Final D8000 new planar headphones

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by 9suns, Oct 5, 2017.

  1. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    Found info about them today, it's inspired by old planar designs (Yamaha HP-1).
    They'll release a whole range of planar headphones, prices between 300€ and 5000€ (like their Sonorous series).

    Scrolling down, you'll find images of a powerpoint presentation (in english) explaining their planar drivers
    https://on-mag.fr/index.php/topaudi...c-des-transducteurs-orthoplanar-a-compression

    The first one being released will be called "D8000" and will cost 3500€:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    They'll be present at RMAF.
    Btw, I'm not affiliated to Final, just thought it was interesting to create a thread about this new headphones.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2018
  2. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    I genuinely adore Final’s products and reading about the company history. They are delightfully mad.
     
  3. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Sometimes I don’t know where Final Audio gets off setting the prices they set, but I really don’t know enough about the brand and build quality to really make a judgement. I’ve seen enough positive reviews that I’m sure they make a quality product. But their reputation is small enough where it feels risky.
     
  4. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    I've never heard one of their headphones, so can't comment on sound quality of any of their products.
    I only know that Tyll commented on Head-Case about the FAD Hope VI, saying: "they sound like shit"
    And that FAD founder, Kanemori Takai, passed away 3 years ago (RIP).

    This line of planar magnetic headphones looks very interesting and completely different from their other products.
     
  5. MuppetFace

    MuppetFace Sultana of Seafoam Green - Moderator

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    Final (formerly Final Audio Design or “FAD”) is pretty much a two headed beast. On one side, they’re a niche boutique company who caters to seriously wealthy collector types who want one-of-a-kind pieces of functional art. I believe their infamous horn speakers were installed into a few homes and cost around 800k USD. Truly crazy, bonkers stuff. Not meant for the likes of us mere mortals.

    The newer side of Final is trying to expand their audience to include audio enthusiasts from all walks of life, ranging from 50 USD earphones up to 5,000 USD stuff probably closer to this. They really do offer some products at competitive prices, particularly among their earphone lineup.

    Then again, they certainly still retain the...”unique” vision for their company. Like offering dynamic earphones shaped like haunted charnel urns which are purposefully tuned to sound like mediocre vintage horn speakers.

    All FInal products should be approached with a “try before you buy” mindset, though for those feeling a bit adventurous, they can offer a new and unique—and potentially confounding—experience.


    TL;DR edit:
    Final is a rather stereotypical Japanese boutique audio company. As is sometimes the case among these designers, they seek to replicate the sound coloration of particular gear of yesteryear. Sort of the audio equivalent to the infamous Japanese theme restaraunt. So right off the bat you should know it’s not gonna be everyone’s cup of tea.

    The ridiculous prices come from the brand’s niche clientele which it’s had since the 70s.

    However! In the last few decades they’ve gotten more and more into the world of consumer audio, and now they offer a pretty diverse set of earphones [generally competitive] at their various price points.
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2017
  6. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    Per a dealer, release date for these is still unknown. I might be feeling adventurous if they actually show up this year...
     
  7. nithhoggr

    nithhoggr Author of the best selling novel Digital Jesus

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    Interesting! Considering I've actually got a vintage Yamaha ortho, I'm probably not going to be that interested in these, but it's awesome that someone's trying to bring back their sound. Wonder if they're imitating the stock Yamahas or one that's been dampened a bit...IIRC, most people on the old ortho thread on HF tended to dampen them quite a lot (back before Audeze brought out new-production planars, and now planars are everywhere).
     
  8. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    From what I've read on the powerpoint images, the thing that has in common with the HP-1 is the spiral coil and the doughnut shaped magnet. Damping is applied using an "air film" (what they call "Air Film Damping") instead of coating, sound absorbing materials or damping sheets.
    It also has a 70mm driver and is open back.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2018
  9. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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  10. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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  11. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    €3499!

    That's a lotta Euros!


    Over 4 grand for an unknown headphone that has no fanbase, that has no good reputation for sound quality from their previous headphones & has not been circulated among reviewers.
    Anyone with 4 grand to burn & with any sense would probably go with the traditional high end cans (Abyss, Susvara, Utopia, Stax, Audeze).
     
  12. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    It depends, to my not expert eyes looks like a fair amount of R&D was used to make the headphone, much more than Audeze & Hifiman QC marvels.
    Completely agree on price, 3.5k € is retarded.
    Time will tell if it is a turd or a really good headphone.
     
  13. Zed Bopp

    Zed Bopp Friend

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    For that kind of dough you'd think they would look the part too. That doesn't look like anything over 300.
     
  14. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Final/FAD is an unusual company. I've listened to a number of their products at shows. Was never a fan of their IEMs, and could never understand the pricing and appeal of the Piano Forte's. No my cup of java, but to each their own. I did actually find their Sonorous X's enjoyable - some of the highest impact bass I've heard from headphones. However, not worth $5K IMO.
     
  15. wnmnkh

    wnmnkh Friend

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    The driver looks awfully similar to Yamaha's Orthodynamic headphones made in 1970s.
     
  16. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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  17. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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  18. Galm

    Galm Still looking for Little Red Riding Hood

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    I heard these at RMAF. I thought they were awful to be honest. My favorite thing at the final audio booth was the 50 dollar iems.

    The clarity on these were pathetic for 4,000 dollars. I'm expecting at least LCD-4 and really Utopia level clarity at that price.

    Quoting myself:

    Final Audio flagship iem - this thing. The soundstage was huge, but ringy. Comfort was horrific and generally I thought it was ridiculous to charge so much for it. The concept was novel, but I really didn't like it.

    Final Audio D8000 - I thought this was terrible. It was the first planar I tried at the show and made me have dirt for expectations. The detail was not there (out of a Dave) and it really did nothing anywhere near well enough for the price. I think it was fairly neutral? I didn't spend long with it...

    I suppose it's possible the DAVE wasn't giving it enough juice, but then the DAVE shouldn't have been the only thing at their stand for an amp.
     
  19. alchemist007

    alchemist007 New

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    ^ Comments like that really make me wonder whether a lot of these $4k+ products are just to make rich people feel better. Just got my HD6xx and if it does enough of the LCD-3's job I'm liable to sell it.
     
  20. Galm

    Galm Still looking for Little Red Riding Hood

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    To be fair from my own perspective Utopia was worth it for the street price. Quite a step above HD800 for me.

    But I agree a lot of these prices are insane. LCD-4 was quite good for example, but I wouldn't say 4,000 dollars good. The Final Audio thing I just didn't like period.
     

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