Final UX2000 ANC Headphones Review

Following on from my review of the excellent flagship Final Audio ZE8000 MK2 TWS earbuds, I have been reviewing the affordable UX2000 ANC headphones.

These inherit many of the features of the superb Final UX3000 but with a toned-down spec at a more affordable price point.

Final UX2000 vs UX3000 Specifications

Final	UX2000	UX3000
Colour	Cream/Black	Textured Black
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.0
Frequency Response	20 Hz – 20 kHz	20Hz-20KHz
Codecs Supported	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX LL
Profiles Supported	HFP, A2DP, AVRCP	HFP, HSP, A2DP, AVRCP
Battery Life	ANC ON:45 hours. ANC OFF:60 hours	ANC ON 25 hours, ANC OFF 35 hours
Charging Time	2.5 hours	2.5 hours
Battery Capacity	700mAh	700mAh
Price	£99 / $119	£118 / $149.95

Final Companion App

The Final UX2000 packaging recommends to download the My Final app. This is not the same app as Final Connect, which I used with the ZE8000 MK2 TWS earbuds.

At the time of writing, when you scan the QR code and select English, you are informed that the app is not available yet.

I also couldn’t use the Japanese version as the Play Store says it is not available in my country.

Design and Fit

The Final Audio UX2000 have a minimalist yet sophisticated design.

Offered in cream and black colour options, the matte finish confers an added touch of class. What’s more, this matte finish serves a practical purpose, being resistant to smudges and ensuring a clean appearance over extended use.

The headphones are lightweight, with the construction material being sturdy plastic that does not compromise on durability. The earcups are made from a soft and comfortable material that fits snugly around the ears, providing comfort even during prolonged use. Additionally, the headband is padded with the same material, offering a secure yet comfortable grip.

One of the most appealing features of the UX2000 is its foldable design. This makes them easily portable and ideal for use on-the-go. However, one minor drawback is the absence of a carrying case, which could potentially offer extra protection during transit.

They are basically the same as the black UX3000, but they lack the textured finish.

Sound Quality

The sound quality of the Final Audio UX2000 is excellent. These headphones have a warmer sound profile than you get from some of the more neutral or analytical headphones from Final, and I find them enjoyable to listen to while maintaining a good balance.

The bass is there when you need it, but it doesn’t muddy the other frequencies too much. I’d say these do a better job of balancing the bass than many other brands focussing on mainstream tastes.

Mids do have a bit of low-end dominance, but there is still plenty of detail for the rest of the frequency and vocals and instruments are rendered with clarity and presence.

The treble is crisp and well-defined, allowing for the nuanced details in the music to shine through.

This balanced approach makes the UX2000 suitable for a wide range of music genres.

Active Noise Cancelling

The UX2000 employs a hybrid ANC technology that does a surprisingly good job of blocking out ambient noise. This feature is particularly useful in noisy environments, such as during commutes or in bustling offices. The ANC can be easily toggled on or off using a physical button on the headphone, adding to the device’s simplicity and ease of use.

In my synthetic test of playing airplane cabin noise on my Edifier S3000 Pro speakers with the volume set to 80%, the ANC on the headphones performs well.

They seem to do a good job of taking out the very low end and then performing consistently through the other frequencies. Subjectively, I’d say it reduces the noise by about 80%.

With ANC off, I find listening to music difficult with the cabin noise so loud. I can hear the music and lyrics, but it is not enjoyable as the cabin noise intrudes too much. With it on, I can still hear the cabin, but it is more of a background noise and doesn’t particularly affect my enjoyment of music or movies.

Battery

The Final UX2000 headphones are rated for 45 hours with ANC on and 60 hours with it off. That’s significantly higher than the Final UX3000 or my Bose 700 ANC headphones. Even the Sony WH-1000XM5 only lasts 30 hours.

Due to the long battery life, I haven’t timed the performance, but I listened to them for a few hours a day over a week without charging.

Price and Alternative Options

The Final UX2000 have an RRP of £99, which I think is attractively priced and quite reasonable for the overall performance. HiFi Headphones also have the cream colour reduced to £90.

The older Final UX3000 are only £20 more at £119, and these have aptX and aptX LL, which should improve the overall sound a bit.

The UX2000 is being marketed towards more general use for gaming and entertainment, whereas the UX3000 are marketed as high fidelity.

The Anker Space Q45 are £110, and the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 are £91.20. I’d say these have better ANC, and Anker has a good app with extensive EQ options; however, the out-of-the-box performance for both of these headphones is much more bassy and less refined.

Overall

The Final Audio UX2000 are an excellent choice for those seeking quality headphones without breaking the bank.

They have an excellent combination of sound quality, effective ANC, and long battery life. If you value sound quality more than ANC, then I would say the Final UX2000 are a better option than most of the other options at this price point from popular brands.