The Final A2000 is a small IEM (in-ear monitor) with a single dynamic driver, priced around 99 USD.
The A2000 uses Final’s 6mm “f-Core DU” dynamic driver, developed and manufactured in-house by Final. There is a brass front housing to reduce magnetic interference and an ultra-fine 30μm CCAW voice coil to improve transient response. Each diaphragm is pressed in small batches to increase precision. The diaphragm material isn’t publicly known; Final secretive at that point.
Japanese audio manufacturer Final Inc. was founded in 1974 by Kanemori Takai. It started out with high-end turntables, cartridges, and speakers. Today Final focuses on IEMs and full-size headphones, both wired and wireless.
FINAL A20000 SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: single driver IEM
- Driver: 6mm Dynamic (f-Core DU)
- Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW
- Impedance: 19 Ohms
- Housing: ABS resin
- Cable: Black OFC cable (1.2m)
- Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Termination 3.5 mm angled jack
- Detachable Type B ear hooks included
- Silicone ear tips: 5 sizes
- Weight: 20 g
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: Final Store
Disclaimer: We were sent this review item in the exchange for an honest opinion.
BUILD AND DESIGN
The A2000 is made of ABS plastic, like the rest of the Final A series, except for the stainless steel A8000. The A2000 is very similar to the VR2000 and VR3000, which I have previously reviewed.
The shells are small and light. Despite the somewhat angular design, they feel very ergonomic and I find them comfortable to wear. A quirk with Final IEMs is that they come with a straight, thin cable that does not have the standard integrated stiffer hook shape at the end like most IEMs do.
For me personally, I find it works quite well because the cable is so thin and flexible. Detachable ear hooks are included, however, a pair of standard Final “Type B” ear hooks. Silicone ear tips in five sizes are also included.
LISTENING IMPRESSIONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
- Tips: SpinFit CP145
In The Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
The bass and bass drum are very punchy, nicely rich and well present; the A2000 isn’t especially bass-heavy but neither is it bass-light. The piano is nice and delicate, the percussion detailed but with a dry tint.
Re-Melt by Tord Gustavsen
Very well balanced, with nice bass presence and detail, smooth and nuanced piano. The percussion is airy and slightly dry.
The Hidden Camera by Photek
The bass is impressive; it’s tight yet rich and very linear-sounding. The percussion is usually on the dry side on this track, and the A2000 is certainly no exception, but it’s dry without being sharp or unpleasantly crisp.
Teardrop by Massive Attack
Again, the bass is impressive; it’s tight but also rich and deep. The female vocals are very clear with great sense of detail. Instrument separation is good.
Eye of the Day by Marta del Grandi
The A2000 delivers very clear female vocals, which stand out distinctively; the guitar and percussion are pushed a bit further back than with many other earphones.
Spontaneous Compositorius by Thomas Agergard
The bright percussion is quite prominent. It’s detailed and clean-sounding, but more pronounced relative to many other earphones. The saxophone is less rich, slightly lacking in warmth compared to what I’d prefer. The bass is very tight but relatively modest in quantity.
Sandermosen by Maridalen
Very good instrument separation. The saxophone has a smooth, relaxed timbre. The double bass sounds great.
Dancing in the Dark by Jørgen Dahl Moe
This is a wonderful version of Springsteen’s classic. The vocals can, however, sound a bit sharp and dry on many earphones, and the A2000 is among those.
Almost Like the Blues by Leonard Cohen
The bass is tight and rather polite in quantity. Vocals are textured and not overly warm. Percussion is crisp.
Maple Noise by Greene Serene
This dynamic masterpiece of free jazz sounds good on the A2000. The bass is tight and rather polite, the percussion is snappy, the trumpet crisp. It’s a bit brighter and drier sounding than many earphones, but very detailed with good imaging.
It Could Be Sweet by Portishead
Very impressive bass, tight and punchy but polite in quantity. The vocals are clear and upfront with some sibilance, which is not unusual on this track, but sibilants are certainly more pronounced with the A2000 than with the average earphone.
