Audio T Verdict
The Focal Azurys takes a refreshingly straightforward approach to portable headphone listening. There is no Bluetooth, battery, app or active noise cancellation to worry about. Instead, this is a conventional passive wired headphone built around Focal's own 40mm aluminium/magnesium M-dome drivers.
That makes Azurys particularly appealing if sound quality and simplicity matter more than having another device to keep charged. Plug the supplied 3.5mm cable into a suitable headphone output, select your music and listen.
The closed-back construction provides useful passive isolation from the outside world while also reducing the amount of music escaping into the room. That makes Azurys more practical than an open-back headphone for shared spaces, offices, commuting and listening around other people.
Focal has also paid considerable attention to comfort. The headband uses genuine leather and breathable braided textile, the earpads use memory foam, and the magnesium yoke helps keep overall weight down to a relatively manageable 306g.
The 26-ohm impedance means Azurys is intended to work with a broad range of headphone sources rather than requiring an unusually powerful specialist amplifier, although a better headphone output or dedicated DAC/headphone amplifier can still improve the overall system.
The supplied 1.25m cable also includes an inline remote and microphone, which makes the Azurys practical for everyday use with compatible phones, tablets and computers as well as a conventional Hi-Fi system.
If you want Focal's closed-back headphone approach without moving into the wireless electronics of Bathys or the substantially more expensive Stellia, Azurys occupies a very sensible middle ground.
Focal Azurys Closed-Back Over-Ear Headphones
The Focal Azurys is a passive closed-back over-ear headphone designed for high-quality wired listening at home or on the move.
Key features include:
- Passive wired headphone design
- Closed-back earcups
- Over-ear fit
- 40mm aluminium/magnesium M-dome drivers
- Drivers manufactured in Focal's French workshops
- 15Hz–22kHz frequency response
- 26-ohm impedance
- Less than 0.3% harmonic distortion at 1kHz / 100dB SPL
- 100dB SPL maximum published level
- Genuine leather headband
- Breathable braided textile
- Memory-foam earpads
- Magnesium yoke
- 306g weight
- 3.5mm wired connection
- 1.25m cable supplied
- Inline remote control
- Inline microphone
- Protective carrying case supplied
Passive Wired Headphones
Azurys is a conventional passive headphone.
There is no rechargeable battery, wireless receiver or digital processing inside the earcups. The headphones reproduce the analogue signal supplied by your source or headphone amplifier.
No Bluetooth or Active Noise Cancellation
Azurys is a wired passive headphone and does not provide Bluetooth, active noise cancellation or wireless playback.
If those features are important, consider a wireless model such as the Focal Bathys instead.
Closed-Back Design
The rear of each earcup is enclosed rather than acoustically open to the room.
This provides several practical advantages:
- Greater passive isolation from surrounding noise
- Reduced sound leakage to people nearby
- More practical use in shared rooms
- Better suitability for travel and office listening
Closed-Back or Open-Back?
Azurys Closed-Back
- Better passive isolation
- Less sound leakage
- More suitable around other people
- Good for home and portable use
- More practical in noisier environments
Open-Back Headphones
- More sound passes through the earcups
- Usually less isolation
- More music audible to people nearby
- Best suited to quieter private rooms
- Often chosen for a more open spatial presentation
Read Audio T's guide to open and closed-back headphones.
40mm Aluminium/Magnesium M-Dome Drivers
Each earcup contains a 40mm full-range electrodynamic driver using Focal's characteristic M-shaped diaphragm.
The dome combines aluminium and magnesium rather than relying on a conventional single-material diaphragm.
Why Aluminium and Magnesium?
Focal combines the two materials to balance different mechanical properties.
Aluminium contributes rigidity, while magnesium adds useful damping.
The intention is to keep the diaphragm controlled as it moves while reducing unwanted distortion.
Manufactured in Focal's French Workshops
The 40mm aluminium/magnesium drivers used by Azurys are manufactured in Focal's own workshops in France.
This is an important distinction: the driver itself comes from Focal's in-house loudspeaker engineering rather than being an off-the-shelf headphone unit carrying the Focal name.
M-Shaped Diaphragm
Focal uses an M-shaped profile across several of its headphone ranges.
The geometry is designed to increase rigidity while allowing the moving assembly to remain relatively light.
15Hz to 22kHz Frequency Response
Focal specifies:
15Hz – 22kHz ±3dB.
The ±3dB qualification makes this a more meaningful specification than an unqualified extreme-frequency figure.
26-Ohm Impedance
Azurys has a nominal impedance of:
26 ohms.
This is relatively low compared with many traditional home headphones and makes Azurys suitable for use with a wide range of headphone outputs.
