Interesting the the BTR5 also moved from the ES9218S to the ES9219C
The MQA thing is really dumb, since you canāt do it over Bluetooth, but you have to pay for it either way.
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Yesterday the Qudelix 5K I bought in New condition from the seller āQudelixā on Amazon US arrived, but it was clearly used. The warranty section of the app lists 283 days remaining, but I only bought it 6 days ago. It seems like someone may have originally bought it 82 days ago and returned it. The battery graph also shows previous usage and charging, and the tape holding the box closed was already cut.
tell them to send you another one and youāll keep the mistake they sent you and you wont tell anyone about their sheisty business tactics lol.
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This happens so often on Amazon for whatever reason. Stuff gets repacked and sold as new, when itās clearly not. Good thing is Amazon has a pretty robust return policy.
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A quick review here on the qudelix 5k after a few days of ownership and use.
I ordered it and the QX iems directly form qudelix in Korea late night 11/1 US time and it was on my doorstep 11/5, so theyāre quite fast if you decide not to wait until they restock Amazon.
Setup was a breeze, couldnāt have been easier. Only issue I found is that the app requires Android 8 and up so you canāt use an older phone to control the app. The desktop Chrome app was seamless on Windows 10, but didnāt function on Linux. Linux Fix Can Be Found Here
Usage tested: Mobile and Linux desktop DAC. Iāve been using it both on the go by itself and then plugging it in to a secondary PC as a DAC feeding a JDS Labs Atom. So far it has performed flawlessly in both use cases. Range was impressive with the only interruptions being through multiple walls at a distance in my use so far.
UI: This is where I believe the 5k shines, the UI is coherent and more importantly consistent. Bottom row in the app switches between the various functions and brings up a top row in the app with sub functions within that group. Adding in EQ settings was particularly simple. Just input the numbers and it shows a graph with the changes, which I found particularly nice when importing Oratory1990 presets as you could compare it with one of his graphs to ensure you are correctly inputting the settings. I do look forward to being able to easily add EQ settings via PC as the Chrome app matures.
Buttons have a nice tactile click and a notch at the top of one helps me to differentiate between the two blindly. Iām still checking the app to remind myself of functions occasionally, but that will go away with more use.
I canāt speak to how much power it puts out with any authority, but Iām currently listening to a pair of EQed DT770 80 ohm phones via the unbalanced 3.5mm and it can be driven to earsplitting levels off of the high gain setting.
If qudelix ever leverages their experience with this into a well implemented desktop device, it would be a winner. The RME ADI-2 needs some competition.
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Chrome app now has EQ functionality.
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Still really wanting to get one. Iām always minutes late whenever one is second hand, and donāt quite have the budget for the full price. I have an Amazon gift card atm, has anyone noticed whether the Amazon price ever dips in any sales or times of year?
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Iāve been watching it since September but the price has remained the same on Amazon US
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Sad but helpful news - thank you!
I did see it as low as 100ā¬ not sure if has the same dips on the .com site 
and at a time akm chips were still available XD no idea if the ess price is the same or if they have adjusted the price
So I have one now, and itās overall positive even if the following that sticks out to me might not sound like it:
- The buttons are very annoying. Fully symmetrical design means while trying to press one of them you inadvertently apply pressure to the other. Also very hard in your pocket to work out which is which. Their feel is pretty rubbish compared to the BTR5 which I preferred for placement, size/shape, firmness/feel, and labeling.
- Really good BT connection. If I had my phone in my pants pocket and my BTR5 clipped up high, leaning against the counter while doing dishes would cause a momentary cut in connection. Walking into the other room from the source would be out of the question. This is a huge plus for the Q5K. Some gravel and some punch are gone.
- Soundā¦ I really donāt know. Itās like the Q5K has cleaned things up more than Iād like it to. My Serials donāt sound as visceral as before. Sub-bass is coming from ear level instead of lower (closer to feeling in chest). What the overall sound reminds me most of is planar. Very clean, tonally on point, but somehow lacking tactility. I feel a bit odd about this tbh.
- I know this is the most accessible PEQ available most likely, I will probably still not use it.
Iāve already found a buyer for the BTR5. But if the BTR3K has equally good signal from having a plastic chassis, to be honest Iād rather save the money. Power isnāt important I donāt run high ohm headphones.
