FiiO is a well-known audiophile brand that offers an impressive line of budget-friendly products that perform impressively. The company released multiple top-notch products, including DACs, headphone amplifiers, IEMs, and more. Today, our FiiO KA15 Review will feature a compact DAC/Amp dongle that delivers superior audio quality.
FiiO KA15 Packaging
FiiO KA15 Review – Design and Functionality
One of the things we noticed while examining the product for this FiiO KA15 Review was its appearance. The product design makes it stand out from the competition. It is miniature, compact, and eye-catching, making it look unique.
FiiO offers this product in Sky Blue or Midnight Black. The blue model is more vibrant, while the black version appears sleek.
An aspect we want to highlight in our FiiO KA15 Review is its top-notch durability. Its CNC-milled, anodised, and polished all-metal housing features the FiiO logo embossed on the rear.
The housing is screw-less, and it features a 2.43cm screen. Its sides feature all the control buttons. Above the on-unit volume keys is the Desktop Mode button. It lets you power the KA15 with an external source to deliver 560mW, making it suitable for power-hungry headphones.
Key Features of the FiiO KA15
What makes the FiiO a high-quality DAC/Amp? Can it deliver the superior audio that the company promises despite its size? Our FiiO KA15 Review will discuss its primary features to answer these questions.
Versatile and Miniature Audio Dongle
FiiO redesigned the KA15 inside and out. As a product from the 5-series audio dongles, the KA15 offers advanced innovation, a convenient design, and superior quality.
Tune Your Audio for Nonstop Enjoyment
With the audiophile-grade DSP, the KA15 has a 10-band high-precision PEQ that works seamlessly. Thanks to the advanced adjustment algorithms developed by FiiO, it delivers high-quality audio.
You can adjust the frequency response curve in headphones using the FiiO Control App or the web interface. The app also allows importing, exporting, sharing, and saving EQ curves.
Intelligent and Dynamic Power Consumption
The KA15 uses a high-performance, low-power processor and high-precision chips. As a result, it can show you its voltage and current monitoring, allowing you to adjust the power consumption dynamically. This feature allows you to tweak settings for your phone or audio source to consume less power.
Eye-Catching Display
The KA15 is the first DAC/AMP with a coloured LCD screen that supports English and Chinese system languages. Its menus in the settings are more intuitive and user-friendly, while its retro dynamic interface makes it unique.
A Capable Decoder
The Hi-Res audio-certified KA15 supports up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD256 sampling rates. As a result, it can efficiently handle different lossless audio formats and meet your audio demands.
Expertly Tuned Flagship Chips
The KA15 combines a high-performance USB chip, dual CS43198 flagship DACs, and SGM8262 op-amps to deliver excellent audio quality. Thanks to these components, the DAC/Amp enhanced our listening experiences during our tests for this FiiO KA15 Review.
Intelligent App Control With Constant Feature Upgrades
The FiiO software team developed the FiiO Control App for configuring and managing the KA15 and other FiiO products. They made it user-friendly and intuitive for the convenience of all users.
The FiiO Control App lets you adjust the PEQ, channel balance, volume, screen brightness, UAC mode, and more.
Different Control Modes
You can choose from different control modes to suit your preferences, and these include the following:
- 60-step quick adjustment
- 120-step fine adjustment
- Dual modes for volume control
- A/B button modes
Music and Calls at Your Fingertips With In-Line Controls
The KA15 supports microphones via the 3.5mm jack, which supports the CTIA standard. This feature lets you use your microphone while controlling music playback and volume.
Note that some operating system limitations may cause unsupported microphone input in phones.
Durable and Stunning Metal Build
The all-metal body offers a refreshing look, smooth texture, and superior durability. Its housing underwent multiple manufacturing processes, including CNC milling, anodising, and polishing.
Aside from its durability, the all-metal build minimises external interference to deliver pure sound quality.
COAX Output Support
The 3.5mm jack can work as an SPDIF output where you can plug an external decoder.
High-Fidelity Sound Without Limits
The KA15 works with Android & iOS smartphones, iPadOS, and macOS & Windows computers. You can use it with various devices to enjoy your audio in multiple ways.