Do You Need a Separate Headphone Amplifier?
Not necessarily.
Azurys can be used with a suitable conventional 3.5mm headphone output, but source quality still matters. A better DAC or dedicated headphone amplifier may provide improved control, clarity and dynamic performance compared with a basic computer or inexpensive adaptor.
3.5mm Connection
The supplied cable terminates in a standard 3.5mm mini-jack.
This is commonly found on:
- Portable music players
- Some laptops
- Headphone amplifiers
- DAC/headphone amplifiers
- Selected Hi-Fi components
Check Your Phone or Tablet Connection
Many modern phones and tablets no longer include a 3.5mm headphone socket.
If your device only provides USB-C or Lightning, you will need a suitable headphone adaptor or external DAC with a 3.5mm output.
Using Azurys With a Hi-Fi Amplifier
Many integrated amplifiers, streamers and dedicated headphone amplifiers provide a larger 6.35mm headphone output rather than 3.5mm.
A 6.35mm Adaptor Is Not Listed as Supplied
The Azurys package includes a 3.5mm cable.
If your amplifier only has a 6.35mm headphone socket, use a suitable 3.5mm-to-6.35mm headphone adaptor.
1.25m Cable
Focal supplies a cable approximately:
1.25 metres long.
That length is particularly convenient for portable devices, laptops and headphone equipment positioned close to the listener.
Inline Remote and Microphone
The supplied cable incorporates a remote control and microphone.
This can make Azurys useful beyond music listening when connected to compatible equipment, including:
- Voice calls
- Video calls
- Online meetings
- Compatible mobile-device controls
Remote Functions Depend on the Source Device
Exact button and microphone behaviour can depend on the connected phone, tablet, computer or adaptor.
Genuine Leather Headband
Focal uses genuine leather as part of the headband construction.
The headband is combined with breathable braided textile to balance support with comfort during longer listening sessions.
Memory-Foam Earpads
The circumaural earpads use memory foam.
The pads are designed to sit around the ears rather than pressing directly onto them.
The fit contributes both to comfort and to the passive isolation provided by the closed-back construction.
Magnesium Yoke
The structural yoke uses magnesium.
This helps Focal provide a rigid support while controlling overall headphone weight.
306g Weight
Azurys weighs approximately:
306g.
Fit remains personal, so a demonstration is particularly worthwhile if you expect to wear the headphones for extended periods.
Portable Without Being Wireless
Portable headphones do not necessarily need to be Bluetooth headphones.
Azurys is designed so it can travel with you while retaining a conventional wired signal path.
That means:
- No battery charging
- No Bluetooth codec choice
- No wireless pairing
- No battery ageing
- No active electronics required inside the headphones
Passive Noise Isolation
The closed earcups and surrounding earpads reduce some outside sound mechanically.
This should not be confused with electronic active noise cancellation.
Passive Isolation Is Not Active Noise Cancellation
Azurys does not electronically cancel external noise.
For regular aircraft, train or very noisy commuting use, an active noise-cancelling headphone may be more appropriate.
Carrying Case Included
A fitted carrying case is supplied to protect the headphones during transport and storage.
The case measures approximately:
- Width: 21cm
- Height: 24cm
- Depth: 7cm
Azurys at Home
Although designed to be portable, Azurys is equally suitable for conventional home listening.
Possible sources include:
- Integrated amplifiers
- Network streamers with headphone outputs
- Dedicated headphone amplifiers
- USB DAC/headphone amplifiers
- Portable music players
Azurys on the Move
The closed-back construction, compact cable and carrying case make Azurys easier to use away from a dedicated listening room than an open-back home headphone.
Remember that your portable source still requires a compatible analogue headphone output or DAC adaptor.
Azurys or Focal Bathys?
Focal Azurys
- Passive wired headphones
- Closed-back design
- No battery
- No Bluetooth
- No active noise cancellation
- 3.5mm connection
- 306g
- Best for listeners prioritising a simple wired signal path
Focal Bathys
- Wireless Bluetooth headphones
- Closed-back design
- Rechargeable battery
- Bluetooth
- Active noise cancellation
- USB DAC mode
- 3.5mm wired option
- Best for travel and wireless convenience
Compare the Focal Bathys at Audio T.
Azurys or Focal Hadenys?
The Azurys and Hadenys share aspects of Focal's contemporary headphone engineering but are designed for different situations.
Azurys
- Closed-back
- Better passive isolation
- Less sound leakage
- Better suited to shared spaces
- More practical away from home
Hadenys
- Open-back
- Less isolation
- More sound leakage
- Primarily intended for private listening
- Better suited to a quiet home environment
Running-In
Focal states that the Azurys drivers settle naturally during the first several hours of use.
