FiiO FA19
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The FA19 is FiiO's flagship, an all balanced armature earphone and the successor of the well known FiiO FA9. Priced at $999, the FA19 is FiiO's current flagship and most expensive earphone no matter the internal drivers arrangement.
The earphone is equipped with 10 high-performance BA drivers per side from Knowles. More specifically they have 4 custom-developed Knowles BA drivers for a rich bass response, dual Knowles ED midrange BA drivers, and four Knowles SWFK BA drivers for a smooth and detailed treble region. This 10-BA driver setup is carefully implemented using both physical and electronic crossovers. The electronic crossover features high-quality Rubycon audiophile-grade capacitors with an impressively low error tolerance of 0.1%.
The engineers have creatively made the use of 3D-printed ear shell technology to craft a shell that helps to guide the strong lower-end energy into the rear cavity. This is known as negative feedback bass enhancement technology and is used to greatly improve the lower-end performance. The FiiO FA19 also features a scientifically designed mid-frequency notch filter that helps enhance the midrange performance by eliminating sibilance and adding a refined transition into the high frequencies.
The FiiO FA19 allows you to choose between two carefully adjusted tuning modes thanks to the two-way switch that provides two tuning options. HiFi tuning and Monitor Tuning. The Monitor tuning has a clean, detailed sound for people into music production and editing while the HiFi mode is designed for audiophiles with richer bass and midrange performance.
You can read everything about the FiiO FA19 here.
https://www.fiio.com/fa19
Non Audio stuff
The shells of the FiiO FA19 are made up of high quality photosensitive resin material using high precision DLP 3D printing technology. The shells are surprisingly compact, considering that they house 10 drivers together with the electronic components. They are also lightweight (7g each) and anatomically shaped, resulting in a super comfortable and stress-free, custom-like wearing experience. The sound nozzle is not very elongated and the overall fit is rather swallow but the ear-shells stay at place without falling from the ears. Passive noise isolation is also very good despite the small venting grill at the back of each shell.
Build quality is absolutely top notch, the ear shells are perfectly finished and polished while the uplifted MMCX connectors are seamlessly integrated into the main body. The design is quite minimalistic, the main body of the ear shells has a semi-transparent black appearance while the faceplates feature a silver colored, mysterious looking, line pattern.
The cable
The 1.2m long cable that comes with the FA19 is FiiO's LC-RD Pro 2022 model that is also sold separately. A high quality, pure silver cable with 8 strands in a Litz construction. Each strand consists of 28 wires and each wire is independently insulated. The sheathing is made from transparent, eco-friendly, TPU material that prevents yellowing over time. The cable features expanded MMCX connectors and a straight twist-lock swappable audio plug. 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs are included in the package. The cable is thicker and heavier than average but it is exceptionally well made, it is not stiff and bends easily while it doesn't get tangled and has incredibly low microphonic noise.
Accessories
As per usual FiiO practice, the package includes a wealth of high quality accessories.
Power needs
The impedance of the FiiO FA19 is a lowish 10Ω with 106dB/mW of sensitivity so they are easy to drive but also sensitive to source noise so it is advised to use only high quality audio devices. Like the FiiO M15S and iBasso DX260 digital audio players that I have mostly used for this review. Also be careful to use sources with an output impedance as low as 1Ω otherwise they may mess with the frequency response of the FA19.
Audio stuff
The following listening impressions apply to the monitor mode.
The FiiO FA19 has a rather natural sound profile with slightly elevated bass, excellent mid-range presence and a smooth but still energetic treble. The tuning resembles that of the FiiO FX15 with some notable differences as you can read in the comparisons section.
The low-end is characterized by excellent sub-bass extension without any further boosting and a mildly emphasized bass that smoothly fades away while transitioning into the mids in such a way that it doesn't affect their clarity and presence. My general preference is for a slightly more neutral bass but still the tuning of the FA19 is exceptionally well done so it has a pleasant sounding low-end that is combined with great tonal accuracy and precision making it ideal for critical listening without any notable compromises.
The technical performance is really impressive, layering, definition and articulation are class leading. The bass is super tight and controlled, energetic and as fast as the music demands while it shows superior clarity and transparency. You can hear every last instrument playing even the faintest of the notes in the most populated symphonic works. This is not the most visceral or weighty bass, the textures are not that full bodied but not too lean or sterile either. These customized BA subwoofers are capable of producing very resolving and refined bass which is also almost as punchy and impactful as if it was produced by a large dynamic driver. What is missing compared to a capable dynamic driver is the natural reverb and decay of the bass that makes it more elastic and natural compared to the FA19 which sounds a touch dry. Summing up, the FA19 offers outstanding bass performance that has nothing to do with what is typically expected from balanced armature drivers.
The mid-range is naturally tuned and balanced sounding without audible recession or the typical upper mid-range emphasis, so the sound is lively but free from any kind of sharpness and sibilance. The tuning is almost perfectly done because the timbre is perceived as natural and realistic with excellent tonal balance and coherency between instruments and voices. The tonal precision is great, the FA19 is able to produce an organic sound full of colorful harmonies and wealthy overtones. The FA19 has premium resolution and refinement without sounding artificial or fake as similar earphones with lower quality balanced armature drivers. The mid-range of the FA19 is musical and engaging with a mature and sophisticated tuning that connects the listener with the music rather than attracting attention to itself.
The higher frequencies are also free from any metallic sheen, artificiality or the so-called balanced armature timbre. The timbre is actually realistic and surprisingly lifelike while the textures remain firm and well shaped without becoming thinner as the frequencies rise higher. The transition from the lows to the mids and the highs is seamless with class leading coherency. The treble is rather smooth without exhibiting any audible peaks and at the same time it resolves fine and well without sounding aggressive. The FA19 is not the most analytical and magnifying set of earphones, however it does great with detail retrieval, it has plenty of energy, excellent clarity and impressive fidelity. The difference between the FA19 and other flagship earphones is that its attitude is focused on smoothness and musicality, so all the above elements are pushed backwards and are not allowed to seize a leading role during the music reproduction. The highs are really great but they don't sound as spectacular and imposing as in the FiiO FX15 so some people might prefer the latter or similar earphones where the treble is given a more prominent and active role.
The soundstage is exceptionally good but not as holographic and immersive as I would have liked. However it is spacious and expansive to handle all kinds of music without any single trace of congestion while it really excels with positioning accuracy and depth layering. The stage has a solid center image from where it further expands in such a way that the listener feels positioned quite close to the action. The presentation is not too intimate but you still feel like sitting in the first couple of rows.
The HiFi mode
The ON position of the tuning switch enables the HiFi mode which generously enhances the bass at the expense of some clarity and definition. The FA19 becomes a bass dominant earphone where the low-end slightly veils the mids and the highs while this kind of tuning adds much coloration to the mid-bass compromising tonal accuracy. Treble amplitude is also subtly lowered so the FA19 becomes darker and warmer sounding, compared to the Monitor mode, with less airy and energetic treble. This kind of tuning might introduce some compromises in bass control and technicalities plus it mildly affects the overall transparency and timbre realism but it is a nice alternative that can work well with certain kinds of music and offer a bass heavy listening experience that many people are going to love.
Comparison with the FiiO FX15
The FX15 ($749) is a unique earphone in FiiO's catalog as it is the only one with a tribrid driver arrangement, featuring one dynamic (1DD), one balanced armature (1BA), and four electrostatic drivers. The FA19 and FX15 share the same kind of design and shape so both of them are exceptionally comfortable and lightweight.
The FX15 has a more V-shaped tuning compared to the FA19 (Monitor mode), with a touch more sub-bass, a light recession on the mids that is followed by a mild upper mid-range emphasis and a very energetic and luminous treble that is the undeniable star of the show. The EST drivers produce more resolving and fancy treble that has more refined and ethereal textures but the overall tuning is also brighter and sharper than the FA19. The dynamic driver of the FX15 sounds more impactful and weighty on the bass but it sits a little behind in overall technicalities and clarity in comparison to the FA19.
Comparison with the FiiO FH19
The FH19 ($599) is FiiO's flagship earphone in the hybrid driver category, featuring dual 13.7mm dynamic drivers in a push-pull configuration and six balanced armature drivers to handle the rest of the frequencies. The ear-shells are made of a titanium/aluminum combination and while they are compact and lightweight enough they can't match the comfortable wearing experience of the FA19.
