FiiO never rests: you can count on them to release something spicy every few weeks. Their excitement about all things audiophile is contagious, but while most of the things we’ve reviewed were budget-friendly, the new hybrid in-ear monitors are not exactly cheap. At $599, they are not for everyone, but most people who are into IEMs know exactly how affordable these really are.
Only a few months ago FiiO released the FA19 — another flagship with incredible specs. The new one is cheaper but in no way less interesting.
Headphones are FiiO’s bread and butter: the brand has eight series, each with a different flair. When it comes to the FH line, it’s mostly about balance. It is FiiO’s best-selling series, usually with large dynamics and wide soundstage. The FH9 is one of their best-known models: according to the company, it got “ higher-than-expected acclaim and sales.” FH19 aims to be as successful. Will it be?
Design
While not the most important aspect, design matters when you spend a few hundred bucks on headphones. The FH19 has a semi-open design with a cavity structure very similar to the FD5, FH9, FH7S, and the FH5S. According to FiiO, this cavity releases pressure quickly, reducing ear pressure and providing a comfortable, fatigue-free listening experience. The diaphragm’s design ensures bass flexibility and extension without the damping of a rear cavity, much like open-back headphones, where the lack of a rear cavity leads to a naturally wide soundstage.
These in-ear monitors feature a hybrid design that combines dynamic and balanced armature drivers for a rich audio experience. They are worn around the ear and house one push-pull dynamic driver, two enhanced mid-frequency balanced armature drivers by Knowles, and one Knowles SWFK treble balanced armature driver per ear. The monitors offer a broad frequency response range from 8Hz to 40kHz, with an impedance of 169 ohms at 1kHz and a sensitivity of 109dB/mW at 1kHz. They come equipped with an 8-strand, 224-wire high-purity silver cable, approximately 1.2 meters in length, and the ear units themselves weigh around 12 grams excluding the cable. The connector is an expanded MMCX, and the audio plug features a straight twist-lock design, allowing for easy swapping.
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The headphones utilize a titanium midframe and an aluminum alloy chassis. While the shells are slightly heavier and larger to fit the many drivers, comfort and ergonomics remain commendable. The design looks incredibly premium and stylish, and very recognizable. I don’t always praise FiiO’s designs, but this time I have no complains.
Even more impressive is the packaging: FiiO never skimps on that, and the unboxing experience is outstanding, with a wide range of ear tips, modular cables, three pairs of tuning nozzles, a leatherette carrying case, and a cleaning brush.
The FH19 includes swappable jack plugs—one 3.5mm single-ended and one 4.4mm balanced. You also get a very nice silver cable. In addition to that, a whopping 22 pairs of ear tips in various sizes and materials.
Performance
A lot is interesting about this pair. The FH19 features a configuration of two dynamic drivers and six balanced armature drivers. FiiO developed a new dual dynamic driver specifically for bass. Customized midrange balanced armature drivers handle the midrange frequencies, aiming for a rich sound that maintains detail.
FiiO gives you three pairs of swappable audio filters: each provides different levels of internal damping and mesh density, allowing you to adjust the audio profile. The red filter boosts bass frequencies, the black filter focuses on balance, while the green filter enhances treble.
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The bass here is phenomenal. It’s dry yet highly textured and detailed. The vocals are warm and full. While it may not offer the highest level of detail, the overall presentation is enjoyable and immersive.
The lows go very low, without being overpowering. The Spinfit tips are extremely comfortable too, which of course helps the sound. I prefer the balanced filter, which is surprisingly punchy. And the details along with the soundstage are on the highest level. You really feel like you are there with the musicians — a real feat. The separation is about as good as you might expect for this price.
And it’s loud, too — effortlessly so.
Verdict
It’s not easy to impress me, but this time I was very happy with what I heard. The FiiO FH19 is a premium pair of IEMs that exceeds expectations in every possible way, starting with excellent packaging.