BTR3K

Dollar for dollar, the FiiO BTR3K has dramatically exceeded my every expectation! ...and I have reasonably high expectations... although not true audiophile. Oh, and it's sooo TINY. The build quality is amazing. Feels like a tiny little glass brick. I have this device paired to an LG V60 Android phone which fully supports all of the HD codecs like APTX HD and LDAC. I run the BTR3K in either APTX HD or LDAC (see below for a pro tip on getting this configured properly). Hanging off of this device are my 1more quad-driver, THX-certified in-ear headphones (best sound for the money, IMHO) with Comply foam ear tips for near-perfect comfort and sound isolation. Using the exact same headphones, the sound quality (especially in APTX HD or LDAC mode) rivals my portable USB DAC/Amp (a FiiO E18 Kunlun), maybe even exceeds it in terms of apparent clarity and soundstage. Of course, even in APTX HD mode, the DAC on this can only receive 48KHz, 24bit (essentially CD quality) data, so don't expect 96K levels of ultra-fine fidelity. That is just a limitation of Bluetooth bandwidth, not the BTR3K. As previously stated, the sound quality is amazing and, unless you are trying to drive really power-hungry cans, the volume levels are more than sufficient to cause hearing loss. A note here is that, unlike most Bluetooth 'headphones,' the volume control on these is completely independent of the source, at least on my LG. This allows you to run the BTR3K at lower volumes (raising the volume on the phone end) and conserve the battery life... which by the way is already amazing on its own! The included little holster is really well-made and allows you to clip it to your shirt to take full advantage of the built-in microphone. I am pretty sure that the BTR3K overrides the mic on my headphones. Just be advised that this little toy is HEAVY for its size and will drag down on your shirt collar. I place mine off to the side so that it is riding more on my shoulder/collarbone than dangling from my collar. That seems to work pretty well. PRO TIP #1 (see attached screen-shots): On Android 10 you need to modify your connection in Bluetooth settings (not the fancy developer-mode override, which requires a phone reboot every time anyway) to set the BTR3K Connection Type to 'Best Audio Quality.' This will give you APTX HD (if your phone or other source supports it) or LDAC. If your Android phone supports both APTX HD and LDAC, you will need to use the developer options to force LDAC if you want it. This is because Android prioritizes APTX HD over LDAC. You can tell which codec you are connecting through via the color of the little FiiO light on the BTR3K (when the source is actually playing). Yellow = APTX HD, Light Purple = LDAC. PRO TIP #2 (see attached screen-shots): If on Android, you absolutely should download the app called Neutralizer which allows you to set up each different headphone/connection combo to be as absolutely as 'true' to the music as your gear can handle. It uses a simple little hearing test, at various different frequencies, to allow you to literally 'dial in' the perfect balanced sound, regardless of how your headphones (or ears) were tuned from the factory. This is especially important as different codecs and DAC/Amp hardware can change the sound characteristics of your headphones A LOT. I have totally different profiles for my 1more's connected directly, via my USB DAC/Amp, and via the BTR3K. Same exact headphones. Three fairly different Neutralizer profiles. Sadly, I do not yet own a set of balanced headphones, so I can't speak to the fact the BTR3K has direct support for 2.5mm balanced headphone outputs driven by discreet DACs and Amps. I just have not been able to make myself spent the $1,500+ for a good set... yet. I do not doubt, however, that it can live up to that challenge. Just make sure that they are not too power-hungry. Anyway, hope this review helps. Happy Listening! - Matt

I had a cheap USB/3.5mm Bluetooth pigtail for my car, it worked. This thing is so much more clear and powerful and LDAC / AptX support is amazing to have. Power and audio are well isolated. It has carmode which turns on and automatically connects when accessory is turned on. Fiio connect app has codec settings, EQ, carmode toggle, even turn off all the LEDs. Build quality is all metal and glass. Fiio knows audio, everything they make is quality.

