Introduction
FiiO has been hard-working to say the least in producing products in 2022 well into 2023 and they are truly industrious in their products covering from budget all the way to flagship segment. Some products might not be as successful, but some products are true gems in my opinion like the M17, M11 series, FH9, FD7 and many more which garnered praise and awards for their amazing value along with great performance. One product that caught my attention was the product that we are covering today, the BTR7, which is a flagship continuation in their mini bluetooth DAC/amplifier. Packed with innovative design with all the features that you can think of along with high end components and THX amplification, they are certainly pleasing inside out. Red Ape Headphones has kindly loaned us the FiiO’s BTR7 in exchange for an honest review and we thanked them for the opportunity. How will they rank in this segment of miniature bluetooth DAC/amplifiers? We shall find out here.
Functions & Specifications
Before we start the review, here are the specifications of the FiiO BTR7;
- DAC chipset: ESS Technology ESS9219C x2
- AMP: THX AA-28 x2 (Two Modules)
- Bluetooth Chipset: Qualcomm QCC5124 Bluetooth 5.1
- USB Controller: XMOS XUF208
- Supported Codecs: AAC / SBC / AptX Adaptive / AptX LL / AptX HD / LDAC
- Outputs: 3.5mm Single Ended x1, 4.4mm Balanced x1
- Screen: IPS 1.3″ 240*240, 260 PPI Density
- Wired USB DAC Mode: Native DSD up to DSD256 – PCM up to 384kHz + MQA 8x Support
- Microphones: Built-in Omnidirectional Mic
- Battery: 880 mAh + Qi Wireless Charging (7~9h of use)
- Dimensions & Weight: Approx. 83.6×39.6×14.6mm – 68 grams
Retail Price & Where to Get
The FiiO BTR7 can be purchased at Red Ape Headphone Store.
Purchase Link :
Shopee : https://invl.io/clg0csi
Lazada : https://invol.co/clg0ct7
Packaging & Accessories
FiiO has always been impressive with the presentation of their product, especially those with flagship status. The size of the package of the BTR7 might be small but they are quite premium with a futuristic iridescent look and they are packed with all the necessities along with a premium grey leather case. Also included is a type C to C cable, a USB A to C cable and paperworks like manuals and warranty cards.
Design
If you are familiar with the design concept of FiiO, the BTR7 surely does possess their flair with a reminiscing sleek, hexagonal button style that surely feels solidly built. They in fact look like a miniature M11PLUS which is kind of cute to be honest. The front and back are covered with glass with an aluminium body.
At the bottom of the unit we have USB C ports with 1 port for charging and can work as a digital input for USB DAC mode with PC or smartphones. Users can get to choose usb mode 1 for driverless mode for smartphones and 2 for PC usage with drivers.
The audio output of the BTR7 is located at the top with a 4.4mm balanced and a 3.5mm single-ended output. One the side of the BTR7 is a power button, volume button, a multifunction button and a charging slider to turn on or off the cable charging for a solid digital connection.
Internally, the BTR7 is equipped with dual ES9219C DAC chips along with dual THX AA-28 amplification. Battery size on the BTR7 is rated at 880 mAh and they are able to churn out 7(LDAC) to 9 hours(Aptx )of usage depending on the mode and usage of the single-ended or balanced output. The screen is a high quality IPS coloured display that is quite bright, easy to read and usable even in bright daylight.
They are a bluetooth 5.1 capable DAC/amplifier with flagship QCC5124 chipset that has a true 10 metres connectivity. They are highly configurable with digital filter settings, full PEQ settings (via FiiO control application), balance control, USB DAC mode, MQA decoding (digital input only), and 2 gains settings.
Gears Used for Comparisons
FiiO M17
Shanling UP5
Hidizs S9 Pro
Questyle M15
FiiO KA3
Dunu EST112
Moondrop A8
Hidizs MD4
Ucotech RE1 &RE2
Faaeal Lilium
Moondrop Chaconne
Blur daBass custom earbud
Sennheiser HD800s
Songs list
Tone and Presentation
The tone of the BTR7 is a trickle-down M17 that possesses a similar clean, detailed sound that has a hint of warmth for a more fun yet clinical performance. They have great details and clarity across the whole spectrum of sound and have great performance even purely on bluetooth mode. Even though it is equipped with Sabre chipsets that are known for being a little too clinical, the BTR7 managed to pull off a sound that is quite lush and organic while keeping a clean sound profile like the M17.
