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Final x Dragon Ball Z Frieza Review

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Can you really believe that Final (or in this case their sub-brand AG) have teamed up with DBZ? Following up on my review of the Vegeta model, this one is focused on the Frieza Cotsubu version, A TWS aimed more towards the ASMR market. A must have for any Dragon Ball fan, these earphones are fantastic value for money. The focus on sound quality and their unique size makes these earphones suitable for lots of different cohorts who are after something a bit different to the usual. For £70, they really are quite the bargain!

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Final x Dragon Ball Z Frieza: First impressions

Taking them out of the packaging box for the first time, it becomes clear just how small these earphones are. Both the earbuds and case are very slim. The charging case is the perfect shape to not be felt in your pocket. It provides an extra 15 hours of battery per charge to the earphones. Although not the longest, the shape and size of it is worth the compromise in my opinion.

The hinge on the case is again rigid and durable. You can even open and close the lid on the case singlehandedly with ease. The case is also smooth and stylish. The colourscape is a bit simpler than the Goku/ Vegeta versions, but the purple gives off enough Frieza vibes to know what it is representing and it really has an elegant aura to it overall.

Just like in my previous review, putting the buds in your ears for the first time is a great experience, especially if you watched Dragon Ball Z in Japanese with subtitles! More on the voice commands below.

The earphone body is also the smallest and lightest in this series of earphones. Weighing about 3.5g per earphone. They are so light and comfortable that you forget you’re wearing them. They fit perfectly in the ear canal and there is nothing protruding out. So even if you lay on your ear with them in, you won’t feel any pressure or a feeling of a foreign object. The size and shape make it an excellent earphone for sleeping too (if that is your thing!).

The original Japanese voiceover brings you straight into the action!

The Frieza (middle) and its siblings final x Dragon Ball Z Goku (left) and Vegeta (right)

Voice Guidance Prompts for the Frieza Model

The voice prompts are very fun and make it a joy to turn them on and put them in your ears. Here is a low down of them below. I have written the Japanese in English so you can phonetically read them (what text cannot do is convey the emotion in the lines, but that is why you have these earphones, right?)

  • When the earphones are turned on: Matte Imashitayo – I’ve been waiting for you. – No idea, but it sounds nasty and is a brilliant hello.
  • When it is turned off: Chi…Chikisho!!!! CHIKUSHOOO!!!! – Blast him, Blast him to infinity. – I think this is when he blasts Krillin out of the lake, but it could also be when he rips through Vegeta, or something else entirely. Any leads?
  • When pairing mode is activated : Kakugo wa yoroshii desune… – Prepare yourself for death! – Part of Frieza’s angry monologue as he prepares to face Vegeta, Gohan, Krillin, and Dende.
  • When pairing is successful: Watashitomo aroumonoga dokidoki shite kimashita – Even my heart is pounding. – I cannot find this for the life of me, it must be something between Frieza and Goku during their first epic fight.
  • When pairing is complete and you can now use the earphones: Watashi no sentoryoku wa Gojusamman desu – My battle strength is 530,000. – Says first form Freiza before he wrecks Vegeta, Gohan and Krillin.
  • When pairing has been disconnected: Zettai ni yurusanzo mushikera domo!!!! You worms, I’ll never forgive you. – Another line from Frieza’s angry monologue as he prepares to face Vegeta, Gohan, Krillin, and Dende.

Packaging

The packaging is a picture of Frieza in front of his spaceship, looking as menacing as always. The print is vibrant and the box itself is one that you will always want to keep.

Frieza Packaging

Sound

The sound quality really is superb, considering the size of these buds. The focus on ASMR / Voice is easily noticeable as soon as you put on a film or anime. There is a surprising amount of detail offered with these buds (only 3.5 grams each!). Vocals are crisp and well presented, with both male and female sounding excellent. Voice actors’ emotions are clearly conveyed. You really get that sense of distance between the characters when they talk with each other and they really help you immerse yourself in the world you are watching (or playing).

That Final ariness is also there. The Soundstage is absolutely huge for such a little device. Overall this is a great product for any DBZ fan or people who have small ears / want small earphones. They are great for watching shows/ movies/ Anime, playing games, listening to music, audiobooks and of course any ASMR content you fancy.

They sound realistic and natural and easily capture emotion in voice however it is spoken or sung

Battery life & Comfort/Fit

The battery life really is the only slight downside to these earbuds. They last between 4-5 hours on one charge and can be recharged 3 times from the case giving you a maximum 20 hours total playback. That does not bother me too much as it is plenty of time and thankfully way longer than my daily commute. However, when on an anime binge, 1 charge equates to about 15 episodes tops. Not necessarily a bad either thing mind you, as it is good to walk about and take a break every now and again!

For me, the comfort is unbelievable and these earphones have quickly become my daily choice. The case fits perfectly in your pocket and the earbuds . Playing with the eartips and choosing the bigger size created even more comfort. At this moment in time, there is no earphone in my repertoire that is as comfortable and as enjoyable as my little purple Frieza’s.

