Final Audio D8000 Pro AFDS Open Planar Magnetic Headphones Final Audio

Introducing the D8000 Pro Edition high end headphones bestseller
Leaving the delicate sound quality intact, we have tuned D8000 using the Air Film Damping System (AFDS) exclusively for professional use upon the request of recording engineers who wish to listen at louder sound volumes than ordinary consumers. The human auditory characteristic by which low frequency range becomes easier to hear as sound volume increases has also been taken into consideration. As a result, in comparison to the D8000 which is suitable particularly for classical music and other selections featuring a wide dynamic range, the D8000 Pro Edition provides sound quality perceived to be of higher clarity when listening to rock, pops and other selections that feature a narrow dynamic range.

A combination of the sensitive high ranges of planar magnetic models and the volume and open feel bass tones of dynamic models
With conventional planar magnetic models, amplitude is an increasing low range, and since the diaphragm comes into contact with magnets, it was necessary to raise the frequency of bass tones to a level that the driver unit can reproduce. To make up for the lack of bass tones, the inside of the earpads have been tightly sealed, and the front section of the diaphragm has been made a closed space.

This is the same principle as earphones with sealed earpieces being able to reproduce bass frequencies despite their small size. By sealing the inner earpads, it is possible to produce bass tones across low frequency bands; these become the bass tones produced within a sealed space the same as earphones.

With D8000, the problem with the diaphragm coming into contact with magnets has been solved through AFDS (Air Film Damping System), and it has become possible to reduce the frequency of the bass tones that the driver unit can reproduce. Combined with breathable earpads, bass tone reproduction with a volume and open sound only achievable with superior dynamic models is possible.

In reproducing subtle high frequencies, the lightweight nature of the diaphragm comes before anything else. Compared to other dynamic models with the same diameter, D8000’s diaphragm is 1/3 lighter. A super thin aluminium coil has been etched on the extremely lightweight film diaphragm, and as such, the adhesive essential for use between the coil and the diaphragm of dynamic models – which has a very negative effect on sound quality – is not necessary. With the D8000 Pro Edition, problems originating from the adhesive have been fundamentally resolved, and the reproduction of a delicate sound in high frequency range has been achieved.

With a combination of the planar magnetic model’s subtle high frequencies and the dynamic model’s volume and open bass tones, you discover new things about music you’re used to listening to when you use D8000; they have you wanting to listen to your favourite music over and over again. With this product, you realize that high sound quality provides the impetus for experiencing the deeper aspects of music.

Newly-developed AFDS: Air Film Damping System
With conventional planar magnetic models, amplitude was an increasing low range, and the diaphragm came into contact with magnets. To solve this problem, we took measurements by conducting diaphragm simulations using the finite element method and laser Doppler devices numerous times, and established new diaphragm braking technology known as AFDS – Air Film Damping System.

In doing so, the shortcoming of planar magnetic models – the low reproducibility of bass tones – was solved. This technology could be considered a reinvention of planar magnetic models.

With D8000 Pro Edition, the problem with the diaphragm coming into contact with magnets has been solved through AFDS (Air Film Damping System), and it has become possible to reduce the frequency of the bass tones that the driver unit can reproduce. Combined with breathable earpads, bass tone reproduction with a volume and open sound only achievable with superior dynamic models is possible.

Designed with prolonged use and ease of repair in mind
So as to make repairs and future upgrades possible, almost every part has been designed in such a way that they can be disassembled, ensuring that the product can be used for many years following purchase.

A machined aluminium magnesium alloy housing
To establish AFDS, an extremely high level of precision compared to typical driver units is necessary. Because of this, the machined aluminium magnesium alloy housing has been machined with great precision. Black sports a leathercoat finish such as that used for expensive cameras. Silver has been imparted with an Alumite anodized aluminium finish.

Manufactured at our own factory, this model espouses precision
The D8000 series is manufactured at our head office in Kawasaki.together with the precision of individual parts, the precision involved in the assembly process depends on the precision of the tools known as jigs that assist in the assembly process. So as to be able to fine-tune even the slightest of irregularities in jig precision during the assembly process, we design and manufacture production jigs and measurement jigs ourselves.

We developed manufacturing apparatus such as a diaphragm formation machine and a diaphragm tension meter in-house, specifically for the D8000 series.

To create truly good products, it is necessary to get to the core of the manufacturing process of parts close to the raw material. What is good about “made in Japan” is that when doing so, you can gain the cooperation of those manufacturers close to the material. By controlling everything together, from sourcing the raw materials through to the assembly of the product, we have achieved high-quality products.

Newly-developed open type earpads
With not only sealed headphones but open-type headphones as well, sealing the earpads makes for a characteristic lengthening of reproduction frequency to bass frequencies that the driver unit originally couldn’t reproduce. However, for the high-quality expression of the natural spread of bass frequencies the source sound originally has, it is necessary for the driver unit itself to have the ability to reproduce bass frequencies, and also to use breathable earpads that are not tightly sealed. With all conventional planar magnetic models and many dynamic models, there is a lack in terms of bass frequencies with earpads that are not tightly sealed.

With D8000, the reproduction band of bass frequencies has been extended through AFDS, and it has become possible to sufficiently reproduce bass frequencies even with earpads that are not sealed tightly just with driver unit ability. The earpads that greatly influence sound quality have been newly developed specially for D8000 from highly-breathable foam and specialised fibres. For the D8000 Pro Edition, close attention has been paid to good feeling texture and longevity. Toray Ultrasuede has been used for parts that come in contact with the human skin.

Differences in sound quality between the D8000 and D8000 Pro Edition
The D8000 Pro Edition is a new product that leaves the delicate sound quality of the D8000 intact and has undergone retuning of driver units which adopt the Air Film Damping System (AFDS) in accordance with actual use for professional sound recordings upon the request of recording engineers who wish to listen at louder sound volumes than ordinary consumers. As a result of the new tuning, which takes into consideration the human auditory characteristic by which low frequency range becomes easier to hear as volume increases, the D8000 Pro Edition provides sound quality perceived to be of higher clarity when listening to rock, pops and other selections featuring a narrow dynamic range in contrast to the D8000, which is suitable particularly for classical music and other selections that feature a wide dynamic range. The following figure shows the difference in sound quality tendencies between the D8000 and the D8000 Pro Edition.

View the full collection here.