Jambi by Tool
Very textured electric guitars. Tight bass. Vocals are clear and clean. There is some sibilance, but I’ve heard it much worse on this track.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
Upfront, crisp timbre – rich in texture.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
Very good instrument separation. Compared to most earphones it’s rather bright and crisp, but here in a very welcoming way, as this track often sounds too dull and muffled; not so with the A2000.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The Final A2000 can be regarded as quite neutral, but on the brighter side.
Treble
The treble is very detailed but on the drier and crisper side, rather than laid-back and dark.
Midrange
The midrange is also notably detailed, revealing lots of texture in vocals and midrange instruments. It is quite upfront and very present, but in a brighter manner rather than warm and lush.
Bass
The bass is very tight with impressive quality, but moderate quantity. I find the A2000 delivers an even and well-balanced bass that is not overly rich or full. It is neutral and admirably executed.
Soundstage and Imaging
The soundstage feels very open and the imaging is quite good for an IEM at this price point, although not spectacular.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The detail level is generally high, in a crisp and clear manner, with a lot of texture.
Macrodynamics aren’t mind-blowing, but the A2000 is quite articulate with good microdynamics from top to bottom, although I am most impressed with the bass.
The timbre is generally crisp, a bit bright and dry. It’s certainly not a lush and warm-sounding IEM.
COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
FINAL A2000 vs VR2000 and VR3000
The VR2000 and VR3000 are gaming-oriented IEMs, similar in looks and build to the A2000. Both feature a “6mm f-Core DU” driver, like the A2000. I do not know if the drivers are identical or variations of the same main design.
I have reviewed the VR earphones separately:
I have also written a comparison review
- VR2000 vs VR3000 (In short, the VR2000 is tighter and sharper, the VR3000 has richer bass).
FINAL A2000 vs VR2000
When comparing the VR2000 and A2000, they are similar sounding but not identical. The VR2000 has a somewhat warmer bass and mids; the A2000 is actually a bit crisper and sharper.
FINAL A2000 vs VR3000
When comparing the VR3000 and the A2000, the sound quality is very comparable in general, but they are tuned more differently. The VR3000 has richer but less tight bass, warmer mids, but a similarly bright treble.
FINAL IEM COMPARISON CONCLUDED
The A2000, VR2000, and VR3000 are very similar sounding and very comparable. However, they are differently tuned, with the VR3000 having the most bass and the warmest mids, the A2000 being the tightest and sharpest, and the VR2000 sitting somewhere in between.
Amazon: Final Store
TIPSY M1 vs FINAL A2000
The Tipsy M1 is, like the A2000, a single driver dynamic IEM. It uses a 10mm dynamic driver with a bamboo fibre diaphragm and costs around 99 USD.
The two earphones make for a nice comparison because they are both very small and light, but represent very different approaches to tuning. When compared to the M1, the A2000 feels bright and clinical, but also clear and precise, whereas the M1 is warmer, darker, and more forgiving while still delivering its detail in a more subtle manner.
Amazon: Tipsy M1
DACs and AMPLIFICATION
For most of my listening, I’ve used the very versatile Topping A90 amp, with my RME ADI-2 DAC FS as source. However, portable DAC/Amp options are much more relevant for the A2000, so I tried out a few options:
The tiny Letshuoer DT01 Pro and Jade JA11 works well enough, but I don’t find them exactly end-game worthy for the A2000. The angled/90 degrees Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini is a step up. So is the Alpha XI1 ONIX and Fosi DS3. Even better is the xDuoo Link2 Bal2, which is my favourite among the portable options and very close to the desktop setups I’ve tried.
In conclusion, given that the rated sensitivity of the A2000 is 99 dB/mW, which isn’t especially high, it makes sense that the A2000 needs a bit of power. It is also resolving enough to scale with better gear, which is basically what I found.
CONCLUSION
The Final A2000 is tuned to be neutral-to-bright. The treble is detailed and energetic and shouldn’t disappoint treble-heads. The midrange is upfront, clear, and crisp with lots of texture. However, the bass might be what impressed me the most; it is very tight and dynamic.
Even though the Final A2000 is reasonably easy to drive and needs no powerhouse, you must give it more than the bare minimum to make it shine.
The small form factor and lightweight construction make it very special among most IEMs these days. If this is the tuning and design you are after, you might be happy with the Final A2000.
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Amazon: Final Store
