One of the latest additions from FiiO is the Bluetooth receiver and DAC BR13, which comes equipped with the Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth chip and the ES9018K2M DAC chip, supporting seven different high-resolution Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC. The device is also compatible with consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and includes features such as equalization with various preset settings based on the music genre, the ability to connect to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously, as well as the interesting capability to upscale signals up to 96kHz/24bit through its various inputs.
This small and ultra-affordable device offers a wide range of possible uses, starting with the most obvious: using it as a receiver for an amplifier you already own, increasing convenience by connecting it to the BR13 and controlling it via the FiiO app. It is clear that at this incredibly low price the BR13 is not intended to be paired with ultra high-end electronics; however, as we will see, this small Chinese device performs well in terms of audio quality, and can therefore be safely paired with entry-level (and even not strictly entry-level, but still affordable) electronics and speakers.
Prodotti consigliati
Design and appearance
The BR13 is sold with a 1.5-meter USB-A to USB-C cable and a useful user manual, as well as its antenna. As mentioned and as you can see from the photos, it is an extremely compact and lightweight device, with a clear and well-defined LCD display that allows easy navigation through its various functions.
The RCA connections allow the device to be connected to amplifiers and powered speakers, and are complemented by coaxial and optical inputs and outputs.
Functions and connectivity
The manufacturer claims a stable signal up to 30 meters via Bluetooth. We did not test it at such distances, but we can confirm that the connection is very stable at “standard” ranges and does not suffer even at distances up to twenty meters, nor do light obstacles seem to affect its quality.
The BR13, it should be emphasized, is a Bluetooth receiver and does not have transmission functionality, which is instead available on the BTA30Pro, a device we definitely recommend considering if you need a transmitter as well as a receiver. On the Bluetooth codec front, it supports all the best options, including LDAC—well done FiiO.
The multifunctionality of this small device means it can also be used as a DAC, for example in a system that includes consoles and a television. Another example: you could pair the BR13 with a small non-Bluetooth amplifier connected to Lonpoo LP42 speakers, creating a small but very capable desktop setup, with the BR13 acting as both a Bluetooth receiver and DAC.
Returning to functions, in addition to what has already been mentioned, there is the possibility—via physical controls or the FiiO app—to switch between preset equalizer settings or define custom parameters of your choice. The app works quite well, is regularly updated by the company, and allows users to adjust volume, upsampling, channel balance, turn off the display, and choose the Bluetooth codec.
Below is a preview of how to control the BR13 via the app. That said, the physical controls are well designed and very intuitive: the on/off button also functions as play/pause (press and hold to turn the device on/off, quick press to pause or resume playback), “+” and “-” adjust the volume, the “IN” button allows quick input switching, while the “EQ” button allows quick cycling through preset equalizer modes.
The FiiO control app makes remote operation simple and intuitive. The pairing procedure is the standard one found with any Bluetooth device, and it is extremely easy to follow the steps indicated to configure the device within the app: the application itself guides you to the connection screen with the BR13 after selecting it from the list of available FiiO devices, after which you can access all customization options via the menu at the bottom.
Audio performance
It goes without saying that we are dealing with a device designed to offer many features at a very low cost, so it should not be considered a receiver suitable for systems worth several thousand euros. As always with audio equipment, sound quality must be evaluated in relation to price.
First of all, we can say that there are no particular colorations in the reproduced sound: the BR13’s tonal character tends toward cleanliness and neutrality. The device gives the impression of adapting to the connected electronics and speakers, doing its job without imposing a specific tonal signature.
Tested with budget Fosi amplifiers, entry-level iFi DAC/amps, a Yamaha A-S201, Lonpoo LP42 speakers, and entry-level Indiana Line speakers, we can say that it performs very well within its reference segment, that is, when paired with affordable devices.
The ES9018K2M chipset does its job well, delivering a good level of detail with decent instrument separation, also recreating, on a smaller scale, a sense of spatiality—a perception of soundstage that helps make listening enjoyable. In the budget segment, switching to Bluetooth reception does not seem to significantly affect sound quality, apart from a minimal impact, demonstrating the effectiveness of the codecs used and the chipset installed.
Another strong point is the device’s ability not to manipulate or alter the sound signature of the speakers in any way, with no sense of artificiality—in fact, it integrates very naturally into a system, something particularly noticeable when paired with affordable but not overly basic speakers.
Conclusion
The FiiO BR13 is a small device that offers the ability to eliminate some cables from your setup at a minimal cost, delivering a clean sound that pairs well with budget electronics and speakers. It is also versatile and works well in systems designed for gaming, not to mention its upsampling capability.
FiiO has succeeded in bringing to market a Bluetooth receiver for the general public that is still capable and well-performing, at a surprisingly low price point.
The BR13 would already have a good value for money at a price of €80–90. At €59.90, the value is simply outstanding, so we strongly recommend it to anyone looking for a Bluetooth receiver with DAC to pair with entry-level speakers on a very limited budget.
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