FiiO (FiiO Electronics Technology Company, Ltd.) is a Chinese consumer-electronics manufacturer headquartered in Guangzhou, founded in 2007. The company designs and markets portable and desktop audio equipment, including digital audio players (DAPs), headphone amplifiers and DACs, Bluetooth DAC/amps, and in-ear monitors (IEMs).[2][3]
FiiO first gained notice for low-cost portable amplifiers and USB DAC/amps in its “E-series”, notably the E17 “Alpen” (2011–12).[4] From 2013 it expanded into DAPs with the X-series (X3, X5, and the modular Android-based X7), helping to popularise affordable hi-resolution players;[5][6][7] later Android M-series players such as the M11 broadened codec support and introduced dual balanced outputs.[8]
Alongside players, FiiO diversified into earphones (e.g. the F9 and subsequent FH/FA lines) and portable Bluetooth DAC/amps; the BTR5 (2019) and BTR7 received widespread coverage as compact devices for driving wired headphones over wireless links.[9][10] The company also operates the sub-brands Jade Audio and Snowsky.[11][12][13]
History
FiiO Electronics Technology Company, Ltd. was founded in Guangzhou, China, in 2007 to develop affordable portable hi-fi products under the FiiO brand.[14] The company’s first widely recognised products were compact portable headphone amplifiers and USB DAC/amps in the “E-series”. Among these, the E17 “Alpen” (2011–12) received broad coverage in head-fi publications as a do-it-all portable DAC/amp and dockable partner for FiiO’s desktop units.[15]
FiiO entered the digital audio player (DAP) market in 2013 with the X3, followed by higher-tier models such as the X5 (2014) and the Android-based, modular-amp X7 (2015).[16][17][18] The X-series helped re-popularise dedicated hi-res players in the sub-US$500 segment and established FiiO’s international profile.[19]
As streaming became central to portable listening, FiiO pivoted to Android-based DAPs with the M-series. The M11, announced at the company’s Spring 2019 launch, introduced a more powerful SoC and dual balanced outputs, and later spawned Pro/Plus variants.[20]
In parallel, FiiO diversified beyond players and amps into earphones (e.g., the F9 and subsequent FH/FA lines) and into Bluetooth DAC/amps. The BTR5 (2019) became a prominent portable Bluetooth DAC/amp, followed by later models such as the BTR7.[21][22]
Subsidiaries and sub-brands
FiiO owns a subsidiary Jade Audio, which also manufactures audio equipment.[23] The company has also marketed products under a sub-brand, Snowsky, since 2024.[24][25]
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