About the Focal Listen
Everyday headphones with a rich pedigree
Everyday headphones with a rich pedigree
The Focal Listen over-ear headphones feature a one-button in-line remote that controls most phones.
Few names ring out in the world of speakers like Focal. Both their car and home speakers earn high marks from our customers. And if you want to enjoy sound crafted by the French audio experts while you're at work, on the train, or going about your day, grab a pair of these Focal Listen headphones.
Chrome-plated, closed-back earcups help keep the bass tight and punchy. They house mylar and titanium drivers that are based on the ones in Focal's heavy-hitter Utopia and Elear headphones, for lively yet well-balanced sound.
Form-fitting design
These headphones are designed to stay put on your head, so that they don't fall off when you're listening on the go. Clamping force out of the box was bit much for my taste, but I know some people — like my wife — prefer a snug headphone fit. The good news is that the "soft touch" headband is flexible and durable enough that you can actually twist it. So I could stretch it out and loosen up the fit a little. Plus the memory foam earpads are thick and soft.
Remote/mic cable and other accessories
On the detachable cable, you'll find a one-button "universal" remote, which offers music and call controls for just about any smartphone, including Apple® and Android™ models. There's a built-in microphone further up the cable, helping ensure the caller on the other end can hear you. Focal also included a soft travel bag and airplane adapter for in-flight entertainment systems.
Product highlights:
- large closed-back, chrome-plated earcups help block out external noise
- 40mm mylar/titanium drivers deliver detailed, dynamic sound
- deep, controlled bass response
- designed and developed in Saint-Etienne, France
- detachable 55-inch oxygen-free copper cable with miniplug
- in-line one-button remote and microphone for controlling music and phone calls on your smartphone
- compatible with Apple and Android phones
- thick memory-foam earpads and soft headband for long-lasting comfort
- airplane adapter included
- folding design for easy storage
- soft, padded carry bag included
- frequency response: 15-22,000 Hz
- sensitivity: 104 dB
- impedance: 26 ohms
- weight: 9.6 ounces
- warranty: 1 year
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- MFR # Listen
Fit FactorsSM
- Stable (stays on head)
- Snug fit
- Good for work/office
Fit FactorsSM
Headphone Guy
Comfort is an often overlooked — but extremely important — factor when it comes to headphones. How your headphones fit and feel plays a big part in how much you'll enjoy them.
We tested and scored several headphones to give you a better idea about fit and wearability before you buy.
How the Focal Listen's measure up
Here are our main takeaways for these headphones, including key measurements and how they stack up with the other over-ear headphones we tested.
Overall comfort
Security & stability
| Highlights | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stable (stays on head) | Snug fit | Firm padding (earcup and headband) |
| Recommended for | ||
|---|---|---|
| Work, office | Commute, on-the-go | Focused listening |
| Specs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ||
| 10.7 oz | | |
| Earcup width | ||
| 3.2 in | | |
| Earcup height | ||
| 3.7 in | | |
How did we test comfort?
We invited a group of 20 Crutchfield employees to try on a selection of 50 over-ear headphones and grade them on fit and comfort. See all headphones we tested.
How did we grade these headphones?
Our participants rated each set of headphones by assigning a separate score for five different fit and comfort elements, or "Fit Factors": (1) ear pad softness; (2) headband softness; (3) clamping pressure; (4) perceived weight; and (5) how secure and stable they stayed during head movement.
Learn more about our Fit Factor testingWhat's in the box:
- Over-ear headphones
- 55" Audio cable with in-line mic and remote (angled 3.5mm plug)
- Aircraft adapter (female 3.5mm jack and two male 3.5mm plugs)
- Padded zippered pouch
- User Manual
Featured review
Excellent packaging by the manufacturer. Quality of build and sound are terrific. Comfortable fit.
Jeff from Lander, WY
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More details on the Focal Listen
Features & specs
| General | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fit Style | Over-the-ear | |
| Earcup Type | Closed | |
| Earcup Width x Height | 3.24" x 3.674" | |
| Noise-canceling | No | |
| Bluetooth | No | |
| Mic For Taking Calls | Yes | |
| Voice Assistant Access | ||
| Amazon Alexa | No | |
| Google Assistant | No | |
| Siri | No | |
| Connectors | ||
| 3.5mm | Yes | |
| 1/4" | No | |
| Lightning | No | |
| 4.4mm balanced | No | |
| XLR4 balanced | No | |
| 2.5mm | No | |
| Other | None | |
| Specs | ||
| Frequency Response | 15-22k Hz | |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB | |
| Impedance | 32 Ohms | |
| Weight | 10.7 ounces | |
| Cord Length | 55" | |
| Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
| Labor Warranty | 1 Year | |
Product Research
Features
Overview: The Focal Listen over-ear premium mobile headphones are designed for music lovers on-the-go. The headphones are designed in France by Focal's acoustic engineers. A 55" detachable cable is included, along with an airline adapter to use when you're traveling. The ear cups fold in to make them compact for traveling, and come with a soft, padded storage pouch.
Drivers: The Listen features large diaphragm (40mm) Mylar and Titanium transducers that hold their shape, delivering tight bass, balanced sound, and superb dynamic range.
Ear Cups: The circum-aural ear cups and headband are made with heat-sensitive memory foam to give you comfort for hours of listening. The chrome-plated outer ear cup covers feature manual brushing for an elegant look. The closed back design and thick ear pads provide excellent isolation from outside noise.
Cable: The included 55" cable has an in-line omnidirectional microphone for phone calls, and a separate in-line one-button remote. The remote can control the playback (play/pause/next track/previous track) of digital music files, and mobile phone calls (answer/hang up), and is compatible with most smart devices. The Oxygen-free copper (OFC) cable and gold-plated terminals provide the best signal transfer. The supplied gold-plated airline adapter lets you use the headphones for in-flight entertainment.
Specifications:
- Frequency Response: 15Hz - 22kHz
- Impedance: 32 ohms
- Sensitivity: 122dB SPL @ 1kHz / 1 Vrms
- THD: <0.4% / 1 kHz / 100dB SPL
- Weight: 10.7 ounces (with cable)
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