These two earphones share a similar kind of tuning with a couple of notable differences when it comes to their sound signature and the overall technical performance. The low-end of the FH19 is a little more mid-bass focused than the FA19 (monitor mode) but still neutrally tuned with great sub-bass extension and without any kind of overpowering emphasis. The main difference is that the FH19 sounds considerably more powerful and impactful with more visceral and full bodied textures. The bass is huge and super dynamic, and while it is certainly not emphasized and doesn't cloud the rest of the frequencies, it has that undeniable tendency to attract the listeners attention no matter the kind of music. The FA19 on the other hand excels in technicalities and articulation but the bass of the FH19 has that natural reverb that is missing from the FA19, so it is more elastic and not dry at all.
Then we come to the mid-range which is slightly more prominent and present with some extra accentuation in the upper mid-range portion, making for a mid-centric and livelier performance but still not sharp or fatiguing. The treble is more or less similar, maybe the FH19 is a little sharper and brighter than the FA19. The user also has the option to fine tune the FH19 by using the treble or bass sound tubes instead of the balanced ones. The FH19 sounds a little more immersive with better ambience than the FA19 while you feel like sitting a couple of rows farther from the stage. However you get better position ques from the FiiO FA19 which pulls ahead in imaging precision and layering.
When it comes to critical listening, I think that the FA19 deserves the extra money because it has a bit more neutral tuning and far better technical performance but the FH19 is more enjoyable and fun sounding for leisure time.
Conclusion
The FiiO FA19 is an excellent sounding earphone with an all-balanced armature set-up that combines class leading technicalities with a natural and balanced tuning that is suitable for both casual and critical listening. A true all-rounder flagship that matches well with all kinds of music and has the means to please the most diverse audiences. It is also extremely comfortable, something not always guaranteed when it comes to multi driver earphones, and exceptionally well made plus it comes with a great set of accessories. For $999, the FiiO FA19 represents an exceptional value, a highly recommended flagship earphone without anything negative worth mentioning.
The review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. The price of the FiiO FA19 is $999 and you can buy it from here.
The earphone is equipped with 10 high-performance BA drivers per side from Knowles. More specifically they have 4 custom-developed Knowles BA drivers for a rich bass response, dual Knowles ED midrange BA drivers, and four Knowles SWFK BA drivers for a smooth and detailed treble region. This 10-BA driver setup is carefully implemented using both physical and electronic crossovers. The electronic crossover features high-quality Rubycon audiophile-grade capacitors with an impressively low error tolerance of 0.1%.
The engineers have creatively made the use of 3D-printed ear shell technology to craft a shell that helps to guide the strong lower-end energy into the rear cavity. This is known as negative feedback bass enhancement technology and is used to greatly improve the lower-end performance. The FiiO FA19 also features a scientifically designed mid-frequency notch filter that helps enhance the midrange performance by eliminating sibilance and adding a refined transition into the high frequencies.
The FiiO FA19 allows you to choose between two carefully adjusted tuning modes thanks to the two-way switch that provides two tuning options. HiFi tuning and Monitor Tuning. The Monitor tuning has a clean, detailed sound for people into music production and editing while the HiFi mode is designed for audiophiles with richer bass and midrange performance.
You can read everything about the FiiO FA19 here.
https://www.fiio.com/fa19
Non Audio stuff
The shells of the FiiO FA19 are made up of high quality photosensitive resin material using high precision DLP 3D printing technology. The shells are surprisingly compact, considering that they house 10 drivers together with the electronic components. They are also lightweight (7g each) and anatomically shaped, resulting in a super comfortable and stress-free, custom-like wearing experience. The sound nozzle is not very elongated and the overall fit is rather swallow but the ear-shells stay at place without falling from the ears. Passive noise isolation is also very good despite the small venting grill at the back of each shell.
Build quality is absolutely top notch, the ear shells are perfectly finished and polished while the uplifted MMCX connectors are seamlessly integrated into the main body. The design is quite minimalistic, the main body of the ear shells has a semi-transparent black appearance while the faceplates feature a silver colored, mysterious looking, line pattern.
The cable
The 1.2m long cable that comes with the FA19 is FiiO's LC-RD Pro 2022 model that is also sold separately. A high quality, pure silver cable with 8 strands in a Litz construction. Each strand consists of 28 wires and each wire is independently insulated. The sheathing is made from transparent, eco-friendly, TPU material that prevents yellowing over time. The cable features expanded MMCX connectors and a straight twist-lock swappable audio plug. 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs are included in the package. The cable is thicker and heavier than average but it is exceptionally well made, it is not stiff and bends easily while it doesn't get tangled and has incredibly low microphonic noise.
Accessories
As per usual FiiO practice, the package includes a wealth of high quality accessories.
Power needs
The impedance of the FiiO FA19 is a lowish 10Ω with 106dB/mW of sensitivity so they are easy to drive but also sensitive to source noise so it is advised to use only high quality audio devices. Like the FiiO M15S and iBasso DX260 digital audio players that I have mostly used for this review. Also be careful to use sources with an output impedance as low as 1Ω otherwise they may mess with the frequency response of the FA19.
Audio stuff
The following listening impressions apply to the monitor mode.
The FiiO FA19 has a rather natural sound profile with slightly elevated bass, excellent mid-range presence and a smooth but still energetic treble. The tuning resembles that of the FiiO FX15 with some notable differences as you can read in the comparisons section.
The low-end is characterized by excellent sub-bass extension without any further boosting and a mildly emphasized bass that smoothly fades away while transitioning into the mids in such a way that it doesn't affect their clarity and presence. My general preference is for a slightly more neutral bass but still the tuning of the FA19 is exceptionally well done so it has a pleasant sounding low-end that is combined with great tonal accuracy and precision making it ideal for critical listening without any notable compromises.
The technical performance is really impressive, layering, definition and articulation are class leading. The bass is super tight and controlled, energetic and as fast as the music demands while it shows superior clarity and transparency. You can hear every last instrument playing even the faintest of the notes in the most populated symphonic works. This is not the most visceral or weighty bass, the textures are not that full bodied but not too lean or sterile either. These customized BA subwoofers are capable of producing very resolving and refined bass which is also almost as punchy and impactful as if it was produced by a large dynamic driver. What is missing compared to a capable dynamic driver is the natural reverb and decay of the bass that makes it more elastic and natural compared to the FA19 which sounds a touch dry. Summing up, the FA19 offers outstanding bass performance that has nothing to do with what is typically expected from balanced armature drivers.
The mid-range is naturally tuned and balanced sounding without audible recession or the typical upper mid-range emphasis, so the sound is lively but free from any kind of sharpness and sibilance. The tuning is almost perfectly done because the timbre is perceived as natural and realistic with excellent tonal balance and coherency between instruments and voices. The tonal precision is great, the FA19 is able to produce an organic sound full of colorful harmonies and wealthy overtones. The FA19 has premium resolution and refinement without sounding artificial or fake as similar earphones with lower quality balanced armature drivers. The mid-range of the FA19 is musical and engaging with a mature and sophisticated tuning that connects the listener with the music rather than attracting attention to itself.
The higher frequencies are also free from any metallic sheen, artificiality or the so-called balanced armature timbre. The timbre is actually realistic and surprisingly lifelike while the textures remain firm and well shaped without becoming thinner as the frequencies rise higher. The transition from the lows to the mids and the highs is seamless with class leading coherency. The treble is rather smooth without exhibiting any audible peaks and at the same time it resolves fine and well without sounding aggressive. The FA19 is not the most analytical and magnifying set of earphones, however it does great with detail retrieval, it has plenty of energy, excellent clarity and impressive fidelity. The difference between the FA19 and other flagship earphones is that its attitude is focused on smoothness and musicality, so all the above elements are pushed backwards and are not allowed to seize a leading role during the music reproduction. The highs are really great but they don't sound as spectacular and imposing as in the FiiO FX15 so some people might prefer the latter or similar earphones where the treble is given a more prominent and active role.
The soundstage is exceptionally good but not as holographic and immersive as I would have liked. However it is spacious and expansive to handle all kinds of music without any single trace of congestion while it really excels with positioning accuracy and depth layering. The stage has a solid center image from where it further expands in such a way that the listener feels positioned quite close to the action. The presentation is not too intimate but you still feel like sitting in the first couple of rows.
