Focal Azurys Closed Back Earphones Review – You Are My Boy Blue

Focal Azurys are neutrally tuned closed backs that managed to sound like their open-backed siblings while providing the same solid construction I would expect from a reputable brand at a price of $399.

INTRODUCTION

The last few weeks I spent quality time with the Azurys and Hadenys Focal loaned me while Loomis was enjoying the Bathys. I had a good time with the Hadenys, but those are geared towards a specific environment, whereas the closed back is more universal for not annoying your significant other or office mates. This is pretty much the main reason for wearing headphones unless you are anti-social like myself.

Since there is not anything physically different between the Hadenys and the Azurys, not much point in rehashing the same deal as construction is identical. I suggest a read through my Hadenys review for more info. I will touch on the minor differences instead.

DESIGN

Focal chose to rock up their naming convention as most artistic brands catering to a different crowd like to do, with animals, spirits, constellations, Greek Gods, famous dudes, or minerals or gems in this case. Azurys borrows inspiration from Azurite, a semi-precious stone known for confidence, dynamism and positive energy, and of course well they come in one color-blue.

The cable is more conducive to portable use due to less girth and length and an angled 45 plug that easily fits around phone cases. The 45 degree plug is the best of both worlds, it gives you something to push down on while plugging in and is more pocket friendly than a straight plug. The Sony WH-1000XM3 is all plastic construction yet creaks and feels less solid in general. Clamping force is less on the Sonys, so they score marginally better points for comfort while the Focal Azurys win on overall feel.

Ear-pads are soft cloth and extremely comfortable. They add breathability and a sense of openness that better sealing pads leather pads lock down. This has a impact also on bass response as they are considered somewhat “leaky” but not in the same sense as open-backed headphones. Might want to keep that in mind if you plan on blasting your library of polkas greatest hits.

PACKAGE CONTENTS

SOUND

Despite also using an Aluminum Magnesium 40mm driver, the Azurys and Hadenys are not sonically equivalent. The Azurys are more reference tuned, easy on the bass while having a similar midrange treble quantity. While this is not my preferred signature, others hold it up as a neutral reference that works well for orchestral pieces. It is of my personal opinion that since we lack the haptic of a real performance or speaker playback on other extremities, headphones need to compensate for this usually with some unnatural bass lift. The Focal Azurys stick to the neutral path.

The Azurys have a floating sensation with lots of space around the mid-range and treble that hangs in the air. I cannot say the Oppo PM-3 delivers this same sensation, they feel more grounded and flat in the staging. The Oppo carries more weight in the mid-bass, while the Azurys sound lean. Up against the Sennheiser Drop HD6XX, same deal even considering they are open back. 

The Azurys magic lies in the mid-range as a cliche, with more focus in the lower mid-range. Without some accentuated mid-bass found on the vast majority of consumer grade  headphones to round it out, I find myself really focusing on what is there with the Azurys. The Sony WH-1000XM3 sounds boxy and hollow in comparison, but their focus is more mainstream consumer pop music, with more lower midrange and a midbass focus to fill out. The Sony treble is homey feeling, but not nearly as resolute as the Focal Azuryz.

The treble compliments the mid-range beautifully with brass, woodwinds and cymbals having that familiar edge which is expected rather than completely softening the edges. Timbre is spot on as expected from the Focal Azurys, with nothing ever feeling inaccurate. Surprisingly, the Oppo PM-3 sounds too polite compared to the energetic shimmer and shine of the Azurys. Resolution is top notch while also delivering on quick transients when called upon. This is the gateway to diminishing returns.

While I love the premium mostly metal build of the Oppo PM-3, they are much heavier and the ear-pads are less roomy than the Focal Azurys. The wearing materials fell apart rather easily on the Oppos, but the Focal Azurys leather feels high-end so hopefully long term the would stand the test of time.

FINAL VERDICT

I am not surprised to learn that Focal knows how to build solid quality and sound into their headphone lineup. The material selection and attention to build and design is superb. As mentioned, I lean towards more bass heavy genres and thus prefer the tuning signature of Hadenys, but it is nice to know that if you want a pair of reference closed back earphones that sound more like their open-backed brethren, look no further than the Focal Azurys. Wonderfully executed, thanks for the listen.

Disclaimer: On loan from Focal, they were handed off to Loomis for a second look. Thanks Focal for giving us autonomy and trust to write our own opinions, and we appreciate the opportunity for an extended demo.

Available from Focal Premium Dealers

SPECIFICATIONS

Product Page: https://www.focal.com/products/azurys

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DISCLAIMER

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About my measurements.