Focal - Azurys

There are a lot of layers to this, so I’ll try to keep it super simple: Studio headphones, first and foremost, seek to be accurate, not fun. So they’re “better” in that they are more accurate but it necessarily “better” as in “you’ll enjoy them more.” They won’t be BAD for music—lots of people love them—but enjoyment is not generally their first priority. Too much coloration will ruin a mix. There are other headphones that are mean to be more fun: they offer extra coloration to the music like extra bass, for example, or a more relaxed frequency response that sacrifices one thing or another within the sound. That said, if you’re asking which would be “better” from a representation perspective then the wired headphones you mentioned will be better: wired headphones will, in general, be better than wireless headphones I quality. (And then there’s the whole open back / closed back debate.) If you’re asking which you’ll enjoy more… no one can tell but you. You mentioned two very bass-focused headphones (QCU, XM6) and two less bass-focused and more neutral headphones. These are two very different kinds of sound, so the best bet would be for you to test them. I would recommend you go to a high end audio shop near you, if you have one, and see if you can try some out To compare. Often, these shops will stock both high end wireless (Sony, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins) and wired headphones. Maybe not the exact ones you’re looking for, but close enough to answer this question. Personal opinion: Go for something fun. Your genres benefit from a fun, V-shaped signature. Wired headphones are generally better than wireless for other areas of sound outside of frequency response, like articulation and staging. The Sony MDR M1 might be a good option for you. My personal recommendation: the Focal Azurys and the FiO FT1 in think will match you what you listen to well.

Hi, I received both the Hadenys & Azurys. I must say that the Hadenys is incredible and outstanding value. The Hadenys outshines my Sennheiser 800S without doubt as the sound signature is more dynamic, fun and the bass is present yet controlled, right and detailed. I think this is the best value headphone I have ever experienced. The Azurys are great too but I'd keep them for more noisy environments or on the go as they are inferior to the Hadenys but still amazing for a closed back and even more surprising for their low price point. If you're hesitant on the Hadenys, trust me they are crazy good and when you apply the Oratory1990 EQ, even better. I did not expect them to surprise me that much!

I’ve spent way too much money chasing the perfect sound, and after burning through a pile of headphones and IEMs, I think I’m finally there. The headphone path went: Sundara → HD600 → HD650 → Edition XS (good but too sharp and sibilant) → Focal Azurys (Did not get the hype here) → Audeze MM-500 (good but painful clamp). On the IEM side I tried the Kiwi Ears Astral, Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk (didn’t understand the here either), Moondrop Hype 4, and DUNU Brain Dance. Brain dance was my favorite until I randomly tried The Campfire Moon Rover, though, which has become my IEM of choice for a reason I’ll explain later. For over ears, eventually I gave Dan Clark Audio a shot. First the Noire X, then the Noire X Open… and wow. The Noire X Open is the first headphone I’ve heard that delivers incredible detail without stabbing me with harsh “s” and “t” sounds. It can be just a touch energetic above 10k, but a simple high-shelf EQ at -3 dB takes care of it instantly. I also like adding a +2 dB bass shelf, which rounds out the sound beautifully. What really surprised me is how perfectly this same EQ profile works on the Campfire Moon Rover as well. It feels like they were made to share it, and having one tuning that works seamlessly between both is a huge win. I’ve saved the preset on my HiBy R4, so switching back and forth between the XO and the Moon Rover is effortless. So at this point, my perfect setup has become the Moon Rover for IEMs and the Noire X Open. Ironically, the gear I’ve ended up loving the most has all been from American brands which I didn’t expect. I know endgame is a dangerous word in this hobby, but right now this feels like it. Has anyone else had that moment where you put something on and thought… yeah, this is it?

I personally like the DCA Aeon X Closed at $499 better than the Fiio FT1, but not three times more. That said, I basically don't use the FT1 anymore because I have a few things I like better. If you can find one, I personally think the Focal Elegia is the best closed back I've ever heard. They're not as prominently bassy as a lot of closed backs, but they have just the right amount for me. They've been out of production for a few years, but they're frequently available used for right around $300. For me: Focal Elegia > Aeon X Closed > FT1. There's not much on the market that I would consider worth listening to, and I've definitely tried! Folks really like the Focal Azurys, but it's just not for me, as much as I like their wireless brother, the Bathys.

I just picked up a set of Focal Azurys. I really like them. If you are going out and about, they have decent isolation and are easy to drive. If open back is an option, I’d prefer a 6xx, but that’s just me.