The HiFi mode
The ON position of the tuning switch enables the HiFi mode which generously enhances the bass at the expense of some clarity and definition. The FA19 becomes a bass dominant earphone where the low-end slightly veils the mids and the highs while this kind of tuning adds much coloration to the mid-bass compromising tonal accuracy. Treble amplitude is also subtly lowered so the FA19 becomes darker and warmer sounding, compared to the Monitor mode, with less airy and energetic treble. This kind of tuning might introduce some compromises in bass control and technicalities plus it mildly affects the overall transparency and timbre realism but it is a nice alternative that can work well with certain kinds of music and offer a bass heavy listening experience that many people are going to love.
Comparison with the FiiO FX15
The FX15 ($749) is a unique earphone in FiiO's catalog as it is the only one with a tribrid driver arrangement, featuring one dynamic (1DD), one balanced armature (1BA), and four electrostatic drivers. The FA19 and FX15 share the same kind of design and shape so both of them are exceptionally comfortable and lightweight.
The FX15 has a more V-shaped tuning compared to the FA19 (Monitor mode), with a touch more sub-bass, a light recession on the mids that is followed by a mild upper mid-range emphasis and a very energetic and luminous treble that is the undeniable star of the show. The EST drivers produce more resolving and fancy treble that has more refined and ethereal textures but the overall tuning is also brighter and sharper than the FA19. The dynamic driver of the FX15 sounds more impactful and weighty on the bass but it sits a little behind in overall technicalities and clarity in comparison to the FA19.
Comparison with the FiiO FH19
The FH19 ($599) is FiiO's flagship earphone in the hybrid driver category, featuring dual 13.7mm dynamic drivers in a push-pull configuration and six balanced armature drivers to handle the rest of the frequencies. The ear-shells are made of a titanium/aluminum combination and while they are compact and lightweight enough they can't match the comfortable wearing experience of the FA19.
These two earphones share a similar kind of tuning with a couple of notable differences when it comes to their sound signature and the overall technical performance. The low-end of the FH19 is a little more mid-bass focused than the FA19 (monitor mode) but still neutrally tuned with great sub-bass extension and without any kind of overpowering emphasis. The main difference is that the FH19 sounds considerably more powerful and impactful with more visceral and full bodied textures. The bass is huge and super dynamic, and while it is certainly not emphasized and doesn't cloud the rest of the frequencies, it has that undeniable tendency to attract the listeners attention no matter the kind of music. The FA19 on the other hand excels in technicalities and articulation but the bass of the FH19 has that natural reverb that is missing from the FA19, so it is more elastic and not dry at all.
Then we come to the mid-range which is slightly more prominent and present with some extra accentuation in the upper mid-range portion, making for a mid-centric and livelier performance but still not sharp or fatiguing. The treble is more or less similar, maybe the FH19 is a little sharper and brighter than the FA19. The user also has the option to fine tune the FH19 by using the treble or bass sound tubes instead of the balanced ones. The FH19 sounds a little more immersive with better ambience than the FA19 while you feel like sitting a couple of rows farther from the stage. However you get better position ques from the FiiO FA19 which pulls ahead in imaging precision and layering.
When it comes to critical listening, I think that the FA19 deserves the extra money because it has a bit more neutral tuning and far better technical performance but the FH19 is more enjoyable and fun sounding for leisure time.
Conclusion
The FiiO FA19 is an excellent sounding earphone with an all-balanced armature set-up that combines class leading technicalities with a natural and balanced tuning that is suitable for both casual and critical listening. A true all-rounder flagship that matches well with all kinds of music and has the means to please the most diverse audiences. It is also extremely comfortable, something not always guaranteed when it comes to multi driver earphones, and exceptionally well made plus it comes with a great set of accessories. For $999, the FiiO FA19 represents an exceptional value, a highly recommended flagship earphone without anything negative worth mentioning.
The review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. The price of the FiiO FA19 is $999 and you can buy it from here.
FiiO is renowned for its high-quality audio products, particularly in the in-ear monitor (IEM) market. Their lineup has consistently delivered impressive sound quality and innovative features, making them popular among audiophiles. The FiiO FA19, their latest flagship model, is a total re-think of their previous BA TOTL FA9, offering changes in every aspect, from the design to the sound signature.
The earphones use MMCX connectors that fit flush with the case. The included cable is thick yet flexible, with a low microphonic effect, thanks to the ear hooks. The cable is braided nicely and includes a splitter with a chin slider, leading to a replaceable jack. This compact and reliable system makes it easy to switch jacks if needed.
Bass: The bass extends to maximum depth with a slight accent, offering clear, well-controlled deeper layers. The balanced armature drivers focus on textures with fast attacks and decays, making the bass detailed and nuanced. While it doesn't quite match the weight and might of dynamic drivers, it comes close, providing a satisfying slam and impact when needed.
Example tracks:
Example tracks:
Example tracks:
Comparisons:
Unboxing Experience
Unboxing the FiiO FA19 is straightforward yet satisfying. The packaging is reminiscent of previous FiiO models, maintaining a familiar and functional design. Inside, you'll find a quick start guide, the earphones themselves, a premium case, and a generous selection of ear tips. The set includes a few sets of three pairs of single-flange silicone tips, two pairs of double-flange tips, two pairs of foam tips, three pairs of SpinFit tips, and three pairs of FiiO HS18 tips. Additionally, there is a cleaning tool, a replaceable connector, an MMCX disconnect tool, and a magnetic cable organizer, ensuring you have everything you need to get started.
Design and Wearing Comfort
The FA19 features a design similar to the FX15, utilizing 3D printing technology to create compact shells that house sophisticated components. Despite their complexity, they maintain a lightweight build that ensures comfort during prolonged use. The ergonomic shape fits snugly in the ears, providing average passive sound isolation. The semi-transparent shells allow you to glimpse the intricate internal structure, including the ten balanced armature drivers, crossover PCB, acoustic tuning tubes, and filters.The earphones use MMCX connectors that fit flush with the case. The included cable is thick yet flexible, with a low microphonic effect, thanks to the ear hooks. The cable is braided nicely and includes a splitter with a chin slider, leading to a replaceable jack. This compact and reliable system makes it easy to switch jacks if needed.
Sound Description
The FA19's sound signature is detailed with a slight hint of warmth. Two sound modes are accessible via a toggle switch, though the difference between them is subtle. The monitoring mode adds a slight warmth without deviating from a balanced sound, while the second mode introduces more warmth, making the sound slightly richer.Bass: The bass extends to maximum depth with a slight accent, offering clear, well-controlled deeper layers. The balanced armature drivers focus on textures with fast attacks and decays, making the bass detailed and nuanced. While it doesn't quite match the weight and might of dynamic drivers, it comes close, providing a satisfying slam and impact when needed.
Example tracks:
- Libera by Musica Nuda: The FA19 highlights the double bass, adding body, texture, and a visceral feel to the performance.
- Money by Pink Floyd: Known for its iconic bass line, this track showcases the FA19's ability to render deep bass with good body and detail.
Example tracks:
- La Sagrada Familia by The Alan Parsons Project: The FA19 handles the track’s dynamic shifts and complex instrumentation with finesse, offering a technical yet engaging sound.
- Widzenie by Polish jazz band Niechęć: This track's intricate details and nuances are beautifully rendered, demonstrating the FA19's capability to handle technical and musical elements.
Example tracks:
- The Girl from Ipanema by Rosa Passos and Ron Carter: The FA19 excels in capturing the nuances of vocal and instrumental overtones, delivering a rich and immersive listening experience.
- Fracture by King Crimson: The FA19's impressive ability to render high-frequency details without overshadowing the foundational low frequencies makes this complex track a delight to listen to.
Pairings and Comparisons
The FA19 performs well even with affordable sources like the KA series, dongles, or Bluetooth receivers, but it scales impressively with higher-end sources. It doesn't absolutely require a high-end source, making it an excellent option for gradual upgrades.Comparisons:
- FiiO FA9: The FA19 offers a more balanced and natural signature with less weight and a more mature sound.
- Campfire Audio Andromeda: The Andromeda has a punchier bass and more energetic treble, while the FA19 focuses on a balanced sound with less emphasis on micro-contrast.
