Thanks for talking about self control and fighting FOMO. Tons of people in these hobbies that end up doomscrolling through reviews pining for things that they definitely shouldn't be buying in relation to their current savings.
Lol I know that feeling. He says the upgrade from the Yanyin Canon 2 is "marginal". Even so, there's always the temptation. Although I already own a pair of Yanyin Mahinas. It's more curiosity than anything, because Chinese brands improve much faster than traditional western brands and consistently provide better value in recent years.
Hey @FreshReviewsYT, I just bought the Fiio K19 based off of your review. I then saw in the comments section that you prefer dx9 over K19. May I know the reason why? For gaming which one would be better - I play COD/Apex a lot? I will be pairing it with Xenns Top. Thanks for suggesting Xenns 🙏
They’re both amazing and both offer an overkill experience for IEMs. You have a top of the line all in one for sure. I ultimately went with the dx9 just because it’s a little bit more fun sounding. A little more smooth and less reference. Again both amazing though
Hey Fresh I love your videos you’re the only reviewer who never has lead me a stray can you please do a video on the Steelseries gamedac gen 2 and if it’s worth it compared to something like a FiiO K11 or better for gaming. But if you know this please let me know I’m at a crossroad when it comes to budget options for dac amps thank you!
Great review, thanks for sharing. One last (and tough) question: just for sound quality alone, which device would you keep between the Dx9 and the K19? (for looks alone, Dx9 is hard to beat!) thanks!
I saw your review now over Fiio Fa19 and bought that IEM immediately. Thank you so much fopr this detailed and honest review. If you could be so nice and answer only this question : Is Fiio Fa19 much better than Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite ? I meancan be heard big difference in CoD Warzone?
preliminary graphs for the FA19 - keep in mind i have not corrected it to reflect the appropriate 8k peak. freshreviews.squig.link/?share=FA19_Dip_Off,FA19_Dip_On
After 4 years fiio still use the very same case for their IEM lol. You gotta try the MA Alter Ego, I sold my monarch Mk3 for it and I’m very happy with the decision, it sounded almost as good as canpur 622b which is an IEM I absolutely love (different league vs. volur, I still use volur but it lacks in terms of timbre, separation, and is less refined overall) best bang for buck in the TOTL range. (With 2 well tuned settings!)
Dang, just got my first kilo buck in softears twilight but the fa19 sound like something id really enjoy, especially since you say they are goated for val! Nice video, id actually be curious on your thoughts of softears twilights for gaming, if you ever got the chance.
While looking for new reviews of FiiO K19, I came across your video and this is my first time on your channel. I'm glad to see that you are talking about sounds in games. This is so exciting for me. I myself love computer games and I pay great attention to the sounds in games and listen very carefully to all the sounds in games, absolutely everything, and it’s important to me how these sounds sound. I listen to games through FiiO K9 PRO ESS and Beyerdynamic MMX150 headphones. FiiO K9 PRO ESS provides excellent sound in games, and the sound gives emotions, and for me this is very important. The sound detail is very high. I will never want to listen to sound through the built-in sound card in my computer, I will never want to listen to sounds through Logitech G Pro X, Sony INZONE H3, HyperX Cloud Alpha S, Razer BlackShark V2 headphones, which cannot provide high quality sounds and natural sound of voices, like FiiO K9 PRO + Beyerdynamic MMX150. Playing such games, Avatar Frontiers of Pandora, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Horizon Forbidden West, it’s like I’m in a movie theater and I hear literally all the sounds so clearly and clearly that you begin to experience vivid emotions and catch ecstasy. Beautiful graphics are not enough for me now. Beautiful graphics please the eyes, and beautiful sound gives emotions. As I learned that FiiO K19 is superior in sound to FiiO K9 PRO and FiiO K19 can provide even higher quality sounds in games. The presence of DSP and parametric equalizer, which other brands, including TOPPING DX9, do not have, makes FiiO K19 an attractive choice. I also don’t like TOPPING DX9 because it uses AKM, and I don’t like AKM because of the warmth and softness of the sound and poor detail of sounds. AKM doesn't appeal to my ears. AKM doesn't keep me on my toes like ESS does. ESS sounds neutral, precise, sterile, bright highs, natural sounding voices, elastic bass - all this is great for gaming. I also use the AQUA EqualizerAPO parametric equalizer and love how cool and fun games sound. Now I'm looking at the FiiO K19. Tell me, would you recommend FiiO K19 for purchase? Does it make sense to switch from FiiO K9 PRO ESS to FiiO K19 or is FiiO K19 not much different in sound from FiiO K9 PRO ESS?
Thanks for the very well detailed note! I agree with the differences in feel from the two dac amps. What a toss up between two such decisive brands and units. To me the k19 sounds better than the k9 pro ess. Now, it’s a LOT of money in terms of an upgrade. But I love the design, eq elements, and sound more. I truly believe there is an improvement in imaging in game and separation. But if it’s really worth the price difference is a very very personal choice. If both were the same price I’d easily say go k19.
I have the fiio k19 for half of Day. This Shit is Magic. Jason Darulo Filter hip hop wirh fiio ft5 and you Trinken what the fuck is Happening. I also have the sennheiser 490 for gaming. This Thing have so much power....
@@MrHara1984 Have you had any experience listening to FiiO K9 PRO ESS? It’s just that everyone’s opinions are different, in one review the author said that he likes the sound of the FiiO K9 AKM and FiiO K19, in another review they said that the FiiO K9 PRO ESS sound soulful and great to listen to, and the FiiO K19 is too sterile. Techpowerup's review was not very positive about the FiiO K19, writing: The FiiO K19 doesn't necessarily sound better than the K9 Pro ESS, but the FiiO K9 PRO ESS has won multiple awards. Techpowerup FiiO K9 PRO ESS awarded the highest rating, which FiiO K19 did not receive.
Maybe it doesn't have much to do with this video, but do you have a review of the HE1000se? I saw that you included it in the Wallhack Headphone Tier List, but I haven't seen any video of this headphone on your channel.
I'd probably have gotten the K19 if the Topping DX9 didn't exist. It just looks amazing, And I just prefer th AK DAC chips over the ESS chips. The K19 looks a little like a cheese Grater/Modem Router. But the EQ stuff is very appealing. Can't go wrong with either "AIll in One" really
I was thinking about k19 after k9 pro ess but went with dx9. That moment I realized that fiio made great job to make ess sound musical as they can but its not akm. Overall akm presentation is just more relaxed and musical on my arya se. I started enjoy music and games again. Ess was missing something for me. Sound was detailed but not complete..mix was not touching my soul😊
@@princekittipon6510 AKM - better bass layering and more relaxed presentation on high and mid high freq. For neutral-bright headphones as Arya or hd560s it's really good. ESS - became more popular after AKM factory burn - more companies started to use that dacs in their products. Overall sound of ESS is more sterile less bass and more mid high and high freq (more detaills due to that). Some neutral-bright headhones sound too bright with ESS dacs. But there are exceptions as Fiio with k9 pro ess that sounds muscial with ESS dac but it's still diferent from AKM. You have to find good combo. For example neutral bright headphones + ess dac + silver cable = will be too dull and bright and not bearable for longer sessions
@@EvLTimE That's right, and I'm glad to see that people are more often in the comments reporting that there are differences in sound between AKM and ESS, but there are also those who claim that the DAC cannot color the sound and that it simply converts digital to analog, but I I don’t agree with these, because I personally heard the difference. I fully support your opinion and will add. ESS is for those who love a neutral, precise, sharp sound, elastic bass, natural mids and bright highs, very detailed sound. ESS keeps you on your toes. ESS is ideal for gaming. AKM is warmer, softer, less detailed, velvety bass and good for music, but not for games. It's great that there is a choice of AKM or ESS, it's like a light bulb with a cool, neutral or warm color and everyone takes what they like. Topping DX9 is definitely not my thing, it has AKM and no DSP parametric equalizer. I know that you have a FiiO K9 PRO and there seemed to be a Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, I don’t know if you sold them or not. If it's not sold, try the free AQUA EqualizerAPO. In the AQUA EqualizerAPO settings there are ready-made settings for the 770, and you can slightly enhance the bass at a frequency of 105 Hz, and make a gain and at the output the 770 headphones sound just great, so emotional that they quickly and strongly overwhelm my emotions, and I get tired of the overabundance emotions. I'm now in a difficult choice, should I take the FiiO K19 or stay with the FiiO K9 PRO? I purchased a FiiO K19 from Ozone, but to my disappointment, the seller canceled the transaction and told me the following: “Unfortunately, since the packaging volume of the FIIO K19 exceeds the maximum size required by the logistics service provider (the sum of the three sides exceeds 90 cm), UNI Airlines will not can complete delivery. We are opening new logistics service providers for the transportation of large goods, including FIIO K19. Therefore, please help us temporarily close the order, and the connection with the new logistics service provider will be completed soon, and we will inform you to resubmit the new order before we can complete the shipment. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you very much for your understanding and support!”