Highly recommend that you look into wired, and with your $600 budget consider to get a DAC/amp with a headphone instead. Headphone first of course. Fiio FT1 (not the pro version) and Focal Azurys are great directions to look for the bass you’re looking for with good gaming capability and just simply much clearer/worth the upgrade over wireless anc. For these headphones I suggested, a DAC/amp isn’t required, but may clean up the sound if for example you hear buzzing or other noise in your PC jack, and an amp may make it more dynamically punchy.

From best to worst: Mdr-z1r - Best bass I've heard in a headphone and thebest soundstage I've heard in a closed back. Fun treble and a decent mid range. Mezes lyric 2 - absolutely beautiful, made extremely well. Sounded pretty good, decent bass, nice midrange, just the treble was a little wonky. Focal Azurys - fun punchy little headphones. They just felt a bit too cramped for me and the treble didn't sound wrong or anything I just didn't find it interesting. Hd 660s2 - could go either way between these and the Azurys tbh. These are very close to neutral for being a closed back and have the best midrange out of anything here. Sounded about as cramped as the Azurys though and the bass wasn't as fun. I liked the treble and isolation more though, for the price they're really good.

AKG K361: incredible sound with extensive bass stage, might get treble fatiguing after a while. AKG K371: similar to the above, when those become too bright I grab these which in comparison are a bit bass heavy but smoother treble and with Dekoni Choice Suede pads are very comfortable. Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 ohm: the smoothest of them all, not as impressive but subtly incredible and great for relaxing and longer sessions. Very natural and elegant. I had them modded and now they have a short detachable cable with a mic. DCA Noire X: very strange tuning, most of the time, like 80% I don't like them and right when I'm about to sell them, I give them a chance. I like them temporarily quite a bit. I don't really know why this happens, but sometimes they do open up for me, but that joy doesn't last. When I like them, it's the bass soundstage depth, and what I dislike is the recessed range from the mids and up. Definitely not the best for complex music like classical or soundtracks, or TV. But at times they are great. Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X LE: this is nothing at all like the original, only in name and appearance; comes with detachable cable (doesn't support mic), the sound is totally different, very forward V shape, impressive when you have that high energy and excitement, otherwise can get too intense. Will get sibilant and the bass is heavier. I used to love it for a long time, not so much anymore. Don't like: Fiio FT1: my least favorite despite the hype. They do have a very impressive deep bass, but that's it; they totally disregard the treble, even the mids, totally recessed in the upper range, might appeal bass-lovers. Focal Azurys: very good dynamics but totally flat soundstage, zero depth to the sound. Disappointing. Focal Elegia: strange tuning, but the culprit is the way the bass reverbs, it ruins the whole thing. Not worth it. Audiotechnica ATH M50x: similar issue with the reverb as the Elegia, plus horrifying painful clamp on the head. They have no redeeming quality. Sennheiser HD25: these are on-ear, totally unnecessary, painful clamp, tiny congested sound. I think DJ's like it for work, otherwise nothing good about them. Sennheiser HD569: the worst cheap sound I have ever heard in my life. Sennheiser hd620s: these are interesting; they don't sound necessarily bad by themselves, but the tuning is mid-centric and might take a few days or longer to adjust to their tuning, then you might really like them. They sound very similar to the Azurys in the good technical performance, but the HD620s actually have good soundstage, however unfortunately, the clamp of the headband is a torture. Conclusion: If someone with DIY skills dares, I suggest they build a headphone with a tuning between the K361 and K371, right in the middle, and actual durable materials that don't die in a year (mine did, I re-purchased them, get the extended insurance!), and comfortable pads. This would be my end-game forever ❤️

The focal celestees or the azurys are great and pretty easy to drive. I personally use the celestees with a schiit stack and love using them with cs2 along with my music

Basically same genres. Honestly, I’d shoot for the 105 AER or 105 Silva. You can jump up to the Focal Azurys as well, but Focal can have some timbre issues for some as you get into the upper mids and treble. If you want to look at planars, I’d consider something like the Edition XV over the Stealth. It’s a darker, more suitable for casual listening. One benefit of the Meze is the AER will work with the Meze boom mic cable if you ever want to easily add a mic for voice chat. I run that same setup myself from time to time. And it’s a bit of a curveball, but if you’re open to IEMs I’d also look at sets like the Thieaudio Hype 4, Xenns Top Pro, or Punch Audio Martilo. All three will handle those genres well; I’ve run the Hype 4 for gaming many times as well; it’s one of my favorite sets for single player.