In the previously proposed "HiFi Desk Setup 1.0" concept by FiiO,the SP3 desktop speaker was a crucial component,and its performance in terms of design and sound quality was quite satisfactory.The only regret was that it could only be connected via RCA and AUX wired inputs,which undoubtedly limited the choice of input devices,especially since people are now accustomed to using their smartphones with wireless headphones and Bluetooth speakers to play music on the go.FiiO naturally noticed this shortcoming,and here comes the SP3 BT!

Product Specifications

Material Color: Aluminum alloy Black/White

Bluetooth Chip: Qualcomm QCC5124

Bluetooth Encoding: SBC,AAC,aptX,aptX LL,aptX Adaptive,aptX HD,LDAC

Driver Composition: 3.5-inch carbon fiber mid-bass cone

1-inch silk dome tweeter

Frequency Response: 65Hz~20kHz (±2dB)

Crossover Type: Two-way

Speaker Impedance: 8ΩSensitivity: 85dB (1Vrms) @1kHz

Input Power: 30W×2 (bass) + 10W×2 (treble)

Audio Inputs: RCA input,AUX input,USB-C input,COAX input,OPTICAL input

USB/Optical/Coaxial Supported Specifications: Supports 44.1kHz,48Hz,96kHz three sampling rates; bit depth up to 32bit

Weight: Main speaker approximately 1950g,Subwoofer approximately 1660g

Dimensions: Approximately 163mm×120mm×132mm (without base)

Approximately 170mm×120mm×132mm (with 0° flat base)

Approximately 182mm×120mm×132mm (with 7° inclined base)

Reference Price: 2299 yuan

Not just BluetoothDiscussing the Differences from SP3

The most significant functional difference between the SP3 BT and the SP3 is naturally the former's support for Bluetooth wireless connections.The Bluetooth chip used in the SP3 BT is the well-known Qualcomm QCC5124,featuring dual DSP and dual-core CPU architecture,based on Bluetooth 5.0.This enables it to support a comprehensive range of Bluetooth audio encoding formats,including SBC,AAC,aptX,aptX LL,aptX Adaptive,aptX HD,and LDAC.Particularly,high-quality encoding formats like aptX Adaptive and LDAC ensure that the SP3 BT's wireless transmission quality is guaranteed,without worrying about compromised audio quality,as long as the user's mobile phone provides the necessary support.With the addition of Bluetooth functionality,it has also passed dual certifications for Hi-Res and Hi-Res Wireless.

While upgrading the Bluetooth wireless capabilities,FiiO has continued to expand the wired input capabilities of the SP3 BT.Building on the RCA and AUX wired inputs of the SP3,the SP3 BT has added three wired digital interfaces: USB-C,COAX coaxial,and OPTICAL optical,further expanding the range of input devices and enhancing the product's playability.With the increase in wireless and wired input functions,the corresponding RGB lighting effects have also changed.The SP3 BT's indicator light is actually a ring of RGB LED strips at the bottom of the speaker,which not only enhances the product's appearance and visual effects but also serves to indicate the current working state.On one hand,it acts as a signal mode indicator,displaying different colors under different wired input conditions.On the other hand,it serves as a Bluetooth encoding indicator,changing to different colors and breathing effects to correspond with different encoding formats during Bluetooth connections.FiiO has also designed a dedicated RGB button on the back of the speaker,allowing users to switch the light effect colors,switch the light effect dynamics,and control the RGB light effects through single,double,or long presses.

The SP3 BT also features an auto-standby function.When the speaker detects no signal input for 20 minutes,it automatically enters standby mode.Upon detecting signal input,the speaker automatically switches to play mode.Unlike typical Bluetooth speakers with built-in batteries,the SP3 BT does not have this feature and instead uses external power supply.After all,as a Hi-Fi positioned product,the SP3 BT has a relatively high output power,which can be inferred from the large power adapter it comes with,indicating that battery power would not be sufficient.

The addition of so many features is also reflected in the weight of the SP3 BT's cabinet.Compared to the SP3's main cabinet weight of approximately 1840g,the SP3 BT's main cabinet weight has increased by about 110g,reaching approximately 1950g.

