Final Audio UX5000: Something New For Wireless Listeners

Final Audio, a Japanese company, has made a line of over-ear Bluetooth headphones that have impressed audiophiles working on a strict budget. The UX3000 and the UX2000 are great sub-$200 options, but now they have released the Final UX5000 over-ear Bluetooth headphone. This comes in at a $275 price point, and it competes with the likes of Sennheiser and Sony as a noise-cancelling, all-day-wearing headphone. How do these stack up against the competition? Is the Final Audio going to become your next listening accessory?

One thing I am always impressed with when it comes to Final Audio products is the build quality. The UX5000 is a very sturdy headphone, made to last and withstand weather and time as you use it. The "Shibo paint" design gives the UX5000 an interesting texture that you don't often see in headphones, but it allows the device to stand out among the others. It has a much more durable and sturdy texture, designed to last over long periods of time. Even the physical controls showcase that simplicity, with only two very hidden buttons that allow you to use all your basic commands. You have earpads that are easily replaceable by the way they pop on and off, and the carrying case gives an extra layer of protection for when you want to travel with your headphones.

While wearing these headphones, one thing I noticed was how small the earcup was in comparison to some other Bluetooth headphones. The UX5000 is still an over-ear headphone, but it is quite small when you put it against headphones like the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 or the Sony WH-1000XM5. If you are someone who doesn't like the on-ear feel or needs something with a bigger earcup, the UX5000 may not be for you. However, if you don't mind a little extra pressure on the ears and a smaller frame, the UX5000 is definitely one to consider. 

The UX5000 is mainly a Bluetooth headphone, with up to 65 hours of battery life (without ANC). Granted, the battery may die at some point, but with USB-C charging, it is easy to start listening again, with only 2 hours needed to charge the device. Over time, if you find the battery to be faulty, Final offers battery replacement to help your headphones last longer. Additionally, you can listen to the headphones passively with the included 3.5mm cable. Unlike a lot of other high-end Bluetooth headphones like the Focal Bathys or the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, you won't have to use battery life to listen to the UX5000 with a wire.

Knowing that a lot of Bluetooth headphones have various complicated and speciality controls, I much appreciated the simplicity that the UX5000 offers. Instead of a touch sensor control on the side, the UX5000 has two buttons. A small joystick button on the right earcup is well-hidden and does all your basic controls. One long press turns it on and puts it in pairing mode, then it toggles up, down, and side to side. Final offers a helpful guide on how to navigate these controls, and once I used it in practice, I hardly touched my phone to flip through my music. The only other button is the ANC control button, which allows you to change between ambient and noise-cancelling modes. 

Physical controls are not the only features of these headphones. The UX5000 comes with a dedicated app to download to your phone. The app gives you access to a host of features, like EQ presets and other filters to adjust the style of listening. You can customize your own EQ filter, though you only have the space to save one preset. You can manage the multipoint connection and make sure the UX5000 firmware is fully up to date. 

• Communication Method: Bluetooth 5.4
• Playback Frequency Band: 20Hz - 40kHz
• Corresponding Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX™, aptX™ HD, aptX™ Adaptive, LDAC™
• Corresponding Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP/HFP
• Continuous Playback Time:
  • ANC On: 45 hours
  • ANC Off: 65 hours
• Charging Time: 2 hours
• Battery Capacity: 700mAh
• Mass: 310g

SOUNDSTAGE & IMAGING

Onto the listening review: how does the UX5000 sound? The UX5000 is a relatively loud headphone, which is great for when you want to really block out the sound around you. When you pair that with the active noise cancellation, you are met with a very focused listening space that all your track elements live in. The soundstage isn't very wide, but it does feel expansive in the way it has good depth and vertical height. The sound is very much in your face in the UX5000, so you are met with very present and forward sound in every genre. This is great for high-energy tracks that you want to be exciting and driving to fuel your tracks forward. The imaging was pretty good for a narrower frontal presentation, so it was like I was looking at the band right in front of me. The UX5000 did a great job in matching the energy of tracks to make listening smooth and seamless. 

