Have you ever stumbled upon a product that’s so affordable it’s almost impossible to pass up? That’s me with budget earphones. While I own and test many of the best noise-canceling headphones and best true wireless earbuds, I often rely on wired in-ears to get me through last-minute FaceTime calls or keep my Spotify vibes going when my AirPods Pro 2 run out of juice.
The incredibly cheap Final E500 are terrific do-it-all gaming earphones that come from an established hi-fi audio brand and have critical backing from audio experts across the globe. After further testing, I can see why they’re highly coveted and widely recommended.
Offering impressive performance for a low cost, the E500 are comfy, fantastic-sounding earphones you’ll want to consider pairing with your favorite media player, portable gaming console or smartphone.
How I found the Final E500 Earphones
This was a random suggestion I stumbled upon when searching the web for the best budget earbuds. I remember seeing them for a ridiculously low price and reached out to Final’s public relations firm for a sample unit, which I gratefully received from overseas.
Inexpensive gaming earbuds are not difficult to find. However, quality selections like the Final E500 are limited and well worth the investment for mobile gamers and music lovers.
Why they’re a score
The attention to detail is what makes the E500 a winner. Final’s engineers stuffed a 6.4mm diameter dynamic driver unit and binaural hardware into these earphones. They produce detailed, spacious audio that outperforms the sound quality on most midrange rivals.
I listen to music several hours a day and found the E500 to be sonically satisfying for gaming earphones. Bass was bold and crisp right out of the box. I was taken aback by how deep and transparent the distorted drum effects sounded on Kanye West’s 808-infused “RoboCop,” granted the midrange took a hit during the violin-prominent chorus. Frequencies were better balanced on hard rock jams like Def Leppard’s “Photograph.” Cymbals stood out more, snares remained punchy and the layered harmonies and wailing vocals sounded pristine.
One of the benefits of listening to music with wired earphones is zero latency, something I greatly appreciated when playing content on music streaming services. Plugging the E500 into my MacBook Pro allowed for lossless audio on select Apple Music tracks and let me take advantage of Tidal’s advanced desktop features (Exclusive Mode, Passthrough MQA) to maximize audio output. The latter increased volume and midrange, making ballads more intimate and live performances immersive.
Earphones are generally better at isolating noise than over-ear or on-ear headphones, though it all depends on the model. The E500 come with adequate passive noise blockage. I was happy with the amount of ambient sound they suppressed, specifically the construction noises taking place outside of my apartment that didn’t enter the soundscape. My wife vacuuming our home office while I worked caused some disruption.
I’m not much of a gamer these days, but I had fun testing these bad boys on my Nintendo Switch. The combat in brawlers like Streets of Rage 4 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge sounded visceral; every punch and slam felt impactful. Even the nostalgic upbeat soundtracks were reproduced well, specifically SoR 4’s techno-inspired score that delivered dynamic bass and synth action.
Call quality was acceptable for the price. Using the earphones outdoors, my wife noticed some background noise and tinniness but stated that she could hear me and make out most sentences.
These buds look nicer in ads than they do up close, but they’re still well constructed. They have a chic, minimalist appearance compared to the Logitech G333. The plastic frame covering each in-ear monitor is sturdy. Small touches like the honeycomb branding and matte finish are distinctive touches, while the bullet-inspired earpiece design is cool and will appeal to first-person shooter enthusiasts. Multiple sets of different sized tips come bundled for listeners with either large or small ears.
The E500’s wiring is slightly tougher than what you’ll find on most sub-$25 earphones. Final offers a one-year warranty from the date of purchase, which, if you’re someone who constantly breaks their earphones, can be a serviceable protection plan.
I would have loved to see an in-line remote to control things like calls and music playback as well as a small canvas pouch for portable storage. Do these omissions take away from the Final E500’s value? Not at all. They’re still outstanding $25 earphones that you’ll want to keep handy when your go-to wireless earbuds or headphones are unavailable.
