FiiO KA15
FiiO KA15 delivers a natural, gently warm-neutral sound with punchy, textured bass, low noise and a spacious, well-separated stage. Passion for Sound and Giz Audio found its refinement, articulation and imaging exceptional around $100, while the retro display, onboard PEQ, balanced output and compact design make it a seriously versatile portable DAC/amp.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
86/100
Features Usability
94/100
Value for Money
94/100
Pros
Natural, slightly warm-neutral tuning preserves the character of connected IEMs and headphones while keeping vocals and instruments convincing.
Punchy, fast, textured bass pairs with strong clarity, detail and a quiet background.
Excellent feature set for the money, including balanced and single-ended outputs, display controls, PEQ, filters and coaxial output.
Cons
Does not drive demanding full-size headphones to their maximum potential, despite sounding good at sensible levels.
The 3.5mm output is noticeably thicker and less agile than the preferred 4.4mm balanced output.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
Reviewers describe a refined, natural and slightly warm-neutral presentation that preserves the character of connected earphones and headphones. It combines strong detail, controlled and punchy bass, useful spatial definition, and a quiet background, although it is not intended to extract the last degree of micro-detail or drive demanding full-size headphones at their absolute limit.
Transparency Resolution
91/100
Giz Audio found that the KA15 retained clarity, resolution and micro-nuance without sounding clinical, while Passion for Sound praised its detail and articulation for the price. PortaFi similarly heard good information retrieval and technical mids, but noted that fine micro-contrast is present rather than pushed to the foreground.
Tonal Balance Musicality
93/100
Giz Audio calls the presentation neutral with a slight warmth and analog ease, with natural instruments and vocals that retain their own character. Passion for Sound likewise heard natural tonality across every IEM and headphone tried, while PortaFi praised its organic, emotionally engaging delivery and cleanly extended treble.
Dynamics
92/100
Bass is repeatedly described as punchy, fast, textured and well extended, with PortaFi also hearing controlled low-end depth and convincing impact. Passion for Sound found Class AB more relaxed and dynamically open than Class H, and PortaFi also heard a meaningful change in dynamic expression between modes.
Noise Floor
89/100
Giz Audio reported no hiss or background noise between tracks or in quiet passages during listening. Published measurements also cite a low noise floor, though there is limited direct reviewer coverage with exceptionally sensitive IEMs.
Headphone Compatibility
89/100
Three gain settings, both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, and positive listening with IEMs and headphones make this a flexible portable partner. It sounded very good with the HD800S at sensible levels, but Giz Audio notes it did not take that demanding headphone to its full potential at very loud volumes.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
86/100
PortaFi describes the device itself as very well made, while ecoustics highlights the unusually compact 50-gram form and distinctive retro-inspired design. Reviewers provide little detail on long-term durability, connector wear, controls, or internal construction.
Features Usability
94/100
The KA15 is unusually versatile for a dongle, with 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm headphone outputs, coaxial digital output, three gain settings, selectable amplification modes, filters, a display, and onboard balance and EQ control. Its FiiO Control support adds 10-band PEQ and presets, although ecoustics notes that the Control app was Android-only at the time of its coverage.
Value for Money
94/100
At a listed $110 and often around $90, Passion for Sound calls it the very best dongle at roughly $100, while Audiophilepure calls it a killer dongle and Giz Audio considers it an incredible value. Ecoustics notes that cheaper alternatives, including FiiO's own BTR13 and the Questyle M12i, may appeal to buyers who prioritize price or a different sonic preference.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Specifications
Manufacturer's Description — FiiO
10-band high-precision lossless PEQ Real-time current and voltage monitoring Intelligent dynamic power consumption Powerful 560mW+560mW desktop mode Dual CS43198 + dual op-amps
* Pictures are for reference only. The actual product may vary.
The versatile and fun little dongle Exploring new musical realms
Competition amongst audio dongles is becoming increasingly intense, and we know that only "innovation" can make us stand out.
Thus, the KA15 has been completely revamped inside and out. It combines FIIO' s experienced audio know-how on the inside with elements of retro tape recorder looks on the outside.
The new generation of FIIO' s 5-series audio dongles inspires endless fun with avant-garde innovation and appeals to quality enthusiasts with a practical design. It brings together great sound, ergonomics, fun, and aesthetics, all into a single tiny and convenient package!
Limitless enjoyment Be your own music tuner
The audiophile-grade DSP allows the KA15 to feature a ten-band high-precision lossless PEQ, which operates smoothly and with high quality thanks to FIIO’s self-developed advanced adjustment algorithms. Through the control app or the web interface*, not only can you simulate or correct the frequency response curve of headphones but you can also export, import, share, and save EQ curves. Whether you choose to use officially recommended tunings or choose to share your tunings online with other enthusiasts, you can easily enjoy setting up EQ the way you want it.
*Access to the web version of PEQ: Top status bar at fiio.com ->Support ->Web-based PEQ settings.
Intelligently fun
Intelligent dynamic power consumption
Equipped with a high-performance, low-power processor and high-precision chips, the KA15 innovatively features real-time voltage and current monitoring for dynamic power adjustment. By recognizing the device’s playback status, it intelligently adjusts the overall power consumption, allowing your phone to run using less power. When you set a timer for music playback during the night, once the timer ends the KA15 will enter an ultra-low power sleep mode - so you don’t have to worry about your phone’s battery being low when you wake up the next day.
Compellingly fun
An outstanding display
The KA15 is the first to use a 0.96-inch IPS true color LCD screen among similar dongles and supports both Chinese and English language display. The settings menus have been designed to be more intuitive and user-friendly. Additionally, the KA15 features a new retro dynamic UI, combining technological innovation with classic design. With the simulating spinning tape, you can truly feel the uniqueness of the KA15.
Surge of power Patented Desktop Mode
Activate Desktop Mode for greater power, with balanced output power of 560mW+560mW, an astonishing increase of 207% compared to the KA5. This gives the KA15 the headroom to drive both low and high impedance headphones.
Patent no.: ZL202321946664.8
Flagship chips All expertly tuned
The golden combination of a high-performance USB chip, dual CS43198 flagship DACs + dual high-performance SGM8262 op-amps, allow for high performance in a tiny area, giving the minute KA15 dongle more sound quality than its small size would suggest.
Capable decoder All secrets unveiled
The KA15 supports up to 768kHz/32bit and DSD256 sampling rates, easily handling various lossless audio formats to meet your demands for great sound. Additionally, it is Hi-Res Audio certified, a testament to its excellent ound quality.
Intelligent app control Continuous feature upgrades
FIIO' s capable software team made it possible for the KA15 to be fully controlled by the FIIO Control app*, including being able to adjust: PEQ, channel balance, UAC mode, volume, button mode, screen brightness, screen sleep time, theme, etc. More functionality is to be added through future firmware updates.
*FIIO Control app control over KA15 only supported on the Android version of the app.
A joy to use Ergonomically designed
To better suit your preferences, you can choose which control modes to use: Dual modes for volume control, 60-step quick adjustment or 120-step fine adjustment.
A/B button modes: mode A: short press volume +/-, long press previous/next track; mode B: short press previous/next track, long press to continuously adjust volume.
In-line controls Music and calls at your fingertips
Microphones are supported*, as a part of the 3.5mm jack that supports the CTIA standard of in-line controls – allowing you to not only use your microphone, but also to control music playback and volume.
*iPhones and some Android phones may not support microphone input due to operating system limitations.
Metal construction Refreshingly cool
The all-metal body is meticulously crafted after undergoing multiple processes including precision CNC milling, anodizing, and polishing. The result is a smooth and refined texture that fits comfortably in the hand. The all-metal construction also effectively reduces external interference, for purer and improved sound quality.
COAX output supported Your own digital jukebox
The 3.5mm jack also acts as a SPDIF output, allowing you to connect to an external decoder for more ways to listen.
Wide compatibility HiFi without restrictions
A detachable cable plus compatibility with Android/iOS/iPadOS/Windows/macOS means you can connect seamlessly to a wide range of devices, for a truly HiFi experience without restrictions!
UAC1.0 mode Plug and play
Select the UAC1.0 mode to connect to the Switch, PS5 and other devices for more immersive gaming.
With MagClip Enjoy Hi-Fi on the go with greater ease
When used with the magnetic bundling kit MagClip, it is locked securely without wobbling, allowing for a more comfortable portable Hi-Fi experience!
Beautifully square and round Chic colors
Being both round and square, the KA15 in midnight black is timeless. While the KA15 in the same shade of sky blue as CP13 gives it a fresh and natural look.
The thoughtfully designed lanyard hole allows you to hook the KA15 to your favorite lanyard to prevent loss and add a touch of personal style. The KA15 is sure to perfectly complement your existing style.
Parts list
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for FiiO KA15
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Advanced MP3 Players — online and in-store — Musselburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- All Elite Audio — online and in-store — Perry Hall, Maryland, United States (website)
- Alpha Audio Pte — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
- Audeos — online and in-store — Żywiec, Województwo śląskie (website)
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 59 more verified dealers