Dunu Glacier VS Fiio FA19

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Priced around $1,350, the Dunu Glacier is a premium nine-driver tribrid IEM featuring one dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and four electrostatic drivers. The build quality is exceptional with a beautiful mirrored polished steel shell, though it's noted as a bit large, heavy, and a fingerprint magnet. Comfort is generally good, and it includes a high-quality, pliable cable with interchangeable connectors and a secure chin slider. Packaging is also highlighted as exceedingly well done, typical of Dunu's recent standards.

Sonically, the Glacier delivers a very bassy, extremely fun, and highly engaging V-shaped signature. The strong bass is balanced by prominent upper mids, offering good detail resolution and micro-details. However, a noticeable energy peak around 3kHz can make some tracks feel overly energetic, intimate, or even slightly shouty, limiting its versatility for mellower listening sessions. Comparisons place it near sets like the LETSHUOER Tera (less bass, cleaner) and ThieAudio Monarch MK I (less bass, more even upper mids), while noting it surpasses the Dunu Brain Dance (DK-31) in detail and bombast, though the Brain Dance offers significant value at half the price.

Ultimately, the Dunu Glacier stands out as a fantastic and unique IEM with satisfying bass weight, good imaging, and excellent micro-details. Its fun, bombastic character and high-quality build make it a compelling choice, but the specific upper-mid energy requires careful consideration. It earns a recommendation for those seeking an ultra-engaging Harman-style listen with top-tier driver tech, though demoing is advised due to its distinct tonal quirks.

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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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The Dunu Glacier stands as the brand's latest flagship tribrid IEM, priced around $1,350. Its standout feature is its adherence to the Harman target curve, a rarity at this level, executed with notable success. The Glacier boasts exceptional build quality, featuring polished 904L stainless steel shells that feel substantial and genuinely premium, justifying its price tag aesthetically. It comes loaded with accessories, including a plethora of ear tips (like the Candy and new clear Dunu Lunnies) and a large carry case, though the case design is noted as slightly awkward. The included cable is thick, well-made, and features Dunu's signature swappable terminations (3.5mm and 4.4mm included), though its ear hooks are somewhat loose and the chin cinch doesn't hold perfectly.

Sonically, the Glacier delivers a contrasty, V-shaped signature true to Harman but avoids the thinness sometimes associated with that target, thanks to extra bass emphasis. The bass is a major highlight – big, impactful, deep, well-textured, and satisfyingly clean with zero bleed into the mids. The treble is forward yet remarkably smooth, avoiding sharpness or sibilance. While technically proficient with good imaging and a strong sense of depth (especially from the bass), it leans slightly more towards contrast than nuanced micro-detail, particularly in the mid-range. Compared to rivals like the 64 Audio U4s (more mid-focused, warmer, laid-back) and the Dunu Mirai (brighter, most mid-focused, wider stage but less satisfying bass and slightly digital/scratchier treble), the Glacier excels in bass impact and separation, smoothness, and depth perception, while the others might appeal more for pure mid-range focus.

Overall, the Dunu Glacier is a highly refined IEM with no glaring weaknesses. Its excellent build, satisfying Harman-tuned sound (especially the standout bass and smooth treble), and competitive technicalities make it a compelling option in the flagship tier. While its weight and aggressive shell molding might cause minor comfort issues when lying down, and the ear hooks could be tighter, it earns a very solid four-star rating for delivering a premium experience that largely justifies its cost and successfully champions the Harman target.

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Fiio’s FA19 brings a lavish unboxing at a $1,000 ticket: a premium case, a magnetic cable tie, cleaning and MMCX tools, and a mountain of ear tips (silicone sets, dual-flange, foams, full SpinFits, and HS18). The cable uses swappable terminations executed cleanly, though it’s a bit stiff, and the MMCX hardware rotates freely. The clear resin shells feel dense and well-finished, with a small nozzle and a medium fit that’s comfortable but not very secure—the MMCX rotation often requires a nudge to keep placement in the ear. Inside are 10 BAs per side and a tuning switch that Fiio markets as “monitor” vs “hi-fi.”

On the ear, FA19 reads as a warm, dense V-shape even in the so-called monitor mode. The switch simply means “more bass” vs “a lot of bass,” lifting the entire low end for thickness but yielding drone and blur rather than punch or texture—described as farty, flat-backed bass. Up top there’s sparkle, but treble control is lacking, pushing sibilance on vocals and cymbals; stage is fairly narrow and imaging unremarkable, though mid/upper-treble lift can tease out some vocal grain and breath. Against a key rival, the 64 Audio U4s (with M12), the Fiio feels outclassed: U4s offers tighter, better-balanced bass, a more neutral midrange, and non-fatiguing treble with enough extension to stay lively. Verdict: despite stellar accessories and build, FA19’s tuning and technicals don’t justify its price; not recommended at $1,000—and there are stronger options even far cheaper.

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The Dunu Glacier delivers an extraordinary premium experience right from the unboxing, featuring a lavish presentation, a massive high-quality fabric cable with interchangeable terminations, and hand-polished stainless steel earpieces that feel substantial and expensive. Despite the controversial MMCX connectors, the cable and fit are praised, complemented by a ton of accessories including multiple ear tip types, a leather case, and even a brush. This is Dunu’s flagship effort at $1300, and the physical presentation screams luxury.

Sonically, the Glacier is a revelation with a massive, immersive soundstage that places instruments at a distance, creating a surround-like experience rather than an in-your-head assault. The tuning is remarkably relaxed and natural, prioritizing smoothness and spatial depth over aggression. Tracks with atmospheric elements or live recordings become breathtaking, revealing layers of echo and venue acoustics that feel expansive and holographic. This isn’t hyper-detailed or clinical; it’s chill, luxurious, and emotionally resonant, making even familiar music feel newly captivating.

Compared to competitors like the Thieaudio Prestige Limited or Monarch MkIII, the Glacier carves its own niche with its unparalleled sense of space and effortless presentation. It doesn’t compete on technical aggression but instead offers a transportive, almost spiritual listening experience. If you crave an endgame IEM that emphasizes grandeur, natural tonality, and pure musical immersion over analytical prowess, the Glacier is a jaw-dropping contender. Just be prepared for its unique, room-filling signature—it’s less an in-ear monitor and more a portal.

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Fiio FA19 arrives as a true kilobuck treat, pairing monumental bass impact with high-end finesse. A 10-BA array (including custom bass drivers), a clever negative-feedback system, and an audio-grade crossover deliver deep, clean low end without clouding the mids—male vocals stay forward, natural, and ultra-clear. Up top, cymbal work has sparkle, air, and detail yet remains smooth and sibilance-free, while separation and layering feel studio-grade. At $1,000, this tuning reads as resolving, fast in attack/decay, and unmistakably fun.

For pure performance, the FA19 brings pinpoint imaging, beautiful depth perception, and a wide, well-ventilated stage that elevate both music and play. The bass toggle dip-switch can push sub-bass and mid-bass into downright addictive territory; switching it off reins things in for a more reference-leaning balance. Even against strong mid-tier contenders, micro-detail and retrieval step up a notch here—airy treble textures, subtle room cues, and layered backgrounds all come through with ease.

Competitive gamers get a standout edge: Valorant tracking feels “wall-hack” precise, Call of Duty benefits from immersive LFE without masking cues (especially with the switch off), and Rainbow Six Siege showcases clear vertical and positional info. The only caution is that the switch-on mode can be a touch sub-bass heavy in titles like Apex; otherwise this is an A-tier pick for the Wall-Hack Certified list—an analytical beast that blends clarity with grin-inducing punch.