On this function, Thomas critiques the FiiO KA15, an inexpensive retro-inspired twin CS43198 Dongle DAC able to as much as 500mW of output energy. It’s priced at $109.99.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in change for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I thank FiiO for his or her help.
You possibly can click on right here to study extra in regards to the FiiO audio products we have now beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This put up follows our present scoring guidelines which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
At the moment we’re trying out the KA15 from FiiO, newly launched in September of this yr. Of their lineup of USB dongles, it slots in just below the flagship KA17 and retails on the time of writing for $109.
The KA15 is kind of highly effective for a tool of this measurement, providing balanced and single-ended outputs from a twin DAC, twin op-amp configuration.
FiiO has assigned the catchphrase “Enjoyable little dongle” to the KA15 due to options just like the cassette tape-inspired interface, customized EQ help, and good options just like the real-time energy consumption show.
I’ve been utilizing it for a few weeks and evaluating it to staple gadgets in my on a regular basis carry equipment. I’ve discovered it a reliable, versatile gadget with a neat interface making the KA15 one in every of my go-to gadgets past the needs of testing for this evaluation.
Options
The KA15 is a feature-packed dongle DAC, providing lots of functionality and performance past what are normally easy gadgets.
Inside are twin Cirrus CS43198 DACS and twin SG Micro SGM8262 op-amps. Within the desktop mode, this offers the KA15 a powerful energy output of as much as 560mW per channel, which is well sufficient to drive my most demanding IEMs, the Astrotec Phoenix, as much as comfy listening volumes.
The FiiO Management App permits further customization and management, reminiscent of customized 10-band PEQ tuning. This app additionally means that you can management all the opposite fundamental features of the KA15, reminiscent of display screen brightness, quantity, and the varied filter varieties.
You may also choose between two DAC varieties: A/B and H. This offers you two effectivity choices which is useful if needing to stretch the battery life in your moveable gadget with out sacrificing audio high quality.
The KA15 additionally encompasses a compact 0.96-inch IPS show. That is used to indicate off the distinctive cassette-inspired graphic displayed whereas enjoying music, together with accessing the quite a few customizability features provided by the gadget.
The KA15 additionally helps in-line controls and microphones for cellphone calls. That is helpful for these utilizing the KA15 primarily with their telephones since they gained’t must disconnect the dongle to take or obtain calls.
Design
Due to its 0.92-inch IPS show and artistic, cassette-inspired GUI, the KA15 has a novel look among the many dongles I’ve examined. The entrance of the KA15 is dominated by the pill-shaped glass protecting the show with FiiO and Hello-Res Audio branding on both aspect of the display screen.
One aspect of the gadget accommodates extra branding and mannequin information, whereas the opposite homes the varied controls. The pink steel button provides you entry to the KA15’s menus, adopted by quantity buttons that double for sub-menu navigation and a toggle slider for desktop or cell output modes.
One finish of the gadget accommodates the USB-C port for connecting the KA15 to your supply gadget. The opposite finish options each single-ended 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm outputs.
Whereas I want the buttons had been formed otherwise to make figuring out which-is-which simpler, notably for the amount controls, you get used to the structure moderately rapidly. In any other case, the bodily design and interface look good and work as they need to.
The buttons even have good haptic suggestions. When pressed, they don’t require extreme strain to activate and reply with a satisfying click on, and the desktop mode slider produces a really satisfying “snick” when shifted.
The construct high quality additionally helps to make the KA15 good to work together with. The aluminum shell is immaculately constructed, with flawless match and end surrounding the varied ports, buttons, and integration of the display screen and protecting glass floor.
Controls
FiiO’s GUI for the KA15 has a clear, engaging design with clearly labeled menus and choices. When you can solely view one after the other, regardless of the small display screen measurement limiting what might be proven, you’re given sufficient info to know every setting and sub-option.
Navigating the plethora of choices is simple, however not intuitive. The pink menu button is used to enter, exit, and cycle by means of the varied choices, whereas the amount buttons help you cycle by means of the sub-options.
The problem is that there isn’t a again button so should you overshoot the choice you wished, it is advisable cycle by means of every thing to get again.
Fortunately, the KA15 has full help by means of FiiO’s Management app which lets you change all the identical settings accessible on-device, by means of the way more manageable smartphone utility.
Lastly, the visible attraction of the KA15 sells the display screen idea. Outdoors the menus, the primary picture mimics a spinning cassette tape whereas offering particulars like your quantity stage, filter, bitrate, and extra, reminiscent of voltage and present should you flip that possibility on.
It’s spectacular that FiiO’s engineers might develop a usable interface for such a compact show whereas conserving it visually interesting.
One additional button would make it that a lot better however given the small measurement and restricted actual property for an expanded bodily interface, including it will be fairly difficult.
I/O
With the KA15, you’ll be able to join to numerous gadgets by means of the USB-C port. The gadget helps Android, iOS, Home windows, MAC, and different working techniques, reminiscent of these present in moveable gaming gadgets.
