Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro

★ Introduction :-

Tempotec audio, this Chinese brand once got huge popularity by launching audio adapter & portable player at affordable price. But with the evolution of time, they are a bit behind compared to other chi-fi manufacturers. Because their offerings are less than other competitors in number. However, their dongle lineup started with the sonata series. I was their sonata hd ii user and was inspired to purchase tempotec v1a dap which supported me for a long time. I got hold of their popular sonata series dongle dac bhd pro a few days back and since then have been using it on a regular basis. Today, I'm basically representing my complete experience about this dongle dac and I also going to highlight how strong position it will be in the current dongle market scenario.

★ Disclaimer :-

This unit was sent to me directly from Tempotec for review purpose. I had no financial agreement with them to promote their product. So the entire opinion of this review is completely my personal.

★ Box content at a glance :-

Unbox experience was quite satisfying. Sonata bhd pro comes with a medium sized box of black colour. Out of the box dongle dac, type c to type c cable, usb A adapter and a simple thin fabric pouch to carry the device along with some extra paperwork. If they had provided type c to lightning cable for iphone here, then iphone users would have got more benefits. Since it comes with almost all useful accessories, I don't see any room to complain in this regard.

1. Sonata bhd pro dongle dac ×1
2. Type c to type c short cable ×1
3. A thin fabric pouch ×1
4. Usb A adapter ×1
5. Some extra paperworks

★ Design, Build Quality & Compatibility :-

The compact size of this dongle looks very nice. The entire dongle dac is made of aluminum alloy chassis and the body has a solid feel when handled due to the matt finish. As its build construction is strong, it is also very light in weight (only 18 grams) so there is no difficulty in using it. bhd pro is available in several different colors, the unit in my hand is green and also has two color variants like black & grey. I personally find the gray color more eye-catching. However, what makes it attractive is the rgb lighting system on the front which basically lights up in different colors according to the sound sampling rate. I think this whole aspect has contributed more to the beauty of the dongle.The inner dac circuit is partially represented by giving a transparent look to the rgb light portion. This device has a regular single end port as well as a 4.4mm bal port and at the same time the placement of the ports seems to be strong enough. It also has the biggest advantage in its compatibility in all cases like windows, ios & android, it can be said that it has given quite appreciable results. I have not encountered any issues during my usage. I have been able to use it effortlessly with my local song collection on pc and streaming platforms like qobuz, tidal and even apple music on ipad without any driver installation but it's good to say my pc is running on windows 10 so it's compatible with previous versions. It becomes difficult for me to say how to perform. But its most useful feature is its physical volume controller which reaches upto 60 steps also tactile feel is obtained by pressing them. It is good to say here that I did not get any distortion even when using it at full volume level. Apart from that, the dongle doesn't have any kind of physical gain switching system and even tempotec doesn't provide any specific app support for it which seems a bit disappointing. A small fabric type pouch is provided in the box to protect the dongle, which is able to protect the dongle from minor scratches. On the other hand the stock c to c short cable feels pretty cheap to me which I hope won't last too long.

★ Specifications :-

Dac chip :- CS43131*2
Output option :- 4.4mm BAL & 3.5mm SE (both)
Interface :- USB Type C
Volume control :- hardware level button
SNR :- 131dB
Output Level :- 4VRMS@4.4mm/32Ω & 2VRMS@3.5mm/32Ω
Output Power :- 280mW/32Ω (4.4mm)
RGB light : ~ Red : Connected
~ Yellow : 32kHz~48kHz
~ Cyan : 64kHz~192kHz
~ Orange : >=352.8kHz
~ White : DSD64~DSD256
~ Purple : MQA
Decoding Capability :- PCM : up to 32Bit/384kHz
DSD : up to DSD 256(Native)
MQA : renderer 8X
System Support :- Windows, MAC OS, Android & iOS
Weight :- 18g

★ Tested With :-

Android phone, Ipad, & Pc
~ Sennheiser Hd660S2
~ Sony IER M9
~ Dunu Zen pro
~ Dunu Falcon Ultra
~ Tanchjim Origin
~ NF acous Nm20
~ Letshouer S08
~ Dunu Kima 2

