LAB I
The housing is created using a 3D printer with 64 titanium.
Delivers overwhelming realism with its voluminous bass tones.
Delivers overwhelming realism with its voluminous bass tones.
Weighty bass tones are realized with a full-range dual balanced armature driver unit. Employs a titanium 64 housing shaped using a 3D printer. This is a form that allows for realistic music reproduction while curbing unnecessary vibrations.
BAM mechanism produces bass sounds and stereo spatial interpretations
With balanced armature driver units, iron is driven to produce sound, and as such, these drivers face a number of problems, amongst which are "proving tiring to listen to", "having sound that is subtle and beautiful, but lacking in depth and being flat" and "lacking bass interval". At final, we decided to focus on developing technology for the reproduction of bass tones and three-dimensional space with the full-range reproduction of a theoretically unproblematic single driver unit, rather than taking things in a multiway direction.
We went back to the beginning and reviewed the performance of the balanced armature driver, focusing our attention on something we had previously overlooked – airflow inside the housing. We developed BAM (Balancing Air Movement), a mechanism that optimizes airflow inside the housing through the creation of an aperture in the driver unit, which is usually sealed.
While achieving bass tones and deep, three-dimensional spatial representation, which proved difficult with single driver full-range reproduction, we achieved a BA type that at the same time made for natural listening the user doesn't tire of.
We went back to the beginning and reviewed the performance of the balanced armature driver, focusing our attention on something we had previously overlooked – airflow inside the housing. We developed BAM (Balancing Air Movement), a mechanism that optimizes airflow inside the housing through the creation of an aperture in the driver unit, which is usually sealed.
While achieving bass tones and deep, three-dimensional spatial representation, which proved difficult with single driver full-range reproduction, we achieved a BA type that at the same time made for natural listening the user doesn't tire of.
Full-range dual balanced armature driver
Dual use of final audio design's original full-range balanced armature driver unit.
By doing so, we've realized a weighty bass tone.
By doing so, we've realized a weighty bass tone.
Titanium 64 housing formed via 3D printer
Shapes formed using a 3D printer don't just appear with the touch of a button.
Different knowhow is especially necessary at each point when it comes to forms created from metal. Each point is quantified and accumulated as explicit knowledge. But when it comes to deciding how to go about combining all of this different knowhow and in what order of precedence, then what is necessary is the intuition of the craftsman. Rather than rendering the work of the craftsman unnecessary, shaping metal using a 3D printer necessitates there being human resources that could be termed digital craftsmen, in that they consider the output data to be created that takes into account the shape of the finished product, the cost, precision, the smoothness of the surface and a number of other elements. To reach the best output data for the housing here, we trialed a great number of prototypes.
Different knowhow is especially necessary at each point when it comes to forms created from metal. Each point is quantified and accumulated as explicit knowledge. But when it comes to deciding how to go about combining all of this different knowhow and in what order of precedence, then what is necessary is the intuition of the craftsman. Rather than rendering the work of the craftsman unnecessary, shaping metal using a 3D printer necessitates there being human resources that could be termed digital craftsmen, in that they consider the output data to be created that takes into account the shape of the finished product, the cost, precision, the smoothness of the surface and a number of other elements. To reach the best output data for the housing here, we trialed a great number of prototypes.
And finishing off the surface is not easy either. The 3D printer irradiates metal powder over an extremely small area with a laser, melting it and then hardening it over and over so that the form is created. Owing to this, the surface is pocked with the marks left by the laser's irradiation and has a rough finish. Polishing this up requires just as much knowhow as shaping the object does. It was thought that polishing it to the degree that its precision as a product was maintained was impossible.
Here, with the cooperation of a coordinator specializing in specially-processed metals, we combined the skills of the craftsmen in many ways and with the output from the 3D printer, realized a beautifully polished finish for the titanium 64 (usually a hard metal to polish) housing.
Here, with the cooperation of a coordinator specializing in specially-processed metals, we combined the skills of the craftsmen in many ways and with the output from the 3D printer, realized a beautifully polished finish for the titanium 64 (usually a hard metal to polish) housing.
Original ear pieces – two types to choose from
The thin part of the silicon ear pad that seals the auditory canal resonates with alacrity. The more the seal strength is increased and the sound insulating properties heightened, the greater the influence of the resonance. Bass tones from the resonance of the ear pieces invariably reverberate in a sluggish manner, and the music's vividness is undermined. At final, we created more than one hundred samples and selected the ear pad that made the most natural bass sound production possible. We enclosed five sizes (SS / S / M / L / LL) together, enabling the consumer to choose the one they prefer.
Stainless mesh filter + acoustic resistor
We've achieved a balance between medium and high tones with stainless steel mesh and acoustic resistor.
Original flat cable that eliminates "touch noise"
We've enhanced the flexibility of the cable and increased its thickness, thus reducing touch noise.