Yo weird question but as a small starting tech review youtuber what tags do you tend to put on your videos? And also do you put your videos in the topic of ‘gaming’ or ‘science & technology’. Sorry again i know its not your average question but it would help alot. Thanks.
I really like you starting to give opinion regarding the iem on music as well. If I’m spending kilobuck, it better be good for music too. I game less and less but listen to music more and more.
Solid video as always! You have me curious about the FA19 for an IEM that I wanna try out. I already know the k19 is on point. Debating about upgrading from my k9 pro but might hold off.
I have FiiO K9 PRO ESS and I also feel uneasy about FiiO K19. I don't know if I need the FiiO K19, but I really want to listen to it and compare it with the FiiO K9 PRO ESS in games. I ordered FiiO K19, but, to my misfortune, the seller canceled the order, citing that there was a problem with the logistics due to the large box, which is 90 cm in size. He said that as soon as he found a suitable logistics company, he could send it. Now I’m thinking, maybe it’s fate and I don’t need this FiiO K19? FiiO K19 attracts me with the presence of DSP, which is not found in Topping, SMSL, Shanling, except Yamaha, which was the first in this matter and began developing it in the distant 2000s, and the presence of a parametric equalizer. Also, FiiO K19, unlike FiiO K9 PRO ESS, already has three operational amplifiers: OPA1612, OPA1602 and OPA2211. Operational amplifiers are located everywhere: in the low-pass filter, I/W channel negative and in the THXAAA 788+ amplifier, while FiiO K9 PRO ESS has only two operational amplifiers: OPA1612, OPA1602, and only in the low-pass filter, I/W channel negative.
@@dragonsbreath8653 yea it’s tough one if you can’t AB them side by side. Personally I don’t I’m not seeing much to upgrade for since the k9 pro ess is extremely good already. As far as the DSP aspect goes, I feel like diving into EQ would be more beneficial. There is a current trend where companies are making MID sounding iems and correcting them with DSP (which is just EQ).
I like your opinion and it got me thinking. As I understand it, the FiiO K19 may not live up to the high demands that the FiiO K9 PRO ESS provided and will end up disappointing me. But looking at the impressive specifications, it’s hard to believe that the FiiO K19 is an average sounding product. Indeed, in FiiO K19, if we compare the circuits with FiiO K9 PRO ESS, there are the same operational amplifiers OPA1612 and OPA1602, they just added a third OPA2211, and now operational amplifiers are everywhere: in the low-pass filter, I/W channel negative and in the THXAAA 788 amplifier +. Another thing is the FiiO K7 or FiiO K9, which don't sound nearly as good as the FiiO K9 PRO ESS does. My concern is that the FiiO K19 requires several days to warm up, which did not need to be done with the FiiO K9 PRO ESS. When I listened to the FiiO K9 PRO ESS in the audio store, when I ordered it home, I heard exactly the same sound, and after 3 months of active use for 10 hours, I did not hear any changes in the sound. FiiO K9 PRO ESS does not need to warm up. Another concern is that the FiiO K19 can sound too sterile and soulless, but I think this can be corrected with an equalizer. What do you think about it?
Which of the amplifier dacs is better suited for iem headphones? Fiio k19 or Topping DX 9? And especially which one is better for competitive games???? Please respond
@@randallkubiszewski6908 I find them better than my Monarch mk2 for gaming, and clarity plus directional imaging and separation is great with the larger nozzle.
Thanks for the great review. You've got me getting impatient buddy. I sooooooo wanna buy another iem. Gotta wait...gotta waaaaaait....collab is coming....collab is coming....aaaaaaargh...WOOF!
With the JT1 and FT5, now the FA19 and K19, FiiO is seemingly getting a second wind. So many brands in the hobby come and go, it’s nice to see an older brand adapt and grow with the hobby instead of fizzling out into obscurity. My poor Custom Cans HD490 cable looks like an absolute bore at parties compared to that beautiful Hart cable. Love the color.
For a budget, qkz x hbb for £20 have great bass and clean mids and highs there are really good they are in the best budget iems tier list from many reviewers.
I really love your take on getting the gear that like and are proud of for having. I am currently in the ultra budget stuff range, but will perhaps move on to a higher tier as I can afford them or feel the need to upgrade for my gaming and entertainment. Thank you for your content!
Just found your channel and love your reviews! With the k19, are there benefits to using it with the fiio iems without using an eq setting? Do the fiio iems really need the k19 together for truly outstanding sound? Also, would love to hear your favorite iem for music and movies and not just gaming? And how do you connact these iems to a ps5? Thank you very much for your reply in advance. :-)
@FreshReviewsYT great! Thank you. I've also seen that some rave about the mega5 est iems, which are very highend, too. Maybe you can put those on your reviews list. Subscribed and all notifications turned on. :-) Thanks.
HiFiMAN Arya Organic are fantastic headphones with great sound. As soon as I heard how they sounded, my ears fell in love with them and I bought them. In the audio store I listened to HiFiMAN Edition XS, HiFiMAN HE1000 Stealth, HiFiMAN Arya Organic, MoonDrop Venus. HiFiMAN Edition XS - the quality of the materials is normal, but you can feel the savings on the material; they sit less comfortably. The sound is good. I liked the bass, the mids are recessed compared to the bass, and the headphones seem to be a little dark, the highs are not screaming, the detail is good. There is a good sense of space, but the sound is somewhat dark. No lightness, no clarity, no level of sound quality like Stealth and Arya, but they sound more interesting than MoonDrop Venus. HiFiMAN HE1000 Stealth - the quality of the materials is high, you can feel the good quality of the materials, excellent sound, neutral sound, very high sound resolution, but there is no emotionality, everything is very sterile, and there is little bass. These headphones sound boring and I find them boring to listen to. HiFiMAN Arya Organic - the quality of materials is high, you can feel the good quality of the materials, excellent sound. They fit perfectly on the head, comfortably, do not dangle or roll down. HiFiMAN Arya Organic differs from HiFiMAN HE1000 Stealth in that HiFiMAN Arya Organic sounds emotional, beautiful, lively sound, bass is enhanced, mids are enhanced, and this gives a natural and warm sound. This is a musical sound that is very pleasant to the ear, and you want to listen to music, there is no excessive sterility of the sound, like the HiFiMAN HE1000 Stealth, and when listening to the HiFiMAN Arya Organic, I experience a surge of emotion. But the bass on the HiFiMAN Arya Organic isn't as powerful or punchy as my beloved Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm, but it's still impressive and I really like it. I listen through the FiiO K9 PRO ESS, and the headphones sound completely different and amazing through this amplifier. The headphones open up and sound very cool.
@@FreshReviewsYT ah, I looked up the splendor, and it does have low impedance, which seems to increase noise floor. And so you found noise on the fiio k19 with the splendor on the 4.4, but not on 6.3 (I'm assuming you used a 3.5 adapter). And you didn't hear any noise with the topping dx9 on 4.4? I heard the fiio k19 has better sound quality and amplifier, but i would prefer a desktop setup with inaudible noise floor even with sensitive iems
Maybe I missed it in prior videos, but did you switch to the velour pads on the 490s or was that just for throwing it on the amp while it "burned in" for 3 days?