- FiiO FX15: The FX15 excels with superbly recorded tracks but is more critical of recording quality. The FA19, on the other hand, is more forgiving and balanced, making it suitable for a wider range of genres and recordings.
Conclusion
The FiiO FA19 is an impressive flagship earphone with a detailed and engaging sound signature. While it comes with a high price tag, it delivers excellent performance and a comprehensive accessory set. Whether upgrading your current setup or starting with a high-quality IEM, the FA19 is a worthy consideration, providing a balanced and enjoyable listening experience across various genres.
The Fiio FA19 is a new all BA set of IEMs I have been trying out for the last number of weeks. The set comes with 4 custom Knowles BA drivers for bass, 2 Knowles ED BA drivers for the Mids and 4 Knowles SWFK drivers for the highs. I have been no stranger to all BA sets down through the years, but this was my first time to hear a Fiio set. In a sea of hybrid IEM releases, I was interested to find out what Fiio could produce when sticking to all one driver type and to see how the different technologies they utilised impacted the sound in reality. 
Fiio sent this set to me at no charge, but they have had no input into any part of the review. What you are going to read below are just my opinions based on my hearing, tastes, and previous experience. You may disagree with them, and that’s fine, but just treat them as one opinion.
What’s in the Box
Inside the box, the FA19 are nicely presented alongside a stylish carry case. Fiio did not scrimp on the included accessories with FA19. There is a host of different tips included, as well as a plastic case to carry them in. You get a cleaning brush, which has a pointed end for the tuning switches, which I will discuss more below, a lapel clip, an MMCX removal tool and a 3.5mm connection for the cable, which can be swapped out for the 4.4mm it comes with.
The cable is of 8-strand pure silver construction. It is pretty nice in hand, looks good quality and is easy to wear and manoeuvre. It is terminated in MMCX, which may not be to everyone’s liking.
Considering the retail price, the packaging, included accessories and overall quality of everything is quite nice, and it is hard to find fault.
Design
The IEMs are a fairly small size considering there are 10 drivers packed in. The shells have a high quality, smooth finish and are easy to get a good fit with. The faceplates are actually the narrowest part of the IEM and they widen out towards the back surface that makes contact with your ear. On the top there is a vent to prevent pressure build up and an MMCX connection.
The back of the IEMs have a very small switch for changing the sound profile by adding more bass. This is branded as being “Monitor or Hifi” by Fiio. They are very small, and if your eyesight isn’t perfect, you will probably struggle to see or manipulate them. There is a pointed steel end on the cleaning brush that comes in the accessories for switching these, and I found a SIM ejector tool to be about the best thing I could use to switch them outside of that.
Overall, the quality of the shell and finish are very good, and I think most people will be able to get a good fit as they are fairly compact compared to many hybrid IEMs on the market. The cable is also light enough that it doesn’t disturb the fit of the IEM when you are moving around.
Sound
As I mentioned above, there is a switch to change sound profiles, which I tested out in the first few days I spent with the set. With the switch off, in “Monitor” mode, I certainly didn’t feel the set needed any more bass, and when I switched it on, that was confirmed. Unless you want a very warm and almost thick sound, I think the IEM sounds better in “Monitor” mode, and the bass is a lot more controlled.
I don’t really feel the terms “Monitor” or “Hifi” suit how the IEM sounds overall either so it probably would have been better to stick with “On or Off”.
Overall, I would say the set is warm leaning with a lot of bass quantity. At the price point, the set sells for, the set is quite detailed and produces a soundstage with good width. The mid-range for instruments sounds quite natural, and I was impressed with how stringed instruments sounded.
For a set that uses all BAs, bass is quite impressive. I ran through my standard test tracks, and I was left impressed with how it handles tracks that many other all BA sets struggle with, such as “Time” by Pink Floyd. Bass is fast as you would expect, but it does carry a lot of impact, and there is a sense of at least some air moving. The short decay and how that affects the texture of kick drums, etc, is the most noticeable difference versus dynamic drivers, but the set still produces a decent listening experience for most music.
Male vocals can lack some detail and resolution at times and don’t always sound satisfying as a result, but the set does a much better job with female vocals overall, where a lot more detail comes through.
I have encountered some issues with sibilance with female vocals and it feels like the extra energy being added to bring through details isn’t always a good thing. It’s not always an issue and what you are listening to will play a big role, but considering the set is really good for female vocals in general, this is probably where you are going to notice it most.
The upper mid/ lower treble region can have some intensity to it at times, again mainly depending on what you are listening to and what tips and source you are using. In general though, the treble region is detailed and capable and I have enjoyed it with a lot of different music.
FA19 can reproduce good detail levels, considering its price. The soundstage it produces stretches far from side to side but less so in depth. The lack of depth can be an issue with complex tracks that have a lot happening in them, with everything sounding a little on top of you and too close in. Overall, though, it is a quite competent set for this tier.
Sources
The Hiby RS8 has been my favourite source to use with FA19 during my testing. The R2R DAC helps to make everything sound more natural, and I have experienced fewer issues with sibilance. There are so many different options to adjust the sound with RS8, too, that it is easy to fine-tune everything. The FA19 really benefits from the detail levels being produced by RS8, and it allows it to show what it’s capable of.
Listening with my Cayin N3 Ultra in Classic Tube mode, notes and vocals all have a softer sound. There is less detail, and some of the sharper “s” sounds creep in, but for the most part, it produces a relaxed and pleasant listen that is very easy to listen to. When you just want to kick back on the couch and enjoy an album, this is a pretty good combo and represents great value for money, considering the combined price is about ⅓ of the cost of my Fei Wan! What it lacks in details, it makes up for by being such an easy listen.
Another source that was thoroughly enjoyable with FA19 was the Queststyle CMA18. It produces a more detailed and refined listen compared to the N3 Ultra and is technically more impressive so it offers a nice contrast to N3 Ultra and is still very mobile and great value. Bass quality is excellent with this pairing. There is impact and rumble. To be honest, everything sounds good when listening to FA19 with CMA18. There’s basically nothing I can think of to highlight as a negative as long as you are happy to accept it needs to be fed audio by a second device.
Comparisons
I compared the FA19 against my Kinera Loki to see how it compared with a set that sits a tier higher and with my Custom Art Fibae 5, which sits in a similar price range. All comparisons were carried out with the Hiby RS8 with these settings: Class A/ Mid Gain/ Turbo/ NOS
Kinera Imperial Loki (International Version)
Pink Floyd - High Hopes (2011 Remaster)
There are few sets I have come across in my time in this hobby that handle staging, layering, and complexity in tracks as well as Loki does and it’s on full show listening to High Hopes. Right from the start, you are presented with a vast stage with church bells ringing in the distance, bird songs, the buzz of an insect and the single bell strikes becoming more prominent before the piano enters. From there, the track builds, becoming more complex with vocals and instruments, culminating in the spectacular lap steel guitar solo. Loki delivers it all in its stride and sets a very high bar to compare to.
Swapping to FA19 with very realistic expectations of how it will perform, the stage stretches quite wide from left to right but lacks some of the depth Loki can produce. The piano notes are on point and sound great. The bass guitar enters with a bit more authority than it does with Loki, but the biggest initial difference is with the vocals. They are much more forward with FA19, too much so for me and lack a little resolution, making them sound a little unnatural. There is more intensity in note delivery pretty much across the board with FA19, but for the most part, it does a good job with the track, and it’s impressive, considering the difference in price between the two sets. I have heard sets far more expensive do a much worse job with the High Hopes.
Moloko - The Time is Now
Loki's technical abilities aren’t really a factor in this track, as it’s less complex, so it made for an interesting comparison.
Listening to the track with Loki, the instruments all sound detailed and how you would expect them, but there is more of an emphasis on accuracy than emotion, which FA19 really brings with its more intense delivery. When you directly compare, the instruments are more engaging with FA19. The more impactful notes suit the track better, and I really enjoyed how FA19 presents them.
The female vocals don’t always benefit from the extra energy, though and at times, there is sibilance. Where there is repeated “s” sounds, or where those sounds are emphasised at the end of words, you can hear it and it’s hard to not hear it then.
That issue aside, the extra emotion that comes across in the song listening with FA19 would make me pick it over Loki for this track.
