It’s been a while since I’ve had a pair of Final Audio headphones in my hands. Over the years, I’ve tested plenty of their gear — wired and wireless — and it’s always been clear that this Japanese brand does things its own way. I rarely get to play with their ultra-high-end models (the ones that cost around $5,000 and up), but even their mid-tier wired models in the $500–800 range have left strong impressions on me. They tend to sound emotional and characterful — never boring, never generic.
The new Final Audio ZE3000 SV continues that tradition, but in a wireless form. It’s the successor to the simpler ZE2000, and brings a more polished design, a companion app, and a few new tricks — including noise cancellation, LDAC support, and gaming mode. Let’s dive in and see what makes these earbuds tick.
Unboxing: Minimalism, Japanese-Style
The ZE3000 SV comes in a small, flat white box that immediately gives off a sense of refined minimalism. Inside, everything is neatly arranged: the earbuds in their case, a manual, and four extra pairs of Final’s excellent silicone ear tips (five sizes total, from SS to LL).
The Final Audio ZE3000 SV headphones come in a compact snow-white cardboard box. It is small and quite flat, which causes a slight surprise – as if you wonder what was put there.
What’s missing? A charging cable. Final apparently assumes you already have a USB-C cable lying around — a slightly bold move for earbuds that aren’t exactly cheap. Still, the included accessories feel thoughtfully chosen and high quality, especially the ear tips, which make a huge difference in comfort and sound isolation.
There is a small cutout on the front panel for convenient opening, and under it is a charge/charging indicator of the case.
Specs in Short
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Drivers: 10 mm dynamic “F-Core SV” driver
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Frequency range: 20 Hz–20 kHz
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Bluetooth: 5.3 with SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs
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Battery life: Up to 7 hours per charge, 28 hours with case
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Charging time: ~1.5 hours
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Features: ANC, transparency mode, LDAC, gaming mode, multipoint, wind-reduction, IPX4 water-resistance
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Weight: 4 g per earbud
Final’s proprietary F-Core SV driver aims to deliver the precision and musicality of wired headphones — an ambitious goal in the true wireless world.
Design and Comfort
Both the case and the earbuds are made from a matte, textured plastic that feels pleasant to the touch and hides fingerprints well. The case is compact enough to slip into any pocket. The lid has a bit of play when closed, but nothing serious.
As for the comfort of fit and ease of use, here the Final Audio ZE3000 SV can be safely attributed to the market leaders.
The earbuds themselves are tiny — clearly designed with comfort in mind. They sit securely in the ears without pressure, even after long sessions, and stay in place during movement. I quickly forgot I was wearing them.
One small annoyance: the soft ear tips can twist slightly when removing the buds from your ears, meaning you sometimes have to adjust them before putting them back in the case. A small thing, but worth noting.
Functionality and App
Controls are handled via touch sensors on the faceplates. The system is logical once you get used to it, with taps controlling playback, volume, and noise-cancelling modes.
The proprietary Final Connect application is available in the App Store and Google Play for free
The Final Connect app (available for iOS and Android) adds a bit more control. You can:
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Switch between ANC, transparency, and wind-reduction modes
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Adjust a basic 7-band EQ (62.5 Hz–8 kHz)
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Activate gaming mode or multipoint connection
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Update firmware
The app is functional but still feels bare-bones — there’s no case battery indicator, no EQ presets, and the interface could use more polish. Still, having any app support at all is a big step up from the previous generation.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency
ANC on the ZE3000 SV is solid — not flagship-level, but effective. It reduces low-frequency hums and background chatter well enough for commutes or office use, without creating that “ear pressure” some ANC systems cause. It’s tuned with sound quality in mind, which I appreciate.
The microphones in the Final Audio ZE3000 SV were pleasantly surprised. They provide above-average recording quality, with minimal electronic noise.
Transparency mode, on the other hand, feels underwhelming. Ambient sound comes through, but it’s noticeably quieter and more subdued than on competitors like Technics or Sony. It works in a pinch, but don’t expect to hold a conversation with them in your ears.
Call Quality
Here, Final pleasantly surprised me. The built-in microphones sound natural and warm, with minimal digital noise. Voices have body and depth, making these buds more than decent for calls or voice chats. In fact, they sound richer than many similarly priced competitors.
Battery Life
Battery life is good — not record-breaking, but competitive. Expect around 7 hours per charge and up to 28 hours with the case, depending on your codec and ANC use. That’s plenty for a full day or two of normal use, even with LDAC active.
Sound Quality
Now for the fun part.
The ZE3000 SV has a distinctive, lively sound signature — classic Final Audio. It’s bright, dynamic, and emotional, with a noticeable V-shape: punchy bass and crisp treble, while the mids take a gentle step back.
The sound can be described as emotional, with a pronounced V-shaped presentation. The low frequencies are well highlighted, but the highs are even more accentuated, while the mids remain a little in the shade.
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Bass: Tight and controlled, with enough weight to add groove without muddying the sound. Not a bass-monster, but energetic and well-defined.
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Mids: Slightly recessed, giving vocals a lighter touch. There’s a sense of openness, but voices lack a bit of body compared to the best in class.
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Treble: The star of the show — detailed, sparkling, and extended. If you love hearing every tiny shimmer in a cymbal or the air around a violin, you’ll be thrilled. If you’re sensitive to treble, maybe not.
The overall presentation feels wide and spacious, with a clear sense of separation between instruments. The tuning isn’t neutral — it’s deliberately exciting, which makes pop, electronic, and modern rock sound fresh and engaging. Heavy rock or jazz lovers might wish for a bit more warmth, but that’s a matter of taste.
Overall, the Final Audio ZE3000 SV headphones left a pleasant impression.
Pros
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Compact, comfortable, and stylish
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Detailed, energetic sound with great treble clarity
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LDAC support and multipoint connection
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Effective ANC without sacrificing audio quality
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Solid battery life
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High-quality microphone performance
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Lightweight, easy to wear all day
Cons
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Transparency mode is weak
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Ear tips twist easily when removing
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Sound signature too bright for some tastes
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App feels limited
Conclusion
The Final Audio ZE3000 SV doesn’t try to please everyone — and that’s exactly what makes it interesting. It’s not a bland all-rounder, but a characterful pair of earbuds with a bright, articulate sound and a lightweight, ultra-comfortable design.
They won’t replace a Sony WF-1000XM5 for hardcore ANC fans, and they won’t satisfy those craving deep, warm bass. But for listeners who value clarity, detail, and a sense of “liveliness,” these are genuinely rewarding.
Final Audio’s ZE3000 SV offers a refreshing alternative to the usual warm, bass-heavy TWS sound. It’s bright, clean, and distinctly Japanese — not perfect, but full of character and charm.
