Just a few days ago, I got a chance to review the Final Audio E5000.  Now I’m sitting down with the less expensive sister model, the E4000. Priced at an economical $149, this earphone boasts an MMCX connection and Final Audio’s characteristic sound.  But is the juice worth the squeeze?

The E4000 comes packaged in a run-of-the-mill cardboard box.  Along with the earphone, you’ll also find four pairs of silicon SpinFit eartips, a carabiner clip, and a silicon carrying case.

The biggest design features of the Final E4000 amount to an MMCX connection (also present on the E5000) and an aluminum housing (in contrast to the E5000’s stainless steel housing).  That MMCX connection opens up a whole new world of accessories for use with final earphones, like third party high-fidelity cables, or Bluetooth cables from companies like Shure and Westone.  And the aluminum housing, while light, doesn’t result in tinny sound.

Fit-wise, this earphone can be worn one of two ways:  with the cable wrapping over the top of the ear, or with the cable hanging straight down.  This makes the E4000 a better fit for folks wearing glasses, or for anyone who decries that over-ear fit most commonly found with MMCX monitors like the Shure SE315 ort the Westone W10.  Just insert the earpieces into your ears and give them a soft, gentle twist and Voila! you’re good to go!

Specs

Frequency Range:  NA
Nominal Impedance:  15 ohms
Sound Pressure Level:  97 dB

As the specs show, the Final Audio E4000 doesn’t have any official rating for frequency range.  However, as I’m a gambling man, I’d still bet it falls close to 20-20,000 Hz, maybe even 15-22,000 Hz.  Nominal impedance is low, and pretty much par-for-the-course where in-ear headphones are concerned; it will work perfectly with a phone or laptop, with minimal value gained from amplification.  Finally, the E4000 sports a fairly standard sound pressure level at 97 dB – with plenty of volume to deliver an optimal listening experience.

Low End

In the low end, the Final E4000 sounds slightly compressed – but only slightly.  Overall, though, this part of the frequency range hosts pretty good fidelity for the price.  At once emotive and present, the sound compliments the E4000’s strong and precise bass.

Midrange

Just slightly compressed like the lows, the mids deliver good detail nonetheless.  Vocals and instrumentation appear equally impressive, and even taking the compression into account, you’d be hard-up to find a better sound at this price.

High End

Slightly smooth but boasting plenty of resolution, the highs compliment the mids and lows perfectly.  The sound comes across as especially fantastic for strings and vocals, but it sounds damn near orgasmic with violins.  

Soundstage

I wasn’t expecting the E4000 to offer a ton of soundstage, but this earphone displays good depth and plenty of placement.  The result is an impressive sense of soundstage, especially when considering the low cost.

Other Observations

While the included MMCX connection constitutes a huge leap forward for Final, it also opens up new realms of possibility.  Sure, the supplied cable remains perfect for wired use (there is no sibilance ever, unlike the entry-level cables from Campfire).  But you can pick up a wireless cable from Shure or Westone and take this baby anywhere.

The sound of the E4000 can be chalked up to another home run, too. Truly surprised by how well the aluminum housing delivered a fair sense of fidelity, I give massive props to Final for the end result.  At the end of the day, you’ve got a balanced sound with good detail that easily compliments any song in your playlist. And all that in an earphone that costs $149.

And speaking of cost, this thing should cost more.  Sorry, but it’s true.  Even if you were to double down on the price, you still might find yourself with a headphone that pales in comparison to the E4000.  

Recommendations

If you’re looking for an in-ear monitor with mids that sound more present, skip the E4000 and opt for the Mackie MP-240 at $199.99.  Or, if you want more bass and even smoother highs, step up to the Dunu Falcon-C at $219.

Really, though, for balanced, dynamic sound there will be few contenders at the same price.  The E4000 may not do everything, but what it does, it does well.  The overall sound here is perfect for beginner audiophiles or collectors looking to snag some Final Audio sound on the cheap.

Final Analysis

With excellent design and a commensurate sound, the Final Audio E4000 offers astounding bang for your buck. At $149, this MMCX earphone gives you a rich, dynamic (but balanced) character that feels like a dream. 

You can order E4000 earphones from our online store or visit our NYC store to get it.