★ Sound Aspect :-

The Bhd pro basically seemed to me to be a warmish-neutral sounding dongle dac. Many may disagree with me on this point as many have found it to be too warm which would be the root cause of the firmware.Tempotec has released a separate firmware for this dongle which is capable of changing the sound profile.
But it is good to say that I have not updated any firmware on my unit but in this case I'm pretty sure that it comes with their latest firmware. However, the widely used cirrus logic CS43131*2 dac chip has been used as its internal spec. But most of the dongles I tested with similar dac chips in the sub 100$ price range were on the neutral-slightly bright side. I am bound to say that where I missed the excess of fun factor, in this case bhd pro has brought some extra relief.
I found the sound of this dongle to be slightly engaging U profile. Where it is able to represent good midrange tonality along with proper presence of bass & treble. Talking about the sound in details let's jump to the bass at the beginning. Talking about the bass, this dongle is sub bass focused where the mid bass is relatively less. Sub bass region was a little more boosted but it doesn't overblown the lower mids.Very pleasing rumble can be enjoyed there, but due to the lack of punchy-ness of the mid bass, mid bass has lost its tactility and wetness which isn’t so enjoyable, This can be considered as a downside. It has shown the greatest strength in midrange presentation. The upper mids were clean but not overly forward and even the lower mids could be brought out with subtle detail without being harsh. Here I get the organic touch of cirrus house which takes the vocals a bit on the warmer side but overall lends a lively character to the vocal craft and the male & female artists Vocal articulation was decent authenticity & natural timbre dispersion without any hint of unwanted boost. It can be said that the treble section has also given good satisfaction here.The extension from upper to lower treble was absolutely on point, resulting in no roll-off issue anywhere.Treble has a polite manner with moderately detailed with sufficient airiness-sparkle. It is good to say here that those who seek more crispiness along with the brightness of the treble will not be very satisfied with the treble region of the Sonata. Its technical ability also deserves praise, the sound stage was quite wider and the height and width were found to be correct, although I expected the depth to be a little better.The imaging capability was excellent, the positioning of the instruments could be located accurately with good stereo separation and I got an immersive experience. So for those who are thinking about gaming, it will not bother them much. Apart from this, the dynamics presentation was commendable and managed to maintain the decent speed of note delivery, on the other hand, it gave average results in macro dynamics. Moreover, the tonality was not very natural but it was on the good side and the timbral accuracy was considered decent.

★ Synergy and Power :-

I mentioned earlier that this dongle is warmish-neutral sounding. Therefore, there will be no problem with synergy if a bright sounding IEM is paired here. Excellent pairing with neutral-bright and mildly warm sounding sets. I have paired several sets with this bhd pro dongle and managed to drive them with almost good authoritative strength while staging & imaging as well as dynamics were pretty good as expected. In this case, the advice will be to use easy to drive set & moderate demanding planar set and some low demanding headphones, then it is possible to benefit more from here. It will never be an ideal choice for sensitive sets (lower than16Ω). Because in that case easily hissing is found. I paired with it my open back headphone @Sennheiser hd660s2. I got decent loudness by plugging in the 660s2 but the staging & dynamics were lacking, the bass impact and depth were missing. As a result, it was understood that the dongle is not very capable to drive this 300ohm headphone with full potential. This can be considered normal as some desktop setups and the 660s2 become a bit difficult to drive properly. Usually, you don't have to worry too much about the power for regular usage. From its bal port provide (280mW@32Ω) good power output which is more than enough to drive most IEMs well. I would also like to say that its single end port has good output power but unfortunately I did not get any information about the exact power rating.This single end port has mic support which is a useful feature.

