Short answer: the Focal Azurys. It ranks #132 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $449. The Audeze MM-100 ranks #139, rated 3.4/5, at $399, $50 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the Focal Azurys does well: A preference score of 70 with only 2.29 dB of deviation from the Harman target makes this a reasonably smooth closed-back, and the midrange from 200 Hz to 3 kHz sits within about 1 dB of target so vocals and guitars sound natural. Watch for: A 11.9 dB dip near 9.7 kHz takes the edge off cymbals and sibilance, and treble overall sits about 1 dB under target, so the top end is a little dull and closed in.
The case for the Audeze MM-100: The 90 mm planar magnetic driver has an 18 ohm impedance and 98 dB/mW sensitivity, so it gets loud from a phone dongle or laptop without a dedicated amp. Watch for: Oratory1990’s measurement shows sub-bass about 6.6 dB below target, falling 6 dB short by 50 Hz, so deep electronic bass and organ notes lack rumble.
Buy the Focal Azurys. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $50 saving on the Audeze MM-100 is not enough to make up the difference.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Azurys | Audeze MM-100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #132 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #139 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.29 dB standard deviation | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+3.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 26 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB SPL/mW | 98 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (306 g) | 1 lbs (475 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Focal Azurys: $449.00 Amazon eBay
Older models: the Focal Celestee (ranked lower, rated 3.4/5) and the Focal Elegia (ranked lower, rated 3/5). See every Focal Elegia, Celestee and Azurys generation.
Pros: A preference score of 70 with only 2.29 dB of deviation from the Harman target makes this a reasonably smooth closed-back, and the midrange from 200 Hz to 3 kHz sits within about 1 dB of target so vocals and guitars sound natural. Bass runs about 3.7 dB above target in the sub-bass and 2.6 dB in the upper bass, adding punch to kick drums and bass lines. At 26 ohms and 100 dB per mW it runs loud from a phone, and it weighs 306 g with a built-in microphone for calls.
Cons: A 11.9 dB dip near 9.7 kHz takes the edge off cymbals and sibilance, and treble overall sits about 1 dB under target, so the top end is a little dull and closed in. The extra low end leans warm, which can thicken male vocals and bass-heavy mixes. It is wired only, and the Sennheiser HD 620S has a higher rating for much less.
Full Focal Azurys review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.29 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 26 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+3.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (306 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 185 Hz | -1.3 dB | 0.78 |
| Peak | 9,293 Hz | +2.5 dB | 1.66 |
| Peak | 4,836 Hz | +3.9 dB | 2.99 |
| Peak | 3,460 Hz | -2.8 dB | 3.99 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,331 Hz | +1.5 dB | 1.61 |
| Peak | 519 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.00 |
| Peak | 74 Hz | +0.7 dB | 2.61 |
| Peak | 39 Hz | -0.4 dB | 1.54 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audeze MM-100: $399.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: The 90 mm planar magnetic driver has an 18 ohm impedance and 98 dB/mW sensitivity, so it gets loud from a phone dongle or laptop without a dedicated amp. In oratory1990’s measurement the midrange tracks the Harman target closely from 200 Hz to 3 kHz, which keeps voices and instruments natural in tone. It suits listeners who prefer a warm, smooth presentation over an etched, bright one.
Cons: Oratory1990’s measurement shows sub-bass about 6.6 dB below target, falling 6 dB short by 50 Hz, so deep electronic bass and organ notes lack rumble. A deep 13.1 dB dip near 9.4 kHz and treble running nearly 7 dB low dull cymbals and air, and the open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise. At 475 g it is heavy, and the cheaper Sennheiser Amperior rates the same.
Full Audeze MM-100 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (475 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,762 Hz | +5.8 dB | 2.44 |
| Peak | 8,491 Hz | +5.9 dB | 1.63 |
| Peak | 323 Hz | -1.8 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 2,975 Hz | -6.0 dB | 3.54 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,028 Hz | -1.8 dB | 2.24 |
| Peak | 1,883 Hz | +2.8 dB | 3.79 |
| Peak | 551 Hz | +0.9 dB | 1.17 |
| Peak | 1,401 Hz | -0.6 dB | 1.23 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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