Focal Hadenys

Open-back hi-fi headphones

The Focal Hadenys is a wired open-back hi-fi headphone designed for listening at home. It is the entry point to Focal's open-back high-fidelity range, below the Clear MG and the Utopia, and shares its platform with the Azurys, its closed-back version. An audiophile headphone that works equally well with a dedicated headphone amplifier or with a simpler source.

Drivers and sound signature

Each earcup holds a 40 mm full-range driver with an "M"-shaped aluminium-magnesium dome, designed and manufactured in France in Focal's workshops. This "M" profile, which Focal also uses on its higher-end headphones, combines stiffness and low mass to limit dome deformation: distortion stays below 0.2% at 1 kHz and 100 dB SPL. These transducers are derived from those of the Bathys, the brand's wireless headphone, and have been reworked for an open-back enclosure. Published reviews describe a fairly warm presentation, forward vocals, a good level of detail and well-present bass for an open-back headphone.

Open-back design

The open earcups, closed by a honeycomb grille, let air move freely behind the drivers. The sound gains space and naturalness: the soundstage feels wider than with a closed-back headphone, and you avoid the feeling of enclosed ears. In return, the Hadenys offers no isolation from outside noise and lets the music be heard around it. It belongs in a quiet room rather than on public transport. For on-the-go use, the Azurys uses the same platform in a closed-back version.

Comfort and materials

At 294 g, the Hadenys stays reasonable for a headphone with a metal structure. Its magnesium yokes keep the weight down, the adjustable headband is padded, and the fabric-covered memory foam ear cushions follow the shape of the ears. The earcups pivot to fit the shape of the head and turn flat to fit in the supplied rigid carrying case. The finish uses earthy shades of brown.

Powering and use

With an impedance of 26 ohms and high sensitivity, the Hadenys is easy to drive from a standard headphone output: computer, portable player, or smartphone with a 3.5 mm jack or a USB-C adapter. For hi-fi listening at home, a quality DAC or headphone amplifier is still recommended. The detachable 1.8 m cable ends in a 3.5 mm mini-jack, and a 6.35 mm adapter is supplied for amplifiers and hi-fi equipment.

Specifications

• Type: open-back, circumaural, wired hi-fi headphones
• Drivers: 40 mm, "M"-shaped aluminium-magnesium dome, designed and manufactured in France
• Frequency response (±3 dB): 25 Hz to 22 kHz
• Impedance: 26 ohms
• Sensitivity: 100 dB SPL / 1 mW at 1 kHz
• Total harmonic distortion: less than 0.2% at 1 kHz / 100 dB SPL
• Weight: 294 g (without case)
• Yokes: magnesium
• Ear cushions: memory foam
• Colour: shades of brown
• Cable: 1 detachable 1.8 m cable, 3.5 mm mini-jack
• Adapter: 3.5 mm female to 6.35 mm male jack
• Rigid carrying case included (24 x 21 x 7 cm)