Specifications
- Product code
- FI-LAB01
- Housing
- Created using a 3D printer, 64 titanium polished finish
- Driver
- Full-range dual balanced armature
- Connector
- -
- Sensitivity
- 112dB
- Impedance
- 8Ω
- Weight
- 26g
- Cord length
- 1.2ｍ
Accessories
Steel carry case, Silicon ear pieces (E type 5 sizes)
How to wear the earphones
Please check the L (left) and R (right) indicators on the left and right bushes. Holding the product, fit into the ears using a slight twisting motion. Since sound quality differs greatly according to the positioning of the ear piece, move each ear phone around while playing music until you find the position with the balance that suits you best. Once you find this position, it will easy to replicate it on subsequent occasions.
* It is usual that a person's ears differ from left to right in terms of shape. As such, the optimum positioning of the product differs from left to right.
* It is usual that a person's ears differ from left to right in terms of shape. As such, the optimum positioning of the product differs from left to right.
Sound quality reviews
This model has a prominent sound thickness and softness you wouldn't believe from a BA.
Beguiling lingering tones and a well-rounded sound field characterize the model; relish the feel of sound encompassing you. We encourage you to take note of the lifelike breaths in female vocals, wood base and the natural lingering tones of wooden instruments.
Beguiling lingering tones and a well-rounded sound field characterize the model; relish the feel of sound encompassing you. We encourage you to take note of the lifelike breaths in female vocals, wood base and the natural lingering tones of wooden instruments.
User reviews
I threw caution to the wind and purchased this model, and it was the right thing to do.
Just as I thought, final never lets you down.
It looks like I'll be enjoying a completely different sound than that of FI-BA-SS.
There is latitude in the essential sound, and the sound field is wide.
It's a comfortable sound with a lot of bass, but since separation and resolution are high, there is no stifling. Compared to other single drivers, these sound really three-dimensional. Lingering sound is good, too.
This is just how things feel for me; I don't know whether it's because of the lingering sound and the bass tones, but there are times when it sounds as though the tempo of songs is faster compared to with other products.
Until now, no matter which product I bought, I ended up using FI-BA-SS frequently, but it looks like I'll be using this product frequently.
If there is one flaw with this product, it would be the fit. My left ear canal is larger, and the left and right pieces are different, so it's sometimes hard to find the right fit. With LAB I, how I insert them into my ears differs from left to right; the distance from the eardrum also differs from left to right, and so it's a bit hard to adjust them.
FI-BA-SS has a better fit.
But since these have a sound that makes up for the problem of fit, I recommend them.
Just as I thought, final never lets you down.
It looks like I'll be enjoying a completely different sound than that of FI-BA-SS.
There is latitude in the essential sound, and the sound field is wide.
It's a comfortable sound with a lot of bass, but since separation and resolution are high, there is no stifling. Compared to other single drivers, these sound really three-dimensional. Lingering sound is good, too.
This is just how things feel for me; I don't know whether it's because of the lingering sound and the bass tones, but there are times when it sounds as though the tempo of songs is faster compared to with other products.
Until now, no matter which product I bought, I ended up using FI-BA-SS frequently, but it looks like I'll be using this product frequently.
If there is one flaw with this product, it would be the fit. My left ear canal is larger, and the left and right pieces are different, so it's sometimes hard to find the right fit. With LAB I, how I insert them into my ears differs from left to right; the distance from the eardrum also differs from left to right, and so it's a bit hard to adjust them.
FI-BA-SS has a better fit.
But since these have a sound that makes up for the problem of fit, I recommend them.
（male, -）
To sum these earphones up, I'd say "ultimate naturalness".
These are clearly different to the expansive group of earphones that have a lot of drivers packed into them in the pursuit of resolution and that sound great when you hear them for the first time, but that soon have you tiring of listening to them.
With LAB I, you also feel high resolution and rich bass tones when you first use them, but as you listen, you'll be hooked by the spatial representation, subtle high frequencies and superb, natural overall harmony. They hold a power that has you unable to stop the more you listen.
The beauty of the integrated titanium body, degree of perfection and its sense as a possession are perfect.
I also own some Heaven VIII earphones, and I feel some similarities with these – rich vocals, bass tones and airy feeling – but the overall resolution, richness and spatial representation give a sense of refinement.
Equipment used
Player: AK100 II WAV→flac exchange
These are clearly different to the expansive group of earphones that have a lot of drivers packed into them in the pursuit of resolution and that sound great when you hear them for the first time, but that soon have you tiring of listening to them.
With LAB I, you also feel high resolution and rich bass tones when you first use them, but as you listen, you'll be hooked by the spatial representation, subtle high frequencies and superb, natural overall harmony. They hold a power that has you unable to stop the more you listen.
The beauty of the integrated titanium body, degree of perfection and its sense as a possession are perfect.
I also own some Heaven VIII earphones, and I feel some similarities with these – rich vocals, bass tones and airy feeling – but the overall resolution, richness and spatial representation give a sense of refinement.
Equipment used
Player: AK100 II WAV→flac exchange
（male, 30-39 years）
Gallery
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