final ZE3000

Final is a company that rarely, if ever, follows current trends. They took their sweet time before unveiling the ZE3000, their first pair of mainstream TWS IEMs. In the past, they did some collaboration IEMs in the form of the EVA series, but the ZE3000 truly kickstart their wireless lineup.

Unfortunately, the market is teeming with competition, and newcomers are often met with familiar failings. Do Final manage to avoid the pitfalls and stand out amidst a sea of also-rans? Or are the ZE3000 bound to be overshadowed?

Let’s find out.

This review originally appeared on Headphonesty.
Disclaimer, or lack thereof: I purchased this unit with my own funds.

Build and the Rest​

The case can be opened using one hand. The LED bar on the front shows the battery level and doubles as a charging indicator.

The carry case design is my favorite after the diminutive Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro case. It has a DSLR-body-like texture on top that Final refers to as “Shibo” finish.



”Shibo” in Japanese means wrinkled paper, and the ZE3000’s exterior texture evokes the feeling of touching a paper-like material.

The shape is perfect to hold on your palm, and the magnetic clasp is satisfyingly crisp when operating. It’s also very pocketable and can barely be felt while in a trouser pocket. The type-C port is on the bottom of the case.

The case holds an additional 28 hours of charge, coupled with the 7 hours of battery life in the IEMs. I need to charge them about once a week during regular use using the AptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec. Your mileage may vary.

The Final ZE3000 take about 1.5 hours to charge fully. There is no quick charge function, sadly.



The triangular region beside the final logo on the faceplate acts as a touch-sensitive panel. Unfortunately, this panel is too “trigger-happy” and gets activated while trying to adjust the IEMs.

Touch accuracy is atrocious, with accidental activations being common.

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This poor control scheme is the most annoying part of the ZE3000, and Final should go back to the drawing board for a better mechanism.

Here’s a short rundown of the available controls:

• Tapping the left or right earpiece once pauses or plays the music.
• A long press results in the earpieces shutting down.
• Tapping on the left or right earpiece twice turns the volume down or up; respectively.
• Triple tapping results in the activation of the voice assistant on your phone.
• Pressing and holding the right/left earpiece until a beep sound skips to the next/previous song, respectively.

The ZE3000 stand out in terms of design and build with a distinct shape accentuated by the sharp angles and a bulging profile. The large shell is surprisingly comfortable to wear thanks to the flattened inner faceplate and the excellent E-type TWS ear tips.



The interfaces for charging are on the inner side of the IEM, alongside the channel markings. The entire surface has the same “Shibo” finish as the shells. Fingerprints and smudges are not visible at all. The added texture also helps to add grip.

My one nitpick is the need sometimes to adjust the IEMs.

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Using the right-sized ear tips and pushing the IEMs deep into the canal is crucial for obtaining an ideal fit and sound. As a result, you may need to fiddle with the IEMs while running or working out since they sometimes lose their seal.

Final utilizes their self-developed 6mm F-core DU drivers in the ZE3000. An ingenious damping scheme consists of a front and back acoustic cavity to equalize pressure within the driver housing. This design allowed Final to eliminate any vents while avoiding driver flex.


The mic has good voice pickup in quiet places but falls apart the moment noise creeps in. Wind noise is especially destructive and, at times, renders the mics useless.

Sound​

Final ZE3000 have a V-shaped tuning with some added warmth in the mids.

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Before going further with the sound impressions, I’d like to note that the Final ZE3000 are quite sensitive to ear tip changes. I use the stock ear tips, and while they are perfect for me, some have reported benefitting from trying out other tips.

If the treble is too much for your ears, a different type of ear tips might help.



The bass response here is mostly sub-bass focused, though the mid-bass punch is not overshadowed. The bass emphasis somewhat clouds the lower-midrange while adding heft to male vocals. Bass has good rumble, but the texture lags behind certain wired IEMs in this range.

Transients are uncannily sharp for a pair of TWS IEMs, with the leading edge of acoustic and electric guitars having a certain crispness. This allows the ZE3000 to handle even complex tracks with multiple instruments playing in unison.

There is no shoutiness in the mids, and the vocals sound correct for the most part. Male vocals are slightly pulled back, while female vocals are more up-front. The treble has a noticeable peak around 7kHz (and might shift upward in case of deeper insertion). It rolls off rather quickly after that, with a final peak around 14kHz.

The mid-treble peak can give rise to sibilance in very rare cases (e.g., David Bowie’s Under Pressure) and adds a sense of “zing” to hi-hats and cymbals. I did not find the treble too offensive for the most part, but it’s something to take note of.

In terms of dynamics and speed, the driver is one of the fastest in the TWS space. Staging is exceptionally wide but not as deep as certain higher-tier wired IEMs. Imaging is very good for instrument cardinal and ordinal placement, though center-imaging suffers.