The KA15’s firmware will robotically replace by means of this port when linked to a tool when operating the FiiO Management app. It additionally helps in-line controls and microphones for cellphone calls on CTIA-supported headphones.
On the opposite finish of the KA15 are two output ports. One helps 3.5mm single-ended headphones, whereas the opposite helps 4.4mm balanced headphones.
I skilled no points with my gadgets recognizing the KA15, or with the varied headphones examined working as soon as plugged in.
Filter Selections
With the KA15 customers are given 5 filter choices: Quick-LL (minimal section quick roll-off), Quick-PC (linear section quick roll-off), Sluggish-LL (minimal section sluggish roll-off), Sluggish-PC (linear section sluggish roll-off), and Non-OS (non-over-sampling).
These might be chosen by means of the gadgets’ on-board menus, or by means of the FiiO Management app the place the naming conference is barely completely different.
I’m new to this facet of the pastime and can’t clarify the aim and nuances of every filter possibility. After listening to every filter, the Sluggish-LL filter was the one I discovered myself utilizing most, although I can’t clarify precisely why.
I extremely suggest experimenting with the varied filter choices within the KA15 to see which fits you finest.
Packaging & Equipment
As an inexpensive product, the KA15 is available in acceptable packaging. The compact white field is roofed in a cardboard sheath with a shiny, high-quality picture of the gadget on the entrance and distinguished mannequin and branding particulars.
Sliding off the sheath reveals a fast begin information. Lifting that out, you discover the KA15 tucked tightly right into a protecting foam cutout, set above a smaller cardboard field the place the equipment are saved.
In all you obtain:
- KA15 DAC/Amp
- Sort-C to Sort-C USB cable
- Protecting leatherette case
- After-sales service information
General, a superbly high quality unboxing. The fabric high quality of the packaging is nice with out extra waste, the Sort-C cable is generic because of a scarcity of branding, although it really works properly, matches aesthetically, and the protecting case is a well-built, welcome inclusion.
Sound Impressions
Testing was performed with the KA15 paired with a Huawei P40, Shanling M1, and ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Excessive. I listened by means of the FiiO FH3, Campfire Audio Astrolith, and the Astrotec Phoenix.
Abstract
The few FiiO gadgets I’ve examined provided the same signature, which is close to impartial with a light mid-bass bump so as to add heat and thickness to the general presentation. The KA15 matches this expertise and sounds as I used to be anticipating.
Signature
With a warm-leaning sound, the KA15 is easy and detailed with glorious extension that may sustain with the exaggerated specs of merchandise that includes extra superior driver tech like planar drivers and piezoelectric tweeters.
The extra mellow presentation of the KA15 fits vivid earphones properly, sustaining the treble and higher midrange power they convey.
With one thing just like the Astrotec Phoenix and its electrostatic tweeters, the notice presentation within the treble is well-defined and tight, with the KA15 reining within the looseness and metallic timbre I’ve heard when pairing the Phoenix with different dongles.
Mids by means of the KA15 should not pushed ahead and preserve a impartial presence. The density of the mid-bass works its method up into the mids, giving them a weighted, considerably dense presentation that works particularly properly with feminine vocalists and gruff male vocalists.
The timbre high quality from correct merchandise like JVC’s basic HA-FTX90 or Thinksound’s ON2 is maintained by means of the KA15, with out skewing their presentation to coming throughout as vivid, dry, or darkish.
Regardless of the added weightiness and density, the KA15 doesn’t cut back the micro element and spectacular vocal readability provided by extra superior earphones like Campfire Audio’s Astrolith.
It wouldn’t have shocked me if the KA15’s mid-bass rise allowed merchandise with a robust mid-bass presence just like the FiiO FD3 to sound overly heat and/or bloated, however that isn’t the case.
The emphasis in place is average sufficient to take care of the tuning stability of the earphones in use, with advantages being heard on these merchandise that place most of their give attention to the sub-bass because it balances out the presentation.
The KA15 additionally maintains obscene extension and sub-bass rumble from one thing just like the Astrotec Phoenix. Texturing additionally stays clear and distinguished with out the KA15 smoothing issues out or limiting the quantity of element offered.
Staging & Dynamics
FiiO’s KA15 performs strongly when it comes to staging and dynamics.
On extra intimate merchandise, the KA15 pulls the default vocal positioning again which serves to open up the stage.
By way of one thing with an already broad stage, just like the Lime Ears Terra or I/O Audio VOLARE, the impact is minimal, however with one thing extra common just like the Astrotec Volans, we hear a noticeable enchancment within the openness of the presentation.
This openness additionally helps bump the layering qualities on some merchandise with much less dynamic phases, such because the basic Campfire Audio Polaris which supplied a really flat sound expertise. By way of the KA15, layering improves giving the presentation a extra well-rounded and dynamic impact.
I discovered this much less obvious for instrument separation and imaging which had been largely unchanged whatever the listening gadget used.
Wonderful imaging and instrument separation like that within the Campfire Audio Astrolith was maintained, as was the poor imaging and separation from one thing just like the Brainwavz M100.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
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