CORRECTION: This new BTR5 indeed uses a new ESS DAC chip due to "chip shortage" related to the previous chip, BUT I was wrong about the previous chip being an AKM chip. The previous chip was ALSO an ESS chip. Sorry for the misinfo, I made an assumption based on the common AKM chip shortages affecting other DAC products.
I was looking at an older video on the review for Fiio q3 and wondered if that is better for a dac than the fiio btr5. I am just getting into dacs and trying to learn as much as I can to get the best learning experience. Just got the latest WH-1000XM4 too that I love and would love to use a good dac. Like for Apple music since they just implemented better sound quality features and lossless or dolby atoms audio. Still confused with reviews though if even these certain headphones can pick up the spatial dolby or lossless but from reading it seems so. Then, would like to see if sony's 360 reality audio worked with bettering with dacs? Would be cool since rumors that Sony may be getting better sound quality and 360 reality audio to compete with Apple music. Also, heard you had a discord. Do you guys take questions or help people out on setting up dacs and to get to know them better? Sorry if these alot of questions but you seem like a pretty smart person on these stuff and people in the comments too. Thanks and any one having the time to read and answer any of this.
@@sarahgomez9727 btr5 is a nice little usb DAC esp as can turn charge off so dosent drain power, can’t use its EQ via USB though so if use EQ would have to be on source
I own both the Qudelix and the BTR3K. I use the Qudelix around the house with my HD600s (2.5 balanced), just doing chores and it sounds great (boost the bass just slightly and you're dancing with the vacuum cleaner). Outdoors/commuting I use it with BLONs05s, also a great combo. The BTR ended up in my car as bluetooth receiver (Toyota in-built stereo didn't have any, but luckily it did have a usb) and it improved the quality of car audio greatly. Spotify streaming now sounds more dynamic and bass-rich then playing an old-fashioned cd. So both are loved here.
@@iKaGe01 True, but bitrate isn't everything. The DAC probably adds a little bit of flavor that makes it sound "more energetic". Perhaps it's just a really poor inbuilt cd-player+dac.
I ended up with the Qudelix over BTR5 mainly due to the battery bypass option when on USB since their specs were basically the same. so if I want it on something like a laptop/PC I won't cause any battery wear also a fan of the qudelix being relatively unbreakable compared to btr5's screen
Battery Bypass??? Holy Shit. I was originally gonna buy it anyway since it had the charging limit setting and parametric equalizer thing, but shit keeps getting better.
Thx for the review dude, I was searching for a BT Amp and narrowed to BTR5 and UTWS5 and I chose BTR5. I am amazed that BTR5 way is smaller than UTWS5 case. Keep posting.
I've been using a BTR5 for most of my listening for a year. It sounds great. I never use the app, because of the screen you don't need to open the app for basic things like checking the volume. I don't use EQ or mess about with filters. With other devices you have to use the phone app. That clip is much stronger than my es100 clip.
I'm sorry I missed this stream! I'm actually listening to this on my own BTR5 (AKM version) and I love it! I did just order an iFi GO Blu to see if I like that better. Happy to send it to you once I get it if you're interested!
@@SuperReview No, I don't. I'm able to use it across my house (~25 feet) including in my kitchen with a refrigerator and multiple walls between the BTR5 and the BT source (my Pixel 4XL).
I think I just wait a while for the next better generation or other BT receiver with bt.5.2. Hopefully coming soon. Great detailed review bro! Really love your channel n I’ll wait for the next reviews. Cheers!
I have 2 BTR5s...that is how much I like this thing, wish Fiio would make a bigger (but still pocketable) BTR7 with more battery and a 4.4 socket, something like a balanced XP-2 Pro or Bluetooth Q3 plus a screen.
Do have two so you can get through a full day without recharging, or do you have one per machine you use them with with? I have though about one for work and one for personal, since I can't seem to pair one with both.
As someone who has one plugged into a computer as a makeshift soundcard/amp, and takes it with me to work, I can see the utility in having one for on the go and one that's dedicated to home use.
@@SuperReview One for my phone and one for my 2 tablets, so I don't have to switch between them, and this way I only need to charge them every 2 or 3 days.
Thanks for the fairly thorough and detailed review. I've shopped this thing ever since the original came out. To this day I have never decided to buy one. I have, however, bought 3 ES100'S (one of which I gave to my son on his birthday 2 years ago); one that I'm still currently using, and one still in the box as a backup. Also have the Qudelix 5K, which I just recently acquired. Both are excellent sounding devices; yet both sound different due to the ES100 using dual AK4452-3 dac chips and the Qudelix using dual ES Sabre chips. As you mentioned, the Qudelix has better range, even more than the ES100. Not a huge issue for me (unless I'm downloading music via a wifi connection from my neighbor to my phone....in which case, I need to keep my phone outside in order to keep the download going). Going inside my apartment to use the washroom or make food in the kitchen; I get no dropouts with the Qudelix on LDAC, whereas the ES100 frequently drops out but I still can get at least 20 feet between walls and/or doors with it. The big no sell for me with the BTR5 is the fact that you can't use EQ in LDAC and the fact that the other 2 devices I mentioned can. I also prefer the smaller size of both the Qudelix and the ES100 with their built in clips. I don't use the clips on my shirt or belt...I clip them to my cable and wear the devices like a pendant around my neck. Both are extremely comfortable when worn this way. The bigger size of the BTR5 likely wouldn't work for me either. I'll stick to the ES100 and Qudelix.
Hi, I've owned the ES100 since 2019. Same as you, I've been eyeing these devices for months. Question: If I have the ES100 already, is the Qudelix worth a buy? Or should I save my money? What are the differences between the two? Been looking for an upgrade in portable dac/amps
@@TF2ReplayMaker I guess it depends on what what's important to you. Both the ES100 and Qudelix have great sounding dual dac chips inside each of them. The AKM chips in the ES100 are a bit warmer and fuller sounding than the ESS Sabre chips in the Qudelix, but since both have a GEQ in them, it's possible to get them to sound to your preferences. Both have balanced outputs, will do LDAC, have really decent power to drive most iems (and even some lower impedance headphones)and have excellent apps. I may be forgetting to mention something here; but I'd say that that's where the similarities end. The Qudelix is, imho, the more mature and improved device. Firmware updates are more frequently available (the ES100 hasn't had any in quite some time) and are much easier to install because they download through the app, much like a Firmware update works on a phone. You can't do that with the ES100. The Bluetooth range of the Qudelix is much better. If EQ is something that you often use, the Qudelix also has a parametric EQ that offers more adjustability and more precisely dial in your preferred sound. Tbth, I don't use the PEQ myself. It's just way over my head. I'm a music lover and audiophile; I'm NOT a sound engineer, mixer, or studio recording master. I stick with the basic GEQ...and even then, with the Qudelix, I rarely need to adjust much, other than the preamp gain. If you do EQ your earphones and have several in your collection, the Qudelix has the ability to store up to 100 different EQ settings; whereas the ES100 only let's you store 4. Is the Qudelix an upgrade to the ES100? That is a question only you can answer. If you think that the ability to receive firmware updates through the app, better Bluetooth connectivity and range, more EQ options and the ability to save more presets is important; then yes, I'd consider it to be an upgrade. SQ wise, they are both great and utilize their different dac chips to their utmost potential. Both have a similar form factor, which is why I own them both. If you have higher impedance earphones or headphones that need more power, then maybe you need to look elsewhere. Personally, based on what I've stated above; I consider the Qudelix an upgrade. Not about sound quality; but about features and ease of use. Just my take...your milage may vary. Hope my comments help with your next purchase decision.
