Why you possibly can belief TechRadar
We spend hours testing each services or products we overview, so that you will be certain you are shopping for one of the best. Find out more about how we test.
FiiO BTR17 overview: Two-minute overview
One other day, one other intriguing FiiO product. In the present day it’s the BTR17 moveable Bluetooth DAC/headphone amplifier, and it appears protected to say it represents one other day of FiiO enterprise as ordinary.
The BTR17 is small, nevertheless it’s filled with performance and laid out in a manner that appears past the tiny bodily confines of the system itself. Between Bluetooth 5.4 with top-of-the-shop codec compatibility, a pair of ESS ES9069Q DACs, an disproportionate quantity of energy when used as a desktop headphone amp, first rate battery life, the flexibility to cope with enormously high-resolution digital audio information, and a selection of balanced or unbalanced headphone outputs, it’s apparent FiiO has endeavoured to do the precise factor right here.
And that impression of ‘good intentions’ turns into even stronger whenever you hear the BTR17 in motion. There are qualitative variations, after all, between utilizing the FiiO as a wi-fi receiver and utilizing it as a dongle hard-wired to a smartphone or laptop computer – however what doesn’t alter regardless of the circumstances are the broad strokes of its sonic character.
And customarily, it’s a personality that’s quick, insightful, correctly managed and really satisfying to hearken to. Or, at the very least, it’s if you happen to’re not anticipating comparable bass energy to the bass velocity that’s on show right here – the FiiO BTR17 is a speedy, direct hear, nevertheless it’s removed from the chunkiest sound round. Investigating your choices within the menus can result in some modifications in character, however they’re completely to the detriment of the system’s basic character and angle.
Come on then, is it nonetheless one of many best portable DACs accessible for this cash? Sure, with one caveat (which I will come to).
If the stability is to not your style, you’ll look elsewhere/. However those that worth velocity and dexterity of sound as a lot as (if no more than) simple ‘wallop’ will benefit from the BTR17 no finish.
FiiO BTR17 overview: Worth and launch date
- Launched in early November 2024
- Priced $219 / £179 / AU$349
The FiiO BTR17 moveable Bluetooth DAC/headphone amplifier is on sale now, and in the UK it sells for not more than £179. In america it’s presently $219* and in Australia you’re AU$329. So regardless of the territory you’re procuring in, the BTR17 appears notable worth for cash.
In the event you do not thoughts wired connections after all, the world is not precisely looking excessive and low for an inexpensive USB DAC (see the pricier $499 / £449 / AU$769, the iFi GO Bar Kensei, the iFi Go Link Max at simply $79 / £79 / AU$139 the five-star iFi hip-dac 3 at $199 / £199 / AU$349 for starters). However nonetheless, the mixture of worth and wi-fi specification may win out right here…
(*topic to tariff-related change on a seemingly every day foundation.)
FiiO BTR17 overview: Options
- 32bit/768kHz and DSD512 assist
- Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC and aptX Lossless compatibility
- 650mW + 650mW balanced energy for headphone amplification
It shouldn’t actually come as any type of shock at this level that FiiO has specified considered one of its merchandise in a way that may simply disgrace an equal product from an alternate model. And but I discover I’m nonetheless mildly startled however simply how far into city FiiO has gone with the BTR17.
Whatever the manner the digital audio data will get on board, both by USB-C or by way of Bluetooth, it’s handled by a pair of ESS ES9069Q DACs which can be capable of deal with each main file kind as much as 32bit/768kHz and DSD512 decision. In the event you determine to go together with Bluetooth, you’ve the posh of the 5.4 model with codec compatibility all the best way to LDAC and aptX Lossless – the usage of a Qualcomm QCC5181 Bluetooth chip to do the required means the FiiO is LE Audio-compliant, too.
Use the BTR17 in ‘desktop’ mode with its ‘energy in’ USB slot related to a supply of USB energy (FiiO gives a bit of size of monocrystalline silver- and copper-plated eight-strand USB-C / USB-C cable to make sure clear energy and correct information switch)and it might churn out a considerable 650mW + 650mW of balanced energy. That is the form of output extra generally related to larger desktop headphone amps, and is ample to drive even fairly truculent headphones.
In the event you’re utilizing battery energy somewhat than USB-C energy, the BTR17 will run for anyplace between seven hours (making a Bluetooth connection, utilizing a power-hungry codec, driving balanced headphones by way of the 4.4mm output and listening at hefty quantity) and ten hours (in ‘cellphone’ mode, at modest quantity, driving headphones by way of the unbalanced 3.5mm output and listening to stuff of not more than 16bit/44.1kHz decision). Charging from ‘flat’ to ‘full’ is a 90-minute job.
