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Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Piano Forte IX
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
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Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Product code: FI-PF9DSS3
- Housing: Stainless steel
- Driver: 16mmΦ dynamic
- Sensitivity: 108dB
- Impedance: 16Ω
- Weight: 38g
- Cord length: 1.4m
Description
Piano Forte IX archived to produce space expression which bring atmosphere of live hall and a sense of reality of concert hall which is difficult to be produced by conventional earphones. Piano Forte _ has a stainless body with a mirror-polished finish. Its classy look mirrors a high-precision sound that retains the trueness of the recorded source.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Final Audio is known for its expertise in balanced armature driver technology, crafting single full-range drivers that deliver detailed yet non-fatiguing audio, challenging the common multi-driver approach.
- Final Audio designs their products with specific listening purposes in mind, catering to genres like gaming, binaural recordings, or emphasizing certain sonic qualities like presence and clarity.
- The brand's earphones are often praised for their immersive and spacious soundstages, creating a 3D audio experience that extends beyond the physical confines of the housings.
Select products
Select product comparisons
UX3000
- Positioning: A wireless noise-cancelling headphone designed for premium sound and everyday convenience.
- Description: Features a completely new driver built to withstand the stresses of active noise cancellation while keeping sound clear and balanced. Compared to the wired D series and SONOROUS line, it offers the added benefits of wireless connectivity and portability, making it ideal for small rooms or on‐the-go use with moderate budget demands.
D7000
- Positioning: A premium wired headphone focused on comfort and natural, well-balanced audio.
- Description: Features a driver design using a diffuser technique to enhance treble clarity and maintain a smooth tonal balance. Compared to the D8000pro and SONOROUS models, it is positioned as a cost-effective option with a comfortable fit for users seeking natural sound.
D8000pro
- Positioning: A high-end wired headphone engineered for dynamic performance with enhanced bass impact.
- Description: Uses advanced driver technology with optimized impedance and sensitivity, delivering punchy bass and refined treble details. Compared to the D7000 and SONOROUS units, it offers a more energetic soundstage.
SONOROUS VI
- Positioning: A wired headphone that blends dynamic and balanced-armature techniques to create an expansive sound stage.
- Description: Features a hybrid design combining a 50mm dynamic driver with a balanced armature element and a BAM mechanism to optimize airflow and bass control. Compared to the D series, its integrated driver technology provides a wider, more natural sound field.
SONOROUS X
- Positioning: A prestige, high-end wired headphone that represents the pinnacle of the SONOROUS series.
- Description: Integrates a titanium diaphragm with an integrated machined aluminum front plate and BAM mechanism to deliver crystal clear sound with exceptional realism. Compared to the SONOROUS VI and other D series products, it excels in build quality and sonic detail.
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Avg. Product Price
$501-$1,000
Used For Sale
1
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
594
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
55
Founding Year
2007
Our take on the brand
Final is a hifi audio brand known for deep in-house manufacturing control by designing and building its own diaphragm-forming machines and assembly jigs, while engineering products like their D-series headphones for longevity through screw-fastened parts that enable user repairs and future upgrades.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
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Brand Page
What if you spend more?
No items found.
What competes at this price?
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Shozy
Black Hole
799
/
Released
2020
The Black Hole is SHOZY's most advanced In-ear design in Q4, year 2020, Co-engineered with KOOK™ Electro-Acoustic Engineering Lab from the USA with patented acoustic technologies applied. This compact, semi-open dynamic design utilizes various results from acoustic researches, and more importantly a lot of field tests and adjustment comparing the output with actual live performances at live halls and recording facilities.
Shozy is a hifi audio brand that ships semi-open IEMs with unusually "headphone-like" openness and lateral staging that reviewers consistently note as distinct from typical in-ear designs. The brand also offers hand-built IEMs (AVA) where internals are matched and fine-tuned by a single technician.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers a natural and realistic sound representation without artificially boosting frequencies or dynamics
- Offers a spacious soundstage, particularly in width, creating a three-dimensional listening experience
- Unique semi-open design creates a breathable, effortless, and natural physical sensation, unlike closed-back IEMs
- Provides exceptional clarity, detail retrieval, and transparency, competing with higher-priced IEMs
- Good build quality with an all-metal body that feels premium and sturdy
Product Considerations
- Lacks significant sound isolation due to its open-back design, making it unsuitable for noisy environments
- Bass response may not satisfy bass-heavy music enthusiasts as it is not particularly boosted, voluminous, or slammy
- Stock cable and included accessories are basic and do not match the IEM's premium price point
- May sound a bit dull or monotonous to listeners accustomed to fun, colored sound signatures
- The open design exposes the drivers, raising concerns about potential damage from moisture or debris
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Zen, the Black Hole has more transparency, is more attacking, and offers better detail retrieval, but the Zen has more bass
- Compared to the Letshuoer Tape, the Black Hole offers a wider range open-feel and better imaging, while the Letshuoer Tape offers better tonality at the treble
- Compared to the Audeze LCD-i3, the Black Hole offers a more comfortable, soft, and easy-going experience
- Compared to the Audeze iSINE 20, the Black Hole has a natural flow, in comparison to the more condensed feel of the iSINE 20 imaging
Takeaway: The Shozy Black Hole is a unique IEM that delivers exceptionally clear and natural sound with a spacious presentation, creating an immersive listening experience. An ideal choice for someone seeking an IEM that sounds great, has exceptional detail, and does not isolate the listener from their surroundings.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Shozy is a hifi audio brand that ships semi-open IEMs with unusually "headphone-like" openness and lateral staging that reviewers consistently note as distinct from typical in-ear designs. The brand also offers hand-built IEMs (AVA) where internals are matched and fine-tuned by a single technician.
Product Page
Product Page
How to buy
Headphones
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