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USB-C DONGLE · CS43198 × 2

FiiO KA15

Works with Contour

A USB-C dongle with two CS43198 DAC chips, a 3.5 mm and a 4.4 mm balanced output, a built-in mic and a 10-band EQ in Contour. About 21 g.

Manufacturer page · Price history

POWER AT 32 Ω≥560mW4.4 mm balanced
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE0.65ΩMEASURED3.5 mm, ±0.02 Ω, 20 OctFiiO states <0.8 Ω
SNRNot statedNo data from the manufacturer
PRICE$99.99Lowest price at Apos Audio
OUTPUTS3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
DAC CHIPCS43198 × 2
PARAMETRIC EQ10 bandsMEASUREDpeak, shelves, low and high pass, band pass, all pass
Works with Contour

Numbers are the manufacturer's stated figures unless marked as measured; sources linked below. Figures marked Measured are my own, taken on the Soundblooms rig; the method is under My measurements.

Outputs and power

4.4 mm balanced
510mWat 16 Ω per channel
Spec sheet: ≥510 mW, THD+N <1%, USB input
560mWat 32 Ω per channel
Spec sheet: ≥560 mW, THD+N <1%, USB input
78mWat 300 Ω per channel
Spec sheet: ≥78 mW, THD+N <1%, USB input
Output impedance <1.2 Ω
3.5 mm
290mWat 16 Ω per channel
Spec sheet: ≥290 mW, THD+N <1%, USB input
180mWat 32 Ω per channel
Spec sheet: ≥180 mW, THD+N <1%, USB input
19mWat 300 Ω per channel
Spec sheet: ≥19 mW, THD+N <1%, USB input
Output impedance 0.65 ΩMEASURED
±0.02 Ω, 20 Oct
FiiO states <0.8 Ω

Not stated: gain, supply voltage, SNR, distortion, crosstalk.

Is it enough for your headphones?

FiiO rates the KA15 at ≥560 mW into 32 Ω from the 4.4 mm balanced output. Below is how much of that is left to spare for each kind of headphones when you listen loud, with peaks at 110 dB. A figure marked est. is worked out from that rating.

Sensitive IEMsMulti-driver sets that hiss on strong sources
needs 0.6 mW≥510 mW at 16 Ω+29 dB
Most IEMsTypical in-ears, 16 to 50 Ω
needs 3.2 mW≥560 mW at 32 Ω+22 dB
Easy-to-drive headphonesClosed and portable, 32 Ω
needs 16 mW≥560 mW at 32 Ω+15 dB
Hard-to-drive headphones300 Ω, HD 600 class, hungry for voltage
needs 20 mW≥78 mW at 300 Ω+6 dB
Most planarsPlanar magnetic, low impedance, need current
needs 50 mW≥560 mW at 32 Ω+10 dB
Demanding planarsThe hardest loads, desktop territory
needs 251 mWest. 322 mW at 60 Ω+1 dB

Where to buy

Some shop links are affiliate links: if you buy through one, I may earn a commission. Your price and the order stay the same.

Apos Audio · retail price, checked 16 Oct 2026$99.99Apos Audio · read 11 Nov 2026$99.99The HiFi Cat · read 11 Nov 2026$109.99

Price historyCompare prices on Soundblooms Deals

The device

From FiiO's product page unless marked
InputUSB-Cspec sheet
FormatsPCM up to 32-bit / 768 kHz, DSD256
DAC chipCS43198 × 2
Volume60; 120 steps
AppFiiO Control app, Android only
Works withAndroid, iOS, iPadOS, Windows and macOS
MicYes
Parametric EQ10 bands: peak, low shelf, high shelf, low pass, high pass, band pass and all pass, ±12 dB, Q 0.1 to 10Works with Contour
SizeAbout 52 × 25 × 11 mmspec sheet
WeightAbout 21 gspec sheet