I wanna add a few things. I've been living and using FIIO BTR5 for several months. It is the older ESS Sabre Dual DAC, not the 2021 release. The bluetooth distance range you mentioned, I don't find it problematic. As long I have direct line of sight with the phone, it stays connected. As for the programmable power off, there's an option called Idle Time you can set to turn off power once there is nothing communicated between the defice (smartphone and BTR5). I have built the habit of turning it off after every usage. Sound quality over USB is much higher than Bluetooth, even set with LDAC. So if I am sitting down at my desk using my laptop, using BTR5 as DAC/Amp for USB to earphone is actually a lot more enjoyable, especially with higher quality earphones and headphones. SQ wise it is probably one of the best portable Bluetooth DAC/Amp currently available in the market. Sound quality is better than BTR3K. The only competitor that I have not tried is Shanling UP5, which is at the same level. However, there is 2 problem worth mentioning: 1. Microphone was good for indoor, but not so good for outdoor use. 2. Running or walking around with BTR5 connected to my phone in my pocket sometimes there's a disconnection because my body blocks the dirsct line of sight. Hope thatsl helps
@@samurottman6832 Powered by laptop or smartphone, if you connect it to your phone. I must warn you, it drains phine battery fast. I use BTR5 via USB to my phone, I drained 40% of my phone battery in 20-30 of listening, I think. But the sound is so good using USB.
For future buyers to get the best out of it set the DAC clock divider to 1 in the app ,i think that is the multisampling ,I'm not sure ,but it sounds better in my opinion.
Thanks for the clarification. There are a bunch of other DACs with 2021 updates switching to ESS DACs, I assumed that was what's going on here but should have looked into it before assuming.
Fiio battery are good in the long run. I have the fiio m6 for more than 2yrs now and uTWS1 going 2yrs but their battery are still as good when I purchased them. I prefer uTWS3 vs RMCE-TW2 because of the track skip function which I really enjoyed in uTWS1.
The Qudelix 5K also has a ton of EQ settings for just about any headphone and IEMs. You can tweak those settings or make your own settings. More versatile than the BTR 5.
5k is the bomb. btr5 now sits in the same chair as e10k in the awkward good price but not as good of a value but will still be more popluar regardless because of the name thing
I want to buy high quality IEMs and run bluetooth from my iPhone. will i even notice any differences in sound quality compared airpod pros? please help me!
Will you notice, I dunno. I would. Think of it more as having variety to find the sound you like best rather than a linear scale of good - better - best.
another use cases is you can velcro slap this into non wireless headphones and find a cable short as possible. you could have wireless functionality (high-end one, with aptX HD or LDAC) to your beloved headphones. and got nice battery on it. when you aren't use this way, you could use it to your phone or laptop as normally.
Really detailed review... But i wondering... I do have an LG G8 I do have a suppoused to be very good budget tws the Soundpeats H1... But my concern... It is... I do have the PMB PP and the Shozy mini and the Veedix silver string... My cueston it is, any of those mid range iems are going to be better than My sound peats or any other tws even higher cost. like per say... Senheisser Momentum or Sony or any other tws...??? If the iems are connected via bluetooth.... Of course im asking because my ears are not as trainned to see big difference between an iem wired or wireless.... I do not have the fiio but i do have the Beam 3 plus... Which it is supposed to be at least similar to the new version of BTR5 2021 Thanks so much. my native language it is spanish so i may have more than one faults in my writing for sure...
It very much depends on what you like in audio, the music you listen to, and your frame of reference. I haven't heard those Soundpeats so not sure how they sound, but I suspect I would greatly prefer some of my IEMs. I think to really answer this question, you need to know what it is you're optimizing for -- midrange transparency, forward vocals, thicker, richer bass, etc... and you can't say "all of the above," 'cause it's all a balance. Y no problema la lengua, mi español es peor :P
great no BS review as usual, thanks. it is refreshing to hear an audio reviewer admitting that minute A/B testing is not representative of a casual listening. i can't even tell the difference between 128k mp3 and uncompressed audio but i can, like you do, notice obvious annoying sound differences among my iems happening on specific music pieces (tried a dozen iem sub $120 but still have to find an iem that sounds good on all my playlist )
Yeah, maybe those minute differences matter to some people, but I do find it pretty hard to care. I feel like there's more fluctuation in my ears throughout the day than there are differences between DACs.
You literally skipped over the one and only thing I wanted to know about. The usb 2.0 menu… does it switch to usb 1.0 for older devices? @ 13:43 you just didn’t go into detail about that menu
@@SuperReview well I figured it out by reading the user manual… unbelievable that you don’t even know what usb 1.0 and usb 2.0 mode are. No thanks to you I figured it out about 2 min later. But god damn man you actually don’t know jack shit…your just shilling audio gear with high praise on every single thing you “review”
37:34 I have the ubtr also and I've found that the Bluetooth noise is quite high. I can't really use any iem on it other than something like the er4sr or apple earpods with the 45ohms resistance which gets rid of the hiss (this may be due to me using ios which is restricted to AAC). How is the btr5 and qudelix in this regard? I think you mentioned the fiio is very good with noise reduction
Yes, both the BTR5 and Qudelix are very good with noise floor, especially if you leave the BTR5 on low gain mode. I used my most sensitive IEMs, Magaosi K5, and didn't pick up a noise floor at normal listening volumes.
I bought a BTR5 when I went to work from home, because I can run both my phone and work PC into the same headphones. I get to be wireless and don't have to take the headphones off to take a call, and it has a mic on it. The app is really only used for setup and from what I hear is awful on Apple.
I've had mine which is the original silver one for about 2+ years, it's still going strong but wish they had improved the Bluetooth range, the btr3 has a better range but doesn't sound as resolving but it is tiny and only SE so firmly for IEM's. Am tempted to for the qudelix 5k for the parametric eq. The ifi go blu has poor Bluetooth range as well but supports aptx adaptive plus LDAC etc, aptx adaptive is the Bassett for aptx losless when it comes out, plus it has a knob (sadly electric) and my guilty pleasure xbass, I have a zen can and a hipdac and am hooked on xbass with my Sundaras, on my 6xx also good on my Zeus too much
Another excellent review, thank you! I'm curious to know what the max charging current is. The specs say 500mA recommended, but I'm curious if you plug it into a 2A supply, what rate it charges at. And what if you use the cable that it comes with vs. another? 500mA vs 2A recharge rates could make a huge difference in lifespan.
