Final A8000 Beryllium Diaphragm Dynamic IEM Comments and Impressions

[Infoseeker]

I guess what I trying to say is a8k have a very unique realism to it’s sound. Might sounds thin at first but it’s Actually full bodied. Never heard such vividness in any iem within the price range.

If such.

Sounds like it is trying to go for the Seinhesser Hd800s sound while being a closed iem. While the Luna is going for a more commonly accepted tuning. This will be interesting.

 

[greyforest]

If such.

Sounds like it is trying to go for the Seinhesser Hd800s sound while being a closed iem. While the Luna is going for a more commonly accepted tuning. This will be interesting.

Not quite like hd800s, bit like d8000 with smaller soundstage

 

[Infoseeker]

Not quite like hd800s, bit like d8000 with smaller soundstage

I haven't tried the d8000, but from its description online it seems to be the difference between the Etymotics er4-SR and the er4-XR.

With the hd800 being the baseline sr and the d8000 being the xr.

 

[Jalo]

I’ve tried sp2k with a8k, decent but dynamics is not as good as it should be. Caiyin n8 and fiio m15 have better results with a8k

A8000 is finally in the house and it is being baked atm. Initial listen at 0 hour with first impression, I loved the pairing with the SP2000, I particularly liked the dynamic that the pair produced together. The PRaT is good with good slam. The midst is clear liked everyone talked about. However, when compare to my top iems in my stable, the Erlkonig, the mid is still slightly recessed and not as clear, as a result I tend to increase the volume to 105 on the SP2K but they are not in the same price range. I was slightly worry about the sound being thin but after first listen my fear went away. I do like the tuning on the A8000, it has a highend feel and there is sufficient spaciousness and airiness to the sound. Another fear I had prior to my first listen is the lack of crispiness and speed as it is a DD after all, but those fear also went away after first listen. Final did a good job with their tuning, I do like the sound signature on the whole. I actually like it slightly better than my Sony Z1R, the tuning is almost more similar to my Erlkonig minus the slight recess mid and like John said some initial harshness and hope they will go away. I said "recessed mid" couple of time but they are probable not recess to most people just my personal preference. It is amazing that Final can tune a Berylium driver to sound like this. I was worry about it being like many single DD that I have listened to with slow, warm, pervasive and dull sound signature. Straightly based on sound alone, it is worth the asking price. Box opening experience is great, I like the stainless steel housing a lot. Particularly I like the little tool provided for the removal of the MMCX cable connection. Why no one ever thought about that. I initially tried the stock 3.5 cable and thought they are pretty good. Then I used my aftermarket 2.5 cable and the A8000 sound slightly better and that is what I use to burn in the A8000 now. On the whole I would highly recommend anyone that likes a clean sound to try for yourself.

 

[Infoseeker]

The tool just mimics digging your nails into the mmxc gap to pop them out. (which is way better to do over tugging/twisting ).

 

[starck86]

The tool just mimics digging your nails into the mmxc gap to pop them out. (which is way better to do over tugging/twisting ).

So when do we get to hear your impressions of the A8000? : )

 

[Giraku]

I’ve tried sp2k with a8k, decent but dynamics is not as good as it should be. Caiyin n8 and fiio m15 have better results with a8k

I'm pretty happy with SP2KCu and A8K combo. I'm going to get Cayin N8BB soon. I will report back.

 

[greyforest]

I'm pretty happy with SP2KCu and A8K combo. I'm going to get Cayin N8BB soon. I will report back.

i got a new cable for a8k (dita oslo) to improve the mids but failed. I definitely agree with your recessed mids impression, if a8k could improve on that matter, it will be truly a top tier iem. I am currently experimenting with ear pieces, for example spinfit improves mids a bit but still not ideal. May be i am greedy, i want the dense mids with the clear and transparent imaging, those quality rarely came in together in iem. But a8k came pretty close.