Specs

  • Communication method: Bluetooth®5.2
  • Chipset: Qualcomm® QCC3040
  • Reproduction frequency band: 20Hz – 20kHz
  • Supported codec: SBC, AAC, Qualcomm® aptX™ audio
  • Correspondence profile: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
  • Continuous music playing time: 5 hours (20 hours including charging case)
  • Charging time: 1.5 hours (earbud) / 2 hours (case)
  • Battery capacity: 30mAh (one earbud) / 220mAh (charging case)

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Interested in all things Final? Check out more News and Reviews here!

Read our Final Brand Story here!

Final x Dragon Ball Z Review

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Final have teamed up with Dragon Ball Z. Yes, you read that right! The result of this collaboration are 3 unique pairs of earphones inspired from the characters Goku, Vegeta and Freiza from the legendary anime Dragon Ball Z. This review will be focusing on the Vegeta version (although Goku sounds exactly the same, other than the prompts). A must have for any Dragon Ball fan, these earphones are not just about aesthetics. The focus on sound quality and modern specs makes them relevant too in the ever changing world of TWS audio.

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Final x Dragon Ball Z Vegeta: First impressions

As expected from final, the build quality for the case and earbuds is fantastic. Taking them out of the packaging box for the first time, it is clear that the hinges of the case and the USB-C connector are rigid and durable. You can even open and close the lid on the case singlehandedly. The case has a smooth look on the surface and the shape / compactness of it means it sits in your pocket really easily. It is very cool, you need to see it with your own eyes.

Putting the buds in your ears for the first time is a great experience, especially if you watched Dragon Ball Z in Japanese with subtitles. More on the voice commands below. They are styled a bit like the ZE3000, in that the earbuds do not fully enter the canal, but sit very comfortably at the entrance. The shape of them means your outer ear also supports their position. They are also very lightweight and comfortable to wear for hours on end (up to 6 hours, more on that further below)

Goku’s earbuds are coloured after his classic look, so naturally, they are orange and blue. As for Vegeta’s earbuds, they have a little bit more. Inspired by his Saiyan battle armor from Dragon Ball Z, they are colored white, blue, and gold and when you turn them on The original Japanese voiceover brings you straight into the action!

Final has also gone big on the details, for each model the eartips are also colour themed, a great little edition that separates these out from your regular black/white TWS earbuds on the market. Not forgetting that the style of the case is designed on a Saiyan sleep pod as well.

Vegeta earphones, case & packaging

Voice Guidance Prompts for the Vegeta Model

The voice prompts are very fun and after a month still do not bore/ irritate me. Here is a low down of them below (I have written the Japanese in English so you can phonetically read them (what text cannot do is convey the emotion in the lines):

  • When the earphones are turned on: Ore wa Super Vegeta da!! (I am super Vegeta) – Episode 156 of Dragon Ball Z uncut, Vegeta telling Cell who is boss as he rages in. A great quote for turning them on.
  • When it is turned off: Fun, sukini shiro (Do what you want.) – The only line I have not yet found on my Dragon Ball Z rewatch adventure. If you know where it is from let me know!
  • When pairing mode is activated : Gambare Kakarot… (Hang in there Kakarot…) A fantastic line that begins the quote finished with the next prompt.
  • When pairing is successful: Omae ga Number one da! (You are the number one!) This finishes the quote from when Vegeta has a monologue while Goku is fighting Boo and finally accepts Goku as the most powerful´”Gambare Kakarot, Omae ga Number one da!”
  • When pairing is complete and you can now use the earphones: FINAL FLASH!!! – Vegeta’s signature move, enough said. Always gets a smile.
  • When pairing has been disconnected, He! Kitanee Hanabi da (Hmph! Dirty fireworks) – Another great line and also one of Vegeta’s techniques. We all know how he loves to kill with dirty fireworks!

Packaging

The packaging for the Goku and Vegeta models is inspired by the scene before their first battle (episode 30), with Goku and Vegeta glaring at each other in the Gizard Wasteland. By arranging the packages of the Goku and Vegeta models together, you can reproduce the entire scene. (as seen below).

Vegeta & Goku packaging together

Sound

The sound quality is great, of course it is because these are made by Final. They are tuned with a slightly emphasized treble and mid-high range but overall they have a natural, fatigue free sound signature to them. The bass is also really good. It is there when you need it but it never sounds like the main focus of the sound.

There is loads of detail on offer with these buds. Vocals are crisp and well presented, with both male and female sounding excellent. They never sound congested as there is great layering and space between the instruments and/or sound effects. The Final X Dragon Ball Z buds are great for watching shows/ movies, playing games and listening to music & audiobooks.

They sound realistic and natural.

They also have that signature Final airiness to them. This means you get a sense of space that many earphones fail to capture. Overall, the soundstage is mightily impressive (especially for a themed collab product), they really can handle anything you throw at them. A great win especially for Dragon Ball Z fans for sure.