Specified max charging current is what the device will accept in any case. You can safely connect a charger that exceeds this, the safety circuits won't let more current flow through the battery. In short, using a higher specced charger won't affect battery lifespan.
The original BTR5 sold for $130. This new one is selling for $180, so there's a significant price increase! Personally, I'm waiting for the new iFi Audio GO blu to be released. It'll be more powerful & have a 4.4mm output. The only things it doesn't seem to have is an app (which I don't need) & a clip.
On Amazon now the price differential isn't that Stark. In fact the new one is 130 and the old one is out of stock and only being sold by resellers for like $180 or more
I use the BTR5 with a small set of AKG buds (came with an old phone) for listening when sleeping. And I use them with Headphones or IEMs to listen to television or music (via Bluetooth through NVIDIA Shield) at home when the wife is working from home or in early mornings when no one else is up yet.
Also, I'm really surprised about your range issues - I'm able to use it across my house (~25 feet) including in my kitchen with a refrigerator and multiple walls between the BTR5 and the BT source (my Pixel 4XL).
Damn, I'm jealous. TBH I thought it might be an issue with my unit, so I did some Googling and saw a number of reports of people with similar issues. I wonder what's the variable.
@@SuperReview Diagnosing BT problems is a massive pain because there are so many variables. One possible explanation I just tested is that if I tell my phone to _only_ use LDAC with it, the reception at long distance is poor, but that's true of all bluetooth connections - LDAC requires basically full connection strength. Anything less and it'll have to use a different codec.
@@juanblanco7898 With my Pixel 4 XL it'll use the highest quality codec it can based on the connection strength. From what I can tell, 99% of the time it's LDAC since I tend to just keep both the BTR5 and my phone on me.
I tested primarily with LDAC, but when I ran into the range issues I switched to Aptx to see if it would improve. Still could not get a snack and drink of water from the kitchen. I tried with Qudelix on LDAC and it reaches across the house.
for me the btr5 vs 5k comes down to which one is the cheaper, in my country the btr5 is 105 and the 5k is 170 and the only thing that is truly better in the qudelix its the range, the EQ and that shit is an extra. In USB mode the sound quality is far better than LDAC and in my opinion the btr5 sound quality its better than the qudelix 5k in USB mode.
how to compare with UTWS3 & BTW3K? Both has similar price, BTW3K seems have AMP similar with BTR5 , want to know about the sound quality between these two bluetooth module.
I have samsung flip 3 which has little battery power, can this device with battery incorporated be used as dac in a way to spare battery power from my phone?
Interesting, thanks for the data point. The phone / source device can matter, definitely. For example, my M1 MacBook Air seems to make my Bluetooth devices perform better than anything else I use. Though FWIW, I tested all of the devices in this video on the same Xperia 10, which is my typical source for Bluetooth music listening.
@@SuperReview I'm wondering if yours is defective or something is out of spec. I can walk across my house with mine, with multiple walls, and it works. I can go upstairs and it starts to break up a little. I am also using AAC which may be more robust than AptX or LDAC (I honestly don't know). Too many variables to tell for sure, but I guess my point is I wouldn't remove the BTR5 from consideration based on range concerns, based on my experience. I love mine, it does 90% of what I want a DAP to do for $110. Thanks for replying!
It would be nice to compare the BTR5 to the Shanling up5 as although a bit pricier, they are in some ways more in the same category, maybe combining the better points of the BTR5 and the Qudelix 5k,. I've heard the app leaves much to be desired but supposedly the build quality is even better than the BTR5 and only slightly larger
I have had this and shanling up5 and while they do make you want to hold them for premium feel, I just don't have a use case for this type of device. I think it's better to get a dongle/DAP when using a wire or go full tws for convenience 🤷♂️
Hi! I'm not sure if RUclips notifies you when new comments are posted to older videos, but I'm going to chance it. I have the Ifi XDSD and am totally in love with the sound, so I'm not really looking for a new portable dac/amp. I am looking for a small microphone that I can attach quickly to my Dunu cable to take phone calls. No one seems to talk about the mic quality on these little dacs, such as the Fiio, Qudelix or the new Go Blu. Have you used any of their mics? If so, which one would you recommend for phone calls?
@@SuperReview Thanks for the reply. Yeah, for some reason no one seems to test the microphones. II've scoured the RUclips and forums and come up with barely a mention of their performance. I'm not sure why since it's a feature that the companies themselves list as a selling point. I appreciate your reviews. It's clear you put a lot of time and effort into them. Thanks!
I think you're asking if this will do Bluetooth transmission (in addition to receiving). To be honest, I'm not sure -- their website doesn't say anything about transmission. www.fiio.com/btr52021
I'm just recently getting into wired iems due to my True Momentums 2s by ol mate senny giving out three months into owning them, and I really don't know what to go for.
When I've tried in measuring FR differences between sources, I've not gotten much, no. The differences are so slight that it could just be variations in the measurement method.
Hi! This may be a silly question, but would you think the BTR5 is worth buying and using with low impedence headphones like Sennheiser's Momentum M2 (18 ohms) ? Would it make a significant upgrade to the sound quality?
There's not enough info here for me to give you an answer. Upgrade in sound versus what? Over Bluetooth or wire? I've also never used the Momentums so I'm probably not the best to ask.
@@SuperReview Thank you for your feedback! I appreciate it! My Momentum headphones are wired. I would love to use them with a Bluetooth dac amp like this to make them more versatile and upgrade the sound quality from simply plugging them in my phone's (Android) and my laptop's (ASUS) headphone jacks. But I cannot find any information about the usefulness of using external dac amps with low-impedence headphones or even if it's an important aspect to consider (I'm not familiar with the technical stuff, yet I want to get the most detail from my music)
What I understood when you talked about BTR5… and there was the EQ you were saying I am not an EQ guy but with the Qudelix you said it’s so much cooler you can (That’s what I understood) you can play with the wave and make it Your own and you seemed to be excited about that kind of EQing… maybe😄😎✌️🔱
Bought the BTR5K over the Qudelix 5...reasoning...Amazon was out of stock on the Qudelix 5! Also, holiday discounts made the BTR5K an easy purchase decision. Bottom line...good enough.
I have the BTR5, non MQA model. It sounds great, which is obviously important. Battery life is just ok. I too have found the Bluetooth range to be poor.
I'd say the UTWS3 is way too different to be comparable, UTWS focus on turning your wired IEM into true wireless IEMs with the AMP/DAC being an add-on while the BTR5 is an AMP/DAC first with it being Bluetooth being an add-on
ES100 has been my edc for a year and a half now. Love it! Been thinking about the 5k for a while. Can anyone give a sound comparison between the Radsone and Qudelix?
