Introduction
Some of the first products we featured on the Minidisc Youtube channel were the Final Audio E4000 and E5000 IEMs. We went with those because I am pretty familiar with them, having purchased a pair of E4000s in Hong Kong close to the launch date.
I am a big fan of the E2000 and E3000 series IEMs from the Japanese company Final Audio. They were the first in a new series of IEMs from the boutique company that hit a new lower price point yet still maintained the quality build the company prides itself on. I particularly like the E2000 - the model that comes in the handsome black aluminium shell. They are lightweight, they have an easy to pop in-and-out fit, and they have an easy going mellow sound that’s suitable for most genres of music. While they sound similar, I prefer the E2000 because it has an overall focus in the upper vocal / midrange that keeps it sounding energetic and clear. The E3000 in comparison increases the bass heft, while adding a tiny bit more in the high frequencies as well. Personally I think it adds a bit too much in the low end, but a lot of our customers seem to prefer this when they compare both.
We enthusiastically recommend the E2000 / E3000 as one of the best deals under $100 AUD to our customers at Mindisc, especially if they find around-ear fit IEMs inconvenient or fiddly.
Looking at the E4000 / E5000 then, you would be forgiven for thinking that Final Audio put MMCX connections on the E2000 / E3000 and called it a day. Don’t get me wrong - detachable, replaceable cables are a big deal, especially when the most common issue we see in the store with earphones is broken cables. But there are also some tweaks in the sound that make the E4000 / E5000 a step up.
The ‘Masking Effect’
For the E4000 and E5000 series, Final Audio states that they did extensive psychoacoustic research to avoid the ‘masking effect’ from high frequencies. The masking effect is when high volume on some frequencies gives your auditory system difficulties in hearing other less emphasised frequencies. For instance, exaggerated high frequencies on an earphone may sound striking and detailed, but they may make lower frequencies sound less distinct. Since the aim with high fidelity audio is generally to deliver to the listener a good sense of detail at all frequencies, many companies try to develop products that avoid the masking effect. Models like the HD800S from Sennheiser and the ER4SR from Etymotic are the result of an effort to avoid the masking effect.
The E4000 and E5000 certainly do not sound like the HD800 or ER4SR in overall tone (they are both a fair bit warmer) but they both still seem to demonstrate Final Audio’s research into the audio masking quite effectively. Both IEMs have a gentle character - they never sound harsh, and despite being quite rich and warm in sound, they convey a lot of detail in the high frequencies that is not immediately obvious at first listen.
Quoting straight from Final Audio’s E-series product page, Final Audio states that “Compared to E3000/E2000, a purer, subtler sound is achieved. To heighten the resolution across all ranges, acoustic pressure has been lowered. When you listen, the sound appears laid-back; turning the volume up gradually while assimilating this subtlety affords the user a comfortable listening experience. This product is one whose merits become more apparent the longer you use it.”
I don’t see much reason to dispute Final’s claims: the E4000 and E5000 sound rich and smooth, and they sound more rewarding at higher volumes. This is really something to appreciate when using them as daily drivers on noisy train commutes, where you are forced to turn up the volume to overcome low frequency rumble. Isolation on both the E4000 and E5000 is still quite impressive, especially given that they have a design that does not fill up the outer-ear like other negative profile designs from Shure or Westone.
E4000 vs. E5000
Comparing the E4000 and the E5000 is actually somewhat amusing to an audio geek like me, because the E4000 and E5000 carry the same differences as the E2000 versus E3000 do in qualitatively but not quantitatively. That is to say, the E4000 is more vocal rich like the E2000, and the E5000 is more emphasised in the bass and treble like the E3000 - but beyond this broad similarity the differences are less pronounced and more nuanced.
Firstly, the E4000 gets closer to its stainless steel sibilings by having a richer low end than the E2000. The E4000 has a deep low end that sounds full and punchy whether its double-bass or a dubstep drop. The E4000 still has a somewhat emphasised mid-vocal sound colour to it, but the addition of this bass makes the whole earphone sound a bit less ‘honky’ and a bit more mellow. Treble is understated in the E4000 - there’s detail to be heard in the high frequencies, but it’s never attention grabbing. The overall result is something sedate and easy going, like a comfy pair of slippers.
The E5000 is a beauty. The stainless steel earpieces and the translucent white cable really make a statement, and while the E4000’s are certainly not badly built, the E5000’s look like a true luxury item. In terms of sound, just like the E3000 they have a bit more bass heft and a bit more sparkle in the highs. However, unlike with the E3000 which I find can be a bit overwhelmingly bassy, the E5000 achieves a more subtle balance. The bass is noticeably heftier than the E4000, but it sounds deep and controlled and it’s a good amount for people who really want to feel the impact in pop and electronic music. The treble though, is where I truly think the E5000 shines over the E4000 - it has more shimmer and texture, while still remaining as non-aggressive as the E4000. The E5000 just gives a bit more sense of air and space to vocals and instruments. It’s still a gentle sound overall, so perhaps the E5000 is more like a comfy pair of magical speakers.
So how do you choose between the two? If you prefer a more neutral bass signature, you may prefer the E4000, though honestly speaking neither of these IEMs would be our recommendation if you want ruler flat, neutral low-ends. The deciding factor for many will be the price - the E5000 costs almost twice as much as the E4000, and for the money I do not think that the E5000 is TWICE as magical sounding as the E4000. But the E5000 has more character, and aesthetically speaking it is a beautiful unit.
As a practical choice, I went with the E4000 myself. But the E5000 is something that I like to bring out and have a listen to every now and then. Just like with the E2000 and E3000, we see customers frequently break either way between the E4000 and the E5000. So if you get a chance, pop in and have a listen and let us know what you think!
Links
Loading...