★ Comparison :-

~ Fosi audio ds1 vs Bhd pro ~

Ds1 another warm sounding dongle dac whose build quality is strong enough and it is heavier in weight than bhd pro. Although they are both solid in terms of build, there is a difference in the sound section. Ds1's detail retrieval felt a bit raw and definition was a bit weaker. Bhd pro does not provide a much fuller sound but retains a fair texture in the sound. Ds1 boosts up the mid bass section and lags behind the bhd pro in terms of quality. But the bhd pro contributes to the strong sub bass.Technically both of them have performed well but in terms of staging bhd pro winner but ds1 will get more number due to depth. It is possible for the ds1 to beat the bhd pro in terms of midrange tonality. Although they both have different internal configuration, ds1 features ES9038Q2M dac while bhd pro has CS43131. Even here the Ess chip is used in the ds1. Interestingly, it doesn’t offers harsh or splashy nature like generic ess house sound but It gave more or less natural-minimal colored sound. Functionality wise they're almost simple. Volume control buttons are present on both but none of them have gain control. Here bhd pro is giving extra benefit for more output power 280mw(BAL) Whereas ds1 had max 220mw at the same time sonata much more battery efficient than ds1.So in these aspects bhd pro is undoubtedly real winner.

~ Bhd pro vs ddhifi Tc44pro E2 ~

Tc44pro also uses similar CS43131 dac chip like bhd pro. In terms of design & aesthetic, both of them have their own merits, But since the Tc44pro e2 has a non-detachable cable and no volume control system, many will consider these as down sides, as it costs more than the bhd pro ($99). So in this price segment there are many dongles in the market which have detachable cable facility. Despite being a fixed cable, it offers a very robust build. When it comes to sound, it's basically a neutral-bright sounding dongle with a lack of sub bass with slight mid bass boost. On the other hand, the sub bass in bhd pro is stronger than the comparable mid bass. bhd pro lags a bit in bass section but will be ahead in other aspects. In sound stage & imaging capability, bhd pro is in a slightly better position. Besides, the output power is more than Tc44pro e2 (250mw@32ohm) of bhd pro (280mw@32ohm) and there is single end port which is missing in Tc44pro e2.

★ Conclusion :-

There are many dac dongles at affordable prices in the current market which are delivering more or less similar performance to the price ratio. Tempotec sonata bhd pro in the under 100$ range starting from the output capability and the sound it offers is not far behind the others. If someone has too much expectation from here. I would like to say that sonata bhd pro really good sounding dongle in the whole tempotec dac line up, which was less hype than its competitors. Honestly, if i think about this dongle's sound signature, It is definitely something worth recommending. If anyone is looking to buy a dongle around this budget range, I would suggest you to try the bhd pro. Hopefully no one will have to face such a disappointing situation with its sound quality.

I've provided the purchase link below for everyone convenience

Tempotec Ali express store (link isn’t affiliated)

Introduction

Tempotec is known for its long history of pursuing the best sound quality, and the most convenient user experience. Well known for its dongles, it now continues to squeeze the double DAC CS43131, adding a professional FPGA and 3 high-performance oscillators to achieve low latency and high precision data transfer capability. It supports up to DSD256, 32Bit/384kHz PCM and high-resolution MQA and lossless music. It has 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL outputs. RGB light indicates operating status. Two physical buttons facilitate volume control. It has an SNR that reaches 131dB, with a THD+N of 0.00012% and achieves up to 280mW at 32Ω through the balanced output. Its power consumption is very low and it can play for up to 35 hours on a 4000mAh battery. Finally, its body is metallic and has a transparent window through which you can see its circuitry. In addition, Tempotec has an ace up its sleeve, as it allows the sound profile to be modified by means of firmwares. Let's take a closer look at what the new Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro has to offer.



Specifications

• Model: Sonata BHD Pro.
• DAC used: 2*CS43131
• SNR: 131dB.
• THD+N: 0.00012%.
• Maximum output level: 2V RMS SE. 4V RMS BAL.
• Power: 280mW/32Ω balanced output.
• Volume control: Physical + and - buttons. 60 volume steps.
• DSD: DSD64~DSD256.
• PCM: 16Bit 44.1kHz-32Bit 384kHz.
• MQA: Native.
• LED: Operating status.
• USB: TYPEC OTG.
• Headphone ports: BAL 4.4mm, SE 3.5mm.
• Dimensions: 55x21x11mm.
• Weight: 18g.
• Material: Aluminium.