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Iāve had my Qudelix for about a month - driving mainly the Moondrop Variations and the 7Hz Timeless. I have felt the same about the sound but couldnāt put my finger on what it was. You hit the nail on the head with regards to your sentiments re: sound. Iāve tried the IEMs with a RME ADI-2 and a Schiit Jotunheim 2 at home and find that my preference leans towards slightly warmer sound signatures. For reference, I donāt like the amp section of the RME but the DAC section is amazing - so I run all outputs via the Jot 2. To my ears, the Qudelix sounds less musical. I try to turn up the volume to engage with music more but then fatigue sets in because its too loud. I can never get it to the point where I am able to bob along to the music.
I am now looking at Cayin RU6 - hoping that a R2R DAP may help my mobile experience.
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Thanks for the confirmation! I find myself volume-creeping at times too to compensate. Itās a good sound, and it can take a lot of volume - but some of what makes the Serials what they are is a little bit lost.
Edit: Woah thereā¦ Q5K balanced with the Penon Fanā¦ this is a combo Iām going to try for quite a while today.
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Those are some interesting points.
I have always heard people say the buttons are weird. The confusion on them is also a common complaint.
Nice to hear the BT is great. The fridge door, 8 feet from my desk is the bane of my music listening experience, usually when refilling water, ok I am really eating cheese.
The sound might bother me, I like the sound from my BTR5, and think of it as pretty neutral. If I the sound is more sterile than that it would likely bother me a bit.
I am with you on the PEQ, once in a while I EQ the S12 for extra slam, or pull down a peak, but there are other options for that.
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I have ne er heard this and with timeless in balanced I get over 12 hours BTR was after every use,
I havenāt seen FR graphs, but in SE, my Q5k sounds rolled off on the low end, when compared to balanced. Just comes off as more upper bass and midrange-focused. Has anyone else heard this or am I imagining it?
I love the Q5k balanced.
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I think it is just your imagination and listening on non-matched volume unless you are listening to something really power hungry like planar headphones.
For me all my IEMs including S12 sounds exactly from Q5k the same SE vs. BAL when I try to set the volume similarily 
But my ears have failed me not once, so you never know
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I completely forgot about that click noise. It disappeared after some time. I wonder if one of the firmware updates fixed it and I never noticed. 
All that matters is what you hear or do not hear 
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Qudelix 5K impressions
So I finally spent enough time with the Q5K to feel comfortable sharing my impressions about the device. I wonāt go into details about all the features of the Q5K as they are littered all over the internet by people with far more expertise than myself. Instead I will be focusing more on the general usability of the device and comparing it to another device that has surprisingly little written about it (in my opinion), The Fiio BTR3K.
Note: All these impressions were done using the Olina with the stock 3.5mm cable so please keep that in mind when reading my comments around battery life and sound quality.
Before started the review its important to know that I bought the device for its BT features first and DAC/Amp features second. I wanted something that was super small, has a mic and just vanishes from my mind after I clip it on my shirt. The sound quality is important to me but not at the expense of compactness and usability. That is why I completely skipped on the BTR5 and other BT DAC/Amps out there. Also itās important to note I donāt plan to use anything else but IEMs so my power requirements arenāt very high.
TL;DR For those who donāt want to read everything below I will just say that I prefer the Q5K over the BTR3K although it is close. The 3K has some benefits over the Q5K, specifically in the form factor and button layout however everything else points in the 5Ks favor. If I already had the BTR3K and couldnāt return it I would keep it and pass on the Q5K but if you are looking for a device that can handle anything you want to throw at it, definitely go with the Q5K.
Portability: 4/5
The device is impressively tiny. I thought the BTR3K was tiny but this is actually shorter and thinner than the 3K while being just a tad wider. Its also very light so once its clipped on my shirt I donāt really think about it anymoreā¦ except for the fact that the headphone jacks point up! I didnāt think this would be a big deal but it is if you are looking to clip it on your shirt collar, which if you want to use the mic you will probably be doing. If your headphones have a straight connector it will jab you right in the neck pretty much every time you move your head. I was able to work around this by clipping it to the side of my collar so it points sideways. This alleviates the issue but makes hitting the already inconvenient button more inconvenient. The fact that the BTR3K has a detachable clip so you can point the jack up or down is pretty great move in my opinion.
Overall BTR3K wins this category
Usability: 3/5
I really donāt like the buttons. It takes time to remember which side is which and the LEDs donāt help if its on your shirt. I have started getting used to them but the button layout and button quality on the BTR3K is just so much better. Also, the top bumper buttons are weird, I find you almost have to hit them at the corner to get the best tactile response. Trying to push a button often results in pushing the button on the other side too which the device just registers as no button push in my experience so yeah, not great.
