FiiO FH19 Review

 

Introduction:

FiiO has once again raised the bar with the FH19, a flagship-level hybrid IEM (In-Ear Monitor) that promises to deliver exceptional audio performance. Building upon the success of its predecessor, the FH9, the FH19 features a solid array of drivers, including two (2x) dynamic drivers and six (6x) balanced armature drivers.

The titanium+7000 aluminum construction offers durability and a sleek aesthetic, while the semi-open design facilitates a more natural listening experience, while the four-way acoustic design and patented S.Turbo design contribute to enhanced bass extension and a robust bass response. To cater to individual preferences, the headphones include three interchangeable audio filters, allowing users to customize their listening experience.

Crafted with premium materials, the FH19 features a high-purity monocrystalline sterling silver cable and Rubycon film capacitor crossovers. The optimized wearing ergonomics and interchangeable 3.5/4.4 mm plugs ensure comfort and convenience. Let’s take a deeper look

In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the FH19’s performance, durability, comfort, and sound quality.

 

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank FiiO for providing the FiiO FH19 as review sample. I am not affiliated with FiiO beyond this review and all these words are reflecting my true and unaltered opinions about the product.

 

Price & Availability:

The actual price of the FiiO FH9 is 599.99 US$. More information’s can be found under the links below;

• FiiO FH19 In-Ear Monitor

 

Package & Accessories:

The FiiO FH19 arrived in a rectangular box wrapped in a cardboard sleeve with some brandings on the top. After removing the cardboard sleeve, you’ll find the main box in black, featuring the FiiO logo and the company’s motto, “Born for Music.”

This box of the contains the following items;

• 1 pair x FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-Ear Monitors
• 1 piece x 8 strand detachable cable with MMCX connectors
• 1 piece x Interchangeable Headphone Plugs 4.4mm TRRRS & 3.5mm TRS
• 1 set x Interchangeable Audio Filters (Red / Black / Green)
• 3 pairs x Bass Ear tips (S/M/L)
• 3 pairs x Vocal Ear tips (S/M/L)
• 3 pairs x Balanced Ear tips (S/M/L)
• 2 pairs x Memory Foam Ear Tips (M/M)
• 3 pairs x SpinFit Ear Tips (S/M/L)
• 3 pairs x HS18 Ear Tips (S/M/L)
• 3 pairs x HS20 Silicone Ear Tips (S/M/L)
• 1 piece x Storage Case
• 1 piece x Cleaning Brush
• 1 piece x Magnetic Cable Organizer
• 1 piece x MMCX Assist Tool
• 1 piece x Warranty Card and User Manual

 

The FH19 includes a comprehensive collection of accessories, similar to other FiiO products I’ve reviewed.

The FH19 arrivers with a rich set of ear tips, including balanced, vocal, bass, foam, and FiiO’s HS18 and HS20 silicone ear tips. Both the HS18 and HS20 are new types of ear tips from FiiO, made from skin-friendly silicone material. They are designed to be more comfortable and durable than traditional silicone ear tips.

The HB7 storage case that came inside the box looks and feels stunning. Its hexagonal shape and brown faux leather finish make it one of the standout accessories in the package.

The FH19 arrives with a monocrystalline sterling silver cable, featuring 224 individual wires for exceptional conductivity. Its braided design and high-quality insulation ensure optimal signal transmission and durability.

The cable’s TPU outer jacket not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also provides exceptional durability. Made from an environmentally friendly grey TPU material, it is resistant to discoloration, yellowing, and stiffening, even in extreme temperatures.

The FH19 features MMCX connectors with a housing made of stainless steel a scientifically designed curved shape for comfortable, extended listening sessions.

Near the MMCX connectors are transparent heat-shrink ear hooks for a better over the era wearing experience.

The detachable cable offers an interchangeable headphone plug design with two options: 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced Pentaconn. The headphone plug housing features a straight profile, a polished silver finish, and a strain relief for added durability.

