Final B1, B2, and B3

Busy Bees!

PROS: different sound sigs depending on the model, great looking shell design, very durable build, premium cables (B1/B3) and premium eartips, reasonable pricing.

CONS: sharper edges of the outer shell could be a problem for some, contrast between B2 and B1/B3 tuning, model naming is not consistent with driver config.

The product was provided to me free of charge for the review purpose in exchange for my honest opinion.

Manufacturer website: Final. Available for sale from Bloom Audio (B1, B2, B3).

Intro.

While I heard about Final audio higher end IEMs years ago, my first exposure to this brand happened only recently when I got a set of their premium E-Type eartips. Of course, it’s not the same, but it was an introduction showing they pay attention to every little detail. Their budget friendly E-series also generated quite a buzz, and Erik’s review of E4000/E5000 was featured here. Don’t want to sound shallow, but when I was asked if I’m interested to hear their new B-series, I agreed to take a listen because I was fascinated with their shell design and hoped they will sound as good as they looked.

Right from the get-go one pair of B-series caught my attention and I couldn’t wait to spend more time testing it. But I also decided it will be a good idea to combine and to cover all 3 models in one review since personal sound preference varies and these three do cover different sound signatures. After all, the intent of the review is to describe what I’m hearing, to help my readers figure out which product will suite them better. So, here is the new Final B-series with B1, B2, and B3 models.

Unboxing and Accessories.

Final B-series IEMs arrived in a compact white box, with nearly identical packaging and accessories for all 3 models. The only difference, aside for IEMs themselves, was the cable with OFC wires used for B2 and SPC wires used for B1/B3.

Each box had a silicone carrying case, a pair of small clear transparent earhooks, and 5 pairs of Final E-Type silicone eartips (SS/S/M/L/LL). Eartips have a firm cap which makes a good seal with earcanal and come with a ribbed color coded (Pink – right, Grey – left) stem with a tight grip around the nozzle and a smaller size bore opening.

Silicone travel case has a clever design with a lightweight puck shape where the main thicker outer shell is roomy/deep enough to fit IEMs w/cables. And the inner more flexible silicone shell when closed wraps around IEM/cable to keep it secure inside and to prevent the content from sliding around.

Cables.

As already mentioned, B2 comes with OFC cable, while B1/B3 use SPC cable. The cable is non-microphonic, very pliable, lightweight, and comfortable to wear while walking around. Since B-series cable is removable with universal mmcx connectors, you can use any of your favorite cables with it.

SPC cable has 4 conductors, 2 on each side, twisted and in a clear flexible jacket, with each side twisted again after the y-splitter going to a right angled 3.5mm plug. The plug has a nice clear strain relief, 2/3 of the housing is metal and the rest is clear transparent so you can see the connection of the wires. Y-split has a matching slim metal finish, and chin-slider is a clear small silicone piece. The earpiece connector housing with mmcx also has a matching finish and red/black color-coded rings to indicate Right/Left sides.

OFC cable conductors are hidden under a black soft flexible rubbery jacket. The cable doesn’t look as glamorous as SPC, where mmcx connector housing, chin slider, and y-split have the same rubbery black material, and the right-angled plug is all black and metal. Earpiece mmcx connectors are market with a red ring on the Right side.