"Well-balanced Sound with Excellent Detail"
Listen is the name of Focal's premium-quality portable headphone. Like all of Focal's headphones, Listen is designed in France and combines all the advantages of mobility and high-fidelity performance for intense listening sessions.
"Both Steve Guttenberg, who writes CNET's Audiophiliac column, and I really liked the way this headphone sounded," notes David Carnoy in his CNET.com review for June 2016. "It offers well-balanced sound with excellent detail; potent, tight bass and clear mids. It also sounds pretty open for a closed-back headphone, so the sound doesn't get stuck inside your head."
"These French headphones are immediately one of the best pairs you can buy for under $300," reports Jeff Dunn, Tech Insider, June 16, 2016. "Listen are the right price and confidently cover the fundamentals."
Excellent Passive Noise Isolation
Listen provides excellent noise isolation with large ear cushions that ensures these headphones preserve all their acoustic qualities, even in loud environments. The heat-sensitive, very high-density memory foam offers impressive comfort for the listener. Listen also benefits from all the research that went into designing Focal's high-end Utopia and Elear headphones with the aim of keeping the shape of the headband constant, regardless of the size of the user's head. This has resulted in remarkable comfort, even during long listening sessions.
When designing Listen, particular attention went into ensuring their ability to withstand the great physical demands of portable headphones. What's more, the compactness of the headphones when folded away makes them an ideal travel companion.
Fully Equipped
Listen is supplied with a flexible carrying case and an aircraft adapter. A 4.5-ft. cable is also provided with a 3.5mm jack and a bayonet connector locking device; a quarter-turn holds the cable in place to ensure it stays connected to the headphones, however demanding the environment. The in-line omnidirectional microphone offers excellent sound pickup, even in loud surroundings. Finally, the large remote control with just one button (compatible with all smartphones) makes it extremely simple and quick to manage calls and control your music.
In terms of speaker drivers, Focal showcases its 35 years of expertise. At the source of Listen's acoustic quality is the innovative 11/2" driver. A Mylar cone is used on the entire driver, and the dome has been given a titanium coating. This ensures optimal suspension compliance and gives the dome a lot more rigidity. Thus, Listen also has an excellent dynamic range, tight bass and remarkable tonal balance.