Fiio releases quite a lot of gear over the course of the 12 months, and when the model introduced that it was popping out with the Q15, I assumed it will be a higher-end mannequin of the Q7. But the Bluetooth DAC prices half as a lot because the Q7, whereas retaining the same design — albeit in a smaller measurement — and quite a lot of related options.If that sounds acquainted, it is as a result of Fiio has made a behavior out of doing this. The K9 DAC additionally goes the identical route, providing the identical design and a ton of the identical options because the flagship K9 Pro, however for lots much less. Clearly, Fiio is seeking to flesh out its DAC portfolio and listing merchandise in all worth segments, and in that context, the Q15 makes quite a lot of sense.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The Q15 is retailing at $399 on Amazon, and that’s lower than half of what the Q7 prices. When I reviewed the Q7, I referred to as it an endgame DAC that had every part you can need in a conveyable DAC. Fiio hasn’t modified too many issues with the Q15; in actual fact, the largest omission is the shortage of a 6.35mm port — the DAC simply is not sufficiently big to accommodate the jack. Otherwise, the Q15 is ready to ship 1.6W of energy, makes use of AKM {hardware}, and has all of the AptX codecs you want.Other than that, it retains the same design because the Q7, and also you get a daring aesthetic with jagged edges that appears placing. What’s nice is that you simply now get a titanium coloration choice, so for those who do not just like the look of the usual black mannequin, the titanium variant seems rather more pleasing.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Coming in at 305g, the Q15 is lower than half the load of the Q7, and that makes it an amazing alternative for those who want a conveyable DAC. The greatest design distinction is on the again, the place Fiio switched out the leather-based again of the Q7 with a frosted glass again that feels nice to carry.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The entrance has a shiny insert that takes up a substantial quantity of the true property, and the 1.3-inch TFT panel is housed throughout the island. Fiio is reusing the identical panel because the Q7, and it has the identical measurement and backbone of 240 x 240. The panel allows you to change modes — you get USB, coaxial, and Bluetooth — and you may entry the settings with an extended press of the quantity knob, supplying you with entry to achieve, max quantity, filters, and EQ. You get the identical Hi-Res labels because the Q7, however there is not any THX branding.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The menu interface is fundamental, nevertheless it offers you quick access to all of the options of the DAC with out having to tug up Fiio’s Control cellular app. This is a small tweak, however I like that the settings menu now has a again button that permits you to return to the supply web page.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Fiio features a carrying pouch with the Q15, however I’d have appreciated to see a case much like that of the Q7. But given the positioning of the Q15, you do not get one within the field. Other than the case, you get two USB-C to USB-C cables, a USB-A dongle, and two silicone bands that allow you to connect the Q15 to a telephone.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The construct high quality of the Q15 is phenomenal; the DAC has an all-metal chassis that makes use of aluminum, and within the three months I had the unit, I did not see any points in anyway. I like the feel quantity knob too, because it makes altering the quantity simpler.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The Q15 has a 3.5mm single-ended port and a balanced 4.4mm port which can be situated on both facet of the big quantity knob, and as is normally the case with most Fiio merchandise, there’s an LED ring that encircles the quantity knob. The Q7 will get 2.5mm and 6.35mm connectors as nicely, however contemplating the use case of the Q15, a single-ended and balanced connector are greater than ample.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Similar to the Q7, you get management buttons on the Q15, however they’re now situated on the left; there is a energy button, and three buttons to regulate music playback. At the underside is the place you see the varied ports; the Q15 has coaxial and USB connectors, and there is a second USB-C port that can be utilized to cost the DAC. By distinction, the Q7 has a single USB-C port to attach and cost the DAC, and it has an optical port along with coaxial.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)But what’s nice is that you would be able to change between modes simply through toggles situated on the backside. You can use the Q15 in desktop mode, and it does not use the built-in battery on this mode. There’s a telephone mode as nicely, and on this mode, the Q15 makes use of its built-in battery.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)On that topic, the Q15 has a 5500mAh battery that delivers simply over 9 hours of music playback over the balanced 4.4mm port, and eight hours on the 3.5mm jack. It takes over three and a half hours to cost the DAC, so it is not one thing you may wish to do throughout the day. It goes as much as 15W when utilizing a USB PD charger, and I left the unit charging in a single day more often than not.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Given that the Q7 has among the finest sound signatures of any transportable DAC, the Q15 has quite a bit to supply on this space, and it’s off to a promising begin. The DAC makes use of a mix of AKM’s AK4191EQ and AK4499EX, they usually’re joined by the Qualcomm QCC5125, which oversees the Bluetooth facet of issues.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The Q15 contains all of the AptX codecs — AptX, AptX HD, AptX LL, and AptX Adaptive — along with LDAC, and in USB mode, it is ready to go as much as 768kHz/32-bit over PCM and DSD512. If you employ the coaxial connector, it goes as much as 192kHz/24-bit and DSD64.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)It’s the ability on provide that makes the Q15 such an amazing alternative; the DAC is ready to ship 1600mW of energy, and that enables it to drive any IEM and headset available in the market immediately. I used it with the Audeze LCD-GX, Fiio FT5 and FT3, FX15, and a few dozen IEMs over the course of the final three months, and did not run into any points.Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity makes the Q15 about as straightforward to make use of as potential with a telephone, and with most Android gadgets providing LDAC natively — Google baked it into Android a number of years in the past — you’re going to get 96kHz/32-bit playback over Bluetooth with none trouble.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Coming to the sound, the Q15 does not have any audible hiss, so even delicate IEMs are a superb pairing with the DAC. Like different Fiio DACs, the Q15 has a impartial sound that does not add any coloration. That stated, going with AKM over the standard ESS Sabre fashions means you get a barely completely different sound profile, with elevated vibrancy within the low-end.The bass is splendidly detailed and textured when utilizing the FT5, and there’s a slight exuberance within the sub-bass area that makes utilizing the Q15 that rather more fulfilling. The mids are pure and have loads of character, and the treble has good extension. The imaging and dynamics are glorious, and the Q15 is the newest in an extended listing of Fiio DACs that completely nails the technical particulars.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Just just like the K9, the Q15 is a price chief. Yes, the Q7 has higher tonality and does a greater job driving endgame headsets, however for those who simply want a Bluetooth DAC to make use of with IEMs and most headsets below $1,000, it does an unimaginable job. The feature-set is sort of an identical to what you are getting on the Q7, and the affordability makes the Q15 a no brainer.
If you desire a Bluetooth DAC with improbable sound and durable construct high quality and an enormous battery, the Q15 is a straightforward suggestion.