FiiO unveils the QX11, a compact USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier that delivers desktop-level power, versatile features for gaming and music, and supports power passthrough, priced at $170 for mobile audiophiles and gamers seeking high-performance portable audio equipment.
FiiO has expanded its portable audio line with the QX11, a USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier that tries to bring desktop-grade output into a device small enough for a pocket or laptop bag. The product is aimed at listeners who want better drive than a basic dongle can provide, but do not want to carry a full-size amplifier. According to Yanko Design and several launch reports, the QX11 uses dual ESS ES9069Q DAC chips and four Texas Instruments op-amps, with support for PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD512.
Its key technical claim is power. In Desktop Mode, FiiO says the QX11 can deliver 800mW per channel, which places it above the KA17 it replaces. That level of output should matter most for harder-to-drive headphones and higher-impedance models, where extra headroom can improve control and reduce strain. Notebookcheck and Giznews Daily both describe the QX11 as an evolutionary update rather than a radical redesign, but one that adds more output and lower power consumption.
FiiO has also widened the device’s role beyond music playback. The QX11 includes a Gaming Mode with profiles for FPS, ACT and MOBA titles, alongside an integrated microphone and AI-based environmental noise cancellation for voice chat. That combination turns the unit into a more versatile wired-audio hub for players who want cleaner voice pickup and some genre-specific tuning without adding extra peripherals.
Another practical feature is dual USB-C connectivity with 45W Power Delivery passthrough. In use, that allows a phone or laptop to stay charged while the DAC is working, which helps offset the battery cost of external audio processing. Sources covering the launch also say FiiO is offering Auto EQ support through its software ecosystem, letting users apply correction profiles for selected headphones rather than building EQ settings from scratch.
At $170, or roughly the same level reported by launch coverage from different regions, the QX11 sits in the premium portable DAC bracket but below more overtly boutique rivals such as FiiO’s own QX13, which TechRadar reviewed at a higher price point and with a more advanced-sounding specification set. The QX11 is available in green and gold finishes, and the overall pitch is straightforward: one compact device for serious listening, gaming and charging-friendly portable use.
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