Final Audio ZE3000 ($149): Wireless, but still many of the same Final characteristics
Pros: Price
Sound is what you expect from Final Audio
Rich, warmer signature
Detail & clarity
Size
Functions
Cons: Plastic
Fit may not be for all
Competition at this price
Final Audio ZE3000 ($149): Wireless, but still many of the same Final characteristics
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.
