Fiio BTR15 assessment: This Bluetooth DAC is the last word worth

Fiio sells merchandise in a couple of dozen classes, nevertheless it’s the model’s price range DACs and IEMs that contribute to its backside line in a significant means. There was quite a lot of pleasure on this space in current months, with Fiio launching quite a lot of new fashions in its dongle DAC vary, and the model is now specializing in its Bluetooth choices.

Whereas the KA11 and KA13 do a fantastic job delivering a clear sound in a tiny chassis, they should be plugged in — you do not get Bluetooth connectivity. Fortunately, the model has the BTR5 and BTR7 if you would like Bluetooth DACs, and each are extremely regarded; I exploit the BTR7 extensively. And now, there is a new entrant on this section: the BTR15.

Though the naming conference suggests the BTR15 needs to be the flagship providing, it’s an up to date mannequin of the BTR5 that has a ton of engaging options. It shares the identical design because the BTR5, however you get a bigger OLED panel, up to date Bluetooth modem with Bluetooth 5.1, and the power to ship as much as 340mW of energy, which is greater than the BTR7.

One of the best half? The BTR15 retails for simply $109, which is decrease than the launch value of the BTR5.

Fiio BTR15: Pricing and availability

Fiio launched the BTR15 again in October 2023, and the DAC is now accessible globally. Over within the U.S., the DAC is offered for $109 on Amazon, and you’ll choose it up from quite a lot of audio retailers. The DAC costs £114 in the U.K., and in India, it’s accessible for ₹9,999 ($120).

Fiio BTR15: What I like

Fiio actually would not like altering the design of its merchandise between generations, and in consequence, the BTR15 shares quite a lot of design similarities to the BTR5. Each have the identical aesthetic with twin curved sides — much like what you get on the perfect Android telephones — and there is glass coating the back and front panels.

The remainder of the chassis is constructed out of aluminum, and the construct high quality is beautiful. The design itself is fairly elegant, and it offers the BTR15 a way of refinement that belies its price ticket. I used the DAC for the higher a part of three months, and I did not see any points with the construct high quality.

Coming in at 37.3g, the BTR15 is sufficiently small which you can simply carry it in your pocket, and the diminutive measurement makes it a fantastic selection. It’s a smidgen narrower and thicker than the BTR5, however aside from that, the design is essentially unchanged.

You get all of the buttons on the fitting, and there’s a lot to cowl. There’s the facility button, multifunction button, quantity rocker, and a toggle that allows you to change between Bluetooth, PC, and cellphone modes. The buttons are tiny, however they’ve good tactile suggestions.

All of the connectivity you want

The important thing distinction over the BTR5 is that the BTR15 has a 4.4mm port alongside the usual 3.5mm port. The BTR5 had a 2.5mm port for the balanced connection, however with the inclusion of a 4.4mm port, you need to use the BTR15 with a considerably wider vary of merchandise, together with headsets.

You’ll be able to join the BTR15 together with your cellphone through Bluetooth or USB-C, and the DAC makes use of Qualcomm’s QCC5125 modem, providing Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. This is identical modem that is utilized in costlier DACs just like the Q15 and K9, so it is nice to see Fiio bringing it to a price range product.

Along with higher vary, the QCC5125 unlocks high-res audio codecs; you get LDAC together with the complete suite of AptX codecs, together with AptX, AptX LL, AptX Adaptive, and AptX HD. The BTR15 has a 550mAh battery, and it lasts simply over six hours in LDAC mode.

One other main distinction is the display; the BTR15 has a bigger 0.96-inch OLED panel, and it has greater distinction textual content, making it straightforward to learn outdoor. You should use the display to navigate the settings, together with adjusting the acquire, tweaking the EQ, switching to the built-in automobile mode, and an entire lot extra. It’s also possible to use the Fiio Management app to alter all of the setting.

The default display reveals the mode at the moment in use, quantity stage, acquire, and battery indicator. The display offers the BTR15 a definite edge over the KA collection of dongle DACs.

Excellent sound

The BTR15 options twin ESS ES9219MQ DACs, and the USB aspect of issues is dealt with by an XMOS XU316. It goes as much as 384kHz/32-bit over PCM and has DSD256, nevertheless it’s the facility on provide that makes it stand out in opposition to the BTR5 and even the BTR7.

The BTR15 manages to ship 165mW of energy at 16Ω and 125mW at 32Ω over the three.5mm port, and it goes as much as 270mW at 16Ω and 340mW at 32Ω when utilizing the balanced 4.4mm port. It’s extra highly effective than the BTR7 on this regard, and it is ready to drive nearly any IEM available in the market, in addition to planar headsets just like the FT5.

Coming to the sound, the BTR15 has the identical clear sound that is a attribute of the model’s price range DACs, and also you get a slight trace of heat that makes utilizing it gratifying. I examined the DAC with the Fiio FX15 and FT5, and each proved to be good pairings; the BTR15 was in a position to ship a vibrant bass with good texture, unlocking the potential of the FX15. The mid-range is pure and has loads of readability, with vocals coming by way of with good articulation.

The treble is detailed and ethereal, and the largest distinction between the BTR5 is that the BTR15 has higher decision general.

Fiio BTR15: What I did not like

There actually is not a lot to criticize with the BTR15. The one quibble I’ve with the design is that the glass panels are likely to smudge simply, and the again is liable to scratches if you happen to carry it round in your pocket. This may be mitigated through the use of the bundled clear case.

The BTR5 had a nifty choice to make use of NFC to hook up with telephones simply, and that is lacking on the BTR15. It is not an enormous omission by itself, nevertheless it was a cool characteristic. Additionally, you do not get a USB-C to Lightning cable within the field any longer; with the iPhone 15 fashions switching over to USB-C, Fiio has determined to bundle only a USB-C cable and a USB-A dongle within the package deal, so if you happen to’re utilizing an older iPhone, you will want to supply a small USB-C to Lightning cable.

There is no quick charging, so despite the fact that the BTR15 has a small 550mAh battery, it takes almost two hours to cost the DAC. My Magic 6 Professional has a battery that is almost ten occasions bigger, and it takes just below an hour to cost. Clearly, the BTR15 is designed for use for for much longer than a cellphone, and it is smart that Fiio desires to extend battery life, however quick charging of as much as 10W would have made a distinction — proper now, it solely goes as much as 5W. 

Fiio BTR15: Do you have to purchase it?

You should purchase this if:

• You want a Bluetooth DAC with loads of energy
• You want a balanced 4.4mm port
• You need good battery life
• You want a DAC that is simply pocketable

You should not purchase this if:

Having switched to the BTR15 from the BTR5 and BTR7, it is easy to inform that Fiio is onto a winner. The DAC delivers a clear sound and retains quite a lot of the identical tonal traits because the BTR7, and the elevated energy on provide makes it a better option if you happen to’re keen on a Bluetooth DAC to make use of with a headset.

Then there’s the worth to contemplate. At $109, the BTR15 is the perfect worth within the model’s DAC portfolio as of writing. It manages to outmatch the BTR5 significantly, and has notable wins in opposition to the dearer BTR7, and that is no small feat.