I'm insanely late to the party but after trying out a second-hand A4000 for approximately 5 days, i immediately sold it together with my some of my other IEMs to buy the A5000 (it's the last one available in my local e-commerce to boot!) and my impressions of it are exactly the same as yours. I'm loving it more and more as i use it almost daily.
I just found the channel, but I really like your analysis. Audio is so strange because of how subjective it is. We see about the same, but everyone's ears are so different
Thanks. And you are right, ultimately, what your ears telling you is the ONLY thing that matters, you choose and use the one your own ears like the most, not what others say the best (because their best could be the worse for some) - it goes both ways
I'm glad I got the final A5000 been using it for 2 months now and I can say that it is a one of a kind experience. With the Final signature sound, a colourful (v-shaped soundstage), that has a clear and firm sound with high levels of details (a very responsive iem if I may). But if you're looking for something more neutral sounding between these 2, get the Blessings, otherwise if you're looking for something more colourful, get the Final A5000. (After all it's a mid-ground between the Final A4000 and Final A8000 - an improvement over the A4000 by a significant margin and can somewhat be compared to the Final A8000)
@@shryuken2105 It's a complete package. It's a blind buy for bass and technicalities alone. Treble is a bit intense and energetic but inoffensive like that of S12. If you are ok with that, it's a must buy
I have the Final A5000, B2, B3, ZE2000 and the ZE3000. All superb earphones. I love the Final tuning. As well as that they are also very comfortable to wear for long periods. For me they don't get the attention they deserve. Good to see a positive review.
Indeed. And I am happy to say my A5000 that I use now, has been my No.1 staple for regular use over tons of others I have, regularly rotated with Hidizs MP145 and Tanchjim ZERO
Much better bass response on the A5000. In fact they are better all round as is to be expected from a wired IEM. Tuning is similar, that is they are musically fun to listen to, which I find to be the case with Final. Plus you can wind up the volume on them if you like it loud and they still sound great. The ZE2000 are essentially the same as the ZE3000 but with a touch more bass so I wouldn't say they are better than what you have. On a side note I just got the Oriveti OD200 and they sound fantastic. Too much choice at the minute. Cheers. @@Dan.M821
@@scarletvan4749 Interesting question. Off the top of my head, not having listened to either recently, I would say the A5000 is marginally the better set. Probably due to it's sub bass abilities, which I prefer. They are both very engaging musically and both demonstrate value for money.
Thank you for directly comparing the B3 to the Variations! I ended up returning the Variations because of the anemic/suppressed midbass and was hoping B3 would be better in that regard.
For my ears : Variations > S8 > B2 Dusk > B2 OG > B3. I would prefer Mangird Tea 2, Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite or even Tangzu Zetian Wu Heyday over the B3.
S8 > Variations/B3 (toss up - I think they trade strengths in some areas) > B2 > B2 Dusk. May be a strange ranking here. The S8 and B2 are similar in approach while the B3 takes their qualities and mixes then with the Variations with the B3 being closer in sound to Variations except with better imaging. Although Variations have better sound stage. All of them are great. What do you think?
When looking at sensitivity numbers you need to check if they are at 1V or 1mW. The sensitivity of the Blessing 3 is 120dB/V, not per milliwatt. At 14.8Ω, 120dB/V = 101.7dB/mW. The spec on the 7Hz Timeless is 104dB/mW, and RAA measured 107.6 dB/mW. S12 102dB/mW spec, RAA measured 106.55dB/mW. So B3 is harder to drive than these planars, but that is expected from the sensitivity numbers. This whole idea that planars are inherently mega hard to drive is a meme. SOME are, of IEMs the Tin P2 is 97dB/mW. And of course some over-ears like the Susvara or HE6SE are. But others are quite easy to drive, the OG Ananda or LCD-X are super easy to drive. Most of the new wave of planar IEMs are just "normal" for IEMs. They aren't super sensitive like KZ or 64 Audio but 107-108dB/mW is not super hard to drive, it's average.
S8 > Variations/B3 (toss up - I think they trade strengths in some areas) > B2 > B2 Dusk. May be a strange ranking here. The S8 and B2 are similar in approach while the B3 takes their qualities and mixes then with the Variations with the B3 being closer in sound to Variations except with better imaging. Although Variations have better sound stage. All of them are great. What do you think?
