The Lear BTC-01 is better than the FiiO X5 Classic in regards to sound. If sound is all you care about then stop there and buy one already.
However I rated the BTC-01 three and a half stars and you should continue reading on why.
Like all products, they come with flaws and the BTC-01 is no exception to that. The bluetooth adapter in my opinion requires at least Bluetooth 5.0, as 4.2 is too weak to keep a clean connection to pass through a winter parka, a hand over a phone antenna and disturbing radio frequencies between the device and the BTC-01.
The noise floor is also relatively high to be used in quiet listening environments, it's very audible especially with music that has quiet moments. This noise floor can be easily ignored in public transportation or on-the-go.
3 hours is also not a long listening session, it's the equivalent of commuting to the workplace and back. Good luck if you forget to turn off the bluetooth adapter as you will probably not have enough power to listen to music on the way home.
I also have a 10000mah portable battery that turns off as a safety feature, and I assume the BTC-01 doesn't accept enough amperage because the battery pack refuses to stay on to charge my bluetooth adapter. Leaving me with the limited option of charging my device at home or through a computer.
Keeping the stock cable is also not a very good solution to the short battery life, as the connection is really stiff on initial insertion for the BTC-01, and after about fifty or more reinsertions; I've noticed a drastic reduction in the stock cable maintaining a decent grip on the IEM.
The cable itself is relatively stiff for the first two weeks, and it's hard to maintain wearing it over-ear so I used the over-ear hook from the IE80's stock cable. The cable softened over time but I found myself twisting the cable inward so the cable would hug my chin; ensuring the cable doesn't fly over my ear.
Fortunately the BTC-01 has very good redeeming features. First off is the sound. Soundstage is slightly more layered than the FiiO X5, and less claustrophobic at that. Second, mids are smooth and vocals are a lot less shouty than the FiiO X5. Treble leaves a lot to be desired, though grainy, it rolls off to prevent any harshness.
Connecting my phone to the BTC-01 is also very easy, and I've had little issues in regards to creating new connections on other devices.
The buttons are solid, and the housing has a very odd but strange rubber coating that's addicting to rub.
Regardless, I hope Lear makes a BTC-02 that addresses the issues of the BTC-01. Now would be a great time to release a new one considering the bluetooth earphones being released for phones with no 3.5mm stereo inputs.
However I rated the BTC-01 three and a half stars and you should continue reading on why.
Like all products, they come with flaws and the BTC-01 is no exception to that. The bluetooth adapter in my opinion requires at least Bluetooth 5.0, as 4.2 is too weak to keep a clean connection to pass through a winter parka, a hand over a phone antenna and disturbing radio frequencies between the device and the BTC-01.
The noise floor is also relatively high to be used in quiet listening environments, it's very audible especially with music that has quiet moments. This noise floor can be easily ignored in public transportation or on-the-go.
3 hours is also not a long listening session, it's the equivalent of commuting to the workplace and back. Good luck if you forget to turn off the bluetooth adapter as you will probably not have enough power to listen to music on the way home.
I also have a 10000mah portable battery that turns off as a safety feature, and I assume the BTC-01 doesn't accept enough amperage because the battery pack refuses to stay on to charge my bluetooth adapter. Leaving me with the limited option of charging my device at home or through a computer.
Keeping the stock cable is also not a very good solution to the short battery life, as the connection is really stiff on initial insertion for the BTC-01, and after about fifty or more reinsertions; I've noticed a drastic reduction in the stock cable maintaining a decent grip on the IEM.
The cable itself is relatively stiff for the first two weeks, and it's hard to maintain wearing it over-ear so I used the over-ear hook from the IE80's stock cable. The cable softened over time but I found myself twisting the cable inward so the cable would hug my chin; ensuring the cable doesn't fly over my ear.
Fortunately the BTC-01 has very good redeeming features. First off is the sound. Soundstage is slightly more layered than the FiiO X5, and less claustrophobic at that. Second, mids are smooth and vocals are a lot less shouty than the FiiO X5. Treble leaves a lot to be desired, though grainy, it rolls off to prevent any harshness.
Connecting my phone to the BTC-01 is also very easy, and I've had little issues in regards to creating new connections on other devices.
The buttons are solid, and the housing has a very odd but strange rubber coating that's addicting to rub.
Regardless, I hope Lear makes a BTC-02 that addresses the issues of the BTC-01. Now would be a great time to release a new one considering the bluetooth earphones being released for phones with no 3.5mm stereo inputs.