Battery life

The battery life is the only slight downside to these otherwise great pair of earbuds. They last for about 6 hours on one charge and can be recharged 3/4 times from the case giving you a maximum 22 hours of playback. That does not bother me too much as it is plenty of time. However, When on an anime binge, 1 charge equates to about 17/18 episodes top. Not necessarily a bad either thing mind you, as it is good to walk about and take a break every now and again! This slight drawback is compensated by everything else from the overall look to the sound quality and solid build of the earbuds / case and provided accessories.

Specs

  • Communication method: Bluetooth®5.2
  • Chipset: Qualcomm® QCC3040
  • Reproduction frequency band: 20Hz – 20kHz
  • Supported codec: SBC, AAC, Qualcomm® aptX™ audio
  • Correspondence profile: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
  • Continuous music playing time: 5.5 hours (22 hours including charging case)
  • Charging time: 1.5 hours
  • Battery capacity: 35mAh (one earbud) / 220mAh (charging case)
TYPE E eartips in Vegeta colours

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Interested in all things Final? Check out more News and Reviews here!

Want more Dragon Ball Z? Click here to read my Final x Dragon Ball Z Freiza review

Read our Final Brand Story here!

Introducing the Final ZE8000

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The audio world has been anticipating this moment, and now the wait is over. Japanese audio specialists final has announced the launch of their new flagship ZE8000 true wireless earphones.

Since 2009, final has been at the forefront of portable audio, and their most recent flagship releases have influenced the creation and development of the ZE8000. In 2017, final released their D8000 flagship headphone which incorporated their very own planar magnetic technology (AFDS); developed in-house by final engineers. Later in 2019, the A8000 flagship wired earphone was released, utilising final’s truly pure Beryllium diaphragm driver; again designed and developed in-house.

These discoveries have allowed final to foresee the untapped potential of wireless portable audio, and apply their years of development and engineering prowess into creating the flagship ZE8000 true wireless earphones; proudly included within their 8000 series lineup.

Final ZE8000

Introducing 8K Sound technology – developed by final

For the ZE8000, final has developed their new ‘f-CORE for 8K Sound’ ultra-low distortion driver with a large 13mm diaphragm. This driver is extremely lightweight, using an aluminium-magnesium dome injection moulded onto a highly flexible silicone surround, with a floating mechanism used for the voice coils. The impressively low total harmonic distortion (THD) from this driver is unique amongst other true wireless earphone models, providing the highest precision in digital signal processing results and allowing the fullest possible portrayal of sound texture and detail.

Final ZE8000 Black

Class-AB Amplifier and Dedicated Digital Signal Processing

In order to achieve 8K Sound and fully utilise the new f-CORE driver, final has paid focused attention to the hardware nestled within the ZE8000. Class-AB amplifiers are known for their superior balance between sound quality and power efficiency, and is another element of the ZE8000 that sets it aside from the many TWS models typically using Class-D amplifier technology. Paired with the Polymer Multilayer Capacitors (PML CAPs) designed by Rubicon for digital signal processing, final’s 8K Sound is fully realised in the ZE8000.

Impressive hardware matched with state-of-the-art software and final Connect app

The ZE8000 has been loaded with an impressive amount of features, some of which never before available until now. In order for music quality to always be the focus of the ZE8000, final has developed their sound quality prioritised Active Noise Cancelling (ANC). This ANC does not degrade the audio in any way, and the low-noise helps to create a quiet environment for listening; removing irritating ambient noise and enabling a stress-free listening experience.

With the ZE8000, final has shown that high-end, hi-fi audio quality is possible from a wireless earphone; and this flagship is the first step towards realising the full potential of portable audio.

Read our ZE8000 Review
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More News about Final and their latest releases here

Final UX3000 ANC Bluetooth Headphones Review

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Hot off the release of the ZE3000, Final have gone one step further and released their first ever wireless headphone, and it comes with ANC. The Final UX3000 ANC offers a universal user friendly sound whilst retaining that Final magic we love.

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Design 10/10:

These Headphones are simply stunning. The Shibo coating provides the UX3000 with a beautifully textured finish that acts as a finger print deterrent. The use of physical buttons over touch controls to play/pause, power on/off control the volume as well as turning the ANC on/off is reassuring and nicely implemented. The included 3.5mm audio cable that allows them to be used as a wired headphone without any battery is a marvel. They also fold up for easy storage and come with a soft carry pouch.

Fit and Comfort: 9/10

These are a very comfortable headphones. The earcups surround my ears with room to spare and the padding is soft yet dense enough to provide really good passive isolation and a very secure fit. The clamping force is moderate at most and the padding does a great job at alleviating any pressure. They  feel very secure when on the move.

Sound: 8/10

The Headphone essentially has two unique sound signatures. ANC on and ANC off. I find the UX3000 with ANC off to be an engaging and fun headphone, that handles most genres with ease. Sure it can be said that the UX3000 lacks a tiny bitof finesse and clarity overall, but for everything else offered its price point, I am not one to argue.

