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FiiO FH19 Review: A Flagship Hybrid

SeanG

Disclaimer

Hello everyone! Before I start this review I want to mention that the FiiO FH19 was provided to me by FiiO for this review. However, everything I’ve shared here is my honest opinion based on my own experience with the product. And my goal is always to give you, my readers, a genuine, honest and unbiased review, so you all can decide if it’s the right choice for you or not.
Furthermore, I really want to thank FiiO for providing me with this review unit and thank you, the reader, for trusting in me and taking your time to read this review.

Introduction

Ok, so today I’ve got something really special… the FiiO FH19. When I first held them in my hands I knew I was something unique. The FH19 is their latest in ear monitors (IEMs), and its a great example of top build quality and amazing product overall! The FH19 is part of their hybrid IEM lineup, which combines dynamic and balanced armature drivers to give a natural and lifelike bass and at the same time airy and sparkly mids and highs. At $600, these aren’t cheap, but FiiO promises a lot for that price…
And so I was really curious to see how these would perform… And Lets see!

Unboxing and What’s Included

When I first opened the box of the FiiO FH19, I saw that it is very similar to the FA19 but there were still some differences in the accessories. The packaging feels really premium, and it immediately sets the tone for what’s inside. As I lifted the lid, I immediately noticed the IEMs themselves, pushed in a plastic casing. And to be honest, I really don’t like it… It is holding the IEM so strong that I was afraid to break the MMCX connector, or to rip the cable when I was trying to take them out…

1 / 8

Here’s what’s included in the box:

Overall, the unboxing and included accessories are of very high quality and standard, and I can really feel that it is a very premium product from the first touch.

Technical Specifications

Build Quality and Materials:

The FiiO FH19 is built amazingly!!! one of the best built IEMs I’ve ever held in my hands, not a joke! 
It is made from a mix of durable materials. The ear shells are made from 7000-series aerospace aluminum alloy, which keeps them strong yet light, but keep in mind that they are very big and heavy. The middle frame is crafted from pure titanium, adding to the overall sturdiness without making the IEMs too heavy, although they are still very heavy, despite the light metals used… And the best part is that this combination not only makes the FH19 look premium but also helps with long term durability.

Driver Configuration and Technology:

The FH19 features a pretty unique driver setup with a total of eight drivers per ear. Here’s the breakdown:

Dual Dynamic Drivers:

The low frequencies are delivered by two 13.7mm push pull dynamic drivers. These drivers use a PU gasket and a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) diaphragm dome to deliver deep and controlled bass with big amount of air movement. The push pull configuration makes it so the two dynamic drivers are working as one.

Six Balanced Armature Drivers:

For the mid and high frequencies, FiiO has partnered with Knowles to use custom BA drivers. Two custom Knowles drivers are managing the mid frequencies. And the high and ultra high frequencies are handled by the classic Knowles SWFK-31736 driver. The cool thing about the ultra high BAs is that they can be seen when the filter is removed, and they are very close to the nozzle tip.

Four Way Crossover:

The sound is very balanced and smooth and that’s probably because a four way crossover design, as 2DD for Bass, 2 Custom BAs for the mids, 2BAs for the highs and 2 BAs for the ultra highs.

Cable Specifications:

The FH19 comes with a high quality cable made from 8 strands of pure sterling silver, totaling 224 wires. The cable is the same as the one that comes with the FA19, but the metal MMCX connectors are matte and not chrome. It is very high quality and really gives the feeling of a premium cable, but I would say that it is a bit stiff and springy.

Technical Specs of the IEM:

Sound performance

The FH19 is an absolute king when it comes to vocals, and in my opinion truly earning its title as a “singer’s IEM.”! Whether it’s male or female voices, the mids are beautifully forward and packed with detail, making every note feel alive and distinct. If you love vocal centric music, you can’t go wrong with these! But there’s so much more to discuss, especially when it comes to how it handles everything else, which we’ll talk about right now.

