Final Audio's Wireless and Over-Ear Headphones: A Complete Guide

by: Mark Hattar
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Final Audio's Wireless and Over-Ear Headphones: A Complete Guide

Final Audio continues to expand their reputation beyond IEMs with an impressive range of over-ear headphones and wireless products. From budget-friendly Bluetooth options to premium wired headphones, Final headphones maintain the brand's commitment to sound quality and innovative design.

Bluetooth Products: Convenience Meets Quality

Final UX-Series Headphones: Affordable Excellence

Final Audio's venture into over-ear Bluetooth headphones brings us the UX-Series, a line that proves premium sound doesn't require a premium price tag. The series consists of two compelling models: the UX2000 and its slightly more advanced sibling, the UX3000, priced at a competitive $149.95.

Key Features of the UX-Series:

- Sound Signature:

  - Rich, natural bass response

  - Full-bodied midrange with excellent texture

  - Expertly-tuned high frequencies

- Technical Specifications:

  - Closed-back design

  - Noise Cancellation

  - Bluetooth connectivity with high-quality codecs

What truly sets the UX-Series apart is its approach to noise cancellation. Unlike competitors who implement aggressive ANC systems that often introduce unwanted artifacts, Final opts for a more subtle approach. This refined implementation preserves audio clarity, particularly noticeable in quieter musical passages where traditional ANC might introduce an unwanted hiss.

While these don't qualify as true audiophile or "Hi-Fi" headphones, they deliver an engaging listening experience that punches well above their weight class. The intimate but precise soundstage combines with excellent imaging capabilities to create an immersive listening experience. Most impressively, these headphones compete effectively with offerings from industry giants like Sennheiser and Sony while maintaining a significantly lower price point.

Final ZE-Series Earbuds: True Wireless Innovation

Final Audio's ZE-Series represents their vision for the future of portable audio, offering a sophisticated take on true wireless earbuds. The lineup spans multiple price points and feature sets:

Current ZE-Series Models:

- Entry Level:

  - ZE2000 ($139.99)

  - ZE3000 ($149.99)

- Premium:

  -ZE8000 (Discontinued)

  - ZE8000 MK2 ($399.99)

The evolution from the original ZE8000 to the MK2 version showcases Final's commitment to refinement, with the newer model offering notably improved noise cancellation that maintains transparency while providing effective isolation.

What distinguishes the ZE series from its competitors is its distinctive approach to tuning. While brands like Sony, Sennheiser, and Nobel often emphasize bass response to complement modern music, Final Audio maintains their house sound signature. Each model delivers balanced, accurate low frequencies complemented by a full-range midrange that emphasizes the upper frequencies. This tuning philosophy creates a revealing soundstage that stays true to Final's reputation for clarity and detail.

This sound signature makes the ZE series particularly adept at reproducing classical music, jazz, and acoustic performances. The balanced tuning allows subtle nuances in these genres to shine through, offering a level of detail uncommonly found in wireless earbuds. For listeners who prioritize accuracy over enhanced bass response, the ZE series provides a refreshing alternative in the true wireless market.

I'll revise the Limited Edition TWS section to balance detailed paragraphs with some organized bullet points for key specifications.

Final Limited Edition TWS IEMs: Collector's Appeal

Final Audio has ventured into the collector's market with special edition TWS earbuds that offer unique sound signatures and designs inspired by popular anime franchises. The EVA 2020 collection stands out as a remarkable collaboration, featuring five distinctive models that celebrate the Evangelion series.

EVA 2020 Collection Models:

- Mark.06: Features a striking blue and yellow design

- Type REI (Limited Edition): Elegant white and sky blue colorway

- Unit-01: Iconic purple and green of the main EVA unit

- Unit-02: Bold red and yellow combination

- Type Nerv (Limited Edition): Sophisticated black and red aesthetic

What makes these limited editions particularly special extends beyond their visual appeal. While Final Audio typically focuses on balanced, neutral sound signatures, these EVA editions take a different approach. They incorporate a more pronounced bass response that adds energy and impact to the listening experience, while still maintaining Final's expertise in treble reproduction. This combination creates an engaging sound signature that works exceptionally well with anime soundtracks and modern music, offering enhanced low-end extension without sacrificing the clarity that Final Audio fans have come to expect.

