Final Audio Earphones: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Wired Earphone Lineup
by: Mark Hattar
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Final Audio, a distinguished Japanese audio brand, has earned its reputation through meticulous craftsmanship and innovative design in the world of personal audio. Since their first earbuds release in 2009, Final Audio has revolutionized the audio industry with their sleek, minimal designs and exceptional sound quality. Let's explore their diverse range of earphones, from entry-level models to premium offerings.
Final E-Series: Compact Excellence
The E-Series stands as Final Audio's most straightforward yet versatile line of earphones. What makes this series special lies in its thoughtful design centered around a compact 6.4mm dynamic driver, making these some of the most discreet IEMs available in the market.
Model Variations and Features
The E-Series includes nine different models, with prices ranging from $24.99 for the E500 to $279.00 for the E5000. Three models - the E1000C, E2000C, and E3000C - include the "C" designation, indicating the inclusion of a remote microphone for calls. While the higher-end E4000 and E5000 don't come with built-in microphones, their detachable cables allow users to add microphone-enabled cables later.
Sound Characteristics
Each E-Series model shares a common sonic signature while maintaining its unique characteristics:
- A warm, inviting sound signature that never becomes overwhelming
- The E4000 and E5000 models feature more precise tuning in the highs, delivering superior imaging
- Entry-level models provide an intimate, "in-your-head" soundstage
- The E4000 and E5000 expand this soundstage significantly
- Bass response remains punchy and engaging across the lineup
The E-Series particularly appeals to bass enthusiasts who value clear imaging and impressive soundstage. Their small bore design makes them especially popular among users with smaller ears.
Final A-Series: Premium Performance
The A-Series represents a significant departure from the E-Series, offering a different approach to both sound and design philosophy. These IEMs feature a more traditional IEM housing design, focusing on comfort and acoustic performance.
Design and Comfort
Final Audio's expertise shines through in the A-Series' accessories:
- Premium quality cables
- Expertly designed ear tips
- Robust IEM housing
- Traditional IEM fit and seal
Sound Signature
The A-Series delivers a distinctly different sound compared to the E-Series:
- V-shaped sound signature
- Crystal clear high frequencies
- Detailed soundstage
- Bright overall presentation
- Well-balanced treble that remains revealing without becoming harsh
The higher the model number, the more pronounced the V-shaped tuning becomes, with brighter highs becoming more prominent. The lineup's crown jewel, the A8000, features premium Beryllium drivers that deliver:
- Exceptional clarity
- Expansive soundstage
- Precise imaging
- Outstanding detail in width and height
The A-Series spans a wide price range, starting at $129.99 for the A3000 and reaching $1,999.99 for the flagship A8000.
Final F-Series: The Compact Specialist
The F-Series cleverly combines elements from both the A-Series and E-Series, creating a unique lineup that emphasizes compactness without sacrificing sound quality.
Models and Design
The series includes three distinct models:
At the heart of each model lies a tiny 5.5mm BA driver housed in an incredibly lightweight 2g enclosure. The total weights remain impressively low:
- F3100: Just 10g
- F7200: 23g with premium materials
The F4100 and F7200 offer added flexibility with MMCX connections for cable options, while the F3100 comes with a fixed cable.
Sound Profile
The F-Series delivers a balanced signature that stands out:
- Clean highs with warmth from mid/high bass frequencies
- Natural bass extension without overwhelming presence
- Relatively flat response with enhanced treble detail
- Revealing yet natural soundstage presentation
While these models represent an older lineup from Final Audio, they continue to impress with their minimal design and balanced sound. Their ultra-compact size makes them particularly comfortable for extended listening sessions.
Final VR Series: Gaming-Focused Innovation
Final Audio's VR500, VR1000, VR2000, and VR3000 represent a specialized approach to gaming audio, offering unique features tailored for the gaming experience.
Gaming-Optimized Design
All models include:
- Built-in microphones for communication
- Reduced bass response to prevent overwhelming low-frequency sounds
- Precisely tuned soundstage for accurate positional audio
- Crystal clear high frequencies for tactical advantage
The VR series stands out by prioritizing competitive gaming performance:
- Lower bass prevents explosion effects from masking important audio cues
- Enhanced imaging helps pinpoint enemy positions
- Budget-friendly pricing makes them accessible to most gamers
- Balanced sound signature works well for both gaming and general use
Final B-Series: Engineering Excellence
The B-Series represents Final Audio's engineering-driven approach to IEM design, pushing technical boundaries while maintaining the brand's commitment to sound quality.
Models and Design
The series consists of three models:
These IEMs share similar housing and acoustic resonance characteristics with the A-Series, but their sound signatures differ dramatically.
