Disclosure: I’d like to thank FiiO for sending me the RR11 for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and FiiO had no say or input on the contents of this review.

Remember those days when you’d carry pocket radios or cassette players with built-in radios so you could listen to your favorite stations? Maybe some of you never had that experience, but some of us did, and FiiO is bringing that experience back with the RR11.

The RR11 isn’t merely a radio, though; it doubles as a headphone amplifier with impressive battery performance, and has a “Magic Bass” feature that offers two enhancement settings. You also get retro-style earbuds in the FiiO JF1. Let’s see if FiiO’s latest addition to their “Musical Renaissance” lineup delivers on its promise of bringing FM radio into the modern age and is worth the $55 USD price tag.

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• FiiO RR1
• FiiO JF11 earbuds
• 6x Earbud sponge covers
• USB-C to USB-C digital to analog audio cable
• USB-A to USB-C charger cable
• Manual

The inclusion of the earbuds is particularly nice, as they’re matched to complement the RR11’s design characteristics. The earbuds have a very retro aesthetic, though comfort leaves something to be desired (at least for my ears). Sponge covers are included, but I found them extremely tedious to put on. The JF11 earbuds also double as an antenna.

The first time I picked up the FiiO RR11, I was struck by how perfectly it blends retro charm with modern build quality. This tiny radio feels immediately nostalgic while still offering the solid construction you’d expect from FiiO’s audio gear.

The RR11’s rectangular chassis is crafted from high-quality aluminum alloy that gives it a substantial feel despite weighing a noticeably light 46 grams. It’s also astonishingly thin yet doesn’t feel flimsy or delicate in hand.

What makes the RR11 special are the mechanical controls that provide genuine tactile satisfaction. Both the scroll wheels and switches are made from matching aluminum, creating a cohesive look and feel. The top-mounted volume/power wheel has just the right amount of resistance, while the side-mounted tuning wheel allows for precise station adjustments with tactile feedback that digital controls simply can’t match.

FiiO offers the RR11 in four color types: Titanium Gold, Black, Silver, and Red. The color options let you choose between understated elegance or something a bit more eye-catching.

For portability, the RR11 is only slightly larger than typical USB DAC dongles and slips easily into a pocket without creating an awkward bulge. I’ve been carrying it daily in my jeans pocket, and it’s never felt cumbersome or awkward.

The most charming retro element has to be the analog tuning system. The side wheel controls a sliding indicator behind a transparent window that shows your current frequency position, with LED indicators that help indicate signal strength. This physical connection between user input and visual feedback creates a satisfying experience that’s increasingly rare in today’s digital world.

Below the frequency display are the orange-yellow LED indicators for essential status information. These lights show battery percentage, signal strength, and whether you’re receiving a stereo broadcast. The warm glow is subtle rather than distracting, enhancing the nostalgic feel while providing useful information at a glance.

The Si4831 FM radio chipset inside the RR11 delivers remarkably clear and stable radio signals. What impressed me most was how well it captures frequencies across the entire range. Stations with good broadcast quality sound exceptionally rich through this device, with full-bodied bass, natural midrange, and clean treble. Weaker signals though will be filled with static and interference, much like a regular analog radio device would. Living downtown I’m able to get the majority of radio stations in my to sound clear, but there are a couple where it’s clear the transmission power is not that great, and this is typically where difital radios have a distinct advantage as they can more accurately lock onto a radio frequency and stabilize the sound. Still, it’s amazing to listen to the radio this way, or at all in my case, as I haven’t listened to the radio for about 10 years now!

The RR11’s audio quality actually approaches that of high-resolution audio played through dedicated DACs, albeit with that characteristic organic, analog-like timbre that makes FM radio so appealing. Signal strength remains consistent throughout use, primarily thanks to the dual antenna system that combines both the headset cable and the internal PCB signal gain antenna.

The RR11 offers two distinct sound enhancement modes through its customized DDB analog sound effect chip. Magic Bass 1 provides a clean, punchy bass boost that works excellently with bass-light IEMs and headphones. Meanwhile, Magic Bass 2 combines that same bass enhancement with a 3D surround effect that creates a more spacious presentation. The stereo separation becomes particularly noticeable when using quality IEMs, creating a soundstage that feels surprisingly spacious for FM radio.

Your choice of earphones significantly impacts the overall experience. The included earbuds work adequately but lack bass presence. Pairing the RR11 with more efficient IEMs yields substantially better results, like the InAwaken Dawn-Ms or Tripowin x 0DiBi: Vivace.

The FiiO RR11 can be used as a dedicated amp, with both Magic Bass options available to be used. This allows you to get the analog sound signature of the RR11 and use it with any source device through USB-C.

One quirk worth noting involves cable compatibility. The RR11 works properly only with the included cable and cannot be substituted with just any USB-C cable, as it has a built-in DAC. Additionally, the cable has directional arrows that must be correctly oriented, one end pointing away from the source device and the other toward the RR11’s USB-C port. Furthermore, this cable cannot be used to charge the RR11; you will need to use the other included USB cable for that.

The 300mAh lithium battery delivers impressively consistent performance. In FM radio mode, the RR11 runs continuously for 8.5 hours, which I confirmed through real-world testing at moderate volume levels. When used as an amplifier, that same battery extends to an impressive 17.5 hours of playback.

Recharging the RR11 takes approximately two hours from empty to full. Interestingly, although the radio can function while charging, this capability doesn’t extend to its amplifier mode, given the need for the proprietary cable.

After spending a good amount of time with the FiiO RR11, I’m genuinely impressed by how this tiny gadget successfully blends retro charm with modern audio performance. The aluminum alloy construction feels premium in hand despite weighing a mere 46 grams, while the analog tuning dial delivers that tactile satisfaction digital devices simply can’t replicate.

The sound quality exceeds what you’d expect from a $55 device. FM reception stays remarkably clean and stable across all three frequency bands, though folks accustomed to digital presets will need some patience when manually dialing in stations.

So, who should pick up the RR11? I see two main audiences here: nostalgic listeners who miss the analog radio experience and audio enthusiasts looking for a versatile pocket-sized FM radio/headphone amp combo. While it has limitations, particularly the absence of AM bands and digital station presets, these drawbacks become less significant when you consider its exceptional portability and dual functionality.

The FiiO RR11 succeeds admirably at what it sets out to do. This pocket-sized marvel delivers surprisingly capable FM performance in a beautifully crafted retro package that manages to feel both nostalgic and thoroughly modern. Despite a few quirks, it represents excellent value for anyone wanting to rediscover the simple joy of analog radio listening, enhanced by thoughtful modern audio technology.

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