final VR500 For Gaming Review – Pet Sounds

The final VR500 is the lowest-priced model in the company’s Virtual Reality series. It is not as bassy as its two big brothers but delivers decent spatial imaging and good speed at a budget price.

Introduction

The final VR500 is the newest and cheapest model in the company’s virtual reality series. It was introduced in early 2024 and follows the VR2000 (2023) and VR3000 (2020). Whereas the latter two follow final’s A-series in terms of housing design, the VR500 leans on the E-series with cylindrically shaped earpieces.

You may already have the neutral E1000 or the warmer E3000 in your collection, both excellent. The E500 was already ascribed a good 3D imaging, but the VR500 was designed to top that.

In my companion reviews of the VR2000 and VR3000 I have already summarized the concept of a “Virtual Reality” earphone: the driver must be similarly fast as the sound it reproduces and all players must be positioned accurately in 3D space without overlapping of the sonic elements.

Specifications final VR500

Physical Things and Usability

In the box are the earphones including a detached cable with one-button inline remote including microphone and L-shaped 3.5 mm plug — and five pairs of E-series eartips in different sizes. The cylindrical earpieces and the cable are identical to the final E500’s/E1000’s with the same robust haptic.

The earpieces are extremely comfortable as they do not touch the concha.

Here is a sound sample:

Tonality and Technicalities

I tested the VR500 mainly with my iPhone SE (1st gen.). The VR500 have the speediest driver of the VR series, followed by the VR2000 before the VR3000. It also has the “flattest” frequency graph of the lot, which lacks the classic pinna gain in the upper midrange, shows a prominently sub-bass roll off and a distinct upper treble peak. The VR500’s signature could not be more neutral. A true rarity reminiscent of Etymotic earphones.

This translates to generally sharply defined, accentuated, fast decaying notes across the frequency spectrum. Downside of the driver speed is that notes can be harsh.

Bass does not dig deep into the sub bass, but the whole low end is fast, tight, focused and composed. It does not create any colouring. Attack of drums and bass is decent. Overall, the low end could be a bit more pronounced.

The lean, well defined vocals are pushed into the foreground. They are etched out well with lots of space between the sharply defined notes, which contributes to excellent midrange resolution, clarity, and transparency. Female voices can sometimes sound nasal, which may not be important for gaming.

The flat upper midrange and low treble means no shrillness and graininess in this area. Treble is well extended and very well resolving with lots of sparkle and some fake resolution. An upper treble peak (similar to the Sennheiser IE 200), combined with that flat low end creates a huge, however two-dimensional stage with lots of headroom. Musicians and instruments are well separated but aligned along an imaginary line rather than being located accurately in the 3-D space.

If used for music listening, the VR500 may come across as sharp and two dimensional.

In comparison, the VR2000, and more so the VR3000, have a thicker, bassier sound with better three-dimensional reconstruction. The older VR3000 may be the least suited of the three for gaming, but it is very good for binaural listening. The VR2000 is probably the perfect gaming earphone with a good balance between speed and richness. As mentioned before, the newest VR500 is also the fastest with a distinct lack on the low end and therefore depth, but performs well for its price.

Concluding Remarks

The VR500 is the lowest-priced model of final’s Virtual Reality series. It may be not as rich sounding, not be as bassy, and not be as three-dimensional as its two bigger siblings, but it impresses with a swift driver, excellent clarity, and great fit. And the price is right, too. Great value!

Until next time…keep on listening!