Packaging

The Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro comes in a small cardboard box painted black. Its packaging is very reminiscent of the previous March III where the cardboard waves can be seen through the paint. The dimensions are 107x97x42mm. The box opens up like a flap box and on the upper side is the name "Sonata" in orange and on the top is the brand logo, towards the left side. On the back is the brand name in white lettering, while on the bottom right is a sticker with the model name and colour. The brand logo is repeated on the closing tab and on the back it appears again, this time accompanied by the name of the series, Sonata, of course. After opening the box there is a transparent plastic sheet protecting the product packaging. The BHD Pro is encased in a black foam mould. Below it there is another level containing the rest of the accessories. In a nutshell:

• The Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro dongle.
• A cloth pouch.
• A warranty certificate.
• One warranty card.
• A user manual.
• A thank you card from the company.
• One short silver-plated copper male-to-male USB Type-C cable.
• One USB Type-C female to Type-A male adapter.

The packaging is relatively small, with a sober presentation, in line with the previous March III. It is appreciated that it comes with a cloth pouch for storage. The cable is short as it is intended for use with mobile devices.



Construction and Design

The BHD Pro is made of textured aluminium. In my case its colour is called titanium grey. It is a tablet whose upper face has two levels separated by a rounded edge. The upper side is shorter and features the brand logo and the name in white ink. On the lower face is a transparent window, flanked by a black border which reads "Dual Osc FPGA" in gold lettering. The window allows a view of the interior, the oscillators and the FPGA, as well as some of the circuitry. A little closer to the bottom edge is a horizontal slit that allows the light from the bottom LED to exit. On the side near the letters is a physical, rocker-mode double knob that controls the volume. The + button is in the centre, while the - button is closer to the USB connection. The USB connector is Type-C. At the other end there are two audio outputs, SE 3.5mm and BAL 4.4mm gold-plated. The underside is a cover that has two screws for closure. At its centre is the MQA logo and the Hi-Res Audio logo in white ink.
The dimensions of the dongle are 55x21x11mm. At the thinnest side it measures 10mm. Its weight is 18g.
Its design combines sharp edges with more vivid ones, located on the face of the window. The face of the window is the one that allows you to see the inside of the electronic circuit and its moderate size. In reality, the design of the BHD Pro continues to maintain a classic and sober air of the brand, without great fanfare, something more modern and attractive, but without being very striking in this aspect.
The level of construction and solidity of the product is very good and, without a doubt, it is not weak in any way, but rather robust, even in the window area.



Connectivity

The BHD Pro is compatible with PC, Android Smartphones and iPhone. It can be used with PC and Android with the standard cable. For iPhone it is necessary to purchase a separate Lightning to Type-C OTG cable. For Windows 10 no additional driver is required and ASIO driver is available. Allows exclusive mode with the HiBy Music APP. MQA certified.



Operativity

The BHD Pro has a 60-step volume control. It supports PCM from 16Bit 44.1kHz up to 32Bit 384kHz, DSD64 up to DSD256. It also supports MQA. It has ASIO drivers. Connects in exclusive HQ USB Audio mode with the HiBy Music APP. It has a multi-coloured LED status indicator:

• Red: Connected, paused.
• White: DSD64~DSD256.
• Violet: MQA (TIDAL music application).
• Yellow: 32kHz~48kHz playback.
• Cyan: 64kHz~192kHz playback.
• Orange: Playback >=352.8 kHz.

It has USB Type-C input and 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL outputs.
It works smoothly whether connected to a PC, SmartPhone, DAP or PAD. It only heats up if the output volume is high, something that I was able to verify when I carried out the power tests. Although the temperature was not high and it is necessary to take into account an ambient temperature of 27ºC during the tests. I didn't experience any dropouts during playback, nor did I experience any clogging. The volume steps start with small jumps, which get bigger as they get closer to the maximum.



Measures

There is no gain selector. 2V RMS at no load, by SE 3.5mm and 4V RMS at no load, by BAL 4.4mm.
To make the measurements I have connected the BHD Pro connected to my PC using foobar2000 and pure amplitude 1 tones created with Audacity.
The oscilloscope used for this occasion is the new VIMU MSO21, a two-channel 12-bit USB oscilloscope with logic analyser, digital inputs/outputs and DDS. It can be used as a spectrometer, data recorder, logic analyser, etc. Works on PC, including Android. It has a vertical resolution of 12bits, giving it 4096 levels of resolution. You can find more information about the oscilloscope used here:

http://en.vimu.top/index.php?m=home&c=View&a=index&aid=52

No Load SE

2V RMS over the entire frequency range.



