FiiO FA19 in-ear monitors

FiiO is on the move this year; several senior former OPPO executives formed the Chinese-based manufacturing company. OPPO was the maker of high-end CD players and DACs before it decided to clean up the mobile phone market in the Far East. The brand name FiiO is composed of fidelity from HiFi, and the iO comes from digital numbers (1s and 0s).

These FA19s are packed with high-quality technology, as is the stunning R9 on my desktop and the K11 R2R headphone DAC that I can’t stop listening to. As I was preparing to embark on my summer holiday with the family, a pair of FiiO FA19 in-ear monitors arrived just in time to make the ‘Go Bag’. My carry-on rucksack was filled with an old (hastily charged) iPod and my own Pioneer XDP-100 filled with Micro-SD stored 24-bit recordings, downloads and rare tracks.

Design

The FiiO FA19 is a 10-driver all-balanced Knowles armature design in-ear monitor. The idea that you can get all this technology on an in-ear monitor blows my mind. There are four custom Knowles bass balanced armature (BA) drivers, two Knowles ED Mid BA drivers and four Knowles SWFK treble BA drivers. The drivers are managed by Rubycon crossover capacitors in each shell.

Having such a high number of drivers has a few effects. The primary one is that the energy density over the frequency range is higher, resulting in more detail delivered across the piece, FiiO claims. Additionally, as tiny vibrating reeds between two magnets, BA drivers have lower power consumption.

There are a couple of additional bits of technology in here. A negative feedback bass enhancement system moves the path of the bass towards the back of the shell, lengthening bass travel and deepening the bass. Further, a midrange notch filter technology is also included, which weakens high-frequency signals in the midrange, reducing the likelihood of sibilance (the hissing ‘s’ sounds).

The earpiece shells are 3D printed and made of photosensitive resin. They can be operated in two different modes: HiFi or Monitor. A small toggle switch on each shell switches these options. HiFi Mode offers more bass and mid-range response, and Monitor Mode offers more detail in the treble.

The FiiO FA19 has a standard MMCX cable connection at the shell. The cable is pure silver and consists of 8 strands of 28 wires each (224). It is terminated with a twist-lock system that can switch between 4.4mm and 3.5mm jacks.

Quality

The monitors are beautiful to handle, and the collared screw that swaps the jack between 4.4mm to 3.5mm is tight and easy to manage. The 1.2m silver conductors are heavy but offer no mechanical noise as you shuffle about.

There is a lovely silver collar to divide the cable left and right, allowing you to tighten the monitor moulds around the head if desired. The shell is heavier (7g each), but the moulded ear loops are excellent. There is no compromise on comfort or fit with the monitor tips, with a baffling array of

choices. The tips only isolate the ear; there is no noise correction.

The main box has a leather-effect carry case with a magnetic closure and a leather-effect magnetic clasp for clipping the cable to clothing.

The quoted frequency response of these FA19s is 20Hz to 40kHz with a sensitivity of 106dB/mW@1kHz.

The FiiO FA19 in-ear monitors are retailing at £999 at the time of writing (August 2024).

The full specification is here:

Performance

Review Equipment

I’ve been listening to the FiiO FA19 in-ear monitors using the swappable 3.5mm jack on the move, my Pioneer XDP-100, and an old-school iPod. I’ve also been listening on the desktop with the 4.4mm jack, balanced with the iFi Diablo 2 and the FiiO R9 and, later, with a FiiO K11. I also have a Chord Hugo 2 here; still the desktop G.O.A.T.

Physically

These monitors are very comfortable and easy to wear. When I flew to Portugal, I had no pressure in my ear canal. I’m unsure if there is a deliberate hole in the shell (like Meze Audio uses), but I’m guessing the monitor switch allows even pressure in the ear.

Switching between Monitor or HiFi mode is simple with the metal end of the cleaning brush, which I assume is made for this purpose.

Pioneer XDP-100

There is ravishing detail here, too, and bags of rhythm…

First impressions of the FA19s in a quiet corner are positive: there’s plenty of bass, and it is controlled and deep, for example, Billie Eilish’s bury a friend (Qobuz 24-bit, 44.1kHz, downloaded on the device). There is ravishing detail here, too, and bags of rhythm in bad guy (Qobuz 24-bit, 44.1kHz, downloaded).

Overall, there is a sense of air and space in the headstage; for example, in a more detailed and subtle track like Ben Howard’s Old Pine (Qobuz 16-bit, 44.1kHz, downloaded), there are details and space, the male vocal is notably smooth, with a clean guitar and a nice edge to it.  This attention to detail also translates to Beck’s Morning (Qobuz 24-bit, 96kHz).

iPod

On the flight to Portugal, I used my old iPod and playlists.  Yes, I was 30,000 feet up, but I was suddenly missing something from the FiiOs, listening to Hunky Dory (iPod mp3); the same happened with my Elizabethtown Playlist, made in 2015.  What was missing?  Suddenly, everything was flat. I’m putting it down to the quality of the iPod source versus the Pioneer, a higher quality source at a different price point and technological time.

On the flight, I happened to have the iFi GO Blu in my rucksack. This proved to be a nice solution, with a softer tone and all the detail I needed.

FiiO R9 & Chord Hugo 2

In the R9, the FA19s are very lively in my ears. For example, listening to Stone Roses’ Waterfall (Qobuz 16-bit, 44.1kHz) is much lighter with the Meze Audio ADVAR; there is less weight in the headstage and a fraction more comfort in the listening (this is the case particularly rock-type tracks like Oasis’s Remastered Definitely Maybe (Qobuz 24-bit, 44.1kHz)).

When you switch the FA19s to the Chord Hugo 2, there is that refinement you crave with these IEMs, and the sound is calmed down and becomes more musical. The headstage is, however, relatively loud and significant with the FA19s compared to the ADVARs (which I consider the IEMs to beat with the Hugo 2). I need to turn down the volume when I switch to the FA19s from the ADVAR.

I have the latest FiiO K11 R2R with a resistive DAC ladder here. I have to say the K11 opens up these FA19s rather nicely compared to the R9. Is it a bit odd that the cheaper (£149) desktop headphone amplifier does as good a job as one five times more costly from the same company? With the choice, the Hugo 2 is the place to be for a smoother delivery.

Monitor Switch

With the Monitor Mode switched off, in HiFi Mode, there is a lift in the bass, which is my preference, though I feel it is pretty marginal in my ears.  It is nice to have the option.

Musical Interlude

Here’s the HF&MS Musical Interlude Playlist for this review.

This is our Portugal AirBnB Playlist on Tidal.

Since we are currently inundated with Oasis fever, here is the HF&MS Essential Oasis Playlist. Comments are appreciated below!!

Thoughts

These FiiO FA19 in-ear monitors have a big, high-energy sound.  I feel the drivers are lively, and paired with a high-energy DAC Amp like the Kensai GO Bar, you could be in for a bit of a hard time. But paired with a bit of refinement, you are in for a good time, as the resolution, control and quality is all here.  These FA19s are at a keen price; you’re going to need to have a good test run with your particular device to ensure you’re getting what you want for the price.

Overall

A joyful few weeks with FiiO and the FA19s reveal an excellent level of performance

A joyful few weeks with FiiO and the FA19s reveal an excellent level of performance. They are easy to wear in longer sessions and do not pressure the ear canal.  The bass presence is a notable tonal outcome, as is the prodigious level of detail across the frequency range.

Specification

Full details are on the company’s site.