Two Versions of Final’s Flagship D8000 Headphones Released

Japanese personal audio brand Final has unveiled two new pairs of its latest flagship wired headphones: the Final D8000 DC and the D8000 DC Pro.

The DC in each model's name stands for Da Capo (literally, from the head), which, in music terms, means 'take it from the top'. This is a nod to Final's ground-up approach, which saw the company return to the beginning for "a complete reconstruction of Final's flagship headphones with a fresh, innovative approach."

This new approach for the Final D8000 DC and DC Pro sees the headphones employing "new possibilities to planar magnetic audio" with an advanced iteration of the company's proprietary Air Film Damping System (AFDS) technology. Designed to enhance the headphones' bass response, Final says that AFDS uses air's natural characteristics to regulate diaphragm movement, overcoming typical planar magnetic constraints. The promised result is a "deep, balanced soundstage that captures audio with remarkable accuracy across the spectrum."

The D8000 DC headphones benefit from the latest version of AFDS, in which the manufacturer has thoroughly redesigned the metal mesh structure surrounding the diaphragm, including the diameter of the holes, pitches, and patterns. The company tells us that the distinctive mesh patterns placed in front of and behind the diaphragm "create an organic, open bass response", while Final's breathable 'washi paper' ear pads "add to the sense of depth and spatial clarity."

The diaphragm central to the D8000 DC's performance is made from etched aluminium foil for reduced weight and has been constructed for maximum agility and a more precise, responsive sound.

As you might expect, both versions of the D8000 DC share much of the same internal engineering. Meanwhile, their tuning and respective sonic profiles are deliberately distinct.

Final describes the D8000 DC as having a sonic character "that will suit the tastes of many pro users". In contrast, the Pro edition has more prominent bass while retaining "the delicate sound quality" of the standard model.

Both pairs are supplied with 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR connections, although the  D8000 DC Pro uses Final's silver braided cable for increased performance and greater durability. The standard DC, by contrast, uses a more affordable optical fibre cable.

The Final D8000 DC (£3,999 / US$4,299 / €4.299) and D8000 DC Pro (£4,499 / US$4,799 / €4.799) are available now.

Visit Final Audio Design for more information