15 Ω SE

1.223V for 15Ω means 100mW and a current of 81mA. A great value.



33 Ω SE

With the 81mA it is capable of delivering for 15Ω I expected a great value for 33Ω. But the BHD Pro delivers 1.65V RMS, which is 82.5mW and 50mA. It falls a bit short compared to the performance for 15Ω.



100 Ω SE

I was expecting the BHD Pro to deliver full voltage for this impedance value, but it falls a little short at 1.91V, which is a delivery of 19mA and 36.5mW.



No Load BAL

Clean 4V RMS across the entire frequency range.



15 Ω BAL

Strange behaviour by BAL for 15Ω, well below the performance by SE. 0.828V RMS, which is 46mW and 55mA.



33 Ω BAL

We continue with the strange behaviour of the BHD Pro, but now for the better. For the 33Ω per BAL you get 1.83V RMS, which is 100mW of power. The brand specifies 280mW for 32Ω, which would mean a delivery of 3V RMS, with an amount of current of 93.5mA, exceeding the limit of those "mythical" 90mA. As you can see, it's a bit far, but it's a good value.



On the other hand, I anticipate some questions that may be asked by amateurs who have read other reviews made with more professional measuring devices. In that review, 137mW is reached at 33Ω, which means a voltage of 2.13V RMS. I understand that this measurement has been made with a pure 1khz sinusoidal tone. As can be seen in the following measurement, the BHD goes up to 2.33 VRMS. But if a 20Hz tone is played at the same volume, the distortion is very evident. My measurements try to find the maximum RMS voltage value over the whole frequency range. I think it's no use if at 1kHz it gives a spectacular measurement if the bass is completely distorted, as it is in this example.



100 Ω BAL

Again, the BHD Pro fails to deliver the full voltage for 100Ω, staying at 3.6V RMS, which implies a power of 130mW and 36mA. Not a bad value at all.



Frequency Response

Totally flat from 20Hz to 40kHz, even at different volumes. The R and L graphs overlap, there is no difference between channels. The roll-off between 5Hz and 20Hz is very small, while the roll-off between 10Hz and 20Hz is not noticeable. This is definitely a Hi-Res product.