Fun, dynamic, engaging and full sounding

And here comes the ANC: 9/10

Turn the ANC on and the bass gets an extra helping of that sub-bass boost, with more focus on the bass and treble overall. When using these in high noise environments and with the ANC on – the sound is really enjoyable and upbeat.

So with ANC on you have a really fun, dynamic, engaging and full sounding headphone for on the go use. When you want a bit more clarity and detail you can turn ANC off and have a more linear yet fun and enjoyable sounding headphone.

Incredible microphone for an over-ear headphone

Mic: 10/10

The built in mic for taking calls is incredible for an over-ear headphone. The quality of the voice is outstanding. I even tested them out in strong wind and managed to have a full call with no major issues. They do a fantastic job at suppressing noise on your end so the other party can hear you loud and clear, with great tone too. Noise cancelling can also be activated while on calls, which will allow you to hear voices even more clearly without the fear of outside noise creeping in.

These are also perfect for working from home with very accurate and faithful voice reproduction, it doesn’t sound like you are using the mic from the headphones, they are that good.

Notable other Feautures:

  • ANC on its own mode. You can have the ANC turned on but the headphone turned off. Really good for scenarios such as being in a Library and wanting that extra silence.
  • Support AptX, AptX LL, SBC & AAC Codecs which is great for the audio quality side of thing.
  • 35 hour Battery life with ANC off or 25 hours with it on – More than enough for most of us out in the world.
  • Multipoint connection – You can stream music from once device and take calls from another
  • Wired mode – as mentioned above very useful if you run out of battery, or just what to try something different.

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Interested in what else final has to offer? Check out our other reviews and news of their products here.

final UX3000 Recommended by Everyone!

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final UX3000 : final’s foray into the world of wireless audio kicked off in 2022 with a bang. Adopting a rarely used Hybrid ANC system and featuring dynamic drivers that deliver clear and accurate details with rich and vast soundstage. The final UX3000 is an absolute bargain at £120. With a stylish, soft touch “Shibo” finish and support for AAC, SBC, aptX and aptX LL Codecs, this headphone is amazing for any situation. Whether gaming, listening to your favourite tunes, or even just to block out the background hum in the library for that blissful silence rarely heard in the modern age.

Before we get to the reviews, the microphone on the final UX3000 is also something that should be talked about. It’s simply incredible for an over-ear headphone. When outside they do a great job at suppressing noise on your end so the other party can hear you loud and clear. With great tone too. When used indoors these are perfect for working from home with very accurate and faithful voice reproduction. It doesn’t sound like you are using the mic from the headphones, they are that good.

THE REVIEWS

Forbes: “The UX3000 are a genuine Bargain” Ear Fidelity: final UX3000: Reccomended

ZReivews: “I like the sound signature of these…” Jabba Reviews: “Where have the UX3000 been all my life?!”

Makeuseof: “Excellent ANC, Trademark Sound” MightyGadget: “For £120, these are a superb pair of ANC headphones”

The final UX3000 also comes with an AUX cable and has a wired mode! (see the picture above).

Do not forget to check out all of our reviews and news of Final products throughout our blog!

Final ZE3000 Video Review

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Final ZE300 Video Review: Final have released a brand new True Wireless earphone without gimmicks. Focussed solely on Sound Quality, they feature the latest chipsets and support aptX, aptX Adaptive and AAC codecs. In true Final fashion, they even designed their own driver for these, a small 6mm dynamic driver that offers up a detailed and crisp sound without sounding thin, in a comfortable and stylish housing. Watch below to see Johns thoughts of this new creation with his Final ZE3000 Video Review.

Avaliable Now: Final ZE3000

We hope you enjoyed the Final ZE3000 Video Review. If you did, then do not forget to take a look at all things Final on our Blog, Here!

Final A4000 & A3000 Reviewed by Headfonics

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The Final A-series is a group of products created in the pursuit of “Transparent Sound”. This all began with the introduction of Final Audios highly praised flagship model, the A8000. Read on for the review of Finals other additions to the lineup, the A4000 & A3000 .

It is a known secret that both the Final A3000 and A4000 are IEM’s that perform way above their price points. At £100 and £120, you really are getting more than you pay for.

Headfonics detiailed review and comparison of both models together can be read here: Final A3000 & A4000 Review

Do not forget that there are plenty of other reviews for many beautiful Final products on our site. You can check each and every single one out here: Final Reviews

Final A-Series reviewed by Ear-Fidelity

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The Final A-series is a group of products created in the pursuit of “Transparent Sound”. This all began with the introduction of their highly praised flagship model, the A8000. Read on for Ear-Fidelity’s reviews for Finals recent additions to the lineup, the A4000 & A3000.

It is a known secret that both the Final A3000 and A4000 are IEM’s that perform way above their price points. Priced at £100 and £120, you really are getting more than you pay for.

With their generalised overview easing you in Ear-Fidelity goes into mighty detail with their reviews on the Final A-Series. Likewise, they even offer direct comparisons to really get your head around what they offer.

