Brighton, UK – 23rd February 2023: The audio world has been anticipating this moment, and now the wait is over. 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).
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.
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:
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/96kHz.
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 USB-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.
Specifications
Colour: Black / White
Format: Bluetooth 5.2
Chipset: Qualcomm QCC5141
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 44 kHz
Codec Supported: SBC, AAC, Qualcomm aptX, aptX Adaptive
Profiles 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 case Battery Capacity: 54 mAh for earbuds / 420 mAh for charging case
Water Resistant: IPX4
Format: Bluetooth 5.2
Chipset: Qualcomm QCC5141
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 44 kHz
Codec Supported: SBC, AAC, Qualcomm aptX, aptX Adaptive
Profiles 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 case Battery Capacity: 54 mAh for earbuds / 420 mAh for charging case
Water Resistant: IPX4
About final
Established in 2007, final 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. In Europe in particular, our products are not only sold at high-end audio shops, but also at high-quality department stores and famous lifestyle shops such as Paris’ Colette, and our sales increase steadily every year.
Products such as earphones and headphones belong to a category known as current electrical appliances whose value is the greatest when they are brand new. We, however, would like to create earphones and headphones that people have an affinity for and continue to use in much the same way they have with a mechanical wristwatch, the kind that will be valued as an antique in the future. To that end, it is necessary to embody the design of the product and the way in which it is considered, including the repair system, as a concrete organization or structure.
Our brand concept is simple and has not changed since the company’s inception - “The comprehensive pursuit of things that are fundamentally right”. In our pursuit of this, we have actively adopted cutting edge technology such as 3D printers. We believe that such a pursuit is what creates a brand.
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. In Europe in particular, our products are not only sold at high-end audio shops, but also at high-quality department stores and famous lifestyle shops such as Paris’ Colette, and our sales increase steadily every year.
Products such as earphones and headphones belong to a category known as current electrical appliances whose value is the greatest when they are brand new. We, however, would like to create earphones and headphones that people have an affinity for and continue to use in much the same way they have with a mechanical wristwatch, the kind that will be valued as an antique in the future. To that end, it is necessary to embody the design of the product and the way in which it is considered, including the repair system, as a concrete organization or structure.
Our brand concept is simple and has not changed since the company’s inception - “The comprehensive pursuit of things that are fundamentally right”. In our pursuit of this, we have actively adopted cutting edge technology such as 3D printers. We believe that such a pursuit is what creates a brand.