Louis opinions the FiiO AIR LINK, an inexpensive Bluetooth 6.0 dongle that enhances suitable units with LDAC and aptX Lossless transmission. It’s presently priced at round $59.00.
Disclaimer: I obtained this pattern in trade for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I wish to thank FiiO for his or her assist.
You may click on right here to be taught extra in regards to the FiiO audio merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This put up follows our present scoring pointers, which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
FiiO AIR LINK Evaluate
Abstract
I wholeheartedly advocate the inexpensive FiiO AIR LINK dongle to any PC or pill proprietor, or anybody who owns any kind of substances that comes with a USB port and has inferior Bluetooth codecs and efficiency. This is likely one of the finest Bluetooth options on the market presently.
Efficiency & Options
8.6
Execs
Secure and quick pairing even at excessive codec ranges.
Prime-notch, up-to-date Bluetooth {hardware}.
Low energy consumption.
Cons
I want FiiO had left the EQ enabled inside the Management app.
FiiO not too long ago launched a neat method of including high-quality Bluetooth reception to something geared up with a USB port.
They’re calling it the AIR LINK, priced round $59, and its area of interest has to do with its compact dimension and top-tier Bluetooth assist it provides to units with less-than-spectacular BT performance.
You see, FiiO has made devoted Bluetooth receivers earlier than, just like the BTA30 and the BTA30 Professional. They’ve additionally developed units just like the UTWS3 and the UTWS5, that are ear-hook type units designed so as to add Bluetooth functionality to any IEM with a detachable cable.
Nonetheless, the AIR LINK may be very small, and don’t let its dimension idiot you, because it incorporates one of the complete Bluetooth options obtainable as we speak.
Options
Let’s begin with the truth that the FiiO AIR LINK works over a Bluetooth 6.0 radio, which is the newest replace to the wi-fi format. The 6.0 variant guarantees an extended transmission vary, giving the consumer extra freedom to maneuver round and a extra steady connection.
The FiiO AIR LINK makes use of Qualcomm’s newest flagship QCC5181 chip, which claims a excessive stage of high quality audio.
It options an inner quad-core processor, two Kalimba DSP processors, and excellent synergy with the Snapdragon processors which have the Snapdragon Sound functionality.
One other side that I like in regards to the FiiO AIR LINK is that not solely does it work with FiiO’s Management app, nevertheless it additionally works with FiiO’s new internet interface, which takes the Management app to the desktop.
This makes this an ideal platform to improve these crappy built-in Bluetooth motherboard controllers that may barely deal with the SBC codec, making them unsuitable for high quality audio transmission.
Regardless that the AIR LINK was constructed small, FiiO managed to include into it a mode swap that allows you to select the Bluetooth codec of your alternative, go into pairing mode, or manufacturing unit reset the AIR LINK to manufacturing unit specs.
The AIR LINK additionally has a side-mounted USB-C connection. That connection was positioned in order that when it’s linked to a cell system, you don’t lose the charging port. This port is used solely for charging cell units.
Wi-fi Codecs
The FiiO AIR LINK can deal with nearly any codec on the market, beginning with aptX Lossless and LDAC. After all, it additionally handles fundamental codecs like SBC and ACC, however why would you wish to go there?
It additionally allows you to select the codec with the mode swap, they usually’re additionally selectable inside the Management app or the net interface.
The only real function of getting a tool just like the FiiO AIR LINK is to improve your codec recreation and acquire improved transmission stability, and also you greater than probably personal Bluetooth gear that deserves higher transmission high quality. The AIR LINK was made to unravel that dilemma.
One different good trait the AIR LINK brings to the desk is that it’s suitable with absolutely anything that has a USB port. That’s excellent news as a result of these days, most computer systems, desktops, or laptops embody Bluetooth performance with fundamental performance in thoughts.
I personal a $400 motherboard with built-in Bluetooth, and I wouldn’t run a buzzer with the built-in, so this can be a lifesaver, particularly for somebody who’s into audio.
In conditions like that, the FiiO AIR LINK involves the rescue, since these parts talked about aren’t Bluetooth upgradable till now.
I might like to have seen some kind of legacy Lightning connectivity. You’ll have to purchase an adapter for that, considerably growing the bundle price.
Design
I’ve used small USB Bluetooth dongles prior to now, however none had been value getting in the event you wanted to acquire higher sound high quality over Bluetooth.