Comparing to the A4000, they conclude; “Just like with the A3000, the A4000 proves to push itself further than its asking price. The A4000 provides the listener with more bass engagement, a clean and presentable midrange. Above all, a highly detailed treble rendering.” The A4000 has even made it into Matz’s own recommended list!

Ear-Fidelity’s full reviews of both models can be read here: Final A3000 Review & Final A4000 Review

The A3000 and A4000 aim to “Deliver astonishingly natural sound with each sound image vividly localising over the comfortable and spatially spread low-range sound. The fine touch of the guitar and delicate vibrato of vocals can be clearly distinguished. You can get the feel of the fine nuance of musical tracks, and so new inspiration is borne even from a familiar playlist.”

Lastly, there are plenty of other reviews for many beautiful Final products on our site. You can check each and every single one out here: Final Reviews

Final A4000 Earphone Review

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Final have released a new model in the A series, a more budget offering than their flagship but a nice contrasting model against their current E series, with a focus on clarity, air and control.

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Fit and Comfort

The Final A4000 sport a lightweight ABS housing which has a 6mm dynamic driver inside, the shape is contoured to fit your ears comfortably and securely. In use, I found the Final A4000 to fit securely and comfortably in my ears for everyday use.

Be sure to try all the different size tips, luckily Final include a better range than many brands so everyone should find a tip that fits them well.

Compatibility

The Final A4000 have an impedance of 18Ohms and a sensitivity of 100dB/mW so they are fairly sensitive and are driven fine out of portable sources. Despite their low price, they are one of those models that does benefit from better sources such as a dedicated DAP.

Sound

Bass: Whilst the bass on the Final A4000 isn’t strong in presence, it makes up for it in extension and control. There is moderate punch but slightly more focus in the sub-bass, with a subtle lift that provides adequate body. These have a brighter leaning sound signature so they won’t be suitable for those who enjoy a bit more bass. The transient response is however excellent, they can keep up with complex mixes without issue and always come across controlled. No matter what you throw at them, they can easily keep up, with great articulation too.

Midrange: The midrange is clean and crisp in it’s presentation, the bass doesn’t bleed in and muddy the vocals and separate vocal tracks are easily distinguished. Where they don’t do as well is in the sibilance region, there is a peak sadly which could be a little fatiguing. This peak though is easily lowered with the use of EQ, which definitely helps. There is a lot of detail in the midrange, it’s just that peak in the upper midrange that needs taming a little.

Treble: Plenty of energy and sparkle here, and to some it could be a little too much, but for the most part the treble is always present however rarely sharp. These are a slightly bright leaning earphone but the treble isn’t too metallic or splashy so it doesn’t come across as grating. There is good extension in the treble too, and it doesn’t drop off too sharply.

Genres and Soundstaging

The neutral/bright sound of the Final A4000 could make certain energetic genres sound a little harsh, but anything that benefits from good detail and control sounds great, especially slower rock and acoustic tracks. The nice thing is that the A4000 respond very well to EQ so you can get rid of any peaks quite easily.

Soundstaging is actually very good for the price point, you get a very coherent centre image with good separation, along with accurate width and height. They don’t sound closed in at all, which is really impressive at this price point.

Conclusion

Well the Final A4000 are certainly very technically impressive, with excellent transient response, clarity and control. The upper midrange peak is a little harsh, but overall they provide a clean sound presentation with brilliant soundstaging for the price. These are a good contrast to the slightly more fun and v-shaped Final E4000.

Final E4000 Review & Video

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Final E4000 Review & Video

Hailing from Japan, Final have been in the audio game since the 1970’s, where they started off designing and manufacturing high-end hifi equipment. Recently, they have focused on portable audio, and the E4000 is part of their E Series of earphones. Coming in at £120, the Final E4000 sits in the middle of the range and hits a very nice price-to-performance sweet spot.

BUILD

It’s very clear that Final take great pride in what they do, and the E4000 is no exception. The earphone housings are made from aluminium with an alumite coating for added resistances, and then finished in matte black, which I really like. The cable is replaceable and uses MMCX connectors. It’s also flexible and soft to touch, with good strain relief on the 3.5mm jack. The MMCX connectors on the cable could do with a bit more strain relief, however they seem to be pretty durable.

COMFORT

The E4000 is pretty standard when it comes to fit. The earphones are designed to be worn with the cable going straight down, and there are a good amount of eartips supplied to get the best fit. Final design the eartips in house, and their silicone tips are my favourite out of any I have tried. (And I have tried a lot.) For those that are sensitive to cable noise or prefer a cable-over-the-ear fit, Final have supplied the E4000 with ear hooks. These allow you to wear the earphones so the cable goes up and behind your ears. This can provide a more secure fit and will greatly reduce the amount of cable noise; it’s quite a rare thing to have both options.

SPECS

The E4000 houses a small scale 6.4mm dynamic driver, developed by Final themselves. With an impedance of 15ohms and sensitivity of 97dB, the E4000 can be used with a phone or laptop – however they will really benefit from a dedicated headphone amplifier or portable audio player. The extra power will open up the earphones more, improving soundstage and separation.

