Overview

The FiiO RR13 is a compact portable stereo FM radio with two built-in speakers, so you can set it on a desk, kitchen counter or nightstand and let the room hear it, or plug in headphones when you'd rather listen privately. Hand-turned tuning, a stereo indicator and a tuning light keep the retro radio feel, and a sleep timer turns it off after 30 or 60 minutes. It's for anyone who wants simple over-the-air radio without an app, a data plan or a phone screen.

A Silicon Labs Si4831 tuner covers 87 to 108MHz and 76 to 90MHz, picking up stations through a built-in custom-shaped antenna, with a detachable telescopic antenna for better reception when it's playing through the speakers. A FiiO DDB AS100 custom analog chip handles the sound, and a three-position BASS switch chooses between off, bass boost, or bass boost plus 3D surround.

The RR13 runs on a replaceable 3.7V 10440 lithium battery, rated for over 7 hours of radio through headphones or over 4 hours through the speakers, and it charges over USB-C in about 2.5 hours from a 5V/2A supply. In AMP mode it also works as a portable headphone amplifier for a phone, player or computer using a USB-C DAC cable, which is sold separately.

Simcoe Audio Video Insight

For tabletop listening, slide the output switch to SPK and plug the telescopic antenna into the 3.5mm port; that same port is the headphone output in HP mode, so it's one or the other. Tune slowly, since the wheel tuning rewards patience, and use the sleep timer button for bedtime listening. The battery is replaceable, but FiiO recommends sticking with its own cell, which has a built-in protection board and may fit snugly; mind the + and - orientation when swapping. If you want AMP mode, plan on a USB-C to USB-C cable with a built-in DAC, as FiiO no longer includes one.

More Info

Why the FiiO RR13 Stands Out

Buyer's Guide

Who It's For

• The Tabletop Radio Listener: Wants radio out loud on a desk or nightstand.
• The Bedtime Listener: Wants a sleep timer and simple controls.
• The Long-Term Owner: Values a battery that can be replaced.

How It Compares

Compared with FiiO's RR11, the RR13 adds two built-in speakers, an included telescopic antenna and a sleep timer, and runs on a replaceable 10440 battery, in a slightly larger 76g body. The RR11 covers a third band (64 to 87MHz) for campus stations and includes the USB-C DAC cable for its amp mode, while the RR13's DAC cable is sold separately.