Focal Hadenys & Azurys Review & Measurements

[subwoof3r]

Most of the break-in was done in the first 24 hours for me. I did a comparison to other headphones after a few hours of music then another one around 15 hours of break in. The second round of comparisons showed some improvements, but later comparisons are fairly consistent with the second comparison that I did. They now have around 100 hours of break in and maybe 25 hours of music, but relative performance to my other headphones has stayed the same after the first break in session.

I do use 10hz sine waves instead of music to break in bass drivers on speakers and headphones has they allow lots of excursion without the heat, watts or audible sound and I find it a lot more effective than music. Since headphones only have one driver a 10hz sine wave at 80-85dB will soften the surround quite quickly as there is a lot more movement of the driver compared to most music.

As much as I understand the interest of the movement of the loudspeakers that the 10Hz sine waves could create, I understand less its interest because the loudspeaker from the Hadenys is supposed to start only at 20Hz.

On the other hand, burning-in with music is more important in my opinion, because all the frequencies work, and not just a movement based on the extreme low frequencies. This is essential for a successful burn-in.

 

[evhvis]

As much as I understand the interest of the movement of the loudspeakers that the 10Hz sine waves could create, I understand less its interest because the loudspeaker from the Hadenys is supposed to start only at 20Hz.

On the other hand, burning-in with music is more important in my opinion, because all the frequencies work, and not just a movement based on the extreme low frequencies. This is essential for a successful burn-in.

To my knowledge there is no filter on the Hadenys that is infinitely steep so the driver will move, it just won't be able to produce much in the way of sound. It is generally the surrounds and other moving parts that need to be loosened up on drivers.

 

[mainguy]

First couple of comparison sit downs done with these. It's early days and I'll probably post a full comparison around Saturday. So far it's interesting how different they sound to the Bathys, I was expecting a far more similar sound, but am pleasantly surprised. Also technical performance is definitely leaning towards Elegia levels, which is impressive.

I have genuinely been wowed by the clarity these little closed backs offer. Sometimes the bass just feels so well defined and impactful. Overall they make Bathys feel like the more laid back, relaxed cousin, while Elegia risk feeling a bit sterile and boring in comparison.

Oh and the weight is absolutely awesome.

 

[mainguy]

Oh, just spotted a Focal Hadenys on ebay for £500 new, and it was in a promotion for 15% off...Looks like I'll be throwing that one into the comparison too. It's going to be a full house lol.

 

[jsmiller58]

I am somewhat jealous of all the folks able to get the new Focals, as here I’ve only seen them on pre order so far! But the early impressions are great and will definitely help me choose whether to get one or the other - or both!

 

[karloil]

Finally received my pair! Now the burn-in begins!

 

[kman1211]

I am somewhat jealous of all the folks able to get the new Focals, as here I’ve only seen them on pre order so far! But the early impressions are great and will definitely help me choose whether to get one or the other - or both!

Yeah been waiting for my pair to ship, pre-ordered them a few weeks ago and still unsure when they will ship. I'm thinking early June they will ship as the information from Focal says they release in June.

 

[Voohoo]

Is the outer grill (the part with repeating circle/hexagon patterns) made of metal or plastic?

 

[jsmiller58]

OK, hard day, week, month.. sitting here perusing the thread. Maybe I’ve had a drink as well… need to self administer a bit of a dopamine hit… ok, pre-ordering the Hadenys… holding back on the Azurys… maybe all it will take is another hard week for an Azurys to also find a home…

 

[FinalAd]

Is the outer grill (the part with repeating circle/hexagon patterns) made of metal or plastic?

Plastic.

In any case, I decided to give the Bathys a second chance and compare them to the Azurys.

It's not even close, the Azurys is so much better, it still baffles me how everyone loves the Bathys when it's this bad sound wise.

The Azurys sounds miles better. Technically-wise it's not even close, the Bathys is the weakest Focal I've heard so far. Everything sounds narrow, left and right, less detail retrieval. And yet again the damn thing can't handle bass without distorting to outer space. No EQ, full Android volume and it clicks and clacks on most EDM songs. Now before anyone comes at me for it being too high of a volume for listening, if the Bathys cannot handle such a task then why even give the option to EQ up the bass when it's gonna do the same at a more reasonable level? It's the only pair of headphones I've heard do this. There's no dynamics, no fun, it's muddy and distorts so easily, it's saddening for a Focal.

It's neither a driver issue nor a Bluetooth issue, the Azurys proves it. The Bathys is just plain bad for anything that's not listening in a plane with ANC, and in that case there's much cheaper and better alternatives.

For mids and highs, the Azurys just sounds much better, the Bathys sounds compressed. Voices don't feel natural, instruments are being mixed up, cymbals sound tinny, you get my point. The Azurys is way closer to the Celestee, the Bathys to a $5 pair of earphones.

It's such a dissapointment too because overall I love the look of the Dune color, more than the blue, and the pleather pads + microfiber headband (even if it started discoloring after one session) do feel better than the fabric on the Azurys.

In any case, the Bathys will be sent back soon unless I manage to somehow make them sound as good as everyone keep saying they are.

