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USB-C DONGLE · ESS ES9281AC

Questyle M15i

A USB-C dongle with an ESS ES9281AC DAC chip, a 3.5 mm and a 4.4 mm balanced output.

Manufacturer page · Price history

POWER AT 32 Ωest.2.4mW4.4 mm balanced, worked out from the stated loads
OUTPUT IMPEDANCENot statedNo data from the manufacturer
SNRNot statedNo data from the manufacturer
PRICE$169Lowest price at Questyle store
OUTPUTS3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
DAC CHIPESS ES9281AC
PARAMETRIC EQNot statedQuestyle lists none
CONTOURNot supported

Numbers are the manufacturer's stated figures unless marked as measured; sources linked below. Est. marks a power worked out between the stated loads.

Outputs and power

4.4 mm balanced
22.6mWat 300 Ω
Spec image: 22.6 mW at 300 Ω, THD+N 0.0003%, per channel or both channels not stated
Output impedance -
3.5 mm
11.97mWat 300 Ω
Spec image: 11.97 mW at 300 Ω, THD+N 0.0003%, per channel or both channels not stated
Output impedance -

Not stated: supply voltage, SNR, distortion, crosstalk.

Is it enough for your headphones?

Questyle rates the M15i at 22.6 mW into 300 Ω from the 4.4 mm balanced output. Below is how much of that is left to spare for each kind of headphones when you listen loud, with peaks at 110 dB. A figure marked est. is worked out from that rating.

Sensitive IEMsMulti-driver sets that hiss on strong sources
needs 0.6 mWest. 1.2 mW at 16 Ω+3 dB
Most IEMsTypical in-ears, 16 to 50 Ω
needs 3.2 mWest. 2.4 mW at 32 Ω1 dB short
Easy-to-drive headphonesClosed and portable, 32 Ω
needs 16 mWest. 2.4 mW at 32 Ω8 dB short
Hard-to-drive headphones300 Ω, HD 600 class, hungry for voltage
needs 20 mW22.6 mW at 300 Ω+0.5 dB
Most planarsPlanar magnetic, low impedance, need current
needs 50 mWest. 2.4 mW at 32 Ω13 dB short
Demanding planarsThe hardest loads, desktop territory
needs 251 mWest. 4.5 mW at 60 Ω17 dB short

Where to buy

Some shop links are affiliate links: if you buy through one, I may earn a commission. Your price and the order stay the same.

Questyle store · official store price for the Blue (base colour), checked 16 Oct 2026$169The HiFi Cat · read 11 Nov 2026$220

Price historyCompare prices on Soundblooms Deals

The device

From Questyle's questyle M15i unless marked
InputUSB-Cspec image
FormatsPCM up to 32-bit / 768 kHz, DSD512
DAC chipESS ES9281AC
Works withiOS, Harmony OS, Android 5.1+, Windows 10+ and Mac
Parametric EQNo data from the manufacturer. Not supported in Contour.
Size61.9 × 27.9 × 12 mmspec image

The product page shows both one-year and three-year warranty claims. The separate warranty policy states one year; purchase-region terms should be checked directly with Questyle.

Questyle lists Android 5.1+ in its product text and Android 5.0+ in the specification panel. A universal minimum version is not confirmed.

How it stacks up against the competition

Power at 32 Ω · price in US dollars
0.2 mW1 mW10 mW50 mW$50$100$200$500Most IEMs need 3.2 mW1 dB shortQuestyle M12i: 21 mW at 32 Ω, $49M12iFiiO KA1: 45 mW at 32 Ω, $59.99KA1Hidizs S3 PRO: 55 mW at 32 Ω, $39.99JCALLY JM20 PRO: 31.3 mW at 32 Ω, ~$35.46JCALLY JM30PRO: 31.3 mW at 32 Ω, ~$46.49JCALLY JM80E: 45 mW at 32 Ω, $39JCALLY SP30: 31.3 mW at 32 Ω, ~$54.61SP30Questyle M15i0.2 mW0.5 mW1 mW2 mW5 mW10 mW20 mW50 mW$50$70$100$200$300$500$700Most IEMs need 3.2 mW1 dB shortQuestyle M12i: 21 mW at 32 Ω, $49M12iFiiO KA1: 45 mW at 32 Ω, $59.99KA1Hidizs S3 PRO: 55 mW at 32 Ω, $39.99JCALLY JM20 PRO: 31.3 mW at 32 Ω, ~$35.46JCALLY JM30PRO: 31.3 mW at 32 Ω, ~$46.49JM30PROJCALLY JM80E: 45 mW at 32 Ω, $39JCALLY SP30: 31.3 mW at 32 Ω, ~$54.61SP30Questyle M15i
  • Nearby
  • Same DAC chip
  • Most IEMs, 3.2 mW

Devices with the same DAC chip

ES9281AC · 3 devices use it
QuestyleM12i21 mW$4921 mW · $49
FiiOKA1≥45 mW$59.99≥45 mW · $59.99

All 3 in the finder

Compared with

Manufacturers' stated figures; the price is today's lowest

Questyle M15i vs Questyle M12i

At 32 Ω Questyle M15i is listed at est. 2.4 mW and Questyle M12i at 21 mW; the lowest prices are $169 and $49, $120 apart.

Questyle M15i vs Questyle M12i: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
Questyle M15iQuestyle M12i
Power at 32 Ωest. 2.4 mW4.4 mm balanced, THD+N=0.0003%21 mW3.5 mm, low gain
Power at 16 ΩNot stated19 mW3.5 mm, low gain
Power at 300 Ω22.6 mW4.4 mm balanced, THD+N=0.0003%12.26 mW3.5 mm, high gain
Price today$169Questyle store, 16 Oct$49Questyle store, 16 Oct
DAC chipESS ES9281ACESS ES9281AC
InputsUSB-CUSB-C
Outputs3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced3.5 mm
Size61.9 × 27.9 × 12 mmlength: 56.9; width: 20.2; depth: 9.5 mm

Questyle M15i price history · Questyle M12i price history

More like this

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Sources

Checked 14 Oct 2026
Questyle M15i
questyle.com
Used for formats, the DAC chip, outputs, controls, compatibility, model and mfi certification claim
Questyle warranty policy
questyle.com