Focal makes some of the world's best audiophile-quality headphones that were inspired by the company's revolutionary loudspeaker technologies. Focal headphones feature stellar sound, eye-catching designs, and amazing comfort. Use this guide to find the Focal headphone that's right for you.
Focal Utopia 2022 Headphones
The is the second edition of Focal's top-of-the-line flagship open-back headphone. LIke its predecessor, the Utopia 2022 delivers astonishing clarity and detail. The updated Utopia has a smoother top end than the original, and there is some warmth to the sound. The Utopia 2022 also sports an updated aesthetic, with flame logos on the ear cups and a yin yang design encircling the inner ring. Read our Utopia 2022 review.
Sound signature: Dynamic, detailed & warm with a smooth top end
Technical specs:
- Loudspeaker: 1.58" (40mm) pure Beryllium “M” shape dome
- Impedance: 80 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 104dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz
- THD: < 0.2% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 50kHz
- Stock cables:1.5m mini jack cable with 6.35mm jack adapter, 3m cable with XLR connector
Features:
- Headphone type: Circum-aural, open back
- Weight: 17.3 oz (490g)
- Ideal for: Home/critical listener
- Ear pads: 20mm-thick memory foam cushions covered in Pittards leather-microfiber material
- Yoke: Carbon fiber
- Headband: Pittards leather
- Carrying case: 9.8x9.4x4.7" (25x24x12cm)
Focal Bathys Wireless Headphones
A wireless, noise-canceling headphone with audiophile-quality sound and styling? That's the Focal Bathys. What sets this headphone apart from others in its class is that you get 24-bit/192kHz resolution in USB DAC mode. With 30 hours of battery life in ANC mode and excellent comfort, the Bathys is designed for extended wear. Read our Bathys review.
Sound signature: Full-bodied, detailed
Technical specs:
- Speaker drivers: 15/8" (40mm) Aluminum-Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome, made in France
- Frequency response: 15Hz to 22kHz
- Harmonic distortion rate: <0.2% @1kHz
- Bluetooth technology: 5.1 Multipoint
- Bluetooth range: >15m
- Bluetooth frequency range: 2402MHz - 2480Mhz
- Audio codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX
Features:
- Type: Closed-back wireless headphones with active noise cancelling
- Microphones: 8
- Weight: 0.77lb (350g)
- Carrying case: 97/16"x81/4"x23/4" (24x21x7cm)
- Control application: Focal & Naim, iOS and Android compatible
- Connections: Bluetooth® / Jack 3.5mm / USB-C
- Battery life: 30 hours Bluetooth Noise Cancelling; 35 hours Jack mode; 42 hours USB DAC
- Voice assistants: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
Focal Utopia 2020 Headphones
Focal's top-of-the-line flagship open-back headphone delivers amazing clarity and detail and full-range speaker-like sound. The Utopia's sound is smooth, clean, highly resolute and articulate, with a spacious and wide presentation. Think of these headphones as miniature ported speakers with the most amazing sound you can put on your head. Read our Utopia review.
Sound signature: Analytical, detailed, resolute, transparent
Technical specs:
- Loudspeaker: 1.58" (40mm) pure Beryllium “M” shape dome
- Impedance: 80 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 104dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz
- THD: < 0.2% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 50kHz
- Stock cables: 4ft (1.2m) OFC 24 AWG cable with 1/8" (3.5mm) TRS jack connector; 10ft (3m) OFC 24 AWG cable with 4-pin XLR connector; 1 x jack adapter, 1/8" (3.5mm) female – 1/4" (6.35mm) male
Features:
- Headphone type: Circum-aural, open back
- Weight: 17.3 oz (490g)
- Ideal for: Home/critical listener
- Ear pads: 20mm-thick memory foam cushions covered in Pittards leather-microfiber material
- Yoke: Carbon fiber
- Headband: Pittards leather
- Carrying case: 12.8" x 10.2" x 6.5" (326mm x 260mm x 164mm)
Focal Stellia Headphones
The Stellia is essentially a closed-back version of the Utopia, featuring the same smooth, clean, sound and amazing build quality. The Stellia delivers every detail of every piece of music without compromising tonal balance. The soundstage on the Stellia tends to be a bit taller than it is wide, whereas the reverse is true on the Utopia. Read our Stellia review.