I have both BTR5 and Q5k... Q5k beats BTR5 easily in sound quality, the software eq is fantastic for both simple eq or advance... BTR5 looks expensive but no where near Q5k performance
I'm thinking of either buying a btr5 and a pair of KOSS headphones or a Razer opus wireless headset. Let me know which you recommend for my CAD$250~ budget I use my phone 24/7, in always listening to something and I have highly sensitive ears. I make calls, watch movies, youtube, anime, music and I like good sound that keeps it clean but bassy.
if Qudelix has audibly inferior sound quality, then it's automatically BTR5. As for knobs vs button, I prefer button because I know for sure how much the volume changed without looking, which is useful with the device or phone is a pocket or bag.
"if Qudelix has audibly inferior sound quality, then it's automatically BTR5" I predict almost no one (myself included) would hear a difference between them.
gain is not a volume knob, its just to match the preamp signal. You take that belief with you into real speaker systems with amplifiers, you'll destroy every thing in a blaze of fire.
the BTR5 rules. Granular volume control and no need for a cord coming out of my phone are indispensable. Use mine for the Blessing 2 and soon the IER-Z1R. Anyone who says you need a $1000 DAP is on crack
Is that definitely the 2021 version? If so I am appalled they haven't fixed the LDAC EQ problem. That is one of the main things people complain about. The BTR3K has been out for ages and doesn't have that issue. BTR5 has never had an AKM DAC.
Yeah, it has MQA logo on it. Thanks for the clarification on the AKM DAC, I never owned a BTR5 but assumed if they released an updated version it's 'cause they were switching DAC suppliers. But I should have looked into it before assuming that.
I actually sent the original BTR5 back for the 5k as I much prefered the software and the ability to do some clever EQ. This new one having an ESS is very interesting. One thing about the 5k is it'll tell you what your phone is truly using bitrate wise as my Android typically chooses a low bitrate LDAC so have to force it most of the time 4.4mm is too big surely? 2.5mm is the best lol
Most people in the world do not have iPhones :P That said, I do use iPhone as my main phone. But for music libraries, I don't like iOS, so I use Android for music players.
CORRECTION: This new BTR5 indeed uses a new ESS DAC chip due to "chip shortage" related to the previous chip, BUT I was wrong about the previous chip being an AKM chip. The previous chip was ALSO an ESS chip. Sorry for the misinfo, I made an assumption based on the common AKM chip shortages affecting other DAC products.
I was looking at an older video on the review for Fiio q3 and wondered if that is better for a dac than the fiio btr5. I am just getting into dacs and trying to learn as much as I can to get the best learning experience. Just got the latest WH-1000XM4 too that I love and would love to use a good dac. Like for Apple music since they just implemented better sound quality features and lossless or dolby atoms audio. Still confused with reviews though if even these certain headphones can pick up the spatial dolby or lossless but from reading it seems so. Then, would like to see if sony's 360 reality audio worked with bettering with dacs? Would be cool since rumors that Sony may be getting better sound quality and 360 reality audio to compete with Apple music. Also, heard you had a discord. Do you guys take questions or help people out on setting up dacs and to get to know them better? Sorry if these alot of questions but you seem like a pretty smart person on these stuff and people in the comments too. Thanks and any one having the time to read and answer any of this.
@@sarahgomez9727 btr5 is a nice little usb DAC esp as can turn charge off so dosent drain power, can’t use its EQ via USB though so if use EQ would have to be on source
You're awesome. Thanks for the depth of an hour long review. Not many review channels like you.
I own both the Qudelix and the BTR3K. I use the Qudelix around the house with my HD600s (2.5 balanced), just doing chores and it sounds great (boost the bass just slightly and you're dancing with the vacuum cleaner). Outdoors/commuting I use it with BLONs05s, also a great combo. The BTR ended up in my car as bluetooth receiver (Toyota in-built stereo didn't have any, but luckily it did have a usb) and it improved the quality of car audio greatly. Spotify streaming now sounds more dynamic and bass-rich then playing an old-fashioned cd. So both are loved here.
CD is higher bitrate/quality than Spotify 320kbps, not that anyone can really tell
@@iKaGe01 True, but bitrate isn't everything. The DAC probably adds a little bit of flavor that makes it sound "more energetic". Perhaps it's just a really poor inbuilt cd-player+dac.
Thank you so much for the review. I'm going with the Qudelix 5k for range, battery life, and eq settings.
I ended up with the Qudelix over BTR5 mainly due to the battery bypass option when on USB since their specs were basically the same. so if I want it on something like a laptop/PC I won't cause any battery wear
also a fan of the qudelix being relatively unbreakable compared to btr5's screen
i'm thinking of buying the 5k soon, i didn't know about this bypass feature! how does it work? is it automatic or does it need activating?
Battery Bypass??? Holy Shit.
I was originally gonna buy it anyway since it had the charging limit setting and parametric equalizer thing, but shit keeps getting better.
Wasn't expecting to find such a long and detailed review/comparison of Both the products I was looking at buying, THANK YOU!
Thx for the review dude, I was searching for a BT Amp and narrowed to BTR5 and UTWS5 and I chose BTR5. I am amazed that BTR5 way is smaller than UTWS5 case. Keep posting.
I've been using a BTR5 for most of my listening for a year. It sounds great. I never use the app, because of the screen you don't need to open the app for basic things like checking the volume. I don't use EQ or mess about with filters. With other devices you have to use the phone app. That clip is much stronger than my es100 clip.
Mine died after 2 years and 11 months, the battery expanded till the covers popped out from both ends.
Do you need the app to pair it to your device or is there a button on the btr5 you can use to pair it to your device?
To me this is the best reviewer about audio.
It’s always super on point clear and relevant. Never disappointed.
I'm sorry I missed this stream! I'm actually listening to this on my own BTR5 (AKM version) and I love it! I did just order an iFi GO Blu to see if I like that better. Happy to send it to you once I get it if you're interested!
Do you have similar range limitations on your BTR5?
@@SuperReview No, I don't. I'm able to use it across my house (~25 feet) including in my kitchen with a refrigerator and multiple walls between the BTR5 and the BT source (my Pixel 4XL).
How do you find the iFi GO Blu compared to the BTR5?
I've been hoping to see a review like this. These three items in particular have been in my eye for a while.
Features: it spins really well
It can't, it won't, and it don't stop.
I think I just wait a while for the next better generation or other BT receiver with bt.5.2. Hopefully coming soon. Great detailed review bro! Really love your channel n I’ll wait for the next reviews. Cheers!
What does 5.2 bring?
@@SuperReview minimal latency
I have 2 BTR5s...that is how much I like this thing, wish Fiio would make a bigger (but still pocketable) BTR7 with more battery and a 4.4 socket, something like a balanced XP-2 Pro or Bluetooth Q3 plus a screen.
How do you use two of them?
