FiiO BTR25 Launches With aptX Lossless and Magnetic Clip

The FiiO BTR25 was launched today (November 5) internationally and in mainland China. Although the BTR25 closely resembles the BTR17 in design, its predecessor is the BTR15. In FiiO’s product naming system, the first digit refers to the product generation, while the second indicates the topology. Accordingly, the BTR25 represents the second generation of topology “5” in the BTR series of portable Bluetooth DAC/amps.

The BTR25 introduces several improvements, the most notable of which are a volume knob, a detachable magnetic clip, and support for the aptX Lossless codec. Full details of this new FiiO release are provided below.

BTR25 introduces a detachable magnetic clip, a volume knob, and more

The successor to the BTR15, the FiiO BTR25 introduces several improvements and new features. FiiO’s new Bluetooth DAC/amp features a volume knob, a feature also found on the BTR17. In addition, instead of using a case with a clip, FiiO developed a metal clip that attaches magnetically to the back of the BTR25.

The BTR25 also offers other improvements over the BTR15. One is the addition of the aptX Lossless and LC3 Bluetooth codecs. Another is longer battery life, which now reaches up to 10 hours over Bluetooth. Further changes are described below.

Bluetooth codec support on the BTR25

The FiiO BTR25 supports a wider range of Bluetooth audio codecs than the BTR15. Thanks to the use of a newer Qualcomm chip, the QCC3095, the BTR25 supports aptX Lossless and LC3. Unfortunately, however, it does not support Huawei’s LHDC codec, which some users prefer.

The BTR25’s volume knob has been repositioned

On the BTR17, and even on the more recently released QX11, the volume knob is positioned at the top. For the BTR25, FiiO decided to place the knob slightly lower and use the main body of the device to provide greater protection. This considerably reduces the risk of damage to the knob from impacts, such as those caused by drops.

The detachable magnetic clip

To improve the user experience, FiiO developed a detachable clip that attaches magnetically to the back of the BTR25. This significantly improves the usability of the Bluetooth DAC/amp by allowing users to secure it in two ways.

The first option is to clip the portable DAC to clothing for use over Bluetooth.

The second is to use it over USB, removing the clip and attaching the BTR25 to the back of a smartphone using the FiiO MagClip accessory.

Longer battery life on the BTR25

Compared with the BTR15, the BTR25 offers an additional 2 hours of battery life when used over Bluetooth with the SBC codec through the 3.5 mm output. With the same codec through the 4.4 mm balanced output, this improvement decreases to 1 hour. Battery life for the FiiO BTR25 under several usage conditions is listed below:

• Bluetooth with the SBC codec through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output: up to 10 hours of continuous playback
• Bluetooth with the SBC codec through the 4.4 mm balanced (BAL) output: up to 9 hours of continuous playback
• Bluetooth with the LDAC codec through either the single-ended (SE) output or the 4.4 mm balanced output: up to 8.5 hours of continuous playback
• USB connection to a smartphone through either the single-ended (SE) output or the 4.4 mm balanced output: 11 hours of continuous playback

Operating modes

The BTR25 can operate in three ways: connected to a PC (PC Mode), connected to a smartphone (Phone Mode), or as a Bluetooth receiver (BT Mode).

When connected to a computer via USB, the BTR25 functions as a desktop DAC/amp. In this mode, power is supplied by the PC.

When connected to a smartphone via USB, the BTR25 functions as a “dongle DAC.” Its built-in battery reduces the drain on the smartphone’s battery, although it does not eliminate it.

In BT Mode, the BTR25 receives the audio signal over Bluetooth. This allows users to stream music from, for example, streaming apps installed on a smartphone or tablet.

Additional operating modes

In addition to Bluetooth and USB connectivity modes, the BTR25 offers Game Mode and Car Mode.

In Game Mode, users can use the DAC/amp’s built-in microphone or connect headphones with an inline microphone to the 3.5 mm output. In Car Mode, the BTR25 turns on and off with the vehicle.