@@FreshReviewsYT I've had the 490s since launch and agreed with your review 100% so was just curious. Still occasionally swap between the pads myself as the velour does add a minor bit of power to the bass, but the fabric pads just so sound clean and perfect to my ears. The velour pads felt like they added a TINY amount of mud though. Have you tried a balanced cable with them? I ordered a balanced cable from Hart Audio because the cable that came with it started having weird connectivity issues depending on how it sat on my desk. I don't know if it's placebo or not, but I swear the balanced cable added a bit more...oomph/force/feeling to certain frequencies on the Fiio K11. EDIT: Nevermind, can literally see it's plugged into balanced on the amp lol
Hey Fresh, Great channel🙌 very helpful🙏 I got the Canon II’s because of your review and I’m loving them.The Canon II were my very first pair of IEM’s, I got them because I wanted a competitive only gaming IEM. Now I’m all in with IEM’s lol and I’m looking to upgrade to not only a pair that is great for competitive gaming but also for music, as I consider myself a little bit of an audiophile. I mainly play COD and Fortnite. Debating between the FA19 or MKIII? I’ve seen both of your reviews on those and I know you recommend the FA19 better for COD but I will like to know are they also superior to the MKIII for music ? I’m willing to sacrifice a little on COD if the MKIII is way better in music. Also open for other suggestions in the kilobuck range. Thank you in advance on this matter!
so your telling me this fa19 is better than MONARCH mk 3 that i bought because of you ?? damn i need f19 now lol. serious note. for music listening and for apex. should i get fa19 or HD490
@@FreshReviewsYT thank you for replying my dude! I think ur quite right i should grab hd490. Have u ever tried arya stealth be4? Idk if its good for apex or nah
@@FreshReviewsYT do u think its worth it to sell mk3 and get fa19? What platforms do u use to listen to music ? I have mk3 for months bug only been listening thru spotify so idk if i use it to its max capability
@@FreshReviewsYTMy wallet is happy to hear that. I was planning on upgrading to the Monarch MKIII at some point but with the FA19 being priced the same that choice just got harder. Which would you recommend for games, media in general, and comfort? I've been playing a lot of single player games like Doom Eternal and Elden Ring and the Xenns Top is great but they have become uncomfortable for long sessions and I kinda want to be blown away by a pricier set since I enjoy the hobby. Also with the FA19 at 7:02 you talk about the bass becoming overpowering, is that still the case with the dip switch off?
@@Gidrah it’s find it fine with my dx9. It’s impactful but nothing that I felt occluded my surroundings. The fa19 is my pick between the two. I like the dip switch and I LOVE almost everything with the dip switch on and off. Music is just 😍with the bass slam, depth and sensational impact.
Tell me, FiiO Audio DSP has RTA (RTA Audio Analyzer) - analysis of the spectrum of sound, speech, music. Do I understand correctly that RTA allows you to visualize the spectrum of sounds and you can amplify or attenuate a certain frequency and get amplified sound in these frequency areas without distorting other frequencies? For example, with a graphic equalizer, if we enhance the lower frequencies, this is reflected in the mid and high frequencies, as a result, you can lose natural speech and hear a slight boom throughout the entire range. If we enhance, for example, the lower frequencies of the FiiO K19, will the mids and highs be distorted? Will there be a slight boom in speech in other sounds?
Hey Fresh! Curious if you're using any type of audio interface alongside your DACs. Making some audio upgrades and needing to power my Shure SM7B and FiiO FA19s. Considering going the DX9 route for DAC but don't want my Scarlett 4th gen to bottleneck anything. Appreciate any help you can provide!
Have you ever tried the Simgot Ea500LM's, if you did what did you think about them, comparing mainly to the aria 2's, simgot's em6l and kiwi quartet's if possible
Could you review the budget fiio like the K11 one day? Most likely going for this on since it's basically what i need it for. which is just gaming and music listening.
Are you still using or continued testing out the K19? Was curious if you tried out the PEQ adjustment to tune the sound for certain games. Would be sweet if created sharable PEQ presets to be used with the Arete IEM for COD and other games.
I have FiiO K19 and HiFiMan Arya Organic. I want to add that the sound, except for PEQ, is well influenced by the built-in filters. I like to use the "Slow" filter in games, which amplifies the bass and retains detail at the same time, but smooths out the high frequencies. I choose "Hybrid Fast" for movies, and "Apodizing" for music. If you have good headphones with high-resolution sound and are connected to a balanced 4.4mm or XLR connector, then you will hear the difference in filters clearly. A lot depends on the headphones. For example, I can't hear the filter difference in the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 ohm and Beyerdynamic MMX150 headphones, but I can hear the filter difference well in HiFiMan Arya Organic. It's like I'm using PEQ. If I use PEQ in games, then I choose the "Dance" option and the "Slow" filter, this allows you to hear more rumble in games, the scene becomes deeper, the sound becomes fascinating. Play around with the filters and find the best option for yourself. A brief description of the sound of the filters. Fast - The sound is detailed, with amplified high frequencies. Slow - The sound is soft, detailed and with amplified low frequencies. Apodizing - The sound is balanced, natural and detailed. Mini - The sound is softer and less saturated. Mini Slow - The sound is soft, less saturated, but with amplified low frequencies. Hybrid Fast - The sound is brighter, with increased detail, the lower frequencies are slightly amplified. Brick Wall - The sound is detailed, with amplified upper frequencies.
I see you use the producing pads now on 490. I went also from the mixing to the producer pads as they are more comfortable even if the mixing ones are sounding better. What is that cable tough ?
can i ask what mode of gain you are using and how much on the volume dial this takes? thinking of buying both i've wanted them for a while now, not used IEMs before and a little scared of like, accidentally blasting it too high or it blowing up first time, thanks man
Have you heard the new Symphonium Titan? Might line up with your taste in liking Volur and FA19. I got Titan to use for music, but was surprised how good a more bass focused set was at gaming. Mostly tested on Overwatch 2 and Destiny 2.
Excellent analysis! A question: do you think that for the 1300 dollars that the fiio K19 costs it is the best option for that price... And on the other hand, do you think it gets all the juice out of headphones like the Susvara? Thank you so much for any hints! Best regards
HiFiMAN Arya Organic and you don't need anything else, these are gorgeous headphones with great sound. The sound is warm, emotional, driving, the bass is strong, the mid frequencies are enhanced and they create a realistic sound, and the high frequencies are at such a level that they do not cause fatigue, do not cause irritation and the detail of the sounds is fantastic. If your budget doesn’t allow it, but you want good sound, then you can listen to HiFiMAN Edition XS.
I know you said in the review that the buttons feel nice on the K19 although I noticed when you were using them that they wobbled quite a bit, am I right here in what I perceived?
does the k19 have the ability to listen to 2 devices at a time? for example, a console through optical in and pc audio through usb? i got the r9 only to realize you can't do both, wondering if the k19 was the same
@@FreshReviewsYT Gotcha, I never had an all BA set before and my current collections are canon 2 and ea1000. The fa19 seems like a minor upgrade from a music listening experience. Will get the fa19 on sale then, thanks for the help 😁.
Awesome review, those look incredible and that implementation of a dip switch is really brilliant. How would you compare these vs say the hd 490 pro for cod and apex? Obviously it’s a IEM vs open back so not the greatest question, but was curious which you would lean towards for competitive play
fresh i aint gon lie how come my hd 490 pro sounds lil muddy and not as accurate at imaging in apex as the mk3 tho. im using dx9 as well. and feel like mk3 more accurate and stuff. am i doing something wrong ? set 32/192 on my pc tho
If you were able to catch my 490 video, I talk about the default cups sucking in apex and the cloth cups smacking. Use the cloth in apex. MK3 is still great tho
Solid review brother! Definitely out of my budget though. I have one simple question for you, if you can only get 1 between yanyin canon 2 and splendor 2, what would you pick? I will not even ask for an explanation. Im just gonna add it to cart. 😅
@@FreshReviewsYT i do have a zen dac v2 and the almighty apple lightning to 3.5 dac. If those are decent enough then canon 2 it is. If not, hello splendor 2. 😂
I think all I did was go to medium gain and then I played around with the filters a bit. You can circulate through the filters to see what you think sounds best. I think I discuss in the video which one sounded best for me at the time
My FA19 just arrived and I love it! Currently for a DAC I have the FiiO K7. I’m running Low gain and plugged into the 4.4. Is there a way to adjust or tune the k7 to have the filter you used on the K19 in the video?