Custom Art Fibae 5
Kerala Dust - Still There
Listening first with Fibae 5, my attention is drawn to the kick drum, which has a nice texture and satisfying impact in the intro. When the guitars enter, they sound excellent, detailed, with an almost gritty sound that adds to their realism. The male vocals sound natural and detailed and are easy to hear amongst the instruments. Fibae 5 doesn’t cast a huge stage with this track. It’s intimate but it suits the track well.
Switching to FA19, there is a great sense of space to the track straightaway, but my focus then swaps to the kick drum and the unavoidable comparisons between the driver types. The sound is faster, for sure, and as a result of the difference in decay, it almost sounds clearer with FA19, but at the cost of being a little less lifelike. None the less, it is quite impressive, and if I wasn’t sitting here analysing the differences, I would be enjoying how FA19 reproduces the kick drum.
The guitars are detailed and sound great, but they don’t have as much of an impact as they did with Fibae 5. Other sounds in the track come forward more, and I notice them much more clearly.
FA19 does a good job with the male vocals on this track. They sit a little behind the instruments, and at times, the punch from other notes and sounds can take your attention. It’s a more edgy listen with FA19. Sounds cut through with more impact, and you hear parts of the track that may be missed a little with Fibae 5, which more so keeps you focused on the drums, guitars and vocals.
Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind (part II) Broken Down
Listening to this track with FA19, it is all about the vocals. The piano notes sound good, maybe a little light a times but very much in a supporting role. The vocals cut through in great detail and they are the star of the show. There can be a touch of sharp “s” sounds, but I am being quite critical. It’s a very enjoyable listen and the set does a great job of handling the changing intensities in the track throughout.
Listening to Fibae 5, the piano sounds more natural, and I initially find that I focus more on that than the vocals. As the track builds, Fibae 5 performs better with the vocals, but they aren’t delivered with the same clarity they are with FA19. When I listen with FA19 I am immediately taken by the vocals, and not much else in the track matters, whereas with Fibae 5, when the drums and bass guitar come in later in the track, I am more appreciating them than the vocals.
Conclusion
The Fiio FA19 are an interesting set. They are light, easy to wear and finished to a high standard. There are plenty of good accessories included at the price point, too, so you certainly won’t feel short-changed.
When listening, what driver type was being used never really drew my attention; it was more about finding music that suited the set’s abilities, and once I got a handle on that, I really started to enjoy it.
It excels with female vocals, where the details it can produce can shine, but is occasionally let down when some sibilance creeps in. I wouldn’t call the set an all-rounder, but when you find music that clicks with its abilities, it can produce some excellent results.
The FA19 is reasonably priced in an overheating IEM market, so if it works with your library, you will get a lot for your money.
You can find out more about the set on the Fiio website here. The set has an RRP of $999.
Attachments
FiiO FA19
- Configuration: 10x BA
- RRP: $999
Introduction & Caveats
FiiO is a brand that has been around for quite a while. My initial introduction was back in 2013 when I worked in consumer electronics and briefly distributed the X3 DAP. I used this player for a few years myself, until finally replacing it with the Sony ZX300 in 2018.I read announcements about the FA19 around the time of CanJam New York. Having enjoyed BA sets in the past, such as the Sony IER-M9 and two iterations of the DUNU SA6 (OG and MKII), I was curious about the FA19's performance. The IER-M9 remains one of my favorite sets, but I had to part with them due to pressure build-up from the lack of vents. This issue further piqued my interest in the vented FA19, as it's unusual for an all-BA set to have vents.
FiiO sent me the FA19 free of charge in exchange for a review. As always, there is zero input from FiiO regarding the review content, and all thoughts and pictures are my own. I’ve had the FA19 for about four weeks, giving me plenty of time to get to know them sufficiently.
The FA19 is available from numerous stores.
A Bit About Me...
I worked in the consumer electronics industry for a large part of my career and have been passionate about music and technology for as long as I can remember. Even as a small child, I would ask my mum to put records on the turntable (Abba, Supertramp, and Planxty if anyone is curious).My music preferences are very varied—anything from classical to techno, indie rock to jazz, and everything in between. In my early teens, I was a big fan of bands like The Cure and The Smiths (still am all these years later). I was bitten by the dance music bug in the early 90s, becoming passionate about genres like techno, house, trance, and IDM. I amassed a huge collection of records and CDs, DJing at various parties and occasional pirate radio station slots. Although it remained a hobby, I still own thousands of records, and my trusty Technics 1210 turntables are still going strong 30 years later—a testament to Japanese engineering!
I am not a professional reviewer, just an enthusiast who loves music and the devices we use to listen to it. Over the last few years, I have become obsessed with IEMs and related gear. I've bought and sold many, and kept a select few—ranging from the $20 Moondrop Chu to kilobuck sets like the Aroma Jewel, Oriolus' infamous 'Traillii,' UM Mentor, and various beloved single DDs. Through this exploration, I like to share my thoughts with the Head-Fi community, hoping they might be useful to others. However, remember that this is a highly subjective hobby, and your mileage may vary.
While I've been fortunate to own and try a variety of the TOTL sets on the market, I honestly enjoy lower-priced sets as much - especially as the gap continues to close, many much cheaper sets now offering significant value and further driving diminishing returns.
About FiiO (From Their Website)
FiiO Electronics Technology Company, Ltd., or simply FiiO, is a Chinese electronics company founded in 2007 that primarily manufactures audio equipment. Its products include portable music players, audio amplifiers and DACs, earphones, as well as various cables and accessories.FA19 Specifications
- Configuration: 10x Knowles Balanced Armatures
- Sensitivity: 106dB/mW (@1kHz)
- Impedance: 10Ω
- Plug: Interchangeable 3.5/4.4mm plug
- Cord Length: 1.2m
- Weight (per ear unit): About 7g (excluding cable)
- Detachable Cable Design: MMCX
Unboxing
Unboxing FiiO products is always a pleasure, and the FA19 is no exception, with an excellent selection of accessories included. However, I must note a minor nitpick: the tray housing the IEMs and cable feels cheap and flimsy. I also found it a bit difficult to take the IEMs out, and at one point, I was nervous I’d damage the MMCX connectors as they are attached on arrival. It took a reasonable amount of effort to get them out. I'd suggest a look at this FiiO...
Accessories
The FA19 comes with an excellent selection of accessories:- Wide selection of tips in various sizes, including foam, silicone, double-flange, and additional tips from SpinFit
- Modular MMCX cable with 3.5mm & 4.4mm interchangeable plugs
- MMCX removal tool
- Cleaning brush
- Cable clip
- Carry case
Design & Fit
The shells are medium-sized and compact, considering they house 10x BAs. They are made of 3D printed resin, feeling smooth and well-made. At 7g, they are quite light and comfortable in my ears.
The vented sub-woofers prevent pressure build-up, which I am highly susceptible to, and I’ve had no issues here. Interestingly, I notice a suction release when I take them out of my ears. As a result, the isolation isn’t as good as a non-vented set, but still very good.
Listening Impressions
All of my listening has been with the switch set to off. I have not yet used the bass-enhancing option as I haven’t found it necessary, plus I’m not a fan of switches on IEMs and very rarely use them. I will get around to it at some point...The tuning is neutral with a touch of warmth, a common and somewhat safe, balanced tuning decision. From a technical perspective, the FA19 is incredibly impressive, with a large airy soundstage, high resolution, and precise imaging. Most genres work well, though I have encountered some treble harshness on more energetic or older recordings, but very infrequent. This is not uncommon with highly-resolving sets—the precision works wonders on well-recorded music but can sometimes be problematic.
Despite having 10x BAs, the overall presentation is incredibly cohesive.
