Final Sonorous 3 Headphones: $400
Final of Japan makes my fave headphone at a cut above, less than insane price point. Final is well known for its Model Ten at $5k. S3 is scaled down- but still very impressive!
Sonorous 3 is a closed phone that covers your entire ear to deliver solid bass as well as an open, airy, musical presentation. S3 is highly efficient (16 ohms). You can drive it straight from your phone very nicely. Yet S3 has another gear of performance if you drive it with something nicer.
The drive element is a large (50mm) Titanium design, not plastic as most competitors offer. That’s the core reason for its ability to resolve music clearly. The spacial perspective of music is broad, yet solid. Vocal intimacy is exquisitely depicted. The bass muscle of S3 will beat anything
else we’ve heard at $400!
Each ear cup is wired with detachable, locking, strong, tangle resistant cables.
The cable has a mini plug. S3s do come with a 1/4” adapter for home hi-fi amps.
The headband and ear cups are sponge/synthetic leather- quite comfortable.
S3 doesn’t try to be everything to everybody. It runs a full sized closed design to purvey a rich musical presentation. Final made this choice on purpose. S3 isn’t made to run with or to hear someone barking at you while you’re listening to music!