Sound signature: Analytical/detailed/resolute
Technical specs:
- Loudspeaker: 1.58" (40mm) aluminum-magnesium 'M'-shaped dome
- Impedance: 35 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 106dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz
- THD: 0.1% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 40kHz
- Stock cables:
- 4ft (1.2m) OFC 24 AWG cable with 1/8" (3.5mm) TRS jack connector
- 10ft (3m) OFC 24 AWG cable with 4-pin XLR connector jack adapter, 1/8" (3.5mm) female – 1/4" (6.35mm) male
Features:
- Headphone type: Circum-aural, closed back
- Weight: 15.3 oz (434g)
- Ideal for: Home or office/Detail-oriented listener
- Ear pads: 20mm memory foam covered in full-grain leather
- Yoke: Solid aluminum
- Headband: Full-grain leather
Focal Clear Mg Headphones
Focal's second-generation open-back Clear headphone has become the Clear Mg. It features the same M-shaped driver as the original Clear headphone, but with a new all-magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome. This updated dome offers exceptional dynamics combined with a capacity to reproduce the tiniest details across the full sound spectrum.
Sound signature: Warm side of neutral
Technical specs:
- Loudspeaker: 1.6" (40mm) magnesium "M" shape dome
- Impedance: 55 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 104dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz
- THD: < 0.25% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 28kHz
- Stock cables:
-
3m balanced cable (XLR 4-pin); 1.2m unbalanced cable (1/8" TRS jack); 1/8" Jack to 1/4" stereo Jack adapter
Features:
- Headphone type: Circum-aural, open back
- Weight: 15.8oz (450g)
- Ideal for: Home listener
- Ear pads: 20mm memory foam cushions covered with a perforated microfiber fabric
- Yoke: Solid aluminum
- Headband: Perforated microfiber and leather
Focal Celestee Headphones
The Celestee features a re-tuned version of the Elegia driver and is permanently taking the place of the Elegia as Focal's entry-level closed-back headphone. The Celestee has a natural, slightly warm sound. The bass is deep and controlled; the midrange is balanced; and the treble is mellow and linear. Read our Celestee review.
Sound signature: Warm side of neutral
Technical specs:
- Loudspeaker: 1.58" (40mm) aluminum-magnesium "M" shape dome
- Impedance: 35 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 105dB SPL / 1 mW @ 1 kHz
- THD: 0.1 % @ 1 kHz / 100 dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 23kHz
- Stock cable: 1 x 4 ft. (1.2m) OFC 24 AWG cable with 1/8" (3.5mm) unbalanced TRS Jack connector; 1 x Jack adapter, 1/8" (3.5mm) point socket 1/4" (6.35mm) point plug
Features:
- Headphone type: Circum-aural, closed back
- Weight: 15.1oz (430g)
- Ideal for: Home or office music lover
- Ear pads: Covered in semi-aniline leather
- Yoke: Solid aluminum
- Headband: Covered in semi-aniline leather
Additional Focal Headphones
Focal Radiance Headphones (Special Edition)
Crafted with the finest luxury in mind, the Radiance is a limited-edition closed-back headphone created in partnership with NAIM and Bentley Motors. The Radiance features a re-tuned version of the Elegia driver, and has a warm, natural sound. The bass is deep and impactful; the midrange is balanced; and the treble is mellow and linear. Read our Radiance review.
Technical specs:
- Loudspeaker: 1.58" (40mm) aluminum-magnesium "M" shape dome
- Impedance: 35 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 101dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz
- THD: < 0.1% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 23kHz
- Stock cable: 4ft (1.2m) OFC 24 AWG cable with 1/8″ (3.5mm) unbalanced TRS jack connector; 1 x jack adapter, 1/8″ (3.5mm) point socket – 1/4″ (6.35mm) point plug
Features:
- Headphone type: Circum-aural, closed back
- Weight: 15.3oz (435g)
- Sound signature: Warm
- Ideal for: Home or office music lover
- Ear pads: Covered in full-grain Pittards leather
- Yoke: Solid aluminum
- Headband: Covered in full-grain Pittards leather
Focal Clear Professional Headphones (Discontinued 2021)
Focal Clear professional headphones are suitable for the most demanding mixing and listening professionals. These open-back headphones incorporate a remarkable evolution of the speaker and an extremely open design aiming to make the headphones disappear, for the benefit of the sound.