Bass

The bass on the FH19 is pretty interesting, especially in how natural it sounds. So to start with the sub bass, it has a pretty good texture and presence, particularly when using the red (bass) nozzle, but there is an early roll off and the rumbling feeling is a bit lacking and I always felt like I wanted a bit more… I could really feel the depth, but it’s not overwhelming or too punchy. The best part is, that because of the dual (push and pull) drivers and semi open design there’s a feeling that a lot of air is moving, which helps the bass feel spacious, fast when it needs to be fast and with long lasting decay exactly when I need it!

What I appreciate a lot is how it keeps everything clean! There’s no muddiness creeping into the mids, which is something I was initially concerned about based on the graph. But surely, even though the mid bass is strong, it’s controlled and doesn’t overshadow other frequencies and is not entering the mids.

I would say that the bass is overall very natural and neutral and makes it enjoyable for a pretty wide range of music genres. It’s definitely not a basshead’s dream, but for those who appreciate a more refined and realistic bass response, the FH19 delivers it amazingly, especially when performing vocals.

Mids

Ok, so when it comes to the mids on the FH19, this is where things really start to shine! The lower mids are very rich and full. It gives instruments like guitars and pianos a warm and natural sound. I immediately noticed a certain thickness to the notes that adds body and depth, which I find really unique and greatly done!

The FH19 brings vocals, both male and female, right to the front of the stage and giving them a lifelike stage and quality. It is very apparent that there is a noticeable forwardness to the vocals, but at the same time surely without that harshness or shoutiness! Instead! in my opinion what you get is a smooth and detailed presentation that lets you hear all the nuances in a singer’s voice. Every breath, every inflection is delivered amazingly!

Another strong standout aspect of the mids is how well they handle detail. The FH19 manages to present all the tiny details in the music. Every note and every little change in texture of a voice or the fine details in an instrument’s tone are shown to you, and the FH19 delivers it with amazing clarity. This IEM does an excellent job of keeping everything distinct and hugely separated, even in complex tracks where many elements are playing at once.

So I can easily say that the midrange is definitely the star of the show here, and it’s where the FH19 earns its “Singer crown.” It’s perfect for anyone who loves a mid centric sound that highlights the heart of the music, vocals and instruments.

Highs

And now lets talk about the highs on the FH19. I really think that they bring a sense of clarity and a little sparkle to the overall sound. and lets start with the lower treble, and it’s nicely balanced! There is enough energy to make the music feel lively, especially with things like cymbals, strings, and female vocals. These elements come through with a crispness that adds a lot of excitement to the to each song, but without being harsh or sharp. So I really love how everything sounds detailed without being fatiguing.

Moving up into the treble, it stays smooth and controlled. It surely doesn’t try to dominate the mix, but instead, it adds just the right amount of brightness to keep things engaging but a bit darker and recessed… But what’s really interesting is how the FH19 manages to avoid that typical BA “timbre” that can sometimes make the highs sound a bit unnatural and metallic. Here, I would say that everything feels well integrated and it gives the highs a natural feel but surely not a bright one.

Then there’s the “air” region, which really adds a sense of space to the music. This part of the treble and right there at the top end, gives the soundstage that extra bit of openness and I really feel like it is making everything feel more expansive and three dimensional. And of course the decay, thanks to the fact that the ultra high BAs are placed very close to the ear, the sound isn’t getting lost in the way and it gives that subtle sparkle needed, I can hear this (or I better to say feel it… and at both ends of the spectrum it can be felt rather than heard) especially in tracks with lots of atmospheric sounds or in live orchestra, where the FH19 captures the ambiance of the music and it makes me feel like I’m right there in the room.

Overall, the highs on the FH19 are detailed, clear, and just bright enough to add some sparkle without ever becoming too much. They tie everything together beautifully!

Technicalities

The FH19 absolutely shines when it comes to technicalities. This IEM is a true standout in its ability to handle complex music with incredible precision, detail, and accuracy! 

Soundstage:

Let’s start with the soundstage. The soundstage is very impressive! It’s expansive and spacious, especially when it comes to IEMs, which tend to not be able to reproduce a big stage… But this one… Oh boy! It’s probably the biggest one I’ve heard of any of the IEMs that I have tested, and even bigger than the FA19! It feels like there’s a lot of room for the instruments and vocals to breathe and it gives me a sense of depth and width that’s not easy to find in this form factor. Whether it’s a live recording or a densely layered studio track, everything is positioned just right! and it’s easy for me to pick out where each sound is coming from.

