Introduction

[Editor's note: FiiO has since announced an updated version of the BTR5 that uses the ESS Sabre ES9219C DAC capable also of MQA rendering. This review is covering the current/previous version depending on when you read this and when the new BTR5 is released.]


I've recently covered quite a few audio solution in the form of true wireless (TWS) earphones, in-ear monitors (IEMs), and even full-sized headphones. Each form factor offers its own set of pros and cons, especially when going from a fully cable-free experience with TWS earphones to necessarily wired ones elsewhere, and in some cases with headphones that weigh so much that you dare not use them in any configuration other than sitting upright with strong neck muscles. Such is the world today that consumers have gotten used to wireless Bluetooth earphones and headsets, often at the expense of audio quality both in listening and with microphones. What if there is a way to experience the best of both worlds? FiiO aims to answer this with the BTR5—its flagship portable Bluetooth amplifier that has a few neat tricks up its sleeve. Thanks to FiiO for sending TechPowerUp a review sample!


Don't ask me why there is a lipstick in the image above. Instead, you should be asking me what is even going on there! If you thought the FiiO BTR5 is a Bluetooth receiver/transmitter you connect as an intermediate to the phone and then to wireless earphones/headphones, I have some bad news for you. So let's get this out of the way right now—the FiiO BTR5 is a Bluetooth receiver that also works as a USB DAC in wired mode. This means you are getting it for use with wired earphones and headphones, and the set will be wireless as it pertains to the source itself. This is the unique selling point of the BTR5, and if you haven't lost interest already, I welcome you as we dig deeper into the vast feature set of the device by beginning with a look at the product specifications in the image below. As there are far too many parameters listed to tabulate individually, click on the image twice to view it in its high-res glory.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

FiiO designed the packaging for the BTR5 with retail shoppers in mind, including a plastic hang tag for use in a brick-and-mortar store and a plastic wrap to keep the box clean prior to purchase and unboxing. On the front of the predominantly black box is a render of the powered-on device, with the company logo in the top-left corner and the two relevant Hi-Res Audio certifications at the top right. The product name is at the bottom, along with a list of salient features. We see some specifications and contact information on the back, in addition to the FiiO scratch card to confirm this is a genuine FiiO product. The company is using a two-piece packaging, of which the inner box simply slides off either side.


Like the outer sleeve, the inner box is made out of thick cardboard. We see a detailed quick start guide (online copy here) right away, which I highly recommend going through to minimize any headaches given how many features are available on this tiny thing. The next layer is where we see two sections with a cardboard box at the bottom that has a cutout in the middle to pull it out. Here is where we have a short USB Type-A to Type-C cable for both charging the internal battery and using the BTR5 in USB wired mode. There is also a wax paper wrap over a neat accessory, an acrylic case/back clip.


This accessory comes included for a couple of reasons, but primarily because the BTR5 is a smooth object without the integrated clip of previous FiiO Bluetooth amplifiers. It allows users to insert the BTR5 inside the case for a snug fit and then use the clip to attach the combination wherever they would like, including out of sight to where decent cable management for the wired IEMs/headphones going to the BTR5 is an option.


There is a second, smaller box, which is more of an envelope, with another piece of paper that should have really just been at the top rather than all the way at the bottom. This is the warranty card, and it also goes over the authenticity check function working with that scratch-off tag from earlier and this link on the FiiO website. The final piece of the unboxing experience is a thick foam piece with a cutout in the middle to house the BTR5—it comes inside another wax paper wrap.