Fosi BT20A Review - A Budget Amp With A Budget Sound

My thoughts on the popular Fosi BT20A inexpensive class D amp which at the time of this review, was on sale for $80.
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Other videos referenced:
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Music by John Runefelt courtesy of Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/track/7...
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Timestamp:
00:00 Intro
01:04 Specs
02:56 Pros
04:10 Cons
06:45 Sound
11:19 Hifi Fun?

[@eichelbergergary]

it has some FUN uses. I used this amp to power some outdoor Klipsch speakers mounted on my covered porch at a weekend house where I wouldnt feel comfortable in leaving an amp in place fulltime -- even inexpensive one. So its portability adds considerable and easy enjoyment to a setting that offers limited options otherwise. I don't expect audiophile quality in an outdoor setting, but this paired with good speakers proves more than up to the job of providing good basic sound with some decent detail. It is a nice option for adding some jazz to dinner outside during good weather or classical works when sitting and reading. For my specific uses, I give it a thumbs up.

[@ForeverAnalog]

Awesome! Thank you for watching!

[@stephanemontour3842]

Outdoor set up , exactly the reason why I'm interested buying this little amp. Thanks for sharing.

[@shas110]

Another upvote on my end. I'm just looking for a little amp to power Zone 2 Klipsch speakers on the patio. I think this should do the trick, all the high end gear remains reserved for indoors lol.

[@MichaelYates]

A nice and truthful review, pretty much as expected for the $80

[@ForeverAnalog]

Thank you!

[@MuslimCommunityInUSA]

Nice review sir. I have Pyle pro PMXU128BT mixer and 4 passive 50 max speakers. So could you please recommend an inexpensive solution to allow this mixer to operate those speakers? Thanks in advance

[@vikai8096]

Hey! I was wondering how i can connect my vintage bookshelf speakers to my Amp ?

[@VolgaVV]

Thank you for the review. Choosing something cheap but good for my Dali Spektor 2 speakers, the choice for now is either this one or Aiyima A01 Bluetooth Amplifier. What would you recommend?

[@ForeverAnalog]

I haven’t heard the A01 yet so can’t say if it’s better or not. FYI, there will be a new Pro version of the BT20A released in early April. Thank you for watching!

[@kurtiscobain3224]

What are some good budget bookshelf speakers for this amp. I just want a little setup to listen with Apple Music haha.

[@jpaleas]

I agree with you ! Owning several vintage and new receivers I actually chose this one in silver and paired it with a pair of white Jamo bookshelves for my bathroom area! The silver model looks a little more attractive and compact size is perfect for the area I’m using it in. The sound is ok but then again can’t complain too much, there’s running water in the background 🤣 It’s fun in a sense that it can bring decent sound in corky areas and like you mentioned stream music wirelessly from one’s phone, which is what I do every morning when getting ready. Honestly though for anyone looking to purchase as a first amp .... do save your money and consider an amp mentioned in this review! Btw happy to have found your channel !!!

[@ForeverAnalog]

Exactly! I agree with all of your thoughts as well. Thank you for watching and taking time to comment.

[@literalghost929]

Just got one for a computer setup, hopefully it's good enough for youtube, movies and some music! It's hopefully going to replace an old 90's JVC MX-S2 mini-stereo amp!

[@ForeverAnalog]

I bet it will work great for those uses!

[@RobertSpiller-gv4qf]

You are just the man I'm looking for...bc I bought some Jamo s803 and I'm looking for a headphone amp that can power up those babies and of course hook up to my laptop. Do you have the 803's and even if not, how does it sound in your system? This is my first system, but the way the conversation is going, I might have to just save up and get that Cambridge or Emotiva...anyone has any thoughts?

[@jpaleas]

@@RobertSpiller-gv4qf I’m running the jamo 801 and they sound fine . You have the 803s which is a step up . Honestly amp and speakers are ok, not bad sounding at all ! I don’t thing starting your first system with the BT20A and 803s is a bad idea especially for a desktop set up ! My comment is based on me owning a ton of equipment and speakers so I might be a little jaded lol ! You can start affordable and can always upgrade later!

[@MrRamperez01]

I have one in my bedroom paired with Fluance bookshelf speakers and it works and sound wonderfully.

