I swapped out my favorite premium earbuds for this $89 pair, and I wasn't expecting to have such a good time
It's also true that I'm a big fan of budget buds and headphones. And there's one company that makes some of my favorite low-cost audio products: Japanese firm Final. So when I recieved the Final ZE3000 SV in the mail, I was excited to give them a go.
I finally decided to take a look a couple of weeks ago. I placed my B&W buds into a drawer, and exclusively used the Final buds as my out-of-work heroes. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting to be quite as impressed as I was.
Getting hold of a pair of Finals' latest budget buds might be tricky, but it's well worth it. They don't cost very much at all, but they'll wow you with a comfortable fit and the best sound (bar none) for the price.
I've tried out other buds that Final has made, and they've all got one thing in common — the fit. Final seems to know how to make a comfortable pair of earbuds with well-judged shapes, excellent silicone eartips, and light construction.
The ZE3000 SV are no different. They're super small, incredibly light, and their silicon tips come in enough shapes and sizes to fit just about anyone.
I took them on a trip to London, where I wore them for almost the entire day. Not only were there zero fitting issues, they didn't fall out and for the most part I forgot they were even there.
I don't think you can expect the most incredible noise canceling around out of something so cheap, but I was surprised by how much noise they managed to block out. Even during my walks through the busy London streets.
They're not as good as my Bose QuietComforts or the Bowers & Wilkins pair, but for something that costs so little the performance is incredibly impressive.
My trip on the train was quietened, silencing the noisy soccer fans at the other end of the carriage, and kept the noise of the train at bay. Engine noise was barely audible, and the rhythmic clacking of wheels on tracks was dampened.
In London itself the ANC continued to impress. The sounds of the streets were much quieter, as loud tire and engine noises where drowned out by a combination of ANC and my music. The chatter of passers-by was much more tolerable, and I was able to hear more of the actual music as a result.
If there's one thing that Final always gets very right, it's the sound quality. The ZE3000 SV are another feather in Final's cap, featuring the best sound quality I've heard for the price. There's top notch detail on offer out of the buds, making sure that you can hear even the most subtle elements of your tracks with great resolution.
The mids and the bass are good too. There's some lovely low end representation for bass guitars and other lower frequencies, Guitars and vocals are well recreated by the wide and spacious mids. I found myself very quickly forgetting that I wasn't using my favorite buds. In fact, in some ways, they sounded better than the Bose pair — especially when it comes to detail.
Circuit Bender from Intervals allowed the buds to show the full spectrum of the sound abilities. There's plenty of body for the heavy, distorted guitars, afforded a certain extra edge by the highs. Calmer parts are clear as crystal, while the all important guitar solos move across the frequency range smoothly. The drums are vibrate your jaw impactful, but there's still plenty of thump on offer from the rhythm section.
Mr Bungle's Squeeze Me Macaroni brings the madness in spades, and the ZE3000 relish the occasion. The shift in tone is well handled, and the mad-cap vocal part is well reconstructed. The acoustic guitar parts cut through the mix with accuracy, and then the louder and more intense sections are perfectly bonkers. Loads and loads of fun — and the Final buds have no problem keeping up.
The battery life is very solid, the app is competent, and multipoint connection is very useful. There's not a lot I would complain about when it comes to the buds, even when taking their price into consideration.
