Of course, funny looks sometimes the smartphone market. Not had Google in the past year to nasytitsya about that “and we have a 3.5 mm connector,” as this year went Pixel 2 without it, but with an adapter. Leaving aside the ridicule stranded in a puddle marketers, it is worth noting that the trend in besprovodnoy become increasingly prominent, and the FiiO not missed the point, releasing a Bluetooth receiver BTR1.
As usual, FiiO boring beaten path: take the codec from Qualcomm, wrap it in a case with a battery and sell. So they came unexpectedly and stuck in the device DAC AK4376. Of course, the ability of this chip to decode high resolution formats remain unclaimed, though I think this DAC is still better than the standard codecs used in the BT-chips, but the main “trick” here in power. AK4379 powerful solutions “all-in-one”, and it played a positive role.
The price tag FiiO put enough normal, the recommended price of new items is $ 50, but traditionally can vary depending on the country and distributor.
Specifications
- Bluetooth chip: CSRA64215
- DAC chip: AK4376
- Codec support: SBC, AAC, aptX
- Recommended load impedance: 16Ω ~ 100Ω
- Frequency range: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
- Output impedance: <0,2 Ω
- Total harmonic distortion+noise: <0,04% of
- The ratio signal/noise: ≥95 dB
- Channel separation: ≥72 dB
- Output voltage: 2 Vp-p
- Output power: ≥30 mW @ 16 Ω, ≥ 15 mW @ 32Ω
- Battery: 205 mAh, working time 8 hours, charge time ≤2 hours
- Dimensions: 24 mm × 50 mm × 11.6 mm
- Weight: ~20 grams
Design and management
Experiments with the packing continues, this time the device comes in a small cardboard box, opening in the manner of a matchbox. Everything inside is traditional: on top is Sam BTR1, under it is a small envelope with a short USB cable, a loop for wearing (probably for the neck) and different papers.
The receiver immediately makes a good impression, FiiO decided not to save and made it almost entirely from aluminium (funny, but I have seen somewhere foreign forums complaints like “why was to make a plastic insert?”) longitudinal with a pleasant texture. On the back side provided a tight clip because one of the main usage scenarios of this device consists in attaching to the collar or sleeve shirts. By the way, this option FiiO have released a cropped version of a replaceable cable with MMCX connectors RC-MMCX1s.
Interface BTR1 have all done very simply: on the front panel has one button and two LEDs on the side there is a traditional “rocker” the volume (as expected with a long press these buttons to switch tracks). Bottom-placed MicroUSB slot for charging, the top 3.5 mm connector for headphones. Equipped with this receiver and microphone, so you can use it to talk.
A large button on the front panel serves to switch on/off (long press) start playback/voice assistant/pause (short press), the inclusion of the Brightener only sound (double tap the center button lights up green led) and enable pairing mode (long press and hold). A second led located in the lower part of device, serves for indication and battery status. By the way, about the battery: working time close to the stated, listen to music, I got about 8 hours and 10 minutes, charged BTR1 1 hour 50 minutes.
Care to FiiO about the nice little things, for example, iOS devices can show the charge BTR1 in the widget on the battery, and on/off is accompanied by a rather pleasant melody (better standard solid pelicana and adaptable than sound of voice).
In one of the reviews BTR1 I met a complaint about poor reception, but I have with my iPhone 6 Plus and the FiiO X7 Mark II everything is working reliably and without gaps in the distance somewhere up to 8 metres with one wall in the way. Also not a problem and my body, script, type “source in the pocket, and the receiver hanging on the collar” work quite reliably.
Sound
Of course, take some detailed descriptions of the sound — meaning little, still, even with APT-X Bluetooth codec remains with losses, but that just did not go for the freedom from wires? Although if you think that many modern (and not) the genres of loss will still be not visible well to listen to instrumental classical or vocals there audiophile APT-X never was intended.
If to estimate “in General”, it sounds like the receiver is “normal”, strong flaws not seen him, the bass is moderately elastic, the resolution is adequate RF worked too, more or less well, though, of course, the players initial segment will already be in the mass, better, but BTR1 was designed not to compete with them. The main competitors here — you smartphones, this receiver shows fine, it even plays better adapter kit Apple iPhone 7. Improved study of the LF and HF helps your headphones to sound a bit “richer”, the increased (relative) power, too, makes itself felt. The funny thing is that BTR1 bypasses in quality and close in price wired DACS FiiO K1 is more powerful bass and more detailed midrange give a sense of “integrity”, which the K1 is a bit lacking.
Also expect with a sensitive low-resistance headphones this receiver is a bit noisy, but to my ears, this noise is not a noticeable problem, you can hear it mostly in silence between the tracks.
Insights
BTR1 got a very interesting device, nice design, compact size, good sound and affordable price make it a good choice for those who want hassle-free to turn your headphones into wireless.
Browse Bluetooth receiver FiiO BTR1 — a world without wires
Pavel Dmitriev