Final ZE8000 Earphones Launched for £299/€329/$349: Features ANC, aptX Adaptive and 8K Sound Technology

Final is a renowned Japanese brand known for its audiophile-grade earphones and headphones. They have traditionally focussed on wired overhead headphones and in-ear earphones covering a wide spectrum of price points. The Final E1000 earphones can be bought for just £15, but on the other end of the spectrum, you have the A8000 earphones at £2k, or the Final D8000 Pro planar magnetic headphones that go up to £4.8k.

The brand has been slowly dabbling with wireless headphones and earphones. I reviewed the excellent and affordable Final UX3000 ANC headphones a year ago, and they also have the Final ZE2000 true wireless earphones.

Final is now launched a new flagship true wireless earphone called the ZE8000.

As you’d expect, they have all the latest tech you expect from a TWS earbud, including active noise cancelling, aptX Adaptive for higher quality audio and an EQ to dial in the sound profile to your liking.

Thankfully, they are not as expensive as the A8000 earphones, but they are expensive in the world of wireless earbuds.

The final ZE8000 will be available to buy on 23rd February 2023 in the UK, EU & US for (£299/€329/$349) from selected retailers online and in stores including Amazon, Selfridges (UK), Harrods (UK) and Audio46 (US).

Looking at the Selfridges, it is only the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX that are priced higher.

However, these are likely the closest to audiophile Bluetooth earbuds you will get (though audiophiles will argue that’s impossible with Bluetooth).

Specifications

• Colour: Black / WhiteCommunication 
• Format: Bluetooth 5.2
• Chipset: Qualcomm QCC5141
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 44 kHzCodec 
• Supported: SBC, AAC, Qualcomm aptX, aptX AdaptiveProfiles 
• Supported: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
• Continuous Music Playback: 5 hours, Up to 15 hours with charging case
• Charging Time: 1.5 hours for earbuds / 2 hours for charging caseBattery Capacity: 54 mAh for earbuds / 420 mAh for charging case
• Water Resistant: IPX4

Full Press Release

Japanese audio specialists final have announced the launch of their new flagship ZE8000 true wireless earphones.

Final are not known to rush, and the ZE8000 is a culmination of their innovation, R&D, creativity and engineering capabilities that have been refined and explored over the years.

The final ZE8000 will be available to buy on 23rd February 2023 in the UK, EU & US for (£299/€329/$349) from selected retailers online and in store including Amazon, Selfridges (UK), Harrods (UK) and Audio46 (US).

Purveyor of musical enjoyment since 1974

Previously known as Final Audio – final are considered to be one of the most respected brands when it comes to high-end audio, with an extensive history within the audio world starting in Japan and going back as far as 1974, where they first developed their own turntable cartridge; with later releases of original products such as amplifiers and speakers.

Since 2009, final has turned their attention to the world of portable audio, and their most recent flagship releases have influenced the creation and development of the ZE8000. In 2017, final released their D8000 flagship headphone which incorporated their very own planar magnetic technology (AFDS); developed in-house by final engineers. Later in 2019, the A8000 flagship wired earphone was released, utilising final’s truly pure Beryllium diaphragm driver; again designed and developed in-house.

These discoveries have allowed final to foresee the untapped potential of wireless portable audio, and apply their years of development and engineering prowess into creating the flagship ZE8000 true wireless earphones; proudly included within their 8000 series lineup.

Introducing 8K Sound technology – developed by final

For the ZE8000, final has developed their new ‘f-CORE for 8K Sound’ ultra-low distortion driver with a large 13mm diaphragm. This driver is extremely lightweight, using an aluminium-magnesium dome injection moulded onto a highly flexible silicone surround, with a floating mechanism used for the voice coils. The impressively low total harmonic distortion (THD) from this driver is unique amongst other true wireless earphone models, providing the highest precision in digital signal processing results and allowing the fullest possible portrayal of sound texture and detail.

Class-AB Amplifier and Dedicated Digital Signal Processing

In order to achieve 8K Sound and fully utilise the new f-CORE driver, final has paid focused attention to the hardware nestled within the ZE8000. Class-AB amplifiers are known for their superior balance between sound quality and power efficiency, and is another element of the ZE8000 that sets it aside from the many TWS models typically using Class-D amplifier technology. Paired with the Polymer Multilayer Capacitors (PML CAPs) designed by Rubicon for digital signal processing, final’s 8K Sound is fully realised in the ZE8000.

Impressive hardware matched with state-of-the-art software and final Connect app

The ZE8000 has been loaded with an impressive amount of features, some of which never before available until now. In order for music quality to always be the focus of the ZE8000, final has developed their sound quality prioritised Active Noise Cancelling (ANC). This ANC does not degrade the audio in any way, and the low-noise helps to create a quiet environment for listening; removing irritating ambient noise and enabling a stress-free listening experience.

There are four listening modes available for the ZE8000, all of which have their own benefits and clear intended scenarios for the user:

• Noise Cancelling Mode – Eliminates ambient noise and allows users to concentrate on the music.
• Wind-Cut Mode – Significantly eliminates wind noise captured by the microphones when there is a lot of ambient air movement.
• Ambient Sound Mode – Seamlessly blends music and ambient sound, allowing users to be aware of their surroundings while listening to music.
• Voice Through Mode – Ambient sound is prioritized over music, allowing for clear conversations without removing the earphones from the ears.

Unique to the ZE8000 is the Volume Step Optimizer. This feature allows users to fine tune their listening volume, transforming the smartphone’s standard volume control to offer a finer volume adjustment at higher precision around the users reference level. This is easily customised using the final Connect app, and can be enabled or disabled to taste.

In addition to SBC and AAC codecs, the ZE8000 supports the uninterrupted, high-quality Qualcomm aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs for wireless transmission at up to 24bit/96Hz.

Users of Snapdragon Sound enabled devices will be happy as the ZE8000 is fully compatible. This technology will upgrade their wireless connectivity even further with Snapdragon Sound technology, designed to give listeners the best possible audio experience for gaming, music streaming, voice and video calls, and more.

The ‘final Connect’ app provides the following functions unique to the ZE8000, opened up in addition to basic functions such as checking the battery level of the earphones.

• Switch between 4 modes: Noise Cancelling, Wind-Cut, Ambient Sound, and Voice Through.
• PRO Equalizer allows users to make adjustments onto the sound presentation in the most effective way without causing degradation of sound quality
• Setting up the Volume Step Optimizer to upgrade the smartphone’s volume control, allowing for finer volume adjustment near the preferred volume with greater precision.
• Switching the voice guidance language (Japanese/English)
• Activating 8K SOUND+
• Easily install firmware updates when available

The ZE8000 has been designed for comfort and stability. Using a division design, the dedicated ear-fitting division is shaped in a way to suit all ear shapes and sizes, with a number of eartips sizes provided. Then, contrary to many TWS models on the market, the outer division not only provides the ZE8000 with a stylish and elegant appearance; it also holds all of the components that normally get in the way of listening comfort. The carry case is equally stylish with UCB-C charging and a battery charging indicator clearly visible.

With the ZE8000, final has shown that high-end, hi-fi audio quality is possible from a wireless earphone; and this flagship is the first step towards realising the full potential of portable audio.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.