Sound

The Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro has the possibility to alter its sound signature through the use of different firmwares. At the time of writing this review, from the Tempotec website, you can download firmware version 1.01. This package contains two firmwares: S-BHDPRO-HMN1.01.bin and S-BHDPRO-HMF1.01.bin. The firmware ending with F1.01 is the default version. The N1.01 version has a "different sound style". I have tried both, the operation is simple but it takes a few minutes and it is possible that the memory of each sound profile is lost in that time. It is true that there is a difference in sound, but it is not night and day. I think the N1.01 version is somewhat warmer and the F1.01 is more neutral, within a sound that is already subtly warm in itself.
Tempotec has accustomed us to a clean, neutral sound and is already an expert at using the Cirrus CS43131 DAC in a dual setup. It has added an FPGA to expand the possibilities of the sound already showcased in the larger E35 and, above all, E44 dongles. Tempotec needed to combine the two models into one and add a bit of novelty to them. And it has succeeded, even though the power performance is almost the same for both models. I think the E44 is somewhat cleaner and more neutral, with a subtly wider sound. Although it may also be a bit suggestive of the good regard I have for it. Going back to the Sonata BHD Pro, it has 60 volume steps, although the voltage jumps in the last steps are slightly high. But that's not uncommon for powerful sources. 100 steps would have been very appropriate, or at least, a button to use low/high gain.
One of the things I prefer about the E models is that it is a wireless tablet and its design has improved compared to those, being more elegant and eye-catching, although within the sobriety that Tempotec is used to.
As I said, the profile of the BHD Pro is neutral but subtly warm and pleasant. It has an organic and realistic tone. It is not spectacular or analytical, but moves in a melodious and effective environment. I don't mean it's soft because it breaks and rips when it needs to. It has a good drive starting from the low end, although there is a subtle colouring in the lower frequencies, where the sound is less sensory than audible, perhaps that makes the sound warmer. This sensation is something that I was able to verify by comparing it with the xDuoo Link2 Bal, whose sound is a bit deeper. In terms of power I feel the same, the punch is powerful and energetic. The volume occupied is large and the capacity for resolution, layering and breakdown of complex bass lines is very good, at the level of the xDuoo.
The vocals have a subtly sweet sonority, which makes them more organic, natural and appealing. In this respect the xDuoo is a little more nondescript and neutral, while the BHD Pro adds a melodious edge that is more pleasing. Instrumentation is clear, noticeably separated, accurate and full in resolution, but not analytical. With respect to the xDuoo, again that subtle warmth gives the sound a more pleasing, less incisive feel that makes it more pleasing, captivating and euphonic. The level of detail and resolution is very good, as good as the xDuoo and that's saying a lot for the performance for the price of this little BHD Pro.
The treble is quite crisp, clear, transparent and clean. They retain that natural flavour that is never crisp and remains delicate and delicious in equal parts. The BHD Pro, in this sense, is a very suitable dongle for long listening. And, as you can see from the measurements, the treble extension is full and there is no drop or loss of energy in the high end, maintaining an excellent sense of air at all times.
The scene is big, as big as the xDuoo can offer, and I even find it a little calmer, a quieter sound that gives it a slightly superior vaporous and transparent feel. As I said, the level of detail is quite descriptive, but without losing the organic and natural character that determines it. But it also offers a vivid and expressive temperament, which adds a higher level of expansiveness. It is effective in the positioning of the image and the distribution of the elements. It has a high level of resolution to arrange the notes and present them clearly, without any opacity, achieving a notable separation of the components and a dark background between them.



Conclusion

It's amazing what Tempotec can do for so little money. The Sonata BHD Pro seems like a trivial product, one more in the brand's long list of dongles. However, it tries to fill a gap in their catalogue, a mix between the E35 and the E44 with its Dual CS43131, with both outputs, a smaller body, no cables and with the addition of an FPGA that allows the use of different firmwares capable of modifying the sound. This is certainly something that sets it apart from the competition and goes beyond the filters that are built into ESS DACs. At the moment there are two sound styles, but there could be more, which would make this small device even more attractive. In terms of power level it does not go beyond its smaller siblings, although it has the necessary power to drive a large catalogue of headphones with sufficient authority. My measurements will tell you that.
Its level of construction is sober, a trademark of the company, but robust and faultless. Its design is a little different from the established Tempotec design and it is true that it can remind us of other models, with that transparent window towards the inside. Sound buttons are a must, and the BHD Pro has them, with 60 volume steps. There is also a status LED, which has become essential for the information it provides. Of course, the ASIO driver is also available right out of the box. All this makes the new BHD Pro possibly the dongle with which Tempotec should bid farewell to the Dual CS43131 that it has been so successful with. And it would do so in style.



Earphones and Sources Used During Analysis

• Hidizs AP80 PRO-X Red Copper LE
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
• ISN H40
• Hidizs MP145
• Hidizs MS5
• KiiBOOM Allure
• KiiBOOM Evoke
• 7Hz Sonus
• Rose QT9 MK2

Purchase Link



You can read the full review in Spanish here

TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro: powerful with a touch of warmth



Introduction

As the Sonata HD PRO was my first dongle, I have a great appreciation for the TempoTec brand, and today I'm pleased to bring you my review of their latest dongle: the BHD Pro, which at $89 USD aims to compete with well-known dongles such as the Truthear Shio ($69) and the Tanchjim Space ($89).


TempoTec BHD Pro Unboxing: BHD Pro Unboxing Short

Check out previous reviews here (or in spanish here)


Disclaimers:

• TempoTec kindly provided me with this product for an honest review. You can find the BHD Pro here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005632023075.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2esp
• Review based in 2-4hs listening sessions each day across 5 days
• I’m a low level listener, take it into account for the analysis in the “Power” segment

Unboxing, Build & Accessories



Device: similar in size to the Sonata HD PRO (length: 5.5cm, width: 2.1cm, depth: 1cm (USB-C connection area) – 1.1cm (3.5mm and 4.4mm port area)).









