• Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Qudelix-5K Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amp

Hello everyone. Quick question regarding the Qudelix 5k's balanced output. I'm currently pairing it with a Unique Melody Mest MKII. While the single-ended output seems powerful enough to drive them, I've heard that going balanced offers a significant upgrade. Is the difference worth the investment for a new cable? Thanks!
 
Hello everyone. Quick question regarding the Qudelix 5k's balanced output. I'm currently pairing it with a Unique Melody Mest MKII. While the single-ended output seems powerful enough to drive them, I've heard that going balanced offers a significant upgrade. Is the difference worth the investment for a new cable? Thanks!
If you've already got enough power, then no, and there won't be any difference anyway.
 
Hello everyone. Quick question regarding the Qudelix 5k's balanced output. I'm currently pairing it with a Unique Melody Mest MKII. While the single-ended output seems powerful enough to drive them, I've heard that going balanced offers a significant upgrade. Is the difference worth the investment for a new cable? Thanks!
In fact, the single-ended output gives lower noise at the same output level.
 
Apologies in advance if this was covered in the prior 55 pages.

When using the 2-way active crossover, can the crossover parameters (freq and slope) be varied by the user?
Is there any reason that the corresponding outputs on the respective 2.5mm and 3.5mm jacks could not be connected to an amplifier rather than the Qudelix IEM?

Essentially I'm trying to assess if the 5k would be a cheap yet clean solution for a DIY active 2-way stereo speaker setup. In my case I'm thinking an automotive setup, but (if viable) it would be equally applicable to a home setup.
 
Apologies in advance if this was covered in the prior 55 pages.

When using the 2-way active crossover, can the crossover parameters (freq and slope) be varied by the user?
Is there any reason that the corresponding outputs on the respective 2.5mm and 3.5mm jacks could not be connected to an amplifier rather than the Qudelix IEM?

Essentially I'm trying to assess if the 5k would be a cheap yet clean solution for a DIY active 2-way stereo speaker setup. In my case I'm thinking an automotive setup, but (if viable) it would be equally applicable to a home setup.
AFAIK no, the crossover freq. and slope are fixed. The only thing unique to the Qx-over mode was the adjustment of each driver level (gain). I always wondered if the X-over freq. changed when adjusting these levels…

It’s probably something Qudelix could implement (same for the T71 4-way X-over), but I don’t believe there is much interest in the end…
 
My Qudelix 5K has died, RIP.

I should probably just get a new one, or are there relevant competitors? I need PEQ, Bluetooth and similar power I get from Q5K. The less it costs the better, looking at the Snowsky Nano as a cheaper option but I have reservations about that one.
 
My Qudelix 5K has died, RIP.

I should probably just get a new one, or are there relevant competitors? I need PEQ, Bluetooth and similar power I get from Q5K. The less it costs the better, looking at the Snowsky Nano as a cheaper option but I have reservations about that one.
Dead like in FUBAR, or just like in no battery? The latter is quite easy to fix.
 
Dead like in FUBAR, or just like in no battery? The latter is quite easy to fix.
I had it charging near where I was cooking and I think some flour got inside because after that it did not react to anything at all. I still need to get a torx driver to open it up but I doubt there is much I can do even when I have opened it.
 
I had it charging near where I was cooking and I think some flour got inside because after that it did not react to anything at all. I still need to get a torx driver to open it up but I doubt there is much I can do even when I have opened it.
I can have a look at it, if you wish. I have been in the lookout for something that could be better overall than the Qudelix-5K and hadn't found anything that I liked.
 
My Qudelix 5K has died, RIP.

I should probably just get a new one, or are there relevant competitors? I need PEQ, Bluetooth and similar power I get from Q5K. The less it costs the better, looking at the Snowsky Nano as a cheaper option but I have reservations about that one.
If you need PEQ, Qudelix 5K is hard to beat in my opinion. I have a Snowsky Nano and my Qudelix 5K that is probably almost 6 years old at this point (bought it when it first came out). I rarely use the Nano (sits in a drawer at the office as a backup). It sounds fine and no real issues with it (and I like how it looks) but I prefer the features and app of the Qudelix 5K. When mine finally dies, I will probably buy another one.
 
Yes, and I think I already have given them here and/or on the Qudelix forum.


Li-Po is a subtype of Li-Ion. This is clearly a Li-Po, packaged in a flat soft pouch instead of hard cylindrical casing. This is not an issue.


The charger in the Qudelix will try to charge the battery to 4.35 V when the maximum voltage for 3.7 V cells is 4.2 V. This can very likely lead to overcharge and failure of the battery (even a structural one).

A workaround is to limit the charge to 80% in the settings (in practice it stops charging around 76-78% with the 3.8 V cell), but that way you will be losing a great deal of battery life.

The 682134 3.8 V battery cell is still being made (the 5K is still using it), but I believe it's a custom order for Qudelix, since it's unavailable for sale.

I still in search of a suitable 3.8 V battery replacement.
Just replaced mine with a 702035 which does fit. I don't think you will be loosing that much by limiting it to 80%. It may say that it's limited to 80% But it will probably be more like 90-95% charge on a 3.7v battery, as it charges it to 4.1v.
 

Attachments

  • AGC_20260415_215932014.jpg
    AGC_20260415_215932014.jpg
    145.4 KB · Views: 95
Inventory of the Qudelix-5K at Amazon USA has been infrequent since early March 2026 according to data at Keepa dot com.

Amazon USA is currently showing inventory of the Qudelix-5K.
 
Inventory of the Qudelix-5K at Amazon USA has been infrequent since early March 2026 according to data at Keepa dot com.

Amazon USA is currently showing inventory of the Qudelix-5K.
That applies to a lot of things where supply chains have been interrupted by the situation in Hormuz. Ascilab is another example where production has been affected.
 
Why should something from China be delivered trough middle Eastern?

The conflict may or may not be impacting the ability of Qudelix to produce the 5K.
 
Why should something from China be delivered trough middle Eastern?
They wouldn't, but supply chain starts with the raw materials used to make all the bits that go into making the product. A lot of chemicals go through Hormuz and head east. The shortages that have been hitting the headlines (in UK reporting of the east at least) have been fuel and fertiliser, but they're not the only things affected. IIRC Ascilab (another Korean company) mentioned adhesives and paint being hard to secure supplies of. We don't know whether it's affecting Qudelix, but it wouldn't be surprising.
 
Details of new 5k below which is planned for release sept/oct time, I appreciate the screen but don't appreciate the same buttons, no integral clip which means a clunky add-on will be used and 4.4mm?....I guess that's why the body size has increased

I'm being a grump t'day ;)

 
I can't believe they're adding a screen but not improving the buttons. I've been recommending the Fiio BTR13 to folks who I don't think are up for the quirks of the 5k, the software isn't as good but the button layout actually makes sense. Having the screen to show status and the dedicated PC/BT/Phone switch are nice bonus.
 
now 5 instead of 4 buttons?
3.5 and 4.4 the same juice?

the integration of aptx losless is nice improvement :)

I wish they would add a magnetic function like fiio qx13...but no clip seems like a odd decision.
 
Back
Top Bottom