Final Audio E2000

EDIT 2020-10-20: From 4/5 to 3.5/5. Just mesh mod the Blon BL-03 and you get something better in basically everyway, the E2000 is too average and too close in price to the E3000.

EDIT 2021-07-11: demoted the rating from 3.5/5 to 2.5/5 due to the GS Audio GD3A.

Disclaimer: Bought at my own expense at Amazon japan.

Price: 33 usd at amazon japan (Have no idea why the price at amazon.com is 38 usd and the price at hifiheadphones.uk is 47 usd)

Specifications:

Housing: Aluminum alumite
Driver: Dynamic 6.4mm
Impedance: 16Ω
Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW
Cable: 1.2m oxygen-free copper cable
Weight: 13g


Accessories:

Type E tips SS/S/M/L/LL

Silicon ear hook “adapters”

Pouch



Cable: Let’s get the worst thing about the E2000 out first, the cable is thinner than a noodle. Doesn’t feel like it will last long due to thickness and everything on it is made out of plastic. It has a working chin slider and very little microphonics so that is the saving grace for it. Non-replaceable though so you have to be careful with the cable.


Build: Made out of aluminum and has a matt silver finish so it looks nice without being shiny. It is very light weight and small. The nozzle is plastic but has a lip for the tips. Vent at the back of it.

Fit: Fits like a normal bullet-style iem so nothing special here. It stays in place once you put it in but not secure enough to use while training or anything like that.

Comfort: Being a bullet-style iem and small it is comfortable because it doesn’t generate much heat (since it doesn’t come into contact with your ears that much). Although in the winter it might be very cold at first since it is made out of metal. Since it is very light-weight you might even forget you have them in your ears.

Isolation: Below average, being a bullet-style iem and with its vent hole on the back.

Setup: Fiio M11, Stock Type E tips LL, Stock cable (what else, can’t change it anyway)

Lows: mid-bass focused over sub-bass (not that much rumble either). It has average tightness and speed (for a DD-driver). Not muddy nor clean the bass in general is very average.

Mid-bass: quite a bit more mid-bass than Sub-bass, makes it a bit more fun and not neutral because of that. Although because of the more quantity here versus the sub-bass it is a bit less clean.

Sub-bass: Tighter and therefore cleaner bass than the mid-bass but it doesn’t extend that low and because of that the rumble is a bit lacking.

Mids: Balancing between male/female vocals is very good and hard to tell if one is actually more forward than the other. But since the mid-bass quantity is pretty high it does make the sound have more body for the male vocals, so the male vocals are better than the female vocals. (female vocals don’t have that much clarity either, due to the warm tuning.)

Female-vocals: As mentioned above female vocals doesn’t have that much clarity to it, this does make It a very relaxed set since they aren’t as forward as most others are. The only exception to this is that some songs like Evanescence -bring me to life have a bit sharp female vocal (although this song is sharp on almost all the iems I tried it with…).

Male-vocals: Male vocals however is a bit better than female vocals since the mid-bass adds some body to the sound in general and that helps the male vocals too.

Highs: Treble quantity is a tiny bit above neutral for me. It isn’t a bright iem but leaning more towards warmth, so you can listen to it for long sessions due to that. Clarity is average here but on songs with a lot of things going on it gets a bit muddy (that’s due to the mid-bass and the instrument separation which I get into later).

Soundstage: average soundstage here, not much depth at all but pretty good width.

Tonality: It is a bass-boosted neutral iem that leans towards warmth due to the bass-boost. Not analytical sounding but more fun and timbre is excellent here (not top-tier timbre though).

Details: Average details across the range.

Instrument Separation: Below average separation and is most felt at songs with a lot of things going on. On those songs the separation is so bad it makes sound very muddy and the high mid-bass quantity doesn’t help with that at all.

Songs that highlight the IEM: , , , ,

Good genres: Very versatile

Bad genres: Songs with a lot of things going on such as orchestral music and maybe classical (I don’t listen to classical so this one is a guess) since it has a lot of bass.



Comparisons:

Final Audio E1000: Bass quantity is much lower and quality isn’t on the same level (cleaner bass because of the lower quantity though). Mids are kind of similar but not really since the male vocals on the E1000 doesn’t have as much body as the E2000 so the female vocals are perceived as more forward here.

