The FiiO BR13 review sample was kindly provided free of charge. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the FiiO BR13 is $59 and you can order it from FiiO.eu.
FiiO BR13 Review
The BR13 is FiiO’s entry level Bluetooth receiver featuring both digital and analog outputs for a variety of connectivity options.
It features the Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth receiver which supports the LDAC, aptX HD, aptX adaptive, aptX LL, aptX, SBC and AAC codecs. The BR13 can be connected to two Bluetooth transmitting devices at the same time and supports upsampling of all input signals to 96kHz/24bit. The FiiO BR13 is a Bluetooth receiver only and not a transmitter like it’s bigger brother, the FiiO BTA30 Pro.
Digital to analog conversion is handled by a single ES9018K2M DAC chip with the aid of a dedicated crystal oscillator and the analog stage employs a high quality TPA1882 op-amp. The unit also features 5 low-noise LDOs for precise voltage regulation and has overvoltage protection.
Full technical specifications are available here.
Design and appearance
The FiiO BR13 is an ultra compact sized device that can fit virtually anywhere and stay out of sight if you need to hide it. It measures 98x96x26.5 mm and weighs 135g only, so someone must be careful not to use bulky and heavy cables to avoid flipping the device.
The FiiO BR13 might be compact sized but it features a custom, high contrast LCD screen that allows the user to easily see various information, like the playing codec, at a glance.
The chassis of the BR13 is made from aluminum alloy with the usual FiiO’s high quality assembly and finish. The front panel outer surface is made from plastic rather than glass. From plastic are also the four control buttons and the on/off switch that feel firm, without much wobble, and have a tactile feedback.
The FiiO BR13 looks and feels sturdy and more premium than the price would suggest.
Connectivity
The unit features a 2V RCA analog output, coaxial input/output on the same plug, optical input and optical output. All plugs are located at the back together with the USB type-C port and the wireless antenna.
The FiiO BR13 is a multifunction device that can accomplish various working duties: Bluetooth input to line, coaxial or optical outputs. USB input to line, coaxial or optical outputs. Coaxial/input to analog or SPDIF bypass digital outputs.
Operation
Operating the FiiO BR13 is simple and can be accomplished either through the buttons or the FiiO Control application that is available for Android and iOS.
The most important feature of the FiiO control application is that it allows for wireless control of the volume, directly from your listening seat without the need to reach for the BR13. You can also fully customize the parametric equalizer, enable the upsampling algorithm and perform firmware updates.
Accessories
The package includes a 1.5m long USB A-C cable that is used for powering the device or connecting it to a PC.
Digital performance
The Bluetooth reception of the FiiO BR13 is stable and without disconnections within a 10-15 meters working distance.
Digital signals are passed through with excellent transparency, clarity and complete absence of noise. The quality is as good as the high resolution Bluetooth codecs can allow. Bluetooth is a lossy protocol so the quality of the signal transmission is not the same as when using WiFi or LAN but it is a handy solution whenever a network is not available or for scenarios where only Bluetooth connectivity is supported.
USB to SPDIF and SPDIF to SPDIF digital conversion also works seamlessly and without data loss or any kind of noise injection. The BR13 is an excellent USB to Coaxial/optical converter, an ideal solution for hooking a PC to a DAC or a stereo receiver without a USB input.
Audio performance
The analog audio output is neutral, crystal clear and transparent with excellent linearity. The FiiO BR13 has good bass extension, a spacious mid-range with a rather natural timbre and a treble that is energetic, luminous and airy with just a touch of brightness. Resolution and refinement are typical for the category while the soundstage is quite open and spacious with satisfying positioning accuracy. As expected the FiiO BR13 is a little more resolving and refined when used as a USB DAC than as a Bluetooth receiver.
Compared to the FiiO BTA30 Pro
The more expensive FiiO BTA30 Pro offers better audio quality from the analog output and can also be used as a Bluetooth transmitter but for Bluetooth reception only or USB to SPDIF conversion the BR13 offers much better value with the same kind of technical performance.
The FiiO BR13 & FiiO SP3
Among various use scenarios, the FiiO BR13 is an ideal and budget friendly solution for adding wireless freedom to owners of the FiiO SP3 active speakers (or any other active monitors). You can place them in a bookshelf, together with the BR13, and enjoy streaming your favorite music without the mess of the cables and with wireless volume adjustment from anywhere at your home.
In the end
The FiiO BR13 is a cost effective solution for adding wireless connectivity to your home audio set-up. Suitable for budget conscious audiophiles, gamers and home theater enthusiasts or anyone else who embraces wireless freedom, the FiiO BR13 is a compact sized and well made device with excellent high-resolution Bluetooth reception and a price that is hard to beat.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2023.
+ Stellar wireless performance + High resolution codecs + Dual connection + Parametric EQ + Noise free transmission + Good audio quality + App controlled + USB to SPDIF bridge + Compact sized + Great price - Can't accept bulky cables
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