The Dragonball Z collaboration takes this concept even further, creating a unique connection between audio hardware and anime legacy. Final Audio offers two distinct versions:

Dragonball Z Special Features:

- Voice Guidance: 

  - Goku version: Features authentic voice recordings from Masako Nozawa

  - Vegeta version: Includes voice work from Ryo Horikawa

- Color Schemes:

  - Goku: Classic orange and blue design

  - Vegeta: Royal blue, white, and purple combination

- Sound Optimization:

  - Enhanced vocal clarity for dialogue

  - Balanced tuning for both speech and music

  - Optimized for anime content and general media

These earbuds aren't just collectibles; they've been specifically tuned to excel at vocal reproduction, making them perfect for anime viewing, podcast listening, and general media consumption. The vocal-forward tuning brings dialogue to life with exceptional clarity, while maintaining enough musical capability to handle soundtrack playback effectively. For fans of anime who want their audio gear to match their passion, these limited editions offer both visual appeal and practical performance benefits that enhance the overall viewing and listening experience.

Premium Wired Headphones: The D-Series Headphones

Final D7000 Headphones: The Bass Master

The D7000 represents Final Audio's interpretation of a bass-forward audiophile headphone, serving as the foundation for their prestigious D-Series. While some audiophiles playfully label these as "bass cannons," the D7000 offers significantly more refinement than this nickname suggests.

Technical Specifications:

- Sensitivity: 89dB/mW

- Design: Over-ear, closed-back

- Amplification: Requires substantial power

- Sound Characteristics:

  - Enhanced bass response

  - Clear, extended treble

  - Full-bodied midrange

What sets the D7000 apart from competitors like the Fostex TH-808 or ATH-WB LTD is its versatility. Despite its powerful low-end emphasis, these headphones maintain enough clarity and balance to handle various musical genres effectively. The bass response, while prominent, never overwhelms the overall presentation. Final's signature treble tuning helps prevent the common pitfall of bass-heavy headphones – muddy or unclear sound reproduction.

These headphones excel at creating an immersive, warm sound signature that enhances many modern music genres. However, they do show some limitations with complex orchestral pieces, where separation becomes more challenging. The relatively modest soundstage, compared to higher-end models, and the need for powerful amplification represent the main compromises in this otherwise impressive package.

Final D8000 Headphones: Classical Excellence

The D8000 occupies a sweet spot in Final's lineup, positioning itself between the bass-forward D7000 and the reference-tuned D8000 Pro. This model particularly shines with classical music, offering a presentation that captures the full scale and nuance of orchestral performances.

Technical Highlights:

- Sensitivity: 98dB sensitivity

- Design: Open-back construction

- Driver: Advanced magnetic system

- Compatibility: Works well with portable DACs

What makes the D8000 special is its approach to sound reproduction. Unlike many high-end headphones that prioritize analytical precision, the D8000 creates an emotionally engaging experience while maintaining technical excellence. The soundstage presentation proves particularly impressive, creating a three-dimensional space where sounds move naturally between positions – behind, above, and below the listener.

When compared to its Pro sibling, the standard D8000 offers a flatter frequency response that especially benefits classical and instrumental music. The headphone responds more dynamically to volume changes, creating a more organic listening experience. While it may leak slightly more bass than the Pro version, it lacks the 1kHz bump that characterizes its more expensive counterpart. This tuning choice results in a more natural dynamic presentation for orchestral works and acoustic performances.

Final D8000 Pro Headphones : Reference Evolution

The D8000 Pro represents Final Audio's vision of reference-level headphone performance, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in personal audio reproduction. This flagship model competes with the industry's best, offering resolution second only to the Focal Utopia 2022.