Additionally, the FH19 comes with a magnetic cable organizer, a cleaning tool, and the FiiO MMCX Assist Tool.

 

Monitor Design & Build Quality:

The FiiO FH19 is a well-crafted pair of in-ear monitors that showcase the brand’s commitment to both aesthetics and audio quality. Its design is a blend of modern aesthetics and practical functionality, offering a premium look and feel.

The FH19 has a triangular shell and metallic finish provide a sophisticated and contemporary look. The intricate details on the faceplate add visual interest, while the use of solid materials like 7000 series titanium and aluminum ensures longevity.

The faceplate is one of the visual highlights that features a rigid titanium center frame and corrosion-resistant metal bracket provide exceptional durability.

The semi-open design, previously used in FiiO’s FH9, FH7S, FH5S, and FD5, is also featured in the FH19. This design has been specially adapted to combine with FiiO’s balanced pressure relief technology for the front and rear cavities. This design efficiently equalizes internal air pressure, eliminating the feeling of pressure on the eardrum, which also helps protect your hearing.

Each monitor features a special acoustic design equipped with two 13.7mm dynamic drivers and six Knowles Balanced Armature drivers. The push-pull dual dynamic driver unit is developed jointly with Tokyo Onkyo Ltd. The mid to high frequencies are handled by specially adapted Knowles Balanced Armature drivers. The push-pull arrangement ensures phase consistency and doubles the driving force.

Furthermore, high-precision Rubycon film capacitors are used for accurate phase matching.

The FH19 also features a four-way crossover design with special push-pull dual dynamic drivers, a semi-open acoustic layout, and a patented S.Turbo acoustic design for enhanced bass performance.

The inner surface of each monitor shell has L (left) / R (right) markings, a pressure relief vent, and a 10° angled sound nozzle that supports FiiO’s Interchangeable Audio Filters: Green (Treble), Black (Balanced), and Red (Bass).

You can install one of these three filters, which have a fine metal mesh on the top to prevent the insertion of foreign particles like dust and earwax.

The top of the monitor shell is equipped expanded female MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) connector design with blue (left) / red (right) indicator circles. This new design offers a more stable connection.

  

Comfort & Isolation:

Despite being equipped with 8 drivers (2 dynamic, 6 balanced armature) and having a rather sophisticated internal acoustic design, the FiiO FH19 boasts a remarkably compact and comfortable in-ear monitor design. This achievement is undoubtedly a result of FiiO’s years of accumulated expertise. The monitor’s rounded triangular shape and the ergonomic design of its inner surface make extended listening sessions quite comfortable. FiiO deserves special commendation for this.

Regarding passive noise isolation, I can say it’s quite good considering its semi-open-back design. The isolation is sufficient for use in moderately noisy environments like subways, buses, or trains.

 

Efficiency & Pairing:

The FiiO FH19 is an easy-to-drive In-Ear Monitor with its low impedance of 16Ω@1kHz and a sensitivity of 109dB/mW (decibels per milliwatt). This makes it compatible with a wide varity of audio sources including USB DAC/AMP dongles (FiiO KA17), DAP’s (FiiO M23), and even smartphones and tablets.

 

Technical Specifications:

• Driver Configuration  : 2x DD + 6x Knowles BA Hybrid Driver
• Frequency Resp.      : 8Hz ~ 40kHz
• Impedance                : 16Ω@1kHz
• Sensitivity                  : 109dB/mW
• Cable type                 : 8 strands with a total of 224 wires of high-purity pure silver
• Plug                           : Interchangeable Plugs (3.5mm SE & 4.4mm Balanced)
• Connector Type        : MMCX Connector
• Cord Length              : 120cm
• Weight                       : 12g per earpiece (exclusive cable)

Sources used for this review:

• IEM                             : FiiO FH19, IO Audio Volare
• DAP/DAC/AMP         : FiiO M23, FiiO KA17

