Fiio UTWS5 2025's Review

 

General/Build/Packaging

This year, Fiio is all about revamping/refreshing the current product line ranging from DAP, DAC/Amp, IEMs, Headphones and some other accessories. The UTWS5 is the latest in their product line to be refreshed and I have the opportunity to test it out today. The packaging is rather standard and nothing to write home about. What I like about the unit is that it allows you to use any IEMs of your choice and it is essentially a TWS with high fidelity audio quality.  The charging case’s build quality is solid and it feels very sturdy, it also features wireless charging. If you have a wireless charging pad, you can utilise the wireless charging feature.

The earhook of the UTWS5 does have a certain degree of memory retention, allowing you to adjust the hook in order to fit your ears properly and comfortably.

The packaging itself only contains the charging case, the wireless earhook, as well as the charging cable, packaged in the packaging which most people who have bought Fiio’s product would be aware of how it looks.

In terms of comfort, i have been using the UTWS5 on a daily basis averaging 3-4 hours per session, the earhooks does not cause any discomfort and overall it feels just like i’m using a wired IEM sans the cable

Specifications (Specifications from UTWS5 2025’s Product Page)

Bluetooth chip: QCC5141

DAC: AK4332

Bluetooth formats: SBC/AAC/aptX/aptX Adaptive,LDAC(not officially supported, can be turned on in the Fiio’s App)

Bluetooth version: 5.2

Battery life: >30h (each charge lasts for 8 hours, charging case can be used for 3-4 charges)  

Standby: 200h

Output power: 33mW (32Ω), 53mW (16Ω)  

Charging port: USB Type-C, wireless charging

Earphone connector: expanded MMCX, 0.78mm (Coming soon)

Ear hook unit weight: about 8g (without earphones)

IEMs/Headphones/Equipments used for this review

• Fiio’s FP3

• 7Hz’s G1

• Ziigat x HBB Arcadia

Foreword

My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Features

Battery Life (AAC and LDAC(Experimental))

• I did not measure the battery drain in a very objective way, but i left the UTWS5 playing songs from 100% (based on battery indicator of the TWS from my iPhone) and it lasted about 7 Hours +- with the volume level at 10/32 in the Fiio’s App, which i believe can be higher if the volume is being lowered a little, at 10/32 is actually above my normal listening level which usually ranges between 7-9/32 for fairly efficient IEM

• I did the same with LDAC codec with iBasso DX180 as the source, volume 10/32 in the Fiio’s app, LDAC’s setting at balanced and it lasted 5+ hours, which is fairly good in my opinion, again, this depends on the volume level and the battery life will be shorter if you are playing it at higher volume

• The charging case allows you to charge it for 3-4 times depending on the capacity of the earhook at that time

Bluetooth Codecs/Connection

UTWS5 supports various common bluetooth codecs including the LDAC, the range is also quite good and i did not encounter any drop out within 10 metre between my phone and the BTR13

• LDAC(not officially supported, can be enabled in Fiio’s App)

• APTX

• AAC

• SBC

Fiio’s App Support

• Allows the user to customise the PEQ, enable or disable certain bluetooth codecs

• Customise the button’s behaviour

• Possibly update the firmware when there’s a new firmware release

Sound Impression (Bluetooth AAC)

The sound profile of UTWS5 is more on the warm neutral side of the spectrum, very easy listening without much emphasis on either end of the spectrum.No noise as far as i can tell. Soundstage is largely dependent on the transducers and mastering of the songs, but the UTWS5 does render the soundstage quite well and let you have a good perception on the stage size in terms of depth, width and height.

Imaging is good with good separation and layering, instruments can be pinpointed easily and they sound like they each have a space of their own and not mushed together.

Pairings

FP3

• FP3 is Fiio’s latest IEM featuring a planar driver. With UTWS5, it does sound quite good in my opinion. FP3 is borderline thin sounding to my taste, but after pairing it with UTWS5, it does gain a little bit more note weight, making it doesn’t sound that thin

• Bass gained a little warmth while remaining speedy and controlled, mid bass doesn’t bleed into the mids, i noticed both the sub and mid bass does gained a little in terms of quantity

• Mids are neither too recessed nor forward, balanced in my opinion

• Treble is slightly smoother but still fairly energetic

• Soundstage and imaging remains more or less similar

Ziigat x HBB’s Arcadia

• The Arcadia is slightly warm based on my listening impression, pairing it with UTWS5, bass is slightly elevated, sub bass somehow goes deeper and has better rumbling

• Not much changes in terms of the mids and treble, 

• Soundstage sounds slightly wider to my ears and imaging remains more or less similar

7Hz G1

• Clean sounding in nature with very good imaging capability and big soundstage, while retaining the technicalities, the note weight somehow is thicker and the UTWS5 added a bit of warmth to the overall spectrum

• Not much changes on the detail retrieval, treble seems to sound a tiny bit smoother

Comparison (7Hz Artemis)

I don’t have another similar product for comparison, but here’s one with bluetooth capability so here we go:

• Uses different DAC chip (ESS 9039) and has higher power output compared to UTWS5, which is totally understandable due to the design limitation of UTWS5 itself (housing battery and the board)

• Different sound signature compared to UTWS5, transparent and uncolored with various DAC filter to choose from, but does not have app support

• In terms of size, Artemis39 is a portable dac/amp, i think its not fair to compare the size

• Battery life is slightly lower but it does have a separate data and power type c port, hence it can be used while charging at the same time in the case where battery runs low

• Having used both and swapping around for A/B test, both are good in their own way, not to mention the sound signature is also different, as well as the use case and form factor

• Ultimately, it depends on your use case as well as preference and budget of course

Final Thoughts

Having tested and used the UTWS5 for a week plus daily driving it,UTWS5 definitely has what it takes to make the statement in the fast moving market with various competition. I personally think that UTWS5 is sufficient and performs on par with wired setup (We’re not talking about high end wired setup of course, let’s be realistic).

The power output is definitely sufficient for most IEMs out there that aren’t overly power hungry. I personally enjoyed it and find it rather easy to pair with most transducers. Having said all that, this is not to say that the UTWS5 is without any quirks, there are some minor connectivity issues, i am not sure if it is something to do with interference or just happened to be some bugs? When i step out from my home to outdoor, the connection between L and R starts to go haywire, audio playback is stuttering, and the only fix is to disconnect it from my iPhone, and reconnect then it seems to work just fine again, so far this happened twice so that's why i reckon i’m not sure if this is related to interference or just some random bugs. All in all, the UTWS5 is a complete package with convenience as well as good sound quality. Recommended!

*A big thanks to Fiio for sending this over for the purpose of this review. I thank them for their support as always

Head over to their official Store if you are interested in getting one:

Fiio UTWS5 2025’s Product Page

Fiio UTWS 2025 Fiio’s Official AE Store Link - Non Affiliated