There is no need to delay enjoying the headphones. Simply use them normally and allow their mechanical components to settle with use.
Protect Your Hearing
Do not use excessively high playback levels while wearing the headphones in an attempt to accelerate running-in.
Long periods of high sound levels can damage hearing.
Who Are the Focal Azurys For?
Well Suited To
- Wired headphone listening
- Home Hi-Fi systems
- Portable music players
- DAC and headphone amplifiers
- Office listening
- Shared living spaces
- Listeners wanting closed-back isolation
- Listeners who do not want batteries or Bluetooth
- Music and compatible voice calls
- Travel where ANC is not essential
Check Before Buying
- Wired only
- No Bluetooth
- No active noise cancellation
- 3.5mm cable connection
- USB-C and Lightning devices may need an adaptor or DAC
- 6.35mm headphone sockets require a suitable adaptor
- 306g headphone weight
- Closed-back rather than open-back presentation
Key Features
- Focal Azurys
- Passive headphones
- Closed-back design
- Over-ear fit
- 40mm drivers
- Aluminium/magnesium diaphragm
- M-shaped dome
- French-made drivers
- 15Hz–22kHz ±3dB
- 26-ohm impedance
- Less than 0.3% harmonic distortion
- 100dB SPL published maximum level
- Genuine leather headband
- Breathable braided textile
- Memory-foam earpads
- Magnesium yoke
- 306g weight
- 3.5mm connection
- 1.25m cable
- Inline remote
- Inline microphone
- Carrying case included
- No battery required
- No Bluetooth
- No active noise cancellation
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Focal Azurys wireless?
No. Azurys is a passive wired headphone.
Do the Azurys have Bluetooth?
No.
Do they have active noise cancellation?
No. The closed-back earcups provide passive isolation only.
Are they closed-back headphones?
Yes.
Are they over-ear?
Yes. The earpads surround the ears.
What size are the drivers?
40mm.
What are the drivers made from?
Focal uses aluminium/magnesium M-shaped dome drivers.
Where are the drivers made?
Focal manufactures the Azurys drivers in its workshops in France.
What is the frequency response?
15Hz to 22kHz ±3dB.
What is the impedance?
26 ohms.
Do I need a headphone amplifier?
Not necessarily. Azurys can work with suitable conventional headphone outputs, although a higher-quality DAC or headphone amplifier may improve the overall system performance.
What connection does Azurys use?
A 3.5mm analogue headphone connection.
How long is the supplied cable?
Approximately 1.25 metres.
Does the cable have a microphone?
Yes. Focal supplies the cable with an inline remote and microphone.
Can I use Azurys for phone calls?
Yes, with compatible devices using the supplied microphone cable.
Will they connect directly to an iPhone?
That depends on the particular iPhone. Models without a 3.5mm headphone socket require a suitable Lightning or USB-C headphone adaptor or DAC.
Will they connect to a USB-C phone?
A phone without a 3.5mm analogue output requires a suitable USB-C headphone adaptor or DAC.
Can I use them with a Hi-Fi amplifier?
Yes, provided the amplifier has a suitable headphone output.
What if my amplifier has a 6.35mm socket?
Use a suitable 3.5mm-to-6.35mm headphone adaptor.
Is a 6.35mm adaptor included?
Focal does not list one among the current Azurys supplied accessories.
How much do the headphones weigh?
Approximately 306g.
What are the earpads made from?
Focal uses memory foam as part of the earpad construction.
Is the headband leather?
Yes. Focal specifies genuine leather together with breathable braided textile.
What is the yoke made from?
Magnesium.
Is a carrying case included?
Yes.
How large is the carrying case?
Approximately 21 x 24 x 7cm W x H x D.
Are Azurys suitable for travelling?
Yes, particularly if you prefer wired listening. Their closed-back construction and supplied carrying case make them more travel-friendly than an open-back home headphone, although they do not provide active noise cancellation.
Do the headphones need running in?
Focal states that the drivers settle naturally over the first several hours of use.
Are Azurys the same as Bathys?
No. Azurys is a passive wired headphone, while Bathys adds Bluetooth, active noise cancellation, battery power and USB DAC functionality.
Related Focal Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Focal headphone demonstrations
- Closed-back and open-back comparisons
- Headphone comfort and fit advice
- DAC and headphone-amplifier matching
- Portable source advice
- Phone and tablet connection guidance
- Wired and wireless headphone comparisons
- Source-component matching
- Part-exchange options
- Setup and ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a Focal Azurys demonstration or discuss headphone fit, source compatibility and whether a dedicated DAC or headphone amplifier would benefit your system.