Warm and Relaxed – Final Audio D8000 Planar Magnetic Headphones Review

by: Audio46 Headphones
November 27, 2017 | Press Ctrl+D to bookmark this page Link copied to clipboard https://audio46.com/blogs/headphones/warm-and-relaxed-final-audio-d8000-planar-magnetic-headphones-review

Final Audio is one of my favorite companies when it comes to unique, high quality, audiophile headphones. Their products range from earbuds with dynamic drivers to now, a high-end pair of planar magnetic headphones. The D8000 have been creating a lot of buzz around Audio 46, and I’m very excited to take a listen and describe its performance with this full Final Audio D8000 Planar Magnetic Headphones review.

Consider Final Audio D8000 PRO EDITION Planar Magnetic Headphones, it is available to order.

In the Box

-cable with 3.5 mm connector (1.5 m long)

-cable with 6.3 mm connector (3 m long)

-headphone stand

-documentation

Design

Headband

The Final Audio D8000 Planar Magnetic headphones have a strong, yet flexible, metal headphone. It has firm padding along the underside of the band, coated with leather. Regardless of its pliability, it feels durable.

Earcups

Circular and large in diameter, the earcups are lighter than I was expecting them to be. As a result, they are able to sit stably in the ball-jointed yolk. Consequently, the earcups swivel freely, yet modestly, in all directions.

Earpads

Like the earcups, the earpads are symmetrical, circular, and large. The hole in in the middle of the pads is also sizable and will fit over every ear size. The earpads of the Final Audio D8000 Planar Magnetic headphones are firmer than other earpads in this price range. They are not memory foam, but rather, airier, with a breathable pad that reminds me a bit of the Grado earpads. They’re slightly denser than the Grado pads though, and coated with a stretchy spandex material.

Air Film Dampening System

In typical planar magnetic headphones, low frequencies with high amplitudes are not represented because these frequencies cause the diaphragm to hit the magnets. In headphones that use the Air Film Dampening System (AFDS) however, a thin air film dampens the diaphragm by using two perforated mesh metal screens to direct air flow. This prevents the diaphragm from hitting the magnets. Therefore, low frequencies can produce more energy without causing issues. While I’m not an expert in this technology, here are some pictures from Final Audio to help explain how the AFDS works and affects the sound signature.

Sound

Lows

The low frequencies of the Final Audio D8000 Planar Magnetic Headphones are thick and warm. They are detailed, but not fast and analytical. They have decent bass extension with a broad boost around 80Hz. There is a lot of space between the low and mid frequencies, giving the lows a bigger impact in the sound.

Mids

Warmth is the name of the game for the Final Audio D8000. The midrange is relaxed, so it is not particularly punchy but rather smooth and warm. The relaxed midrange is less like the Focal Clear with its unhyped clarity. Rather it is more like the Audeze LCD-X. Sometimes this warmth feels a little dilute, particularly with genres that require a lot of midrange detail to have emotional impact, like orchestral classical music. However, for most genres, the midrange is aesthetically satisfying.

Highs

The Final Audio D8000 Planar Magnetic headphones have a boost around 8kHz but it doesn’t come across as harsh. It still feels warm and smooth. The highest highs are modest but there seems to be nice detail around 12kHz, which adds considerable height, and differentiates these headphones from the dark LCD-X.

Soundstage

The width of the headphones is accurate and expansive. This width contributes to midrange and high end separation which enables them to be both warm and detailed. The space around 12kHz and 80Hz gives the height a nice range. It isn’t as detailed as the width but still feels nice and taill. Finally, the depth is pretty decent, although it is subtle, especially compared to the LCD-X.

Overview

The Final Audio D8000 Planar Magnetic headphones are unique. They are both warm and detailed. They are aesthetically pleasing and have more low end and high end than many other planar magnetic headphones.