How it stacks up against the competition

Power at 32 Ω · price in US dollars
200 mW500 mW1 W$70$100scale breaks hereMost IEMs need 3.2 mW+22 dB to spareFiiO KA13: 550 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99KA13FiiO KA17: 650 mW at 32 Ω, $144.99KA17FiiO KA5: 265 mW at 32 Ω, $119.99iBasso DC04PRO: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $119Questyle M15i: 2.41 mW at 32 Ω, $169MOONDROP DAWN 4.4: 230 mW at 32 Ω, $69.99FiiO KA1: 45 mW at 32 Ω, $59.99FiiO KA3: 235 mW at 32 Ω, $95.94FiiO QX11: 800 mW at 32 Ω, $159.99iBasso DC03PRO: 98 mW at 32 Ω, $69iBasso DC05: 93 mW at 32 Ω, $69iBasso DC06: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC06iBasso DC06PRO: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119iBasso DC04 Ultra: 980 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC04 UltraHidizs S9 PRO: 200 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha: 180 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99Hidizs S8 Pro Robin: 160 mW at 32 Ω, $59.99MOONDROP DAWN PRO 2: 62 mW at 32 Ω, $59.99TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $59.90Shanling UA2: 195 mW at 32 Ω, $85Shanling UA3: 210 mW at 32 Ω, $109Shanling UA4: 227 mW at 32 Ω, $99iFi GO link: 70 mW at 32 Ω, $59iFi GO link Max: 241 mW at 32 Ω, $79CrinEar Protocol Max: 300 mW at 32 Ω, $76.49 (lowest offer on /deals today)JCALLY AP20: 330 mW at 32 Ω, ~$91.88AP20JCALLY Galaxy SONATA: 560 mW at 32 Ω, $79.99NiceHCK Octave: 550 mW at 32 Ω, $89OctaveNiceHCK PureAural: 210 mW at 32 Ω, $59.99Muse HiFi M3 Ultra: 480 mW at 32 Ω, $109.99M3 UltraFiiO KA15200 mW500 mW1 W100 mW$70$100scale breaks hereMost IEMs need 3.2 mW+22 dB to spareFiiO KA13: 550 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99KA13FiiO KA17: 650 mW at 32 Ω, $144.99KA17FiiO KA5: 265 mW at 32 Ω, $119.99iBasso DC04PRO: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $119Questyle M15i: 2.41 mW at 32 Ω, $169MOONDROP DAWN 4.4: 230 mW at 32 Ω, $69.99FiiO KA1: 45 mW at 32 Ω, $59.99FiiO KA3: 235 mW at 32 Ω, $95.94FiiO QX11: 800 mW at 32 Ω, $159.99QX11iBasso DC03PRO: 98 mW at 32 Ω, $69iBasso DC05: 93 mW at 32 Ω, $69iBasso DC06: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC06iBasso DC06PRO: 320 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC06PROiBasso DC04 Ultra: 980 mW at 32 Ω, $119DC04 UltraHidizs S9 PRO: 200 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99Hidizs S9 Pro Plus Martha: 180 mW at 32 Ω, $65.99Hidizs S8 Pro Robin: 160 mW at 32 Ω, $59.99MOONDROP DAWN PRO 2: 62 mW at 32 Ω, $59.99TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro: 280 mW at 32 Ω, $59.90Shanling UA2: 195 mW at 32 Ω, $85Shanling UA3: 210 mW at 32 Ω, $109Shanling UA4: 227 mW at 32 Ω, $99iFi GO link: 70 mW at 32 Ω, $59iFi GO link Max: 241 mW at 32 Ω, $79CrinEar Protocol Max: 300 mW at 32 Ω, $76.49 (lowest offer on /deals today)JCALLY AP20: 330 mW at 32 Ω, ~$91.88AP20JCALLY Galaxy SONATA: 560 mW at 32 Ω, $79.99Galaxy SONATANiceHCK Octave: 550 mW at 32 Ω, $89OctaveNiceHCK PureAural: 210 mW at 32 Ω, $59.99Muse HiFi M3 Ultra: 480 mW at 32 Ω, $109.99M3 UltraFiiO KA15
  • Nearby
  • Same DAC chip
  • Most IEMs, 3.2 mW

Devices with the same DAC chip

CS43198 · 16 devices use it
JCALLYJM98MAX≈195 mW0.65 ΩYes8 bandsSGM8262$34.99≈195 mW · 0.65 Ω · $34.99PEQ Yes, 8 bands · Amp SGM8262
MOONDROPWorks with ContourDAWN PRO 262 mWEstimated0.219 ΩMeasuredWorks with Contour8 bands$59.99est. 62 mW · 0.219 Ω · $59.99PEQ Yes, 8 bands
NiceHCKPureAural210 mWYes10 bandsSGM8262$59.99210 mW · $59.99PEQ Yes, 10 bands · Amp SGM8262
TRUTHEARSHIO$69.99$69.99
CrinEarWorks with ContourProtocol Max300 mWEstimated<0.3 ΩWorks with Contour10 bandsDual SG Micro SGM8262-2$76.49est. 300 mW · <0.3 Ω · $76.49PEQ Yes, 10 bands · Amp Dual SG Micro SGM8262-2
JCALLYGalaxy SONATA≈560 mW0.65 ΩDual SGM8262$79.99≈560 mW · 0.65 Ω · $79.99Amp Dual SGM8262
iBassoDC04 Ultra980 mWYes10 bands$119980 mW · $119PEQ Yes, 10 bands
FiiOKA5≥265 mW<0.3 ΩNo8261 × 2$119.99≥265 mW · <0.3 Ω · $119.99PEQ No · Amp 8261 × 2
MOONDROPMOONRIVER 2:TI280 mW$219.99280 mW · $219.99
MOONDROPMOONRIVER3250 mWEstimatedYes$219.99est. 250 mW · $219.99PEQ Yes
FiiOJM21≥700 mW<1 ΩSGM8262 x2$259.99≥700 mW · <1 Ω · $259.99Amp SGM8262 x2
iBassoNunchaku525 mW$299525 mW · $299

All 16 in the finder

Compared with

Manufacturers' stated figures; the price is today's lowest

FiiO KA15 vs FiiO KA17

At 32 Ω FiiO KA15 is listed at ≥560 mW and FiiO KA17 at ≥650 mW; the lowest prices are $99.99 and $144.99, $45 apart.

