- The new FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitors, the new flagship from FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd., feature no fewer than two dynamic and six balanced armature drivers.
The Chinese company FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. has long been recognised as a specialist in personal audio devices, with a clear focus on headphones and a very, very wide range of products. The company repeatedly surprises with solutions that set new standards in terms of features. This can also be said with good reason for the latest model from FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd., the FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitors.
Not only are a large number of drivers used in a very small space, eight in total, but some of these drivers have been completely redeveloped. The new FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitors, for example, feature not only specially designed Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers but also so-called Push-Pull Dual Dynamic Drivers, which were developed in collaboration with Tokyo Onkyo Co. Ltd.
In-ear monitor with four-way semi-open design and FiiO S.Turbo Acoustic Design
According to the manufacturer, the new FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitors with a total of eight drivers are based on a four-way design. These headphones are designed in such a way that special push-pull dual dynamic driver units are used for the low frequencies. In addition, the headphones rely on the so-called FiiO S.Turbo Acoustic Design and Turbine Low-frequency Boost Technology, which is said to provide a relaxed yet natural bass. Furthermore, the design cleverly filters out excess mid-to-high frequencies from the dynamic drivers of the FiiO FH19, thus ensuring smooth transitions between the low and mid-to-high frequencies. The result is a powerful and robust sound.
According to FiIO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd., the new FiiO FH19 uses an innovative 3+1 semi-open acoustic layout based on four custom Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers from specialist Knowles Electronics LLC. for the mid-range frequencies. This is complemented by a newly designed resonance chamber that enables two separately managed mid-range areas, which, according to the manufacturer, results in richer and more emotional-sounding mids.
For the high frequencies, the FiiO FH19 uses a so-called coaxial design based on two Knowles SWFK Treble Balanced Armature Drivers.
The headphones’ housing is designed as a semi-open design, which is intended to guarantee a consistently precise performance through a controlled air flow while simultaneously providing optimal pressure relief. The result is a more natural and relaxed sound with a wide sound stage, as well as relaxed listening even for hours at a time, as there should never be any unpleasant pressure in the ear.
It should be mentioned that the housing of the new FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitor is made of titanium and 7000 series aerospace aluminium. This is intended to achieve the highest level of robustness while keeping the weight to a minimum.
Push-Pull Dual Dynamic Driver
As we have already mentioned, one of the special features of these new in-ear headphones is the special dynamic drivers, which are solutions developed by FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. in collaboration with Tokyo Onkyo Co. Ltd.
The push-pull dual dynamic drivers of the FiiO FH19 consist of two 13.7 mm dynamic drivers with PU+DLC composite diaphragms arranged in an opposing configuration. When the diaphragms move back and forth, the overall direction of movement of the two dynamic drivers remains consistent, ensuring phase consistency.
This effectively doubles the driving force, and the diaphragms can dampen each other with air. As a result, the dynamic drivers exhibit more stable movement and completely suppress any residual sound after the end of the audio signal.
Compared to typical dynamic drivers, drivers designed in this way only require half the amplitude to achieve the desired sound pressure level. This results in less diaphragm excursion, which significantly improves linear drive performance and further reduces intermodulation distortion, so that the driver unit delivers a cleaner sound.
Another key feature of the FiiO FH19’s dynamic drivers is their special voice coil design, which the manufacturer calls a suspended voice coil. This ‘floating’ voice coil is designed to avoid unnecessary contact and prevent additional adhesive stress. Compared to some conventional membranes, this special voice coil arrangement in the FiiO FH19 ensures smooth and gentle membrane movement and minimises interference.
Top-quality crossover
In addition to the design features mentioned above for optimal performance, the crossover of the new FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitor must also meet the highest standards, as the manufacturer states.
For example, special film capacitors and resistors with particularly low error tolerance are used.
Replaceable filters
FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. has already used this trick with a number of other headphones models, and it is also used here in the new FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitors: replaceable filters.
This is intended to enable the user to adjust the sound characteristics of the in-ear headphones to suit their own taste within certain limits, not by electronic means but by simple design measures such as different internal damping and fabric density of the filters.
Three models are available, starting with a red audio filter that boosts low frequencies, thus providing powerful and impressive bass. The black audio filter offers a balanced sound that is clear and transparent, while the green audio filter is said to deliver particularly refined and detailed treble.
Cable made of pure silver with interchangeable plugs
In the tried and tested manner, FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. also relies on a special cable here, whereby the design as a high-purity pure silver cable with a structure consisting of eight eight strands with 28 wires each for a total of 224 wires is only part of the story. What is particularly exciting is that the cable, which is a practical length of 1.2 metres, has an MMCX connector on one end, which means it can be removed, and on the other end it can be connected either with a 3.5 mm stereo mini jack (unbalanced) or with a 4.4 mm Pentaconn (balanced). This is made possible by the use of interchangeable plugs, which the manufacturer describes as ‘swappable plugs’.
The facts
The new FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitors are said to be able to reproduce a frequency range between 8 Hz and 40 kHz and have a sensitivity of 109 dB at an impedance of 16 ohms, as the manufacturer’s data sheet reveals.
22 pairs of ear tips
FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. has always been a manufacturer that provides its in-ear headphones, especially in the premium segment, with numerous ear tips to make them as comfortable as possible for the user.
The new FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitors come with no less than 22 pairs of ear tips in a wide range of sizes, shapes and materials, including SpintFit Ear Tips, Dual Flange Ear Tips and Memory Foam Ear Tips.
The package also includes a matching FiiO HB7 carrying case, a magnetic cable clip and a cleaning tool.
Prices and availability
According to FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd., the new FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitors will be available in specialist stores from the end of August 2024, at a recommended retail price of € 649,-.
Getting to the point
With the new FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitors, FiiO Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. wants to have new wired in-ear headphones in its range that will serve as the new flagship in this area. Once again, the company is setting new standards in terms of technical features, relying on no fewer than eight drivers, two of which are push-pull dual dynamic drivers and six custom balanced armature drivers.
| PRODUCT | FiiO FH19 Hybrid In-ear Monitors |
|---|---|
| Price | € 649,- |
| Brand | FiiO |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. |
| Distribution | NT Global Distribution GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
