FINAL AUDIO SONOROUS III REVIEW

“Fun, Fun, Fun, Til Her Daddy Takes the T-bird away!” 

Our review of the Final Sonorous III represents, per our directive, bringing those products to light that continue to distinguish themselves, despite a host of earlier, positive reviews. In this case, the Final Sonorous III made their debut in 2016, but we find that they are remarkably well suited to 2020!

“Fun fun fun 'til her daddy takes the T-bird away,” (Fun Fun Fun, United Western Recorders—Hollywood) was the song that immediately came to mind when listening to music via the Final Sonorous III headphones. Why you ask? Please read on for more on that. 

Again, unlike most reviews, this review will be non-sequential, as it will start with how the headphones actually sound and not the process of physically “undressing” them and/or laying out their various parts, specifications, design aesthetic, etc (though that will come later). Think of this review then, as a  non-linear movie—Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Irreversible (though incredibly troubling), Amores Perros, etc—that, likewise, starts at the end and winds its way to the beginning.

The Sound

The subtitle for this review, “Fun fun fun 'til her daddy takes the T-bird away” came as I listened to Eiji Oui’s and the Minnesota Orchestra’s Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances (Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Reference Recording). It was initially my intention to listen to a single track of this album, however, the shear fun, musicality,  high-end extension, dynamic swings, and powerful bass made that impossible!

The Final Sonorous III ($399) acquits itself on par with far more expensive headphones, while taking fun along for the ride. And whether classical, rock, jazz, folk, blues, EDM, etc. they will all be served well with this headphone.  And the stage is rather expansive—wide, deep, tall—and, at times, holographic! Go figure.

I’ve allied the Final Sonorous III, for this review, with the AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt, the Cayin N6ii, and Smartphones—Samsung S10, Apple X iPhone. Suffice to say, that the Sonorous III’s efficiency—Impedance, 16-Ohms; Sensitivity, 105dB—was able to mate exceptionally well to fairly well with all of the above (MacBook Pro included). Also, do allow, at least, 100 hours of burn-in.

Bass

Yes, Symphonic Dances is a wonderful piece to speak of bass response and 5 Études-tableaux, P. 160, No. 5, Oriental March (Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Reference Recording) was certainly up for the task, as bass was plumbed to depth with good rumble, tautness, and speed. There is also a natural warmth across this band reminiscent of an analog warmth, which is exceptionally engaging. The Final Sonorous III has glimpsed the “holy-bass-head-grail” like a very few in its price class and it has done this quite well.

Midrange

I listen now to Shirley Horn’s Beautiful Love (You Won’t Forget Me, Verve) and the very first notes of the harmonica are extended, warm, and detailed. Her voice is forward, engaging, expressive, as is the articulation of the micro-details formed across her lips and mouth. There can be sibilance here with some of the best headphones or IEMs, but with the Final Sonorous III there is none, whatsoever. The midrange like the bass region is imbued with a vibrancy, an analog richness, a naturalness that draws one into the music, the emotion, the venue. Fun, fun, fun! All of the above is amazing for the price range, which speaks, perhaps, to an “informed lineage”—trickle down technology from its more expensive brethren. What else could it be?

Treble+ 

Lara St. John’s Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy, Well Tempered Productions), as played by the Final Sonorous III soars beautifully, sweetly, with detail and speed and air and space. These headphones are decidedly free of stridency, brittleness, and they do not fatigue. It is clear, once again, that a decidedly natural, analog tuning has been engineered across the frequency band of these headphones. 

The Wrappings and Accessories

The Final Sonorous III come in a rather big, white, cardboard box, that sports a good picture of the headphones, which wraps to three sides, and has an overall clean and informative package design. It is not modern art, but it isn’t big box industrial either.

Internally, things are quite straightforward, as you’ll get the Final Sonorous III headphones, a pair of ear pads, and a nice, tangle-free, detachable cable (1.5m).

Technical Specification

Sensitivity: 105 dB w/M
Driver: Dynamic
Connectivity Technology: Wired (a detachable cable)
Impedance: 16 Ohms
Cable Length: 1.50 m
Weight: 410 gm

The Final Sonorous III’s at an impedance of 16Ω-Ohms and a sensitivity of 105dB are easy to drive. In our tests they allied to Smartphones, the AudioQuest Cobalt/Red, and the Cayin N6ii/A01 (review coming soon) were all very well served.

Design—Look and Feel

“The housing employs hard resin comprised of hard polycarbonate strengthened with 30% glass added to it. Resonance is suppressed and clear sound quality is achieved.” 
—Final Audio Design

The housing for the headphones is made from ABS, that is comprised of a hard polycarbonate and glass substrate. The 50mm dynamic driver is made of titanium and the ear cups are themselves attached to the housing via stainless steel and a synthetic leather headband. 

The design is, perhaps, best described as functionally efficient, which brings good isolation and long-lasting comfort and a very adjustable pair of headphones.

Conclusion

“Fun, Fun, Fun, Til Her Daddy Takes the T-bird away,” this is, of course, to say that if you are a lover of music, across many genres, and/or movies you will have fun, fun, fun and enjoyment, that will truly hold your attention, until someone takes these headphones away. CONS: Someone takes your Final Sonorous III headphones away!

The Final Sonorous III will mate well and easily with the AudioQuest DragonFlys Red and Cobalt, and Black, DAC/Amp combinations, and DAPs—Cayin N6ii. We happily recommended the Final Sonorous III headphone for those who may be seeking headphones at or even above this price point, who like to have fun, fun, fun, and who love music and movies! Yes, they will happily do double-duty!

Music—Qobuz & Tidal

Alexander Tharaud—Tharaud Plays Rachmaninoff
Omar Sosa—Ballads, Calma
Patricia Barber—Verse
Rickie Lee Jones—Pop Pop
Sade—Lovers Live
Sheku Kannah Mason—Inspiration
Tracey Chapman—Where You Live
Olafur Arnalds—Island Songs
Eiji Oue—Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances
Hilary Hahn—Tchaikovsky 
Mechell Ndegeocello—Bitter
Maxwell—Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite
Sarah Jarosh—Undercurrent
Annie-Sophie Mutter—Tchaikovsky/Korngold: Violin Concertos
London Grammar—If You Wait
Stevie Wonder—Innervisions 
Gidon Kremer—"Preghiera" (Rachmaninov : Piano Trios)
Marvin Gaye—What’s Going On
Miles Davis—Kind of Blue
Jóhann Jóhannsson—Orphée
D’Angelo—Brown Sugar

Ancillary Equipment

Cayin N6ii/A01
AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt
AudioQuest DragonFly Red
AudioQuest Dragon Tail
iFi xDSD
Samsung S10
Apple X iPhone
MacBook Pro

The Company

final
S’NEXT Co., Ltd.
3-12-7 Kitakase, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi,
Kanagawa 212-0057, JAPAN
support@final-audio-design.com
https://snext-final.com/en/