Focal
Gallic hi - fi company Focal is known for it superb lines ofspeakersandheadphones . It is not , however , bang for its approachable prices . And while its latest wired headphones may still be out of reach for many , the FocalHadenysandAzurysare the society ’s most affordable open- and close - back models so far , with price that start at $ 549 . They ’ll be uncommitted from Focal and prime retailer start in June .
The two headphone share the same M - shaped 40 millimeter aluminum / atomic number 12 driver that Focal utilize on itsBathys wireless nates , which bodes well for their audio quality . Our Bathys reviewer call their heavy “ transcendent , ” a word that does n’t get used very often in ourheadphone brushup .
Focal
Unlike the Bathys , the Hadenys ( pronounced ah - den - ees ) and Azurys ( ah - zur - ees ) are purely for wired hearing . Their design will be instantly intimate to Focal fans . The raw mannequin are lade with Focal ’s DNA , like a plush , cushiony leather - topped headband , oversized earcups and ear cushions for comforter and wakeless isolation , and magnesium earcup coupling for a lighter weight .
Where these earpiece depart from Focal ’s tradition are their prices , which come in far cheaper than the company ’s previous entry points . The $ 549 Azurys apply a unsympathetic - back design ( like the $ 999Focal Celestee ) , while the $ 699 Hadenys adopts an open - back architecture , similar to the much pricier $ 1,499 Focal Clear MG .
Observant fans will also note that Focal has simplified its logo — the fire form is now an unbroken 2D seam or else of a folding 3D helix .
They also swop Focal ’s normal leftover / right transmission line connections for a exclusive - sided design that presumably help to cut down on some manufacturing cost .
Focal recommends the close - back Azurys for anywhere hearing , while the opened - back Hadenys are better suited to at - home hearing sessions ( or other locations where you could keep ground sound to a lower limit ) .
If you have a predilection for stronger bass , the Azurys will be a upright bet , as their frequency response goes from a low of 15Hz to a high of 22kHz . The Hadenys , on the other hand , are rated for 25Hz to 22kHz .
Both the Hadenys and Azurys come with their own zippered travel case and a 3.5 millimetre analogue cable system . However , in keeping with their suggest uses , the Azurys derive with a 4 - pes cable with an inline mic and remote , while the Hadenys ship with a 6 - foot cablegram and come with a 1/4 - inch adaptor for use with home hi - fi cogwheel .