Soundstage
The soundstage of the BTR7 is actually quite good as they are able to give a good width and height in their presentation along with a rather holographic feel. They are also able to provide adequate air to the gears used giving a medium sized headroom. For their price range, their soundstage is actually satisfying and can stand toe to toe with any portable products in this price range.
Separation and Timbre
Separation on the BTR7 is superb. This device is able to give out a great reproduction of the music played with great spread in the left and right signal. Everything sounded clear as day even with fast tracks like EDM or metal music without harshness. Layering is good with music presented with every layer being done without any veil. Timbre presented is natural and accurate with a touch of neutrality.
Drivability
The BTR7 have a decent driving power for their size as they are able to drive any in-ears and some low impedance headphones with ease but the power needed for full sized high impedance, low sensitivity headphones, they aren’t sufficient. There is extra juice in 4.4mm balanced out and there are impedance settings in the FiiO control application boosting the output slightly for low sensitivity gears. Overall, for their size and portability, they are ample for most portable gears but lack authoritative driving power from the likes of Ifi’s Gryphon or the Topping G5.
The Bass (Low)
Bass of the BTR7 is a linear, neutral bass that has a balanced presentation without any major lifts. They are great for a purer sound as they do have decent details and clarity here along with a great tight slam. Bass texturing is also good as they do provide a cleaner bass response. Sub-bass extension is great as they do extend the sub-bass deeper with a more controlled rumble. They are in no way a basshead level of bass but through their well implemented EQ, users may actually tune the output bass to slam harder with minimal distortion. Overall, the BTR7 bass is a clean, pure bass presentation that actually makes the bass response clearer and deeper without any major changes that might cause bleeding into the other frequency.
The Mids
Midrange the BTR7 brings here is a neutral warm mids that has a mild thickness with a good transparency and details. It has above average clarity with a slight forwardness in their presentation making music a little more intimate. It has great macro details but a rather mediocre micro detailing but possesses an overall superb resolution. Vocals are intimate and sweet with a tuning that is more towards a slightly laid-back style, making vocals a soothing, smooth experience instead of an energetic style. There is a mild coloration to their mid-range to make music a little more fun while still able to sound natural and organic. In short, the BTR7 midrange is tuned inclining towards a more soulful way instead of a clinical one.
The Highs
The high end in the BTR7 has a clean, airy high range that does have a Sabre type of powerful clarity but doesn’t incur their coldness and dryness in their high range. They have a rather average detail present but still able to deliver a clean and clear highs without any harsh or peak. They are a little forward in their presentation giving a little bite and energy in music played. Sibilance is non-existent and hiss is very minimal even on high sensitivity in-ears which showcased the black background, zero noise ability by the BTR7. Extension is average but they do possess a good air along with a decent sparkle and crispness. Treble is at a slightly lower intensity making music a tad bit more relaxed in their music reproduction Overall, they are a smooth, inoffensive high range that has a good energetic presentation that managed to sound great without fatigue even when used for a long period of time.
Comparisons
VS Shanling UP5
The UP5 from Shanling is their current flagship portable bluetooth DAC/amplifier that is in the same segment with the BTR7 with similar DAC chips from Sabre but the BTR7 has a latest bluetooth chipset, the QCC5124 chipset. The BTR7 is slightly more expensive and slightly thicker in size along with a more powerful output.
The High region has a more relaxed tone and treble while having the same degree of energy in them. Details are on par with each other but the UP5 has a slight edge in clarity.
Midrange on the BTR7 is thicker and more lush with greater intimacy. UP5 has a more neutral mids that is cleaner and more clinical in their presentation. Vocals on the UP5 are more well balanced but the BTR7 sounds sweeter. Resolution on the BTR7 is better with greater transparency
Bass on the BTR7 sounded fuller with better extension in the sub-bass region. The UP5 has better details and cleaner in their mid bass. Slam is tighter on the BTR7 bass.
Soundstage on the BTR7 is wider, deeper and taller by a small margin. Overall, I do feel the BTR7 has the edge in their technology and a better, more mature sound along with a better screen but they are slightly bigger in size.