Female vocals on the E1000 has better quality as it has more clarity and detail (probably due to the bass) while the E2000 has better male vocals.

Treble has quite a bit more clarity and details but here again it is probably due to the bass being much lower in quantity.

Soundstage is similar, while details, timbre and instrument separation (doesn’t have the same weakness as the E2000 has) are better on the E1000.

The E1000 is a neutral iem so if you want a neutral iem it is better (also if you want better technicalities). The E2000 does have a bit better Sound quality in general but the high mid-bass quantity and bad instrument separation is very bad and fatal for some. E2000 is better If you want a bass-boosted set that has neutral mids and treble.

Final Audio E3000: Treble quantity is similar but because of the bass quantity of the E3000 being higher than the E2000, you might perceive the treble quantity to be lower than the E2000 (at least on bass heavy songs). It extends a bit more, is more natural and it doesn’t have the tiny peak that is present on some songs on the E2000 (it also has a similar organic sound as the E5000 has).

Mids are similar but as mentioned with the treble, you perceive the female vocals to be just a bit more forward on the E2000 due to the bass quantity. Quality on the E3000 sounds more refined and better, being both more natural and more detailed (especially male vocals, being clean and the bass doesn’t bleed into it, not that the E2000 bleeds either but cleaner nonetheless).

Bass quantity on the E2000 is lower than the E3000, the E3000 extends lower and has more rumble at the low end. Quality wise the E3000 is tighter and faster especially at the mid-bass, so the bass overall is cleaner which is surprising since the quantity is higher.

Soundstage is a bit bigger than the E2000, more details (not that much, most likely due to the cleaner bass) and much better instrument separation on the E3000 (doesn’t have the big weakness that the E2000 has).

Overall, the E3000 sounds more refined and of higher quality, but they are still different in tuning so personal preference is the one that decides which one is better for you. E2000 for a more Balanced and brighter tuning (bass boosted neutral) and E3000 for a Warmer L-shaped sound. (I prefer the E3000 over the E2000.)



Final Audio E4000: Bass on the E4000 has more quantity and quality is just a bit better (tightness and speed) Mids are a bit more recessed on the E4000 since the bass and treble quantity is higher, but quality wise it is very comparable.

Treble quantity is a bit higher but also much better quality here on the E4000 since it has better clarity and also removes the tiny peak that can be sharp sometimes on the E2000 (Evanescence – bring me to life isn’t sharp on the E4000…well the singer herself has quite the sharp voice though).

Soundstage and timbre Are comparable while details and instrument separation are better on the E4000.

The E4000 isn’t really an upgrade to the E2000 as the tuning is different, with the E4000 being more of a V-shaped iem (light V-shape) than the Bass-boosted neutral E2000. While the general sound quality is definitely on a higher level on the E4000, I cannot recommend it at all due to its much worse Value (price/performance).

Final Audio E5000: Bass has massively more quantity on the E5000, The E2000 has a tighter, faster bass and is cleaner. The E5000 extends much deeper than the E2000 and can rumble on a high level.

Mids quality on the E5000 is better especially the female vocals. The male vocals have some bleed from the massive bass on the E5000 so because of that it is comparable to the E2000. Quantity is similar.

Treble is more relaxed on the E5000 and better quality with higher extension (no sharpness, that can be found sometimes on the E2000). Quantity on the lower treble is a bit more but pretty similar otherwise, although on bass heavy songs that difference is pretty much gone.

Soundstage, details, timbre and instrument separation is much better on the E5000.

The E5000 suits people that want a warm, relaxed and bass heavy iem. The biggest downside of the E5000 is that with the massive bass (and not very clean bass) it isn’t a very versatile iem so it depends on what songs you are listening to and that it is power hungry so if you are going to use it with a phone then you probably shouldn’t have the E5000 in your list of candidates. The E2000 is a much easier recommendation because of that (also much cheaper) but sadly the non-removable cable on it can be a deal-breaker for many.

KZ ED9 (Balanced filter): much more bass quantity and quality is lower since it isn’t as tight as the E2000 (it also has quite the muddy bass too). Mids are recessed but quality is similar.