[@ForeverAnalog]

Awesome!

[@alaa_aldeen1985]

شكرا جزيلا على هذه المراجعة المحايدة 🌹

[@prakasheraniyan3262]

I have mini towar 3way 120 watt it is ok this amplifier

[@MichaelHradek]

I need an amp in my garage. A couple speakers (B&W 500s) sitting on a shelf. I have no Wifi so I need something that just works streaming from my phone. Got any recommendations for something like that?

[@ForeverAnalog]

The Aiyima T9 Pro would work great.

[@himanshurajput9886]

sir, i am thinking to use this amp as external amp with denon avr x3700 to power additional two ceiling speakers(100w each)..... becouse my avr is 11 channel supported but is 9 channel powered... is it good for that?? here in india Emotiva a2 is cost around 900 USD , Which is too expensive price for that...

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

its a headphone dac

[@PXNDXZZZZ]

Any relatively inexpensive dac/amps that are portable?Main use cases being trips outside the house and whatnot. I’m using the Sundaras. I’ve been looking at the Fiio Q3 and their other low profile amps. If there’s anything better for the range of $100-150 I’d like to know. Thanks

[@PXNDXZZZZ]

My bad, noticed your channel is mainly focused on turntable and whatnot. Just asking though. ◡̈

[@ForeverAnalog]

No worries, I try to cover all forms of audio! I haven't had a chance to dive into portable DACs yet but hope to in the future! I think they look really cool and as someone who misses the simplicity of an iPod (or even Walkman!) I would love to try one out.

[@PXNDXZZZZ]

Haha yeah, I travel a lot and I really like the intimacy of headphones. And I just got my first pair of HiFi headphones and I’m loving them so far. Amps do get pretty expensive and the audiophile hobby is not cheap but I love it.

[@tenida_chatterjee]

What about heat issues like BT30 PRO

[@sdqsdq6274]

been using it for almost a year now , game changer for those that suck at diy and have old hifi speakers collecting dust lol , i gotten a anker soundcore motion plus bt speaker which is good until it KO ,lucky i found this

[@ForeverAnalog]

Awesome!

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

they smtms too immersed to the story

[@ENGLISHISBEST]

I think you described these smaller amps perfectly having just purchased a nobsound amp to put on top of the wardrobe due to lack of space, it's connected to a pair of spare q acoustic 3020i speakers & Sounds very good for the money, I can easily listen for hours bluetoothed from my samsung s 21 ultra, mainly as background music, they impressed me. BUT my main systems in the lounge Rega planar 3, Marantz pm & cd 6007 with Bowers & Wilkins 607s2.'s, It's just I wait until the wife goes out to enjoy it peacefully.

[@ForeverAnalog]

Thank you for the kind words. I bet those B&W speakers sound amazing!

[@scott5521]

how would this work with KEF Q150 speakers? Mainly for watching movies

[@ForeverAnalog]

I haven’t personally heard those speakers (but really want to) however I think the Fosi will power them easily enough.

[@pirotex2005]

Подскажите есть ли женский голос при включении Bluetooth?

[@RobertoBlatt]

Salve amigo, você conhece algum bom amplificador portátil com bluetooth para ipad e instrumentos virtuais?

[@hindesite]

Mine is different to yours - the alignment of the graphics on the front panel is different; the top label is aligned more to the left. Doesn't say a lot about the quality process...it also doesn't have that sticker on the left side. Hmm.. However, I love mine and disagree with many of your points. This replaces a Hitachi HA-3 as a PC sound system, and for that (with Mission bookshelf speakers) it is awesome. A vast improvement. I'd fall into the "curious" group, having been a hobbyist listener for >50 years and worked in audio for some of those.

[@ForeverAnalog]

Yeah I bet this would work well for a PC system. Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@cwgdrumman]

Bought this for essentially one of your explained use cases: powering some thrifted Marantz 3-way speakers from a late 90s bookshelf system in my home office. It performs totally great for listening to Spotify in the background of work. So yes if you are an adult looking for an amp for your main system for vinyl or CD, look elsewhere

[@RobertSpiller-gv4qf]

Hey I just discovered your channel, but I have a question...Fosi makes headphone amps so my question is can just the headphone amp power a home system comprised of speakers, and a computer or would I need another what amp or preampl? Or would I need a amp with a DAC? example the fosi BT10A I believe it is?