Overall BTR3K wins this category easily
General features: 5/5
This is where the Q5K starts to shine. The BT connectivity is great. I would walk all around my house and even outside and never had an issue with dropped connections. The multi-point works very well and is pretty seamless. I could be listening to a song on my computer, get a call so it switches to my phone and then when the call is over the song on my computer starts again. The BTR3K multi-point is nice as well but I would got some weird issues where even though my phone was connected to the device, it wouldnāt play out of the device. The other feature which was huge for me is the mic pass-through. This was something I wanted desperately since a big part of my daily use of the device was going to be on team calls and I really like having mic pass-through for chats. BTR3K didnāt have it afaik so another point to the Q5K. Lastly, the app. Its pretty amazing how much functionality is configurable via the app and that isnāt even touching on the DSP options. The Fiio app is pretty useless and the fact that the BTR3K requires a windows machine to do a firmware update means I will never be able to update the firmware which a big negative.
Battery life was also better on the Q5K. After the first charge it took 12 hours to get to ~20%. The second charge made it the whole day (~8 hours) and ended at ~40%. The BTR3K usually ends at about ~20-30% after a normal day.
Q5K wins this round easily
Sound Quality: Good/5
There are plenty of reviews talking about the sound of this device so if that is what you are interested in it for I would suggest reading those over my impressions but I will talk a bit about the differences I hear between the two devices.
Overall the BTR3K is more engaging, sounds slightly warmer and intimate in its presentation. The Q5K on the other hand feels like it brings out more details, bass presence and expands the soundstage, however the vocals are recessed compared to the BTR3K. I will say, from a purely music enjoyment perspective I would pick the BTR3K. I get lost in the music and before I know it I am dancing around the house! I didnāt have that experience with the Q5K even though I would say the Q5K produce ābetterā sounding music.
Jack Harlow - Iād Do Anything To Make You Smile: 0:15 - 0:50
BTR3K - The harps and strings can be differentiated at the beginning but donāt have much depth to them compared to the Q5K. The bass drop feels like it has more mid-bass but less sub bass so it doesnāt feel as authoritative compared to the Q5K. The left and right water drop noises can be heard clearly and seem to be in the correct position. Vocals come in and are pretty forward, roughly the same depth as the bass. Overall tonality tilts a smidge warmer but not too different than the Q5K.
Q5K - The separation between the harp and the strings is pretty clear and when the bass drops there is authority. The sub bass just hits you in the face. The negative space right before the drop really emphasisā the power of it. After the bass hits you hear the water drop sound from both the left and right faintly but clearly, then the vocals come in slightly recessed from the bass that is still hitting strong.
Imagine Dragons - Bones: 0:00 - 0:40
BTR3K - Everything feels like it is mid boosted and flat here. The build up at the very beginning feels a bit strangled and Dan Reynoldās vocals have a certain muddy quality to them. As with the other song, the bass drop is lackluster here. Overall the song didnāt feel dynamic to me.
Q5K - You can definitely feel a more V shaped tonality on this song and the dynamics blow the BTR3K out of the water here. The build up at the beginning ends with a nice rumble and then cuts into Dan Reynolds vocals which are strong and clear. The Bass drop has authority and you again notice the clean separation between the bass and vocals. Vocals are somewhat recessed but not terribly so.
The Black Keys - Wild Child 0:00 - 0:50
BTR3K - The mid emphasis really works with this track. Notes have good weight and there is more texture on the guitar distortion than with the Q5K. The flatter presentation works here as well because each instrument is still discernible and it doesnāt feel like its lacking any details. The vocals are appropriately forward and engaging, resulting in a very toe tapping experience.
Q5K - The song starts with a nice guitar riff into a drum roll which comes off beautifully. However, when the vocals and guitar come back in there is enough separation that I start to get distracted by it and it pulls me out of the song. Note weight feels lighter than with the BTR3K but I still wouldnāt call it thin.
Overall I prefer the sound from the Q5K but its really a tossup
Conclusion
So why did I pick the Q5K? It really came down to the software for me. Even though I noticed a difference in the sound signatures, both devices sounded really good to me but the BTR3Ks bottom jack and button layout wasnāt enough to overcome how feature rich the Q5K is.
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