Final Audio Design Heaven IV Earphones

Final audio is not an especially well-known brand in Europe, but has been a prolific producer of high-end equipment in its native Japan. It has now turned its attention to the earphone market with a complete range of products. The Heaven IV you see here is hardly inexpensive at $273.48 but in terms of the Final range – which goes up into four figures – it is paddling in the shallow end.

Final Audio Design Heaven IV earphones

The Final uses one balanced armature per enclosure, which is contained in a well-finished metal tube. The most intriguing part of the enclosure is the end that Final describes as a “BAM vent port without an actual vent.” Quite how that works isn’t described, but it certainly adds a touch of Zen to proceedings. Build is superb and the finishing touch is a striking metal carry case that while a bit bulky is a class above the competition. A reasonable choice of buds is supplied and the comfort and isolation are good. The flat cable is reasonably tangle resistant, but when it does not up it does so with a vengeance.

The Heaven IV you see here is hardly inexpensive at $273.48 but in terms of the Final range

The Final countdown

The Final is impressively sensitive for an armature design and shouldn’t prove challenging for most devices you are likely to connect it to. Having done so, the benefits of using an armature are readily apparent. The Heaven IV is fast, open and has genuinely impressive tonality that always sounds believable. There is also a commendable sense of scale to the performance as well, and the Final does a good job of generating a believable soundstage, which is something that headphones pushed into the ear canal can often struggle to do. The isolation from the outside world is generally very good, although interestingly, the Final doesn’t seem as dependent as some other in-ear monitors on a perfect seal for good bass response.

The most intriguing part of the enclosure is the end that Final describes as a “BAM vent port without an actual vent.”

There is no shortage of competition for earphones at this price, but the Final is a seriously capable new arrival that has extremely impressive performance, excellent build and some welcome design touches that cumulatively means that if you are looking for a set of in-ear monitors at the price point, you need to check the Heaven IV out.

Details

·         Price: $273.5

·         Website: www.hifiheadphones.com

·         Our verdict: 5/5

Specification