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FiiO BTR13 Review

SeanG

Disclaimer

The FiiO BTR13 was sent to me directly from FiiO for this review. And I want to make it clear that all the opinions in this review are my own and based only on my personal experience with the product and are not viewed, influenced, or controlled by the company.
I want to thank FiiO for sending it my way, and I also want to thank you, the readers, for your trust in me and for taking the time to read my review.

Introduction

So let’s introduce the FiiO BTR13, which is a budget Bluetooth DAC/amp (69$) that in my opinion brings a lot of functionality to your audio setup without breaking the bank. It’s small, lightweight, and very easy to carry around, especially with the clip, which you can attach to your shirt, pants or bag without the fear of losing it. But surely don’t let its size and price fool you, as it’s packed with a lot of features and is very versatile, easy to operate and overall a very convenient device. It can work in several different modes, making it super convenient for various situations.

Whether you’re connecting it to your phone, using it with your computer, or just enjoying your music wirelessly, the BTR13 has you covered. I’ll dive into all the different ways you can use it and what makes it so handy later in the review, so keep reading!

Unboxing and ergonomics

Let’s unbox the FiiO BTR13.
It came in a colorful box that looked vibrant and appealing. Inside, I found the BTR13 device itself with a very basic USB C to USB C cable, a user manual, and a small lanyard. They also included a screen protector, which was already applied to the display – a nice touch, I must say. I was hoping for a simple case or pouch, but considering the price, it’s not really a big deal.

The BTR13 itself is small and lightweight, which makes it super portable. It’s got this sleek, elongated rectangular shape with a sturdy back clip attached, so you can easily clip it onto your shirt or bag. It’s mostly made of plastic, but it feels well-built and solid in hand. On the front, there’s a little color screen that’s surprisingly bright and easy to read, showing the battery level, volume, and codec information.

There are two headphone jacks on the top; a standard 3.5mm and a 4.4mm balanced output, so you have some options depending on what headphones you’re using. There’s also a USB C port for charging or using it as a USB DAC with your computer or phone. On the side, there are buttons for power, volume and a little switch to change between modes, all of which feel nice and clicky.

Overall, I would say that the unboxing was pretty straightforward. The BTR13 seems like a very solid little device with some very nice features packed inside.

Technical Specifications and features

Specs

Single ended headphone output power (3.5mm):

Balanced headphone output (4.4mm):

Build

The BTR13 is compact and lightweight, which makes it easy to carry wherever you go. It has a sleek look with a practical back clip, so you can attach it to your shirt, bag, or pants for convenience and even a lanyard rope that you can put on your neck. The front features a bright, colorful 0.96 inch IPS display (with preinstalled screen protector) that gives clear information about the current settings and status of the device. Despite its small size, it feels solid and durable, with a practical and functional design that’s ideal for everyday use.

Internal Components

The BTR13 is powered by dual CS43131 DAC chips, giving high quality audio performance with a good power output. The Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth chip ensures stable connectivity and supports a wide range of high resolution Bluetooth codecs, which makes it a reliable companion for wireless audio.

Features and Options

Multiple Modes: The BTR13 offers three modes; PC Mode for connecting to your computer and getting power and data from the USB, BT Mode for Bluetooth use, and Phone Mode for use as a USB dongle with your phone, and this will work on the internal battery of the BTR13 and use only data transter but will be forced to charge if the battery is too low. Switching between these modes is simple and convenient, thanks to the toggle switch on the side.

Global Parametric EQ (PEQ): The PEQ function allows you to fine tune the sound to match your preferences and headphones with 10 Band EQ. It works in both USB and Bluetooth modes and can be customized via the FiiO Control app, and here you can also update the firmware. It also has some presents: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Dance, R&B, Class, Hip-Hop, and 3 custom user presents.

Multiple Outputs: It features both 3.5 mm single ended and 4.4 mm balanced outputs, giving you flexibility depending on your headphones and the type of sound you are looking for.

Battery Management: With smart battery management options, such as battery protection mode, which limits charging to 80% to prolong battery life, it’s great for long term use, especially when connected to your computer for extended periods.

Display: The clear IPS display shows detailed information like battery level, volume, Bluetooth codec, and easy view and control of all the settings, All this makes it easy to keep track of everything with ease.

Car Mode: The BTR13 also comes with a Car Mode, which automatically powers on and off with your vehicle, making it a perfect companion for hands free bluetooth calls and high quality music streaming while driving.

A quick heads up on connectivity issues, and how to fix them: When I first received the BTR13, I noticed some connection problems, especially when using IEMs with the 4.4 mm output. The device would shut down immediately after turning on if the IEMs were already connected. I found that disconnecting the 4.4 mm jack, powering on the device, connecting it to my phone via Bluetooth first, and then plugging in the 4.4 mm output solved the issue. Luckily, FiiO released a firmware update very quickly (version V12.4) that completely fixed this problem. So, I strongly recommend updating the firmware as soon as you receive it to avoid any issues.

Sound performance

The sound performance of the FiiO BTR13 is really good. It’s pretty neutral but has a slight warmth, which is exactly what I expected from the CS43131 chips. This gives the music a natural quality that makes it easy to enjoy.

Bass

The bass is very present and well defined and it manages to get the bass very deep while not being overpowered. It adds a nice punch to the tracks, but it doesn’t take away from the mids or highs too much (although the highs are a bit tamed).

Mids

Speaking of mids, I found the vocals to be smooth and at the same time detailed, with instruments nicely separated. Everything feels balanced, which is great for listening to vocals or any instrumental music.

Treble

When it comes to the treble, it’s clear but not the most airy. I feel that the highs are a bit rolled off but I could easily change it with the PEQ. I also appreciated that I could listen for long periods without any fatigue, which is a big plus for me.

One of my favorite features is the very precise 10 band parametric equalizer (PEQ). It makes it super easy for me to change the sound to my liking and to the headphones I’m using. If I want to boost a certain frequency or change the overall sound profile, I can do that without any problems.

Technicalities 

The soundstage is fairly wide, making it feel pretty spacious, but it will depend on the EQ you are using, as it is mostly an illusion that everyone perceives differently. Imaging is also good; I could pinpoint where instruments are placed in the mix, which adds to the overall enjoyment of the music. And the details are also there, but nothing too special, as it’s more of an everyday device than a flagship in terms of performance.

So overall, I really think that the sound performance of the BTR13 is impressive for its price. The warm yet natural presentation is working astonishingly well with a variety of headphones and music styles, and the best part is that it can be changed with the PEQ.

Conclusions

All I can say is that the FiiO BTR13 is an impressive device that brings a lot of features for its pretty low price of just 69$. It has a lightweight design, versatile connectivity options and solid sound performance that can be controlled with the APP. And with all of this, it really stands out as a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a versatile on the go device. The slightly warm, neutral sound signature is complemented by the precise PEQ which allows you to change the audio to your liking easily.

I have to say that despite some connection problems I had, that were quickly resolved with a firmware update, the BTR13 has really proven to me that it is a reliable and user friendly device.

So at the end, I can easily recommend the BTR13 for anyone who is looking for a budget friendly Bluetooth DAC/Amp. I know that it can not compete with high end models, but it still offers great value and performance that I think many of you will appreciate. I’m genuinely impressed with what FiiO has accomplished here, and I can see this device becoming an important device in my audio setup.

Pros

Cons

Where to buy: FiiO Official AliExpress store

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