Bass
The topic of ‘BA bass’ versus ‘DD bass’ is often discussed. Typically, the consensus is that to get a good solid, visceral slam, you need the vibration and air of a dynamic driver—a BA driver simply cannot replicate this but does have the speed advantage. FiiO has added vents to aid the sub-bass frequencies, and it is certainly effective for rumble and depth. However, in terms of mid-bass ‘kick,’ without a DD, it just won’t quite hit in the same way. Kick drums have pretty good density and do slam but lack the visceral sensation of a good DD. That said, the bass is still incredibly capable. Bass guitars and the lower registers of instruments such as piano or synthesizers sound fantastic with wonderful timbre.Mids
The mid-frequency BAs are tuned splendidly. I’ve had many hair-standing moments with more emotive album choices, with both male and female vocals sounding wonderfully lifelike. There is excellent clarity and plenty of room for multiple instruments and complex arrangements, never sounding congested. I have not had any issues with upper-mid spikes, which is often an IEM killer for me. I'm delighted to report that it’s not an issue here.Treble
This is the tricky bit. For the most part (I'd estimate 95% of my listening), I find the treble extension excellent, but I have encountered some harshness, causing me to switch to another album. Hopefully, I can point to examples in the test tracks (I actually didn't in the end!). There is ample air up top, and you can hear every micro-nuance of detail in the upper registers, as with the mids and lows.Technical Performance
This is where the FA19 truly excels, presenting a capability that I feel surpasses its price tag. Choose the most detailed, complex, busy track, and you can hear every single minute detail, in the exact location —pinpoint, clear, and precise, but not clinical or boring. The FA19 has that immersive quality where you can close your eyes and feel submerged in the music, almost as if you can reach out and touch the individual elements. FiiO has done an incredible job here.
Test Tracks
Talaboman - Six Million Ways (house/techno)
Heading straight for a track where I would usually choose a set with a DD. This track is a good example of the technical capability I mentioned earlier. While it isn’t overly complex, there is still a reasonable amount going on, fully appreciated with a set that accentuates each element. The FA19 allows you to focus on each specific element, beneficial for both professional audio monitoring and audiophiles.Underworld - Dirty (house/techno)
I love how the synths pan across the stage in the opening segment of this track, and how it evolves with various elements being added. It sounds phenomenal to hear all the layers and intricate details on the FA19. Even the kick drum sounds authoritative with decent slam. There is speed, detail, and emotion—I can’t fault this at all.Proem - Guns.knives.lemons (IDM)
This is a tougher test from one of my favorite IDM artists. It’s an abrasive track and, while slow-paced, quite energetic. The treble pushes towards my limits, just shy of being too much, so those more sensitive to treble might have trouble. IDM often has complex details, impressive to hear on a resolving set with the imaging and soundstage of the FA19.Bill Carrothers / Vincent Courtois - Aqua y Vinho (jazz)
This jazz track from the album ‘Firebirds’ is to test for upper mid peaks, and thankfully there are none. The piano, bass, and strings sound wonderfully authentic, and the distinctness of each instrument is notable, yet still cohesive.Nick Drake - Time Has Told Me (folk/male vocals)
Nick’s voice is central and level with the instruments. I’ve been a fan of Nick Drake for many years, and his voice sounds as I would expect. It’s intriguing to hear each instrument with precision, as I usually listen to Nick Drake on a 2-channel system for the whole family to enjoy. This reminds me to sometimes indulge more with IEMs.Deerhunter - Desire Lines (indie)
I adore this song, always a pleasure to revisit. The instruments are accurately represented, and the more energetic moments don’t pose any challenges. The vocals occasionally touch on slight sibilance, which could be due to the recording quality or age. It’s not a deal-breaker, just slight.Lisa Bassenge & The J-Chestra - Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (female vocals)
This feel-good song featured on the Hotel Costes series (Volume 14) gives me poolside vibes due to listening on family holidays in recent years. Lisa’s voice sounds fantastic, with no issues in the higher register of the mids and her voice nicely central. This sounds wonderful.Sunflower Bean - Human Ceremony (indie - Male/Female Vocals)
Both male and female vocals are central and level in the mix. They are more prominent than the instruments, which is a mixing decision rather than the IEMs, typical of this dreamy pop genre.Carl Craig - Home Entertainment (techno) [side note... my own upload to YouTube from over 12 years ago!)
The closing track to ‘Landcruising,’ a gem of Detroit techno. Despite listening to the FA19 for several hours, I’m not left wanting in terms of the kick drums. The synths are beautifully represented. While this track is classified as ‘techno,’ Detroit techno blends melodic synths for a sit-and-listen experience rather than dance floor beats.Comparisons
Craft Ears 'Aurum' ($1299) - this set sounds more coloured in comparison to the neutral/monitoring signature of the FA19, quite evident both up top with the ESTs, and down below with the DD. The ESTs in Aurum have a very visceral sensation, but also lean harsh more often than the FA19. Both offer excellent technical competence, with the edge going to FA19 for overall clarity and precision.Orivetti OH700VB ($799) - again a more coloured presentation, the OH700VB has a smooth and engaging profile that makes it easy to drift away in the music for endless hours. FA19 again in comparison present in a more analytical, but definitely not clinical way. From a technical perspective, the FA19 definitely step ahead quite a bit with much more obvious imaging, layering, and stage size. The Orivetti has a more obvious bass slam due to the presence of the dynamic driver, but honestly not a huge amount in it.
Conclusion
The FA19 is an IEM that demonstrates FiiO's growing maturity in the IEM segment, offering an all-BA set with a mostly neutral tuning and phenomenal technical capability at this price point. I was torn between giving it a full 5 stars or knocking off half due to occasional treble harshness. I chose the former because achieving such technical competence often comes with trade-offs, and in this case that treble issue is very infrequent. The FA19 will remain a go-to set for me, offering spectacular technical capability, a highly engaging balanced signature, and wonderful comfort for extended listening sessions.As a final point, I believe it’s important to spend focused time with a set without deviating to others for several hours or even a couple of days. When I returned to the FA19 after a few days, they initially didn’t resonate as before. It struck me that I needed to adjust to their tuning, especially after listening to different sets. After two consecutive days with the FA19, I fully understood why I previously loved them so much. We can be our own worst enemies in this hobby, or certainly, I can!
Khumbaba
Great.
DISCLAIMER
I bought the FA19 at a discounted price from Aliexpress.
It can be gotten here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006889859626.html (no affiliate links).
SPECIFICATIONS
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 2 pairs of foam eartips (M)
- 2 pairs of double flange silicone eartips (M)
- 3 pairs of bass silicone eartips (S/M/L/)
- 3 pairs of balanced silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 3 pairs vocal silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 3 pairs of Spinfit silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 3 pairs of HS18 silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- Plastic case for eartips
- HB5 Carrying case
- Cable
- 2 modular terminals for 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm modules
- MMCX release tool
- Magnetic clasp
- Cleaning brush with pin to flick tuning switches
The accessories are truly fit for a king, and this is one of the best accessory line-up I've encountered in my audio journey.
We are literally spoiled for choice with the wide array of eartips; these even come in a little plastic case.
The dual flange tips provide the best isolation, though comfort may be an issue because of the deep insertion. The Spinfit tips are rather neutralish - they have excellent comfort and fit - without coloring the sonics too much. The HS18 tips bestow a warm neutral tonality, with solid fit and seal.
The other 3 silicone tips perform their functions as per their namesake:
- "Vocal" tips - boosts upper frequencies.
- "Bass" tips - boosts lower frequencies.
- "Balanced" tips - mid-point between the above 2 tips.
For foam lovers, fear not, there are 2 pairs of foam tips included. These improve isolation, though with some soundstage compression and treble dip.
Eartips play a major part in sonics, comfort, seal and isolation, so do explore and tip-roll to see what suits your requirements.
The stock cable is a silver cable braided in an 8-stranded Litz configuration. This is sheathed with TPU, which should prevent yellowing and hardening. This is definitely one of the better stock cables, with good heft and robust braiding. It does not tangle much, and has minimal microphonics. There's a chin cinch for added grip.
A plus point for this cable, is its modular plugs, with distal terminals for 4.4 mm (balanced) and 3.5 mm (single-ended plugs). Thus, this increases the FA19's compatibility with various sources.
The MMCX removal tool is a useful addition for safe removal of the MMCX cable, and we have a magnetic clasp to tidy up the cable. Also included is a cleaning brush plus switch pin, for toggling the switches on this tunable IEM.
Last but not least, we have a large semi-rigid case, which has compartments and a velvety material internally to cushion the contents.
The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock spinfit silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
The FA19 is fashioned from resin via DLP 3D-printing technology, with an ultra-tight precision of up to 0.0375 mm. The shells are beautiful yet solidly built. Other than the faceplate, the rest of the shells are transparent, which allow users to visualize the drivers in all their glory.