Treble is sharp on the ED9 and on Evanescence – bring me to life it is sibilant and unlistenable for me. Quality is not on the same level on the ED9.

Timbre is much better on the E2000, soundstage is similar, details and instrument separation are better on the E2000.

While the lower priced ED9 is a very good value for that price, I do not believe that it can match the E2000 in Sound quality. ED9 is therefore suited for you if you want a very low cost and bass heavy iem (it is less versatile in what it can play due to the bass quantity though). The ED9 is easier to drive though.

Blon Bl-03 (mesh mod): The 03 has a much tighter, textured and cleaner bass while also having more bass quantity. Mids are more female vocals focused than male, but quality is much higher here on the 03 (also much more natural).

Treble quantity is higher so if you are very treble sensitive the 03 (mesh mod, the stock 03 doesn’t have as much treble quantity) might not suit you. But quality is also much higher here.

Soundstage, details, instrument separation and timbre on the 03 is above the E2000.

The 03 in general has a much higher sound quality and it can compete against much higher priced iems, while the E2000 is also a very good valued iem it can’t really match the 03 in quality so it is more up to preference if you like the brighter, more powerful (also cleaner) bass in the 03 or the more relaxed but still fun E2000.

Conclusion: The E2000 is a good iem with a good value to it, but it doesn’t really have anything that makes you go “WOW” at it. It would have been a great beater set though if it only had a replaceable cable and/or thicker stock cable as with the cable right now it would only be a suicide mission for it to be taken to the gym/training/physical activity. Not a bad iem but nothing great (still a much better value and also recommendation over the E4000). Thanks for reading.

Introduction

I am following Final Audio Design a few years now. In its current form, it is a relatively young company; Final’s first headphone and earphone products appeared just about 10 years ago, and what impressed me is that in a short amount of time the Company made huge steps.

A few years ago, Final presented its E series earphones. This comprises of 5 models, from E1000 to E5000, ranging in price from $27.00 for E1000 to $279.00 for E5000, so one can find a model for every budget and, Ι have to say, for every taste. E1000 is an entry level set, E2000 and E3000 are inexpensive (in the range of $50.00 to $60.00) but high quality earphones, while E4000 and, particularly, E5000 are upper level sets.

Lately, more and more smartphone users are increasingly paying attention to the quality of their earphones. So I thought to check out some Final Audio earphones, and E2000C/E3000C seemed like the ideal candidates.


General description

E2000C and E3000C have specific similarities and distinct differences. Both sets have the same size housing; however, in E2000C the housing is crafted from aluminum black alumite, while in E3000C it is made from mirror-finished stainless steel. In both sets, the quality is very high, however, the E3000C stainless steel housing looks “classier”.



Both sets have the same oxygen-free coppercable, which seems to be quite sturdy and of very good quality.



Inside the aluminumor stainless steel housing, both E2000C and E3000C share the same 6.4mm dynamic driver; however, the tuning of the driver is different, and so is the sound signature, of the two sets.


Sound quality

Let me start by saying that the sound quality of both sets, although distinctly different, is impressive for earphones costing really little money.

The main characteristic of E2000C and E3000Cis tonal balance. This is more profound in the former, which has a higher resolution and a more detailed presentation. Everything in E2000C goes around the mid frequency area, and in that sense it is ideal for voices, although its treble is excellent as well without being too bright. What is rather interesting is that the set’s bass is more than sufficient, at least for my ears; it is if course sub-bass and, although not really punchy, it is well-controlled and enough for making its presence felt.

E3000C is a different story. Here the bass has been enhanced, but in a very delicate way. The tonal balance has been retained, with clear mids and detailed highs. However, the presentation is warmer (this is effect of bass after all), and if I wanted to compare it to the presentation of E2000C, I would say that E3000C is “meatier”. Most people think that this is good; I say that “meatier” presentation is no better or worse than a kind of “flat” presentation, it is just different (just like eating more or less meat than normal). It is obvious that Final Audio did that deliberately. When E2000 appeared in the market people liked it, but some (or more than some, maybe even many) wanted more bass, and this gap was filled by E3000.



