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Last year, the acclaimed French loudspeaker manufacturer Focal released two passive, wired headphone models, both of which take aesthetic cues and utilize the drivers from the popular Bathys wireless headphones with ANC. I reviewed the open-back Hadenys headphones on Solo in April, and was impressed. This month, I’m offering my thoughts on that model’s closed-back sibling, the Azurys (US$599, CA$699, £499, €549).
These over-ears represent the entry point into Focal’s lineup, offering a headphone experience that blends the company’s unmistakable design language and top-quality transducers in an accessible package. The Azurys ’phones are clearly aimed at those who aspire to the Bathys, but have no need for wireless functionality or other bells and whistles.
With their distinctive azure-blue finish, the Azurys cans stand out visually. The grille on the back of each ear cup is based on concentric rings of circles rather than the hexagonal pattern employed on the Hadenys. When I initially learned the pricing of the Hadenys and Azurys models I was curious about the disparity, given that they have essentially the same chassis and drivers. It occurred to me that the Azurys ’phones might be a bit of a bargain, relatively speaking. Let’s dig in and find out if that’s really the case.
In the box
Inside a sleek, white carton you’ll find the Azurys headphones, ensconced in a matching blue, fabric-covered carrying case. A 4′ (1.2m) detachable cable is included. This features an in-line microphone that hangs around 5″ from a non-locking mini-TRS jack on the left earcup. The rather thin, color-matched and rubberized cable connects to the source device with a gold-plated TRRS minijack plug that also carries the signal from the mike. The package doesn’t include a 3.5mm-to-6.35mm (¼″) adapter. While this may seem like a strange thing to draw attention to, it’s a little annoying. TRRS minijacks don’t play nicely with all 6.35mm adapters, as the contacts don’t always align perfectly (due to the extra ring for the mike), which can result in a bad connection.
The inclusion of a microphone-equipped cable allows the Azurys headphones to function as a headset for making calls or remote work. However, the fact that it’s shorter than the 6′ (1.8m) mike-less cable Focal provides with the Hadenys suggests that the Azurys ’phones are more intended for mobile or desktop use than for home hi-fi. This seems to impose an unnecessary, artificial limitation. Focal really ought to have included both cable options in the package, which would have increased the versatility of the offering without the need for the user to go in search of a longer cable.
In use
The matte-plastic finish feels premium, and the light weight of the ’phones (306gm) makes them easy to wear for extended periods. The earcups swivel for an optimum fit, and the pads—covered in plush, breathable fabric—provide a secure seal. The use of lightweight materials translates to standout comfort and wearability.
The headband provides adequate support, with sensible clamping force, and employs a detented slider mechanism for size adjustment that thankfully didn’t once snag my hair. The construction of the headphones, while more utilitarian than Focal’s luxury models, feels solid and durable.
The unusual light-blue colorway is distinctive, though it seems like a less-than-ideal choice when it comes to the obvious accumulation of grime with use. At least the ear pads can be replaced fairly easily.
With impedance of 26 ohms and sensitivity of 100dB/mW (at 1kHz), the Azurys ’phones are easily driven by laptops, phones, and portable DAC dongles without the need for an external amplifier. The closed-back design offers reasonable isolation, making the Focals ideal for home or office environments, though they’re not well suited for noisy commutes.
Sound
My first impression of these headphones was that they were tonally balanced. The sound was perhaps a little forward in the upper midrange—that’s not to say that bass was lacking, but rather it was lean and accurate, which isn’t always the case with a closed-back design.
Bass extension goes down low—Focal specifies to 15Hz—as evidenced by the delivery of the organ pedal note in “XX. Sonnenuntergang” from Richard Strauss’s tone poem An Alpine Symphony, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andris Nelsons (24-bit/96kHz FLAC, Deutsche Grammophon / Qobuz). I could actually feel that bass note through these headphones.
Bass quality was clean and controlled, avoiding the poor definition common to many closed-backs. The Azurys ’phones remained composed, even on bass-heavy tracks like “Test Pilot,” from the Stilz album Starcrash (16/44.1 FLAC, Lazerdiscs Records / Qobuz). The midrange had good clarity and avoided boxiness. Vocals were generally smooth and natural.
Delving deeper into the sonic performance of the Azurys headphones, I noticed some upper-midrange emphasis poking through. For example, higher-register female vocals would sometimes provoke a resonance in the upper midrange. One example was “O salutaris hostia” from Translations, a collection of choral music by the Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds, performed by the Portland State Chamber Choir under Ethan Sperry (24/96 FLAC, Naxos Records / Qobuz). In sections where the vocals hit certain frequencies (for example, between 45 and 55 seconds), the sound could get a little shrill.
