Artextreme R3

I couldn't find any reviews online regarding the R3, so I decided to take the plunge, and go for the unknown.

R3 arrived in a black box, inside was a 20cm long type-C charging cable, 20cm long 3.5mm to 3.5mm patch cable, and a faux leather, light brown case, with a metal clip velcro cover. The cables are of good quality, and feel like they could last, but the case material feels a bit thin and of low quality.



The unit itself is extremely well built. It feels heavy, solid, with beautiful glass finish on front and back. This unit is the biggest in its class - almost twice the size of FiiO BTR3 and Shanling UP2. The large size makes the R3 very comfortable to use. The buttons are big, and impossible to press something else by mistake. R3 doesn't have any app, and using it is pretty straight forward - just pair, and listen to music.



So far, everything is great, but there's a "but"

and a huge Kardashian BUTT it is. So big, that it must be written in all capital, and with double T.

THIS THING IS UNUSABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's supposed to be portable, so it must work well with sensitive IEMs. This thing is so noisy, even with full size cans, it's unlistenable! The static is so noticeable, that it comes through even in congested passages, and is unbearable during the quiet ones. On top of it all, R3 sounds sharp and sibilant.

In conclusion - I can't recommend buying the R3, unless you need a 70$ paper weight. There are plenty of alternatives in its price category, and I'm sure that many more will follow in the near future (FiiO BTR5), that will actually enjoy music, and not cringe to the sound of every note.