Completely unrelated, but what is your table top surface? Is it wood with a marble sticker finish? Curious as you mention you live in a humid area- my hands stick to my table when gliding on the mousepad
It sounds great with the azla sendaearfit light 2. I own the aune s9c. How much of an upgrade is it going from the s9c to the dx9 or k19, and which one would u choose if u narrowed it down to one amp/dac?
You don’t need one for something like EM6Ls they’re incredibly easy to power but if you seriously think you need one you can get away with something like Moondrop Dawn Pro or one of those low end iFi DACs
@@marsyoya it very well could be. I just haven’t tested below that region other than the k11, and I prefer it more than the k11. It’s also noticeably better than most usb dongles I’ve tried, including ones up through $300.
@@FreshReviewsYT enough. Objectively, it’s not needed BUT a DX3 Pro+ or SMSL C200 could come in handy if he does upgrade in the future!! And congrats on this set the K19 looks so dope man it’s a beast!! I’ve been on the Liberty DAC ii for some time and I heard this is some close competition
@@ChaoticFoxxie it’s just a matter of slight differences and improvement in depth and separation. You’re not gaining much by going to the volur over the fa19
@@FreshReviewsYT Sorry, I meant the dac/amp. Between the two of them which would you choose for PS5, PC, music, and movies. I just want a one and DONE! Edit: no budget & based on your selection is it the best out of the 2 for bass?
Before I got the FiiO K9 PRO ESS and Beyerdynamic MMX150, I previously had Logitech G Pro X, HyperX Cloud Alpha S and Razer BlackShark V2 headphones, and I connected them to the computer's built-in Realtek ALC1200 sound card or USB sound card from Razer and Logitech. HeSuVi virtual surround sounds, Dolby Atmos for headphones, THX Spatial Audio, DTS Headphone:X enhanced the sound and made the sound spacious and interesting. My favorite was Dolby Atmos for headphones. I was so used to Dolby Atmos for headphones that when I started listening through high-quality acoustics FiiO K9 PRO ESS and Beyerdynamic MMX150, at first I could not understand why Dolby Atmos was not as good as it was before, why I heard deterioration in sounds . Only later, when I began to compare the sounds with Dolby Atmos on and off, I realized that FiiO K9 PRO ESS is so ideal in sound quality that it surpasses Dolby Atmos, and FiiO K9 PRO ESS very clearly shows all the delights of the terrible Dolby Atmos sound, like and with THX Spatial Audio, DTS Headphone:X. Virtual sound is best used by those who do not have high-quality or budget acoustics such as FiiO K7/K11, who do not have operational amplifiers, and whose sound is boring. In the case of high-quality acoustics that have operational amplifiers, you no longer want to turn on virtual sound.
![Cody Johnson - I'm Gonna Love You (with Carrie Underwood) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yy9PuYMU29g/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for talking about self control and fighting FOMO. Tons of people in these hobbies that end up doomscrolling through reviews pining for things that they definitely shouldn't be buying in relation to their current savings.
Lol I know that feeling. He says the upgrade from the Yanyin Canon 2 is "marginal". Even so, there's always the temptation. Although I already own a pair of Yanyin Mahinas. It's more curiosity than anything, because Chinese brands improve much faster than traditional western brands and consistently provide better value in recent years.
Hey @FreshReviewsYT, I just bought the Fiio K19 based off of your review. I then saw in the comments section that you prefer dx9 over K19. May I know the reason why? For gaming which one would be better - I play COD/Apex a lot?
I will be pairing it with Xenns Top. Thanks for suggesting Xenns 🙏
They’re both amazing and both offer an overkill experience for IEMs. You have a top of the line all in one for sure. I ultimately went with the dx9 just because it’s a little bit more fun sounding. A little more smooth and less reference. Again both amazing though
Thanks for the quick update! Fiio K19 is gonna be my daily driver then. Keep up the good work 💪
Hey Fresh I love your videos you’re the only reviewer who never has lead me a stray can you please do a video on the Steelseries gamedac gen 2 and if it’s worth it compared to something like a FiiO K11 or better for gaming. But if you know this please let me know I’m at a crossroad when it comes to budget options for dac amps thank you!
I’ll try to see what I can do !
@@FreshReviewsYT thank you!!
Great review, thanks for sharing. One last (and tough) question: just for sound quality alone, which device would you keep between the Dx9 and the K19? (for looks alone, Dx9 is hard to beat!) thanks!
I ended up preferring the dx9
@@FreshReviewsYTthanks for the quick response!
Could you explain what differentiates them in sound and why you preferred topping?
What’s your pick for mostly single player gaming, with some competitive gaming mixed in? Want an immersive sound
I think most of my picks work. What’s your budget?
How do you connect with ps5?
Usb I’m sure, if it is compatible.
I saw your review now over Fiio Fa19 and bought that IEM immediately. Thank you so much fopr this detailed and honest review.
If you could be so nice and answer only this question : Is Fiio Fa19 much better than Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite ? I meancan be heard big difference in CoD Warzone?
Curious also
I love the articulation in your videos. There’s no one out there making review vids like this.
🥺 means a lot
Still longing for that A+ iem, great video as always!
preliminary graphs for the FA19 - keep in mind i have not corrected it to reflect the appropriate 8k peak. freshreviews.squig.link/?share=FA19_Dip_Off,FA19_Dip_On
After 4 years fiio still use the very same case for their IEM lol. You gotta try the MA Alter Ego, I sold my monarch Mk3 for it and I’m very happy with the decision, it sounded almost as good as canpur 622b which is an IEM I absolutely love (different league vs. volur, I still use volur but it lacks in terms of timbre, separation, and is less refined overall) best bang for buck in the TOTL range. (With 2 well tuned settings!)
Dang, just got my first kilo buck in softears twilight but the fa19 sound like something id really enjoy, especially since you say they are goated for val!
Nice video, id actually be curious on your thoughts of softears twilights for gaming, if you ever got the chance.
While looking for new reviews of FiiO K19, I came across your video and this is my first time on your channel. I'm glad to see that you are talking about sounds in games. This is so exciting for me. I myself love computer games and I pay great attention to the sounds in games and listen very carefully to all the sounds in games, absolutely everything, and it’s important to me how these sounds sound. I listen to games through FiiO K9 PRO ESS and Beyerdynamic MMX150 headphones. FiiO K9 PRO ESS provides excellent sound in games, and the sound gives emotions, and for me this is very important. The sound detail is very high. I will never want to listen to sound through the built-in sound card in my computer, I will never want to listen to sounds through Logitech G Pro X, Sony INZONE H3, HyperX Cloud Alpha S, Razer BlackShark V2 headphones, which cannot provide high quality sounds and natural sound of voices, like FiiO K9 PRO + Beyerdynamic MMX150. Playing such games, Avatar Frontiers of Pandora, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Horizon Forbidden West, it’s like I’m in a movie theater and I hear literally all the sounds so clearly and clearly that you begin to experience vivid emotions and catch ecstasy. Beautiful graphics are not enough for me now. Beautiful graphics please the eyes, and beautiful sound gives emotions.
