Throughout the driver balance test, which plays a full-range tone sweep that highlights any mismatch between the left and right drivers, there was no perceptible deviation throughout the whole range. Aging refers to the phenomenon whereby the sound produced by the earphones changes over time as they are used. There is a small driver unit – what could be called a speaker – inside the earphones; a diaphragm of extremely thin film is attached to this using a coil and an adhesive agent. With aural signals, the diaphragm moves in micronic increments while the coil moves, giving off sound. While it can’t be proven, we believe that in this situation, the adhesive section may possibly influence these infinitesimal movements. Using the product over a set period of time, the diaphragm moves more easily, and sound quality approaches the original design intent. This product has a small aperture, and so an extended period of time is necessary for changes through aging to become indecipherable. In general, if the product is used in a normal way over a period of 150 ~ 200 hours, it should feel that sound has become more subtle. A more favorable outcome can be obtained through aging of the product by listening to the music you normally listen to at a volume you usually listen at, rather than expediting aging through very high volumes or aging through noise. While not an accurate metaphor, when you make unnecessary movements to break in a pair of shoes, you’re bound to cause wrinkles different to those that occur when you walk normally. In the same way, rather than having the diaphragm move unnecessarily, it is better to think that it is more natural to break it in in the environment in which it is used. As I mentioned in the intro, the final A3000 are, identical in design to that of the final VR3000. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Their angular design is quirky and modern, whilst not affecting the functional aspects of the product. Final Audio has gained a lot of appreciation from me over recent months. The EVA 2020 really convinced me that Final has a lot of show for, and their interesting library of products present a wide array of quality gear. A new Final model has now reached my desk, the VR3000. This is a set of earphones tailored toward gaming which you don’t see a lot of. Most game audio paraphernalia is catered to over-ear headphones with attachable mics and 3D audio. However, not everyone is going to gravitate towards over-ear, and most of the time they can end up being pricier than IEMs. The VR3000 wants to make your game audio simple and affordable, so let’s see how well they accomplish that. Soundstage - One word... BIG! The soundstage of these is ridiculously huge when you consider that they are in ears. Combining this with the top-notch imaging you can tell exactly where someone is in a competitive shooter or give you a realistic-sounding environment when using virtual reality.

The treble is clear but doesn’t add any significant flavor to the sound signature. Some high range content can sometimes present a thin image but doesn’t deter the response on a whole. Overall, there are some nice details, but not a focus on the VR3000. The VR3000 have a chunky, angular design that despite appearances is very ergonomic. They are designed to be worn inverted, with the cables running over and behind your ears. This supports the headphones and stops them pulling loose if you accidentally catch the wire, and also keeps the cables off your cheeks and out of your face. Simply put, the immersion when using the VR3000 is superb. They really put you in the middle of the action with pinpoint accuracy. Being mainly a BF V player, these really make you feel as if you are in the battlefield. With Planes flying overhead, bullets flying past you and even the ability to hear people sneak up behind you. Not only does this immersion give you a slight edge, it makes gaming all the more worthwhile. For an earphone, the VR3000 offer up an impressive gaming performance, no matter what game / genre you play.

Package Includes

This is probably the most negative part of my review, but I think everyone else's experience might be different. In developing A8000, Final did a lot of research on how the quality of sound is evaluated, and it came up with an entirely new evaluation method. Conventional methods do a subjective evaluation, assuming that certain things, like the quality of the recording or the sound level, are fixed; however, in practice, there are no fixed conditions. Final’s new evaluation method takes into account the various conditions under which one listens to music that differ, sometimes substantially, among each other. This started with A8000 and, as it was proven to be very successful, it was continued with A4000 and A3000; at the end, it was one of the key factors on which the designing of the two new IEMs was based. The treble is Where this could be a bit better. Though the overall treble is ok and has enough details, in some cases the treble becomes a bit too loud. VR3000 gaming earphones provide an immersive and open sound experience - ideal for exploring large open-world adventure games, and virtual reality environments with a concentrated sense of direction, perfect for wide open and engrossing gaming environments.

Furthermore, Final eartips are very nicely designed, providing a high level of sound isolation, so ambient noise with A4000 or A3000 was never a problem. For similar depth and spatial presence, the Advar from Meze Audio is a fantastic choice. Sound effects and music are easy to localize, and certain sections of dialogue can feel like they are being spoken right to you. The bass has a ton of depth and focuses on solidity and tightness for improved clarity. Its design is one of the best you’ll see too, featuring a great build that feels like you’re wearing a piece of jewelry. To ensure all sounds created by game developers can be delivered clearly, accurately and defined, final have designed a 6mm fast responding high fidelity dynamic driver with new materials for VR3000. In-Line MicrophoneAnother planar IEM that will suit game audio well is the 7Hz Timeless. These odd-looking IEMs have a similar texture to the Kato, but with more depth and better imaging. Sound effects will have a good punch to them, and environmental soundscapes will feel airier. If you can get past the odd shape of the housing, the Timeless is another great option for gaming. They are made for gaming, it’s even in the product name, so gives you some idea. But they perform very well for music too. Good bass levels, perhaps a slightly different soundstage compared to other earphones but overall excellent quality. With gaming they performed very well with an excellent sense of direction and 3D sound, especially in FPS titles and capturing the atmospheric world in the likes of Cyberpunk 2077.

Now, if A4000 is so good, how about A3000? After all, the ingredients, housing, driver and cable, are all the same. True, except for the tuning! Final, with A3000, wanted to create an IEM which has the merits of A4000, as to balance, transparency, soundstage and image, but with a warmer touch. The extra warmth is reflected in the whole of the audio spectrum, and this makes A3000 to be less engaging, but more relaxing. It is not going to make you shake with the music, as A4000 will, but it is perfect for a session of an easy yet quality listening. It is also quite interesting that A3000 is much less dynamic than A4000; I am not sure if this is the result of the warmer sound signature of A3000 or independent of it. A far more suitable use, though, and the reason most people will be looking for in-ear headphones, is mobile gaming and VR. As the name suggests, the VR3000 are very well suited to VR gaming because of the excellent positional audio. They are lightweight and the 1.2m cable and the behind-the-ear wire positioning helps keep them neat, tidy and out of the way of your motion controllers. Cable - The cable feels light and fragile but is in fact decently sturdy, it does connect via a 2-pin connector to the IEM so there is hopefully the chance for swapping it out. Pet Habitats and Supplies, Apparel and Leashes, Training and Behavior Aids, Toys, Aquarium Supplies such as Pumps, Filters and Lights 15 Days Returnable Small - There is the benefit of hearing everything, including something you might miss otherwise. I could see how this is good for some cases as you will know if there is a rat hiding nearby, where shots come from, etc. But honestly, this is quite awful when trying to pinpoint distance when you whip around or are trying to determine what floor they are on.Final Audio set out to do one thing, make the best possible IEM for gaming and I think they did just that. Aside from a few things like having a sturdier cable/different housing shape, these are pretty much the best in-ears you'll ever find for gaming in the current market.