For me it's not even close, just get an Azurys with something like a Qudelix 5k or a FiiO BTR15 and enjoy your cheaper and much better sounding Bathys. If you need ANC for a plane flight, just get a second hand Sony, EQ it and call it a day, it's gonna be used for like 10 hours per session anyway.

 

[Ridewave]

I'll have to try these because I want something I can push with a zx707 without needing a desktop amp at work.

 

[subwoof3r]

My Hadenys has now passed 170+ hours of burning (both hard music and 10Hz sine waves as purposed by @evhvis - thanks for the tip!).
I think it helped a bit more in my case (getting the speaker diaphragms moving).

Pretty much has been said already for sound in my previous impressions, but I can confirm that now the headphones sound absolutely amazing in every way. Probably one of the best headphones I've ever owned.
The transparency and naturalness is finally there. I didn't even need to adjust a single frequency on the EQ, as I now find the sound perfect for my ears. Everything sounds just right, and the bass has calmed down a little to make way for greater precision. Vocals sound much more realistic now (clearly studio level), and the highs haven't gained any more but were already perfect for me on my second impression.

So I confirm what I was saying, this headset really needs a serious burn-in to reveal itself, but once done, what class!

I'll one day test a Clear MG, and a few other Focal headphones to see the difference, but I'm confident that the Hadenys are already considered timeless headphones for many years to come.

 

[mainguy]

It's not even close, the Azurys is so much better, it still baffles me how everyone loves the Bathys when it's this bad sound wise.

I've spent last week listening to Bathys exclusively. This week, just Azurys, and I agree, it's not even close. I'll post a full writeup of

Azurys-Bathys-Elegia-Hedanys

Tomorrow. I've been spending a bit too much time comparing these guys but it's been fun. Azurys is the wildcard imo and a bit of a game changer. If Bathys 2 can be a wireless Azurys...That'll be something.

Pretty much has been said already for sound in my previous impressions, but I can confirm that now the headphones sound absolutely amazing in every way. Probably one of the best headphones I've ever owned.


So I confirm what I was saying, this headset really needs a serious burn-in to reveal itself, but once done, what class!

I'll one day test a Clear MG, and a few other Focal headphones to see the difference, but I'm confident that the Hadenys are already considered timeless headphones for many years to come.

The comfort of Hadenys is absolute magic, no? I haven't ever worn a headphone this comfortable (and i've listened to a lot of em lol).

 

[subwoof3r]

The comfort of Hadenys is absolute magic, no? I haven't ever worn a headphone this comfortable (and i've listened to a lot of em lol).

Definitely, overall comfort is excellent for me too with these textile/fabric pads. Just that sometimes it requires a slight adjustment to enjoy long-term wear without slight pain (but nothing serious). Once the ear is almost perfectly enclosed (depending on the angle of the pads/hoop): it's a treat!

I have to admit that the weight contributes greatly to the overall comfort of the headset. Indeed, 300g should be the maximum standard, I think.

I noticed that the first 5 minutes when you put the headphones on are crucial, as the shape-memory pads take the time to fit your ears perfectly, after which listening is much more immersive and gains in frequency amplitude (especially high frequencies, in my opinion)

 

[liujun050612]

Plastic.

In any case, I decided to give the Bathys a second chance and compare them to the Azurys.

It's not even close, the Azurys is so much better, it still baffles me how everyone loves the Bathys when it's this bad sound wise.

The Azurys sounds miles better. Technically-wise it's not even close, the Bathys is the weakest Focal I've heard so far. Everything sounds narrow, left and right, less detail retrieval. And yet again the damn thing can't handle bass without distorting to outer space. No EQ, full Android volume and it clicks and clacks on most EDM songs. Now before anyone comes at me for it being too high of a volume for listening, if the Bathys cannot handle such a task then why even give the option to EQ up the bass when it's gonna do the same at a more reasonable level? It's the only pair of headphones I've heard do this. There's no dynamics, no fun, it's muddy and distorts so easily, it's saddening for a Focal.

It's neither a driver issue nor a Bluetooth issue, the Azurys proves it. The Bathys is just plain bad for anything that's not listening in a plane with ANC, and in that case there's much cheaper and better alternatives.

For mids and highs, the Azurys just sounds much better, the Bathys sounds compressed. Voices don't feel natural, instruments are being mixed up, cymbals sound tinny, you get my point. The Azurys is way closer to the Celestee, the Bathys to a $5 pair of earphones.

It's such a dissapointment too because overall I love the look of the Dune color, more than the blue, and the pleather pads + microfiber headband (even if it started discoloring after one session) do feel better than the fabric on the Azurys.

In any case, the Bathys will be sent back soon unless I manage to somehow make them sound as good as everyone keep saying they are.

For me it's not even close, just get an Azurys with something like a Qudelix 5k or a FiiO BTR15 and enjoy your cheaper and much better sounding Bathys. If you need ANC for a plane flight, just get a second hand Sony, EQ it and call it a day, it's gonna be used for like 10 hours per session anyway.

It's nice to hear. Will order Azurys at the end of the year. Have listened Bathys when it launched. Beside smaller chassis and light weight, the sound is really not my cup of tea.