Through the Lens(ys)

Focal loves to choose cool and artsy names like Azurys, Hadenys and Bathys. These names imply a certain meaning, even though they are entirely invented. I will assume Lensys is a play on the word “lens.”

Look at the Lensys

Lensys Pro is a circumaural (around the ear) closed-back design. For reference, it has a general 7.75″ tall x 6″ wide (non-extended) profile and weighs 11 oz.

Dressed in a sleek black and grey color scheme, Lensys Pro breaks with the red and black look of past Professional models. They are primarily made of metal and have a gorgeous magnesium yoke.

The flexible padded headband combines breathable fabric with black leather accents. The earcups, while not collapsible like the Listen model, offer a generous range of swivel, and the .75″ thick memory foam ear pads are covered in a breathable woven fabric, that is easily replaceable.

The outside of each earcup features the signature Focal circular-patterned grilles found in similar closed back offerings like the Azurys. Unlike the acoustical honeycomb grilles in the company’s open-back offerings, this stylish-looking pattern is purely aesthetic. Also, like many recent Focal headphone offerings each earcup is angled to aid in comfort and sound.

Familiar Style, New Improved Sonics

Astute Focal headphone fans will notice that the physical body and general design of the Lensys Pro are identical to the high-fidelity Hadenys and even more so the close-backed Azurys. However, unlike the Clear MG and Clear MG Professional models, which are, in fact, the same headphone only in differing color schemes, the 40mm ‘M’-shaped Al/Mg (aluminum/magnesium) driver in the Lensys Pro has been purposely designed and completely re-voiced for studio use.

Lensys Pro boasts a 26目 impedance that is perfect for everything from smartphones to audio interfaces and high-end headphone amps, a 100dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz Sensitivity, a 0.3% @ 1 kHz / 100dB SPL TDD, an impressive 5 Hz–22 kHz Frequency Response, and 23dB(A) of Ambient noise isolation.

What’s in the Box?

The Lensys Professional comes with two cables that click securely into the left earcup. One is a 48″ (1.2 meters) straight cable, and the other is a 10‘ (3 meters) coiled cable. Each one terminates in a 3.5mm (¹/₈“) headphone jack (on both ends), and a 3.5mm to 6mm jack adapter is included. The headphones and cables fit snuggly in a thin 9.44″ (D) x 8.25”  (L) x 2.75″ (H) zippered clamshell case.

Sound

The sound of the Lensys Pro is big, full, detailed and clear—four words that could describe dozens of headphones. To clarify, the low-end is bold, firm and deep, but not hyped in any way. If you are looking for a headphone that “brings the boom,” these are not it, nor are they meant to be. Rather, the low-end here, while reaching down to 5 Hz, is more about clarity and definition than it is about pushing rumbling sub-frequencies to the foreground. This allows you to discern and place critical elements such as kick drum, bass guitar and bass synths in a mix with less blurring or masking of the lows.

The midrange is neutral and revealing, and the high end is equally detailed with a nice balance and width. Cymbals, guitar strings and reverb tails are nicely discernable without harshness.

Family Comparisons

Side-by-side with the Listen Pro model, the Lensys Pro is more sonically defined from top to bottom, although the Lensys Pro is perhaps a bit less forward and punchy. The most significant difference I hear between the two models is the upper mid-range of the Listen Pro pushes forward a bit more viscerally—especially hi-hats and snare hits. In contrast, on the Lensys, they are more comfortably seated in the soundstage.

While it might seem unfair to compare the literal open, airy extension of an open-back model like the Clear MG Pro to a closed-back design, both models interpret my earlier adjectives of “big, full, detailed and clear” in their own unique ways. That said, the Lensys Pro offers a beautiful dimensional soundstage that is closer to the Clear MG Pro than I expected.

In the Studio

For about a month, I used the Lensys Pro exclusively for tracking, overdubs and editing in the studio (in addition to just listening to music for enjoyment). The Lensys Pro was very quick and comfortable to adjust to sonically. Once I started using them for said tasks, nothing made me question what I was hearing, nor were they ever fatiguing in day-long tracking or editing sessions. In short, I never had the inclination to swap them out for a different pair of headphones.

Isolation

Beyond the sound, I was exceptionally impressed by how well the Lensys Pro controls leakage during tracking. I had to really push the levels and crank the mic on a quiet passage to hear even the slightest click bleed. This same isolation also works in reverse, enabling you to track, mix and listen at moderate levels while maintaining clarity and presence with little worry of being distracted by environmental noise.

Physical Comfort

Overall, the Lensys Pro is a very comfortable headphone. It is not too heavy and has a suitably firm clamping force. While tracking vocals, I had to keep the adjustable headband as high as possible to prevent the bottom of the ear cup from pressing on my upper jaw, which caused slight jaw fatigue when set too low. This issue only occurred while singing; there was no discomfort in any other situation.

Conclusion

I am very impressed by the soundstage, clarity and fullness of the new Focal Lensys Professional model. I could easily see it becoming my main tracking and travel set of headphones. If you are looking for a set of impeccably built, beautifully designed and great-sounding closed-back dynamic headphones for music mixing and creation, the Focal Lensys Professional Headphones should be on your short list.

Price: $699

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