Do have two so you can get through a full day without recharging, or do you have one per machine you use them with with? I have though about one for work and one for personal, since I can't seem to pair one with both.
As someone who has one plugged into a computer as a makeshift soundcard/amp, and takes it with me to work, I can see the utility in having one for on the go and one that's dedicated to home use.
@@SuperReview One for my phone and one for my 2 tablets, so I don't have to switch between them, and this way I only need to charge them every 2 or 3 days.
@@JohnClarkW yes for me it is one for work (phone) and one for personal (tablets), and I put them in different cases so I don't mix them up.
Thanks for the fairly thorough and detailed review. I've shopped this thing ever since the original came out. To this day I have never decided to buy one. I have, however, bought 3 ES100'S (one of which I gave to my son on his birthday 2 years ago); one that I'm still currently using, and one still in the box as a backup. Also have the Qudelix 5K, which I just recently acquired. Both are excellent sounding devices; yet both sound different due to the ES100 using dual AK4452-3 dac chips and the Qudelix using dual ES Sabre chips. As you mentioned, the Qudelix has better range, even more than the ES100. Not a huge issue for me (unless I'm downloading music via a wifi connection from my neighbor to my phone....in which case, I need to keep my phone outside in order to keep the download going). Going inside my apartment to use the washroom or make food in the kitchen; I get no dropouts with the Qudelix on LDAC, whereas the ES100 frequently drops out but I still can get at least 20 feet between walls and/or doors with it. The big no sell for me with the BTR5 is the fact that you can't use EQ in LDAC and the fact that the other 2 devices I mentioned can. I also prefer the smaller size of both the Qudelix and the ES100 with their built in clips. I don't use the clips on my shirt or belt...I clip them to my cable and wear the devices like a pendant around my neck. Both are extremely comfortable when worn this way. The bigger size of the BTR5 likely wouldn't work for me either. I'll stick to the ES100 and Qudelix.
Hi, I've owned the ES100 since 2019. Same as you, I've been eyeing these devices for months. Question: If I have the ES100 already, is the Qudelix worth a buy? Or should I save my money? What are the differences between the two?
Been looking for an upgrade in portable dac/amps
@@TF2ReplayMaker I guess it depends on what what's important to you. Both the ES100 and Qudelix have great sounding dual dac chips inside each of them. The AKM chips in the ES100 are a bit warmer and fuller sounding than the ESS Sabre chips in the Qudelix, but since both have a GEQ in them, it's possible to get them to sound to your preferences. Both have balanced outputs, will do LDAC, have really decent power to drive most iems (and even some lower impedance headphones)and have excellent apps. I may be forgetting to mention something here; but I'd say that that's where the similarities end. The Qudelix is, imho, the more mature and improved device. Firmware updates are more frequently available (the ES100 hasn't had any in quite some time) and are much easier to install because they download through the app, much like a Firmware update works on a phone. You can't do that with the ES100. The Bluetooth range of the Qudelix is much better. If EQ is something that you often use, the Qudelix also has a parametric EQ that offers more adjustability and more precisely dial in your preferred sound. Tbth, I don't use the PEQ myself. It's just way over my head. I'm a music lover and audiophile; I'm NOT a sound engineer, mixer, or studio recording master. I stick with the basic GEQ...and even then, with the Qudelix, I rarely need to adjust much, other than the preamp gain. If you do EQ your earphones and have several in your collection, the Qudelix has the ability to store up to 100 different EQ settings; whereas the ES100 only let's you store 4. Is the Qudelix an upgrade to the ES100? That is a question only you can answer. If you think that the ability to receive firmware updates through the app, better Bluetooth connectivity and range, more EQ options and the ability to save more presets is important; then yes, I'd consider it to be an upgrade. SQ wise, they are both great and utilize their different dac chips to their utmost potential. Both have a similar form factor, which is why I own them both. If you have higher impedance earphones or headphones that need more power, then maybe you need to look elsewhere. Personally, based on what I've stated above; I consider the Qudelix an upgrade. Not about sound quality; but about features and ease of use. Just my take...your milage may vary. Hope my comments help with your next purchase decision.
Like always, top quality live stream, where people may forget it is live while watching. Peace. Stay safe.
Thanks Mauro.
Looking forward to review of the ifi go Blu.. whenever it's available
One is on the way.
I wanna add a few things. I've been living and using FIIO BTR5 for several months. It is the older ESS Sabre Dual DAC, not the 2021 release.
The bluetooth distance range you mentioned, I don't find it problematic. As long I have direct line of sight with the phone, it stays connected.
As for the programmable power off, there's an option called Idle Time you can set to turn off power once there is nothing communicated between the defice (smartphone and BTR5). I have built the habit of turning it off after every usage.
Sound quality over USB is much higher than Bluetooth, even set with LDAC. So if I am sitting down at my desk using my laptop, using BTR5 as DAC/Amp for USB to earphone is actually a lot more enjoyable, especially with higher quality earphones and headphones.
SQ wise it is probably one of the best portable Bluetooth DAC/Amp currently available in the market. Sound quality is better than BTR3K. The only competitor that I have not tried is Shanling UP5, which is at the same level.
However, there is 2 problem worth mentioning:
1. Microphone was good for indoor, but not so good for outdoor use.
2. Running or walking around with BTR5 connected to my phone in my pocket sometimes there's a disconnection because my body blocks the dirsct line of sight.
Hope thatsl helps
Hi ,there is no version of btr5 which has AKM DAC.
@@numefals234 My apology, ES Sabre
Hey sorry if it's pretty obvious but when you plug in through usb does it still power on with its battery or is the laptop powering it
@@samurottman6832 Powered by laptop or smartphone, if you connect it to your phone. I must warn you, it drains phine battery fast. I use BTR5 via USB to my phone, I drained 40% of my phone battery in 20-30 of listening, I think. But the sound is so good using USB.
@@nightringer9815 Ah thanks for the reply, I'm planning on getting the btr5 for laptop and phone use. Laptop through usb and phone with Bluetooth
Btr5 never had a AKM dac version ,old one had the ES9219P and the new version has ES9219C. Both are Sabre DAC chips.
For future buyers to get the best out of it set the DAC clock divider to 1 in the app ,i think that is the multisampling ,I'm not sure ,but it sounds better in my opinion.
Thanks for the clarification. There are a bunch of other DACs with 2021 updates switching to ESS DACs, I assumed that was what's going on here but should have looked into it before assuming.
The best review I seen on them !
Wow.
Fiio battery are good in the long run.
I have the fiio m6 for more than 2yrs now and uTWS1 going 2yrs but their battery are still as good when I purchased them.
I prefer uTWS3 vs RMCE-TW2 because of the track skip function which I really enjoyed in uTWS1.
Shanling up5 review please 🙏
For IEMs, my BTR5 actually sounded better than the Fiio M10, and pretty close to M11plus. A very well executed product by Fiio.
The range issue you mentioned is definitely spot on...