SOUND QUALITY

When it comes to sound quality, Final’s experience in the world of high end hifi really shows. There is a real musicality with the E4000 and sound comes across smooth and silky. Bass goes deep, and has an organic and rich quality to it. The mids sit nicely in the mix and carry on with that richness. Then up top, the treble provides sparkle and sizzle. Overall, the V shaped signature is smooth and easy to listen to, reminiscent to a lot of hifi setups I’ve heard and very much enjoyed. The E4000 has a big sound and part of this comes from the impressive soundstage, with space and air you wouldn’t normally expect from earphones.

CONCLUSION

Around £100 there are earphones out there from Shanling, Shure, Beyerdynamic and Westone to name a few. None manage to give the same hifi listening experience that the Final E4000 delivers. The E4000 is best suited to be used with a dedicated portable audio player or a setup with a headphone amp. If this is you and you’re looking for some wired earphones for some easy listening, have a go on the Final E4000.

Best Over Ear Headphones 2020: Open, Closed, Wireless, Audiophile

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Our picks for the best over ear headphones – open back and closed back

We know how important it is to find the best headphones for you; whether they are for your smartphone, music player, laptop or hi-fi system.

Here you can see the best of the best full size headphones to buy in 2019, 2020 and beyond.

BEST CLOSED BACK HEADPHONES

1. Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO – £125

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro

The Beyerdynamic DT770 creates a spacial soundstage more akin to an open-back headphone, and delivers full bass with accurate highs and mids. What’s more, these are profoundly comfortable. 

BUY HERE: Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro Studio Headphones

 

2. Sennheiser HD820 – £1999

Sennheiser HD820

The HD820 is Sennheiser’s first closed back audiophile headphone release and it promises to be quite special. Based on the same design as the HD800S, the HD820 uses Gorilla Glass as its transducer cover and the curved shape of it allows the sound waves to reflect to an absorber – resulting in minimal resistance and creating an open sound that you would normally expect from an open backed headphone.

READ MORE: Sennheiser HD 820 Audiophile Headphone Review

 

3. Focal Stellia – £2799

Focal Stellia

Focal headphones are not only known for their excellent sound quality – they also look stunning. And the Stellia is no different. The finest materials have been used to create this closed back headphone, including a Beryllium dome electrodynamic driver. With a unique finish, inspired by the colours of cognac and mocha – the Focal Stellia looks as good as it sounds.

READ MORE: Focal Stellia Closed Back Headphone Review

 

BEST OPEN BACK HEADPHONES

 

4. MrSpeakers Ether 2 – £1900

MrSpeakers Ether 2

The Ether 2 have a great sense of neutrality, at the same time they offer an enjoyable listening experience and they never sound analytical. There is a hint of added body that creates a smooth listening experience that can be enjoyed for hours on end. 

READ MORE: MrSpeakers Ether 2 Open Back Headphone Review

 

5. Meze Empyrean – £2699

Meze Empyrean

The unique construction of the Empyrean was designed with the shape of the human ear in mind. As a result, they enjoy a greater degree of imaging than you’re likely to find anywhere else. Each Empyrean is hand crafted to exacting detail, and that level of precision is not only visible, but audible. 

READ MORE: Meze Empyrean Open Back Headphones Review

6. Final D8000 – £2999

Final D8000

The planar magnetic magnificence of the Final D8000 creates a listening experience without parallel. The unique construction, including a damping system (the same used in condenser microphones) allowing for a sound that surpasses the abilities of most planar magnetic and dynamic equipment. This requires a dedication to exacting detail you can only see in Final. 

BUY HERE: Final D8000 Audiophile Headphones

 

BEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES

7. Bowers & Wilkins PX – £329

Bowers & Wilkins PX

The B&W PX is the ultimate portable headphone. With the latest aptX HD Bluetooth technology, wireless sound quality is of the highest level. Providing a very well balanced sound with tight bass – bass heads may want to look elsewhere – crystal clear clarity and superb soundstage. The PX also has adaptive noise cancelling and uses six microphones to help block out external sounds – allowing you to focus on the music. Along with the advanced technology – the PX has superb build quality and comfort – making them our go to recommendation for wireless headphones.

BUY HERE: Bowers & Wilkins PX Bluetooth Headphones

 

8. Audeze Mobius 3D – £349

Audeze Mobius 3D

Audeze have created a superb all rounder in the Mobius. Whether music, films or gaming is your thing – the Audeze Mobius does it all extremely well. Inside the housings are planar magnetic drivers, providing sound quality that even the audiophiles out there will appreciate. Then the 3D emulation technology delivers a superb surround sound experience, perfect for watching films or playing Fortnite and thanks to the integrated head tracking – you’ll hear sound effects as if they’re really there.

BUY HERE: Audeze Mobius Gaming Headphones

Have We Missed Anything Out?

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know…

Top 10 Audio Best Buys for 2018

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Top 10 Best Buys for 2018

 

It’s that time of year again. So here’s our pick of the best audio gadgets available – with something for everyone.