As I learned that FiiO K19 is superior in sound to FiiO K9 PRO and FiiO K19 can provide even higher quality sounds in games. The presence of DSP and parametric equalizer, which other brands, including TOPPING DX9, do not have, makes FiiO K19 an attractive choice. I also don’t like TOPPING DX9 because it uses AKM, and I don’t like AKM because of the warmth and softness of the sound and poor detail of sounds. AKM doesn't appeal to my ears. AKM doesn't keep me on my toes like ESS does. ESS sounds neutral, precise, sterile, bright highs, natural sounding voices, elastic bass - all this is great for gaming. I also use the AQUA EqualizerAPO parametric equalizer and love how cool and fun games sound. Now I'm looking at the FiiO K19. Tell me, would you recommend FiiO K19 for purchase? Does it make sense to switch from FiiO K9 PRO ESS to FiiO K19 or is FiiO K19 not much different in sound from FiiO K9 PRO ESS?
Thanks for the very well detailed note! I agree with the differences in feel from the two dac amps. What a toss up between two such decisive brands and units. To me the k19 sounds better than the k9 pro ess. Now, it’s a LOT of money in terms of an upgrade. But I love the design, eq elements, and sound more. I truly believe there is an improvement in imaging in game and separation. But if it’s really worth the price difference is a very very personal choice. If both were the same price I’d easily say go k19.
I have the fiio k19 for half of Day. This Shit is Magic. Jason Darulo Filter hip hop wirh fiio ft5 and you Trinken what the fuck is Happening. I also have the sennheiser 490 for gaming. This Thing have so much power....
@@MrHara1984 hahaha yep
@@MrHara1984 the EQ’s are dope
@@MrHara1984 Have you had any experience listening to FiiO K9 PRO ESS? It’s just that everyone’s opinions are different, in one review the author said that he likes the sound of the FiiO K9 AKM and FiiO K19, in another review they said that the FiiO K9 PRO ESS sound soulful and great to listen to, and the FiiO K19 is too sterile. Techpowerup's review was not very positive about the FiiO K19, writing: The FiiO K19 doesn't necessarily sound better than the K9 Pro ESS, but the FiiO K9 PRO ESS has won multiple awards. Techpowerup FiiO K9 PRO ESS awarded the highest rating, which FiiO K19 did not receive.
Maybe it doesn't have much to do with this video, but do you have a review of the HE1000se? I saw that you included it in the Wallhack Headphone Tier List, but I haven't seen any video of this headphone on your channel.
I think it was in one of my round up videos. It’s a very good headphone
can you do a review on the fiio k3, its a budget orientated dac amp that is very good. Thanks fresh
Weird question but how big is the nozzle compared to the Xenns Top? I ran into comfort issues that makes me want to upgrade to a different set.
I don’t know off hand but it’s not that large
1000? U should be guilty
How does the xenns top comprae with the fa19 in terms of music? Is it a significantly different listening experience? (I have the xenns)
Yea it’s different especially if you’re going to make use of the fa19’s bass switch. (It is freaking fun)
can the FK19 be positioned horizontally or just vertically?
I'd probably have gotten the K19 if the Topping DX9 didn't exist. It just looks amazing, And I just prefer th AK DAC chips over the ESS chips. The K19 looks a little like a cheese Grater/Modem Router. But the EQ stuff is very appealing. Can't go wrong with either "AIll in One" really
I was thinking about k19 after k9 pro ess but went with dx9. That moment I realized that fiio made great job to make ess sound musical as they can but its not akm. Overall akm presentation is just more relaxed and musical on my arya se. I started enjoy music and games again. Ess was missing something for me. Sound was detailed but not complete..mix was not touching my soul😊
im new to the space. why people prefer akm over ess ?
@@princekittipon6510 AKM - better bass layering and more relaxed presentation on high and mid high freq. For neutral-bright headphones as Arya or hd560s it's really good.
ESS - became more popular after AKM factory burn - more companies started to use that dacs in their products. Overall sound of ESS is more sterile less bass and more mid high and high freq (more detaills due to that). Some neutral-bright headhones sound too bright with ESS dacs. But there are exceptions as Fiio with k9 pro ess that sounds muscial with ESS dac but it's still diferent from AKM.
You have to find good combo. For example neutral bright headphones + ess dac + silver cable = will be too dull and bright and not bearable for longer sessions
@@EvLTimE That's right, and I'm glad to see that people are more often in the comments reporting that there are differences in sound between AKM and ESS, but there are also those who claim that the DAC cannot color the sound and that it simply converts digital to analog, but I I don’t agree with these, because I personally heard the difference. I fully support your opinion and will add. ESS is for those who love a neutral, precise, sharp sound, elastic bass, natural mids and bright highs, very detailed sound. ESS keeps you on your toes. ESS is ideal for gaming. AKM is warmer, softer, less detailed, velvety bass and good for music, but not for games. It's great that there is a choice of AKM or ESS, it's like a light bulb with a cool, neutral or warm color and everyone takes what they like. Topping DX9 is definitely not my thing, it has AKM and no DSP parametric equalizer. I know that you have a FiiO K9 PRO and there seemed to be a Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, I don’t know if you sold them or not. If it's not sold, try the free AQUA EqualizerAPO. In the AQUA EqualizerAPO settings there are ready-made settings for the 770, and you can slightly enhance the bass at a frequency of 105 Hz, and make a gain and at the output the 770 headphones sound just great, so emotional that they quickly and strongly overwhelm my emotions, and I get tired of the overabundance emotions. I'm now in a difficult choice, should I take the FiiO K19 or stay with the FiiO K9 PRO? I purchased a FiiO K19 from Ozone, but to my disappointment, the seller canceled the transaction and told me the following: “Unfortunately, since the packaging volume of the FIIO K19 exceeds the maximum size required by the logistics service provider (the sum of the three sides exceeds 90 cm), UNI Airlines will not can complete delivery. We are opening new logistics service providers for the transportation of large goods, including FIIO K19. Therefore, please help us temporarily close the order, and the connection with the new logistics service provider will be completed soon, and we will inform you to resubmit the new order before we can complete the shipment. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you very much for your understanding and support!”
Love the look of the new amps
sexy right?
Yo weird question but as a small starting tech review youtuber what tags do you tend to put on your videos? And also do you put your videos in the topic of ‘gaming’ or ‘science & technology’. Sorry again i know its not your average question but it would help alot. Thanks.
Fresh, if possible, review the Dunu Titan s, I would really like to know how it performs in competitive games, especially on R6.
how did you manage to get a hold of the FA19? theres barely any new about its release and no one else has made reviews haha, just curious
Could you please review the Simgot EA500 LM? I need your perspective on it for gaming.
I really like you starting to give opinion regarding the iem on music as well. If I’m spending kilobuck, it better be good for music too. I game less and less but listen to music more and more.
Will I need an amp for gaming? Or headphones are fine alone?
Solid video as always! You have me curious about the FA19 for an IEM that I wanna try out. I already know the k19 is on point. Debating about upgrading from my k9 pro but might hold off.
I have FiiO K9 PRO ESS and I also feel uneasy about FiiO K19. I don't know if I need the FiiO K19, but I really want to listen to it and compare it with the FiiO K9 PRO ESS in games. I ordered FiiO K19, but, to my misfortune, the seller canceled the order, citing that there was a problem with the logistics due to the large box, which is 90 cm in size. He said that as soon as he found a suitable logistics company, he could send it. Now I’m thinking, maybe it’s fate and I don’t need this FiiO K19? FiiO K19 attracts me with the presence of DSP, which is not found in Topping, SMSL, Shanling, except Yamaha, which was the first in this matter and began developing it in the distant 2000s, and the presence of a parametric equalizer. Also, FiiO K19, unlike FiiO K9 PRO ESS, already has three operational amplifiers: OPA1612, OPA1602 and OPA2211. Operational amplifiers are located everywhere: in the low-pass filter, I/W channel negative and in the THXAAA 788+ amplifier, while FiiO K9 PRO ESS has only two operational amplifiers: OPA1612, OPA1602, and only in the low-pass filter, I/W channel negative.
@@dragonsbreath8653 yea it’s tough one if you can’t AB them side by side. Personally I don’t I’m not seeing much to upgrade for since the k9 pro ess is extremely good already. As far as the DSP aspect goes, I feel like diving into EQ would be more beneficial. There is a current trend where companies are making MID sounding iems and correcting them with DSP (which is just EQ).