FiiO KA15 vs FiiO KA17: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
FiiO KA15FiiO KA17
Power at 32 Ω≥560 mW4.4 mm balanced≥650 mW4.4 mm balanced, high gain, desktop
Power at 16 Ω≥510 mW4.4 mm balancedNot stated
Power at 300 Ω≥78 mW4.4 mm balancedNot stated
Price today$99.99Apos Audio, 16 Oct$144.99Apos Audio, 16 Oct
DAC chipCS43198 × 2ES9069Q × 2
InputsUSB-CUSB-C
Outputs3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
SizeAbout 52 × 25 × 11 mmAbout 64 × 27.7 × 12.7 mm
WeightAbout 21 gAbout 33.5 g

FiiO KA15 price history · FiiO KA17 price history

FiiO KA15 vs FiiO KA13

At 32 Ω FiiO KA15 is listed at ≥560 mW and FiiO KA13 at >550 mW; the lowest prices are $99.99 and $65.99, $34 apart.

FiiO KA15 vs FiiO KA13: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
FiiO KA15FiiO KA13
Power at 32 Ω≥560 mW4.4 mm balanced>550 mW4.4 mm balanced, desktop on
Power at 16 Ω≥510 mW4.4 mm balancedNot stated
Power at 300 Ω≥78 mW4.4 mm balancedNot stated
Price today$99.99Apos Audio, 16 Oct$65.99Mimic Audio, 20 Oct
DAC chipCS43198 × 2CS43131 × 2
InputsUSB-CUSB-C
Outputs3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced
SizeAbout 52 × 25 × 11 mmAbout 56.5 × 22 × 10.5 mm
WeightAbout 21 gAbout 19 g

FiiO KA15 price history · FiiO KA13 price history

FiiO KA15 vs FiiO KA11

At 32 Ω FiiO KA15 is listed at ≥560 mW and FiiO KA11 at 200 mW; the lowest prices are $99.99 and $29.99, $70 apart.

FiiO KA15 vs FiiO KA11: the manufacturers' stated figures and today's lowest price, side by side
FiiO KA15FiiO KA11
Power at 32 Ω≥560 mW4.4 mm balanced200 mW3.5 mm, channel basis not specified in artwork
Power at 16 Ω≥510 mW4.4 mm balanced245 mW3.5 mm
Power at 300 Ω≥78 mW4.4 mm balancedNot stated
Price today$99.99Apos Audio, 16 Oct$29.99HiFiGo, 16 Oct
DAC chipCS43198 × 2CS43131
InputsUSB-CUSB-C, Lightning
Outputs3.5 mm · 4.4 mm balanced3.5 mm
SizeAbout 52 × 25 × 11 mmNot stated
WeightAbout 21 g8.5 g

FiiO KA15 price history · FiiO KA11 price history

More like this

More portable DAC amps

PEQ on Android: Contour EQ supports this dongle

Contour EQ is a free, open-source Android app that reads and writes the PEQ stored inside the FiiO KA15.

FiiO KA15 EQ app for Android

Sources

Checked 14 Oct 2026
KA15 product
fiio.com · the product page
Used for formats, the DAC chip, controls, the app, compatibility, parametric EQ, microphone and uac mode
KA15 manufacturer specification table
fiio.com · the spec sheet
Used for power, output impedance, input, outputs, size and weight

My measurements

Measured 20 Oct 2026
0.65ΩOutput impedance, 3.5 mm, ±0.02 Ω
Volume at maximum, low gain
This is the rig's reference unit, so it has been measured four times: 0.650, 0.656, 0.648 and 0.643 Ω. A 1.0 Ω resistor added in series reads 1.665 Ω.
How: a 1 kHz tone at -3 dBFS on the left channel, the voltage with and without a 33.2 Ω load, plug taken out and put back in 3 times. The figure is the median, the ± covers all 3. Checked again at -9 dBFS: 0.649 Ω.
10bandsParametric EQ
Filters: peak, low shelf, high shelf; low pass and high pass were refused by the test tool, not checked on the device
Written to the device over USB and read back, 20 Oct 2026