I've come to love the little guys, and while they might not perform like my current chosen buds from Bowers & Wilkins, they're a great way to get incredible sound for not a whole lot of money.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
3 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I test noise-canceling headphones for a living — here's my top picks under $100
"The best noise-canceling headphones often come with higher prices, and more premium feature sets." That's something I might have said a few years ago, but they're now more accessible than ever thanks to some great budget options. While there are some truly standout models that cost $400 or more, there are a handful of headphones under $100 that deliver good sound and good noise cancelation. If you're looking to spend as little as possible for a pair of headphones that can block out the world, there are some great values to be had. Here are three sub-$100 ANC headphones that I've tested that give you everything you need. The 1More Sonoflow Pro deliver features that you'd normally expect from something more premium at a price you can afford. They're a light pair of headphones with lovely soft padding, which means they're comfortable over long periods of time. The physical controls are easy to use, and easy to find when you can't see them. Which is good, given they're going to live on your head. The sound is good, with a welcoming sonic experience that offers clear details. There's still plenty of bass though, and the mids are well represented, too. For less than $90 they're a great option if you're looking for something nice and cheap that still offers noise canceling for the train. 1More is no stranger to a great pair of budget headphones, and the Sonoflow Pro are a great example of what to expect. They're comfortable, sound good, and offer very solid ANC for a price that's not going to break the bank. There have to be some sacrifices made on the alter of price when it comes to headphones this cheap — in the case of the JBuds Lux ANC, it's a lack of protective hardcase. Other than that you're getting a pair of super comfortable headphones that don't cost loads of money while offering a 70-hour battery life and ANC that's much better than you'd expect for the price. They sound good too, with some great bassy rumble to keep them engaging while listening. That low price makes sure you won't pay too much either — if you can live without a hard case, these are a wallet- and ear-pleasing sub-$100 option. The folding JBuds Lux ANC bring more premium features to a budget price point. They're a light and comfortable pair of headphones that also happen to sound really good — and they fold up nice and small so that they can fit inside your backpack. There's something different about the Space One, and that's their wonderful sense of style. Where headphones at this price usually settle for a standard-looking black or gray chassis that wouldn't inspire anyone, the Space One feature a design that makes them look unlike anything else. There are fun colors, sleek metallic accents, and sturdy feeling plastic throughout to make sure you feel like you've got your money's worth. They sound good, and feature a comfortable fit thanks to some lovely soft padding foam. 40 hours of battery is good too, especially when the ANC is turned on. Physical controls round out a great budget over-ears package. We gave them a solid 4-star rating when we reviewed them, and they still hold up as one of the best cheap wireless headphones. The Soundcore Space One offer some great features for a very solid price. Their ANC is excellent, blocking out loads of noise in busy places, and they sound good thanks to some great audio tuning. The Soundcore app is a useful way to dial in their sound as well, thanks to an EQ.
19 hours ago
Fukushima nuclear plant faces new delay in removing melted fuel debris
The Japanese operator of the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Tuesday said the start of full-scale removal of melted fuel debris will be delayed for several years until 2037 or later, the latest setback underscoring the challenges ahead. The Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, or TEPCO, said it will need 12 to 15 years of preparation before starting full-scale removal of melted fuel debris at the No. 3 reactor. That preparation includes reducing radiation levels and building necessary facilities in and around the reactor. Overall, at least 880 tons of melted nuclear fuel has mixed with broken parts of internal structures and other debris inside the three reactors that suffered meltdowns at the plant following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The delay again sets back the 2051 target set by Japan's government and TEPCO for decommissioning the plant. A test retrieval of a tiny sample of melted fuel debris in November was already three years behind, and some experts estimate that the decommissioning work could take more than a century. TEPCO said it plans to stick to the current completion target of 2051. 'Realistically, we are aware of the difficulty (to achieve the target) but we will not drop the goal just yet, as we still don't have a clear work schedule after the full-scale removal begins,' said Akira Ono, chief decommissioning officer at TEPCO. Ono said TEPCO plans to examine preparation work necessary at the two other reactors within the next couple of years ahead of full-scale melted fuel retrieval. After small missions by robots to gather samples, experts will determine a larger-scale method for removing melted fuel, first at the No. 3 reactor.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Honda Should Be Concerned About The Toyota Corolla Hybrid's Price And Efficiency