Construction entirely in aluminum with a transparent zone that allows observing the two chips that make up the BHD Pro (both CS43131). Volume button on the left side (approximately 50 steps). RGB LED strip indicating the quality of the audio being played.



USB-C to USB-C cable - USB-C to USB-A adapter - Carrying pouch



Functionality & Performance

Sound Profile

The BHD Pro is a dongle that imparts warmth to the sound signature. It doesn't overly color the signature, but the elevation of the bass in different headphones is noticeable.


Power

This new TempoTec device aims to enter the market where the Shio and Space belong by offering more power for a similar price. What do I mean by this? The BHD Pro has two outputs (3.5mm and 4.4mm) just like the Shio, but it boasts double the power of the latter (Truthear Shio - > 3.5mm: 55mW@32ohms – 4.4mm: 150mW@32ohms - TempoTec BHD Pro - > 3.5mm: 140mW@32ohms – 4.4mm: 280mW@32ohms). Additionally, it provides around 50mW more power in its balanced output compared to the Tanchjim Space, both being available at the same price.



In terms of testing:

The 7Hz Salnotes Zero is the “easy” test once again. With the BHD Pro at maximum volume and only 3 steps of volume on my phone, the Zero gains enough dynamics to be highly enjoyable. In my opinion, the 4.4mm output isn't necessary in this case, but for those who need it, I would say it's nearly twice as powerful at the same volume.

For the KZ PR2, I feel that using the 4.4mm input is necessary to bring it to life, thus opening up the soundstage and enhancing detail retrieval.

Next, I had to test the HE400SE using the 3.5mm output as I don't have balanced cables. The volume it reaches seemed acceptable to me, but the performance and microdynamics fell short compared to the small desktop DAC/AMP, the FiiO E10K (not to mention the iFi ZEN Air CAN). This isn't inherently the BHD Pro's fault, but it shows that demanding planar headphones won't perform optimally with this dongle when connected in an unbalanced manner.


Battery Consumption

• Test conducted with the dongle at maximum volume and three volume steps on my phone (Samsung Galaxy A50).
• IEM used: KZ PR2.
• The test was performed without multitasking, only music playback with my smartphone locked.

Results:

• 3.5mm Output: Battery consumption in 1 hour = 12%.
• 4.4mm Output: Battery consumption in 1 hour = 14%.

vs TempoTec Sonata HD PRO

Although belonging to the same brand and housing the same chip inside, it's easy to identify the differences and similarities between these two models:

• The BHD Pro makes hard-to-amplify IEMs like KZ PR2 shine, thanks to its balanced output.
• However, the BHD Pro's warm signature makes it more suitable for IEMs lacking punch, while the HD PRO, being quite neutral, faithfully represents any IEM and offers better overall resolution.
• The construction of both is spectacular, and I appreciate that the new BHD Pro features a much larger number of volume steps, preventing sudden volume jumps.
• Both are plug & play on Windows.
• The stock firmware of the BHD Pro had better implementation than that of the HD PRO, avoiding strange music cuts during playback without multitasking.
• Lastly, the BHD Pro takes slightly longer to heat up than the HD PRO at a similar volume.

Both are excellent portable options from TempoTec. However, I feel that the BHD Pro could have a slightly more aggressive price to attract more consumers.


Recommendations

As I've been emphasizing throughout the review, the warmth added by the BHD Pro is welcome when using gear leaning towards neutral. That's why I noticed that it paired excellently with the 7Hz Salnotes Zero and the LETSHUOER DZ4. On the other hand, with the KZ PR2 and the Whizzer Kylin HE10, the extra warmth only muddied their midrange a bit more.


Conclusion

The TempoTec BHD Pro is a powerful beast in a small and portable form factor. It's impressive in terms of power delivery, but its potential is not always fully harnessed due to how the BHD Pro colors the sound, limiting its versatility.

A great addition for those seeking to add impact to the bass of their colder-sounding headphones and for users who require power on the go.