I agree that B3 is better than Variations, but it also would appear sharper edged. While I dislike the Harman tuning of Variations, I do like the way it renders imaging which is solid but never sharp. All in all they are great for what they are depending on what values you prefer the most
It's weird...as mainly a Death Metal and Prog Rock listener I prefer the technicalities of the Variations over the Blessing 3. I tried them side by side recently and I find that Variations gives me more space and texture (and I guessed that was thanks to the EST drives for the trebles) while the Blessing 3 sounds claustrophobic and muffled without a bit of EQ. Dry bass works really well with the madness that some drummers might be...things like Cannibal Corpse become really hard to discern if you have too much mid-bass. Probably the Crinacle/Dusk version of the B3 will bridge the gap with Variations and pretty much give a more neutral sounding IEM with the qualities of the Variations for less money, I find Variations really U shaped and this sometimes can be off-putting but overall they are my top winner over all the others IEM that I've tried. Edit: P.s. I obviously haven't tried IEMs over 800$+ so I'm pretty sure that there are some fantastic pieces out there...but up to 700$ I feel comfortable to say that Variations to this day is my to-go.
Thanks. A8000 is something out of my budget for now. I already stopped buying flagship IEMs after owning Shure KSE1500, which literally is the very best sounding listening device I have ever heard regardless of form factor or time - trying other IEMs are just pedestrian for me now after KSE1500
I've been tip rolling on my B3 and I find the BGVP E01 eartips makes the pina gain lower, Making the center image a little father away, But I like the sound on the stock tips too , Thanks for the comparison video . 😊
easy from me, I would say B3 is perfect for the intended signature. No flaw which is mindblowing. Moondrop really does achieve the target perfect without sacrificing timbre or anything.
I think the world is low-key sleeping on the A5000, well perhaps it’s a pain in the arse to have it shipped outside Japan (better in US or UK I guess, but the rest the world? Ugh) even in Japan, it was on back order right after launch for a month. I got mine from a Japanese online dealer and have been enjoying these for 4 months - they are now my go to iems for daily carry. Can’t wait to get the newly announced 4.4 cable. Been thinking to get the Make4 too.
Dayum looks like I have to get myself the A5000. I followed your recommendation and got myself a Tanchjim Zero and it was absolutely MAGICAL. I had not much expectations for it cuz it was just a purchase I added to cart cuz I was getting something else from the online store. And I was blown away. I'll be getting some for friends and family haha. Thx for the recc On another note, I completely agree with your assessment on the Variations. At that time I was thinking of getting the Blessing 2 or Variations or something else more expensive like Thieaudio Oracle or Monarch MKII And I've heard very good things about the Variations prior to trying. And trying them for the first time, it was utterly underwhelming. I thought there was something wrong with my ears or something but I guess I just really didn't like Harman tuning. Ended up getting a second hand Blessing 2 at a good price haha
Nice comparison.One note..an other reviewer that made a comparison between e5000 quintet and performer 8 said that they outperform it especially Quintet despite the fact that it is also cheaper..What are your thoughts about this ?
Hey Andy, it's interesting to hear your thoughts on the Moondrop Arya! I noticed that you mentioned you don't seem to like it as much. I'd love to know more about your reasons and what aspects of its performance didn't quite resonate with you. Also, I'm curious to hear your opinion on which other IEMs you think perform worse and better compared to the Moondrop Arya (In similar price bracket). Your insights are always valuable, and I'm eager to hear your take on different models. Keep up the great work!
You mean Moondrop Aria? it is a fine IEM for sure, just the sound curve and tuning is not something I prefer. The Harman U curve suppresses Low Mids and Midbass, too much focus on Subbass. I am natively more attuned to flatter sound of Etymotic Diffused Field Neutral or traditional V sound curve if I want a bit more of lower frequency coloring, especially Midbass. My personal preferences and the sort of music I listen to sounds better with good Midbass boosting, not so much on that focus on Subbass. Also overall I personally think the tuning for Aria is a bit dark for my taste. Cheers!
wow, never knew there is a fellow malaysian who is as dedicated in iem as people like crinacle, precog, gizaudio. btw, do u think the dc03 pro can handle blessing 3, since u said it is somewhat harder to drive than a planar like Heyday?