Oof. Gotta get them snacks from the kitchen.
The Qudelix 5K also has a ton of EQ settings for just about any headphone and IEMs. You can tweak those settings or make your own settings. More versatile than the BTR 5.
Great video. Thanks!
🤙
How about a comparison with the soon to be released iFi GO blu?
I don't have any experience with DAC/amps. Is this a big upgrade in sound quality compared to an apple/Samsung dongle just for sound quality?
No, not really. www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/124ymal/debate_this/
Great review as always. Did you notice a difference in sound quality between LDAC and using the DAC wired?
It would've been cool if the UTWS3 had adapters for the the mmcx and .78mm connections.
Agreed, a bit annoying you have to choose. Though other companies make such adapters.
5k is the bomb. btr5 now sits in the same chair as e10k in the awkward good price but not as good of a value but will still be more popluar regardless because of the name thing
Does it ever go on sale? I feel like it never ever goes on sale or I probably would have pounced on it already.
Meh, 5k is ~170$ in my area, which I feel is a bit too much for it, but BTR5 for 100$? Instant buy.
I want to buy high quality IEMs and run bluetooth from my iPhone. will i even notice any differences in sound quality compared airpod pros? please help me!
Will you notice, I dunno. I would. Think of it more as having variety to find the sound you like best rather than a linear scale of good - better - best.
another use cases is you can velcro slap this into non wireless headphones and find a cable short as possible. you could have wireless functionality (high-end one, with aptX HD or LDAC) to your beloved headphones. and got nice battery on it.
when you aren't use this way, you could use it to your phone or laptop as normally.
Nice!
Qudelix 5K balanced output in mil-watts what is power?
Really detailed review...
But i wondering...
I do have an LG G8
I do have a suppoused to be very good budget tws the Soundpeats H1...
But my concern... It is...
I do have the PMB PP and the Shozy mini and the Veedix silver string... My cueston it is, any of those mid range iems are going to be better than My sound peats or any other tws even higher cost. like per say... Senheisser Momentum or Sony or any other tws...??? If the iems are connected via bluetooth....
Of course im asking because my ears are not as trainned to see big difference between an iem wired or wireless.... I do not have the fiio but i do have the Beam 3 plus... Which it is supposed to be at least similar to the new version of BTR5 2021
Thanks so much. my native language it is spanish so i may have more than one faults in my writing for sure...
It very much depends on what you like in audio, the music you listen to, and your frame of reference. I haven't heard those Soundpeats so not sure how they sound, but I suspect I would greatly prefer some of my IEMs. I think to really answer this question, you need to know what it is you're optimizing for -- midrange transparency, forward vocals, thicker, richer bass, etc... and you can't say "all of the above," 'cause it's all a balance.
Y no problema la lengua, mi español es peor :P
Thanks so much for taking your time to answer...
Best Regards
Need help please,buy or not btr5,use Asus rog 5 and 3,5 jack and fiio fh5, thanks
HI, can you adjust the volume via iPhone buttons? (Either in the Fiio or Qudelix?)
great no BS review as usual, thanks. it is refreshing to hear an audio reviewer admitting that minute A/B testing is not representative of a casual listening. i can't even tell the difference between 128k mp3 and uncompressed audio but i can, like you do, notice obvious annoying sound differences among my iems happening on specific music pieces (tried a dozen iem sub $120 but still have to find an iem that sounds good on all my playlist )
Yeah, maybe those minute differences matter to some people, but I do find it pretty hard to care. I feel like there's more fluctuation in my ears throughout the day than there are differences between DACs.
You literally skipped over the one and only thing I wanted to know about. The usb 2.0 menu… does it switch to usb 1.0 for older devices? @ 13:43 you just didn’t go into detail about that menu
I have no idea, that's probably a better question for Fiio.
@@SuperReview well I figured it out by reading the user manual… unbelievable that you don’t even know what usb 1.0 and usb 2.0 mode are. No thanks to you I figured it out about 2 min later. But god damn man you actually don’t know jack shit…your just shilling audio gear with high praise on every single thing you “review”
I knew you could do it 👍
37:34 I have the ubtr also and I've found that the Bluetooth noise is quite high. I can't really use any iem on it other than something like the er4sr or apple earpods with the 45ohms resistance which gets rid of the hiss (this may be due to me using ios which is restricted to AAC). How is the btr5 and qudelix in this regard? I think you mentioned the fiio is very good with noise reduction
Yes, both the BTR5 and Qudelix are very good with noise floor, especially if you leave the BTR5 on low gain mode. I used my most sensitive IEMs, Magaosi K5, and didn't pick up a noise floor at normal listening volumes.
@@SuperReview oh sweet, might have to upgrade!
Would these pair nice with my airpod max’s looking to get a bigger sound out if them
No idea what that means.
Does the fiio btr5 have a button on the device for instant pairing to a device? Or do you have to pair it through the app?
Don't need the app to pair.
@@SuperReview Thanks for the reply
what about the dual mics v2 btr5
THANKS!
I bought a BTR5 when I went to work from home, because I can run both my phone and work PC into the same headphones. I get to be wireless and don't have to take the headphones off to take a call, and it has a mic on it. The app is really only used for setup and from what I hear is awful on Apple.
Get the Shanling UP5 in there, the only portable dac/amp in this class with a volume knob.
There is also now the iFi Blu Go as a Bluetooth transceiver w/ a knob. But it just got released.
One thing you need to do is disable Dolby Atmos or any built in audio enhancer as the phone does mess with the signal
Recently sold it, couldnt use a headset while usb dac mode is pretty downside because you CAN use it while bluetooth mode. Hope BTR7 fix this
Do you mean that the microphone on the headset doesn't work over USB?
@@SuperReview yess, exactly
I've had mine which is the original silver one for about 2+ years, it's still going strong but wish they had improved the Bluetooth range, the btr3 has a better range but doesn't sound as resolving but it is tiny and only SE so firmly for IEM's. Am tempted to for the qudelix 5k for the parametric eq. The ifi go blu has poor Bluetooth range as well but supports aptx adaptive plus LDAC etc, aptx adaptive is the Bassett for aptx losless when it comes out, plus it has a knob (sadly electric) and my guilty pleasure xbass, I have a zen can and a hipdac and am hooked on xbass with my Sundaras, on my 6xx also good on my Zeus too much
The Xbass is pretty good.
This was streamed? This video looks so high quality, I thought you spent hours editing such a long video
Another excellent review, thank you! I'm curious to know what the max charging current is. The specs say 500mA recommended, but I'm curious if you plug it into a 2A supply, what rate it charges at. And what if you use the cable that it comes with vs. another? 500mA vs 2A recharge rates could make a huge difference in lifespan.
I don't know how to test that.
Specified max charging current is what the device will accept in any case. You can safely connect a charger that exceeds this, the safety circuits won't let more current flow through the battery. In short, using a higher specced charger won't affect battery lifespan.
