Short answer: the Focal Azurys. Both are rated 3.5/5 for sound quality (#132 and #126 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Focal Azurys costs $449 against $549 for the Shure SRH1840, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
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. The tradeoff: 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.
What the Shure SRH1840 does well: The response leans neutral to slightly bright, with upper mids about 1.8 dB above target and presence and treble within about 1 dB, which makes vocals and instrument detail clear. Watch for: Sub-bass is about 7.5 dB under target and bass is about 1.8 dB low, so kick drums and bass guitar are thin and lack rumble.
Buy the Focal Azurys. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $100 less than the Shure SRH1840.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Azurys | Shure SRH1840 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | $549.00 |
| Ranked | #132 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #126 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.29 dB standard deviation | 2.29 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.00 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.91 (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 38 Hz (-7.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 26 ohms | 65 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB SPL/mW | 96 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (306 g) | 0.6 lbs (268 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
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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 |
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Shure SRH1840: $549.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The response leans neutral to slightly bright, with upper mids about 1.8 dB above target and presence and treble within about 1 dB, which makes vocals and instrument detail clear. The preference score of 71 and 2.29 dB deviation reflect a smooth, even midrange and treble. It is an open back at 268 g.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 7.5 dB under target and bass is about 1.8 dB low, so kick drums and bass guitar are thin and lack rumble. A 4.4 dB peak near 3.1 kHz can make voices and strings sound forward or slightly harsh at higher volumes. At 65 ohms and 96 dB/mW sensitivity it benefits from a proper headphone amplifier, and the open back leaks sound. The Denon AH-D5200 earns a higher rating among its rivals. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Shure SRH1840 review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.29 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 65 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 38 Hz (-7.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.91 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (268 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 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 | +6.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,060 Hz | -4.5 dB | 1.40 |
| Peak | 581 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.95 |
| Peak | 4,732 Hz | +4.2 dB | 3.22 |
| Peak | 180 Hz | -1.2 dB | 0.82 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 59 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 89 Hz | -0.2 dB | 2.05 |
| Peak | 6,333 Hz | -1.0 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 7,292 Hz | +1.3 dB | 5.96 |
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