 

[greyforest]

A8000 is finally in the house and it is being baked atm. Initial listen at 0 hour with first impression, I loved the pairing with the SP2000, I particularly liked the dynamic that the pair produced together. The PRaT is good with good slam. The midst is clear liked everyone talked about. However, when compare to my top iems in my stable, the Erlkonig, the mid is still slightly recessed and not as clear, as a result I tend to increase the volume to 105 on the SP2K but they are not in the same price range. I was slightly worry about the sound being thin but after first listen my fear went away. I do like the tuning on the A8000, it has a highend feel and there is sufficient spaciousness and airiness to the sound. Another fear I had prior to my first listen is the lack of crispiness and speed as it is a DD after all, but those fear also went away after first listen. Final did a good job with their tuning, I do like the sound signature on the whole. I actually like it slightly better than my Sony Z1R, the tuning is almost more similar to my Erlkonig minus the slight recess mid and like John said some initial harshness and hope they will go away. I said "recessed mid" couple of time but they are probable not recess to most people just my personal preference. It is amazing that Final can tune a Berylium driver to sound like this. I was worry about it being like many single DD that I have listened to with slow, warm, pervasive and dull sound signature. Straightly based on sound alone, it is worth the asking price. Box opening experience is great, I like the stainless steel housing a lot. Particularly I like the little tool provided for the removal of the MMCX cable connection. Why no one ever thought about that. I initially tried the stock 3.5 cable and thought they are pretty good. Then I used my aftermarket 2.5 cable and the A8000 sound slightly better and that is what I use to burn in the A8000 now. On the whole I would highly recommend anyone that likes a clean sound to try for yourself.

I really doubt if burning in would help much. It’s been 200 hours for me now. And only difference is a slightly reduced harshness in high.

 

[Giraku]

i got a new cable for a8k (dita oslo) to improve the mids but failed. I definitely agree with your recessed mids impression, if a8k could improve on that matter, it will be truly a top tier iem. I am currently experimenting with ear pieces, for example spinfit improves mids a bit but still not ideal. May be i am greedy, i want the dense mids with the clear and transparent imaging, those quality rarely came in together in iem. But a8k came pretty close.

Have you tried Dita Dream XLS? They got pretty dense mids without affecting clarity and imaging much, though A8K is clearly better in clarity and imaging departments.

 

[jmills8]

I'm pretty happy with SP2KCu and A8K combo. I'm going to get Cayin N8BB soon. I will report back.

 

[greyforest]

Have you tried Dita Dream XLS? They got pretty dense mids without affecting clarity and imaging much, though A8K is clearly better in clarity and imaging departments.

I tried xls very Prominent mids But transparency wise it’s not my taste, knowing it have prominent mids is the reason why i got the dita oslo cable. There is definitely improvement in the low end compared to kei cable. But there is just a touching of sweetness that is missing.

 

[Infoseeker]

So when do we get to hear your impressions of the A8000? : )

1 more day for it to arrive according to the tracking number. Then some time to get comfortable with it.

 

[Giraku]

I tried xls very Prominent mids But transparency wise it’s not my taste, knowing it have prominent mids is the reason why i got the dita oslo cable. There is definitely improvement in the low end compared to kei cable. But there is just a touching of sweetness that is missing.

Agreed. With SP2KCu, I also long for a touch of sweetness. That's why I'm going to try pairing with Cayin N8. Will see.

 

[Jalo]

I think the A8000 is very transparent to up stream source, so changes from pairing with various totl daps is only a matter of personal preference. I am actually liking the A8000 as is. If the treble can be smooth out just a little after burn in will only be icing on top. After using the WM1Z for the past three years with its warm and smooth signature I find SP2K is a breath of fresh air with its fast, dynamic, almost veiless like sound and very musical timbre and high resolution. The ethereal and sparkle high mid and treble of the A8000 are just precious and not something that can be easily achieved in most iems especially without sibilance and piercing. I am digging the clean and almost in vivo like sound right now, the N8 whether with 4.4 or tube is personal choice and not fast or transparent enough for me but others may like its signature. There are times when I want the organic sound for mood change, I can go the the Woo Audio WA8.