Weighing in a 7 g apiece, the earpieces are very light. Ergonomics are top-notch too, with a concha protrusion for added stability, yet without any poking edges on the inner aspects to cause discomfort. In fact, I've used the FA19 for marathon listening sessions without any discomfort whatsoever.
Unlike most IEMs which use 2-pin connectors, the FA19 utilizes MMCX, which allows the housings to swivel slightly - this improves fitting and positioning of the IEM in the ears. MMCX does have a bad rep in budget CHIFI due to wearing out after multiple cable swaps, but MMCX come in a variety of grades, from cheap and less robust ones, to higher quality types. The MMCX in the FA19 seem to be of the latter types - they snap on and off with ease, and aren't too tight or too lose - I've swapped them at least 30 times during my testing without any issues.
Contrary to most all-BA IEMs, the FA19 is vented in the sub-woofers, so the FA19's isolation is bang average, and loses out to some unvented BA types in this department. Indeed, I tried bringing the FA19 for a stage monitoring gig, but unfortunately it didn't isolate that well, with bass losses noted in noisy environments.
On the flip side, the vents bring a wealth of benefits:
TUNING NOZZLES/INTERNALS
The FA19 packs 10 choice Knowles BA drivers in its frame, in the following setup:
As alluded to, the bass BAs have a vented sub-woofer via a negative feedback system to boost bass. This IEM also has a creatively designed extended acoustic tube - Fiio patents this as the S Turbo concept - which deliberately lengthens the tubes so as to dissipate treble, and hence retain bass. Indeed, BA bass is the usual pitfall found in all-BA sets, but as we will read in the following sections, the FA19's bass sounds extremely close to a DD bass, in terms of movement of air and decay.
Graph of the Fiio FA19 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.
The FA19 in stock form, has a "monitor" mode - see the red graph above. This furnishes a warm neutral signature that is very agreeable to the ears. This tuning is very reference-like and sounds mature.
Toggling the bass boost switch - the black graph above - pumps up the bass, thus bringing some fun to the equation.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the Fiio FA19 with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio KA11 dongle
- Fiio KA17 dongle
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone
This IEM is easily driven, and additional amplification is not essential.
However, take note that it has a low 10 Ω impedance, which in practice, due to the rule of eights, means that sources with an output impedance of > 1.25 Ω may change the frequency response of this IEM. Thus, source pairing is potentially tricky for audiophiles that use higher impedance gear.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
The following impressions were done with the bass boost switch turned off - ie stock form with the red graph. This confers a warm neutral tonality as described above.
With the vented bass BA, the FA19 has good sub-bass extension, and the bass sounds similar to a regular DD bass. It isn't exactly 100% identical though, as there's just a slight lack of decay in the final tail of bass notes, but this improves on the vast majority of unvented BA bass drivers that sound unnatural in terms of movement of air and decay. Bass is textured, speedy and clean, with no bleed.
For folks that want a bigger bass, just hit the bass boost switch. This makes the FA19 warmer than the stock tuning, with a more impactful mid-bass and deeper sub-bass extension.
The lower midrange is a tinge depressed, but is very transparent due to no bass impingement. This allows instruments and vocals to be nicely palleted against a dark background. Upper mids hit only a 6 dB ear gain, which translates to forward vocals without shoutiness; this will be much appreciated by the anti-pinna gain gang.
The FA19 has a smooth treble, with good extension. Sibilance is kept to a minimal. Despite not being overly zealous in the treble, it is still very resolving to allow micro-details and fine nuances in the music to be captured.
The FA19 is a technicalities beast. It boasts of a massive soundstage that goes beyond the ears, with pinpoint imaging and remarkable layering. And this is without needing to resort to a steroid boosted treble to garner "fake clarity", a cardinal sin committed in some other CHIFI gear.
BA timbre is minimal compared to some other all-BA rivals. Note weight is just right on stock tuning.
COMPARISONS
The FA19 will be compared against other pure BA IEMs. Hybrids, planars and single DDs are left out of the comparisons, as the different transducer types have their own pros and cons.
The bass boost switch is turned off for these comparisons.
Sony IER M9
Graph of the Fiio FA19 versus Sony M9 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.
The M9 has less bass, and the bass sounds quite BA-like, with a lack of decay and sub-bass extension. The M9 also has less treble, and sounds darker.
The M9 has a weaker soundstage and poorer micro-detailing, but has a hair better imaging. The M9 has a thicker note weight.
The M9 is harder to drive. The M9 has better isolation, but due to the pressure suction in the ears, some users complain of discomfort using it.
EPZ 530
Graph of the Fiio FA19 versus EPZ 530 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.
The EPZ 530 is a bright V-shaped set, with more upper mids and treble than the FA19. Thus, the EPZ 530 sounds more aggressive and harsh, with sibilance in more abudance.
The EPZ 530 has a more prominent metallic BA timbre, with a truncated BA bass that lacks natural decay.
In technical aspects, the EPZ 530 loses in soundstage and imaging, with micro-detailing about on par.
CONCLUSIONS
The Fiio FA19 is a competitive all-BA set that belongs in the TOTL conversation. In stock tuning, it has a pleasant warm neutral signature, adeptly balancing musicality and technical prowess. Flicking the bass boost switch thickens the bass, adding some excitement to the soundscape, so it isn't a one trick pony.
The ace up its sleeve is a vented sub-woofer labyrinthine acoustic tube, which allows the FA19 to sound very close to a DD bass in terms of air movement and decay. The vented design also assists with a huge soundstage and relief of pressure in the ears, though isolation loses out to other all-BA sets which are unvented.
The rest of the tonality is also appealing, with the midrange clean as a whistle, coupled with a resolving yet sibilant-free treble. Technicalities are a highlight, in particular soundstage and imaging.
In non-sonic aspects, the FA19's packaging is one of the best in the business, with all that an audiophile would require accounted for. The modular cable promises compatibility with both single-ended and balanced sources. Build quality and ergonomics are second to none. For detractors of MMCX connectors, the FA19 comes with this connector type, but thankfully the quality seems solid, with easy removal and connectability.
While the FA19 is easily driven, with no requirements for amplification, the low impedance of 10 ohms may be potentially problematic when used with high impedance sources.
In conclusion, the FA19 is a solid all-BA set. It keeps the stellar properties of an all-BA IEM - such as the technical performance and nimble bass - yet also acing some areas that other all-BA gear fail to achieve, such as bass naturalness and pressure relief. This IEM has my heartfelt recommendation, and would be a great option for folks searching for a TOTL model that does most departments well.
I bought the FA19 at a discounted price from Aliexpress.
It can be gotten here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006889859626.html (no affiliate links).
SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver configuration: 10 x Knowles balanced armature drivers
- Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance: 10 Ω
- Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW
- Cable: MMCX; silver cable 8 stranded Litz; modules for 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm terminals
- Tested at: $999.99 USD
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 2 pairs of foam eartips (M)
- 2 pairs of double flange silicone eartips (M)
- 3 pairs of bass silicone eartips (S/M/L/)
- 3 pairs of balanced silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 3 pairs vocal silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 3 pairs of Spinfit silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 3 pairs of HS18 silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- Plastic case for eartips
- HB5 Carrying case
- Cable
- 2 modular terminals for 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm modules
- MMCX release tool
- Magnetic clasp
- Cleaning brush with pin to flick tuning switches
The accessories are truly fit for a king, and this is one of the best accessory line-up I've encountered in my audio journey.
We are literally spoiled for choice with the wide array of eartips; these even come in a little plastic case.
The dual flange tips provide the best isolation, though comfort may be an issue because of the deep insertion. The Spinfit tips are rather neutralish - they have excellent comfort and fit - without coloring the sonics too much. The HS18 tips bestow a warm neutral tonality, with solid fit and seal.
The other 3 silicone tips perform their functions as per their namesake:
- "Vocal" tips - boosts upper frequencies.
- "Bass" tips - boosts lower frequencies.
- "Balanced" tips - mid-point between the above 2 tips.
For foam lovers, fear not, there are 2 pairs of foam tips included. These improve isolation, though with some soundstage compression and treble dip.
Eartips play a major part in sonics, comfort, seal and isolation, so do explore and tip-roll to see what suits your requirements.
The stock cable is a silver cable braided in an 8-stranded Litz configuration. This is sheathed with TPU, which should prevent yellowing and hardening. This is definitely one of the better stock cables, with good heft and robust braiding. It does not tangle much, and has minimal microphonics. There's a chin cinch for added grip.