The original BTR5 sold for $130. This new one is selling for $180, so there's a significant price increase!
Personally, I'm waiting for the new iFi Audio GO blu to be released. It'll be more powerful & have a 4.4mm output. The only things it doesn't seem to have is an app (which I don't need) & a clip.
On Amazon now the price differential isn't that Stark. In fact the new one is 130 and the old one is out of stock and only being sold by resellers for like $180 or more
I have a BTR 5 and a 3. I use it daily. Decent unit.
What are your main use case?
I use the BTR5 with a small set of AKG buds (came with an old phone) for listening when sleeping. And I use them with Headphones or IEMs to listen to television or music (via Bluetooth through NVIDIA Shield) at home when the wife is working from home or in early mornings when no one else is up yet.
Bought the BTR3 for my wife. Because it was smaller and even more convenient.
BTW the Bluetooth is very weak. I have to clip it on my left sleeve temporarily when I go to get something from the kitchen.
Also, I'm really surprised about your range issues - I'm able to use it across my house (~25 feet) including in my kitchen with a refrigerator and multiple walls between the BTR5 and the BT source (my Pixel 4XL).
Damn, I'm jealous. TBH I thought it might be an issue with my unit, so I did some Googling and saw a number of reports of people with similar issues. I wonder what's the variable.
@@SuperReview Diagnosing BT problems is a massive pain because there are so many variables. One possible explanation I just tested is that if I tell my phone to _only_ use LDAC with it, the reception at long distance is poor, but that's true of all bluetooth connections - LDAC requires basically full connection strength. Anything less and it'll have to use a different codec.
What BT codec are you using with it? I only have the connection stability and range issues with LDAC set on the highest quality option.
@@juanblanco7898 With my Pixel 4 XL it'll use the highest quality codec it can based on the connection strength. From what I can tell, 99% of the time it's LDAC since I tend to just keep both the BTR5 and my phone on me.
I tested primarily with LDAC, but when I ran into the range issues I switched to Aptx to see if it would improve. Still could not get a snack and drink of water from the kitchen. I tried with Qudelix on LDAC and it reaches across the house.
You gonna do a review on the new BTR7?? I think you should!
TBH not that interested.
for me the btr5 vs 5k comes down to which one is the cheaper, in my country the btr5 is 105 and the 5k is 170 and the only thing that is truly better in the qudelix its the range, the EQ and that shit is an extra.
In USB mode the sound quality is far better than LDAC and in my opinion the btr5 sound quality its better than the qudelix 5k in USB mode.
Same with the price. Got it from Ali for 100$ - probably the best purchase I made there, it's awesome. The build quality alone is astonishing.
how to compare with UTWS3 & BTW3K? Both has similar price, BTW3K seems have AMP similar with BTR5 , want to know about the sound quality between these two bluetooth module.
I compared with UTWS3 in this video @ 29:30
Does it affects the mic quality?
I have samsung flip 3 which has little battery power, can this device with battery incorporated be used as dac in a way to spare battery power from my phone?
I'm not confident it will increase your battery life, depends on a lot of variables.
When connected to a pc/mac can i use this as an external sound card?
Yes.
What is the sound would it be if I pair it with Xduoo X3ii which you’d reviewed before.
No different.
When paired with the Sony Walkman a105, is it better than the xduuo pro2?
Via USB *
I haven't tried, can't think of why it would be any different.
I also get excellent range on mine. Wonder if the phone being used matters?
Interesting, thanks for the data point. The phone / source device can matter, definitely. For example, my M1 MacBook Air seems to make my Bluetooth devices perform better than anything else I use. Though FWIW, I tested all of the devices in this video on the same Xperia 10, which is my typical source for Bluetooth music listening.
@@SuperReview I'm wondering if yours is defective or something is out of spec. I can walk across my house with mine, with multiple walls, and it works. I can go upstairs and it starts to break up a little. I am also using AAC which may be more robust than AptX or LDAC (I honestly don't know). Too many variables to tell for sure, but I guess my point is I wouldn't remove the BTR5 from consideration based on range concerns, based on my experience. I love mine, it does 90% of what I want a DAP to do for $110. Thanks for replying!
Well which phone are you using? I did some searching online, and it seems like poor range is pretty common.
@@SuperReview iPhone 12 Pro Max
I tried LDAC and Aptx, but never tried AAC. It may do better with that.
It would be nice to compare the BTR5 to the Shanling up5 as although a bit pricier, they are in some ways more in the same category, maybe combining the better points of the BTR5 and the Qudelix 5k,. I've heard the app leaves much to be desired but supposedly the build quality is even better than the BTR5 and only slightly larger
I have had this and shanling up5 and while they do make you want to hold them for premium feel, I just don't have a use case for this type of device. I think it's better to get a dongle/DAP when using a wire or go full tws for convenience 🤷♂️
Ignoring EQ capabilities, which would you go for? Up5/Btr
Is the BTR5 a good option for making a wired headset / mic wireless? I'm looking for something to make my Zoom calls less tethered.
It'll do that, yeah.
@@SuperReview Thx, planning on using the BTR5 with a DPA lavalier mic. Crossing fingers that is adequately paired.
Hi! I'm not sure if RUclips notifies you when new comments are posted to older videos, but I'm going to chance it. I have the Ifi XDSD and am totally in love with the sound, so I'm not really looking for a new portable dac/amp. I am looking for a small microphone that I can attach quickly to my Dunu cable to take phone calls. No one seems to talk about the mic quality on these little dacs, such as the Fiio, Qudelix or the new Go Blu. Have you used any of their mics? If so, which one would you recommend for phone calls?
Sorry I haven't tested the microphones so not sure. I believe they all do have microphones at least.
@@SuperReview Thanks for the reply. Yeah, for some reason no one seems to test the microphones. II've scoured the RUclips and forums and come up with barely a mention of their performance. I'm not sure why since it's a feature that the companies themselves list as a selling point.
I appreciate your reviews. It's clear you put a lot of time and effort into them. Thanks!
Can you connect it to a pc... Then connect my tws to it?
I think you're asking if this will do Bluetooth transmission (in addition to receiving). To be honest, I'm not sure -- their website doesn't say anything about transmission. www.fiio.com/btr52021
I have the T2 Plus and UTWS1 and never really thought of putting them together. How does it sound on the utws3?
Sounds good to me.
I'm just recently getting into wired iems due to my True Momentums 2s by ol mate senny giving out three months into owning them, and I really don't know what to go for.
Does this help? squig.link/list/
Shanling got th UP5, Fiio go refreshed BTR5, qudelix when? 😔
Review? Not planning one.
@@SuperReview oh no, thats not what i meant. Misunderstanding was understandable, that was my fault.
I ment whens new qudelix release...
ooooooooh. I dream for a 5K with better buttons.
@@SuperReviewi need one with a Boba 4ut or Lavender Mechanical switches :D ☺️
Might be a silly question. But can I use I headphone splitter attached to the BTR5?
