FOCAL’s audio equipment remains undoubtedly the most famous and fantastic-sounding products. The French company released a high-quality pair of headphones less expensive priced than Focal’s flagship Utopia. The highly affordable closed-back Focal Listen costs currently $249 and is available on its official website, and most online stores, including Amazon.
The Focal Listen headphones offer great sound quality, amazing comfort, and attractive design. All in all, a headphone that’s pleasurable to listen to music.
1. Overview | 2. Quick Review of Focal Listen | 3. Package | 4. Design & Ergonomy | 5. Sound Quality | 6. Conclusion
Focal Listen Audiophile Headphones Review
Type: Over-Ear Closed-Back Audiophile Headphones | Drivers: Dynamic | Drivers-Size: 40 mm | Frequency-Response: 15 Hz – 22,000 Hz | Impedance: 32 Ohms | Weight: 273g
Pros
- Sound is accurately reproduced and enriched with plenty of details
- Music is reproduced impeccably
- Can play a variety of musical genres with ease
- OFC cable with multifunction in-line remote
- Lightweight and comfortable
Cons
- The lows could have been more imposing
- Bulky
Focal has done a great job of designing the look of the Listen headphones. They possess a very high-end modern look. Everything on the outside has a soft matte finish on the plastic, which is wonderful. In terms of overall performance, the Focal Listen is remarkably well-rounded and poses no flaw whatsoever. But one has to understand that even this magnificent, elegant beast has its shortcomings. The weak point of Focal Listen is the lower-end of the audio spectrum. The basses are pretty good, but not exceptional. Workmanship and details are great. The headphones enjoy a luxurious look and well-processed materials that impose a beautiful visual impact.
4/5
★★★★★ 4/5
The exterior packaging of the FOCAL LISTEN employs a simple design that is mainstream, other than the headset itself, the box comes with only an airplane connector and a portable fabric storage bag, where the headset can be stored. Also included is a 1.4m OFX (Oxygen-Free Copper) cable with an easy-to-use multi-functional remote control.
Since there is an omnidirectional microphone on the cable, you can make calls while wearing the headset. The call quality is good, but the microphone doesn’t pose one of Listen’s selling points. It’s a convenient addition, nonetheless.
Overall 4/5
★★★★★ 4/5
Focal Listen is a portable, lightweight headset that has a foldable design and an extremely professional appearance. Each ear cup can be folded inward by 90 degrees, whereas the headband sliders expand significantly to make the headphones suitable for various head sizes.
Workmanship and details are great. The headphones enjoy a luxurious look and well-processed materials that impose a beautiful visual impact. The fully enclosed earcups are made of plastic and have a brushed metal finish applied to them. The whole is sleek and elegant with a black matte finish. The headphones display the company’s brand logo on both sides, giving the headphones a very recognizable look.
The headband’s interior is padded with a rubber layer, resulting in a very pleasing wearing experience. It’s also worth noting that the fully-enclosed design of the Focal Listen coupled with the thick layer of heat-sensitive, high-density memory foam enveloped in soft leather will cover your ears entirely and isolate them from the outside noise efficiently. The red cloth net on the inside near the driver units also adds a nice aesthetic touch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex9yzUosIrY
5/5
★★★★★ 5/5
Focal Listen uses 40 mm titanium polyester drivers, and despite its moderately small diaphragms, the headset’s sound field is immense, even for a closed-back headphone. Listen’s sonic resolution is also very satisfying. It will not make people feel bored since these headphones perform and reproduce a variety of musical genres, adaptable and responsive to a large degree of styles. Rock, Pop, Rap, Metal, Electronic music, you name it. Focal Listen bears no trouble playing any songs.
When you are listening to classical music, the soundstage is relatively wide and open; meanwhile, an attentive listener can distinguish all the scene details. The FOCAL LISTEN’s sound performance is even more amazing. Whether in the reproduction of instruments, vocals, or background notes. Everything can be altogether distinguished. The music is abundant in detail, and even though some vocals might shy away once in a while, the mid-frequency resolution is mostly outstanding. Its large soundstage is a true selling point which ensures Focal Listen an immeasurable edge over other closed-back headphones, allowing the music to feel lifelike.
In terms of overall performance, the FOCAL LISTEN is remarkably well-rounded and poses no flaw whatsoever. But one has to understand that even this magnificent, elegant beast has its shortcomings. The weak point of Focal Listen is the lower-end of the audio spectrum. The basses are pretty good, but not exceptional as its other acoustic elements. Even though you can play digital music and Pop, you can feel that music isn’t genuinely electrifying but rather pleasant and well-reproduced. Low frequencies lack volume, transient performance, but does enjoy a good depth.
As Focal Listen is a reasonably priced headphone for music listening, the sound quality would convince alone. Anyone would love a pair of headphones similar to Focal Listen. They triumphantly embed great style with beautiful sound reproduction and a high comfort level like no other headphone.
Overall 4.7/5
★★★★★ 4.7/5
Focal has done a great job of designing the look of the Listen headphones. They possess a very high-end modern look. Everything on the outside has a soft matte finish on the plastic, which is wonderful.
The design and the choice of materials make the Focal Listen headphones incredibly comfortable to use, even for long periods. The oversized ear cushions made of dense memory foam contribute to the comfort these headphones provide.
Regarding sound quality and music genre adaptability, Focal Listen is undoubtedly an outstanding headphone at this price. You should consider this model, test it out, or buy it when you have the opportunity.
Pros
- Sound is accurately reproduced and enriched with plenty of details
- Music is reproduced impeccably
- Can play a variety of musical genres with ease
- OFC cable with multifunction in-line remote
- Lightweight and comfortable
Cons
- The lows could have been more imposing
- Bulky