 

Audeze Mobius

Audeze have created a superb all rounder in the Mobius. Whether music, films or gaming is your thing – the Audeze Mobius does it all extremely well. Inside the housings are planar magnetic drivers, providing sound quality that even the audiophiles out there will appreciate. Then the 3D emulation technology delivers a superb surround sound experience, perfect for watching films or playing Fortnite and thanks to the integrated head tracking – you’ll hear sound effects as if they’re really there.

 

Bower & Wilkins PX

The B&W PX is the ultimate portable headphone. With the latest aptX HD Bluetooth technology, wireless sound quality is of the highest level. Providing a very well balanced sound with tight bass – bass heads may want to look elsewhere – crystal clear clarity and superb soundstage. The PX also has adaptive noise cancelling and uses six microphones to help block out external sounds – allowing you to focus on the music. Along with the advanced technology – the PX has superb build quality and comfort – making them our go to recommendation for wireless headphones.

 

SoundMAGIC P22BT

At under £40 – the SoundMAGIC P22BT Bluetooth headphone provides high quality at a low price. The design is sturdy and comfortable, with a lightweight foldable headband which is great for portable use. These headphones are easy to use with controls conveniently placed on the left earcup. The most impressive feature is the sound quality – audio is crisp and punchy with plenty of energy, making them a lot of fun to listen to.

 

SoundMAGIC E11C

SoundMAGIC seems to have nailed the under £50 earphone. If you’re looking for a wired earphone and want to keep the price down, then we believe that the E11C is the one. SoundMAGIC have gone for a mature design, and used a silver plated copper cable to deliver superb sound quality which will compete with earphones over £100. The E11C has plenty of energy and punch with a dynamic and well detailed sound. There is also a 3 button inline control and mic, which is fully compatible with Apple and Android smartphones.

 

Flare Audio Flares Jet 2

Now, if you’re looking for an earphone with a more aggressive sound then the Flares Jet 2 could be the one. These earphones go loud, and they provide thumping bass and sharp clarity. The housings are made of aluminium and are built to last. There is also an in line single button remote to take calls and the cable itself is strong and tough. The design of the Jet 2 definitely stands out and the shape makes them very comfortable.

 

Final E4000

For those that appreciate their music a bit more and are happy to up their budget,  Final’s E4000 is a superb place to start. Final have been in the audio game for a long time, and their E series shows us what they can do. The E4000 is the sweet spot for me – musical and well balanced sound quality that draws you in, great comfort and design and a nicely made replaceable cable – all for just over £100.

 

Shanling M0

For something so small, the Shanling M0 manages to pack in a load of features. Starting with the design, the M0 looks and feels great. The display is made by LG and is very crisp – and thanks to Shanling’s own MTouch software, the player is extremely easy to use. The sound from the M0 is clear with good bass-weight, punch and fine detail. Thanks to the on board EQ settings, you can add some warmth or sharpness to suit your taste. The M0 can pair with Bluetooth headphones, and the 2-way Bluetooth feature will allow you to connect to your phone to use the player as an external DAC/amp – very clever.

 

Optoma NuForce BE Sport4

The NuForce BE Sport4 is widely regarded as the go to Bluetooth earphone – and we would agree. At just under £90, they combine good value with superb sound quality – the Graphene coated drivers deliver a crisp and punchy sound with plenty of clarity. The BE Sport4 is IPX5 water resistant and can provide up to 10 hours or battery life. And to top it off, you get 2 hours of charge in just 15 minutes thanks to their Fast Charge feature.

 

JDS Labs Element DAC

Whether you like to listen to your headphones at home using your computer, laptop or hifi system – the JDS Labs Element will breathe life into your setup. For a long time now, JDS Labs have been making high quality headphone amplifiers and DACs with a simple design and superb value. The Element shows that not only do they have the technical knowhow – they have a great eye for design too. With analogue RCA inputs and digital USB – the Element is extremely versatile and as expected, provides a clean, expressive and powerful sound.

 

iFi Audio XDSD

Ever wondered if you could have a high quality headphone amplifier connect to your phone or laptop wirelessly? Well wonder no more. The iFi Audio xDSD is the perfect way for you to get the most from your headphones and chosen device – without adding more wires. Use your phone to listen to Spotify, your favourite podcast or play PUBG and let the xDSD wirelessly drive your headphones, giving them all the power they would need to deliver a balanced and dynamic sound.

Final Audio Heaven VII Earphones Review

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Verdict

Any Final Audio earphone in the Heaven series is fantastic at its pricepoint, and for the asking price the Final Audio Heaven VII offers angelic audio quality. Soundstage and detail are stunning, while the frequency response gives a presentation which is both delicate and authoritative.

Pros

  • Sounds amazing
  • Looks amazing!
  • Good strong metal case

Cons

  • Microphonics
  • Cable can be worn down from the ear only

Being British here we’re no strangers to what the heavens can provide (lots of rain!); however we’ve been enjoying a few distractions lately. Final Audio’s Heaven series is no less than a perfect fusion of detail and comfort; starting from the entry-level Heaven II. The range leaves us spellbound, and a lot drier as well.