The macrodynamic punch is good, with sudden bass drops having an impressive impact, even though Bluetooth’s compression rears its ugly head. Microdynamics (subtle shifts in volume level) are better represented.

General resolving prowess is reaching wired IEMs territory here, as you can pick up any pair of wired IEMs in the USD$100-$200 range, and the ZE3000 will be competitive. Apart from the recession in the lower mids and the somewhat zingy treble at times, I have no complaints.

There is no ANC, but the passive isolation is very good, if not excellent.

Comparisons​

vs Sony WF-1000XM4​

The Sony WF-1000XM4 are the flagship TWS IEMs from Sony and demand a significantly higher price tag than the Final ZE3000.

With the extra bucks, you get app support, ANC, wear detection, and other smart features exclusive to the Sony IEMs. If you need ANC and such, you can skip this section entirely and pick the WF-1000XM4. If you can compromise, read on.



The Final ZE3000 have been outpaced so far, but they gain back momentum with their sound quality alone.

The ZE3000 are more resolving than the WF-1000XM4, and the bass is tighter and faster with better texture.

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The mids have outstanding clarity, and the treble has noticeably more sparkle. Staging is very wide, even when compared to wired IEMs. Imaging is also touch more precise. Stage depth and overall smoothness of the sound are the only areas where the Sony IEMs have the upper hand.

In short: if you only need good sound, save the extra bucks and get the ZE3000 – they simply sound better. If you need all the smart features, the WF-1000XM4 are hard to beat.

Conclusion​

Final gave up a lot in pursuing raw sound quality without DSP wizardry or forceful equalization.

They’ve succeeded in that effort, as the ZE3000 sound like a wired pair of IEMs in the same price bracket. The rendition of wired fidelity in a wireless setup is reason enough to applaud.

However, you will be disappointed if you want all the bells and whistles. Final’s singular focus on sound quality comes at the expense of smart lifestyle features that consumers have come to expect. The finicky touch controls further compound that issue.

Despite all their shortcomings, I highly recommend the ZE3000, as they sound delightful. They perform their most important task admirably; sometimes, that’s all one needs.

Final Audio ZE3000 ($149): Wireless, but still many of the same Final characteristics

ZE3000

Intro: I have reviewed a few Final Audio models and consider their Type-E to be amongst the best silicon tips out there as well as my preferred choice. I own a pair of Sonorous III’s and like their laidback musical sound. For the price they are quite good. Now if I could only find a case to hold them...anyway, the ZE3000 is a TWS bud with IPX4 water resistance along with layered ANC characteristics. Easy to use controls and a decent fit affords this model typical Final qualities to me.


Specs:

• Bluetooth 5.2
• SBC, AAC, Qualcomm aptX Adaptive
• Max 7hrs on charge, 35 w/ case
• 1.5hrs charge time-earbuds; 2hrs-case
• IPX4 water resistance

In The Box:

• ZE3000
• Case
• Final Type-E tips (ss, s, m, l, ll)
• USB-C charging cable

Gear Used:

MacBook Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
HiBy R3 Sabre



Songs:

Alex Fox
Pink Floyd
Buena Vista Social Club
Elton John
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Peter Frampton
Jeff Beck
Dave Matthews
Tommy Emmanuel
David Bowie
R.E.M.
Lynyrd Skynyrd


Unboxing:

Similar to all other TWS products, there is a box, you open it, take the case out, pair with your device; then listen. It’s not that I eschew unboxing parts, they simply get superfluous. I will add that it is a nice box, though.


Technicals/Build/Fit/Finish:

The ZE3000 is made of what they call ultra-strength, lightweight resin. The chamber is acoustically designed to maximize the dynamics, much like others are now doing. Final recognizes the inherent problems with making a TWS that is efficient in use of the shell, as well as providing accurate sound, without adding frequencies to counter the shell deficiencies.

Utilizing what they call “f-LINK Damping System,” Final creates a natural sound similar to that of wired earphones. In addition, the newly developed "f-Core for Wireless" driver unit delivers ultra-low distortion, resulting in a sound quality that is unmistakably different from conventional truly wireless earbuds. Some manufacturers counter with an increased response from the treble end of the sound spectra, but the design used here alleviates the need for that, according to Final. While the shape of the shell helps, I cannot underestimate that it looks like the Final wired IEM’s previously. In other words, why change what works, when you can fine tune for the desired platform?

I had a problem with the Final A4000 IEM, fit-wise previously; but the ZE3000 has a slightly smaller housing, and as such fits well. I can still feel the edges after long sessions, but all of this is well within tolerances to me.