I like your opinion and it got me thinking. As I understand it, the FiiO K19 may not live up to the high demands that the FiiO K9 PRO ESS provided and will end up disappointing me. But looking at the impressive specifications, it’s hard to believe that the FiiO K19 is an average sounding product. Indeed, in FiiO K19, if we compare the circuits with FiiO K9 PRO ESS, there are the same operational amplifiers OPA1612 and OPA1602, they just added a third OPA2211, and now operational amplifiers are everywhere: in the low-pass filter, I/W channel negative and in the THXAAA 788 amplifier +. Another thing is the FiiO K7 or FiiO K9, which don't sound nearly as good as the FiiO K9 PRO ESS does. My concern is that the FiiO K19 requires several days to warm up, which did not need to be done with the FiiO K9 PRO ESS. When I listened to the FiiO K9 PRO ESS in the audio store, when I ordered it home, I heard exactly the same sound, and after 3 months of active use for 10 hours, I did not hear any changes in the sound. FiiO K9 PRO ESS does not need to warm up. Another concern is that the FiiO K19 can sound too sterile and soulless, but I think this can be corrected with an equalizer. What do you think about it?
Which of the amplifier dacs is better suited for iem headphones? Fiio k19 or Topping DX 9? And especially which one is better for competitive games????
Please respond
I stuck with the dx9
Still waiting for new simgot pairs on your channel
You need to try fiio fd5 for gaming
They not to good for that good for music tho
@@randallkubiszewski6908 I find them better than my Monarch mk2 for gaming, and clarity plus directional imaging and separation is great with the larger nozzle.
Would love to see what you think about Fiio JH5.
Please review some more under 100$ IEMs..
Which of the amplifier dacs is better suited for iem headphones? Fiio k19 or Topping DX 9?????
I stuck with the dx9
Waiting for hd 620s review alreadyyyyy
Thanks for the great review. You've got me getting impatient buddy. I sooooooo wanna buy another iem. Gotta wait...gotta waaaaaait....collab is coming....collab is coming....aaaaaaargh...WOOF!
Haha
wait for your next video about iem/headphone for r6
With the JT1 and FT5, now the FA19 and K19, FiiO is seemingly getting a second wind. So many brands in the hobby come and go, it’s nice to see an older brand adapt and grow with the hobby instead of fizzling out into obscurity.
My poor Custom Cans HD490 cable looks like an absolute bore at parties compared to that beautiful Hart cable. Love the color.
Whats some goods iems you would recommend for warzone 3 at everyprice point up to 300$
For a budget, qkz x hbb for £20 have great bass and clean mids and highs there are really good they are in the best budget iems tier list from many reviewers.
Look at my list in the description.
I really love your take on getting the gear that like and are proud of for having.
I am currently in the ultra budget stuff range, but will perhaps move on to a higher tier as I can afford them or feel the need to upgrade for my gaming and entertainment.
Thank you for your content!
Yup been looking for good all BA set
Fiio K19 or Topping DX9 for competitive gaming and music with Sennheiser HD 800 S ?
I stuck with the dx9
Fa19 or the HD490 pro, what do you like more and do you prefer iem or headphones?
I like IEMs
Just found your channel and love your reviews! With the k19, are there benefits to using it with the fiio iems without using an eq setting? Do the fiio iems really need the k19 together for truly outstanding sound? Also, would love to hear your favorite iem for music and movies and not just gaming? And how do you connact these iems to a ps5? Thank you very much for your reply in advance. :-)
I generally use the same IEMs for gaming and music because they carry over very well. You do not need a k19, but I do prefer having a nice amp dac
@FreshReviewsYT great! Thank you. I've also seen that some rave about the mega5 est iems, which are very highend, too. Maybe you can put those on your reviews list. Subscribed and all notifications turned on. :-) Thanks.
@Fresh Reviews
Which eartips u using for this one (fa 19) ?
Default
Hey mate, noticed you put the HE1000 above HD800S. Review coming soon? Was considering a trade to the Arya Organic
HiFiMAN Arya Organic are fantastic headphones with great sound. As soon as I heard how they sounded, my ears fell in love with them and I bought them. In the audio store I listened to HiFiMAN Edition XS, HiFiMAN HE1000 Stealth, HiFiMAN Arya Organic, MoonDrop Venus.
HiFiMAN Edition XS - the quality of the materials is normal, but you can feel the savings on the material; they sit less comfortably. The sound is good. I liked the bass, the mids are recessed compared to the bass, and the headphones seem to be a little dark, the highs are not screaming, the detail is good. There is a good sense of space, but the sound is somewhat dark. No lightness, no clarity, no level of sound quality like Stealth and Arya, but they sound more interesting than MoonDrop Venus.
HiFiMAN HE1000 Stealth - the quality of the materials is high, you can feel the good quality of the materials, excellent sound, neutral sound, very high sound resolution, but there is no emotionality, everything is very sterile, and there is little bass. These headphones sound boring and I find them boring to listen to.
HiFiMAN Arya Organic - the quality of materials is high, you can feel the good quality of the materials, excellent sound. They fit perfectly on the head, comfortably, do not dangle or roll down. HiFiMAN Arya Organic differs from HiFiMAN HE1000 Stealth in that
HiFiMAN Arya Organic sounds emotional, beautiful, lively sound, bass is enhanced, mids are enhanced, and this gives a natural and warm sound. This is a musical sound that is very pleasant to the ear, and you want to listen to music, there is no excessive sterility of the sound, like the HiFiMAN HE1000 Stealth, and when listening to the HiFiMAN Arya Organic, I experience a surge of emotion. But the bass on the HiFiMAN Arya Organic isn't as powerful or punchy as my beloved Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm, but it's still impressive and I really like it. I listen through the FiiO K9 PRO ESS, and the headphones sound completely different and amazing through this amplifier. The headphones open up and sound very cool.
@@dragonsbreath8653 thanks for the fantastic reply! Just sold the hd800 and got the organics. Love them.
Can i ask how is the noise floor/hissing with sensitive iems on the k19 and dx9?
Non existent on the dx9. Balanced on the k19 has a little noise with sensitive IEMs like the splendor
Through the 6.35, no noise on k19
@@FreshReviewsYT ah, I looked up the splendor, and it does have low impedance, which seems to increase noise floor. And so you found noise on the fiio k19 with the splendor on the 4.4, but not on 6.3 (I'm assuming you used a 3.5 adapter). And you didn't hear any noise with the topping dx9 on 4.4? I heard the fiio k19 has better sound quality and amplifier, but i would prefer a desktop setup with inaudible noise floor even with sensitive iems
Maybe I missed it in prior videos, but did you switch to the velour pads on the 490s or was that just for throwing it on the amp while it "burned in" for 3 days?
I was swapping to the velour just to test some other games. Still mainly on cloth
@@FreshReviewsYT I've had the 490s since launch and agreed with your review 100% so was just curious. Still occasionally swap between the pads myself as the velour does add a minor bit of power to the bass, but the fabric pads just so sound clean and perfect to my ears. The velour pads felt like they added a TINY amount of mud though. Have you tried a balanced cable with them? I ordered a balanced cable from Hart Audio because the cable that came with it started having weird connectivity issues depending on how it sat on my desk. I don't know if it's placebo or not, but I swear the balanced cable added a bit more...oomph/force/feeling to certain frequencies on the Fiio K11.
EDIT: Nevermind, can literally see it's plugged into balanced on the amp lol
@@sumthingidunno yea I got the hart cable also!!!! Love it
Hey Fresh,
Great channel🙌 very helpful🙏
I got the Canon II’s because of your review and I’m loving them.The Canon II were my very first pair of IEM’s, I got them because I wanted a competitive only gaming IEM. Now I’m all in with IEM’s lol and I’m looking to upgrade to not only a pair that is great for competitive gaming but also for music, as I consider myself a little bit of an audiophile. I mainly play COD and Fortnite. Debating between the FA19 or MKIII? I’ve seen both of your reviews on those and I know you recommend the FA19 better for COD but I will like to know are they also superior to the MKIII for music ? I’m willing to sacrifice a little on COD if the MKIII is way better in music. Also open for other suggestions in the kilobuck range. Thank you in advance on this matter!