If you ask which of the two sets is more tonally balanced, which for some listeners is a critical question, I would say that E2000C has a head. It also sounds very detailed but, at the same time, somewhat “lean”. E3000C, on the other hand, is warmer, overall more expressive and sufficiently detailed, but its resolution is not at the level of E2000C.

Take as an example “O Vazio” of Jim Brock & Doug Hawthorne, by the Jim Brock Ensemble, from the album Tropic Affair, RR-31, which is a very complex piece, varying from some kind of “test” tones at various frequencies to some very powerful parts with a lot of alterations; it is perfect for testing an earphone set, and I frequently use it. Both sets handle this piece impressively; E2000C can reproduce details that other earphone sets would surpass, while E3000C’s presentation is very engaging particularly in the heavy drum passages. On the other hand, listening to “Nothing but the best” by Frank Sinatra, from the album with the same title, Reprise Records, the warmer signature of E3000C would probably be a preferred choice by many listeners over the more detailed presentation of E2000C, as it lets Frank Sinatra’s voice to stand out without any destructions that certain high passages might cause.

Both sets have excellent separation and very good soundstage. It is also interesting that E2000C appears slightly more dynamic than E3000C, given that both sets have the same very low impedance of 16 Ω, while E2000C has slightly higher sensitivity 102 dB/mW over 100 dB/mW of E3000C.

Let me close by saying that the sound quality of both E2000C and E3000C improves with time, so some “burning in” period (of about 50 hours in my case) is necessary in order to break themin and let them give you their best potential.


Selected comparisons

I compared E2000C to RHA S500i. A few years ago, S500i was considered a great choice for an inexpensive set that is tonally balanced. It is a set of very high quality, with its housing made of aluminum, and it comes with an excellent woven cable that is anti-tangling. Its impedance is 16 Ω and sensitivity 100 dB/mW, so we are talking pretty much about the same specifications. S500i is quite analytical due to its excessive treble, which at times, as in “Nothing but the best” by Frank Sinatra, is harsh and annoying, while in others, as in “O Vazio” of Jim Brock & Doug Hawthorne, is very lean compared to the full bodied performance of E2000C.

I also compared E3000C to SoundMAGIC E11C. The latter has an impedance of 42 Ω and a sensitivity of 112 dB/mW,so it is a bit heavier load but a more sensitive set than E3000C. E11C is great for commuting and everydays use, but E3000C has higher resolution, and overall a more detailed and articulate presentation, so it is at a higher level than the already very good E11C. Now, keep in mind that when we are talking about earphones costing around $50-$60, improving the quality is not a small feat. E11C, on the other hand, is slightly more dynamic, due to its bigger driver of 10mm compared to the 6.4mm driver of E3000C.


Accessories and fit

Both samples of E2000C and E3000C came in a simple, yet aesthetically nice, packaging, in which one would find:

• Five eartip sets of various sizes.
• Two earhooks.
• A soft carrying case.
• An owner’s guide and warranty card.

So pretty much what a listener would need.

Both sets are made for use with a smartphone, so they are equipped with a controller. This has a single button, which can play, stop, rewind, fast forward and take incoming calls. Also, the accompanying microphone makes hands free communication possible.

Finding a proper eartip is easy, and once you do, fitting E2000C and E3000C in your ear canals is simple and very comfortable; both sets are light-weight and equipped with a swing-fitting earpiece mechanism which helps to almost custom-fit the eartips. The provided earhooks are also helpful in order to alleviate cable touch noise, known as microphonics. Now, assuming that the listener has found the right size eartip, the level of sealing achieved is excellent noise isolation.

As already mentioned, the cable is oxygen-free copper, 1.2m long, there seems to be of very good quality, and with the help of the supplied earhooks is not so much susceptible to microphonics.


E2000C vs E3000C

I know that the obvious question is which set one should choose. First of all, let me say that the differences between the two sets are not huge. Nonetheless, Final Audio designed them having in mind different groups of people.

E2000C is for those who consider that tonal balance is the most important characteristic of an earphone set, and, because of that, they are prepared to accept a “leaner” presentation.

E3000C is for those, quite a few I should admit, who appreciate tonal balance, but they want a more expressive presentation, even if this adds some warmth.

