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Final Audio A3000 & A4000 Review – Aberrant

Pros –

Class-leading soundstage space and separation, Agile transient response, Fast and defined bass, Strong definition, Comfortable design, Very easy to drive

Cons –

Brightness is something to consider (especially A4000), Below average isolation, Cable may be prone to splitting

Verdict –

Final Audio’s latest earphones offer unique qualities you won’t find recreated by competitors but also tonalities that differ from the majority. So long as this is to your preference, there is much to like about their detail retrieval and ability to play with space and clarity like few around this price point and well beyond.


Introduction –

Final Audio are a rather profound audio company in that their focus lies not only on audio but also how it is perceived by listeners. In turn, their designs can be highly experimental, and all carry a purpose that works towards the company’s end goals. Each product generation signifies the pursuit of a certain quality and these learnings are then passed down to future, often more affordable models. In turn, the company exists in a state of flux and you can never tell where they’ll take things next. Enter the A3000 and A4000, that bear striking resemblance to the stunning A8000 and B-series that came before. These models undertake an intriguing shift, with a design based upon the differences in listening conditions between audio experts and regular consumers during daily use. Final have invested in offshore manufacturing for a new custom 6mm dynamic driver to slash the price whilst retaining the same quality we’ve come to love from the company.

The A3000 and A4000 come in at $140 and $160 respectively. You can read more about them and treat yourself to a set on hifiheapdhones or Amazon (A3000 | A4000).

Disclaimer –

I would like to thank Final Audio and hifiheadphones very much for their quick communication and for providing me with the A3000 and A4000 for the purpose of review. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. Despite receiving the earphones free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.

Contents –

Behind the Design –

f-Core DU Driver

Image credits: Final Audio

Final designed custom 6mm dynamic drivers from the ground up for the new A-series earphones. Tuning was conducted according to the parameters found most impactful on sound quality established from designing the flagship A8000. This includes material selection, with a brass enclosure that increases rigidity and mass for reduced resonances in addition to offering better electromagnetic shielding. To tune the time-response, Final have implemented an ultra-thin 30-micron CCAW diaphragm on both units and have even reduced the amount of adhesive used to further enhance transient response. They have also introduced a new diaphragm production technique that permits tighter tolerances between each unit. The A3000 was designed to deliver a natural sound with a more robust low-end while the A4000 targets an immersive soundstage with sharp imaging.

Unboxing –

Final Audio always provide a great unboxing experience and a well curated accessory set, a mantra that is also embodied with the new A-series earphones. Both come within a clean white box with the case and ear tips inside within a protective foam inlet. The earphones are protected within the included carrying case, it is identical to those included with the E-series earphones, with a matte silicone construction. I love how thoughtful the case design it, the earphones coil neatly inside which prevents kinking of the cable and the flexible lid secures the earphones, so they don’t jostle and scratch each other during transit. As before, Final include 5 pairs of their renowned E-tips with flexible sound tube that aid a strong seal in addition to ear hooks as the cable has no pre-moulded ear guides nor memory wire. The tips have a nice plastic case which keeps them organised. As the earphones now use a 2-pin cable, the MMCX assist tool is not included.

Design –

Both earphones have identical designs, varying only in colour scheme – black for the A3000 and a dark navy for the A4000. The shell design is very reminiscent of the B-series and A8000 with a trapezoidal shape that is visually distinct yet also designed to be congruent with the natural folds of the outer ear. However, here, Final have employed an ABS over metal construction leading to a substantially lighter housing. Alongside the price drop, tolerances are noticeably worse than the A8000 though not in a way that would substantially impact longevity nor with sharp edges that would affect comfort. A soft-touch finish with aggressive texture gives a pleasing, tactile in-hand feel.

The cables on both earphones are identical to that included on the E4000 though with 0.78mm 2-pin connectors. As the connectors are both recessed and keyed, aftermarket support will be limited. It isn’t the most robust design, but the OFC cable is of good quality overall. It has essentially zero memory and microphonic noise transmission alongside boasting a very smooth and supple feel. This means the cable stays put well once routed over the ear despite the lack of ear guides and it is highly comfortable during daily wear. The right-angle plug is case-friendly and well-relieved though the cable below the y-split may be prone to splitting due to its design.

Fit & Isolation –

The A3000 and A4000 both provides a very comfortable fit. In fact, I found it slightly more so than the A8000 due to the lighter weight which puts less pressure on the features of the outer ear. Don’t let the angular design fool you, the inner face is rounded and elegantly shaped. In turn, I was able to wear these earphones for hours on end without hotspot formation. They also have a very open feel and minimal wearing pressure due to the obvious venting of the housing. Similarly, there is no driver flex and the fit depth is medium to shallow depending on your choice of ear tip size. Given that both earphones have a brighter top-end, I found a deeper fit to yield the most natural and balanced sound. That said, the design is accommodating of different fit depths should you want to size up tips and go for a brighter presentation. Isolation does suffer due to the vented design, being below average. They are just sufficient for daily use and commute but are not a strong choice for travel and frequent use in loud environments.

Next Page: A3000 Sound Breakdown

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ABOUT AUTHOR

Ryan Soo

Ryan Soo

Avid writer, passionate photographer and sleep-deprived medical student, Ryan has an ongoing desire to bring quality products to the regular reader.

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