Another track that highlighted this slight glare was “Pregnant Pause,” from Cass McCombs’s Dropping the Writ (16/44.1 FLAC, Domino Recording Co. Ltd. / Qobuz), where McCombs’s lyrical delivery sometimes borders on sibilance. Above that range, the treble had a sense of clarity and detail, but didn’t extend as high as some planar-driver headphones in this space that I’ve auditioned.
The Focals provided accurate placement of instruments and vocals within the soundstage. Apparent stage width is typically limited with closed-back designs; here, it sometimes felt congested, but remained coherent and generally engaging. Despite limitations in ultimate detail retrieval and soundstage size, I found the Azurys ’phones to be competent all-rounders. While they did not surpass the best in technical aspects, these entry-level Focals delivered an enjoyable listening experience that compared well to competitors in this price category.
Comparison
Sennheiser’s HD 280 Pro closed-back headphones aren’t technically perfect by any means, but many content creators consider them to be a reliable standard. I’m also very familiar with their sound. With their thick, coiled cable, the HD 280 Pros are a lot bulkier and more cumbersome than the Focal ’phones. The Sennheisers provide greater acoustic isolation from the environment.
Once I had compensated for the variance in sensitivity, several key differences between the elegant Focals and the chunky HD 280 Pros became clear. Lacking the focused midrange of the Azurys ’phones, the Sennheisers sounded warmer. Tracks like Dominique Fils-Aimé’s “Constructive Interference,” from Stay Tuned! (24/88.2 FLAC, Ensoul Records / Qobuz), were delivered with more weight by the Sennheisers, with soundscapes that were more enveloping yet less detailed. But the Azurys ’phones outperformed the Sennheisers in bass cleanliness and accuracy, avoiding the low muddiness that the HD 280 Pros can exhibit. While the Focals offered superior detail retrieval and soundstaging, the tuning of the Sennheisers had a looser, more laid-back character.
The comfortable, lightweight design of the Azurys headphones sets them apart from bulkier, heavier competitors. However, the Focals come with some tradeoffs. The upper treble rolls off earlier than is the case with many rivals, resulting in a slightly reduced sense of air and detail. The soundstage, while precise, is not as expansive as open-back models or some premium closed-backs.
Conclusion
During my listening, highlights of Focal’s Azurys headphones included a balanced sonic signature, refined bass response, and excellent wearability. These well-designed closed-back headphones successfully blend comfort, style, and sound quality, making them strong contenders for anyone seeking versatile, high-fidelity headphones for home or office use. The easy drivability of the Azurys ’phones means that they should perform well in a variety of listening situations, limited mainly by the length of the supplied cable. In terms of build, Focal’s use of plastic may make the Azurys headphones feel less luxurious than models from high-end competitors, but this is offset by improved comfort and reduced weight.
The inclusion of a microphone-equipped cable and a fitted carrying case add practical value, while the unusual blue finish makes the Azurys ’phones stand out from the crowd. For those seeking reliable, enjoyable, and stylish closed-back headphones, the Focals are an easy recommendation. They may not dethrone Focal’s flagship models or more technically advanced closed-backs, but the Azurys headphones deliver a satisfying experience.
So, what about the pricing disparity between the Azurys and the open-backed Hadenys? Now, having spent some time with them both, I have to admit that I found the sound of the Hadenys headphones to be superior. It really boils down to some minor flaws in the Azurys ’phones: the limited soundstage and slight upper-midrange glare. Whether the price delta is justified is likely to depend on how sensitive you are to such things. I’d recommend that anyone interested in either of these wired headphones also audition Focal’s Bathys ANC headphones, since they bring sound-quality improvements and many more features for a modest increase in price.
. . . AJ Wykes
Associated Equipment
- Laptop: Apple MacBook Pro (2019)
- Phone: Apple iPhone 15
- DAC/headphone amplifier: AudioQuest Dragonfly Black v1.5
- Headphones: Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Focal Azurys headphones
Price: US$599, CA$699, £499, €549
Warranty: Three years, parts and labor
Focal
BP 374, 108 rue de l’Avenir
42353 La Talaudière Cedex
France
Phone: +33 477-43-57-00
Website: www.focal.com
Focal Naim America
313 rue Marion
Repentigny, QC J5Z 4W8
Canada
Phone: 1-800-663-9352
