final E500

About myself: ======START OF INTRODUCTION ====== Audio equipment reviewer over 20year+ of experience in headphones/earphones/IEM/DAP, initially motivated by Sennheiser/AKG. After spending a decade with full-size headphones, home audio speakers, I shifted my main listening environment to IEM (100+ personal inventories ). On mobile, I havingLexus’s Mark Levision system, and moved to Mercedes AMG’s Burmester 3D System. I have been a member & reviewer at headfi.org —one of the most diversified international audio equipment enthusiast community— since 2008, have 100+ IEMs/50+ full size cans/numerous DAPs. Currently enjoying 7Hz Timeless, Softears RSV, Moondrop’s Blessing 2, Blessing 2 dusk, Variations, Aria, Kato, as well as many other current market gatekeepers such as qdc anole VX ($2900USD), UM MEST MKII ($1,600), Thieaudio Monarch ($760), DUNU SA6 ($560), besides rather old-school Sennheiser/ Shure/ Westone/Sony/AudioTechnica/AKG/Etymotic Researchms IEMs (these established consumer manufacturers are no longer making competitive cost-to-performance IEMs at current market of 2022, except very selective few ones from Sony). Current favorites: IEM fav: [ 7Hz Timeless / Salnotes Zero | Tangzu Wu Zetian | qdc Anole VX | Softears RSV | UM MEST MkII | ThieAudio Monarch | Moondrop Variations | DUNU Studio SA6 | Moondrop Kato / Dusk | XENNS Mangird Tea | TRUTHEAR HEXA | See Audio Bravery | FiiO FHE | Moondrop Stellaris | GeekWold GK10 | TRI Starsea / i3 Pro | Moondrop Aria(mod) / Chu | KBEAR Believe | KZ ZAS | DQ6S | Tripowin Lea ] Wireless fav: [AKG N5005 / N400 | AirPodsPro | Nekocake | Gamer No.1 ] Fullsize-Can fav: [ HD560S / HD650 / Unipolar 2002 / HD25 | Yamaha HP-1 | AKG K340 | DT990PRO[600Ω] ] DAP/DAC fav: L&P W2 | FiiO M11Pro/BTR5/3K | HifiMan HM801 | Astel&Kern AK70 | Speaker: AMG Burmester System Shelved items(benched roaster): IE8 / MXW1 / Momentum OE / HD414 / HD202 / PX100 / CX95 / MX90VC / OMX90VC / MX760/660/500 /HD450BT| K701 / K530LTD / K450 / K171MKII /K24&26P/ IP2 / K314P / K324P / K12P | JVC HP-FX500 | Moondrop Blessing 2/ Starfield / KXXS / Quarks / ShiroYuki / Nameless | See Audio Yume | GeekWold GK3 | NF Audio NM2+ | KZ ZST Pro / ZS5 / ZS10 / ZS10Pro / ZSN / ZSN ProX/ AS10 / AS12 / AS16 / ASX / AST / DQ6 / ZAX / EDX / S1D / SKS / Z1Pro / ZEX/ NRA/ZEX Pro/ T10 /SKS /SK10 | CCA CS10 / C10 Pro / CA16 / CS16 / CRN | Tripowin Mele | OpenHeart Resin | HZSound Heart Mirror | Final E500/E1000/VR3000| TRI i3 Pro | JadeAudio EA3 | Thie Audio Legacy 3 | KBEAR Stellar / KS1 / KS2 /Lark 4K / Neon / Robin | TRN VX(w/BT20ProTWS) / MT1 / VX PRO | NICEHCK DB3 | QKZ VK1 / VK3 / VK4 / KD4 / KD7 / CK3 / CK7 / CK9 | CCZ Plume/Coffee Bean DC-01 | Audio Technica ESW9 / EW9 / ANC7 | Koss PRO4AA / PortaPro / KSC75 / KSC35 / Spark Plug | V-moda Bassfreq | ER4S / ER2SE | GS Audio ST10 /GT12 | Bang&Olufsen A8 | Klipsch Custom2 | Harman Kardon EP720 | UE TF10PRO / 5EB / Superfi 5 | Sony: EXQ1 /EX90LP / EX700ST | Westone 4/ UM2 | Ultrasone DJ1PRO | Surplex HD668B/HD661 | HPM1000 | JBL Reference410 | Yamaha YH-100 | Fostex T50RP | Grado SR225 | TEAC HP102 | Goldring GR-104 | STAX SR40 | Phillips SHE9700 /SHP8500 | Marantz HP101|Lexus Mark Levinson ========END OF INTRODUCTION====== About E500: Hello! I Just got myself a pair of Final E tips for $24, that came with a basic looking IEM, E500. Plastic parts, non-swappable cables, but how come this thing is so well tuned...! Pros: -Almost non-existent harshness with great sense of neutrality, more precisely Diffusion field neutral -E500 is better representing “neutral” than KBEar Lark in this sub$30 segment ;Lark is more toward slightly brighter tuning with bit of bass engagement -E500 tonality is simply colorless/translucent -very natural transient, OK resolution, great coherence. Above all it comes with full collection of Final E premium ear tips, which alone costs $15 a set. -Cons: sub bass could use a couple of dB boost to have perfect flat, also air presentation may need some extensions Best Use for: immersive experience if it fits your personal HRTF, for me yes, it fits perfectly, second best immersive gadget for VR oculus quest use, besides Softears RSV($730) -best in sub $50 price range class for sound coordination/positioning Highly recommendable for anyone looking for: -natural and neutral reference tuned IEM -1/3 of a size of other IEMs -fits perfectly to smaller size of ears -non exhasting IEM for long term listening, small-sized, feather light -accurate presentation of analog / binaural recordings -buying premium Final E tips, just buy E500, it comes with great neutral reference! -looking some IEM to play BeatSaber for oculus quest, this well fit the needs! The sound reminds me of Softears RSV with lower sub bass floors. So I’d say if someone interested how Softears RSV would sound, this may give you a hint, a mini RSV. E500 proved its high sound coordination and positioning ability with natural and neutral decay. If you are looking upgraded version, you may consider Etymotic ER2SE ($79) or Final Audio VR3000($79) VS E1000: same driver E1000 is more vocal focused neutral, just like most of Etymotics, not recommendable to those seeking pure-flat reference tuning.