The appearance and sound of the Final Audio Heaven VII is a contrast to its stablemate the Heaven VIII, which is the fuller sounding of the two models. While the Heaven VII lies in neutral-airy territory, the golden Heaven VIII gives a lusher presentation with a little more bass. A review of the Heaven VIII is coming soon.

As well as the Heaven VIII, the Heaven VII is one of the latest in this series; it is based on a similar design to the rest of the Heavens, but borrows the capsule design from the limited edition dual balanced armature ‘LAB-1’ model which is not generally available outside of Japan and the Far East.

Key Features

Using a single full-range balanced armature driver produced by Final Audio themselves, the Heaven VII is detailed but never gets fatiguing. Bass is fully represented, mainly due to both the balanced armature and Final Audio’s BAM (Balanced Air Movement) technology which incorporates some clever tricks to improve the frequency response in the lower region, when compared to other makers’ single BA designs.

Also, the Heaven VII has been designed with ‘resonance dispersion’ in mind. According to Final Audio, this helps prevent vibrations and reflections in the housings which may lead to a detrimental effect on the sound. The casings are made using a metal-plating technique so that the colour won’t wear away or chip.

First Impressions

It’s the styling which is first to be noticed; there’s a medieval feel about them – particularly the black Heaven VII. While the design is of course down to a high-tech process, they still give the impression that they were produced by an enchanted artisan a few hundred years ago!

The jack differs from others in this range however; it’s more like the straight jack which comes with the Final Audio Hope VI full-size headphones.

Sound Quality

With an Astell & Kern K120, the Final Audio Heaven VII gives a totally immersible experience – soundstage is well beyond the physical confines of the housings, and separation is superb. Bass, as already mentioned, is not typical for a single balanced armature design; it is very well balanced with the rest of the sound and is well controlled, allowing the midrange a good amount of space to impress. The sound is very clean and exact; it neither is boosted or recessed and works very nicely. Sense of space is very real, and together with the soundstage, very big! There are moments with the K120 where high frequencies threaten to cross into strident territory, but never do. With a Fiio X3, due to the nature of the player’s sound, the Heaven VII is smoother which I prefer personally.

Summary

We’ve come to expect very high standards from Final Audio – in terms of audio quality, build quality and presentation too. The Heaven VII still pushes the envelope, giving a touch of glamour without ostentatiousness, toughness without bulk, and detail without sharp edges.

Score 9.5/10

 

Final Audio Pandora Hope VI – Review

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Final Audio Pandora Hope VI Review

Summary

The Final Audio Pandora Hope VI may not be able to deal with all the world’s evils, but it can certainly make them appear more approachable and cuddly. 50mm dynamic drivers are coupled with balanced armatures within the Hope VI, so the listener can benefit from a warm and toe-tapping presentation, but needn’t sacrifice detail or presence. The result is as crisp as any IEM working on the balanced armature principal, with similar detail perceived all the way down the frequency spectrum.

Here at HifiHeadphones we’re no strangers to the type of quality products the portable audio industry can put out; however the Pandora Hope VI has surprised us all. From the retro-future ‘Metropolis’ looks of the Hope VI to the weight and the way they feel in the hand, we knew that these headphones weren’t just designed, they were born.

Pros

  • Unique and gorgeous looks
  • Lovely to touch
  • Comfortable and relatively light
  • That sound!

Cons

  • Will need running in to be at their best

Key Features

As mentioned, the driver principal is the Pandora’s most notable feature; the balanced armatures working alongside the dynamic drivers. There is no sense that two drivers are operating on each side; the presentation is as smooth and even as it would be with any high-quality wide bandwidth dynamic driver, once worn in.

First Impressions

The Hope VI can’t fail to please with its Buck Rogers looks. Something feels as if it is being wasted once they are worn on the head as they cannot be seen any more! However, the soft comfort of the padding and solid feel of the design keeps the wearer happy enough until a mirror is within reach.

Sound Quality

The Pandoras are consistently referred to as being among the best-sounding headphones around; this by people who are in the know and have tried many headphones and set-ups. My own experience involves gorgeous silky bass which sits just where it’s supposed to be, mids which surround and demand attention, and highs which pierce and shock, but in the most gentle way possible. My ears are sensitive to high frequencies and fatigue is never far away with some headphone/genre combinations, but the Hope VI never strays into that area; it knows exactly when enough is enough, preserving a smoothness which has no right being there but is staying nonetheless.

As mentioned above, there may be a brief period of ‘running in’ required as the two drivers meld together but this will be limited to a weekend.

HifiHeadphones Verdict

Dr Who’s Tardis is famous for being bigger on the inside than the outside. My guess is that Final Audio have been watching from behind the sofa whilst taking notes, as for a closed back headphone (a fact I have to keep reminding myself of) the sound is all-encompassing. Watch out Fostex, your closed-back crown may be about to slip!

HifiHeadphones Rating – 10/10

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