In this review, I’m evaluating the FiiO FH19 in-ear monitors (IEMs). The FH19 is a semi-open hybrid IEM featuring 2 dynamic drivers and 6 balanced armatures, housed in titanium and aluminium shells. It’s priced at $599.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by FiiO for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.

FiiO FH19

Specifications

Drivers: 2 dynamic drivers + 6 BA drivers
Frequency response: 8Hz-40kHz
Impedance: 16Ω
Sensitivity: 109dB/mW@1kHz
Cable: High-purity silver cable

In the Box

• FiiO FH19 IEMs
• Detachable Pure silver modular MMCX cable
• Carrying case
• 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs
• Foam ear tips *2pairs (M)
• Bass ear tips *3 pairs (S/M/L)
• Balanced ear tips *3 pairs (S/M/L)
• Vocal ear tips *3 pairs (S/M/L)
• Red/black/green audio filters *1 set
• Magnetic cable clip *1
• Cleaning brush *1
• MMXC quick release tool *1
• SpinFit ear tips *3 pairs (S/M/L)
• HS18 ear tips *3 pairs (S/M/L)
• HS20 silicone eartips *3 pairs (S/M/L)
• Quick start guide

Design

FiiO has a long-standing reputation for crafting exceptional IEMs, and the FH19 is no exception. The titanium midframe feels solid and substantial in the hand, while the aluminium shell has a smooth, matte finish. It has a semi-open design that simultaneously widens the soundstage and eliminates pressure on the eardrum.

There’s an additional pinhole vent on the inner shell. The machining is precise and the nozzle filters screw in smoothly. The MMCX sockets are colour-coded which shows attention to detail. Overall the FH19’s build quality is outstanding.

Despite their larger size, the FH19’s ergonomic design fits comfortably in my ears, a trend I’ve found consistent with all of FiiO’s IEMs. Having such an excellent choice of included eartips helps too, of course. The passive noise isolation is also reasonably good, even considering the semi-open backplates.

The FiiO FH19 includes the LC-RD Pro 2022 cable, a high-purity, pure silver Litz braided cable with 8 strands and a total of 224 wires. The outer TPU sheath has a smooth, glossy finish, and despite its thickness, the cable is supple and handles exceptionally well. In addition, the LC-RD Pro 2022 is a modular cable and comes with 3.5mm and 4.4mm interchangeable terminations.

Sound

Gear used for testing includes the FiiO Q15, iBasso DX180 and FiiO KA17. The FH19 is an efficient IEM and works well with any audio source.

The FiiO FH19 has a U-shaped sound profile with a warm and full-bodied character. It embodies musicality and impressive technical performance, offering both high resolution and emotional depth. Think of it as a hopeless romantic—elegant and refined, yet unapologetically passionate.

Filters

The 3 tuning filters slightly alter the FH19’s sound profile. By default, the IEMs come with the green (Treble) filter attached. To my ears, there’s little difference between the green and black (Balanced) filters but the green is a tad brighter and more spacious. The black filter closely resembles the green and I could be happy with either one. Lastly, the red filter has its own distinct character because of its elevated bass response. It’s (the red filter) good for a bit of fun but I preferred to stick with the green or black because even with those, the FH19 plays on the warmer side of neutral.

Bass

The FH19’s bass is punchy and authoritative, with a prominent mid-bass that delivers impact without overpowering. Sub-bass is handled with precision, offering a deep, controlled rumble that adds weight without sacrificing detail. This bass response is remarkably versatile, adapting to each recording, whether driving the energy of a hard-hitting hip-hop track or adding depth and warmth to a smooth ballad.

Midrange

The midrange is a standout, offering a lush, full-bodied sound that exudes richness and warmth without becoming overwhelming or muddy. Every instrument and vocal is presented with remarkable clarity and resolution.

Male vocals, in particular, come through with a rich, powerful presence that adds depth and authority. Despite this fullness, the midrange retains exceptional clarity and detail. That said, the mids aren’t entirely transparent due to the underlying bass, which adds warmth and body to the sound but slightly softens the overall definition. String instruments benefit from this added richness, with a lovely, resonant quality that enhances their natural tone.

Treble

The treble is nicely balanced with the bass and midrange. It’s not a standout element of FH19’s sound signature but that’s why it’s remarkable; it compliments the overall sound, adding clarity and definition while maintaining the overall smooth character.

Using the green ‘treble’ filter, the treble itself isn’t boosted but the bass is attenuated, raising the perceived treble level.

Soundstage & Technicalities

The soundstage width and depth are above average for a warmly tuned IEM. This is due to the FH19’s excellent resolution and instrument separation. Spaces between individual instruments and vocals have a black background and each element occupies its own space within the soundstage. Note density is good and the imaging is precise.

Comparisons

I/O Audio Volare ($599)

The Volare (review here) has 1DD+4BA+4EST drivers. It is more focused on the sub-bass than the FA19 and extends deep into the lows. It has less mid-bass and sounds cleaner and leaner here, giving it a tighter bass presentation.

Volare and FH19 are both relatively balanced in the midrange, but the FH19 has a slight recession in the core midrange (around 600Hz). This results in the FH19 sounding slightly more recessed or laid-back in the presence of male vocals.

Volare has a higher rise in the upper mids, offering more presence and brightness. The Volare exhibits a more energetic treble presentation. This gives it more enhanced detail and sparkle but might sound edgier compared to the FH19’s smooth highs.

Meze ADVAR ($699)

The MEZE ADVAR (review here) has a single 10.2mm dynamic driver. ADVAR has a noticeably higher emphasis in the sub-bass region, resulting in more deep bass rumble and impact. It continues to show more mid-bass presence than the FH19, sounding warmer and fuller in the bass region.

The MEZE has more body and warmth in the midrange making it sound thicker in vocals and instruments that live in the lower mids. ADVAR has a higher peak around 2kHz-4kHz, which makes vocals and midrange instruments more forward and prominent in the mix, sounding more energetic.

The Meze ADVAR has a more pronounced treble response, especially in the 4kHz-6kHz range. This contributes to a brighter, more detailed sound with more emphasis on the upper harmonics which can also add some sharpness or sibilance on certain recordings.

The ADVAR has a very dynamic and engaging sound while the FH19 has a more balanced, refined sound with a smoother treble making it more suitable for longer non-fatiguing sessions.

Verdict

I think the FiiO FH19 is a great IEM. Its sound signature is warm, smooth and highly resolving. It’s an IEM tuned first and foremost for musicality and it excels in engagement and immersion. However, some purists might wish for more neutrality while others may expect better micro-detail retrieval at this price point.

In addition, the FH19’s large shells might be an issue for those with smaller ears. For me, though, this is the kind of IEM I’d gladly use as a daily driver. Despite any minor shortcomings, it makes my favourite songs sound fantastic, which is, arguably, the most important aspect. With that in mind, the FiiO FH19 gets the PAR recommended award and a place on our best IEMs list.