Hey. I really really love the fa19
Both rock for music. My pick between the two for gaming AND music is the fa19
@@FreshReviewsYT Thank you for the quick reply and FA19 it is 🫡
so your telling me this fa19 is better than MONARCH mk 3 that i bought because of you ?? damn i need f19 now lol. serious note. for music listening and for apex. should i get fa19 or HD490
That’s a very tough call. But if you already have the monarch I’d grab a nice can
@@FreshReviewsYT thank you for replying my dude! I think ur quite right i should grab hd490. Have u ever tried arya stealth be4? Idk if its good for apex or nah
@@FreshReviewsYT what headphones or iem do u use daily? Or ur most fav
@@FreshReviewsYT do u think its worth it to sell mk3 and get fa19? What platforms do u use to listen to music ? I have mk3 for months bug only been listening thru spotify so idk if i use it to its max capability
Next Iem roundup soon?
So would the K19 be much better than my DX3 Pro+ or would you consider it a unnecessary upgrade?
For just IEMs I wouldn’t jump that high
@@FreshReviewsYTMy wallet is happy to hear that.
I was planning on upgrading to the Monarch MKIII at some point but with the FA19 being priced the same that choice just got harder. Which would you recommend for games, media in general, and comfort? I've been playing a lot of single player games like Doom Eternal and Elden Ring and the Xenns Top is great but they have become uncomfortable for long sessions and I kinda want to be blown away by a pricier set since I enjoy the hobby.
Also with the FA19 at 7:02 you talk about the bass becoming overpowering, is that still the case with the dip switch off?
@@Gidrah it’s find it fine with my dx9. It’s impactful but nothing that I felt occluded my surroundings. The fa19 is my pick between the two. I like the dip switch and I LOVE almost everything with the dip switch on and off. Music is just 😍with the bass slam, depth and sensational impact.
Tell me, FiiO Audio DSP has RTA (RTA Audio Analyzer) - analysis of the spectrum of sound, speech, music. Do I understand correctly that RTA allows you to visualize the spectrum of sounds and you can amplify or attenuate a certain frequency and get amplified sound in these frequency areas without distorting other frequencies? For example, with a graphic equalizer, if we enhance the lower frequencies, this is reflected in the mid and high frequencies, as a result, you can lose natural speech and hear a slight boom throughout the entire range. If we enhance, for example, the lower frequencies of the FiiO K19, will the mids and highs be distorted? Will there be a slight boom in speech in other sounds?
Great words in the beginning!
Great stuff.
But im focusing only for casual gaming so should be ok with my current DACsoundblaster g6 and intuaura splendor 2 when arrives.
😅😅
Is there any usb output source on this device? Thanks edited fiio k19.
I own he1000se and Sound Rhyme DTE900. Using the Ifi Gryphon do you think Fiio FA19 would be an upgrade from the DTE900 if you have tried them.
Haven’t tried them
Hey Fresh! Curious if you're using any type of audio interface alongside your DACs. Making some audio upgrades and needing to power my Shure SM7B and FiiO FA19s. Considering going the DX9 route for DAC but don't want my Scarlett 4th gen to bottleneck anything. Appreciate any help you can provide!
@@PEversmann you should be fine if just using the scarlet for the mic
Have you ever tried the Simgot Ea500LM's, if you did what did you think about them, comparing mainly to the aria 2's, simgot's em6l and kiwi quartet's if possible
Em6l wins
hey fresh, out of the 3 affordable dacs you recommend which pairs the best with the top? any tip recommendations would be appreciated as well. thanks
Could you review the budget fiio like the K11 one day? Most likely going for this on since it's basically what i need it for. which is just gaming and music listening.
Are you still using or continued testing out the K19? Was curious if you tried out the PEQ adjustment to tune the sound for certain games. Would be sweet if created sharable PEQ presets to be used with the Arete IEM for COD and other games.
I have FiiO K19 and HiFiMan Arya Organic. I want to add that the sound, except for PEQ, is well influenced by the built-in filters. I like to use the "Slow" filter in games, which amplifies the bass and retains detail at the same time, but smooths out the high frequencies. I choose "Hybrid Fast" for movies, and "Apodizing" for music. If you have good headphones with high-resolution sound and are connected to a balanced 4.4mm or XLR connector, then you will hear the difference in filters clearly. A lot depends on the headphones. For example, I can't hear the filter difference in the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 ohm and Beyerdynamic MMX150 headphones, but I can hear the filter difference well in HiFiMan Arya Organic. It's like I'm using PEQ. If I use PEQ in games, then I choose the "Dance" option and the "Slow" filter, this allows you to hear more rumble in games, the scene becomes deeper, the sound becomes fascinating. Play around with the filters and find the best option for yourself. A brief description of the sound of the filters.
Fast - The sound is detailed, with amplified high frequencies.
Slow - The sound is soft, detailed and with amplified low frequencies.
Apodizing - The sound is balanced, natural and detailed.
Mini - The sound is softer and less saturated.
Mini Slow - The sound is soft, less saturated, but with amplified low frequencies.
Hybrid Fast - The sound is brighter, with increased detail, the lower frequencies are slightly amplified.
Brick Wall - The sound is detailed, with amplified upper frequencies.
FiiO should do a R2R DAC. I have had to many ess and akm always “claiming” to be better sound. Never sound better.
Tough competition out there
How do these compare to the 64A Volur?
Would you say these have a holographic and big soundstage?
Of course. The volur are still better in game, marginally
How would you say the bass is compared to Monarch MK3?
I see you use the producing pads now on 490. I went also from the mixing to the producer pads as they are more comfortable even if the mixing ones are sounding better. What is that cable tough ?
Hart audio! Love it
can i ask what mode of gain you are using and how much on the volume dial this takes? thinking of buying both i've wanted them for a while now, not used IEMs before and a little scared of like, accidentally blasting it too high or it blowing up first time, thanks man
I think I was on medium gain
Have you heard the new Symphonium Titan? Might line up with your taste in liking Volur and FA19. I got Titan to use for music, but was surprised how good a more bass focused set was at gaming. Mostly tested on Overwatch 2 and Destiny 2.
Might need to check it out!
Excellent analysis! A question: do you think that for the 1300 dollars that the fiio K19 costs it is the best option for that price... And on the other hand, do you think it gets all the juice out of headphones like the Susvara? Thank you so much for any hints! Best regards
Haven’t tried the susvara, but I hear they power them well
I have the Fiio K5 pro + Tygr 300 R. What would you recommend to upgrade for better "wallhack" sound in games?
HiFiMAN Arya Organic and you don't need anything else, these are gorgeous headphones with great sound. The sound is warm, emotional, driving, the bass is strong, the mid frequencies are enhanced and they create a realistic sound, and the high frequencies are at such a level that they do not cause fatigue, do not cause irritation and the detail of the sounds is fantastic. If your budget doesn’t allow it, but you want good sound, then you can listen to HiFiMAN Edition XS.
hey can you do a review on the simgot ew100p??
love ur videos
Whats some good amps you would recommend for under 200$ at every price point!
Look at my list in the description.
Do you feel like the K19 specifically is needed to draw out the best of the Fa19?
No
What do you recommend more? The HD490 Pro’s or Intuaura Splendor ? I only pay cod
Between the two the 490 takes the edge. But if you want IEMs the splendor are fire
I know you said in the review that the buttons feel nice on the K19 although I noticed when you were using them that they wobbled quite a bit, am I right here in what I perceived?
Nothing I’ve ever noticed just with my general use
does the k19 have the ability to listen to 2 devices at a time? for example, a console through optical in and pc audio through usb? i got the r9 only to realize you can't do both, wondering if the k19 was the same
I don’t believe so. I didn’t try though but I believe most amp dacs must select one mode
@@FreshReviewsYT i only ask because i like to play on console from time to time. seems the astro mixamp will have to do, thank you
I saw the description. Whats your thoughts on the kiwis orchestra lite? Do you think it’s overrated, or think there are better options at its price
Great ear buds
u think its worth it to sell mk3 on ebay and get fa19 ?