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Adele – My Little Love (Deezer HiFi)
• Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Radiohead – Live in Berlin “ Album” (Deezer HiFi)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Bear McCreary’s – Valkyries (Deezer HiFi)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Apple Lossless)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Metallica – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush’s – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Dream Theater – Fall in to the Light (Apple Lossless)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)

 

The Sound:

The FiiO FH19 offers a well-balanced and engaging sound profile, with strengths across the frequency spectrum. Its dual dynamic drivers deliver a deep, powerful bass, while the balanced armature drivers contribute to a rich, lush, and detailed midrange. The treble is refined, airy, and detailed, capable of handling a wide range of genres. The semi-open-back design contributes to a notably expansive soundstage, providing excellent instrument separation and a sense of immersion. Overall, the FH19 is a versatile and satisfying choice for audiophiles seeking a balanced and engaging sound.

Tuning Filters Explained:

Black Filter:

• Tuning: Balanced and uncolored.
• Frequency Response: A flat response across the spectrum.
• Character: Ideal for those seeking a pure and natural sound, akin to listening to a live performance.

 

Red Filter:

• Tuning: Bass-emphasized.
• Frequency Response: Increased low-frequency energy.
• Character: Perfect for those who crave a dynamic and impactful sound, delivering a visceral listening experience.

 

Green Filter:

• Tuning: Treble-focused
• Frequency Response: Increased high-frequency detail.
• Character: Suitable for those who appreciate a more analytical and revealing sound, allowing them to delve into the intricacies of the music.

This review has been written after a burn-in period of approximately 100+ hours. Please note that my review below is mainly based on my sound impressions with the Balanced Silicone Ear Tip Black in combination with the 1 Green Filter, which offers the synergy with most sources and genres. I have used the stock detachable cable and have paired the FH19 with the FiiO M23 Digital Audio Player and FiiO KA17 USB DAC/AMP dongle.

Bass:

The FiiO FH19’s new dual dynamic driver units produce a deep, impactful, and surprisingly natural bass sound. This bass is capable of handling a wide range of musical genres and extends to excellent depths, providing a satisfying level of immersion.

The FH19’s frequency response extends deep into the sub-bass region, accurately reproducing the resonant tones of instruments like bass guitars, kick drums, and synths. The dual dynamic driver setup delivers powerful, low-distortion bass, which I have highly enjoyed during my auditions. The bass performance is well-textured and fast, especially when using the green tuning nozzles. However, there is a slightly amount of midbass bleed audible when using the Red Filter that I didn’t like. Tracks like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and Lorde’s “Royals” do highlight the FH19’s ability to deliver deep, powerful, and well-controlled bass that will leave you wanting more.

Overall, the FH19’s bass is particularly remarkable in genres that emphasize low frequencies, such as electronic music and hip-hop. It’s capable of delivering a deep, powerful, and well-controlled bass presentation.

Midrange:

The FiiO FH19’s midrange is a standout feature, characterized by its rich, lush, and detailed quality. Balanced armature drivers contribute to an expressive presentation that shines without being overshadowed by the lows. Vocals and instruments are well-represented, offering a natural timbre that brings music to life. The midrange is balanced in relation to the bass and treble, creating a coherent overall sound.

The FH19 is particularly well-suited for female vocals. Tracks like Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” and Diana Krall’s “So Wonderful” highlight its ability to reproduce them with warmth, clarity, and emotion. For male vocals, Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” and David Bowie’s “Heroes” showcase its natural and detailed midrange. In conclusion, the FH19’s midrange performance is exceptional for genres that highlight vocals and acoustic instruments. It produces a rich, engaging, and natural midrange sound that will appeal to even the most discerning audiophiles. For the optimal balance of analytical quality and musicality, I highly recommend using the green nozzle filter.

Treble:

The FH19’s treble performance is exceptional, showcasing its balanced armature driver’s ability to deliver a detailed and extended high-frequency response. The treble is both airy and sparkly, reminiscent of a violin or flute, providing a sense of space and energy to the music. This makes it ideal for genres ranging from classical music and jazz up to more treble-intensive genres like rock and metal music.