A plus point for this cable, is its modular plugs, with distal terminals for 4.4 mm (balanced) and 3.5 mm (single-ended plugs). Thus, this increases the FA19's compatibility with various sources.
The MMCX removal tool is a useful addition for safe removal of the MMCX cable, and we have a magnetic clasp to tidy up the cable. Also included is a cleaning brush plus switch pin, for toggling the switches on this tunable IEM.
Last but not least, we have a large semi-rigid case, which has compartments and a velvety material internally to cushion the contents.
The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock spinfit silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
The FA19 is fashioned from resin via DLP 3D-printing technology, with an ultra-tight precision of up to 0.0375 mm. The shells are beautiful yet solidly built. Other than the faceplate, the rest of the shells are transparent, which allow users to visualize the drivers in all their glory.
Weighing in a 7 g apiece, the earpieces are very light. Ergonomics are top-notch too, with a concha protrusion for added stability, yet without any poking edges on the inner aspects to cause discomfort. In fact, I've used the FA19 for marathon listening sessions without any discomfort whatsoever.
Unlike most IEMs which use 2-pin connectors, the FA19 utilizes MMCX, which allows the housings to swivel slightly - this improves fitting and positioning of the IEM in the ears. MMCX does have a bad rep in budget CHIFI due to wearing out after multiple cable swaps, but MMCX come in a variety of grades, from cheap and less robust ones, to higher quality types. The MMCX in the FA19 seem to be of the latter types - they snap on and off with ease, and aren't too tight or too lose - I've swapped them at least 30 times during my testing without any issues.
Contrary to most all-BA IEMs, the FA19 is vented in the sub-woofers, so the FA19's isolation is bang average, and loses out to some unvented BA types in this department. Indeed, I tried bringing the FA19 for a stage monitoring gig, but unfortunately it didn't isolate that well, with bass losses noted in noisy environments.
On the flip side, the vents bring a wealth of benefits:
- Soundstage is expanded and akin to an open-backed concept
- Bass reverberations and decay are improved, and beat most all-BA types in this area - we will read about this below
- Some users complain about the pressure sensation of an all BA unvented housing - there is none of that in the FA19 here
TUNING NOZZLES/INTERNALS
The FA19 packs 10 choice Knowles BA drivers in its frame, in the following setup:
- 4 custom Knowles bass drivers handle the low-end
- 2 ED Knowles drivers take care of the midrange
- 4 SWFK Knowles drivers settle the treble regions
As alluded to, the bass BAs have a vented sub-woofer via a negative feedback system to boost bass. This IEM also has a creatively designed extended acoustic tube - Fiio patents this as the S Turbo concept - which deliberately lengthens the tubes so as to dissipate treble, and hence retain bass. Indeed, BA bass is the usual pitfall found in all-BA sets, but as we will read in the following sections, the FA19's bass sounds extremely close to a DD bass, in terms of movement of air and decay.
Graph of the Fiio FA19 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.
The FA19 in stock form, has a "monitor" mode - see the red graph above. This furnishes a warm neutral signature that is very agreeable to the ears. This tuning is very reference-like and sounds mature.
Toggling the bass boost switch - the black graph above - pumps up the bass, thus bringing some fun to the equation.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the Fiio FA19 with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio KA11 dongle
- Fiio KA17 dongle
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone
This IEM is easily driven, and additional amplification is not essential.
However, take note that it has a low 10 Ω impedance, which in practice, due to the rule of eights, means that sources with an output impedance of > 1.25 Ω may change the frequency response of this IEM. Thus, source pairing is potentially tricky for audiophiles that use higher impedance gear.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
The following impressions were done with the bass boost switch turned off - ie stock form with the red graph. This confers a warm neutral tonality as described above.
With the vented bass BA, the FA19 has good sub-bass extension, and the bass sounds similar to a regular DD bass. It isn't exactly 100% identical though, as there's just a slight lack of decay in the final tail of bass notes, but this improves on the vast majority of unvented BA bass drivers that sound unnatural in terms of movement of air and decay. Bass is textured, speedy and clean, with no bleed.
For folks that want a bigger bass, just hit the bass boost switch. This makes the FA19 warmer than the stock tuning, with a more impactful mid-bass and deeper sub-bass extension.
The lower midrange is a tinge depressed, but is very transparent due to no bass impingement. This allows instruments and vocals to be nicely palleted against a dark background. Upper mids hit only a 6 dB ear gain, which translates to forward vocals without shoutiness; this will be much appreciated by the anti-pinna gain gang.
The FA19 has a smooth treble, with good extension. Sibilance is kept to a minimal. Despite not being overly zealous in the treble, it is still very resolving to allow micro-details and fine nuances in the music to be captured.
The FA19 is a technicalities beast. It boasts of a massive soundstage that goes beyond the ears, with pinpoint imaging and remarkable layering. And this is without needing to resort to a steroid boosted treble to garner "fake clarity", a cardinal sin committed in some other CHIFI gear.
BA timbre is minimal compared to some other all-BA rivals. Note weight is just right on stock tuning.
COMPARISONS
The FA19 will be compared against other pure BA IEMs. Hybrids, planars and single DDs are left out of the comparisons, as the different transducer types have their own pros and cons.
The bass boost switch is turned off for these comparisons.
Sony IER M9
Graph of the Fiio FA19 versus Sony M9 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.
The M9 has less bass, and the bass sounds quite BA-like, with a lack of decay and sub-bass extension. The M9 also has less treble, and sounds darker.
The M9 has a weaker soundstage and poorer micro-detailing, but has a hair better imaging. The M9 has a thicker note weight.
The M9 is harder to drive. The M9 has better isolation, but due to the pressure suction in the ears, some users complain of discomfort using it.
EPZ 530
Graph of the Fiio FA19 versus EPZ 530 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.
The EPZ 530 is a bright V-shaped set, with more upper mids and treble than the FA19. Thus, the EPZ 530 sounds more aggressive and harsh, with sibilance in more abudance.
The EPZ 530 has a more prominent metallic BA timbre, with a truncated BA bass that lacks natural decay.
In technical aspects, the EPZ 530 loses in soundstage and imaging, with micro-detailing about on par.
CONCLUSIONS
The Fiio FA19 is a competitive all-BA set that belongs in the TOTL conversation. In stock tuning, it has a pleasant warm neutral signature, adeptly balancing musicality and technical prowess. Flicking the bass boost switch thickens the bass, adding some excitement to the soundscape, so it isn't a one trick pony.
The ace up its sleeve is a vented sub-woofer labyrinthine acoustic tube, which allows the FA19 to sound very close to a DD bass in terms of air movement and decay. The vented design also assists with a huge soundstage and relief of pressure in the ears, though isolation loses out to other all-BA sets which are unvented.
The rest of the tonality is also appealing, with the midrange clean as a whistle, coupled with a resolving yet sibilant-free treble. Technicalities are a highlight, in particular soundstage and imaging.
In non-sonic aspects, the FA19's packaging is one of the best in the business, with all that an audiophile would require accounted for. The modular cable promises compatibility with both single-ended and balanced sources. Build quality and ergonomics are second to none. For detractors of MMCX connectors, the FA19 comes with this connector type, but thankfully the quality seems solid, with easy removal and connectability.
While the FA19 is easily driven, with no requirements for amplification, the low impedance of 10 ohms may be potentially problematic when used with high impedance sources.
In conclusion, the FA19 is a solid all-BA set. It keeps the stellar properties of an all-BA IEM - such as the technical performance and nimble bass - yet also acing some areas that other all-BA gear fail to achieve, such as bass naturalness and pressure relief. This IEM has my heartfelt recommendation, and would be a great option for folks searching for a TOTL model that does most departments well.
akhna
i have fa19 and ka17 what would u suggest for pc gaming setting for max performance thanks a lot from now
baskingshark
Hi @akhna The FA19 doesn't need much power, so it can be run from the KA17 without desktop mode. I think they are a good pairing IMHO.
But desktop mode does add some soundstage depth for gaming, but it might get the KA17 dongle hot or use more battery, so there are trade offs.
But desktop mode does add some soundstage depth for gaming, but it might get the KA17 dongle hot or use more battery, so there are trade offs.