Thanks!. Yes of course DC03Pro is perfect to drive B3, any 2-4 Vrms dongles would do the job fine because what I was trying to demonstrate was my Sony phone in this video was really weak and suitable only for already efficient IEMs, B3 is highly scalable and not very efficient, the more power it gets, the better
i would like to buy good IEMs at reasonable price and i am lookg and the moondrop Blessing 3 which for the price look to be extremely . The problem i already have airpord pro(which is bluttoth by the way) and even in audio forum there seems not to be a HUGE gap now between TWS and good IEM like the moondrop blessing 3.... so to get a good wow factor how far must i go....? the only IEMs i even had was the shure 215
How would you compare the technicalities of the Variations and B3? such as the instruments separations, imaging, sound stage and etc.. I'm considering Variations and B3, but I myself prefer flat / studio reference kind of tuning, because of my needs to be able to listen every instruments clearly.
My ears telling me that B3 has a slight upper hand with technicalities and closer to neutral target. For the attribute you mentioned, I would pick BQEYZ Winter or Final Audio A5000 over both of those because B3 and Variations has smaller headstage.
I havent tried Oxygen personally. But the Mega 5 SP is not a Harman tuning beause it does not suppress the Midbass like a typical Harman set. A5000 is a V sound curve with more energy (yet airy smooth) and with faster transient speed, the biggest appeal of A5000 being wide open sounding. Depending on your preferences, the definition of upgrades can differ
Interesting insights Andy. Need help, got a JM06 Pro for on-the-go, and it doesn't even detect. 2 Realme phones in the house, no dice. Only works on computer. I didn't even know there could be compatibility issues. Could you please link me to the TTGK app used for checking?
Go to my primary site andyaudiovault.com/dongle-reviews/ and you will find TTGK. On some phones, it may be necessary to get OTG function enabled first before it allows USB Audio
@@donglemadness You're a lifesaver, Andy! 🙌 Turned on Otg and worked promptly! No amount of software tinkering was working, I was desperate to root the phone even though I'd lose all data!
That's quite a steep price for used Variations and I personally would not pay anything near that even if it is new. EM6L is tuned to be richer and denser with lower frequencies while Variations closer to Harman Neutral. Since you asked me for my thoughts, it is not an upgrade at all, it is more like a sidegrade. You could do better with Simgot EA1000 if you looking for an upgrade from EM6L - if you are looking for something a bit more neutral and less Harman sounding
Final A5000 is definietly going to be my next purchase. You oftentimes compare against Tanchjim Zero, how would it stack up against Tanchjim Ola? If you heard it that is.
OLA is good, I have both OLA versions, but OLA is a bit dry sounding and does not have the magical characteristics of Tanchjim ZERO, of which I use the most among many other IEMs I have with me. ZERO is the one that clicks best to my taste and preferences alongside Shure KSE1500, Etymotic ER2XR, BQEYZ Winter, Kinera Idun Golden and TANGZU Heyday (all of my regulars)
Winter is a clear winner to me vs B3, I just love the more fluid and harmonious sound of Winter. But Winter vs A5000, that's something which I need to spend more time to decide which one I will like better
I've read several times that IKKO OH10 has a really good soundstage and imaging for an under $200 USD IEM. Would you say that Final Audio A5000 is better in that aspect?
as an a5000 user, i can say that it is a very responsive and fast iem, with PRECISE imaging (as if it's 3D modelled in your head) and final audio's signature transparency and separation.
