Comparison

FiiO Control vs Ascend Audio

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

FiiO Control

This utility app allows you to customize settings for compatible FiiO Bluetooth audio devices. Adjust audio parameters, equalizer settings, and general device functions like charging and indicator lights. It also provides access to user guides for supported models.

Highlights
  • Customize general device functions
  • Adjust equalizer settings
  • Modify audio settings
  • View embedded user guides
  • Control charging and indicator lights
  • Enable in-vehicle mode
Features
Read full description

FiiO Control app is designed exclusively for controlling FiiO Bluetooth devices. You can use this app to change the audio settings, equalizer and other functions of your FiiO Bluetooth device. Features: 1. Customize the general functions such as Charging on-off, RGB indicator light on-off, in-vehicle mode, DAC work mode, etc; 2. Adjust the equalizer; 3. Change audio settings such as digital filter, channel balance, etc. 4. View the embedded user guide for device introductions; Note: This app currently supports connecting with FiiO Q5, Q5s, BTR3, BTR3K, BTR5, EH3 NC, LC-BT2. The support for newer models will be added once they're available. Due to the differences in Bluetooth chips and DAC chips, the settings for each model may vary. Please refer to the menus that appear after device connection for the actual settings. ----------------------------------------------------------- If you have any questions of using this app or any suggestions, feel free to contact us using the below methods: E-mail: support@fiio.net FiiO website: http://www.fiio.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiiOAUDIO

About

Ascend Audio

This utility app helps users set up and control the Dutch & Dutch 8c audio system. It allows for custom filter profiles, room correction, and mode adjustments. Users can also manage firmware updates through the application.

Highlights
  • Initial setup guidance
  • Custom filter profiles
  • Room correction
  • Input and phase mode switching
  • Firmware updates
Features
Read full description

Ascend is the companion app for the Dutch & Dutch 8c. It guides you through the initial set-up and offers fine-grained control over the system's features. This includes setting up custom filter profiles, room correction, switching input and phase mode as well as updating firmware.

Screenshots

FiiO Control4 screens
Ascend Audio2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Ascend Audio at 4.0 against FiiO Control's 2.0. Ascend Audio also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). FiiO Control's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ascend Audio holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of FiiO Control's written reviews are positive against 20% of Ascend Audio's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FiiO Control ships an update fortnightly, Ascend Audio every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
FiiO Control versus Ascend Audio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFiiO ControlAscend Audio
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (5 ratings)4.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews13.3% of reviews20.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5 — better2
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size139 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer广州飞傲电子科技有限公司Dutch & Dutch

Customer experience

FiiO Control

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews869 reviews
Positive13.3%
Neutral6.8%
Negative79.9%

Ascend Audio

Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral40.0%
Negative40.0%

Bugs and requests

FiiO Control

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App not detecting devices
  • Connection failures
  • Crashes on startup
  • Settings not persisting
  • Incompatibility with newer devices and iOS versions

Requested features

6 requests
  • More customizable EQ
  • Multiple EQ presets
  • Parametric EQ
  • Firmware update support
  • Wider device compatibility
Show 1 more
  • Improved app stability and reliability

Ascend Audio

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

FiiO Control

No in-app purchases

None

Ascend Audio

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FiiO Control free?
FiiO Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ascend Audio free?
Ascend Audio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, FiiO Control or Ascend Audio?
Ascend Audio is rated higher. FiiO Control averages 2.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Ascend Audio averages 4.0 from 2 ratings.
Do FiiO Control or Ascend Audio have ads?
Neither FiiO Control nor Ascend Audio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FiiO Control or Ascend Audio?
FiiO Control ships an update fortnightly, and Ascend Audio every 4 months. Most recently, FiiO Control was updated on November 11, 2026 and Ascend Audio on November 3, 2026.

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