The overall signature of the UX5000 is fairly neutral, though it leans towards treble frequencies more than the bass. The lower frequencies take a step back to favor the treble detail and midrange timbres. Still, there was a nice flow between frequency ranges to make the signature cohesive. There is decent separation of elements in the individual ranges, but they worked together harmoniously, so you didn't lose any of the details throughout the track. If you're someone who loves a strong and punchy bass, this signature may fall flat at first listen. Luckily, with the dedicated app, you can tune the UX5000 easily to be the signature of your choosing. 

BASS FREQUENCIES

In the bass frequencies, the UX5000 actually stays pretty reserved. This is a common trait in Final Audio Bluetooth products, where the low end is lighter and actually has a lightweight quality to it. I liked how the bass stayed light and showed some higher range color, as it helped the entire signature stay light and breathable amidst a heavy noise-cancelling profile. With the sound being as narrow and frontal as it is, the UX5000 definitely benefited from aless powerful bass that still delivered when it needed to. The bass was still present and pushed out some punchy tones that extended to the sub-bass area fairly well, but it didn't overtake the entire signature to be the only thing you heard. Instead, you get a sound that is clean, smooth, and refined. It makes the UX5000 easier to listen to and less fatiguing. 

MIDRANGE FREQUENCIES

The midrange frequencies in the UX5000 were pulled to the front to give the signature a slight V shape. The sound is very natural in all the elements that appear in this range, so you can easily recognize the instruments in your track as they appear. The vocals are right front and center, so they become the focal point in your listening. The timbral detail in the UX5000 makes this an easy-listening experience, since you can recognize track elements and be met with a familiar sound. There is a lot of color and texture that comes through in the midrange, so you're never left wanting more or chasing a sound you know is missing. The elements all play together and are cohesive in a pleasant way, like all the elements work together at the same level to flow evenly. 

TREBLE FREQUENCIES

At the very top of the range, the treble comes in to really drive home the detail and brightness. The UX5000 isn't a shrill headphone; instead, it is colorful and light with enough power to really make you focus on the tracks. The treble range is the main reason for that quality. You are met with pristine detail that carries from the treble range all the way to the bass response, and you can appreciate the clarity throughout the signature. The treble is also good for opening the top end with the vertical height. There is a very high cut-off point that makes frequencies ringing out feel natural and realistic. It makes the entire signature less closed-in and much more open, so it doesn't feel as compressed as some bassier headphones.

The UX5000 is the 'flagship' in the UX series from Final Audio. Next to their predecessors, the UX2000 and the UX3000, you can definitely see the quality upgrades they made to ensure this headphone is the best among them. While these don't fold in like the UX2000, the UX5000 does have an upgraded exterior design to be a little more durable. The addition of the case allows you to take it on the go with ease. The noise cancellation is also significantly stronger in the UX5000 than in the UX2000 or UX3000, and the price jump isn't too drastic to make an upgrade unrealistic. 

Knowing that, the question turns to this: what does the UX5000 compete with? The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 are ones in a similar price point that have a lot of the same features. The Sony WH-100XM5 excels in its noise-cancelling, but the UX5000 has a pretty effective microphone setup to warrant some stiff competition. The features of the MOMENTUM 4 are pretty comparable to the UX5000, especially since it only retails for $25 more. If you are someone who likes simplicity in their listening, you may find the UX5000 to be a better choice for your portable listening. Sony and Sennheiser offer more precise customization and extra features that you won't get on the Final Audio UX5000, which is more geared towards a particular ear. 

The Final Audio UX5000 offers exceptional value for under $300. With LDAC codecs and effective active noise cancellation, you have a lot of features that put these on par with veterans of Sony and Sennheiser. The sound profile may not be as exciting as some other high-line headphones, but that's not what the UX5000 is for. The UX5000 is for the everyday listener who wants sound they can rely on all day. The smooth sound signature and natural brightness will make you want to keep listening for longer, and with a long battery life, you are sure to enjoy your music whenever you want. 

You can get the Final UX5000 at Audio46.