Here's my thoughts of the Final E500 earphones: - Sound Signature: Smooth and refined, designed for VR and gaming with excellent spatial accuracy. - Bass: Linear and well-controlled, offering good punch and extension without being overpowering. - Midrange: Clear and detailed, with a natural portrayal of voices and sounds; great for vocal-heavy content. - Treble: Smooth with enough extension and presence to maintain clarity; avoids harsh peaks. - Build Quality: Lightweight plastic body with a slim design; comfortable fit with sturdy construction. - Driver Unit: 6.4mm dynamic driver - Impedance: 16 ohms - Sensitivity: 98dB - Cable Length: 1.2m - Weight: 15g - Ear Tips: Five sizes (SS/S/M/L/LL) of Final Type-E ear tips with different hardness for comfort and sound isolation

Just picked up the Final E500 IEMs and here’s my take after putting them through their paces. These are definitely aimed at budget-conscious folks who still want decent sound. First off, the sound quality is surprisingly good for the price. They offer a neutral tone that’s pretty rare in this sub-$50 range. The lack of harshness makes them easy to listen to for long stretches, which is a big plus. However, if you’re a bass lover, you might find the low end a bit lacking. You really have to push them in to get the bass response you might want, which can be uncomfortable for some. The build quality is alright. They’re lightweight, but the non-detachable cable feels like a letdown. I’ve read reviews praising their comfort, and I agree—these tips really do help them fit well. Just remember, they’re not the most isolated in terms of noise cancellation, so don’t expect to block out all your surroundings. In terms of use, they shine in gaming and VR situations, where positional audio can enhance your experience. Some users mentioned how great they are for ASMR, too, thanks to their clear vocal reproduction. But if you’re looking for a more immersive experience or a wider soundstage, you might want to look at higher-priced options. Overall, if you’re dipping your toes into the IEM world or just need a reliable pair for casual listening or gaming, the Final E500s are worth considering. Just keep your expectations in check, and you might find them to be a solid addition to your audio gear.

At first, I thought it was my own hearing going bad, but comparing this to some Moondrop Quarks or other IeMs, it's clear the right channel is notably softer than the left - swapping ears also shows this to be true. Sound wise it seemed ok, but once I had more points of reference, it felt "hollow" and "boomy", like I was listening to the echo of a speaker down a stone hallway.

Bought these 'cause they're cheap and at the top of the list at crinacle.com. Crin was right, tonal balance is amazing. It's slightly relaxed at the ear gain, with some added weight. And it is smooooooth. No spikes, no boomines, no subilants, no shout, not nazal, extended beautifully both down low and up high. Separation, positioning and soundstage are decent, it's not a mess, you can distinguish between the instruments and position then relatively easy, though nothing exceptional. Detail is okaish. Again, the main point of sale is very, very neutral but pleasing tonal balance, which is not particularly the case for like 95% of headphones at any price. And they comfortable - plastic is warm, they're light and tips are those great Final tips. Just buy these.

I used it mainly for playing competitive FPS games such as Counter Strike 2. It does a pretty good job at tracking foot steps. One of side stopped working closer to an year of usage. I tried to contact the support multiple times. However, it feels like the support is non-existent. Definitely would not recommend purchasing an IEMs from this brand with terrible support.