Key Enhancements over Standard D8000:

- Frequency Response:

  - Refined 1kHz emphasis

  - Enhanced sub-bass extension

  - More balanced midrange

- Technical Performance:

  - Improved detail retrieval

  - Better separation

  - More precise imaging

The D8000 Pro's most notable characteristic lies in its vocal reproduction. The carefully implemented 1kHz region emphasis brings voices forward in the mix without creating artificial coloration. This tuning choice makes the Pro version more versatile than its standard counterpart, handling everything from intimate vocal performances to complex progressive rock arrangements with equal skill.

Despite its reference-level aspirations, the D8000 Pro maintains musicality. The improved sub-bass response adds authority to the low end without compromising the headphone's neutral character. While the soundstage might appear slightly less holographic than the standard D8000, it compensates with enhanced precision and clarity that never feels artificial or forced. Be sure to check out the upcoming DC Pro Edition that'll be available soon.

Legacy Models: The Final Sonorous Headphones

The discontinued Sonorous Series (Pandora-Series in some markets) represents an important chapter in Final Audio's history, showcasing innovative hybrid driver technology across multiple price points. The series included six models (II, III, IV, VI, VIII, X), each building upon the foundation of its predecessors.

Technical Innovation:

- Driver Configuration:

  - Hybrid design combining BA and dynamic drivers

  - Progressive refinement across model range

- Sound Characteristics:

  - Enhanced vocal presence

  - Clear upper midrange

  - Full-bodied bass response

What made the Sonorous Series special was its unique approach to driver implementation. By combining balanced armature drivers with dynamic drivers, Final created headphones that delivered both impactful bass and precise treble reproduction. The series became particularly renowned for its handling of specific instruments and vocals.

Key Strengths:

- Instrumental Reproduction:

  - Exceptional drum impact and texture

  - Natural guitar tonality

  - Clear, forward vocal presentation

- Value Proposition:

  - Strong performance-to-price ratio

  - Excellent build quality

  - Lasting durability

While some listeners found the vocal forwardness slightly aggressive, the crystal-clear upper midrange provided exceptional detail retrieval at respective price points. The lower-tier models (II, III, and IV) continue to represent excellent value in the used market, offering budget-conscious buyers an entry point into Final's signature sound.

Choosing Your Final Headphones

Selecting the right Final Audio headphone requires careful consideration of your listening preferences and practical needs. Rather than adhering to strict price categories, consider how each model's strengths align with your specific use case.

For Wireless Users:

The UX and ZE series offer distinct advantages for different scenarios:

- Daily Commute: UX3000 provides excellent value and isolation

- Active Lifestyle: ZE series offers secure fit and premium sound

- Media Consumption: Limited editions excel with vocal content

- Acoustic Music: ZE series provides superior detail retrieval


For Critical Listening:

The D-Series caters to different audiophile preferences:

- Emotional Impact: D7000 delivers engaging, bass-forward sound

- Classical Performance: Standard D8000 offers natural presentation

- Studio Reference: D8000 Pro provides maximum accuracy

- Vocal Enhancement: D8000 Pro excels with vocal reproduction

Conclusion

Final Audio's headphone lineup demonstrates remarkable breadth and depth, from accessible wireless options to hi-fi wired models. Each product maintains distinctive Final Audio characteristics while adapting to its intended use case and price point. Whether choosing their budget-friendly Bluetooth options or premium wired models, users can expect thoughtful engineering and careful attention to sound quality.

The wireless products compete effectively with major brands while often providing better value. Their wired offerings, particularly the D-Series, showcase Final's technical capabilities in driver design and tuning. For those entering the Final ecosystem, the brand offers clear progression paths from affordable wireless options to hi-fi wired headphones, each maintaining Final's house sound while adapting to its intended use case.

This comprehensive approach to product development, combined with innovative engineering and careful attention to sound quality, cements Final Audio's position as a significant player in the personal audio market. Whether you're a casual listener seeking wireless convenience or an audiophile demanding reference-level performance, Final Audio Headphones offer compelling options that deserve serious consideration.

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