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: back to the roots to redefine sound.

Key Highlights

• Both models feature planar magnetic technology combined with the proprietary Air Film Damping System (AFDS). This technology ensures deeper, clearer bass and a balanced soundstage – with minimal distortion.
• The core: 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 sound character:

• The D8000 DC is tuned to be absolutely neutral and is aimed at professional listeners who value uncompromising balance above all else.
• The D8000 DC Pro delivers slightly more bass without sacrificing clarity. This makes it ideal for listeners who love a powerful sound.

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

The Details

More than seven years after the launch of the first D8000 – and after over 2,000 units delivered – every central component has been reconsidered and redesigned. The core 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 usual glued-on coil wiring.

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. In combination with newly developed, breathable ear pads, this results in a more open soundstage with a noticeably extended high-frequency range and a fuller bass response. The ear pads themselves are now about 1.5 times thicker than those of the original D8000 and are made of a special fabric based on Washi – a Japanese paper material known for its dry feel, breathability, and durability. The increased acoustic volume creates a deeper, more even spatial imaging in the midrange, 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 is made of a high-precision milled aluminum-magnesium alloy, which not only provides high structural rigidity – necessary for stabilizing the sensitive driver system – but also protects against scratches thanks to a leather-like surface coating. This finish is usually only used on high-end camera bodies.

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 enables Final to precisely control every aspect of sound tuning and ensure the highest manufacturing quality. In addition, the D8000 DC is designed for long-term use: almost all components are screwed together and can be easily replaced in case of repair – a rare feature in the high-end audio world.

The package includes two high-quality, detachable cables: a 1.5-meter black-sleeved OFC cable with a 4.4mm 5-pole plug, as well as a 3-meter XLR cable with a 4-pin connection – both with locking 3.5mm 2-pole outputs. The Pro's XLR cable comes in a silver-braided version, while the standard DC version 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 sound differences between the D8000 DC and the D8000 DC Pro Edition lie in the targeted adaptation to the human ear. While the standard DC offers linear, balanced reproduction with fine resolution, the Pro version increases the low-frequency response at higher volumes – without losing detail in the treble. Both models are clearly positioned in the high-end segment, but they 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 Ward, 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