Good battery life, supports headset connection (it even detects my microphone from my Beyerdynamic MMX 300 and uses it without jeopardizing hearing quality!). However, if you're not connecting a headset, the FiiO comes with a built-in microphone that sounds way worse than 64 kbps (absolute garbage built-in mic), way worse than the iPhone's built-in. The fact that you have to turn off the FiiO to make sure you're not recording with it when doing voice memos, is very annoying. There's no known way to blacklist the built-in mic aspect of it. If you do voice memos, don't forget to turn off FiiO. FiiO, if you're going to deliver a mic that is worse than the phone's default, don't deliver it at all (-1). The manual isn't clear with what the led flashings and colors mean, so I had to put two and two with the patterns myself and whether it's tied with what buttons I pressed.

tl;dr: If you're on the fence because, 'do I really need a BT amp when I can settle with vanilla BT-beans or a small adapter for non-USB-C wired ear/headphones,' Yes. The answer is yes; now, take a deep breath and press the 'add to cart' button, and don't look back until it arrives. (then, absolutely look back—it's the audio equivalent of experiencing 20/20 vision after a lifetime of cloudy nearsightedness.) Now: I'm no true audiophile. But there are few things more viscerally satisfying than trying out a new setup, and having it be a WIN. It's like stepping out from within a cramped, stuffy claustrophobic closet and into the fresh, crisp autumn air. Bluetooth codec performance and compatibility is too convenient to undersell, and the DAC function makes this sleek little nugget shine. And if I have to live in a USB-C Only smartphone world? For how much freedom it allows me with my iem's of choice, on top of quality(build included) and customization, I cannot recommend this enough.

I bought this primarily as a BT receiver over the factory aux line as P3 Volvos have phone but no music Bluetooth capabilities. At first I tried a Tunai Firefly dongle, but it was far too quiet (probably doesn't have an onboard amp or a lackluster one at best), sound quality was mostly muddy but just ok, and the ground loop noise was horrific. What surprised me is the Fiio module plugged into car usb and aux simultaneously has no ground loop noise! Probably due to it being a usb dac as well. For most people ground loop noise probably won't be a bother, but me personally I want the best audio experience while driving, and for only a few extra dollars this fits the bill excellently. I use the Fiio app--setting it in car mode so it powers on via usb when the car is started, on bluetooth receiver as default and on high performance dac mode. The sound quality is excellent and has wonderful symmetry with Volvo's factory Dynaudio high performance audio system. Certainly a better option imho over the more expensive dac boards made for aftermarket installation.

I originally saw the YouTuber DankPods staying the value of this little nugget. He is 100% correct. This tiny device can pump out a load of sound and on the go when paired with your phone. I've used it both as a wireless Bluetooth headset adapter and wired to my PC as a sound card replacement. I'm both use cases, the music is far more dynamic in range, allowing you to hear parts of the song you've never heard before. Pair these with a good wired set of in-ear monitors or some quality headphones and you're set for a lot less than a lot of audiophile great runs for.

great sound quality, good range, multiple compatible bluetooth codecs, including low latency (this allows it to be used for gaming comfortably if your transmitter allows) after 2-3 years of consistent use, the battery does show some wear, but it also works plugged in, so if you’re fine with losing the convenience of wireless functionality, it will work without a battery

I had this thing for close to three years and it was great. Good sound, reliable, worked well. It started having issues with turning on a month or so ago, and today the glass back popped off. Turns out the battery has swollen and it’s a ticking time bomb now. I’ll be taking it to its new home in household hazardous waste so I don’t burn my house down. I really don’t know how long a battery is supposed to last. I probably got my money’s worth. I dunno.

Bence çok pahalı.Paraya deymez.Elimden kaydı.Camı ,çatladı.üzüldüm.

Works a beauty for my in-ears, and also headphones. Went to read up more and seems like it's the biggest benefit for headphones. Great!