Personally, I had a hard time to choose: I love tonally balanced earphones, so I was more inclined towards the E2000C, which bass wise was more than sufficient for me. On the other hand, at times, the little extra warmth of E3000C helped to make certain recordings, with excessive treble, to sound more pleasant. And, the cherry on the torte, the stainless steel housing of E3000C looks so nice!


In conclusion

I have been overly impressed by E2000C and E3000C. It is truly amazing what one gets for $53.00 and $63.00, respectively: A sleek and extremely well made design, with a sound signature so well-balanced and articulate, which makes hard to believe that it comes from sets costing so little. I scratch my head in order to find how Final Audio did that. Based on the two sets quality of both construction and sound, one would easily pay twice as much.

And if you have a hard time to choose between the two sets, their small price allows you to buy both, which after all might be a clever idea!


Specifications and price

E2000C
Housing: Aluminum black alumite
Driver: Dynamic 6.4mm
Impedance: 16Ω
Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW
Cable: 1.2m oxygen-free copper cable
Weight: 13g
Price: $53.00

E3000C
Housing: Stainless steel mirror-finished
Driver: Dynamic 6.4mm
Impedance: 16Ω
Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW
Cable: 1.2m oxygen-free copper cable
Weight: 15g
Price: $63.00

https://snext-final.com

About the company


S’NEXT is a company that sells high-end audio earphones and headphones under its own brand final as well as conducting component technology development, product planning, design, planning, manufacturing and sales of other companies’ brands. The company was established in 2007. It began as a subsidiary of the major American connector manufacturer Molex; in 2014, it went independent through an MBO by the current management team. Now is what you would call its second formation. Since beginning sales of our own final brand earphones in 2009, our way of thinking regarding good sound quality and designs that differ to those of other major electronics manufacturers has garnered attention, and we have built our own unique place both in Japan and abroad.

Prelude

I would like to thank Final Audio for sending us the E1000, E2000, E3000 for review. Rest assured that this review is written as honestly and objectively as possible. Our review of the E1000 can be found here.

Sources

Chord Hugo

Burson Swing with V6 Vivid + JDS Labs O2

Samsung Galaxy S9

Recording

Nobuo Uematsu – Final Fantasy: Distant Worlds

Dave Matthews Band – Under the Table and Dreaming (Expanded Version)

The Beatles – Love

Maroon 5 – 1.22.03 Acoustic

Reese Lansangan – Arigato Internet

Hale – This is Hale

Apartel – Full Flood

Packaging

The Final Audio E2000 and E3000 is neatly packed in a minimalist, no-frills packaging. Included is a soft faux leather bag, manuals, and tips with various sizes, that’s it.. I’d like to note that Final tips are actually well-regarded for its comfort and pleasing tonal effect. I used it with my other IEMs and it worked well.

Specification

E2000

Housing: Aluminum black alumite finish(MATT BLACK) / Aluminum silver alumite finish(MATT SILVER)

Driver: 6.4mmΦ dynamic driver

Cable: OFC Cable

Impedance: 102 dB/mW

Sensitivity: 16Ω

Weight: 12g

Cord Length: 1.2m

E3000

Housing: Stainless steel mirror-finished

Driver: 6.4mmΦ dynamic driver

Cable: OFC Cable

Impedance: 100 dB/mW

Sensitivity: 16Ω

Weight: 15g

Cord Length: 1.2m

Build Quality and Design



One word to describe this aspect is “essentialist”. It doesn’t offer the flashiest and the catchiest design out there. But the philosophy here I believe, is to give consumer what “works”. The E2000 and E3000 are housed in an aluminum and stainless steel body, respectively. Design is very identical apart from the housing.



The bullet shell is light but still inspires durability. Both of the cables are non-removable, with very minimal microphonics, and it resists tangling unless you purposely try to. Though the cables are quite thin. But I think what Final is aiming for is a light and comfortable design. Hence the tradeoff, and a fair one at that. It certainly isn’t “built like a tank”, but it does not feel fragile and should last long when properly cared for.

Comfort and Isolation

These are easily one the most comfortable that I’ve tried. I can wear it for extended periods of time without any pain or discomfort, and this is where the design makes sense. The bullet shell is delightfully light. In fact, you can almost forget that you are wearing it. Tips are soft and supple, plus fitting is a breeze; it sits securely in my ears with the appropriate tips, and it never slipped off while I’m walking. A caveat is that passive noise isolation is not its strongest point, ambient noise can still be heard, particularly when out and about on the street. But it can be an advantage for those who want more awareness of what’s going around.

