Fiio FA19

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!

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

• 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

There's a rubycon film capacitor arranged in a 3-way crossover, with a midrange notch filter to ensure a seamless transition from the midrange to the treble frequencies.

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.