Technical specs:
- Loudspeaker: 1.58" (40mm) aluminum/magnesium 'M'-shaped dome
- Impedance: 55 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 104dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz
- THD: 0.25% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 28kHz
- Stock cables:
- 16.4ft (5m) unbalanced cable (1/4" [6.35mm] TRS jack)
- 3.9ft (1.2m) unbalanced cable (1/8" [3.5mm] TRS jack)
- 1/8" to 1/4" jack adapter
Features:
- Headphone type: Circum-aural, open back
- Weight: 15.9 oz (450.7g)
- Sound signature: Warm side of neutral
- Ideal for: Mastering engineer
- Ear pads: 20mm memory foam cushions covered with a perforated microfiber fabric
- Yoke: Solid aluminum
- Headband: Leather and perforated microfiber
Focal Clear Headphones (Discontinued 2021)
The Focal Clear is a great-sounding reference open-back headphone under $2,000. The magnesium driver provides a warmer sound signature than the Utopia, but you still gets lots of detail and resolution at less than half the price.
Technical specs:
- Loudspeaker: 1.58" (40mm) aluminum-magnesium 'M'-shaped dome
- Impedance: 55 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 104dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz
- THD: 0.25% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 28kHz
- Stock cables:
- 9.8ft (3m) balanced cable (XLR 4-pin)
- 9.8ft (3m) unbalanced cable (1/4" [6.35mm] TRS jack)
- 3.9ft (1.2m) unbalanced cable (1/8" [3.5mm] TRS jack)
- 1/8" to 1/4" stereo jack adapter
Features:
- Headphone type: Circum-aural, open back
- Weight: 15.9 oz (450.7g)
- Sound signature: Warm side of neutral
- Ideal for: Home critical listener
- Ear pads: 20mm memory foam cushion covered in a perforated microfiber fabric
- Yoke: Solid aluminum
- Headband: Covered in leather and perforated microfiber
Focal Elear Headphones (Discontinued 2019)
Utopia's "baby brother," the Elear has a clean and detailed sound that isn't overly analytical. Read our Elear review.
Technical specs:
- Loudspeaker: 1.58" (40mm) aluminum-magnesium "M"-shaped dome
- Impedance: 80 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 104dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz
- THD: < 0.3% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 32kHz
- Stock cable: 9.8ft (3m) OFC cable 1/4" [6.35mm] stereo jack; 2 x 1/8" [3.5mm] jack with self-locking system
Features:
- Headphone type: Circum-aural, open back
- Weight: 15.9 oz (450.7g)
- Sound signature: Warm side of neutral
- Ideal for: Home music lover
- Ear pads: 20mm memory foam cushions covered in microfiber
- Yoke: Solid aluminum
- Headband: Covered in microfiber
Focal Elegia Headphones (Discontinued 2020)
The driver from the Elegia has been re-tuned and repurposed for the Focal Radiance and the Focal Celestee. Read our Elegia review.
Technical specs:
- Loudspeaker: 1.58" (40mm) aluminum-magnesium "M"-shaped dome
- Impedance: 35 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 105 dB
- THD: <0.1% @ 1 kHz / 100dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 23kHz
- Stock cable: 3.94-ft (1.2m) asymmetric cable (0.14" - 3.5 mm TRS jack); 0.14" (3.5 mm) to 0.25" (6.35 mm) stereo jack adapter
Features:
- Headphone type: Circum-aural, closed-back
- Weight: 15.1 oz (428g)
- Sound signature: Neutral, flat
- Ideal for: Mastering engineers
- Ear pads: 20mm memory foam cushions covered with microfiber fabric
- Yoke: Solid aluminum
- Headband: Covered in leather and perforated microfiber fabric