Unique Sound Signatures
Each model in the B-Series targets a specific sound profile:
- B1: Features dramatic bass boost, unusual for Final Audio
- B2: Delivers incredibly flat frequency response without A-Series' treble emphasis
- B3: Adopts "new-harman" tuning with slightly enhanced warmth
The B-Series serves different user preferences:
- B1 caters to bass enthusiasts seeking Final Audio's quality
- B2 and B3 suit users who appreciate A-Series design but prefer less brightness
- B2 and B3 excel in mixing and monitoring applications, especially with custom ear tips
Final Make Series: The Customization King
The Make Series represents Final Audio's most ambitious approach to personalized sound, offering unprecedented levels of customization.
Customization Features
These IEMs revolutionize personal audio with their modular design:
- Make 1: Features two filter areas enabling 77 unique sound configurations
- Make 2 and Make 3: Offer three filter locations, allowing for an impressive 847 different sound signatures
- Users can fine-tune both high frequencies and bass response
The physical customization process provides several advantages:
- Hands-on approach to sound tailoring
- Immediate audible feedback from adjustments
- More engaging than digital EQ solutions
- Educational experience in acoustic modification
Market Availability
Currently, the Make Series remains exclusive to the Japanese market. International enthusiasts must rely on:
- Secondary markets like eBay
- Import services
- Specialized audio dealers
However, their TANE assembly kit, which follows the same approach, is available at Audio46.
Final Legacy Models: A Rich Heritage
Final Audio's discontinued models showcase their innovation and influence on the personal audio industry.
Heaven Series
The Heaven series pioneered single-driver IEMs in an earbud format:
- Models ranged from Heaven II through Heaven VIII
- Balanced sound signature with adequate bass response
- Outstanding clarity and soundstage
- Each model offered unique tuning characteristics
FI-BA-SS and FI-BA-SST Series
These models demonstrated Final Audio's mastery of single BA driver implementation:
- Focus on maximum soundstage performance
- Premium build quality standards
- Innovative acoustic designs
- Reference-level sound reproduction
Piano Forte Series
The distinctive Piano Forte line featured unique horn-shaped housings:
- Models included Piano Forte II through Piano Forte X-T
- High sensitivity design for efficient amplification
- Focused midrange performance
- Enhanced resonance characteristics through horn design
- Premium materials and construction (depending on which model you opt for)
Choosing Your Final Audio Earphones
When selecting Final Audio earphones, consider these key factors:
Budget Considerations
- Entry-level: E-Series offers excellent value starting at $29.99
- Mid-range: A3000 and B-Series provide enhanced performance
- Premium: A8000 delivers flagship-level sound at $1,999.99
- Gaming: VR series offers specialized features at competitive prices
Use Case Scenarios
- Daily listening: E-Series and A-Series provides comfort and good sound
- Professional monitoring: B2 or B3 with custom tips excel
- Gaming: VR2000 or VR3000 offer optimized gaming performance
- Audiophile listening: A-Series or high-end E-Series deliver
- Compact needs: F-Series provides minimal size without compromise
- Sound customization: Make Series offers ultimate flexibility
Sound Preference Matching
- Bass-focused: E-Series or B1
- Neutral: B2 or F-Series
- Bright and detailed: A-Series
- Gaming-optimized: VR Series
- Customizable: Make Series (if available)
- Midrange focused: Legacy Piano Forte Series
Final Audio's Design Philosophy
Throughout their extensive product range, Final Audio maintains several core principles:
- Emphasis on minimal, efficient designs
- Focus on comfort and ergonomics
- Attention to sound quality across price points
- Innovation in driver technology
- Careful consideration of materials and construction
- Specialized solutions for specific use cases
Technical Innovation
Final Audio continuously pushes technical boundaries through:
- Various driver technologies (dynamic, BA, beryllium)
- Innovative housing designs
- Acoustic optimization
- Customizable solutions
- Gaming-specific tuning
- Size reduction without performance compromise
Conclusion
Final Audio's comprehensive range of earphones demonstrates their commitment to innovation and sound quality. From the affordable E-Series to the flagship A8000, and from the gaming-focused VR series to the customizable Make series, each model offers unique characteristics while maintaining the brand's high standards.
Their willingness to experiment with unique designs and technologies shows through their legacy models like the Heaven and Piano Forte series. While some innovative products like the Make Series remain limited to specific markets, Final Audio continues to push boundaries in personal audio technology.
The brand successfully caters to various user needs:
- Audiophiles seeking premium sound quality
- Gamers requiring specific audio characteristics
- Professional users needing monitoring solutions
- Casual listeners wanting quality daily drivers
- Tech enthusiasts desiring customization options
For those entering the world of high-quality IEMs, Final Audio offers a compelling mix of sound quality, build excellence, and value across their product range. Their attention to detail in both sound and design makes them a standout choice in the competitive personal audio market.
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