They’re both great.
Fresh do u think i should sell mk3 and get hd490?
Entirely up to you if you want to swap to headphones
Would you find the fa19 more enjoyable than the monarch mk3 in terms of an all rounder music listening experience?
That’s a toss up. Becomes very subjective tbh. I think me personally I am though.
@@FreshReviewsYT Gotcha, I never had an all BA set before and my current collections are canon 2 and ea1000. The fa19 seems like a minor upgrade from a music listening experience. Will get the fa19 on sale then, thanks for the help 😁.
Awesome review, those look incredible and that implementation of a dip switch is really brilliant. How would you compare these vs say the hd 490 pro for cod and apex? Obviously it’s a IEM vs open back so not the greatest question, but was curious which you would lean towards for competitive play
Ooof now that is tough
What is you daily iem for gaming?
fresh i aint gon lie how come my hd 490 pro sounds lil muddy and not as accurate at imaging in apex as the mk3 tho. im using dx9 as well. and feel like mk3 more accurate and stuff. am i doing something wrong ? set 32/192 on my pc tho
If you were able to catch my 490 video, I talk about the default cups sucking in apex and the cloth cups smacking. Use the cloth in apex. MK3 is still great tho
@@FreshReviewsYT ohhhh okay thank you for the reply. Imma try cloth cups 🙏🏻🙂↕️
@@FreshReviewsYT one more question pls. Which eartip do u recommend for mk3
Solid review brother! Definitely out of my budget though. I have one simple question for you, if you can only get 1 between yanyin canon 2 and splendor 2, what would you pick? I will not even ask for an explanation. Im just gonna add it to cart. 😅
Oh man now that’s a tough call. I’d say if you don’t have a decent amp dac go splendor 2. I did find I liked canon 2 a bit more in cod and siege
@@FreshReviewsYT i do have a zen dac v2 and the almighty apple lightning to 3.5 dac. If those are decent enough then canon 2 it is. If not, hello splendor 2. 😂
Did you have to anything to the FA19 out the box for best valorant results? Or just plug and play?
I think all I did was go to medium gain and then I played around with the filters a bit. You can circulate through the filters to see what you think sounds best. I think I discuss in the video which one sounded best for me at the time
My FA19 just arrived and I love it! Currently for a DAC I have the FiiO K7. I’m running Low gain and plugged into the 4.4. Is there a way to adjust or tune the k7 to have the filter you used on the K19 in the video?
@@nickolasdparks1889 let’s go!
Completely unrelated, but what is your table top surface? Is it wood with a marble sticker finish? Curious as you mention you live in a humid area- my hands stick to my table when gliding on the mousepad
Quartz
@@FreshReviewsYT Oh wow, does your arm cling to the table when you start feeling warm?
What is the name of the rubber ear tips you seem to use on all your IEMS?
I use spinfit w1, azla sednaearfit, or sednaearfit asmr
@@FreshReviewsYT Thank you! will check em out :)
have you ever tried hifi arya stealth ? i wonder if it makes wall hacks tier list and good for music listening
Haven’t yet
@@FreshReviewsYT i aint gon lie, arent you curious what RME adi 2 can do in the same price range of dx9
Hey Fresh, what are your go to tips please? In particular the Orchestra Lite. Thanks
I think I was using spinfits if I recall correctly
@@FreshReviewsYT for mk 3 what tips pls
Great review, love the content. I have a quick question, can both optical in on the DX9 or K19 be heard at the same time, or just one input at a time?
One input
@@FreshReviewsYT thanks, last one. Are you still going to do a review or product for R6?
which one is better for gaming and overall ie900 or fio fa19
Fa19 and it’s not close
@@FreshReviewsYT hmm interesting choice
Are you planning to review the io volare?
Yea
What eartips would u recommend with these?
They come with very nice ear tips tbh
It sounds great with the azla sendaearfit light 2.
I own the aune s9c. How much of an upgrade is it going from the s9c to the dx9 or k19, and which one would u choose if u narrowed it down to one amp/dac?
Hi, how is the isolation in the FA 19? very interested in these...
Exceptional isolation I can’t hear my daughter next to me with music or games playing. She scares the $&$: out of me lol
@@FreshReviewsYT Thanks for the info. I was saving for the mega5est now my wallet is crying about these lol
Hey what IEM do you recommend at around the 200$ price range?
Splendor II
@@FreshReviewsYT thx dude!
@@FreshReviewsYT is there a difference between 3.5mm and 4.4mm? what do you use?
@@luqqas you need to use what your source allows. If you have a 4.4 you can go that route.
:)
What amp/dac should I get for Simgot EM6L?
You don’t need one for something like EM6Ls they’re incredibly easy to power but if you seriously think you need one you can get away with something like Moondrop Dawn Pro or one of those low end iFi DACs
Solely for IEMs, I prefer the topping dx3 pro +
@@FreshReviewsYT DX3 Pro+ is a solid DAC/Amp but that’s seriously overkill for something like EM6Ls
@@marsyoya it very well could be. I just haven’t tested below that region other than the k11, and I prefer it more than the k11. It’s also noticeably better than most usb dongles I’ve tried, including ones up through $300.
@@FreshReviewsYT enough. Objectively, it’s not needed BUT a DX3 Pro+ or SMSL C200 could come in handy if he does upgrade in the future!! And congrats on this set the K19 looks so dope man it’s a beast!! I’ve been on the Liberty DAC ii for some time and I heard this is some close competition
Do you prefer these over the voulr now or do you still think thier the best ?
The fiio is a beast. The volur is still on top
@@FreshReviewsYT is there any certain differnece between the two? that stick out to you that make you prefer one over the other
@@ChaoticFoxxie it’s just a matter of slight differences and improvement in depth and separation. You’re not gaining much by going to the volur over the fa19
Two of my top picks
@@FreshReviewsYT i guess my last question which handles pressure build up and comfort the best
Plz answer but If you had to pick one for gaming, music, and movies what would you go with??
An IEM or amp dac
And what’s my budget
@@FreshReviewsYT Sorry, I meant the dac/amp. Between the two of them which would you choose for PS5, PC, music, and movies. I just want a one and DONE!
Edit: no budget & based on your selection is it the best out of the 2 for bass?
@@Kris_413 I’m actually not sure which of any are compatible with the ps5. For me though I use the dx9 daily
@@Kris_413the fa k19 is compatible with ps5. Just switch it to uac1 mode
do you ever use any sound virtualisation such as dolby atmos for headphones, DTS headphone X etc. or you you play in stereo only?
don't think he does
Before I got the FiiO K9 PRO ESS and Beyerdynamic MMX150, I previously had Logitech G Pro X, HyperX Cloud Alpha S and Razer BlackShark V2 headphones, and I connected them to the computer's built-in Realtek ALC1200 sound card or USB sound card from Razer and Logitech. HeSuVi virtual surround sounds, Dolby Atmos for headphones, THX Spatial Audio, DTS Headphone:X enhanced the sound and made the sound spacious and interesting. My favorite was Dolby Atmos for headphones. I was so used to Dolby Atmos for headphones that when I started listening through high-quality acoustics FiiO K9 PRO ESS and Beyerdynamic MMX150, at first I could not understand why Dolby Atmos was not as good as it was before, why I heard deterioration in sounds . Only later, when I began to compare the sounds with Dolby Atmos on and off, I realized that FiiO K9 PRO ESS is so ideal in sound quality that it surpasses Dolby Atmos, and FiiO K9 PRO ESS very clearly shows all the delights of the terrible Dolby Atmos sound, like and with THX Spatial Audio, DTS Headphone:X. Virtual sound is best used by those who do not have high-quality or budget acoustics such as FiiO K7/K11, who do not have operational amplifiers, and whose sound is boring. In the case of high-quality acoustics that have operational amplifiers, you no longer want to turn on virtual sound.