Corporations like Asus, Ugreen, and TP-Hyperlink have beforehand made small kind issue Bluetooth adapters, however they solely gave you a buck’s value of audio high quality.
The AIR LINK can be a small kind issue system that matches anyplace, together with the small denims pocket that nobody makes use of, and weighs solely 4 grams. Nonetheless, it’s fairly girthy in comparison with the above-mentioned dongles.
The housing is plastic, and so is the front-mounted button, however building is anticipated to be saved easy since this can be a finances piece of substances.
An extended colour LED adorns the highest portion and lights up in line with what codec is getting used. A gold-plated USB-C male plug with a raised base to accommodate cell system instances finishes off the design.
The one fashions I’ve discovered there which are suitable in dimension, efficiency, and options with the AIR LINK come from Questyle and their QCC dongle Professional, Sennheiser’s BTD700, and the Inventive BT-W5.
Internally, the AIR LINK appears to be probably the most superior of all of them, though the physique type received’t win any magnificence pageants. It’s fairly utilitarian-looking.
FiiO Management app
Not solely are you able to configure the FiiO AIR LINK inside the FiiO Management app, however FiiO has simply launched an online interface so you possibly can configure the AIR LINK immediately on a PC.
I can lastly get first rate Bluetooth functionality on any of my PCs with this easy system, so thanks, FiiO.
I believe that the one process that might have been considerably controversial to some can be pairing, as a result of even on Android, it’s a must to pair units to the AIR LINK by way of the app.
At that time, you possibly can transfer the dongle over to a PC or wherever, which can work for the reason that AIR LINK will retain the earlier pairing data.
Nonetheless, with the brand new internet interface, that concern is solved, and you’ll pair the system inside the confines of Home windows. Throughout the app, the pairing process is finished inside the pair administration choice.
You’ve got two methods of pairing right here: one is thru the brand new webpage interface situated on the following web site, or the Management app.
The net interface has many options. The app does go into fundamental mode when linked to the AIR LINK.
Nonetheless, the net interface and the Management apps are suitable with many different FiiO launched merchandise, however I solely want they’d left the equalizer enabled on this one. That might have been epic.
I might have additionally preferred to see what codec the AIR LINK is on inside the app as an alternative of simply counting on the front-mounted RGB LED.
Packaging & Equipment
The FiiO AIR LINK is available in a small field packed aspect by aspect with a color-keyed full-size USB adapter. You additionally get a multilingual fast information and a guaranty card.
The USB-C connector comes protected with a silicon cowl, which I misplaced someplace inside the confines of my home. Nonetheless, for the reason that AIR LINK has turn out to be a everlasting addition to my PC, I received’t want it any time quickly.
Sound Impressions
The FiiO AIR LINK produces sound that’s one of the best Bluetooth can produce in the intervening time. It’s a easily tuned system that produces sonics which are simple on the ear with a steady sign that locks on and stays locked on.
Comparatively, my cell system performs music over the LDAC codec, however in comparison with the AIR LINK, the sound appears extra ardent on the cell system, or with the next sense of sizzle, which introduces some fatigue. The AIR LINK is tuned to keep away from that and produces smoother sonics.
My Inventive Aurvana Ace 2 set has by no means sounded higher. Over the aptX Lossless codec, the soundstage dimension has elevated, devices sounded bigger in scale, albeit extra distant and fewer intimate in comparison with the LDAC codec and my LDAC-capable cell system.
Excessive frequency manufacturing was raised in high quality a bit over LDAC. Sharper notes will be heard on aptX Lossless with the AIR LINK. Even some additional element got here by means of that will get misplaced with inferior Bluetooth transmitters.
The vocals had been additionally produced extra easily, in that the vocal presentation confirmed restraint and steadiness with the decrease and higher frequencies and produced crisper notes with much less harshness or loss in definition in comparison with lesser codecs.
General, I heard slight enhancements over earlier Bluetooth options. The FiiO AIR LINK LDAC and aptX Lossless efficiency is the closest I’ve heard a wi-fi connection come to a wired setup.
The dynamics, timbre had been all improved over earlier Bluetooth implementations, and the frequency extremes had been higher represented.
Click on on web page 2 under for my wi-fi efficiency impressions and chosen comparability.