Sure, why not?
if you graphed these 3 sources with the same iem, would difference you heard be visible on a graph ? thanks
When I've tried in measuring FR differences between sources, I've not gotten much, no. The differences are so slight that it could just be variations in the measurement method.
@@SuperReview so can the differences we hear between sources, more on the placebo side ?
Some differences are real, they're just minor and hard to notice outside of careful A-B testing.
Hi! This may be a silly question, but would you think the BTR5 is worth buying and using with low impedence headphones like Sennheiser's Momentum M2 (18 ohms) ? Would it make a significant upgrade to the sound quality?
There's not enough info here for me to give you an answer. Upgrade in sound versus what? Over Bluetooth or wire? I've also never used the Momentums so I'm probably not the best to ask.
@@SuperReview Thank you for your feedback! I appreciate it! My Momentum headphones are wired. I would love to use them with a Bluetooth dac amp like this to make them more versatile and upgrade the sound quality from simply plugging them in my phone's (Android) and my laptop's (ASUS) headphone jacks. But I cannot find any information about the usefulness of using external dac amps with low-impedence headphones or even if it's an important aspect to consider (I'm not familiar with the technical stuff, yet I want to get the most detail from my music)
Every phone and laptop is different. Probably there is some improvement with an external DAC/amp, but don't expect to be blown away.
ifi Go BLU review + comparisons soon?
Yep, maybe today.
@@SuperReview holy cow lol, you actually did! what a madlad
It would be great if you do video to teach how to work with the parametric EQ…😄✌️
Interesting idea for sure, though as someone who doesn't use EQ a lot, I'm not exactly an expert there.
What I understood when you talked about BTR5… and there was the EQ you were saying I am not an EQ guy but with the Qudelix you said it’s so much cooler you can (That’s what I understood) you can play with the wave and make it Your own and you seemed to be excited about that kind of EQing… maybe😄😎✌️🔱
Bought the BTR5K over the Qudelix 5...reasoning...Amazon was out of stock on the Qudelix 5! Also, holiday discounts made the BTR5K an easy purchase decision. Bottom line...good enough.
Buttons are def better. If the range isn't an issue for you, and you don't plan to EQ, not a bad choice.
makes sense about the bluetooth range. bluetooth work better with plastic, other materials limit the range.
I dunno, phones are mostly glass and don't have the limitation.
@@SuperReview not necessarily. They are mostly only metals, such as aluminium and titanium.
I have one in titanium. The glass just scares me all the time because it drops sometimes.
Who drops it?
@@SuperReview I drop my things all the time. I am just worried that it will be my btr5 next
@@KayvonJavid youre very young bro, if you started dropping things at this age I would be worried :)))))
It's kind of a rip you can't find the fiio btr5 for MSRP anymore.
I use a btr3k for my car connected to a tape deck
I have the BTR5, non MQA model. It sounds great, which is obviously important. Battery life is just ok. I too have found the Bluetooth range to be poor.
I'd say the UTWS3 is way too different to be comparable, UTWS focus on turning your wired IEM into true wireless IEMs with the AMP/DAC being an add-on while the BTR5 is an AMP/DAC first with it being Bluetooth being an add-on
I managed to compare them.
ES100 has been my edc for a year and a half now. Love it! Been thinking about the 5k for a while. Can anyone give a sound comparison between the Radsone and Qudelix?
I have both, they sound very different if you quickly switch from one to the other. I didn't have a sense of the es100 sound until comparing.
@@mrfrosty3 do you mean the es100 is better or worse and in which area ?
I have both BTR5 and Q5k... Q5k beats BTR5 easily in sound quality, the software eq is fantastic for both simple eq or advance... BTR5 looks expensive but no where near Q5k performance
To me Earmen Sparrow in comparison with my btr5 has a better sound..
I'm thinking of either buying a btr5 and a pair of KOSS headphones or a Razer opus wireless headset. Let me know which you recommend for my CAD$250~ budget
I use my phone 24/7, in always listening to something and I have highly sensitive ears. I make calls, watch movies, youtube, anime, music and I like good sound that keeps it clean but bassy.
I haven't heard the Opus. "Clean and bassy" around that price, Tanchjim Hana21 probably the best.
@@SuperReview those are a good option, my ears are quite picky. Any Bluetooth recommendations?
Galaxy Buds Plus or AirPods Pro
My btr5 bluetooth is shockingly bad if my phone is in my back pocket and btr hung round my neck it drops out constantly .I wouldnt buy another .
Oof.
if Qudelix has audibly inferior sound quality, then it's automatically BTR5. As for knobs vs button, I prefer button because I know for sure how much the volume changed without looking, which is useful with the device or phone is a pocket or bag.
"if Qudelix has audibly inferior sound quality, then it's automatically BTR5" I predict almost no one (myself included) would hear a difference between them.
@@SuperReview thanks. i thought i heard u mention qudelix being less good in sound quality, or maybe i misunderstood.
Where my boi Shanling Up5 ;-;
I'm still surprised I got my btr5 for 85$
Great deal
NewBtr5 vs up5 which one is better?
Water is underrated….😆👍😎❤️
It's soooo good.
Yes, I know that feeling….❤️😎
gain is not a volume knob, its just to match the preamp signal. You take that belief with you into real speaker systems with amplifiers, you'll destroy every thing in a blaze of fire.
I don't follow.
Qudelix 5K sold out everywhere
the BTR5 rules. Granular volume control and no need for a cord coming out of my phone are indispensable. Use mine for the Blessing 2 and soon the IER-Z1R. Anyone who says you need a $1000 DAP is on crack
Nothing against crack.
Have you compared it with something like a Fiio M11 Plus or Hiby R6 2020?
@@SuperReview ...bum crack.
Is that definitely the 2021 version? If so I am appalled they haven't fixed the LDAC EQ problem. That is one of the main things people complain about. The BTR3K has been out for ages and doesn't have that issue. BTR5 has never had an AKM DAC.
Yeah, it has MQA logo on it. Thanks for the clarification on the AKM DAC, I never owned a BTR5 but assumed if they released an updated version it's 'cause they were switching DAC suppliers. But I should have looked into it before assuming that.
I actually sent the original BTR5 back for the 5k as I much prefered the software and the ability to do some clever EQ.
This new one having an ESS is very interesting.
One thing about the 5k is it'll tell you what your phone is truly using bitrate wise as my Android typically chooses a low bitrate LDAC so have to force it most of the time
4.4mm is too big surely? 2.5mm is the best lol
4.4 just getting more common, both on DAPs and as included cables.
l bought it the next day and it broke down
whats up with all audio reviews never using an iphone in their reviews? most people have iphones. I think it should be mentioned or tested!
Most people in the world do not have iPhones :P
That said, I do use iPhone as my main phone. But for music libraries, I don't like iOS, so I use Android for music players.
Let me review this device which i didn’t tested that much 😆