Packaging and Accessories

The BTR7 product box is slightly larger than I anticipated, especially since I already knew how small the actual product is. We see a typical FiiO-style fancy packaging thus, with geometric patterns on a glossy finish applied to an external sleeve which has the brand logo, product name, a product description, and a list of FiiO-owned brands—somewhat weird to have it here, but this happens to be our first time seeing FiiO's third brand, SNOWSKY, mentioned on a product. On the back are some salient specs, although most of this real estate is taken up by certification logos galore. Slide the inner box out to see a note on how the desktop mode works, followed by a multi-language quick start guide (online version here) going over the setup and use of the BTR17. There is a thick foam sheet with a machined cutout to snugly protect the BTR17, which comes in a wax paper wrap to help keep it pristine out of the box. Alongside is a cardboard accessory box that contains everything else FiiO has deemed fit to include with the BTR17.


We get a note to connect with FiiO over social media in addition to a warranty card should anything go wrong. FiiO also provides a specially-made short Type-C to Type-C USB OTG cable to use the BTR17 with, say, a phone. This is an eight-strand cable, of which six strands are monocrystalline copper and handle current transmission and the other two strands are silver-plated monocrystalline copper and used for digital transmission. Obviously fancy digital cables don't really matter, but there will always be audiophiles who are willing to spend $$$ for USB cables, so in a way FiiO has also done this to appease them. I am just happy this feels like a durable cable which can easily be twisted or bent without retaining any memory. We also get a leatherette, aka protein leather, protective case for the BTR17 which will be in the same color as the product you chose. I have the black version here thus, and we see it has a steel clip to use with an optional lanyard in addition to an integrated belt clip which relies on a snap button mechanism to keep it closed. This means that whatever you want to put through the gap is limited in size, and the absence of a clamp force or magnet prevents the BTR17 from hanging off a shirt or trouser pocket, unfortunately. FiiO says this will work well with its MagClip phone accessory, for what it's worth.


At my request, FiiO also sent over its new BT11 portable Bluetooth transmitter. This is a simple plug-and-play device with a Type-C port (Type-A with the provided adapter) and comes in black or silver plastic bodies and basically helps provide more extensive Bluetooth codec support to clients that don't have them—Apple products, basically. It gives Bluetooth 5.4 support thanks to the Qualcomm QCC5181 SoC inside, and with it comes SBC/aptX/aptX LL/aptX HD/aptX Adaptive/aptX Lossless/LDAC support. It can thus be used with laptops or PCs too if you don't want to go the A2DP route, where honestly I found the device to work better than with phones. For example, LDAC at 990 Kbps wasn't the most stable connection on some phones, and I never got aptX Lossless working, so hopefully a firmware update will help. The BT11 is 28 x 21 x 9 mm in size, weighs ~3 g, and has an indicator light that helps alert you to its operating status and current codec. FiiO rates a Bluetooth transmission distance of up to 50 m without obstacle—35 m being more realistic—and the device costs ~$45 at this time. If you plan on using the BTR17 over Bluetooth, this can be a handy device for anyone wanting LDAC support.