Fiio UTWS5 2025: The Wireless Adapter Your IEMs Deserve
1. Reliable Wireless Performance: Stable connection and excellent audio quality.
2. LDAC Support: High-res audio transmission for Snapdragon Sound devices.
3. Innovative Wireless Charging System: Eliminates issues with contact points, ensuring durability.
4. Comfortable and Durable Design: Perfect for long-term use.
2. LDAC Support: High-res audio transmission for Snapdragon Sound devices.
3. Innovative Wireless Charging System: Eliminates issues with contact points, ensuring durability.
4. Comfortable and Durable Design: Perfect for long-term use.
Cons:
1. No Wireless Charging for Case.
2. The $20 increase may deter some buyers.
2. The $20 increase may deter some buyers.
The FiiO UTWS5 2025 is an intriguing update to a product that’s quietly filled a niche for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. This updated iteration doesn’t reinvent the wheel but instead refines a practical concept, ensuring reliability and addressing some nagging issues from the previous version. Let's take a look into what makes the UTWS5 2025 worth considering, particularly for those still tethered to replaceable wired headphones but seeking the freedom of true wireless.
The UTWS5 2025 doesn’t change the core sound architecture introduced in earlier versions. Powered by the Qualcomm QCC5141 chip paired with the AK4332 DAC, it delivers reliable and excellent sound reproduction. You can expect great clarity, natural tonality, and stable wireless performance. While it may not push the boundaries of audio fidelity, it holds its own against most TWS solutions, particularly in terms of detail retrieval and dynamic range.
The UTWS5 2025 doesn’t change the core sound architecture introduced in earlier versions. Powered by the Qualcomm QCC5141 chip paired with the AK4332 DAC, it delivers reliable and excellent sound reproduction. You can expect great clarity, natural tonality, and stable wireless performance. While it may not push the boundaries of audio fidelity, it holds its own against most TWS solutions, particularly in terms of detail retrieval and dynamic range.
Whats in the box?
Build and Design:
FiiO UTWS5 2025 still retains the compact form factor of the previous model but now with added integrated wireless charging. This innovation resolves a persistent issue with traditional ear hooks—oxidation due to sweat exposure, i tried it on one of my long walks specially here on my country which is humid.
The ear hooks themselves are lightweight yet sturdy, ensuring it remained secure and comfortable on my ears even during my extended use. Intelligent power management is a welcome touch: the hooks automatically power on when removed from the case, switch off when stored, and stop charging once the battery is full, preserving battery life for the long haul.
Battery life remains solid, offering several hours of playback on a single charge. The wireless charging system is efficient, and the case supports fast USB-C charging to get you back to your music quickly.
Under the hood, the UTWS5 2025 boasts Qualcomm's QCC5141 chipset paired with dual independent AK4332 DACs. This Hi-Fi audio architecture enables support for a wide array of high-resolution Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC, LHDC, and aptX Adaptive. The result? Pristine audio with a sampling rate of up to 96kHz/24-bit for uncompromising sound quality.
With a built-in amp circuit, the UTWS5 2025 delivers ample power to drive a variety of IEMs, from efficient IEMs to higher-impedance options. The audio output is rich, detailed, and dynamic.
How Does It Pair with Different IEMs?
The UTWS5 2025 performs admirably across various earphone types. With efficient IEMs, the built-in amp offers plenty of headroom, allowing the sound profile to bloom. For slightly higher impedance options that i tested it with the Hidizs mp145, mp143, Artti T10, Kefine Klanar and the Fiio FP3 amazingly it holds up surprisingly well, pushing enough power to avoid compromising dynamics or bass weight.
LDAC Support and High-Res Audio
For users with Snapdragon Sound-compatible devices, LDAC support is a game-changer. It delivers high-resolution audio streams at up to 990 kbps, bringing you closer to the quality of wired setups. Tracks in FLAC or lossless streaming services like Tidal reveal layers of detail, and the separation between instruments feels more pronounced.
Even if LDAC isn’t an option, the UTWS5 2025 still supports aptX Adaptive, ensuring solid sound quality and low latency.
Tuning and Customization: 10-Band Lossless PEQ
UTWS5 2025 supports a 10-band parametric equalizer (PEQ). Accessible via the FiiO Control app, this feature offers seven preset tuning styles and allows you to fine-tune frequency, gain, and bandwidth with remarkable precision.
Additional Features:
aptX Voice: Crystal-clear voice calls with 32kHz super wideband technology.
Dual Bluetooth Connectivity: Seamlessly connect to two devices at once, making it effortless to switch between your smartphone and laptop.
HiFi and Gaming Modes: Switch modes effortlessly to prioritize ultra-low latency for gaming or high-fidelity playback.
32-Step Volume Control: Take precise control over your listening levels.
Sound Performance:
The UTWS5 2025 takes sound reproduction seriously, powered by a Qualcomm QCC5141 Bluetooth chip and dual AK4332 DACs. It retains the hallmarks of FiiO's signature audio focus: clean, detailed sound with excellent tonality.
When writing these sound impressions, I used a range of IEMs including the Simgot EA500, Kefine Klean, Artti T10, Hidizs mp143 and Kiwi Ears KE4, paired with three different sources: the HiBy R6 III, HiBy R1, and a Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 streaming Tidal.
