[FIIO FA19] Flagship 10 Knowles BA IEM
Apr 26, 2024 at 4:47 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 117

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9108567.jpg



Custom Knowles · enhanced bass BA drivers
FIIO collaborated closely with Knowles to create a custom bass BA driver. By improving the airflow throughput of this driver, we enhance its overall energy. Additionally, the FA19 uses four of these custom drivers per channel, further ensuring there are enough drivers to produce detailed and powerful bass. The result is truly robust, impactful bass.
9104736.jpg



Negative feedback bass enhancement system
With four custom enhanced bass balanced armature drivers per channel developed by FIIO in collaboration with Knowles, the FA19 boasts ample bass. Engineers creatively made use of the precise DLP 3D printing technology to create a shell that helps to guide this low-frequency energy into the earphone’s rear cavity, effectively lowering the resonant frequency there – essentially a negative feedback bass enhancement system. The result is a bass that reaches extremely deep, uncommon among IEMs of its class.
9104737.jpg



Mid-frequency notch filter
A smooth mid-frequency curve not only stems from the core unit’s quality but also results from meticulous tuning by professional acousticians. The FA19 employs two classic Knowles ED mid BA drivers, known for their high resolution and favored by demanding listeners. However, if not implemented properly they can sometimes exhibit sibilance which negatively affects the overall listening experience. To address this, engineers have specially designed a mid-frequency notch filter at the bottom of these two mid BA drivers.
9108593.jpg



Upgrade 1: Enhanced mids
Measurements show that the mid-frequency notch filter increases the sound pressure level between 1kHz and 3kHz in the FA19, avoiding a “hole” in the mids. This ensures not only that the highly detailed nature of a BA driver continues to come through, but also that the mids sound lusher and more realistic, as if the singer really was in front of you.


Upgrade 2: Sibilance eliminated
The mid-frequency notch filter effectively filters out the 8kHz peak of the mid-frequency BA driver. Doing so reduces the overlap in frequency response range between the mid and treble BAs, eliminating sibilance and enhancing overall clarity.

Upgrade 3: Refined treble
Additionally, the mid-frequency notch filter shifts the crossover point between multiple drivers to 3.5kHz. By establishing a clean separation between the mid and treble drivers, both sets of drivers properly work to their maximum potential within their designated frequency ranges without any interference.
9104738.jpg



Rubycon audiophile-grade crossover capacitors
Truly be immersed with each striking musical note thanks to a precise crossover. The FA19 employs audiophile-grade film capacitors as its electronic crossover components, which boast exceptional precision. While typical resistors used for crossovers have an error tolerance of around 1%, the FA19’s resistors have an impressively low error tolerance of 0.1%. Thus, compared to ordinary ceramic capacitors, the FA19 not only attains more accurate crossover points but also features enhanced high-frequency resolution without sacrificing tonal finesse.
9104739.jpg



The FA19 is available on our AliExpress Official Store. Click the link below to take it home right away: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006889859626.html

Best regards,
Guangzhou FIIO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.
 
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Apr 26, 2024 at 7:43 AM Post #2 of 117
The Fiio FA19 was gotten at a discounted price from Fiio.

This is a 10 KNOWLES BA IEM.

FA19_1.jpg

Very comfortable, easy to drive, with no amplification requirements.

Accessories are fit for a king.

FA19_3.jpg



It has 1 tuning switch. In stock form (with the bass switch turned off), the FA19 sounds warm neutral. Very studio monitor-like, in furnishing a pleasant soundscape. Extremely technical, massive soundstage beyond the ears, with pinpoint imaging. And this is without needing to resort to a steroid boosted treble to garner "fake clarity".

Fiio FA19 Final.jpg


Bass is nicely textured and clean with no bleed. Upper mids are only 6 dB - ie no shout - which was a complaint of the previous FX15 predecessor. Smooth treble, with minimal sibilance, but still very resolving.

Interestingly, the FA19 has a vented sub-woofer, so the bass sounds quite close to a DD bass. It isn't exactly 100% similar to a DD bass 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.

FA19_2.jpg


For folks that want a bit more "fun" in the signature, toggling the switch converts the FA19 to a bass boost mode, as seen from the graphs. This is a bit warmer than the stock tuning, but the bass is more impactful. Sub-bass extension is even better with the switch on.

The FA19 does have a tinge of BA timbre, but isn't the worst offender in multi BA sets I've tried. Note weight is just right.

The FA19 uses MMCX but the MMCX seem of high quality and snap on and off without issues. BTW I spoke to a custom maker before, and MMCX comes in a variety of grades, from cheap ones seen in ultra budget CHIFI that give a bad rep to the connector type due to being too tight or spinning like a wind-vane, whereas we have higher quality ones that are rated for thousands of swaps.

This set is well suited for stage monitoring in view of the solid ergonomics and technical chops, and I do think it competes with other TOTL multi driver transducers. Think of something that has good layering and soundstage but not being overly fatiguing.

Will do some A/B testing against other pure BA sets like the Sony M9 etc and report back. Will also test out the QC of the MMCX.
 
Apr 26, 2024 at 12:44 PM Post #4 of 117
The Fiio FA19 was gotten at a discounted price from Fiio.

This is a 10 KNOWLES BA IEM.

FA19_1.jpg

Very comfortable, easy to drive, with no amplification requirements.

Accessories are fit for a king.