The driver itself is of a new design (f-Core wireless driver), and since the chamber design is at the front allows for the 6mm diminutive size to mimic a 9mm. The chamber design allows for the expansive sound without the use of equalization like other manufacturers. As you can see from the above picture, there is a “pressure release” optimization housing, which helps give some nice depth to the bass. All of the above changes allow for a remarkably low THD as a result. If any of you have been lucky enough to hear or own the vaunted D8000, widely regarded as one of the best sounding headphones out there, you get that Final takes their tuning and design seriously.

Put this all together, and one would think that the price is commensurate with other Final products, or even be shooting for the Sony or B&W price in the TWS range. To say that this is at the $150 range comes across as high value to me.

The controls of the ZE3000 are easy enough to use and once you realize where the touch is, I had no problems with either changing on purpose or inadvertently. This is where the edges of the shell pay dividends to me, giving the user a place to grasp and adjust as needed. There is a slight delay to the functions, but not with any bother. Phone calls come across as clear and crisp, and to me all but the lowest priced units are a bother in this regard. I even made a phone call on a VERY windy central USA day, without much of a bother. The end caller could discern the wind, but not like on a cell phone, so that is still a good positive.



Sound:

Coming into this, I had only the A4000 and my Sonorous III as reference points. While I appreciated the A4000, and like my Sonorous III very much, I was not sure what to expect. To say I was impressed is indeed an understatement as a result.

Summary:

The ZE3000 will not be considered a basshead, like the Sony WF-1000XM4, but there is enough and of good enough quality to provide a baseline for the signature. Treble plays nicely into this, and since Final did not boost the treble, you can assume that the overall tuning is meant (as they state) to be of a more even keel. Vocals are present with good resolution, and do not get lost, either. I almost hate to say this, but at this price, this could be my new favorite.

Moar:

Bass comes across with good depth and speed with decay coming faster than attack to me. As a result, you get the depth and a succinctness, but without being sloppy or overbearing. I do like bass. A lot. But this tuning of bass suits me just fine as on David Bowie’s Conversation Piece, even with an early 70’s tuning, comes across as mentioned above. No bleed into the mids occurs either, to me.

Those mids allow Bowie’s vocals to come across as both musical and natural. Final mentions, “allowing the artists songs to ring through,” and I would agree. His voice comes across with strong energy, as it should; which allows me to enjoy the song as intended. Just to make sure, I replay the song a couple of times. Following that with Pomme’s San Toi, her voice rings as near-sensuous; mimicking to me a wired experience. While not completely like that, the sound coming forth is fairly astounding and allows me the pleasure of listening without bother.



The only bother I have comes up top, in the treble range. Nicely extended, but without becoming strident, there is a certain artificiality to cymbal crashes and hits, along with a bit of that in higher guitar notes as well. Mind you, this is a minor niggle, and one, which really doesn’t bother me if I am simply listening. On Tedeschi Trucks Midnight In Harlem, that tendency drifts away with the wonderful melodic song; so one really need not worry.

Soundstage is very good for a closed TWS system. I get good height on R.E.M.’s Man On The Moon, along with good depth and width. To me highlighting the depth and height makes for a very nice chamber with which to listen. The center point comes across as almost dead center in my head, a nice change from the lifted or elevated center points of previously reviewed gear of late. I thoroughly enjoy the separation & layering as a result. Good height equates to the ability in discerning each layer and those instruments are well placed within the sound signature. I find myself raising the volume not only because of the isolation, but because I am rather enjoying the sound as well!



Finale:

Comparing TWS units is akin to comparing compact-sized sedans. There is a plethora of them, and the vast majority do things well. You want an appliance? Buy a Toyota Corolla or Prius (we own one, so...). You want luxury? Buy a Honda Civic. Sporty? Buy a VW Jetta or the Si version of the Civic. You get my point, I hope.

Taken singularly, the ZE3000 comes across as nothing but a surprise to me. Not only in fit, but sound as well. This one is a keeper to me, and I am thankful for the opportunity to experience something else from Final. For those who spend $200 on AirPods, or the requisite Beats, you should seriously reconsider their purchase. The Final Audio ZE3000 is better than either, by a large margin to me. A point here, and I shall end. Some complain about spending so much on audio gear, yet I would bet that their children mostly own Beats or AirPods. Heck, even my daughter does (Apple), and I have given her far superior products than those. But, just as often people claim, “at this price,” then state the phrase and seemingly lose credibility. I say balderdash. One must have a point of reference for everything we review, and I do not forget that.

And here is where the ZE3000 competes very well at the price, and to me makes an affordable alternative to the overpriced mass-produced offerings from others. See what I did there? The ZE3000 is a very fine TWS, which is fairly intuitive to use, sounds the part, plus you get the cool Final Type-E tips as well. I find the critter to be easily worth a listen and think you may agree on many of the points I have provided.