Unsurprisingly, there’s extra – simply as there was with the older FiiO BTR7 Bluetooth DAC (which isn’t to be confused with the newer mannequin you are studying about right now). The BTR17 has a three-stage, ten-rail energy provide, and it has multi-stage structure of the kind FiiO suits to its expensive digital audio gamers. It has a ‘driver-free’ mode which means it might hook up with a PS5, a Swap or one thing like that straight, with out the necessity for downloaded drivers. It has built-in DC output and temperature detection to guard the system if situations take a flip for the irregular. And I may go on – however let’s simply wrap this part up by saying FiiO has laid in on, specification-wise, with a trowel right here.
Options rating: 5 / 5
FiiO BTR17 overview: Sound high quality
- Nice sonic momentum and rhythmic positivity
- Detailed and insightful
- ‘All or nothing’ EQ and filter changes
I’ve heard a number of DAC/headphone amp units these days which have sounded muscle-bound and barrel-chested within the method of a bulldog. The FiiO BTR17, by the use of completely satisfied distinction, is extra of a greyhound.
There’s a rapidity, a type of fully naturalistic momentum, to the FiiO’s sound regardless of if it’s receiving its digital audio data wirelessly by way of Bluetooth or via considered one of its USB-C sockets. A fleet-footed recording like Broadcast’s Black Cat pretty motors alongside – the BTR17 expresses the rhythm with full conviction, and the tune stays on the entrance foot as end result. There’s nothing compelled about the best way it’s offered, although – it doesn’t dangle round, however neither does it really feel prefer it’s being prodded forwards.
A part of this impression comes from the best way the BTR17 handles the vanguard of low-frequency sounds – there’s no overhang or slurring, as an alternative the FiiO snaps into bass data with actual function. There are some minor points on the backside of the frequency vary, and I’ll get to these – however there’s no arguing with the velocity this little system can make investments a recording with.
This isn’t on the expense of organisation, both. The FiiO creates a decently spacious and easy-to-understand soundstage, and may unfold out even complicated recordings to the purpose that particular person components are straightforward to spotlight. There’s loads of element accessible at each a part of the frequency vary, and the BTR17 is simply as attentive to fleeting and/or very minor occurrences as it’s to the broader strokes. The upshot is a presentation that appears very very similar to it’s the whole image.
General tonality is, in virtually each circumstance, fairly rigorously impartial and uncolored, so if you happen to play a heat and sepia-coloured recording like Johnny Too Dangerous by The Slickers, or a blue-ish and low-temperature quantity like Floating World by Zodiac Free Arts Membership, what goes in is what comes out. The BTR17, left to its personal units, appears completely completely satisfied to not stick its oar in.
Integration of the frequency vary is sweet, too, with no space being overplayed. I’ve heard loads of merchandise like this that may ramp up the underside finish or shove the midrange forwards, however that’s the FiiO’s scene in any respect.
There’s not an terrible lot of meat on the low-frequency bones right here, although. The BTR17 can dig pretty deep and hit fairly exhausting, however low-end substance is in pretty quick provide. In fact, a optimistic knock-on of this trait is that velocity and manoeuvrability I’ve already mentioned – however there’s additionally a draw back which anybody who’s concerned with bass for the sake of bass will have already got labored out for themselves.
There are alternatives within the system’s menus to finesse the EQ settings, after all, and likewise to analyze varied filters – you may suppose this barely flyweight presentation might be mitigated considerably this fashion. However the results of every are gentle within the excessive, proper till the second they change into somewhat ham-fisted and find yourself spoiling the rigorously formed low-frequency response. You can also make the BTR17 sound weightier than it actually desires to if you happen to set your thoughts to it – however you’ll be affecting its velocity and rhythmic positivity on the similar time. And never in a great way.
Sound high quality: 4 / 5
FiiO BTR17 overview: Design
- 87 x 41 x 16mm (HxWxD)
- Black or blue finishes
- 73g
When a product is sincerely supposed to be ‘moveable’, design has to take a again seat to ‘getting every part right into a package deal as small and lightweight as is realistically potential’. So aside from the little ledge beneath the 33mm display on the entrance of the BTR17 and the mildly attention-grabbing ‘flip/push’ management on the high left, its 87 x 41 x 16mm (HxWxD), 73g chassis is fully unremarkable. And that’s the case no matter which of the black or blue finishes you select.
There’s completely nothing flawed with the construct high quality right here, although, nor the usual of end. The BTR17 is nearly fully plastic, nevertheless it’s fairly tactile and appears made to final.
