Final D8000 DC & D8000 DC Pro – High-End for Your Ears

With the new D8000 DC and D8000 DC Pro, the Japanese manufacturer Final Audio further refines its best high-end headphones. "DC" stands for "Da Capo" – back to the beginning. That is exactly Final's approach: returning to the roots to redefine sound.

The Most Important Points at a Glance

• Both models utilize planar magnetic technology in combination with their proprietary Air Film Damping System (AFDS). This technology ensures deeper, clearer bass and a balanced soundstage – with minimal distortion.
• The centerpiece: an ultra-light aluminum diaphragm, developed for maximum precision and fast response – the key to impressively detailed sound.

Although the technology is similar in both models, they differ in their sonic character:

• The D8000 DC features an absolutely neutral tuning and is aimed at professional listeners who place the highest value on uncompromising balance.
• The D8000 DC Pro provides slightly more bass without sacrificing clarity, making it ideal for listeners who love powerful sound.

Included are high-quality cables with 4.4 mm and 4-pin XLR connectors. The Pro comes with a robust, silver-braided cable for top performance and durability. The standard DC uses a light, functional cable made of optical fiber.

The Details

More than seven years after the launch of the first D8000 – and after more than 2,000 units delivered – every central component has been rethought and redesigned. The heart remains the planar magnetic driver technology with Final’s evolved "AFDS" – the Air Film Damping System – which is now used in a revised form. The hole diameter, the split ratio, and the pattern of the punched metal have been optimized, as has the diaphragm structure itself, which is made of etched aluminum foil. This delicate, ultra-light construction allows for extremely precise reproduction, reduces the moving mass by about a third, and completely eliminates the otherwise common adhesive coil wires.

Another significant change is the removal of the front magnet, which increases the opening ratio of the sound guide by about 70% compared to the predecessor model. In combination with newly developed, breathable ear pads, this results in a more open soundstage with a noticeably extended high-frequency range while simultaneously providing fuller bass reproduction. The ear pads themselves are now about 1.5 times thicker than those of the original D8000 and consist of a special fabric based on Washi – a Japanese paper material known for its dry touch, breathability, and durability. The increased acoustic volume creates deeper, more uniform spatial illumination in the mid-range, which particularly benefits vocals and acoustic instruments. The headband is also made of the same durable materials and has been optimized for moisture resistance and long-lasting comfort.

The housing of the D8000 DC consists of a high-precision milled aluminum-magnesium alloy, which not only ensures high structural rigidity – necessary to stabilize the sensitive driver system – but also protects against scratches thanks to a leather-like surface coating. This finish is otherwise generally used only on high-end camera housings.

The entire production takes place at Final's Japanese headquarters in Kawasaki. There, not only are the individual parts assembled, but the production equipment – including diaphragm molding machines and tension measuring devices – is developed and manufactured in-house. This internal production allows Final to precisely control every aspect of the sound tuning and ensure the highest manufacturing quality. Furthermore, the D8000 DC is designed for long-term use: Almost all components are screwed together and can be easily replaced in the event of a repair – a rare feature in the high-end audio world.

Included are two high-quality, detachable cables: A 1.5-meter black-sleeved OFC cable with a 4.4 mm 5-pole plug and a 3-meter XLR cable with a 4-pin connector – both with lockable 3.5 mm 2-pin outputs. The Pro's XLR cable comes in a silver-braided version, while the standard DC's is black. The cables are compatible with several Final models, including older D8000 and SONOROUS versions. The headphones are delivered in a robust security case that can be securely locked with a special key – ideal for transport and storage.

The sonic differences between the D8000 DC and the D8000 DC Pro Edition lie in the targeted adaptation to human hearing. While the standard DC offers linear, balanced reproduction with fine resolution, the Pro version boosts the low-frequency range more strongly at higher volumes – without losing detail in the high frequencies. Both models are clearly positioned in the high-end segment but differ subtly in their characteristics. Which model fits better ultimately depends on personal listening taste.

Features and Highlights

• Housing: Aluminum-magnesium alloy
• Driver: AFDS Planar Magnetic
• Cable: OFC cable
• Cable length: 4.4 mm/1.5 m, XLR/3 m (Pro: silver-braided)
• Aluminum transport case

Sensitivity:
90 dB/mW

Impedance:
50 Ω

Weight:
431 g

Herstellerangaben:

final Inc.
4-44-1 Nakasaiwaicho
Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki
212-0012 , Kanagawa
Japan
directshop@final-inc.com

Verantwortliche Person:

ATR – Audio Trade HiFi – Sales Company LLC
Wallufer Straße 2
65343 , Eltville am Rhein
Germany
info@audiotra.de