Focal Listen

Anyone heard these yet?

http://www.focal.com/headphones/#listen

http://www.pcmag.com/review/345552/focal-listen
http://www.soundguys.com/focal-listen-review-8981/
http://www.head-fi.org/t/815009/focal-listen-impressions-and-review#post_12751221

 

You will get a free bump from me. I'm always on the lookout for the next best pair of portable closed cans. I haven't found one that matches all my needs yet, so I would love to hear more about these too.

 

I haven't heard them yet -- but I'm definitely interested in checking them out. It looks like they've addressed some of my build quality concerns from the Focal Spirit Pro/Classic with this iteration.

 

Priced right in my wheelhouse for a closed headphone. Tuning appears right in SBAFs wheelhouse, as well. I'm interested!

 

I will definitely be watching these closely, the sound signature sounds right up my alley. I've had the Spirit Pro on my shortlist for a while but never pulled the trigger due to multiple issues (build, comfort, etc.) Since these won't see a ton of use $249 is just about what I'd want to spend on a pair.

 

Wow $249 is certainly a tempting price point. I really like closed back portables and have torn through most of the obvious ones and then some. Somehow I've settled on a couple IEMs for now...

Not the most ideal sources for review, but both mention they're comfortable which is very promising...

http://www.pcmag.com/review/345552/focal-listen
http://www.cnet.com/products/focal-listen/

 

Anybody have any measurements of these? I feel like the Meze and the PM-3 are the only other viable options for portable closed cans right now (Sine is on-ear so f**k that).

 

Not sure about that 100hz dip, but otherwise looks ok I think

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FocalListen.pdf

Text from Tyll's July Update where those measurements were found:

Not sure I'll review the Listen...yet, still getting used to it. But damn sure I'll be reviewing the uber-dynamic sounding Elear. The Utopia should be here sometime today. No doubt you'll be seeing measurements show up in a review before you see them in the next Update. This is some exciting stuff!
Read more at http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelity-update-july-2016#7p1ElPVRdvL6AHGr.99​

 

They have the best isolation I've seen in the current closed back. Better than the Ether-C it looks like.

 

I'm a fan of Focal and I got the Listens today - comfortable (unlike Focal Spirit Pro), well built and portable when folded, they look quite sexy. Now for the sound - neutralish with a touch of "loudness" applied (bass/mid and treble have couple of db more here and there), similar to Focal Spirit Pros but no grain and better imaging - I'd say they sound better but there's one thing annoying me, there seems to be a small treble spike somewhere around 10khz.. it's not a big deal but if it wasn't there this headphone would be perfect considering the price. I've teabagged them to reduce it a bit, but maybe they just need longer burn in. Any tips on how to deal with the spike (apart from eq)?

 

I have nothing to add but I was initially smitten with the Focal Spirit Pro as a closed can user. Soon enough I had grievances, including comfort/build quality. I don't know if I ever saw these existed but now I have something to keep an eye out for. Do let us know how you get on after you've had some time to live with it.

 

Indeed the Spirit Pro is one of the few cans I use as reference for closed back- I was happy jumping between the Pros and my HD600s without feeling something major was missing (unlike many many other closed back cans). shame they screwed up the comfort. If I don't manage to somehow overcome the treble peak in the Listens the Pros might still keep torch

 

Slightly off topic, but I find the Spirit Pros a good choice for reference closed-backs too. (Next to my trusty 600.) The best I've heard for recording this far when lots of isolation is needed. They are slightly dark overall, especially in the highest highs (they are VERY closed) and have a very prominent presence region - maybe to make that very important range audible. I'd say the poor comfort is caused by that huge clamp, the pads aren't too bad really.

 

Allrighty, i've had few days to make up my mind about the Focal Listen, i'm not completely sold. Mind you I always have high expectations of Focal due to their Focal Spirit Pro accomplishment and reference studio monitor heritage.
The treble peak is bothering me too much, if there's any sibilance in a track it will be magnified - i think this is exaggerated as there's a dip before this treble presence region, they sound darkish but with a very sparkly top. I'd say they are kind of W shaped. I used toilet paper over the drivers (the pads are easy to take off for modding).
The bass is excellent and reaches all they way down, there's more bass than neutral, but not by a huge margin. Imaging is good, and comfort is fine.
I can see what Focal tried to do here - they aimed for these to be used with mobile phones and lesser quality sources that might have murky high frequencies (mp3) and weak bass, so they enhanced these areas. They sound ok out of my dragonfly red + phone, and any source which is more mid centric and warmish should do fine with them.
I don't think they dethrone Focal Spirit Pros when it comes to sound, the Pros are more balanced and this is the most important quality for me. Still though, I will say the Listens are worth a listen - they still have a certain Focal flavour which is analytical/clear but smooth at the same time, if with a bit too much treble.
My journey to find a reasonably priced, comfortable and portable closed back headphone continues... Perhaps the Focal Spirit Classic? It looks like it might be more comfortable than the Pro but still measure well.

 

The Focal Sprit (whatever model) were painful for me as they clamped like crazy. How do the Listens compare?

 

Listens are more comfortable - clamp is less and earpads are larger. Still not the most comfortable on the planet but a significant improvement

You can improve the Pros comfort by stretching them overnight - put a pile of books in between the pads.. don't over do it though, they can break but Focal will still happily honour warranty. I do think that recent Pros seem to have slightly less clamp too, Focal must have tweaked them due to customer feedback