Details:

When it comes to detail retrieval, the FH19 is exceptional. It captures even the tiniest things in the music. Every little detail is there and it’s like adding another layer to the sound. What I really appreciate is how these details are presented without sounding clinical or fatiguing which makes it perfect for long listening sessions.

Layering and separation:

Layering and separation are also top notch on the FH19. Instruments and vocals are very clearly separated from one another and they are never getting stuffed together, even on some very busy tracks like “Retreat and Reveille” by Hans Zimmer. This clarity allows each element of the music to stand out on its own while still contributing a lot to the overall harmony of the piece. The way it handles complex tracks is truly impressive! It’s like the FH19 peels back the layers of the music, letting me explore each part of the composition in detail.

This IEM really shocked me! It’s an absolute technical beat! From its HUGE soundstage to its pinpoint imaging, from the level of detail it reveals to its great handling of complex tracks, it’s a definite powerhouse when it comes to technical performance! 
So my verdict here, is that it’s a go to choice for anyone who wants the best technicalities in their audio gear.

Comparison: FiiO FH19 vs FiiO FA19

Yes, I know… You all want to hear how it compares to the FH9… But unfortunately I don’t have the FiiO FH9 to compare, but I do have the FA19, and I think it’s worth discussing how the FH19 compares to it. In my experience, the FH19 and FA19 complement each other rather than compete.

Bass and Treble:

The FA19 has definitely better bass and treble performance. The bass on the FA19 feels much more powerful and extended, and the treble has better detail and extension, especially with the tuning switch off. This in my opinion makes the FA19 a great choice for genres like orchestral music or even electronic.

Midrange:

On the other hand, the FH19 really shines with its midrange performance. The midrange on the FH19 is more detailed and pronounced, which makes it a better choice for vocals and mid centric genres. While the FA19 also has a great midrange, the FH19 just brings it forward in a way that the FA19 just can’t…
Additionally, for me, the FH19 also sounds more natural, its probably because of the mid centric sound signature, where most of our day to day sounds ranged in, but the FA19 may be a more energetic IEM.

Soundstage:

Although I initially thought the FA19 had a large soundstage, the FH19 manages to go even bigger! This HUGE stage on the FH19 adds a new layer to the sound which I never thought was possible for an IEM, and it makes it ideal for live recordings or any music where spatial accuracy is important.

Complementary Strengths:

Overall, I’d say that the FA19 and FH19 are complementing each other rather than rivaling. The FA19 has better bass and treble which makes it a good choice for fun listening and for example, electronic music. On the other hand the FH19’s strength is in the midrange and in the even larger soundstage, and it is an absolute king when it comes to vocals!

So overall, I would say that if you are looking for a more engaging sound, you will probably find the FA19 a better choice, but if you are all about vocals and stage size, then the FH19 is a better buy. But I’ll add even more! You can enjoy both worlds and have an IEM for different vibes and maybe consider both as the FA19 and FH19 give you the best of both worlds. They each have their strengths, and together, they cover a very wide range of audio preferences and genres.

Conclusions

So after spending a good amount of time with the FiiO FH19, I have to say that this IEM has left a very strong impression on me. It’s not just about the sound it’s the whole package! From the thoughtful design and engineering to the absolute premium build quality, everything about the FH19 feels premium!

Sound wise, the FH19 really excels in the midrange, which makes vocals and instruments come alive with a richness that I’ve rarely heard before. The bass is natural and controlled, and although it rolls off a bit early, it gives enough depth. And when it comes to the highs, they’re clear and detailed, adding sparkle to the music without being harsh or sibilant, but surely not for treble heads as well…

But where the FH19 really shines is in its technicalities. The soundstage is impressively wide for an IEM and gives me a sense of space that makes listening to complex tracks a real joy. The detail retrieval is spot on, capturing every little detail in the music, and the layering and separation make it easy to pick out each element in a track, no matter how busy it gets. So I highly recommend this IEM to anyone who wants amazing and natural midrange and an absolute technical beast!

Pros

Cons

Where to buy: Official AliExpress Store

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