FiiO E11KFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 22 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment70%
PROS 70%
CONS 30%

Rank based on 22 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You need extra volume/power for low-impedance headphones from a phone
  • You want a built-in bass boost switch for bass-heavy genres
  • You want a tough, long-lasting portable amp

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You use high-impedance headphones like 250-ohm Beyerdynamics
  • You're sensitive to WiFi/cellular interference noise near phones
  • You want an EQ or DAC built in

What users complain about

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FiiO E11K
Boosts volume for weak sourcesEffective bass boostImproves low-impedance headphone performanceWiFi/cellular interferenceCannot drive high-impedance headphonesCharging causes hiss
FiiO E11K
Boosts volume for weak sources
Effective bass boost
Improves low-impedance headphone performance
WiFi/cellular interference
Cannot drive high-impedance headphones
Charging causes hiss

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Adds meaningful power and volume to weak sources. Multiple users found their phones or media players couldn't drive certain headphones loudly enough, and the E11K fixed that. One buyer called it the best $75 purchase they'd made after pairing it with in-ear headphones on an HTC phone. Another swapped from a JDSLabs Element and preferred the E11K's sound with bass boost on the DT1770 Pro, showing it can satisfy even users with pricier gear for portable use.

Bass boost is a standout but divisive feature. Several commenters bought the E11K specifically for its bass boost switch, using it with Shure SE535s, HiFiMan HE400i, and V-Moda headphones for hip-hop and EDM. It worked without distortion for some, letting one user save toward a pricier amp instead. However, another reported that engaging bass boost while connected to WiFi caused severe electric static and interference, and a longtime E11 owner said the successor amp remains 'dated' and colors the sound in an overly thick, bassy way that narrows the soundstage.

Struggles with high-impedance headphones and has interference quirks. One user explicitly stated the amp cannot drive 250-ohm headphones like the Beyerdynamic DT880, getting only distortion or low volume. Another with the old E11 model reported irritating interference from data use when mounted to a phone case, hoping the E11K improved shielding. A separate user experienced clicking noise between songs and confirmed no equalizer is included, indicating some rough edges in daily use despite its core amplification strengths.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?