It's pretty easy in theory to put the BTR5 up against larger and more expensive hardware, but is that what the BTR5 use case is supposed to be?
I bought the BTR5 to use my IEMs and let them take the place of larger BT headphones. Who wants to lug those around with you all day? Well that's what I've been doing for years - because there was nothing else around to use for high quality wireless sound.
My BT headphones with a few exceptions have been full sized over the ear headphones because I want high quality sound on the move. I don't want to compromise on sound quality. But, after all these years with the big BT headphones I wanted something pocket sized and unobtrusive.
The IEM's are great for mobile use, but they have wires to the phone, and those wires get in the way - which is my whole reason for using BT in the first place.
There may be good TWS earphones on the way, but they've either been too expensive or unreliable, or just poor sounding with short battery life. KZ has put out a few models that had promise, and I am hoping the IEM manufacturers that know how to make good sounding IEM's will persevere and give us completely wireless earbuds based on the IEMs we love soon, but we aren't there yet.
And, I've already got IEM's, I don't need more - sure I'll buy more, who can stop
But, I don't want to duplicate TWS IEMS just to get BT - that's where the BTR5 comes in.
The BTR5 + IEMs in a small sack can come with me and be available at any time. And, I can leave them in my ears all the time if I want. Sometimes it's not appropriate and I can put the BTR5 / IEMs in my pocket quickly and easily. Then I don't have a set of giant BT headphones in my hands or on the desk - ready for me to forget and lose quickly.
The BTR5 doesn't need to drive hard to drive headphones for me, my IEM's are easy to drive, and the BTR5 balanced output has plenty of power - I hardly go above 20 on H Gain and 24 on L Gain, there's plenty left in the tank.
It's an added benefit that with the BTR5 I can quickly change from USB DAC mode (while charging!) to BT mode - I can get better sound and charge when the situation allows - and use BT in between. I can't do that with TWS's.
I think we need to remember that the BTR5 can't be a solution for all audiophile requirements.
For me right now though, the BTR5 is doing everything I need for mobile use just fine. The BTR5 has met and exceeded all of my expectations, and I'm excited to use it every single day since the BTR5 arrived.