Fiio FA19 VS FlipEars Legion

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Fiio FA19 brings a premium feel: a sturdy, slightly translucent shell with visible BA packs, comfy fit, and a plush eight-wire cable that terminates in 4.4mm. The MMCX sockets aren’t ideal, but the shell is vented, holds tips well, and the magnetic case feels upmarket. Sonically, this 10-BA set leans warm-neutral with a rich, cohesive presentation—male vocals sound full, some female vocals come off a bit husky, and bass has quantity more than tightness. There’s a touch of 5–6 kHz energy and slight hiss; treble is clean and pleasant rather than showy. The bass switch mostly bumps mid-bass; the lower setting keeps things tidier. Overall it’s Fiio’s most well-rounded tuning to date, just shy of “exceptional” because of that soft mid-bass and a mildly flabby midrange.

Versus peers, FD15 sounds more neutrally tuned (if less special), while all-BA options like Supernova feel more natural and controlled down low. In the wider field, sets like Letshuoer Mystic 8 (a bit of a sleeper), ThieAudio Monarch MK4 (cleaner upper-mids, dual bass settings), ZiiGaat Luna (tighter, crisper for far less money), or even budget-friendlier picks such as YU9 can offer a stronger value proposition. At around $1,000, FA19 earns a solid recommendation for those who enjoy a warmer, airy BA take—graded roughly A4 / S-—but it’s a demo-first purchase and shines much brighter if found used around $300–$400. Not a new benchmark, yet a very good Fiio with treble finesse and a smooth, easygoing signature that many will simply enjoy.

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FlipEars Legion stakes its identity on a bold, mid-bass–driven fun signature with a bone-conduction twist. The shell is huge and may challenge small ears, the 2-pin sockets are deeply recessed, and the stock 4.4 mm cable and premium case feel thoughtful and upscale. On the graph, there’s a notable dip through the mids that can sound a touch hollow, plus energy around 4 kHz and 8 kHz that adds bite and sparkle; in practice the set delivers big slam, airy extension, and surprisingly solid imaging for a BC-assisted tuning. A light EQ nudge to the upper-mids/lower-mids tightens tonality and pushes technicals up a tier.

Positionally, Legion reads as a “fun daily driver” rather than a sterile studio tool. Compared with similar BC-flavored sets, it feels more controlled than the Z Empire “party” tuning, and markedly more coherent than cheap experiments like KB Ear KBO2. Against safer picks, Monarch Mk I remains the clean, glassy option, while ThieAudio Origin is a safer all-rounder; Legion, however, brings deeper sub-bass and livelier presence with more character. Versus Triton, Legion’s upper-air/presence has better flow; versus the high-ticket Muse, Legion trades a bit of refinement for long-session comfort, dodging fatiguing 6 kHz glare.

Overall, this is an engaging, charismatic tribid that rewards listeners seeking bass heft, contrast, and BC texture without descending into chaos. It’s not the safest first $800 pick given the mid dip and fit quirks, but as a statement piece from FlipEars it feels well priced, well built, and easy to recommend to those prioritizing musical thrill over strict neutrality—especially with a touch of EQ to tidy the mids.