FiiO BTR3k Balanced HiFi Bluetooth Amp

Product Information

The FiiO BTR3K is a small Bluetooth amp, that falls within FiiO’s standards in size, measuring 58mm x 25mm x 12mm and weighting about 23 grams.

All the ports and connectors of the BTR3K are distributed through out the top and bottom edges. The top edge holds an USB Type-C connector that is used as a charging port and as the connection for USB DAC functionality; while the bottom edge is the area where both the 3.5mm single-ended headphone connector and the 2.5mm balanced headphone connector reside. With the very useful option to turn charging mode off the BTR3K runs on its own battery without draining power from the smartphone.The only thing I can think of that the Fly provides that the BTR doesn’t is more power unbalanced. Soundwise? The midbass region on the other hand is mildly pronounced, pretty controlled and fast, without to show any remarkable negative situations like muddiness, mixings or a midbass hump. The midbass quantity and extension is on an average level. Instruments from guitars up to the drums do show a pretty fast bass response which is a remarkable plus point for the BTR3. They’re pushed slightly more forward. This is still a very minor discrepancy and may be my imagination.

I tested the FiiO BTR3K with various headphones; among those are the HiFiMAN HE-560, the Thieaudio Voyager 3 and Legacy 3 and the Shanling ME500 Platinum Edition. I used a Shanling M2X as the main source, though I also connected the BTR3K to my desktop PC (with a Bluetooth 5 adapter).Headphones: Sony MDR-V6, Sennheiser HD 600, Philips SHP9500/ 9600, Koss KPH30i, Porta Pro, KSC75, AKG K371, K702, K712, Meze 99 Neo, HIFIMAN HE400se, Arya, Ananda, Apos Caspian, Gold Planar GL2000, G200, HIFIMAN Edition XS. The both the 3.5mm single ended and the 2.5mm balanced outputs of the FiiO BTR3K do offer a very clean output with nearly zero amount of hissing which is device in this price category. While in the grand scheme of things this isn't a heap load of extras, it's more than I've received from any other Bluetooth module and that is always appreciated. The clip case is all-plastic so I don't expect it to take more than a couple tumbles, but it should protect the BTR3K and is nicely constructed. I appreciate that FiiO included this in-box versus making it an added cost you have to dole out later should you want the added protection or shirt clip function. It also fits the BTR3K without obscuring any of the controls or making them more difficult to access. This wireless Bluetooth Amp/DAC is a little bit longer and larger than the fan-favorite DragonFly Red, but has a glossy finish that will leave more fingerprints than a dumb criminal at a murder scene.