@@jjstarky6985 That's completely fine. Both me and Husaini are hardcore user of Tanchjim ZERO and both of us agreed that A5000 is clearly superior than our beloved Zero. Human hears differently and that's perfectly normal
No. It is very efficient already running directly from my Sony phone which is under 1 Vrms and at about 35 mW of power. But what A5000 does well is to scale with better sources and it will respond accordingly more on synergy factor rather than power
I’m surprised you were so allergic to Harman. I love Variations I agree that blessing has a touch of harshness and more midbass presence than Variations. I love your ears, so sensitive 😂
Absolutely. An upgrade my ears telling me, but it is still a bit denser with Bass though compared to ER2XR, especially if you use silicone tips. To get the wide open sound and less coloration, foam tips does the trick and I am just mesmerized by it
@@donglemadness It is impossible to get etymotic triple flange eartip and I am thinking of purchasing A5000, but i am still looking for few specific comparisions for which i don't know the technical terms. I have used the ER2XR with a balanced cable and Fiio BTR5 2021. 1st comparision scenario - The bass on ER2XR was like real life, if i am rewaching a concert video recording i can feel the bass in the chest, so real in that sense(does Blessing 3 gives off same impression in this scenario?). Is this the same with A5000 when you said "it is still bit denser with bass" 2nd the vocals on ER2XR was like real to life it was not that much detailed or best in resolution but it was comfortable to hear. how was your experience with A5000 on this. 3rd is Accuracy on ER2XR was like i can rely upon and i can predict which one is good earphone listening to sound sample comparisions of different headpphones/iem and how will those sound in real life. can we also say this holds true for A5000. I really like and enjoy etymotic sound and willing to pay 3x for an upgrade but i am looking for a tuning like etymotic only but with more details. I know some questions may not make sense or inter related, but it would be greate i can get answers to few. also if you are going to make a video on A5000 can you please let me know I will wait for it :) 🙏
@@eerie4169 You mean DACport HD?, it is probably still available directly available from CEntrance US website. Otherwise you can also look into Cayin RU7 or HIBY FC6, the other 2 dongles that I equally love and use regularly
Hifiman arya or variation Need metal music fast praced 300 bpm to open the portal to hades I just want a close efect of quick precise sound and details mean by more information revaived by string of guitar or piano key Or just for classical a lot of violin strings with 16notes very fast strings around 200 notes per min Np nille cast down the heretic Lamb of god ditch Question system of the down Nines anna phoebe Le tombeau de Couperin Maurice Ravel AYA NAGATOMI Null irina Majoueva Symphony no 95 C minor, Hob: l95 Finale Franz Joseph Haydn danish chamber orchestra examples
Both B3 and A5000 can give you what you want, speed and resolution and transient agility. B3 focused on edge crispness, sharper decays, A5000 smoother decays with more air, whichever suits your preferences
Or is it better to pay for full over ear but is posible achive that control in sound with that speed did you knw some ober ear headphones Who would perfectly executed the speed of this examples i put to show what speed is interesting me in sound (I mean all posible speed from metal to even a symphony energetic, very not to warm sound more dry but not to much to have some musicality something alive) I having for now kinera nana og but 5 years passed so its time for a change i can pay easily 700$ of course i will buy of course used with source of some audio maniacs who love this rabbit hole and want change iem or headphone for something better or just funier or what they like to accomplish courius. I think is the best way buying from second hand So i need just some to wait than i will buy if be a ocasion on 2hand market but still Dont know i would now change on the over ear headphones i think if i buy the blessings 3 would not be that gap like kinera nana og Thats why i want go into Over ear headphones but i can buy from320$ used a variation I think i drop the ocasion to buy the b3 by 230$ On other hand for 550$ could buy aria but +50$for new pads the harman in variation is kinda anoing the midbass be lacking so theres not be rumbling i really like the bass with some signature who have the meat in it and some sort quality thats why i bought nana5 y ago but etymotic show me is no need bass is just about changing the habit but just were listen only for a while I want use it not to fun but much of critical listening ❤
@@trioz1819 Headphones offer different sort of experience. But I may suggest HiFiMan HE400SE Stealth or Beyerdynamic DT880 600 Ohm, both excellent with speed and decays transient. Me I personally prefer Fostex T40RP MK3 over all headphones I ever tried
@@donglemadnessThink i need a something more like dt1990 or arya in weight note dt880 but i will try. thanks for your time ❤ I really want the details to to could (detail retrival much micro details and weight) to listen and dynamic) example: Concierto de Aranjuez Giuitar & orchestra .I allegro con spirito Hiitomi Nikura For vocals like Ani Difranco Hipnotyzed Lauren Daigle new Sarach McLachlan angel Sophie Elis-Bextor young blood Noa lee Move backwards Billy talent nothing to lose
Of course there are IEMs that has HD650 sort of upper frequencies. You should look into Gizaudio Galileo, TANGZU Wan'Er SG, Venture Electronics SIE or TKZK OURANOS, they have less emphasis on Pinna region