[@ForeverAnalog]

I don't have much experience with their headphone amps, but looking at the info for say, their Q4 model, it appears you can use the Q4 with speakers only if they are powered and not passive. If you want to use passive speakers (where you have to connect them via speaker wire) you would need to purchase an additional Fosi amplifier. Connect your source to the Q4 which is connected to the amp which is connected to your passive speakers. Hope that helps!

[@RobertSpiller-gv4qf]

@@ForeverAnalog Would the Fosi BT 10 work and I may connect them to the Jamo s803...or should I step down a little and get the Moukey 2 channel speaks

[@ForeverAnalog]

@@RobertSpiller-gv4qf the BT10a will power the Jamos, yes. I don't have an opinion on Jamo vs Moukey as I've yet to hear either set of speakers, sorry.

[@RobertSpiller-gv4qf]

@@ForeverAnalog OK..then I'm thinking the Fosiaudio Q4 will power the Jamo or the Moukey....I hope so, or will I need a separate amp to do the job? Thanks for that quick reply. I'm a newby and I'm full of questions.

[@ForeverAnalog]

@@RobertSpiller-gv4qf close - you will need the BT10a to power the speakers and then you can plug the Q4 into the BT10a to use headphones. If you look on the rear of the Q4 you will see there are not binding posts to connect speakers to, therefore it has to be connected to an amp like the B10a, etc.

[@literalghost929]

Got it a couple days ago! Used it with DIY Jim Holtz Monitor Statements; 4 ohms, ~85 sensitivity maybe. It drove them surprisingly well, but then going back to a QSC 1450 (280W @ 8 ohms and 450 @ 4 ohms) which weighs 40lbs... You'd have no difficulty to differentiating them. The bass is no comparison; QSC has a solid 'grasp' on the bass for lack of a better word; authority; goes deep (~30Hz), feels like it surrounds you. Soundstage, imaging, everything is improved. Speakers seem to disappear a lot more. But still, without hearing the QSC, the Fossi drives them decently well, they've still got a decent amount of bass, it can play really loud. If you don't know what you're missing, it can sound pretty good. Definitely not driving to full potential though! So I'd say good amp for a garage, background listening, maybe gaming or the such, but yeah, not great for hifi listening; it's really not quality amplification. So ++ for your review! It can play loud, it can sound good, but it's definitely not 'hifi'. For computer setup, got pair of Edison R2000DB from black friday sale. Very very nice for the price! The Fossi will end up replacing a Dayton Audio DTA-1 for a Pod Go guitar rig. Hopefully will do the job ok for that!

[@ForeverAnalog]

Thank you for watching! Glad you heard lots of the same things I did.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

it does sound impressive

[@alexvillalobos7137]

I can’t believe I spent so much time looking at this to not have a phono pre amp built in 😅. It worked with my turn table but it’s like at 5% volume when I have the knob at 100%

[@ForeverAnalog]

Funny, I just posted a video last week on how to connect a turntable to these class D amps!

[@alexvillalobos7137]

@@ForeverAnalog I’ll be checking it out

[@JoseJimeniz]

Third group of people: who have been using a full audio receiver driving small bookshelf speakers, to listen to their computer audio. But it's now 2023 and the receiver is dying, and just need something that can accept a line input from their PC, and output to two bookshelf speakers.

[@ForeverAnalog]

Great point, thank you for sharing!

[@RobertSpiller]

Have you reviewed the Fosi Audio BT10A, and the Fosi Q4

[@ForeverAnalog]

Not yet! Thanks for watching!

[@RobertSpiller]

@@ForeverAnalog Your welcome.

[@alecbruyns4490]

I have one of these on my desk, connected to a pair of small speakers. It is most convenient for use with a computer, using bluetooth.

[@ForeverAnalog]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@taronyoung5768]

My sound is low?! Did I not connect it properly. Using Polk speakers.

[@ForeverAnalog]

What source are you using? Turntable perhaps?

