The ZE8000 MK2 stand out in terms of sound technicalities, but their unorthodox tuning makes them an acquired taste.
- Truly high-fidelity sound
- Great technicalities for a TWS
- ANC doesn’t impact sound
- EQ can change the sound to the listener’s preference
- Ear tips seal well
- The ANC is barely there
- Call audio picks up noise
- Upper-mid recess limits engagement
- Proprietary ear tips
- The carrying case is on the large side
Final is no stranger to TWS IEMs; they pretty much hit a home run with their ZE3000, but according to our senior reviewer Kazi, the more upmarket ZE8000 had “as many hits as misses.”
The ZE8000 MK2 is Final’s second swing at truly hi-fi wireless IEMs. Just like their predecessors, they The ZE8000 MK2 are equipped with a single dynamic driver. This usually translates to supreme coherence across the audible range as there are no discontinuities as multiple drivers overtake one another.
Can Final’s ZE8000 MK2 marry together convenience and sound that impresses audiophiles? Let’s find out!
One Minute Review Video
Case ⓘ
Battery ⓘ
- Battery Life: 15 hours
- Connector: USB-C
- Wireless Charging: No
- Battery Capacity: 426 mAh
Despite the large carrying case, the battery life is on the small side. With that said, in use, I never find the battery life to be too short. It’s just that with a case of this size, Final could’ve crammed more mAh in there.
UX ⓘ
- Can be opened easily with one hand: Yes
- Pass the shake test: Yes
- Light Indicators: Display battery level and charging status
The ZE8000 MK2 case is well-made and exudes quality. But I almost broke it on my first try opening. The lid must be slid (not lifted) up to open the case and access the IEMs. I tried lifting it and stopped in time.
The battery indicators are visible enough and provide a good idea of how much juice is left.
Design ⓘ
- Shape of the case: Rounded square
- Material: ABS and resin mixed polymer
- Build Quality: Premium
As with the first generation ZE8000, the case retains Final’s “Shibo” finish. I like it because the case doesn’t smudge easily, and the mild texture increases grip.
The large case size means that while pocketing it is easy, you will probably feel it’s there. In tighter-fitting jeans, it might be a problem.
Portability ⓘ
- Weight: 63g (With earbuds inside)
- Volume: 125cm cu (~7.63 in cu)
- Portability: Average
Earbuds ⓘ
Battery ⓘ
- Battery Life: 5 hrs
- Charge Time (15mins): 90 mins playback time
As always, estimating the battery life of audio devices is tricky because it depends on many factors. ANC (and how hard it has to work), listening volume, and even the spectral content of music can change how much mileage you’re getting.
I find Final’s 5-hour battery life estimation quite realistic.
If you’re caught with empty earbud batteries, a quick 5-minute charge will net 45 minutes of playback time. Sometimes, it is a problem after a full day at the office, which runs the buds dry.
UX ⓘ
- Control Mechanism: Touch
- Touch Accuracy: Good
- Control Symmetry on both earbuds: No
- Mono Use: Yes (Either side)
The touch panel of the Final Audio ZE8000 MK2 is housed in the central portion of the stem. The touch operation is fairly good once you get a good feeling for its position.
Grabbing the IEMs to pull them out from the case accidentally triggers the ANC mode switch for me.
Design ⓘ
- Profile: Medium
- Material: ABS and resin mixed polymer
- Comfort: Good
- Fit: Average
Design-wise, the ZE8000 MK2 are very fresh, and you won’t ever mix them up with any TWS IEMs out there. The polymer body shares the same “Shibo” finish as the case. Attached to the stem of the IEMs is the round battery module with the driver enclosure on top.
The ear tip nozzle protrudes out of the driver module. While they seal fine for my ears, a more standard nozzle would allow for more aftermarket tip options.
The ZE8000 MK2 use Final’s proprietary ear tips.
Inserting the ZE8000 MK2 is a bit of a mixed bag for me. Unlike many other IEMs, the ZE8000 MK2 don’t have a pressure release port, which means that care must be taken to not cause a pressure pocket that bottoms out the dynamic driver, leaving one IEM almost on mute for a while.
Mic ⓘ
- Noise Cancellation: Substandard
- Voice Pick-up: Good
I find the microphone array on the ZE8000 MK2 very decent, but only if you take calls in quiet places. The mics are pretty bad at rejecting noise, and in noisy places, you will have to raise your voice so it cuts through the din.