The absence of Desktop Mode on the BTR25

The BTR25 does not support Desktop Mode, a feature available on the FiiO BTR17. It has neither a switch to enable or disable this mode nor a dedicated USB-C power input.

Displaying song lyrics on the screen

The FiiO BTR25 features a 1.3-inch color IPS display capable of showing the lyrics of the song currently playing. The display also shows information such as the codec in use, operating mode, sample rate, and active equalization profile.

The 10-band parametric equalizer (PEQ)

The BTR25 supports the 10-band parametric equalizer (PEQ) in FiiO Control. Both the Android app and the web version of FiiO Control are supported, making it easier to apply adjustments through a PC browser.

Equalization profiles saved in FiiO Control can be used over both Bluetooth and USB.

Sufficient output power for demanding IEMs

The optimizations implemented in the BTR25 allow it to adequately drive low-impedance, multi-driver IEMs (in-ear monitors). The BTR25 delivers 570 mW into 16 Ω and has an output impedance of 0.3 Ω at its 4.4 mm balanced output. The result is sound with extremely low distortion and a wide dynamic range.

Into a 32 Ω load, the BTR25 delivers 460 mW through its 4.4 mm output. By comparison, the BTR15 delivers 340 mW under the same conditions.

BTR25 buttons and connections

The diagram below shows the FiiO BTR25’s connections and buttons.

FiiO BTR25: Specifications

General specifications

• Amplification: ESS ES9603Q
• App support: Yes (FiiO Control)
• Bluetooth chip: Qualcomm QCC3095
• Bluetooth reception/transmission support: Bluetooth reception only
• Built-in microphone: Yes
• Chassis material: Aluminum alloy
• DAC chip: ESS ES9069Q
• Dimensions: 72 × 35 × 13.7 mm without the clip; 72 × 35 × 22.1 mm with the clip
• Display: 1.3-inch IPS LCD
• Inline microphone support: Yes
• Internal battery: Yes
• Physical controls: Power on/off, next track, previous track, PC/PHONE/BT mode selector, and volume knob with push-button functions
• UAC 1.0 and UAC 2.0 support: Yes
• Updates: Via USB or Bluetooth
• USB chip: SpaceTouch SPV5048
• USB DAC mode: Yes
• Weight: 46 g without the clip and 55 g with the clip

Battery specifications

• Battery capacity: 570mAh
• Bluetooth with the LDAC codec through either the single-ended (SE) output or the 4.4 mm balanced output: up to 8.5 hours of continuous playback
• Bluetooth with the SBC codec through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output: up to 10 hours of continuous playback
• Bluetooth with the SBC codec through the 4.4 mm balanced (BAL) output: up to 9 hours of continuous playback
• Charging time: 1.5 hours
• USB connection to a smartphone through either the single-ended (SE) output or the 4.4 mm balanced output: 11 hours of continuous playback

Bluetooth specifications

• Bluetooth version: 6.2
• Supported Bluetooth audio codecs: SBC / aptX / aptX Adaptive / aptX Lossless / aptX HD / LDAC / LC3

Audio specifications

• Native decoding via USB: PCM up to 384 kHz/32-bit, DSD up to DSD256, and DoP128
• Output impedance: < 0.3 Ω with a 32 Ω load
• Noise floor: PO < 2.1 μV; BAL < 2.4 μV, A-weighted
• Signal-to-noise ratio: ≥ 124 dB, A-weighted
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 85 kHz, with attenuation of less than 1.9 dB
• THD+N: < 0.0009% (1 kHz / −16 dB into 32 Ω)

Output power through the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output

• 210 mW into 16 Ω
• 125 mW into 32 Ω

Output power through the 4.4 mm balanced output

• 570 mW into 16 Ω
• 460 mW into 32 Ω

What is included in the FiiO BTR25 box?

The FiiO BTR25 package includes the following items:

• BTR25
• USB-C to USB-C cable
• Detachable clip
• Quick start guide
• Warranty card

Release, pricing, and availability

The FiiO BTR25 is now available internationally in Black, Gold, and Green for US$114.46 from FiiO’s official store on AliExpress.