Short answer: the Fostex TM2. Both are rated 3.8/5 for sound quality (#588 and #591 of 1291 in-ear headphones), and the Fostex TM2 costs $299.99 against $320 for the Final Audio A5000, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Why pick the Final Audio A5000: Across seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link it scores 70.6 for Harman preference with a fairly smooth 2.15 dB deviation. The catch: The treble is pushed about 4.9 dB above target between 6 and 10 kHz, with an 8.1 dB peak near 8 kHz that can make cymbals and sibilance sound harsh on bright recordings.
What the Fostex TM2 does well: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a solid Harman preference score of 71 with a 2.35 dB spread. The tradeoff: Its 2.35 dB spread is less even than the best measured sets.
Buy the Fostex TM2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $20.01 less than the Final Audio A5000.
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Across seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link it scores 70.6 for Harman preference with a fairly smooth 2.15 dB deviation.
Amazon $320.00 eBay
Crinacle’s measurement gives it a solid Harman preference score of 71 with a 2.35 dB spread.
Amazon $299.99 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Final Audio A5000 | Fostex TM2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $320.00 | $299.99 |
| Ranked | #591 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #588 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | - |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (median of 7 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 71 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.15 dB standard deviation | 2.35 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.2 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 6mm dynamic | 1 x 6mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 18 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | - |
| Frequency Response | - | 10Hz - 40kHz |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (11g) per earpiece |
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