Dongle Comparisons
I compared the BT-10 to a number of other dongles to gauge its’ relative performance & value.
Penon Tail (USD $74)
For a fair comparison I compared both dongles in wired mode, since the Tail lacks bluetooth capabilities.
The Tail is warmer and more mid-centric with quite a bit more midbass, but lacks the BT-10’s sub bass impact and feels more muted at the lowest frequencies.
The BT-10’s vocals are much more forward and dynamics are better, but the noise floor is higher.
Shanling UP4 (USD $99)
The UP4 is darker and less resolving with more rounded notes that have less attack & bite. Dynamics are weaker, bass doesn’t go as deep & bass texture is mushier.
The UP4’s soundstage also isn’t as wide and feels more like a big blob with inferior instrument separation. It feels like a straight downgrade on the BT-10 in virtually every department.
FiiO BTR5 (USD $129)
The BTR5 is warmer with greater midbass emphasis and this does overshadow the midrange a little, whereas the BT-10’s sub bass is much more pronounced and vocals are more forward.
Note weight is lower on the BTR5, which sounds more cohesive but this could be because separation is poorer and the soundstage narrower & flatter. The overall tonality is warmer, more relaxed and less dynamic than the BT-10.
Luxury & Precision W4 (USD $449)
I compared both dongles in wired mode, since the W4 lacks bluetooth capabilities. The W4 may be the most sonically impressive dongle I’ve tried, and so represents very stiff competition.
The W4 has a much more polite, smooth and laidback tonality, whereas the BT-10 feels more raw & exciting with harder hitting bass and a bit more digital glare but is also more dynamic, perhaps as the W4 can feel excessively smoothed at times.
The W4 has more midbass whereas the BT-10 emphasises sub bass more, vocals take a step back on the W4 and it boasts a wider, deeper soundstage, blacker background, much lower noise floor and slightly higher resolution, but of course there’s no Bluetooth functionality.
Page 1 – Introduction, Packaging, Ergonomics & Usability
Page 2 – Sound Impressions & Technical Performance
Page 3 – Dongle Comparisons
Page 4 – Conclusion
Thank you for the review!