Exquisite and Compact

Design with an "Instant Hi-Fi Flair"

Now,let's return to the design of the SP3 BT.As a speaker positioned for desktop use,the SP3 BT has an overall small and exquisite appearance.With dimensions of approximately 163mm x 120mm x 132mm,its volume is only 2.35L,which effectively reduces the space it occupies on a computer desk.In a desk setup environment,there are already many devices and decorations.The SP3 BT offers two color options,black and white,along with the previously mentioned RGB lights at the bottom of the cabinet.Users can choose the speaker's color and light effects based on their desk setup theme.The SP3 BT's small size does not clash with other devices and can blend in well.

The SP3 BT's cabinet is made of aluminum alloy and is cast using a liquid metal process.I particularly like the horizontal stripe design on three sides of the cabinet,especially the front,which has a dynamic beauty resembling the ripples created when a droplet falls into water.This design is not only aesthetically considered,but the spacing between the stripes is precisely calculated and evenly distributed,acting as reinforcement to withstand vibrations that may occur during high volume playback.Unlike the external stripe design,the interior walls are smooth and regular,which effectively reduces cabinet resonance.The metal cabinet also provides good heat dissipation and electromagnetic shielding for the internal power amplifier.Considering the diverse needs for desktop placement in different environments,FiiO has prepared two types of stands for the SP3 BT — flat and a 7-degree upward angle.The latter is designed to meet the optimal listening position where the treble is level with the ears,catering to the need for angles within 15 degrees of the axis of the treble unit.This exclusive stand for near-field users brings a more precise listening experience.Both stands are made of silicone material,which serves as a shock absorber,preventing direct contact between the speaker box and the desktop,thus avoiding the impact of box vibration on sound performance.

As mentioned earlier,the SP3 BT has added a number of digital input interfaces.Let's take a look at the specific layout of these interfaces.All interfaces and buttons of the speaker are located on the back of the main unit.The audio interfaces include one AUX IN,one coaxial input,one optical input,one USB-C port,and a pair of RCA interfaces.The buttons include a signal input selection/pairing button,an RGB lighting effect selection button,and a power switch,as well as a switch for left and right channel swapping.The signal input selection/pairing button can switch wired input sources with a single press,and long pressing can clear pairings in Bluetooth mode.The channel swap switch is designed considering that users may have difficulty placing the main and auxiliary boxes due to factors such as socket positions and wiring when using the SP3 on a desktop.Users can swap the left and right channels through it,making it convenient to place the main box,with the default main box being the right channel.Above the buttons,there are two knobs,one for volume adjustment and the other for BASS gain,with the latter supporting up to 8dB of low-frequency gain.

The main and auxiliary boxes of the SP3 BT are connected by an 8Pin audio cable.In addition,FiiO also includes a 3.5mm to RCA signal input cable in the accessories.Both cables are made of monocrystalline copper and have signal shielding layers,ensuring good quality without the need for additional cables to ensure audio performance.

Seeing the big picture in the small details

Drivers and structure contribute to good sound

Although the SP3 BT is not large in size,it features a 3.5-inch carbon fiber mid-bass speaker,which is a rare large size in its class,giving it an innate advantage in sound energy conversion,natural sound field,and dynamic response.The carbon fiber material,known for its high strength,high rigidity,and light weight,can effectively reduce the speaker's分割振动,reducing non-linear distortion.To provide stronger power for this 3.5-inch unit and fully utilize its acoustic performance,FiiO has adopted an asymmetrical internal and external magnetic circuit on the SP3: adding a secondary magnet at the center of the magnetic circuit to form an internal and external magnetic design,which can enhance the magnetic field strength and improve the uniformity of the magnetic field in the magnetic gap,allowing the voice coil to move in a more uniform magnetic field and reduce non-linear distortion during large dynamics.

As a two-way speaker,the 1-inch silk dome tweeter used in the SP3 BT's high-frequency section is also a step-up configuration.The traditional design approach for small speakers is to equip them with a 3/4-inch tweeter,but the SP3 BT directly uses a 1-inch tweeter,which is often only found on 5-inch speakers,with a high-frequency limit of 35kHz.Coupled with the KSV copper-clad aluminum wire voice coil,even under high-power drive,the ultra-high frequencies are not compressed,fully displaying high-frequency resolution and timbre.FiiO also uses the internal soft hemisphere of the dome as an acoustic structure,effectively absorbing the harmonics behind the diaphragm,making the high-frequency performance purer.At the same time,the back of the SP3 BT's high-frequency magnet uses a large cavity design,allowing the high frequencies to extend down to 800Hz.Even when the diaphragm is at ultra-high frequencies above 20kHz,it can easily vent,reducing the diaphragm's own resonance at high frequencies.Coupled with the dome high-frequency magnetic circuit cooling technology,it makes the high-frequency listening experience smoother.

