Focal, the renowned French audio brand, offers a diverse range of headphones catering to various budgets and audiophile needs. In this guide, I'll walk you through their product line, highlighting the unique features and sound signatures that make Focal headphones stand out in the crowded audio market.

The Focal Legacy

Focal, a French audio brand, has been making waves in the audio industry since 1979. They started with hi-fi speakers, but in 2012, they ventured into the headphone market with the Spirit One. Since then, they've been applying their loudspeaker technology to create what they call "loudspeaker headphones."

What Sets Focal Headphones Apart?

When I listen to Focal headphones, I immediately notice their revealing clarity, tight bass (with a push at 1.5kHz), high sensitivity, and high-quality materials. These characteristics run through their entire product line, from their entry-level models to their flagship offerings.

The Focal Headphone Lineup

Focal Azurys

I'll start with the new Focal Azurys, which retails for $549. These closed-back wired headphones feature:

- An Aluminum/Magnesium 40mm "M" shaped dome driver

- 100dB sensitivity

- A weight of around 300g

The Azurys offers a neutral tuning with added bass. I find the bass response tighter and more resolving than its wireless counterpart, the Bathys. There's also a peak around 3.5kHz, which adds to the clarity and punchiness of the bass.

When I first put on the Azurys, I'm immediately struck by their comfort. The lightweight design makes them perfect for extended listening sessions. The closed-back design also provides excellent isolation, making them a great choice for those who want to enjoy their music without disturbing others.

In terms of sound, I'd describe the Azurys as detailed and engaging. The neutral tuning with added bass gives them versatility across various genres. Whether I'm listening to jazz, classical, or electronic music, the Azurys deliver a balanced and enjoyable experience.

Focal Hadenys

Moving on to the Focal Hadenys, priced at $699, I see many similarities to the Azurys. The main difference? These are open-back headphones. Key features include:

- 100dB sensitivity

- A more neutral bass sound compared to the Azurys

- Similar treble boosts to the Azurys

The open-back design of the Hadenys creates a more spacious soundstage compared to the Azurys. When I listen to orchestral pieces or live recordings, I can better perceive the placement of instruments and the ambiance of the venue.

The Hadenys' more neutral bass response makes them an excellent choice for critical listening. I find them particularly suited for acoustic music and vocals, where the open design allows the natural timbre of instruments and voices to shine through.

Focal Bathys

The Focal Bathys, priced at $699, stands out as their wireless offering. I appreciate its versatility:

- Closed-back design with the same 'M' Shaped Driver 40mm driver

- Bluetooth connectivity with 30-hour battery life

- DAC mode for wired connections, bypassing internal active components

I find the Bathys to be incredibly versatile, perfect for travel, music listening, podcasts, and general use. The wireless capability doesn't come at the cost of sound quality - these headphones still deliver the clear, detailed sound I've come to expect from Focal.

The DAC mode is a standout feature for me. When you want to dive deep into my music collection, you can switch to wired mode and use the Bathys' built-in DAC. This bypasses the Bluetooth components and delivers a more direct, high-fidelity signal path.

The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the Bathys is also worth mentioning. It's transparent and more than capable of reducing ambient noise in most environments. I find it particularly useful during air travel or in noisy office settings.

Focal Celestee

The Focal Celestee, which I consider part of their "Mid-Fi" category, offers:

- Closed-back design with the 40mm Aluminum/Magnesium M-Shaped Driver

- 105dB/SPL sensitivity

- A weight of 430g

I notice an increased high-bass with a roll-off in the low-mids in its sound signature. The highs aren't shouty or brittle, but there's a definite clarity from the reduced low-mids.

The Celestee's design is a step up in terms of luxury. The navy blue and copper color scheme is striking, and the build quality is impeccable. When I hold these headphones, I can feel the premium materials and detail that went into their construction.

Sound-wise, the Celestee offers a more colored presentation compared to the Azurys or Hadenys. The elevated high-bass gives music a sense of body, while the clarity in the upper mids and treble ensures that details aren't lost. I find this tuning particularly enjoyable for modern pop and rock music.

Focal Clear MG

The Focal Clear MG introduces a new driver material:

- Open-back design

- 40mm Magnesium dome driver

- 104dB Sensitivity with 55 ohm impedance

I find these headphones incredibly clear and revealing, with a bass drop. They're fantastically flat with a little added mids and great tuning in the highs.

The Clear MG represents a significant step up in Focal's lineup. The magnesium driver provides a different character to the sound compared to the aluminum/magnesium drivers in the lower-tier models. I notice improved detail retrieval and a more precise imaging.

The open-back design of the Clear MG creates a wide, airy soundstage. When I listen to well-recorded live performances, I can almost feel like I'm in the venue. The clarity these headphones provide is truly impressive - I often notice subtle details in familiar tracks that I hadn't picked up before.

While the bass isn't as prominent as in some of Focal's closed-back offerings, what's there is tight, fast, and very well-defined. The midrange is slightly forward, which I find great for vocal-centric music and acoustic performances.