Moreover, the FH19’s treble remains well-controlled, avoiding harshness or sibilance, even in demanding tracks like Dream Theater’s “Fall into the Light.” This control seems to be achieved with a through careful engineering, ensuring that the treble complements the midrange and bass frequencies for a balanced overall sound. However, if you’re looking for a bright and energetic treble profile, the FH19 might sound a bit too tame in this area, even with the Green Filter. Overall, the FH19 is capable of delivering a refined, airy, and detailed treble that will satisfy most audiophiles.

Soundstage & Imaging:

The FiiO FH19’s semi-open-back design contributes to a notably expansive soundstage, providing excellent instrument separation and a sense of immersion. This allows for precise sound positioning and imaging within the listening space. The soundstage is particularly impressive when used with tracks featuring a wide array of instruments and effects. For instance, the complex bass passages in Gogo Penguin’s “Murmuration” are presented with exceptional clarity and depth within the FH19’s spacious soundstage.

 

Some Comparisons:

FiiO FH19 (Green Filter) versus QoA Margarita:

The QoA Margarita shows a slightly more prominent bass response compared to the FiiO FH19, even when using the Red Filter. This is particularly noticeable in the sub-bass region, where the Margarita shows a significant elevation. Conversely, the FH19’s bass response sounds more balanced overall, with superior control and decay compared to the Margarita.

Both IEMs have a relatively neutral midrange response, ensuring accurate reproduction of instruments and vocals in the mix. The FH19 demonstrates a slightly richer and fuller lower midrange presentation compared to the Margarita, which is audible with both vocals and instruments like violins or pianos. The upper midrange of both IEMs is quite smooth and detailed, although the FiiO FH19 shows a higher level of extension and overall resolution in this area.

The most significant difference between these two IEMs likely lies in their treble response. The FH19’s treble is primarily concentrated in the lower treble area, providing an advantage in terms of clarity and definition, especially with the Green Filter. The QoA Margarita, on the other hand, shows more brilliance and extension in the upper treble area, adding some additional airiness and sparkle. However, the Margarita can sound a bit aggressive and metallic in this area, while the FH19 maintains a smooth and controlled presentation that is pleasant to listen to.

Both the FiiO FH19 and the QoA Margarita offer a pretty expansive and realistic soundstage performance, each with its own unique strengths. The FH19, however, excels in creating a wider and more expansive soundstage, providing exceptional separation between instruments and vocals. While the QoA Margarita demonstrates slightly more depth in its soundstage, drawing listeners further into the musical performance, the FH19’s broader soundstage often offers a better sense of imaging.

  

 

Conclusion:

While FiiO’s previous FH models have showcased exceptional audio performance, the FH19 takes a significant leap forward with its more mature and technically refined sound. This enhancement solidifies its position as my new favorite FH series IEM from the company. Its sophisticated design, premium build quality, and versatile sound profile make it a compelling choice for audiophiles seeking a well-rounded listening experience. The FH19’s sound profile is carefully tuned to deliver a neutral and balanced sound signature, featuring a detailed midrange, extended highs, and a controlled bass response that provides decent depth for a wide range of musical genres without overpowering the mix. The inclusion of interchangeable filters and a comprehensive accessory package further enhances its appeal, making it a truly exceptional choice.

 

Pros & Cons: 

• + Musical, Rich and Textured Presentation
• + Best midrange tunning of all FiiO FH Series Hybrid IEM’s
• + Soundstage & Imaging
• + Fit & Comfort (despite its high driver count)
• + Excellent Built Quality (7000 Series Titanium and Aluminum Material)
• + Best-in-Class Packaging that includes a wide range of ear tips, cables and accessories
• + Excellent Value for the Price

 

• – Slightly amount of Midbass bleed with the Red Filter
• – The treble range may sound a bit too tame for those who prefer an energetic treble profile
• – MMCX instead of 2 Pin Connectors

 

Thank you for the Read!