[FiiO BTR17/BTR7] True Lossless Bluetooth, Portable Bluetooth DAC and Headphone Amplifier BTR17 Is Officially Released!

[Nick24JJ]

I don't know TBH. I just use this setup to watch TV in bed so my wife doesn't hit me .

Ouch! I see! Well, no worries, I've emailed FiiO Support so we will see

 

[Hanesu]

Just got a used BTR7 for a good price and could now extensively compare it to my Go Blu, UP5 and (in this case from memory) to other dongles I used to own. While I still think sq differeces between those devices are really small, I can say with confidence that what sets the BTR7 apart is that it very noticeably distorts less at high volumes than the others. Both, the UP5 and Go Blu loose a bit of their instrument separation and smear things together at high volumes. Other than that, the UP5 and BTR7 sound much more alike than the Go Blu, that seems to have a slightly different (warmer) sound character. If you want more musical, go Blu, but then you have to get along with the slight hiss. If you want more neutral, go with one of the other two. In this case, you will have to decide between smaller and lighter, more ports (including 2,5!) but less capable at high volumes and with demanding phones (UP5) or the opposite (BTR7). Subjectively, the BTR7 feels the most like a „high quality hifi product“ for us nerdy audiophiles, due to its neutral, hiss and distortion free sound character in combination with its solid and heavy build.
By the way, the apps of BTR7 and UP5 are miles away from Qudelix and I don’t use them at all. EQ influences sq on both, UP5 and BTR7 imo, only the analog (?) implementation of the Go Blu (xBass and xSpace) rocks.
They all have their pros and cons. I am planning on selling one and keep two, haven’t decided yet

I would like to add some impressions UP5 vs BTR7: I still think these two sound very similar, but after listening closely, I realized that the BTR7 for sure pronounces mid bass a tiny bit more. That leads to that it overall sounds a little "meatier" while the UP5 a bit cleaner and very slightly thinner (just in relation to eachother, I would not call any of them sounding thin in general). I honestly can`t tell which I prefer, it really depends on the earphone and music.

 

[ChrisOc]

I would like to add some impressions UP5 vs BTR7: I still think these two sound very similar, but after listening closely, I realized that the BTR7 for sure pronounces mid bass a tiny bit more. That leads to that it overall sounds a little "meatier" while the UP5 a bit cleaner and very slightly thinner. I honestly can`t tell which I prefer, it really depends on the earphone and music.

The problem with comparisons is that you can only give a fair comparison with a complete chain, which is source, DAC and Amplifier (in this case one unit DAC/Amp) and your output, in other words, earphones or headphones (monitors).

The only change in the chain will be the devices you are comparing. The problem is that we use different monitors, some of them will synergise well on one device and not the other. Some would appear to have more bass on the BTR7 and not the UP5 and vice versa.

In addition to all that you factor in personal preferences, and some believe they like lots of bass but until they hear the presentation of each device on their chain they cannot say for sure.

My point is each test is different because it is synergy that matters and the headphones or earphones used for the test may not even replicate what the reader will use the device for.

 

[Hanesu]

The problem with comparisons is that you can only give a fair comparison with a complete chain, which is source, DAC and Amplifier (in this case one unit DAC/Amp) and your output, in other words, earphones or headphones (monitors).

The only change in the chain will be the devices you are comparing. The problem is that we use different monitors, some of them will synergise well on one device and not the other. Some would appear to have more bass on the BTR7 and not the UP5 and vice versa.

In addition to all that you factor in personal preferences, and some believe they like lots of bass but until they hear the presentation of each device on their chain they cannot say for sure.

My point is each test is different because it is synergy that matters and the headphones or earphones used for the test may not even replicate what the reader will use the device for.

Yeah, so many things are relative in our hobby - I 100% agree with you!

But still comparisons can give a direction that can help people to choose stuff.
For example, the BTR7 shows more midbass than UP5 with all of my IEMs - that already tells something, right?
In addition, (some) folks might be familiar with parts of my audio chain (see signature), so they can relate.

If we only came to this forum for total objectivity I guess it would be pointless? In my opinion comparisons are a lot more helpful than (pseudo!) "objective" descriptions because in the end it is all about putting things in relation with eachother just because they are subjective!

 

[ChrisOc]

Yeah, so many things are relative in our hobby - I 100% agree with you!

But still comparisons can give a direction that can help people to choose stuff.
For example, the BTR7 shows more midbass than UP5 with all of my IEMs - that already tells something, right?
In addition, (some) folks might be familiar with parts of my audio chain (see signature), so they can relate.

If we only came to this forum for total objectivity I guess it would be totally pointless? In my opinion comparisons are a lot more helpful than (pseudo!) "objective" descriptions because in the end it is about putting things in relation with eachother just because they are subjective!

I totally agree with you, there has to be a starting point, on which the subjective view is then added. My aim was not to say comparisons are pointless. Mine was just point out the limitations.