Focal Stellia

The Focal Stellia represents a step into premium territory:

- Closed-back design

- 40mm Beryllium M-shaped dome driver

- 106dB sensitivity at 35 ohms

I appreciate the Stellia's better bass extension compared to the Clear MG, making it a more versatile-sounding headphone.

The Stellia is Focal's attempt to create a closed-back headphone that can compete with high-end open-back models, and in my opinion, they've largely succeeded. The beryllium driver is incredibly fast and responsive, providing a level of detail and dynamics that's truly world-class.

As a closed-back design, the Stellia creates an expansive and airy soundstage. The sense of space and instrument separation is impressive, rivaling or even surpassing many other open-back headphones I've experienced. The closed-back still creates a listening experience that's immersive and lifelike.

The Stellia's tuning is more balanced compared to the Celestee. The bass is present and impactful but never overpowering. The midrange is beautifully rendered, with vocals and instruments sounding natural and lifelike. The treble is extended and airy, providing plenty of detail without becoming harsh or fatiguing.

Focal Utopia

Finally, we reach Focal's flagship headphone, the Utopia:

- Open-back design

- 40mm pure Beryllium driver

- 104dB sensitivity

I find the Utopia to be the most open-sounding Focal headphone, with great imaging, clarity, and width. It's less bassy than the Stellia but offers a more articulate tuning.

The Utopia represents the pinnacle of Focal's headphone engineering. The pure beryllium driver is a technical marvel, providing incredible speed and accuracy. When I listen to the Utopia, I'm constantly amazed by the level of detail and nuance these headphones can reveal.

The soundstage of the Utopia is vast and precise. Complex orchestral pieces are rendered with stunning clarity, each instrument occupying its own space within the soundscape. The imaging is so precise that I can often pinpoint the exact location of each sound source.

While the Utopia might not have the bass impact of some of Focal's other offerings, what it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality. The bass is incredibly tight, fast, and detailed. The midrange is stunningly transparent, allowing voices and instruments to shine through with remarkable clarity. The treble is extended and airy, providing a sense of space and air around instruments without ever becoming harsh.

Choosing the Right Focal Headphones

With such a diverse lineup, choosing the right Focal headphones can seem daunting. Here's how I break it down:

- For everyday use and travel: The Bathys is hard to beat. Its wireless capability and ANC make it perfect for on-the-go listening.

- For a high-quality, closed-back option: The Celestee offers a great balance of performance and value.

- For critical listening on a budget: The Hadenys provides an open-back design and neutral sound at a relatively accessible price point.

- For audiophile-grade closed-back performance: The Stellia is among the best for options in the hi-fi world.

- For the ultimate Focal experience: The Utopia remains the flagship for a reason. These headphones provide a truly world-class listening experience.

Amplification and Source Considerations

One of the great things about Focal headphones is their high sensitivity. Even their high-end models like the Utopia can be driven by relatively modest sources. However, to get the most out of these headphones, I recommend using a good quality DAC and amplifier.

For the Azurys, Hadenys, and Bathys, even a good dongle DAC can provide excellent results. As you move up the line to the Celestee, Clear MG, Stellia, and Utopia, investing in a dedicated desktop DAC and amplifier can help unlock their full potential.

I've found that Focal headphones tend to pair well with both solid-state and tube amplifiers. Solid-state amps can emphasize their speed and clarity, while good tube amps can add a touch of warmth and smoothness to the sound. Their synergy with tube amps are also something worth mentioning, complimenting the characteristic "tube sound" strikingly well.

Comfort and Build Quality

Across the entire line, I've been impressed with Focal's attention to comfort and build quality. Even their entry-level models feel premium, with high-quality materials and solid construction.

The headband design Focal uses is generally very comfortable, distributing weight evenly across the head. The ear pads are plush and comfortable, although I find the leather pads on the higher-end models like the Stellia and Utopia to be a step above in terms of comfort and durability.

One thing to note is that Focal headphones tend to be on the heavier side, but they're certainly not the heaviest headphones on the market. The Utopia, for example, weighs in at 490g. While the weight is well-distributed, some users might find this noticeable during long listening sessions.

Conclusion

As I've explored the Focal headphone lineup, I've come to appreciate the consistent quality and unique sound signature across their range. Whether you're looking for a versatile wireless option like the Bathys or a premium audiophile experience with the Utopia, Focal offers a headphone to suit various needs and budgets.

What impresses me most about Focal is their commitment to innovation. From their "M" shaped dome drivers to their use of materials like magnesium and beryllium, they're constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in headphone design.

While Focal headphones come with a premium price tag, especially as you move up the line, I believe they offer excellent value for the level of performance they provide. The build quality, comfort, and sound performance justify the investment for those serious about their audio.

In the end, choosing headphones is a personal decision that depends on your listening preferences, budget, and intended use. But if you're in the market for high-quality headphones and have the budget to match, I highly recommend giving Focal a listen. From the versatile Bathys to the sublime Utopia, there's a Focal headphone that could be your perfect audio companion.