Final ZE8000

The ZE8000 is Final’s flagship in-ear monitor. It has a distinctive long-stemmed earbud shape. The Final ZE8000 comes supplied in a pebble-shaped charging case that slides open. This is very different from the flip-top charging case that Apple popularised. Because flip-top charging cases are so commonplace, there’s a tendency to go caveman with anything different. Before someone breaks a case or two, the Final case opens with a thumb flip.

Its bar-like stem is a perfect place to site touch controls for the True Wireless Stereo IEMs. A richer control set lives on a dedicated Final CONNECT App (iOS and Android). This allows the user to shape the tone of the Final. It includes EQ adjustments and what the company calls ‘8K SOUND.’ Final describes 8K operation as “This brand new 8K SOUND technology exceeds the achievement of ‘Transparency’, accomplished by D8000 and A8000, and delivers an unprecedented level of clarity, with the true identity of every bit of sound revealed in its full form, promising a whole new level of music enjoyment.”

How is this achieved? “Instead of focusing only on fine-tuning of particular frequencies, the time element of every single bit of sound is also carefully calibrated with digital signal processing. In doing so, all information residing inside a musical piece is distinctly revealed in its best quality and aesthetics.” The company’s own f-CORE driver helps, too. You can switch 8K Audio off from the App.

Haptics tactics

What can’t be changed on the App is the haptics. The touch controls are sometimes too sensitive; I scratched the side of my face, and Siri was activated, and it’s easy to change a track while on the move accidentally. However, they also control volume, track and phone handling, and display battery life, all from an elegant crackle black or white finish. Depending on your ears, the stem of the Final ZE8000 often stands proud; on me, it was clear I was wearing them from the front or back.

They come supplied with five sets of eartips and stabiliser sleeves. This is useful because the quality of the performance rests strongly on the fit and seal. Also, the stabilisers mean the IEMs are less likely to fall out, despite the stalk occasionally looking a touch gravity-defying. It includes filter screens and a removal tool; these dust filters are handy to keep those single 13mm drivers clean and spiffy.

Interestingly, the Final ZE8000 has an ‘always on’ form of noise cancellation. Fortunately for audio-obsessed listeners, the ANC is mild and doesn’t impact on sonics. Even the heaviest setting isn’t too intrusive. Final clearly decided four perma-mild noise cancellation options is better than defeatable – but more sonically damaging – options. The Final ZE8000 claim five hours of battery life, and 15 in the charging case, and recharge is fast.

Installation and call quality

Installation was easy, and the Final CONNECT App helps. Like many True Wireless Stereo IEMs, I think the performance on Android is slightly better than iOS, and not simply because the pairing process was a little tougher with iPhones. In truth, the Final ZE8000 were slightly above average in Apple installation terms; if I were a conspiracy theorist, I might be saying that Apple stacks the deck so that the experience with its own IEMs and headphones is so much better!

Call quality is extremely good, both in sending and receiving. Spacing the microphone from your ear somewhat helps the user’s speech articulation and rids the sound of plosives. Meanwhile vocals (sung or spoken) are a Final strong point right anyway, and call clarity is first rate.

Music quality

The Final ZE8000 is definitely ‘flagship class’ in sound quality terms. It’s got remarkable, deep bass for an IEM, excellent midrange articulation that makes voices come to life, and good treble. It also has highs that are detailed but not extreme. This, I felt, was an outstanding balance. It’s free from the ‘screaming details’ presentation so common with top-end IEMs and their high-frequency performance.

Then there’s the soundstaging. This is something I usually gloss over, because imaging effects on IEMs are usually very lateralised. This means musicians appear inside your head, but here the presentation was more like conventional loudspeakers, with a stage spread out in front of you. How this happened is immaterial; that it happened is vital, and shows just how good a soundstage you can get even on a pair of Bluetooth-Enabled in-ear monitors.

I was less smitten by 8K SOUND. It seemed to correct some of the high-frequency roll-off, but brought little else to the party. I’d debate about turning it off, but it didn’t add much for me. Also, ANC deliberately goes for a milder approach, which is good. But I guess they haven’t spent long enough on the London Underground. But, as I said earlier, if it’s a choice between this and drowning the sound, I’d take the ZE8000 every time!

Finally, that four-band equaliser. By default, it adjusts 35Hz, 350Hz, 1600Hz, and 10kHz but you can choose two other frequencies. However, with just 3dB of boost or cut, it doesn’t make a huge difference.

Tip-top?

The Type Q ear tips are the biggest downside to the Final ZE8000. The bonus is it keeps ear and drive unit apart (for cleanliness purpose), but the downside is you’ll have to buy them direct from Final supplies. No biggie, and the fit is great, but if you have an ongoing love affair with custom tips, this isn’t for you.

Final’s flagship In-Ear Monitor lives up to the True Wireless Stereo moniker well. It gives exceptionally good stereo sound and its laid-back treble makes it one of – if not the – most refined sounding in-ear monitors in its category.

Price and contact details

• Final ZE8000 £199, $299

Manufacturer

Final

https://snext-final.com/en/

UK distributor

KS Distribution

www.ksdistribution.co.uk

 +44(0)1903 768919

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