual and is not that different from that of a modern smartphone. Lotoo have finally integrated a system-wide search function, which can be accessed by swiping from the top edge of the top 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 easily accessible - this means that the Mjölnir can be operated even without active screens. These switch off after a (definable) period of time to save energy. The Lotoo runs on a battery that should last between 8 and 15 hours.
The whole thing looks and feels more like a professional measuring device and less like a consumer product - and that's a good thing!
Eager to connect
Hardly any other "mobile" or portable hi-fi device offers such a variety of connections as the Mjölnir. There are 4 different options for connecting headphones and IEMs.
There are also digital and analogue inputs and outputs and 3! USB posts to connect and charge external storage devices or connect the Mjölnir to a PC/tablet/smartphone.
Pretty much everything an audiophile's heart desires is here in a compact format.
But how does it sound now?
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 - Short version
For those who don't have the time or desire to read further, or can't wait, here's a quick overview
- Reference tuning to high-end desktop level
- Very airy and spacious
- Very natural
- Very coherent
- Incredible dynamics
Actually, that's all said and done 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 kept thinking from other sources that things couldn't get any better, I had to let Mjolnir prove me wrong!
It sounds like an eternal audiophile mantra, but I can actually hear things in the recordings that I haven't heard before, even with the best equipment.
Channel and instrument separation
With "Hurt" by NIN, at the beginning of the song I thought the left channel was defective, the channel separation is so blatant and it wasn't until sound actually came from the left that I knew everything was ok. In short: it couldn't be better!
Bass/Dynamics
The bass is dry in the best sense, fast and abysmal. The large Lotoo has incredible dynamic properties, provided you have the right headphones or IEM. (With the EE Raven you are at the level of a real desktop subwoofer and have the feeling of sitting in front of a large and very expensive system!)
Mids/Voices
Voices are very natural and sonorous and clearly stand out from the ensemble/orchestra, but without falling 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 are reproduced silky without sharpness - but with lots of sparkle. The Lotoo replicates chordophones (string instruments) with unprecedented intensity.
Stage/Spatial
The stage representation is realistic with an almost three-dimensional image. One of my favorite live recordings in a small club (Sara K.) sounds exactly like I was there. The position of the singer and the instruments can be clearly located. The live feeling comes across extremely well.
The live recording of "Misa Criolla" (Mercedes Sosa) in a church creates the space in my mind's eye. I immediately have goosebumps all over my body.
The "Alchemy of Souls" soundtrack has tears in my eyes. The Mjolnir exceeds everything I've heard so far and also 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 forever. If the Mjolnir works similarly well with other flagship IEMs and headphones, this could be the only (mobile) source device that an ambitious audiophile will ever need in his life.
Since I unfortunately don't have the time to go into all the tested headphones and in-ears individually, here is a short summary:
All of the tested Flagship in-ears were new In top form and the Mjölnir was able to get a lot more out of its "playmates" compared to the already incredibly good DAPs Cayin N8II and Hiby RS8.
The Spirit Torino Headphones don't need a lot of power - but they do need control and showed their best side on the Mjölnir. Even in comparison with really large desktop components in a similar price segment, the Lotoo was able to hold its own and played naturally and full-bodied - great!
The two RAAL headphones are known for needing a lot of power To develop their full potential (a full 40 watts) and even with the optional RAAL interface (converts the 0.1 ohms to 16 or 32 ohms), RAAL's headphones still need at least 2 watts per channel. - No problem for the Mjölnir with its 2x 2.5 watt balanced.
A test with Planar Magentic headphones is still pending until the new version of the Spirit Torino Centauri arrives in about 2 weeks. But I have no doubt that the Mjölnir will also handle these headphones without any problems.
Test in the showroom
Of course, interested customers can now test the Lotoo Mjölnir themselves in our new showroom in Küsnacht (with a fine 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
Warlike divine - Empire Ears Odin
Into the Multiverse - UM Multiverse Mentor
The new naturalness - Hiby RS8 Flagship DAP
I don't believe it! - RAAL SR1b
It works and how! - RAAL SR1b + existing headphone amplifier
Visit from Italy - Spirit Torino headphones