It is said that we “eat with our eyes.” Do we listen with them too? People seem to pay a lot of attention to the appearance of their audio products, which makes FiiO’s KA11 a delicious aural dish that will satisfy your craving for high-resolution audio.
Of course, you can buy Apple’s 3.5mm to Lighting/USB-C adapter for around $9, but it depends on your taste and needs Headphones or earphones collection addedit might not be enough to power your new toy, which is where the $29 KA11 comes in.
Fiio KA11: Price and availability
The KA11 is available through its website and Amazon.com for $29. It comes in two colors: black and an interesting silver and teal combination, and for pre-iPhone 15 phones, you can choose between USB-C or Lightning interfaces.
Aside from the $9 Apple Lightning or USB-C adapter, this is one of the cheapest DACs on the market and one of the most capable at this price point.
Fiio KA11: Build and Installation
Fiio’s KA11 weighs just 8.5 grams, is built with high-quality components, and sells for $29. The DAC’s body is made from aluminum-magnesium alloy, so you don’t have to take care of it when you’re out and about throwing your EDC items into your favorite bag.
The cables that carry the sound are equally well-equipped and durable. It’s wrapped in a layer of silicone with a braided exterior and consists of high-purity, oxygen-free palladium-plated copper wire that connects between the connector of your choice and the DAC.
The cable features rubber or silicone connector covers that add to the overall durable feel, and the connector itself doesn’t feel loose when plugging or unplugging. The connection is tight at both ends, and the 3.5mm headphone jack has a satisfying click when inserted.
FiiO KA11: Features
The KA11’s most powerful feature (pun intended) is power delivery, capable of driving even the most sensitive planar magnetic headphones I own. The single-ended 3.5mm port delivers up to 245mW per channel into 16 ohms and 200mW into 32 ohms. The Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chip can decode DSD256 and files up to 384kHz/32-bit via PCM. Built-in SG-Micro SGM8262 amplifier can drive your thirsty IEMs.
An LED on the 3.5mm port on the main body of the dongle will tell you the sample rate. DSD decoding will glow green, and tracks above or below 48kHz will glow yellow or blue respectively.
The good news is that you can control these LEDs and digital filters through the FIIO Control app. The bad news is that it only works on Android.
FiiO KA11: Sound quality
Now let’s talk about the most important aspect of the KA11, the sound. I’ve listened to the KA11 with multiple over-ear headphones and IEMs, and for $29, it was impressive at its ability to drive my HiFiMan HE4XX planar magnetic headphones. My iPhone 15 Pro Max only needs to be turned up to 75% of maximum volume for a comfortable listening experience. My Campfire Audio Mammoth IEMs are extremely responsive, and the KA11s handle them expertly with their class-leading power delivery. The KA11’s power output means that comfortable listening levels are around 15% of maximum power. Sennheiser’s $1,500 IE900 IEM delivers a pleasant experience through the KA11, just by turning the volume up to 33% of the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s maximum volume.
Well, technically these notes have nothing to do with sound, but everything to do with power. The KA11’s sound profile is very balanced. You get a bit of warmth in the mids, but the vocals shine through, and the lows and lows are enjoyable elements in the sonic feast without overpowering other “flavor notes.” The soundstage is not the widest What I experienced from DACbut it’s still big enough that your breezy tracks won’t feel restricted.
FiiO KA11: Competition
Some DACs on Amazon compete with the KA11 on price, but the $30 product can’t compete on power output or performance. The DAC’s output is comparable to products costing hundreds of dollars more.
So, does the Fiio KA11 have competition? The short answer is, no.
FiiO KA11: Should you buy it?
You should buy the Fiio KA11 if:
- Cost is the primary consideration in your purchase
- You have power-hungry headphones or earphones
- If you want an EDC DAC, just throw it in your bag and it’s ready to go
- You are not familiar with high-resolution or lossless mobile audio
You should not buy the Fiio KA11 if:
- You have the budget to spend $100-$300
If you want a powerful DAC that won’t break your bank account balance, look no further. That’s it, period. Fiio’s KA11 is a USB-C or Lightning-connected DAC capable of driving most headphones or IEMs in your stable, with a sound profile that’s balanced enough without adding overtly unnecessary color to your listening experience.
When you get into the audiophile world, there are many areas where you’ll be spending your discretionary income, but that’s not necessarily the area to start with. Focus on the cost of headphones or IEMs first, then sit back and enjoy them with the KA11.
High quality, save money
Fiio’s KA11 is a surprisingly powerful, tiny adapter DAC. It can drive almost any in-ear headphones or headphones you connect. This is a great starter for those who want lossless access to Apple.