Short answer: the Focal Azurys. It ranks #132 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $449; the Shure SRH1540 ranks #144, rated 3.3/5, and costs $549, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the Focal Azurys: 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. The catch: 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.
Why pick the Shure SRH1540: The smoothest of this group, with just 2.33 dB of deviation and a biggest dip of only 3.3 dB near 8.6 kHz, so treble is more even and cymbals keep their detail. The catch: Upper bass sits about 5.1 dB above target, which adds warmth and some boom that can cloud kick drums and male vocals.
Buy the Focal Azurys. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Shure SRH1540 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Azurys | Shure SRH1540 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | $549.00 |
| Ranked | #132 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #144 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 67 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.29 dB standard deviation | 2.33 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+3.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 26 ohms | 46 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB SPL/mW | 99 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (306 g) | 0.6 lbs (286 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Focal Azurys:
- AKG K712 vs Focal Azurys
- Focal Azurys vs Shure SRH1840
- Focal Azurys vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II
- Focal Azurys vs Audeze MM-100
- Audeze MM-100 vs Shure SRH1540
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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
Shure SRH1540: $549.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The smoothest of this group, with just 2.33 dB of deviation and a biggest dip of only 3.3 dB near 8.6 kHz, so treble is more even and cymbals keep their detail. Mids are within about 1.2 dB of target and treble sits close to it. At 286 g with a closed back, 46 ohms and 99 dB per mW, it works from a phone and isolates reasonably.
Cons: Upper bass sits about 5.1 dB above target, which adds warmth and some boom that can cloud kick drums and male vocals. Sound is warmer than the Harman target overall, so it suits listeners who like a bassy presentation more than neutral ones. It is wired only, and the Bose QuietComfort 35 II has a higher rating at a lower price with wireless.
Full Shure SRH1540 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.33 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 67 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 46 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 99 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.18 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (286 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.4 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 | +1.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 107 Hz | -5.7 dB | 0.58 |
| Peak | 688 Hz | +1.7 dB | 0.62 |
| Peak | 6,484 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.31 |
| Peak | 2,709 Hz | -2.3 dB | 1.97 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,812 Hz | +2.0 dB | 4.68 |
| Peak | 5,940 Hz | -2.4 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 40 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.05 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | +0.8 dB | 4.03 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons