FiiO Q11
FiiO’s Q11 brings a neutral, natural presentation, a notably quiet background, and serious 650mW balanced drive to portable listening. Giz Audio found its clarity and detail exceptional for the class, while MajorHifi heard greater spaciousness and separation. With long battery life, solid aluminium build and standout value, it is a potent step beyond a typical dongle.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
89/100
Build Quality
89/100
Features Usability
90/100
Value for Money
95/100
Pros
Neutral, natural and low-noise sound preserves the character of connected headphones and IEMs.
Powerful balanced output provides substantial gain, drive and improved dynamics for many full-size headphones.
Strong value package with a premium-feeling build, useful controls and a generous selection of USB cables.
Cons
Fine microdetail, imaging specificity and dynamic authority fall short of stronger, higher-tier portable DAC/amps.
Its phone-stack form factor is less convenient and more cumbersome than a compact USB dongle.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 89/100
Reviewers consistently describe a clean, neutral and naturally balanced portable presentation with strong clarity, useful power and an unusually quiet background for the price. It is not presented as a final-word audiophile device: finer nuance, imaging precision and dynamic expression trail stronger, more expensive portable units.
Transparency Resolution
89/100
Major HiFi hears clearer separation and articulation between sound elements, while PortaFi praises good resolution, clean mids and an uncoloured presentation. Giz Audio calls clarity and detail very good for the price, though it finds the Q11 short of the detail level of FiiO's BTR7 and PortaFi notes that the finest nuances are not its strongest suit.
Tonal Balance Musicality
90/100
Headfonics calls the sound neutral and natural, and Giz Audio similarly finds it linear and neutral without becoming clinical or cold. PortaFi hears an organic, lively quality with well-controlled balance, although Major HiFi finds the lightly elevated treble somewhat plain rather than especially characterful.
Dynamics
88/100
Reviewers find a meaningful improvement in drive and dynamics over phone output, with PortaFi noting particularly worthwhile control with full-size headphones. Major HiFi reports ample gain with the Odin, but Giz Audio says overall dynamic performance does not quite reach the BTR7's level.
Noise Floor
91/100
Major HiFi identifies the Q11's noiseless presentation as one of its best attributes. Giz Audio likewise describes low noise and low distortion, with no reviewer reporting hiss or hum during normal use.
Headphone Compatibility
87/100
The balanced output provides substantial drive, and reviewers report ample gain with the Odin plus clearly improved control and dynamics with full-size headphones. The 3.5mm output is less powerful but was still considered sufficient by Giz Audio; there is little direct reviewer evidence covering sensitive IEM behaviour or a broad range of demanding planar loads.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
89/100
Reviewers describe the aluminium chassis as slim, light and comfortable to hold, with Major HiFi calling it one of the smoothest portable DAC/amps it has used. Giz Audio and PortaFi both rate the build quality very highly, though the supplied reviews offer little long-term durability commentary.
Features Usability
90/100
The Q11 combines a USB DAC supporting high-resolution PCM and DSD playback with both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs, a physical high/low gain switch and a dedicated volume control. Its generous included cable set covers USB-C, USB-A and Lightning connections, making it notably easy to use with phones and computers, although it lacks wireless, display-based and desktop-oriented extras.
Value for Money
95/100
At roughly $89–$100, reviewers repeatedly call the Q11 a great value, citing its power, battery-powered portability, accessories and sound quality. Giz Audio considers it among the best-sounding options around $100 and says it performs alongside several more expensive portable DAC/amps.
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
- DAC
- CS43198
- Max supported sampling rates
- 384kHz/32bit, DSD256
- USB connector
- Type-C USB2.0
- Dimensions
- About 60.5x105.7x16mm
- Weight
- About 150g
- Battery
- 2600mAh lithium battery
- Battery life
- >13 hours
- Output power 1
- L+R≥165mW+165mW (32Ω single-ended/THD+N＜1%)
- Output power 2
- L+R≥650mW+650mW (32Ω balanced/THD+N＜1%)
- SNR 1
- ≥122dB (32Ω/A-weighted/single-ended)
- SNR 2
- ≥125dB (32Ω/A-weighted/balanced)
- Noise floor
- PO＜1.8μV (A-weighted); BAL＜2.4μV (A-weighted)
- Output impedance 1
- ＜1.2Ω (32Ω load/single-ended)
- Output impedance 2
- ＜2.0Ω (32Ω load/balanced)
- THD+N
- ＜0.0006% (1kHz/32Ω/single-ended) ＜0.0006% (1kHz/32Ω/balanced)
Manufacturer's Description — FiiO
Portable DAC and
Headphone Amplifier
High-performance CS43198 DAC | Supports 384kHz/32bit PCM 650mW power output | Ambient light design | 3.5+4.4mm outputs Supports DSD256 | 2600mAh battery capacity | High+Low gain levels
*The product will probably be upgraded, pictures are for your reference only.
Listening to true HiFi on a phone Not a problem
Are you feeling anxious under the condition that more and more phones lose the headphone jack, more and more streaming services offer lossless audio, and dongles are hungry for power supply? Every issue will be perfectly solved with the Q11. It offers no compromises thanks to its high performance and longer battery life (for itself and your phone), providing you with a HiFi music experience.
Truly-moving sound Thanks to internal magic
The Q11 is truly "Born For Music" thanks to the carefully-selected components integrated into a well-thought-out design, all in a meticulously-tuned package.
With form and function Superb sound and shape
The compact body of the Q11 is specifically designed so that the Q11 can be bundled together and used with the vast majority of phones. The straight and smooth edges of the Q11 make it a joy to use in the hands, while the elegant black finish combined with the gold label accents makes the Q11 an eye-catching device.
Powerful portable Sound with personality
With a balanced power output of up to 650mW, as well as low and high gain levels, it is easy to listen to both low and high-impedance headphones on the Q11 anytime, anywhere.
Great parts and great sound Have it all
Thanks to the high-performance CS43198 DAC, dual op-amps, high-precision crystals and low-noise power supply, the Q11 is highly resolving and dynamic for a more immersive listening experience.
Long battery life For a true piece of mind
Whether it's on the work commute or weekend travels, you can be sure that you will be able to listen to the Q11 all day thanks to its large battery. Battery capacity: 2600mAh; Battery life＞13h
Ambient light window Your ticket to the HiFi world
The ambient light window not only dazzles you with lights that indicate the current sampling rate or DSD format, but also allows you to elegantly peer at the internals currently giving you your music.
* The Q11 can be controlled by the FiiO Control app, with settings of ambient light on/off, filter selections, etc.
Common outputs For the everyday listener
The 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm balanced outputs are clearly outlined by a golden ring, allowing for more versatility and better sound quality for music on the go.
* The 3.5mm headphone output also supports coaxial output.
Supports UAC1.0 Connect to Switch, PS5 and other devices
The Q11 supports UAC1.0 and UAC2.0 modes*. In the UAC 1.0 mode, the Q11 can be connected to devices like the Switch/PS5, allowing you to get into a gaming world that makes your gaming sessions more exciting and immersive.
* Please switch the UAC1.0 and UAC2.0 modes in the FiiO Control APP.
Two-in-one knob An elegant fusion
The silky and perfectly weighted feel of the volume knob allows you to precisely dial in your desired volume. It also conveniently acts as an on/off switch.
A wide variety of musical landscapes
Pair with Android/Apple devices
Connect to tablets
Pair with music players
Connect to computers
Abundant accessories
Q11*1 USB-A to C cable*1 Type-C to Type-C OTG cable*1 Type-C to Lightning OTG cable*1 Silicone strap*1 Silicone pads*1 User manual*1 Warranty card*1
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for FiiO Q11
- 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