[@taronyoung5768]

@@ForeverAnalogOK. I am embarrassed. I was so excited that I didn’t turn up the volume on my source. Opps

[@ForeverAnalog]

@taronyoung5768 I always love an easy fix! Enjoy the music! ✌🏻

[@jimbo4203]

I have a few systems but new to class d amps , just got a silver one off Amazon 2days ago and paired it with some old Sony ss70 3 ways ! Surprised me how good they sound with a 64 dollar amp

[@ForeverAnalog]

I held out for a long time and I too was surprised at how well they sound! Thanks for watching!

[@sdqsdq6274]

man i had that speaker before, i threw it away

[@wallytuber]

So I just bought this for like $50 so I could use Sony SS-CS5 speakers for my computer for gaming. They are replacing an old Panasonic sound bar and sub combo because the subwoofer stopped working.

[@ForeverAnalog]

Awesome. Hope you enjoy the new setup!

[@RamonBello]

To each his own. These are made for specific users.

[@ForeverAnalog]

Agreed!

[@gv1339]

Bought one to turn my Denon receiver into an 11.1.4 system. It will only power a pair of rear surrounds so I'm not expecting much from it

[@ForeverAnalog]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@louisdefunes8952]

I have this little amp and the Aiyima D03, the Fosi BT20A has enough power(no remote control), yeah, but the Aiyima D03(with remote control) sounds better, for my ears. Connected with Bluesound Node 2i and a pair of Triangle Borea 3 speakers. Love this speakers;bought them second hand(but in mint condition) for €250,-. White version. Have also a pair of Dali Oberon 5; great floorstanding speakers, but to much bass with a lot of tracks on Tidal/Spotify. Before the 2 little class D amps, i used a full restored Sansui AU-317, also great full/warm(but not muddy) sound,pretty heavy amp. From 1978! But much bigger of course. Yeahh, 1978 compairing to 2020/2023.. Live in small apartment(about 3x4 meters, but high ceiling)) in Amsterdam,so smaller is better in my case.

[@ForeverAnalog]

Awesome. Thank you for sharing!

[@louisdefunes8952]

Hahaa, stupid of me; now i connect (with coax cable) my Bluesound with the Aiyiama D03 coax input and now the sound is more sparkly,bright. And even enough low frequencies. So i bypass the intern dac of the Bluesound i guess? Sound of the Bluesound is absolute not bad, but i missed high frequencies by a lot of tracks..

[@dgdave2673]

Take these reviews with a big spoon of salt. I have this little ChiFi amp the pro version, it’s wonderful for what it is for desktop listening, casual game room setup etc. but let me be clear, it’s no match for even a entry level, but well built, well priced offerings from Cambridge or Emotiva etc. The Emotiva Mini X-A100 that I also own beats the snot out of this little bugger in terms of superb midrange weight, bass depth and tightness and well resolved treble and separation. But for $80, this BT20a Pro does hold a surprise or two on how well it still can drive medium to large speakers. Anything upto 11 O’clock position sounds good. Beyond that it loses its composure, but it’s already pretty loud 90db by then. Try this for fun and you may find a use case.

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

no good class D amplifiers?

[@ForeverAnalog]

Good point. I didn’t mean to imply that. I think some higher end class d amps have come a long way but these inexpensive ones don’t quite do it for me.

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

@@ForeverAnalog thanks for the response

[@ForeverAnalog]

Thanks for watching!

[@pfagundes8340]

I think the problem is that you are being very demanding with equipment designed to be cheap. In my opinion, this device is great value for money. I bought this just to conect two small audio speakers boxes to my pc.. Im not expecting an orquestra in my bedroom man lol..

[@ForeverAnalog]

Very true, thank you for watching! I think you'll really enjoy the BT20A!

[@JohnGlen502]

Not vain. Superficial is a better word. Quality of sound and price is what matters.

[@donalddeorio2237]

I have had a Fossi Audio BT 10a for my desktop system with 50 watts channel powering a pair of Sony SSCS5 bookshelf speakers and it sounds great. my home system is Infinity Interlude speakers driven by a Carver AV705X and a Marantz AV7005 pre-processor, Big difference . think you are being a little picky considering it's price. I have a portable system for for Parties using a pair of Klipsch B20 bookshelves and the Fossi bt20a pro for under $200 .

[@ForeverAnalog]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing and watching!