Das Gerät kommt in einer sehr wertigen Verpackung und der BTRK3 selbst setzt diesen guten Eindruck ohne Schwierigkeiten fort: die formschönen, glatten Oberflächen mit passgenauer Verarbeitung fühlen sich gut an und die ergonomisch angeordneten Tasten ermöglichen auch größeren Fingern eine komplikationslose Bedienung. Mitgeliefert wird natürlich alles, was für die Inbetriebnahme nötig ist, angefangen beim Handbuch bis hin zum USB-Kabel. Ebenfalls mit dabei ist ein Clip, um den BTRK3 bequem an der Kleidung anzuheften. Dieser Clip war mit ein Hauptgrund für den Kauf, da ich vorhatte, den BTRK3 auch beim Sport (Radfahren) zu verwenden, was im Übrigen bestens funktioniert. In technischer, audiophiler Hinsicht gibt es nicht auszusetzen: das Gerät koppelt problemlos mit diversen Bluetooth-Sendern und signalisiert die Art der Verbindung mittels farbiger LED auf der Vorderseite (durch Farbcode wird auch der verwendete Bluetooth-Codec angezeigt). An Bluetooth-Codecs versteht der FiiO so gut wie alles, angefangen von AAC bis hin zu LDAC (siehe Bilder) Audio-Interface: Ein weiteres Feature muss ebenfalls hervorgehoben werden: der BTRK3 ist zugleich auch ein USB-Audio-Interface. Angeschlossen per USB-C an einen PC oder ein Notebook wird der FiiO sofort als Audiogerät erkannt und kann für die Ausgabe verwendet werden. Damit kommen auch billigere Kisten in den Genuss eines hochwertigen Audio-Wandlers. Im Vergleich zu meinen Audient-Geräten (Burr-Brown-Wandler) kann der BTRK3 gut mithalten (nur Audio-Ausgabe). App/Software: Ebenfalls vorbildlich ist die FiiO-App zum Einstellen des Geräts (oder anderer FiiO-Geräte). Beim ersten Einsatz war ich über die geringe Lautstärke am unsymmetrischen Kopfhörer-Ausgang verwundert. Mit der App kann dies aber leicht ausbalanciert werden, indem man Impedanz der Kopfhörer angibt oder die diversen Regler ein wenig hochzieht - das reicht dann auch bei windigen Fahrten am Rennrad. Ebenso vorhanden ist natürlich ein EQ mit Prests, sowie ein sehr flexibler Tiefpassfilter (siehe Bilder). Generell bietet die App einfachen Zugang zu allen sinnvollen Einstellungen des Geräts. Fehlerhafte oder fehlende Übersetzungen sind mir bislang noch nicht untergekommen. Alles in allem macht die App einen überaus reifen Eindruck. Einziges Minus: Der BTRK3 hat Schwierigkeiten mit meinen Lieblings-Outdoor-Earpods (Apple Earpods mit Kabel). Die Buchse des Kopfhörers scheint mit den Earpod-Steckern (4-polig) nicht klar zu kommen, da es anscheinend zu Kurzschlüssen kommt. Bei Anrufen hört der Anrufer nur Pfeifen und Störgeräusche und das Mikro im BTRK3 funktioniert nicht. Offensichtlich ein Fehlkontakt zwischen 4-poligem Stecker und 3-poliger Buchse im FiiO. Abhilfe schafft hier ein Adapterkabel wie dieses => https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00DRCTB58 Alternativ geht auch ein 3-poliger 3,5mm auf 3,5mm Winkel-Adapter. Alles in allem ist der BTRK3 sehr zu empfehlen. Für den Sporteinsatz beim Radfahren scheint er (zumindest im Sommer) gut gerüstet zu sein. Zusätzlich schütze ich die nicht verwendeten Buchsen durch entsprechende Kappen, um das Eindringen von Staub oder Nässe zu unterbinden. Im Winter werde ich dennoch auf ein billigeres Gerät wechseln, da der BTRK3 zu gut und schön ist, um von der rauen Winter-Witterung ramponiert zu werden. TLDR: Daumen hoch, klare Kaufempfehlung für Audiophile, die auch unterwegs lossless hören wollen.

Necesitaba algo que me permitiera ir escuchando mis Audio-Technica cerrados por la calle y para éso tenía un Fiio A1 (que aguantó como un campeón) y un receptor bluetooth (no muy bueno) que permitía subir o bajar el volumen, parar o navegar por pistas... Este artículo lo hace todo y tiene un sonido magnífico, pero creo que amplifica menos de lo que esperaba. Aún así, prefiero éso antes que perder calidad de audio. El clip con el que viene es muy oportuno y seguro para fijar a bolsillos, bandoleras, etc... No he tenido problema alguno para emparejarlo con mi iPod. Como detalle desconcertante, me llama la atención que los botones +/- aparte de subir y bajar volumen, también sirven navegar por pistas, pero el "-" es para pasar de pista y el "+" resulta que es para bajar. Por el precio, diría que es un imprescindible.

Sounds great, battery lasts for a long time. It’s smaller than I expected (this is a plus!) Pairs well with an iPhone!