The ANC performance is another letdown.
I get that Final has taken the “cause no harm to audio” route, but as of firmware version 1.3.1, the ZE8000 MK2 has isolation on par with most ported passive IEMs. Wind noise can be an issue, but luckily, it goes away once the “Wind-Cut” setting is enabled.
Mic demo
[insert mic demo here – follow the Headphonesty Microphone Test Process]
Sound ⓘ
- Driver: 1x 13mm dynamic driver
- Sound Signature: Warm
- Bass: Good
- Midrange: Sub-par
- Treble: Good
- Sound Detail: Outstanding
The overall sound signature of the Final ZE8000 MK2 is warm-neutral with very little in terms of ear-gain compensation.
Technically, the dynamic driver offers some of the best sound I’ve encountered in TWS IEMs.
There’s timbre and texture I’ve used to only hearing from well-driven passive IEMs.
Bass
The bass exhibits good texture and agility. The quantity might feel too little if you’re used to Harman-inspired bass shelves. This is offset by quality – the low end is insightful in a way rarely found in consumer IEMs that opt for a more “fun” signature.
Midrange
The Final ZE8000 MK2 render a very insightful midrange, but the engagement factor is low due to too little gain in the upper mids. This seems like a conscious choice by Final and matches the sound signature of the ZE8000 after the infamous 1.8.1 update.
(From: Rudolfs Putnins)
Treble
Unusually for IEMs in general, the ZE8000 MK2’s treble is very smooth and devoid of peaks. Good detail and agility imbues the overall sound signature, with technicalities rarely heard in TWS IEMs.
The treble extension also renders nice overtones, which help create a wide soundstage.
Connectivity ⓘ
- Audio Codec: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive
- Bluetooth Version: 5.2
- Bluetooth Chip: if available
- Auto-connect when: Case cover is opened
- Average drop-outs in an hour: 0 – 3 times
- Multi-point connection: Yes
Waterproof ⓘ
- IP Rating: IPX4
The ZE8000 MK2 are rated against light splashes, so using them in rain is fine. The rating also permits use during exercise, but I’m unsure whether the naked charge pads will like it. Sweat is way more chemically aggressive than water.
Software ⓘ
- Available on: iOS, Android
- EQ, 8K sound enhancer, battery life for the buds, volume step optimizer, multi-device mode
Final’s app does a decent job of letting the user access the basic controls of the ZE8000 MK2. Notable highlights are a basic EQ and multipoint connectivity if one simultaneously uses the IEMs with a phone and a computer.
Note that the EQ profiles will only work while the app is active, so other EQ software might be better for finer control.
Who Should Buy This?
I think the Final ZE8000 MK2 are very good office TWS IEMs that offer an easy-listening sound signature. The upper-mid recession means the music won’t distract you from your work. The problem is that many will balk at the relatively high price and go for the “usual suspects” from Sony, JBL, or Samsung.
Will people miss the technical prowess of the ZE8000 MK2? Probably not if they don’t know what they’re missing.
Final Thoughts
When we published the review of the original Final ZE8000, we encountered a very modern problem – the manufacturer completely changed the sound signature of the IEMs with an over-the-air firmware update. And the change wasn’t even mentioned anywhere.
I think that somewhere inside the ZE8000 MK2 are superbly capable TWS IEMs. It’s apparent that the 13mm dynamic driver stands above everyone else.
But the tuning is off.
They’re still a firmware update away from realizing their potential. As the Final ZE8000 MK2 are now, they’re a very “marmite” offering – it either ticks or you hate it.
As of now, I recommend waiting for a firmware update that will invalidate the sound impressions of my review. And I hope it fixes the ANC, which currently is doing very little.
Where to Buy
What’s in the Box?
- ZE8000 MK2
- 5 pairs of tips – SS/S/M/L/LL
- 5 pairs of nozzle filters
- Filter replacement tool
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Manual
Technical Specifications
- Form: TWS IEMs
- Driver: 1x 13mm dynamic driver
- Waterproof IP Rating: IPX4
- Weight Per Earbud (g): 6g
- Frequency Response (Hz): 20 Hz – 20 KHz
- Bluetooth Version: 5.2
- Bluetooth Audio Codec: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive
- Battery Life (hrs): 5h
- Mic: Y