I would not discount the value of comparisons.

 

[quimbo]

The MITER Case for FiiO BTR7 arrived today. Not too bad, different feel than the OG case, the lanyard is not really "detachable", you have to untie a knot and slide it thru. I'll be looking for something to replace that that has a way to pull apart the ends

Today is my first day using the lanyard. it serves its purpose well, stacking 4 cords of firewood and its a much better experience hanging around my neck instead of inside a pocket

 

[Hanesu]

Today is my first day using the lanyard. it serves its purpose well, stacking 4 cords of firewood and its a much better experience hanging around my neck instead of inside a pocket

Can you attach some pictures?

 

[petyasb]

Custom leather case with clip: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj2aNaWKbvn/
The only case hand made in Russia

 

[petyasb]

I use BTR7 with the phone connected via Bluetooth LDAC 990 kbps, 16 Ohm headphones 3,5 mm plug, loudness 19, and it works fully charged less then 5 hours, do you think it is fine battery life?

 

[Johnfg465vd]

I use BTR7 with the phone connected via Bluetooth LDAC 990 kbps, 16 Ohm headphones 3,5 mm plug, loudness 19, and it works fully charged less then 5 hours, do you think it is fine battery life?

Seems normal to me, I get around the same battery life with IE300 using the 3.5 Out at around 30-35 Volume.

With Hook-X using 4.4 Out and close to 35-40 Volume, I get slightly below 4 Hours of Battery life.

From what I understood after reading a bit about the THX in BTR7, it's a bit hard on battery so... Battery life is a bit on the low side IMO. I personally like the sound quality here so don't mind it too much.

 

[Alex May]

In fact, this device is mainly for home use, not for travel. So battery life is not a big issue thanks to the instant availability of a charger. People just want to lie in their bed or walk between rooms and have an intimate musical experience in the highest quality possible. That's what this device is designed for, given its size, accessories and battery life, all acceptable for home use but not enough on the go.

 

[ChrisOc]

In fact, this device is mainly for home use, not for travel. So battery life is not a big issue thanks to the instant availability of a charger. People just want to lie in their bed or walk between rooms and have an intimate musical experience in the highest quality possible. That's what this device is designed for, given its size, accessories and battery life, all acceptable for home use but not enough on the go.

You are right that in most cases, the convenience of moving around at home makes the BTR7 a good device to have around.

However, for many short and not so short outdoor activities or journeys it is still a useful device. It is adequate for flights and train journeys, although I accept, European journeys are not quite as long as Australian and American journeys.

 

[quimbo]

Can you attach some pictures?

Pictures here

 

[FiiO]

Hi, even though I own the BTA30 Pro for a few months now, I very rarely use it because I am waiting to buy a desktop computer and permanently connect it. Today, I've connected it to one of my laptops and for the few hours I am now listening (LDAC), I have not observed anything unusual. I know it is very little time to test, though.

What I have observed is that skipping to next/previous track on the BTR7 does not work. Volume up/down and pausing the track, work. Next/previous track does not work.
I am listening to Amazon Music Unlimited using the App on my laptop. I am also using SounDevil (player) using local .WAV files. Next/previous works fine when connected to my phone, of course.

@FiiO , why is Next/Previous track not working, when BTR7 is connected to the BTA 30 Pro?

In any case, the sound is amazing and, more importantly for me, the combination BTA 30 Pro + BTR7 appears to have a bit more Bluetooth connectivity strength, compared to my BTR7 + my phone. This is important for me as I am using all these devices to listen to music in the best possible quality, while moving around the house doing various things.

PS: to be honest, my BTR7 stopped playing one time, in the few days I have it. I am always using it with my phone on me or in the same room. It just stopped playing. I rebooted and it worked again. This happened one time.

Dear friend,

The BTA30Pro does not support the button adjustment in Bluetoothe headphone/amp when in TX mode. But we will report to the engineer to assess again whether they could achieve this function in later update.

Best regards

 

[DeTinux]

Dear friend,

Here is a feedback from a user has both BTR7 and Q3. For your reference:
The BTR7 as a Bluetooth receiver which is smaller and ligher, satisfies me a lot when using Bluetooth connection. The Q3 is bigger and does not support Bluetooth, but it is focus on the USB connection so the SQ will be better under USB connection.
Therefore, it is not 'fair' to compare BTR7 and Q3 since they are serving for different useage condition. Otherwises, I could say M17 is much better than Q3. But this comparason is not reasonable.

And due to individual preferences, you could read the professional reviews and comparisons, as well as try out by yourself.

Best regards

Two questions about the BTR7:

1. Is the Q3 significantly warmer then the BTR7?

2. I have the Q3 and I am in doubt about a more portable solution. Either the BTR7 or an M11S. How much do both differ in sound quality and tuning? I know it’s apples and oranges, but I just want something that sounds more or less like the Q3, yet more portable.