Fiio sells merchandise in a couple of dozen classes, but it surely’s the model’s funds DACs and IEMs that contribute to its backside line in a significant means. There has been a whole lot of pleasure on this space in latest months, with Fiio launching a whole lot of new fashions in its dongle DAC vary, and the model is now specializing in its Bluetooth choices.While the KA11 and KA13 do an important job delivering a clear sound in a tiny chassis, they must be plugged in — you do not get Bluetooth connectivity. Thankfully, 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 phase: the BTR15.Although the naming conference suggests the BTR15 ought 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 flexibility to ship as much as 340mW of energy, which is greater than the BTR7.The better part? The BTR15 retails for simply $109, which is decrease than the launch worth of the BTR5.Note: This assessment was made potential with a assessment unit supplied by Fiio. The model didn’t see the contents of the assessment earlier than publishing.Fiio BTR15: Pricing and availability(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Fiio launched the BTR15 again in October 2023, and the DAC is now out there globally. Over within the U.S., the DAC is offered for $109 on Amazon, and you may choose it up from a wide range of audio retailers. The DAC prices £114 within the U.Okay., and in India, it’s out there for ₹9,999 ($120).Fiio BTR15: What I like(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Fiio actually would not like altering the design of its merchandise between generations, and because of this, the BTR15 shares a whole lot of design similarities to the BTR5. Both have the identical aesthetic with twin curved sides — just like what you get on the perfect Android telephones — and there is glass coating the back and front panels.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)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.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Coming in at 37.3g, the BTR15 is sufficiently small you can simply carry it in your pocket, and the diminutive measurement makes it an important selection. It is a smidgen narrower and thicker than the BTR5, however aside from that, the design is essentially unchanged.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You get all of the buttons on the precise, and there’s a lot to cowl. There’s the facility button, multifunction button, quantity rocker, and a toggle that allows you to swap between Bluetooth, PC, and cellphone modes. The buttons are tiny, however they’ve good tactile suggestions.All the connectivity you want(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The key 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 should use the BTR15 with a considerably wider vary of merchandise, together with headsets.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You can 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 similar modem that is utilized in costlier DACs just like the Q15 and K9, so it is nice to see Fiio bringing it to a funds product.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)In addition to better 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.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Another main distinction is the display screen; the BTR15 has a bigger 0.96-inch OLED panel, and it has increased distinction textual content, making it simple to learn open air. You can use the display screen to navigate the settings, together with adjusting the achieve, tweaking the EQ, switching to the built-in automobile mode, and an entire lot extra. You also can use the Fiio Control app to vary all of the setting.The default display screen exhibits the mode at present in use, quantity degree, achieve, and battery indicator. The display screen offers the BTR15 a definite edge over the KA collection of dongle DACs.Outstanding sound(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)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, but it surely’s the facility on supply that makes it stand out towards the BTR5 and even the BTR7.The BTR15 manages to ship 165mW of energy at 16Ω and 125mW at 32Ω over the 3.5mm port, and it goes as much as 270mW at 16Ω and 340mW at 32Ω when utilizing the balanced 4.4mm port. It is extra highly effective than the BTR7 on this regard, and it is ready to drive nearly any IEM out there, in addition to planar headsets just like the FT5.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Coming to the sound, the BTR15 has the identical clear sound that is a attribute of the model’s funds DACs, and also you get a slight trace of heat that makes utilizing it pleasurable. 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 with good articulation.The treble is detailed and ethereal, and the most important distinction between the BTR5 is that the BTR15 has higher decision general.Fiio BTR15: What I did not like(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There actually is not a lot to criticize with the BTR15. The solely quibble I’ve with the design is that the glass panels are likely to smudge simply, and the again is susceptible to scratches should you carry it round in your pocket. This may be mitigated through the use of the bundled clear case.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)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, but it surely was a cool function. Also, 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 bundle, so should you’re utilizing an older iPhone, you will have to supply a small USB-C to Lightning cable.There’s no quick charging, so despite the fact that the BTR15 has a small 550mAh battery, it takes practically two hours to cost the DAC. My Magic 6 Pro has a battery that is practically ten instances bigger, and it takes just below an hour to cost. Obviously, the BTR15 is designed for use for for much longer than a cellphone, and it is sensible that Fiio needs to delay 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: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You can buy this if:You want a Bluetooth DAC with loads of energyYou want a balanced 4.4mm portYou need good battery lifeYou want a DAC that is simply pocketableYou should not purchase this if:Having switched to the BTR15 from the BTR5 and BTR7, it is simple to inform that Fiio is onto a winner. The DAC delivers a clear sound and retains a whole lot of the identical tonal traits because the BTR7, and the elevated energy on supply makes it a more sensible choice should you’re focused on a Bluetooth DAC to make use of with a headset.Then there’s the worth to think about. 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 towards the more expensive BTR7, and that is no small feat.
The BTR15 delivers higher energy than even the BTR7, making it an important selection in case you have a demanding headset.