FiiO announce the Q15: Flagship Portable Headphone DAC Amplifier with 1600mW High-power output

Available from December, the new flagship Q15 Portable Headphone DAC/Amplifier builds upon the success of an award-winning range of portable audio equipment launched in 2023 from FiiO, including the KA13 Portable Headphone DAC/Amplifier, K11 Desktop Headphone DAC/Amplifier, FT5 Planar Magnetic Headphones, and innovative R7 Music Streamer.

Featuring both single-ended and balanced headphone outputs, and delivering support for up to 32-bit/768kHz, MQA, and native DSD512 Hi-Res audio files, the Q15 is a powerful portable Headphone DAC/Amplifier featuring AKM’s newest DAC combination — the AK4191EQ+AK4499EX. This DAC combination incorporates newly developed 'DWA (Data Weighted Averaging) Routing Technology' which suppresses noise caused by manufacturing process factors, ensuring an incredibly detailed, musical, and realistic sound reproduction.

Key Features:

Whilst the Q15 is a portable device, FiiO's engineers have worked to deliver a Headphone DAC Amplifier with desktop-grade capabilities. Featuring a switchable Desktop Mode — together with a dedicated USB-C power connection — when the Q15 is powered externally, it will completely bypass the internal battery, ensuring a desktop-like experience, even on the go. When Desktop Mode is chosen, using a balanced output, the Q15 is capable of impressive power output of 1600mW — more than enough to drive a host of In-ear Monitors (IEMs) and full-sized headphones.

Despite being a portable device, the Q15 offers USB, Bluetooth, and Coaxial decoding — ensuring a wide range of devices can be connected. Not only Smartphones, Digital Audio Players (DAPs), but also CD Players, Streamers and Games Consoles. When using the USB connection, the Q15 will support audio files up to 32-bit / 768kHz (PCM), and DSD512. When using Coaxial, the Q15 supports up to 24-bit / 192kHz (PCM), and DoP DSD64. ​ ​ When using the Bluetooth receiving mode, the Q15 supports a wide range of codecs, including aptX, aptX LL, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, and LDAC.

Featuring an XMOS 16-core XU316 and Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth chip — combining USB DAC, Bluetooth, and coaxial decoding in one — the Q15 has been meticulously designed from the ground up by FiiO's audio engineers. In addition, its 5-level Audio Circuit incorporates a variable gain and variable voltage design — with separate low-voltage low-gain, and high-voltage high gain modes, ensuring compatibility with both In-ear Monitors (IEMs) and full-size headphones. Digital and analogue sections of the Q15's internal audio circuitry have been separated and shielded, ensuring that crosstalk is kept to a minimum. ​

The Q15 allows end users to personalise their listening experience, thanks to the 10-band Global PEQ (Parametric Equalizer). Featuring 7 EQ presets, together with 3 customisable PEQ presets, the PEQ can be used in both the USB DAC and Bluetooth modes. Via an intuitive interface, frequencies — along with gain levels and bandwidth — can be fine-tuned to ensure a truly tailored sound reproduction.

The Q15 features a 1.3-inch full-colour IPS display, showing Mode, Sampling Rate, Volume Level, Battery Status, Gain, etc. The control knob allows user to quickly and access a number of functions including: adjusting the volume, input switching, and menu settings. The Q15 also features a 'Phone Mode' switch ensuring that - when connected via USB-C to a smartphone, such as the iPhone 15 — power is drawn from the internal Q15 battery, rather than that of the phone.

Available in Black, and Titanium Gray, the FiiO Q15 will be available from December 2023, priced £379 / $399

For review samples, please contact Starscream Communications.

Starscream Communications

 

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SPECIFICATION:

More a more detailed Q15 specification, please click here.

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