In the design of the bass reflex port,the SP3 BT adopts an innovative "dual diffusion S-shaped rear bass reflex port" design,which greatly reduces the cross-sectional area of the pipe,reducing the volume occupied inside the box while achieving uncompressed reproduction of low-frequency sound effects.By precisely controlling the curvature changes of the bass reflex port,it forms an "S" shape at both ends,which can effectively prevent turbulence caused by air flow inside the pipe.At the inlet and outlet of the bass reflex port,it also adds damping design.You can feel it by touching the back of the box's bass reflex port; there is about a 2cm position that is matte treated,which is different from the smooth surface inside the bass reflex port.Such a design can reduce audible noise and bring a pure and thick low-frequency response.

The SP3 BT also uses active electronic two-way crossover,and the Class D digital amplifier part is equipped with two Texas Instruments TI 3188 modules.The 4-channel independent crossover scheme allows each speaker to have an independent circuit system,reducing interference.In terms of power,the output power of the SP3 BT's mid-bass speaker is 30W×2,and the tweeter is 10W×2.Audition Experience

The SP3 BT supports the FiiO Control App,through which users can control the RGB lights,select Bluetooth codecs,and input sources.It is worth mentioning that the SP3 BT is equipped with 7 preset tuning styles and 3 custom PEQs.With FiiO's self-developed adjustment algorithms and interfaces,users can finely adjust the frequency points,gain,and bandwidth of the EQ to meet personalized listening preferences.

I connected the SP3 BT to my aptX Adaptive-supported smartphone via Bluetooth and placed the speakers at both ends of my computer desk for the audition.The first impression it gave me was that in a desktop application scenario,it sculpts a clear,full,layered,and well-directed sound space.The music seems to come from the front monitor or laptop,with a stable and three-dimensional sound form.Listeners can easily capture the sounds from different positions in the music scene,with the directions of the singer,instruments,and audience being clearly defined.Of course,its sound field space is not particularly large,but rather "small and beautiful" within the desktop range.

The SP3 BT's performance across the three frequency bands is balanced.The low-frequency section has a solid listening experience,with moderate quantity,sufficient elasticity,fast rebound response,and minimal reverberation.The overall tuning is quite neutral,highlighting the Hi-Fi orientation.The performance in the vocal range is a highlight of the SP3 BT.It has precise imaging capabilities,pure timbre,and a delicate,warm listening experience.Whether you prefer deep male voices or "female poison" (a term used by audiophiles for a certain type of female vocal quality),you can enjoy a rich emotional expression on the SP3 BT.Its expression of musical instruments is also on point,whether it's the sliding and pressing of guitar strings,the movement of a violin bow on the strings,or the "resonance chamber" of a cello,you can feel the full flavor.

It is worth noting that the SP3 BT is a standard desktop Hi-Fi speaker,especially suitable for listening in near-field environments.The use of different feet pads,the placement of the speakers,and changes in the orientation of the speakers can all lead to differences in listening experience,requiring the user to sit down and adjust properly.If the listener is further away from it,the aforementioned spatial and layering effects will be somewhat diminished.

In summary,as a Hi-Fi desktop 2.0 speaker,the overall design and craftsmanship of the SP3 BT reflect a sense of luxury.Combined with the appropriate lighting,it possesses key elements that align with current desktop trends.At the same time,its delicate and enduring sound performance in a desktop environment and the stable sound field it creates allow the SP3 BT to provide users with an excellent auditory experience in home spaces like studies and bedrooms.For most consumers,the 300 yuan price difference between the SP3 and the SP3 BT should not be a reason to hesitate.After all,the latter's support for Bluetooth wireless connection,comprehensive coverage of mainstream analog/digital input interfaces,10-band PEQ equalizer adjustment,and the ability to easily upgrade firmware through the App to continuously optimize the product,all allow the SP3 BT's application range and sound value to be fully realized.For a desktop Hi-Fi speaker,the FiiO SP3 BT is the "complete form."