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Specifications
For the nitpickers and nerdy ones here, I’m giving the specs and technical sheets. For all the others, you can just go to the next page to see how the FiiO FA19 performs.
10 custom Knowles Drivers
With the FiiO FA19, the brand decided to go all-out and packed no less than 10 drivers per ears, to rival TOTL IEMs from other firms.
Sure, some brands go even higher nowadays – even my old Unique Melody Maestro packed 12 drivers – but possible, and doable, have two different meanings and piling up drivers, doesn’t mean you’ll be able to get good performances. That said, having more drivers usually provide multiple advantages:
- increased energy density within a given frequency range,
- higher dynamic range when properly tune,
- better handling under heavy loads
That’s why FiiO decided to team up with Knowles once more, to develop their own customs BA, specifically tailored for the FA19:
- 4x BA drivers for the lows
- 2x ED BA drivers for the mids
- 4x SWFK drivers for the trebles
A three way array controlled by an hybrid three way crossover, combining a physical + electronic layout designed with Rubycon audiophile-grade crossover capacitors, advertised as ultra-low tolerance ones (0.1%). A good fit for a flagship!
Negative feedback bass + S.Turbo
Introduced first in the FiiO FH5, a few years ago now, the S.Turbo is back once more. Designed as a turbine-shaped acoustic tunnel, it serves as a filtering devices that effectively eliminates high-frequency sound waves, emanating from the bass drivers. The goal? To ensure a smooth transition between low and mid frequencies, resulting in a cleaner split between the low, and mid frequencies – for better sound, you get the idea.
Once more, that was all made possible by the use of 3D Printing techniques, allowing the drawing of intricate inner layouts for the FiiO FA19, with a duct almost 3 times longer than the first generation. But that was not the only feature that made a come-back !
Introduced on the JH5 a while ago, the FiiO FA19 now embarks a Negative Feedback bass enhancement system, also designed to enhance low-frequencies accuracy. How does that work? Guiding the bass towards a rear cavity, the system lowers the resonant frequency, allowing a deeper render, as bass-reflex would do… but internally.
Furthermore, this ensures that the front cavity of the IEM remain adequately vented, effectively preventing wearing discomfort that may occur with excessive sound pressure. Quite nice if you ask me!
Hi-Fi Mid-frequency notch filter
Last but not least, the Fiio FA19 inaugurates a whole new technology labelled as “Mid-Frequency notch filter.
On paper, this should offer:
- enhanced mids, with a lusher sound and a more realistic approach, thanks to the improved pressure between 1kHz and 3kHz
- limited sibilance, by filtering out the 8kHz peak and reducing the overlap in frequency response between the mid and trebles drivers
- refined treble, by shifting the crossover at 3.5kHz, establishing a clear separation between the highs and mids drivers, allowing to properly work to their maximum potential, without any interferences
So yeah, so far so good. Let’s put them to the test now!
Bundle
Inside the box
The FiiO FA19 comes with a very good bundle, in adequation to its price. In the box, you get:
- the FiiO FA19
- a wonderful high-purity pure silver cable (224 wires) with swappable plugs
- a full set of silicone and foam tips, S/M/L (24 tips)
- 3 sets of SpinFit tips (S/M/L)
- 3 sets of HS18 eartips
- 1x 4.4mm plug + 1x 3.5mm plug
- a cleaning brush + MMCX removal tool
- a magnetic clip + a travel case
A comprehensive bundle that should suit most users.
Additional accessories
Honestly, the FiiO FA19 comes with everything you might need.
So, the only thing that you could add would be a good DAC or DAP, especially considering the high-end positioning of the IEM. Personally, I chose the FiiO M17 as my main source and the FiiO Q7 when I wanted to go hard on the go (or almost), but any high-end audiophile source should make it work, especially knowing how low the impedance is (10ohm).
The full specifications are below, or you can already go to the next page by clicking here.
Full specs
- Model: FiiO FA19
- Type: universal in-ear
- Style: multi-balanced drivers
- Drivers: 10x proprietary drivers (4 lows, 2 mids, 4 highs)
- Socket: expanded MMCX
- Cable: 8 strands, 224 wires, Litz braided high-purity silver with swappable termination
- Shell: 3D printed acrylic
- Frequency Response: 20Hz- 20kHz
- Impedance: 10 ohms
- Sensitivity: 106dB
- Sound Isolation (up to): 30dB
- Cable length: 120cm
- Weight: 7g per ear
- Price: $999
The article continues on Page four, click here.
Page 1: About the brand
Page 2: Comfort, usage
Page 3: Specifications, Bundle
Page 4: Sound Performance