FA19_3.jpg


It has 1 tuning switch. In stock form (with the bass switch turned off), the FA19 sounds warm neutral. Very studio monitor-like, in furnishing a pleasant soundscape. Extremely technical, massive soundstage beyond the ears, with pinpoint imaging. And this is without needing to resort to a steroid boosted treble to garner "fake clarity".

Fiio FA19 Final.jpg

Bass is nicely textured and clean with no bleed. Upper mids are only 6 dB - ie no shout - which was a complaint of the previous FX15 predecessor. Smooth treble, with minimal sibilance, but still very resolving.

Interestingly, the FA19 has a vented sub-woofer, so the bass sounds quite close to a DD bass. It isn't exactly 100% similar to a DD bass 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.

FA19_2.jpg


For folks that want a bit more "fun" in the signature, toggling the switch converts the FA19 to a bass boost mode, as seen from the graphs. This is a bit warmer than the stock tuning, but the bass is more impactful. Sub-bass extension is even better with the switch on.

The FA19 does have a tinge of BA timbre, but isn't the worst offender in multi BA sets I've tried. Note weight is just right.

The FA19 uses MMCX but the MMCX seem of high quality and snap on and off without issues. BTW I spoke to a custom maker before, and MMCX comes in a variety of grades, from cheap ones seen in ultra budget CHIFI that give a bad rep to the connector type due to being too tight or spinning like a wind-vane, whereas we have higher quality ones that are rated for thousands of swaps.

This set is well suited for stage monitoring in view of the solid ergonomics and technical chops, and I do think it competes with other TOTL multi driver transducers. Think of something that has good layering and soundstage but not being overly fatiguing.

Will do some A/B testing against other pure BA sets like the Sony M9 etc and report back. Will also test out the QC of the MMCX.

Very curious on your thoughts vs Sony M9!
 
Apr 26, 2024 at 6:54 PM Post #10 of 117
$999.99
 
Apr 26, 2024 at 8:55 PM Post #13 of 117

9108567.jpg



Custom Knowles · enhanced bass BA drivers
FIIO collaborated closely with Knowles to create a custom bass BA driver. By improving the airflow throughput of this driver, we enhance its overall energy. Additionally, the FA19 uses four of these custom drivers per channel, further ensuring there are enough drivers to produce detailed and powerful bass. The result is truly robust, impactful bass.
9104736.jpg



Negative feedback bass enhancement system
With four custom enhanced bass balanced armature drivers per channel developed by FIIO in collaboration with Knowles, the FA19 boasts ample bass. Engineers creatively made use of the precise DLP 3D printing technology to create a shell that helps to guide this low-frequency energy into the earphone’s rear cavity, effectively lowering the resonant frequency there – essentially a negative feedback bass enhancement system. The result is a bass that reaches extremely deep, uncommon among IEMs of its class.
9104737.jpg



Mid-frequency notch filter
A smooth mid-frequency curve not only stems from the core unit’s quality but also results from meticulous tuning by professional acousticians. The FA19 employs two classic Knowles ED mid BA drivers, known for their high resolution and favored by demanding listeners. However, if not implemented properly they can sometimes exhibit sibilance which negatively affects the overall listening experience. To address this, engineers have specially designed a mid-frequency notch filter at the bottom of these two mid BA drivers.
9108593.jpg



Upgrade 1: Enhanced mids
Measurements show that the mid-frequency notch filter increases the sound pressure level between 1kHz and 3kHz in the FA19, avoiding a “hole” in the mids. This ensures not only that the highly detailed nature of a BA driver continues to come through, but also that the mids sound lusher and more realistic, as if the singer really was in front of you.


Upgrade 2: Sibilance eliminated
The mid-frequency notch filter effectively filters out the 8kHz peak of the mid-frequency BA driver. Doing so reduces the overlap in frequency response range between the mid and treble BAs, eliminating sibilance and enhancing overall clarity.

Upgrade 3: Refined treble
Additionally, the mid-frequency notch filter shifts the crossover point between multiple drivers to 3.5kHz. By establishing a clean separation between the mid and treble drivers, both sets of drivers properly work to their maximum potential within their designated frequency ranges without any interference.
9104738.jpg



Rubycon audiophile-grade crossover capacitors
Truly be immersed with each striking musical note thanks to a precise crossover. The FA19 employs audiophile-grade film capacitors as its electronic crossover components, which boast exceptional precision. While typical resistors used for crossovers have an error tolerance of around 1%, the FA19’s resistors have an impressively low error tolerance of 0.1%. Thus, compared to ordinary ceramic capacitors, the FA19 not only attains more accurate crossover points but also features enhanced high-frequency resolution without sacrificing tonal finesse.
9104739.jpg



The FA19 is available on our AliExpress Official Store. Click the link below to take it home right away: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006889859626.html

Best regards,
Guangzhou FIIO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.
Hey Fiio,
I have owned over 10 of your products...lemme try one of these!
 
Apr 27, 2024 at 9:42 AM Post #15 of 117
For an 3-Way System? Wow... that is more than i expected, much more.

I am looking forward to hear how these compare to offerings in the same price range.

The FA9 was very easy to recommend with good foam (got forbid the ones shipped with the IEM) which sold at 550€ MSR and 350€ on sale. It had an excellent tuning and only minor issues which was very very rare for the price it sold for.

For that price, i expect the FA19 to compete with the SE846, IER-M9, Mach 70 and similar offerings.

Especially i am curious if the vent affects isolation
 

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