Focal debuts its most inexpensive open- and closed-back headphones
French hi-fi firm Focal is thought for it excellent traces of speakers and headphones. It is just not, nonetheless, recognized for its accessible costs. And whereas its newest wired headphones should still be out of attain for a lot of, the Focal Hadenys and Azurys are the corporate’s most inexpensive open- and closed-back fashions to date, with costs that begin at $549. They’ll be accessible from Focal and choose retailer beginning in June.
The two headphones share the identical M-shaped 40mm aluminum/magnesium drivers that Focal makes use of on its Bathys wireless cans, which bodes properly for his or her audio high quality. Our Bathys reviewer referred to as their sound “transcendent,” a phrase that doesn’t get used fairly often in our headphone reviews.
Unlike the Bathys, the Hadenys (pronounced ah-den-ees) and Azurys (ah-zur-ees) are purely for wired listening. Their design will likely be immediately acquainted to Focal followers. The new fashions are loaded with Focal’s DNA, like an opulent, padded leather-topped headband, outsized earcups and ear cushions for consolation and sound isolation, and magnesium earcup yokes for a lighter weight.
Where these headphones depart from Focal’s custom are their costs, which are available in far cheaper than the corporate’s earlier entry factors. The $549 Azurys makes use of a closed-back design (just like the $999 Focal Celestee), whereas the $699 Hadenys adopts an open-back structure, much like the a lot pricier $1,499 Focal Clear MG.
Observant followers can even be aware that Focal has simplified its emblem — the flame form is now an unbroken 2D line as a substitute of a folding 3D spiral.
They additionally swap Focal’s regular left/proper cable connections for a single-sided design that presumably helps to chop down on some manufacturing prices.
Focal recommends the closed-back Azurys for wherever listening, whereas the open-back Hadenys are higher suited to at-home listening classes (or different places the place you possibly can hold background sounds to a minimal).
If you’ve got a choice for stronger bass, the Azurys will likely be a greater guess, as their frequency response goes from a low of 15Hz to a excessive of 22kHz. The Hadenys, alternatively, are rated for 25Hz to 22kHz.
Both the Hadenys and Azurys include their very own zippered journey case and a 3.5mm analog cable. However, in step with their steered makes use of, the Azurys include a 4-foot cable with an inline mic and distant, whereas the Hadenys ship with a 6-foot cable and include a 1/4-inch adapter to be used with dwelling hi-fi gear.
