Fluid Audio Focus Semi Open Back Headphones

Fluid Audio's Focus semi open-back headphones include Realphones software, letting you listen to your mixes through an array of modeled monitoring systems.

Overview

Fluid Audio has taken its years of experience perfecting studio monitor designs and now offers a studio-grade, high-quality headphone mixing and playback system for mix engineers and music enthusiasts.

The Fluid Audio Focus headphone mixing and playback system is the result of the synergy between Fluid's extensive expertise with audio hardware and dSONIQ Realphones expertise with audio playback software.

The Focus system's headphones have a semi-closed back, over-ear sleek design for studio tracking, mixing, mastering, and casual listening.

They use 50mm neodymium magnet drivers with lightweight diaphragms to deliver an extremely detailed and responsive performance while remaining comfortable enough for hours of worry-free use.

The accompanying Realphones software provides a suite of virtual mixing rooms, several professional monitor choices - including Fluid's own FX Series monitors, and a variety of eq and sonic adjustment options.

This allows mixing engineers a broad palette of choices on which they can create and check their mixes to ensure they'll translate properly when played back on other systems.
Now you can mix accurately from anywhere you wish without the need of physical studio monitors or professional mixing suites.

This platform is equally suitable in physical studios because it allows mixing engineers an easy solution to check their mixes virtually across numerous mixing set-ups. Whether you have a full studio and need to check your mixes in other mixing… read more suites or opt to fully mix on headphones, the Focus system delivers the tools you need for both, making it a truly versatile and flexible option for any mix engineer.

Specs

- Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
- Nominal Sound Pressure: > 90dB
- Rated Impedance: 32O
- Driver Size: 50mm neodymium
- Acoustic Design: Semi-open, circumaural
- Max Power: 300 mW
- Connector: 3.5mm with 6.3mm adaptor
- Nominal Headband Pressure: 3.5Nm
- Transducer Type: Dynamic
- Nominal THD: < 0.2%
- Cable Length: 3 meters

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item: Shipping Weight: 1.53 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 5 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): FOCUS

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Web: https://www.fluidaudio.com/support_request/

Reviews

(1 ratings)

Submitted April 27, 2023 by Daniel Moore in Trenton, IL

"Uhm.... This isn't at all what I expected to be honest."

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

Okay, after putting these headphones through their paces for the last 4 hours... my jaw is on the floor, I might even be understating that a bit. Buckle up, this review might get a little winded.Are these really only $70? I just got them today so I'm sure they haven't really warmed up yet either.Okay, to the more serious stuff.Build quality feels like something you would get at Five Below. Not kidding, build quality reminds me of a toy. The plastic doesn't feel good at all BUT it is quite flexible, I don't feel like I'm going to break it... unless I step or sit on it somehow (those nights where you have too much to drink kinda thing maybe).They do not isolate much at all but they are semi open too so hopefully if you purchase them you know that they will not isolate much of anything on the outside. Trust me, the Semi Open is actually a huge huge pro for these so by no means a con. When I first put them on, I was like "yuck" but then, woah!... sound quality will be later lol.The ear cups are some of the worst I have felt. It's the icky synthetic leather feel, doesn't feel premium that's for sure. However, they do not grip overly tightly so I haven't noticed any discomfort for the last 4 hours. How they feel when on my ears though reminds me when there is no audio playing that I have a cheap pair of cans on my head....Feature wise, they have some software that apparently emulates environments. I haven't even installed or tried that yet as I usually do not want anything coloring… read more my sound unless I'm in control of it. Plus, these headphones absolutely do not need any help what so ever from some special possibly gimmicky software to try and make them sound good, they are pleasant without it.Alright a bit of background. I have been doing sound design and engineering since '08. I work mostly on EDM and Cinematic Film but have dabbled in pretty much all genres. The EDM I do is stuff like Chill Step and we all know what film music sounds like, very dynamic stuff with lots of builds, swells, and nuance. I'm mostly a hobbyist however I have been fortunate enough to get some professional work along the way here and there.In the last 15 years I have owned so many headphones and monitors I cannot count them all. I'll give you a short list to wet your whistle in understanding what I've graced my ears with.-Sennheiser HD 280 Pro-Sennheiser HD 200 Pro-Sennheiser HD 650-Sony MDR7506-Audio Technica ATH M50x-Audio Technica ATH AD500x-Audio Technica ATH AD1000x-Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO-Shure SRH1840-Shure SRH1440This list keeps going but these are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. It's quite the range I have tried from budget to try hard levels.With that out of the way... THE SOUND! Wow, for $70, I have never felt like crying when hearing that music swell. These are absolutely beautiful sounding for the price. All the details are there, the highs are not fatiguing and harsh, the mids aren't swallowed by all the dynamics, and the lows have no mud at all. It's actually beautiful, I've never said OMG getting some ear love from some headphones, but these did it. Even though I've used very very good headphones before, they came with a price that made me expect that. Not these... these seriously have a $300 plus sound, I know others say that kind of crud all the time, but this time it's serious.If you like Dre Beats, don't buy these, they are not that type of headphone. Like most open backs, don't expect that bass droppin like black Friday deals. The bass is full and tight, there is no rumbling but every frequency is there and clear. If you are sensitive to high end like the air of a breath after a vocalist ends their phrase, you may want to eq that frequency down a db or two but I don't mind it at all, there is just so much detail.I'm not using anything special to power them, I'm currently using a Zoom Livetrak L-8 (not that these need much juice at all in the first place). If you do decide you want to eq a bit to color them further, they behave very well with the small 3 band this mixer has, with more fine tuning, these go from amazing to superb!Sorry to seem like I'm simping a lot with these but I've never been WOW'd by sub $100 headphones... ever. They have so much smooth beauty to them that, Idk, I'm just really really amazed for the price.If you are looking at anything at all in the $150 range or just looking for a cheap spare set, you'd be doing yourself justice by maybe saving a little bit and giving these a shot. I bought these to just use for reference and have another set around but slap me silly and call me Daddy, I might even be able to mix / master on these, no joke.Last but not least, zZounds has always been there for me when it comes to my musical needs. One day I hope they will have a greater selection but always great service, have never been disappointed in over a decade.Okay, sorry for such a winded review but I hope you find some of it helpful. I hope you all have a blessed day!

Musical Background:
Audio Design and Engineering

Musical Style:
EDM, Cinematic Film

4 of 4 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?