Patented Desktop Mode
Desktop Mode offers a balanced output power of 560mW+560mW. The increased headroom allows the KA15 to drive low-impedance and high-impedance audio gear.
Testing the product for our FiiO KA15 Review was an enjoyable experience. It enhanced the audio of all headphones we used, and it did not show any connectivity issues.
Plug-and-Play With UAC1.0 Mode
UAC1.0 mode makes your gaming experiences more fun and immersive. It lets you connect the KA15 to Nintendo Switch, PS5, and other devices.
Hands-on with the FiiO KA15
This FiiO KA15 review also explores the companion app, a key tool for Android users to manage and customise their experience. The app allows users to fine-tune various settings, including:
- Adjusting channel balance for precise audio output.
- Switching between volume modes: a 60-step quick adjustment for convenience or a 120-step fine adjustment for granular control.
- Customising the screen brightness and selecting themes to suit personal preferences.
These features provide a tailored listening experience, enhancing the KA15’s usability across different scenarios.
For our tests, we employed a plug-and-play setup, connecting the KA15 to a variety of devices such as smartphones, laptops, and handheld gaming consoles.
The DAC/Amp immediately recognised each device without any issues, delivering seamless performance across the board. Its ease of use and compatibility are standout features that make it a versatile option for any user.
Despite its compact size, the KA15 delivered outstanding sound quality, showcasing its capability to drive a wide range of headphones and in-ear monitors (IEMs).
The balanced output offered ample power and precision, making it suitable for both casual listeners and audiophiles.
The sound signature of the KA15 is warm and inviting, with a noticeable emphasis on the low end, perfect for bass-heavy genres. The bass was not only impactful but also tightly controlled, offering clarity and depth without overpowering other frequencies.
High-mids were enhanced, adding richness and detail to instruments and vocals.
The mid-range delivered fast transients and an expansive soundstage, creating an immersive listening experience. Vocals were especially impressive, showcasing warmth and clarity when paired with dynamic headphones.
Whether listening to acoustic tracks or vocal-heavy recordings, the KA15 excelled in reproducing detail and texture.
High frequencies were equally well-executed, providing clean, sharp tones with a refined touch. The treble remained accurate and detailed, even at lower volume levels, ensuring consistent performance regardless of listening conditions.
This balance between refinement and energy made the KA15 a delight for extended listening sessions.
In addition to its strong music performance, the KA15 proved to be an excellent companion for gaming. Its high-quality output enhanced in-game audio, providing accurate spatial cues and a more immersive experience.
From subtle environmental sounds to explosive action sequences, the KA15 ensured clarity and engagement throughout.
The FiiO KA15 exceeded expectations with its combination of power, precision, and versatility.
Its compact size, robust performance, and customisable features make it an ideal choice for anyone seeking a portable DAC/Amp that doesn’t compromise on sound quality.
FiiO KA15 Review Summary
The FiiO KA15 is a compact yet feature-packed DAC/Amp that delivers exceptional sound quality and versatility. Its sleek design, durable construction, and lightweight build make it an excellent portable solution for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.
FiiO’s attention to detail, such as the inclusion of a vibrant LCD screen and a user-friendly companion app, enhances its usability and appeal.
During testing, the KA15 impressed with its warm and engaging sound signature, delivering deep bass, clear mids, and refined highs. It handled various genres with ease, offering excellent performance across all frequencies.
The DAC/Amp’s ability to drive both low- and high-impedance headphones ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio gear, making it a flexible choice for diverse setups.
Its innovative features, such as dual volume control modes, channel balance adjustment, and Desktop Mode, further elevate the listening experience.
Additionally, the KA15’s gaming capabilities, including low-latency UAC1.0 mode and immersive spatial audio, make it a versatile device for both music lovers and gamers.
The FiiO KA15 stands out as a high-performance DAC/Amp dongle that combines style, functionality, and sound quality. Whether you’re seeking an upgrade for music, movies, or gaming, the KA15 offers a premium audio experience in a portable package.