Sound

The character of the E2000 and the E3000 share the same philosophy: starting from the design, up to the sound. The signature is polite and inoffensive. I can see that it will be pleasing for most listeners.

Both of the IEMs has a smooth and laidback tonality, the E2000 is going for neutrality while there is an added warmth on the E3000. The E2000 and E3000 are one the smoothest and most refined sound signature that I’ve heard in it’s price range. Now let’s get into detail on how these two sounds.

Bass

The bass on the E2000 has a soft, organic decay. It is well textured and mid bass has ample body. It is neutral and complimentary in manner. Albeit sub bass doesn’t extend deep but it’s not really that bothering. What is, however, is that the bass can get a touch loose and it could use a little more tightness. The E3000 addresses this, offering fuller and tighter bass.

Mids

The vocals on the E2000 is a touch forward with added shine in the upper midrange, in comparison with the E3000, which is warmer, laidback, and smoother. Both exhibit a natural timbre but I prefer the E2000’s forwardness and luster. It renders vocals and instruments with a sweet and natural tone. The E3000 is a bit of a double-edged sword, the warmer tonality helps with male vocals, presenting it with very suave smoothness. But female vocals and instruments could sound too laid back for my taste. The E2000 just has more energy than the relaxed E3000.

Treble

Treble is smooth, mellow, and inoffensive. There is slightly more shine on the E2000 but it is still polite overall. In contrast, the E3000 is even smoother. Both IEMs doesn’t sound fatiguing and even with the mellowed treble, it doesn’t feel like I’m missing much. It’s simply enjoyable and it works well, it sounds complimentary with the whole signature. The treble sounds organic and it is radically different compared to the competition – which are often tuned brightly and excessively, so this is a breath of fresh air.

Soundstage and Imaging


Now, this is what I found to be exceptional for these IEMs. The wideness of the soundstage is mind-boggling for the price. These two are the one of the best that I’ve heard on this price category and it would be tough to beat in this aspect. The E3000 has more depth, is more diffused and it is a touch wider than the E2000, which is still amazingly wide. The imaging is presented well and every instrument is well-defined with a lot of room to it. The height however, doesn’t extend much, though it’s not bothering considering that the width has greatly compensated for it.

Comparison

KZ AS10

Right off the bat, the treble is brighter compared to the two Final IEMs. Treble has a tendency to be edgy and sibilant. Soundstage is also noticeably smaller. The bass of the AS10 extends deeper, but the mids has less body and texture. Overall, the sound is less balanced and refined compared to the E2000 and E3000.

KZ BA10

The bass is tight and the mids has slightly less body, but a touch cleaner. It is brighter but more controlled over the AS10. Soundstage is also less wider than the two Final IEMs, thought it takes the edge for soundstage height. Imaging is also slightly better, albeit it is not as smooth as the Final IEMs. Though, the BA10 has equally good merits so I’ll leave this as a matter of preference.

TFZ Galaxy T2

The midrange is scooped compared to E2000/3000. Treble is brighter and less smoother. Soundstage width is condensed, but there is slightly more height. Bass is tighter and deeper, but the Final IEMs has a more coherent signature overall.

Final Audio E1000

The little sibling of the family. The bass and the mids sounds thin compared to the more refined e2000/e3000. But it’s no slouch in quality. Mids are a slightly forward and it’s very clean. It still has the wide soundstage of the higher priced model, and I find it to have a touch more air than the other two, although timbre is a bit thin. It is also lighter probably because of the plastic build.

Comfort (Greatest to least)

Final Audio E1000/E2000/E3000

TFZ Galaxy T2

KS AS10

KZ BA10

Conclusion

Final Audio has hit a home run with the E2000 and E3000, featuring a signature that is hard not to like. Despite the entry market being saturated by “chi-fi”, the Japanese company has set itself apart by offering products that are radically different: it places sound and comfort above all else, there are no gimmicks, it simply gets the job done in a graceful manner. Don’t let the understated looks deceive you, these IEMs are rockers in the most straightforward way.