Excellent packaging by the manufacturer. Quality of build and sound are terrific. Comfortable fit.

Everything

None

A pair of headphones that doesn't manage to stand out from the crowd

Smooth sound; Solid organisation; Acceptably poised midrange

Creaky headband; Humdrum low frequency response; Lacklustre overall performance

With so many sound technologies now available in headphones, lots of over-ear models cram in all the bells and whistles features - which typically sees the price skyrocket. Not so the Focal Listen.

Vocal tracks have best potential; good sound isolation without active cancellation; comfortable to wear

Design feels plasticky; neutral profile ultimately lacks bass and sounds too thin and without drive; no Bluetooth or noise-cancellation

You may not have heard of French audio company Focal, but they're actually a highly regarded speaker manufacturer . The company has since branched off to create headphones, sound bars and even car audio systems.

I fell in love with the sound of these. The bass doesn't overwhelm the rest of a record, it's tight and punchy but humble at the same time. Each track I listen to through these headphones is so immersive!

I have been using these nearly daily for the last 3 weeks, mainly while walking the dog for an hour or so after work, but also while sitting in the dining room when I cant have my speakers playing. I have found the sound to be pretty good, lots of detail, roomy sound and deep clear bass.

Absolutely STUNNING clarity with the low end not being too overpowering. I listen to an eclectic mix of music and have not noticed any variances at all. These headphones are really comfortable and I am able to listen for several hours without pain from them being too tight.

I am pleased that I bought these headphones as they make music sound amazing. The only downside is that they are a bit tight on my head (maybe this will improve with time).

The Focal Listen delivers lots of detail and vitality, and the bass is to die for.

Excellent isolation from external noise; Lightweight yet rugged design; Plentiful; but not overdone bass

Can sound too bright with harsh or overcompressed recordings

It's not everyday that a non-audiophile headphone peaks my interest as much as the Listen by Focal has. While is historically a audiophile speaker system company, with a few headphones here and there, they have been gaining press and momentum with their grand entrance into the headphone market as a...