Interestingly, I noticed that the Bluetooth transmission range in a clear line of sight heavily depends on the source device. Among the three, the HiBy R1 stood out with the strongest transmission range, maintaining a stable connection between 15 to 25 meters in LDAC mode. This was noticeably better compared to the other sources, which struggled to match its performance at similar distances.
The bass performance is tight and controlled. Subbass reaches low with authority, delivering satisfying rumbles without overwhelming the mids or higher frequencies. Midbass adds punch, ensuring genres like EDM and rock retain their rhythmic energy without sounding bloated. It’s a bass tuning that respects balance and avoids overindulgence, making it versatile for various listening preferences.
The midrange on both the Kefine Klean and Artti T10, when paired with the UTWS5, truly shines with a mix of clarity and warmth. Vocals—whether male or female—come across as natural, lush, and wonderfully relaxed, especially on the Artti T10. Interestingly, the Artti T10 benefits from this wireless pairing, as its upper midrange can sometimes feel overly energetic when using a cable. In this setup, it delivers a pleasing fullness that brings ballads and acoustic tracks to life, making them deeply engaging.
Instruments like guitars and pianos are beautifully rendered, with a satisfying texture and presence. They carve out their own space in the mix, avoiding any sense of congestion or recession. The mids as a whole exhibit an inviting smoothness that ensures extended listening sessions remain fatigue-free—a quality that’s sure to win over fans of richly detailed and enjoyable sound.
Treble is crisp and detailed, with enough sparkle to bring cymbals and high-hats to life. It avoids sharpness, so even on the Simgot EA500 the sibilant-heavy tracks remain enjoyable. The UTWS5 2025 achieves an impressive level of treble extension, adding a sense of airiness that enhances the overall soundstage.
Dynamics and Resolution
The dynamic range is commendable, allowing tracks to transition smoothly between quiet moments and explosive crescendos. Microdetails are preserved well, letting subtle variance like the light touch of a string or the breathy quality of vocals shine through.
aptX Voice: Crystal-clear voice calls with 32kHz super wideband technology.
Dual Bluetooth Connectivity: Seamlessly connect to two devices at once, making it effortless to switch between your smartphone and laptop.
HiFi and Gaming Modes: Switch modes effortlessly to prioritize ultra-low latency for gaming or high-fidelity playback.
32-Step Volume Control: Take precise control over your listening levels.
Sound Performance:
The UTWS5 2025 takes sound reproduction seriously, powered by a Qualcomm QCC5141 Bluetooth chip and dual AK4332 DACs. It retains the hallmarks of FiiO's signature audio focus: clean, detailed sound with excellent tonality.
When writing these sound impressions, I used a range of IEMs including the Simgot EA500, Kefine Klean, Artti T10, Hidizs mp143 and Kiwi Ears KE4, paired with three different sources: the HiBy R6 III, HiBy R1, and a Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 streaming Tidal.
Interestingly, I noticed that the Bluetooth transmission range in a clear line of sight heavily depends on the source device. Among the three, the HiBy R1 stood out with the strongest transmission range, maintaining a stable connection between 15 to 25 meters in LDAC mode. This was noticeably better compared to the other sources, which struggled to match its performance at similar distances.
The bass performance is tight and controlled. Subbass reaches low with authority, delivering satisfying rumbles without overwhelming the mids or higher frequencies. Midbass adds punch, ensuring genres like EDM and rock retain their rhythmic energy without sounding bloated. It’s a bass tuning that respects balance and avoids overindulgence, making it versatile for various listening preferences.
The midrange on both the Kefine Klean and Artti T10, when paired with the UTWS5, truly shines with a mix of clarity and warmth. Vocals—whether male or female—come across as natural, lush, and wonderfully relaxed, especially on the Artti T10. Interestingly, the Artti T10 benefits from this wireless pairing, as its upper midrange can sometimes feel overly energetic when using a cable. In this setup, it delivers a pleasing fullness that brings ballads and acoustic tracks to life, making them deeply engaging.
Instruments like guitars and pianos are beautifully rendered, with a satisfying texture and presence. They carve out their own space in the mix, avoiding any sense of congestion or recession. The mids as a whole exhibit an inviting smoothness that ensures extended listening sessions remain fatigue-free—a quality that’s sure to win over fans of richly detailed and enjoyable sound.
Treble is crisp and detailed, with enough sparkle to bring cymbals and high-hats to life. It avoids sharpness, so even on the Simgot EA500 the sibilant-heavy tracks remain enjoyable. The UTWS5 2025 achieves an impressive level of treble extension, adding a sense of airiness that enhances the overall soundstage.
Dynamics and Resolution
The dynamic range is commendable, allowing tracks to transition smoothly between quiet moments and explosive crescendos. Microdetails are preserved well, letting subtle variance like the light touch of a string or the breathy quality of vocals shine through.
Final Thoughts
The FiiO UTWS5 2025 doesn’t just sound good; it makes the case for why true wireless adapters deserve a place in the audiophile toolkit. The combination of clean, balanced audio, LDAC support, and thoughtful features like the 10-band PEQ and the micro wireless charging make it a solid choice for anyone seeking to modernize their wired earphones.
While it doesn’t rewrite the rulebook for sound performance, it takes what worked in the previous version and refines it for a more polished experience.
If you’re already a UTWS5 user, the upgrade might feel more evolutionary than revolutionary. But if you are like me who is new to the TWS ear hook world, the 2025 version is the one to get.
Comments
Post a Comment