Design rating: 5 / 5
FiiO BTR17 overview: Usability and setup
- Tiny bodily controls
- Full-colour display
- Staggeringly in-depth management app
The BTR17’s 33mm show might look unhelpfully small, nevertheless it’s a crisp, full-colour IPS job and manages to legibly affirm file kind or Bluetooth codec, pattern price, EQ setting, battery life and quantity stage all on the similar time. It additionally provides entry to menus that permit adjustment to realize gradients, audio filters, a selection of EQ presets, display brightness and so forth.
You navigate the menus utilizing the rotary management on the highest left fringe of the BTR17. It feels and appears good, and operates with nice positivity – and it additionally provides entry to quantity management, ‘play/pause’ and telephony capabilities. There are different controls organized beneath it down the sting of the machine – they’re, inevitably, very small, and their labelling is even smaller. However take the time to commit their capabilities to reminiscence and you may cope with ‘skip forwards/backwards’, ‘energy on/off’, choose ‘Bluetooth’, ‘cellphone’ or ‘PC’ your utilization mode, and change ‘desktop’ mode on or off.
These utilization modes have an enormous half to play within the BTR17’s battery life. In ‘PC’ mode, it’s powered by the pc it’s related to. In ‘cellphone’ mode, its inside battery contributes to energy provide, which reduces the load in your smartphone. In ‘BT’ mode, all the ability is coming from the FiiO’s inside battery.
Bodily connection to a pc or a smartphone is by way of one of many two USB-C slots on the underside of the BTR17. Both can be utilized for charging and for information switch, and one can be for energy enter when the system is in ‘desktop’ mode. On the reverse finish of the system, in the meantime, there are Again within the mainstream world, there are a few headphone outputs – one is an unbalanced 3.5mm socket, the opposite a 4.4mm balanced equal.
There’s an enormous, virtually unnecessarily intensive, quantity of performance accessible within the ‘FiiO Management’ app. Need to regulate the ‘double-click’ perform of these bodily ‘skip forwards/backwards’ buttons, or create a customized EQ utilizing a ten-band equaliser, or change ‘distortion compensation’ in a few harmonic ranges on or off, or regulate the channel stability between ‘left’ and ‘proper’? That is the place you do it. If you’d like a slider to regulate the size of time the BTR17’s display stays on, or how vivid it’s, or how lengthy it stays switched on whereas it’s at relaxation, you are able to do it right here too. Except you’re the form of one that can’t relaxation till they’ve customised the trivialities of their audio tools’s set-up and efficiency, it’s more likely to seem to be overkill.
Usability and setup rating: 4 / 5
FiiO BTR17 overview: Worth
- You possibly can’t decide fault with the worth for cash
- Performs its duties admirably
Clearly it’s vital to guage ‘worth’ on a foundation apart from that of ‘how a lot stuff do I get?” – as a result of whereas the FiiO BTR17 is essentially small and lightweight, it’s received quite a lot of performance and it performs very well.
Most USB DAC/headphone amps at this form of cash don’t have a wi-fi side to their efficiency. Only a few have a show or a management app, and fewer nonetheless have the form of alacrity of sound the BTR17 can summon. Its sonic angle is not going to be for everybody, however for individuals who are partial, there may be glorious worth for cash available right here.
Worth rating: 5 / 5
Ought to I purchase the FiiO BTR17?
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Options |
Even permitting for FiiO being FiiO, this factor is comprehensively specified |
5/5 |
|
Design |
It is tremendous small and nonetheless has a helpful display |
5/5 |
|
Sound high quality |
Detailed, agile, impartial – simply might be a tiny bit punchier |
4/5 |
|
Worth |
It might be an error to argue with the sound-per-pound worth right here |
5/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
FiiO BTR17 overview: Additionally take into account
The iFi Go Link Max is a great-sounding USB-C DAC/headphone amp that’s compact and well-made – nevertheless it doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity.
Helm Audio’s Bolt USB-C DAC/headphone amp is one other nice performer and no hardship in any respect to hearken to – however, once more, there’s no wi-fi performance right here.
How I examined the FiiO BTR17
- Used whereas working, whereas commuting and within the automobile
- Listened in wi-fi Bluetooth mode, and utilizing wired choices
I used the BTR17 as a desktop DAC/headphone amp, related to my Apple MacBook Professional. I used it related to an Apple iPhone 14 by way of its USB-C socket, too, which allowed me to make use of wired headphones with a tool with no headphone socket – and I additionally related it wirelessly by way of Bluetooth to the smartphone, only for the sake of completeness.
I additionally discovered it a helpful system when in a automobile with no wi-fi connectivity – Bluetooth from my smartphone to the FiiO, and the out of the BTR17’s 3.5mm unbalanced headphone socket to the ‘aux’ enter of the in-car audio system. In each circumstance, regardless of the kind of connection or the kind of music taking part in, the little FiiO was all the time a speedy and revealing hear.