VS FiiO KA3
The current top dongle by FiiO that houses a ES9038q2m chip and they have a powerful sound with a strong high range performance. This comparison is done by using the BTR7 via USB C connection instead of bluetooth.
Bass on both BTR7 has a fuller and more evident bass versus the slightly dry bass of the KA3. Extension on the BTR7 is deeper especially on the sub-bass. The KA3 has a better detailed sound with better clarity.
Midrange on BTR7 has more body, details and resolution in them. The KA3 has a more neutral approach with a brighter signature. Details and clarity are on par with each other. Vocals on the BTR7 are lusher and more intimate but the KA3 has a cleaner vocal presentation.
High range on the BTR7 is more controlled and free from any glare and peaks. The KA3 does have some peaks but they do have a clearer and better sparkle. Extension on the BTR7 is airer.
Soundstage on both is quite similar but the BTR7 is airier and has a bigger headroom.
Synergy
Moondrop A8
The now classic discontinued 8 BA in-ears from Moondrop, the venerable A8 are my favourite in-ears from Moondrop as they have a top resolution sound with great coherent, dynamic sound that is truly alluring.
The bass of the A8 is tighter and has better extension in sub-bass. It also has better details and clarity in their presentation.
Midrange becomes more forward and they are thicker than usual with similar details. Resolution is also similar but they are slightly clearer. Vocals thickened with more deep male vocals.
Highs of the A8 are smoothened out a little. Details are more apparent but clarity is the same. Extension is improved with better air.
Soundstage is wider and taller with a slight increase in headroom.
Tangzu Ze Tian Wu Heyday
One of the most recent releases from one of my favourite brands in Chifi, the Tangzu Wu Ze Tian Heyday. They are equipped with a planar driver with a tuning collab from Hawaii Bad Boy(HBB) that has a fairly neutral tuning with an awesome bass response along with crisp high range and a sweet mids.
Bass impact has been increased and they have an airier performance. Details and clarity stayed mostly the same but the sub-bass has a cleaner rumble with deeper extension.
Midrange on the Heyday is thicken a little with better details and clarity. The BTR7 also added a little warmth in the mix with a lusher performance.
High range is more crisp and has more resolution along with better extension. Details are added but clarity remains the same overall. Soundstage is wider and taller by quite a great amount with better air along with greater headroom.
Who Is It For?
Those who are craving for a portable, wire free connection from your smartphone that also has great performance in audio will find the BTR7 supremely useful. They have one of, if not the best bluetooth performance in audio and stability in the market currently in my opinion, also not to mention they can double as a DAC/amplifier for a slightly better audio performance. They are also suited for those who like to fiddle with the settings and sound as they are highly configurable via their application or on the device itself. They are meant for a more enjoyable fun sound instead of a clinical performer. For those who want extreme power for power hungry gears, the BTR7 might not be sufficient as they are meant for portability in a pocketable form.
Final words
In this ever growing world of high tech era and a search for simplicity along with great performance in audio, the BTR7 by FiiO has certainly made a statement by being one of the best in this portable segment. The BTR7 surely is a swiss army knife in their size and usefulness as they are packed with the latest innovation along with a tuning that will suit a wide range of users. They are a well thought design by a company that is knees deep in their search for a perfect product. With a plethora of settings and a rather powerful sound, they are a bluetooth product that may be the best for a long time to come. The downsides are actually improvable via updated like the simple battery indicator, voice indicators and a few minor software related problems, but as for their sound performance as a bluetooth receiver, they are sublime with a thick, warm, lush sound that has a great resolving capabilities, I believe that they will capture many hearts and ears in this audiophile world. Great job once again FiiO!
I would rate this product a 5 stars rating along with Audiomonsta’s seal of recommendation.
Pros
- Amazing build quality with superb design
- Good battery life
- Highly resolving neutral sound
- Quiet background noise
- Inoffensive sound signature
- Highly configurable sound and settings
- Solid connection range
- Wireless charging
- Vibrant, bright useful screen
- Powerful enough for most portable gears
- Nice leather case (leather case with clips is released, bought separately)
Cons
- Average battery life in LDAC setting
- Not clinical sounding (subjective)
- Bass lacks authority (subjective)
- Top end clarity a little lacking