Honda Should Be Concerned About The Toyota Corolla Hybrid's Price And Efficiency originally appeared on Autoblog. Compact cars get more efficient Compact cars are known for being more efficient than their larger counterparts, and they get even more efficient in hybrid form. The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have one of the industry's most intense rivalries, and now it looks like that battle is extending into the hybrid realm. With the addition of the Honda Civic Hybrid to the range for the 2025 model year, these Japanese compact sedans were destined to go tire-to-tire eventually. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is more affordable The Honda Civic Hybrid is available in both sedan and hatchback bodystyles. In sedan form, the 2026 Civic Sport Hybrid is priced from $29,295. It rides on black 18-inch alloy wheels, with LED lighting and heated side mirrors. Inside, the Civic Sport Hybrid features red ambient lighting, sport pedals, and heated seats. A seven-inch touchscreen display comes standard, along with eight speakers and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Sport Touring Hybrid starts at $32,295, with upgrades that include a nine-inch touchscreen display, a premium Bose 12-speaker audio system, and wireless smartphone connectivity and charging. The Honda Civic Hybrid hatchback comes with a similar set of amenities, minus the red ambient lighting and a few other features. Like in the sedan, there's a $3,000 difference between the two available trim levels. The Sport Hybrid model will cost you $30,495, while the top-spec Sport Touring Hybrid is priced from $33,495. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is only available in sedan body style, but it significantly undercuts its Japanese competitor in price. In base form, the Corolla Hybrid LE starts at $23,825, which is more than $5,000 cheaper than the Honda Civic Hybrid in either body style. Practicality is the name of the game, and the base Corolla Hybrid rolls out on 16-inch wheels complemented by LED headlights. Toyota has been upping its tech game, though, and all Corolla Hybrid models come with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Hybrid SE offers a sportier look, but opting for the mid-tier model will cost you $26,265. That price tag nets you a few notable upgrades, including 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport mesh black front grille with LED lighting, and sport seats. The Hybrid SE also sees wireless smartphone charging added to its standard equipment. The Hybrid XLE, starting at $28,190, is designed for comfort with a handful of upscale amenities, like SofTex-trimmed heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is incredibly efficient Toyota is known for practicality over frills, and the Corolla Hybrid definitely got the memo. Designed to offer transportation and little else, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE and XLE earn up to 53 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway, for a combined 50 mpg. The sportier SE trim sees fuel economy drop three miles per gallon across the board due to its larger wheels. Unfortunately, Toyota doesn't currently offer a hybrid-powered Corolla hatchback. Make no mistake - driving the Toyota Corolla Hybrid isn't going to be a thrill ride. Under the hood lies a 1.8-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine that produces just 138 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque. Interestingly, Toyota offers all-wheel drive as an optional upgrade to the tune of $1,400, but performance remains the same. Adding all-wheel drive reduces fuel economy to 51 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway in the Corolla Hybrid LE model. Both 2026 Honda Civic Hybrid models earn similar fuel economy, which makes sense considering they share the same hybrid powertrain. The sedan is the more efficient option, earning up to 50 mpg in the city and 47 mpg on the highway, for a combined 49 mpg. The hatchback model earns 50 mpg in the city as well, but fuel economy drops by two miles per gallon, leading to a combined 48 mpg. The Honda Civic Hybrid comes equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors. It produces a combined 200 horsepower, significantly more than its Toyota counterpart. Honda only offers the Civic Hybrid with front-wheel drive, though, so if you want an all-wheel drivetrain, you'll have to opt for the Corolla Hybrid. Final thoughts The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are two of the industry's most well-known nameplates, with the latter standing as one of the best-selling vehicles in the world. With the addition of a hybrid-powered Civic, their rivalry ignites in yet another segment. While the Honda Civic Hybrid is available in both body styles, neither can compete with the Toyota Corolla Hybrid's price. If all you care about is transportation, then Toyota's offering is the way to go. If you want a little more engaged driving experience while earning similar fuel economy, the Civic Hybrid's 200 horsepower goes a long way. Honda Should Be Concerned About The Toyota Corolla Hybrid's Price And Efficiency first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
