ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Focal Azurys headphones are the high-end audio firm’s newest entry-level headphones. They’re out there to buy for $549.
- These headphones have an opulent look and feel whereas providing a transparent and complex sound.
- They compromise trendy technological options for high-end sound, making them much less sensible than equally priced headphones.
Headphones have considerably improved not too long ago, showcasing noise-canceling properties, Bluetooth connectivity, and battery longevity enhancements. Typically, nevertheless, all of this stuff are, effectively, annoying. Unreliable tap-and-swipe controls, hard-to-find buttons, laggy Bluetooth connections, and dying batteries may be the bane of your listening expertise.
Additionally: The best wired earbuds: Expert reviewed
Discovering headphones with an analog but elevated audio expertise may be like discovering a needle in a haystack. Luckily, the brand new Focal Azurys are a headphone-shaped needle. These headphones are so simple as they get — no buttons or companion apps — merely plug in and pay attention. Are they price it? Learn on to seek out out.
I will not bury the lede — these headphones usually are not low cost. To be truthful, Focal manufactures a $300 headphone stand, so you possibly can see what we’re working with. Focal produces high-end, high-fidelity luxurious headphones, and the Azurys are the corporate’s bid at garnering the eye (and cash) of people that do not wish to pay upwards of $5,000 for its different choices.
Additionally: The best music headphones: Expert tested and reviewed
The Azurys retail for $549, an entry-level price ticket in Focal-land, however these headphones usually are not elementary by any means. The 40mm drivers sport an M-shaped speaker dome made out of aluminum and magnesium, a patented custom-made design manufactured in France.
Thanks to those drivers, the Azurys have a pure and relaxed soundstage. Additionally they have impeccable instrument separation and audio imaging, which is nothing uncommon for Focal. Songs like The 1975’s Oh Caroline sound good. The music’s yacht rock vibes and the lead singer’s refined harmonies shine via the Azurys.
If you happen to’re an enormous bass fan, these headphones will not do it for you. There’s a current and satisfying bass response, however it’s modest and unassuming, which is on level for high-fidelity headphones. After I listened to Kendrick Lamar’s Cash Bushes, I might recognize the seaside rock musical undertones, and Lamar’s vocals had been clear.
The bass guitar in Harry Types’s Cinema was current and tight, reproducing nice element within the decrease frequencies. General, the Azurys have a well-balanced sound that is not harsh within the higher vary or too heavy within the decrease vary. If bass-heavy music, like hip-hop and EDM, dominates your playlists, you will miss out on the punch and thump you possible choose.
The Azurys are wired headphones, so going wi-fi is not an possibility. Fortunately, they’ve a 26-ohm impedance, which suggests your smartphone or laptop computer possible has sufficient energy to drive these headphones to their fullest potential. You should utilize an reasonably priced digital-to-analog converter like Apple’s USB-C to three.5mm adapter.
Focal says the Azurys may be your audio companion at residence or on the go because of its closed-back design. With the shortage of Bluetooth and noise-canceling capabilities, nevertheless, I do not suppose many individuals will discover these headphones appropriate for noisy commutes.
Additionally: Sonos Ace review: These $449 headphones are so close (yet so far) from perfect
Individuals who can hear the blemishes in Bluetooth audio will recognize these headphones for on-the-go listening. Most individuals exterior that viewers would possibly discover the mandatory wires, lack of noise-canceling tech, and sound leakage bothersome.
Focal furnished the Azurys with reminiscence foam earpads fitted with braided textile and the headscarf with real leather-based. The Azurys’ thick earpads present some passive noise isolation, however solely sufficient to muffle low night chatter. The high-quality construct is snug, and the metallic blue colour is daring, fashionable, and attention-grabbing. You additionally get a sturdy carrying case to retailer your headphones once they’re not in use.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The brand new Focal Azurys headphones are a stellar technique to entry Focal’s subtle headphone design and famend audio improvements. These headphones are cheaper than most of Focal’s catalog, so if you happen to’ve needed to expertise Focal with out spending 1000’s of {dollars}, the Azurys are your entry level.
It might be difficult to justify paying $549 for headphones that lack Bluetooth or noise-canceling know-how, particularly when equally priced headphones have these components plus wired listening choices.
Nonetheless, Focal’s consideration to sound element is unmatched, and the Azurys are price paying for in case you are a hi-fi fanatic. If you’d like headphones with an analogous retro really feel and spectacular audio capabilities, think about the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT2. If you cannot cope with wires, however distinctive sound is nonnegotiable, think about the Sonos Ace.
