French audiophile outfit Focal has launched Celestee, wired Hi-Fi headphones that it says set a new benchmark for luxury personal listening.
The brand’s speakers and headphones are widely recognised for their high-end performance, but with Celestee it’s also pushing the design envelope too, opting for a striking navy blue aluminium yoke to contrast the signature soft copper details (speaker driver grille, cable connectors, rings) on the earcups.
“Dark blue is a versatile and timeless colour that has been increasing in popularity,” says Doris Bölck, Designer and Product Colourist. “By choosing navy blue, we are adding a sophisticated, sumptuous feel to the headphones.” Bölck says the combination reflects a trend in interior and accessory design, and has become particularly popular in watchmaking. “These shades offer a very interesting and elegant alternative to more traditional chrome and silver parts.”
With Celestee, Focal is pushing the design envelope , opting for a striking navy blue aluminium yoke to contrast the signature soft copper details…
The Focal Celestee feature large 40mm drivers
Focal engineers have taken inspiration from the cheaper Focal Elegia headphones, introducing acoustic treatment inside the Celestee earcups. In other respects, they nod to the brand’s flagship closed-back Stellias.
The closed-back design makes them suitable for both home and on-the-go use, although cans of this calibre and style would seem best suited to an evening in your favourite recliner.
Build quality appears superb. A semi-aniline leather and microfibre headband, coupled to leather earpads with distinctive stainless steel grille, promise comfort and sonic isolation (although it should be noted these headphones don’t feature noise cancelling technology, as championed by rivals).
The headphones utilise large 40mm aluminium/magnesium full-range speaker drivers. Claimed characteristics include a deep bass extension with accurate treble and high-mids.
The Focal Celestee headphones, which ship with a matching thermoformed woven carry case, sell for £999.
This time out, The Luxe Review podcast lends an ear to the latest developments in personal audio. Join our AI hosts as they recap TLR’s recent headphone coverage, including a review of Sony’s new WH-1000X flagship cans, and a literal paint swatch of new colourways from JBL and Technics… Anne: The team has been covering…
Campfire Audio has unveiled the Chimera, a new flagship in-ear monitor that combines four distinct driver technologies within a single design. Hand-built in Portland, Oregon, the luxury earphones bring together a dynamic driver, balanced armatures, electrostatic tweeters and, for the first time in a Campfire Audio product, a bone-conduction driver. The idea is to deliver…
The 1000X The Collexion is the most indulgent headphone yet from Sony. Crafted in celebration of its award-winning, and best-selling, WH-1000XM series, and marking a decade of the brand’s flagship wireless line, the 1000X has been created with the sole aim of delivering Sony’s most engaging headphone experience yet. But has it succeeded? Certainly, the…
The Luxe Review 
French audiophile outfit Focal has launched Celestee, wired Hi-Fi headphones that it says set a new benchmark for luxury personal listening.
The brand’s speakers and headphones are widely recognised for their high-end performance, but with Celestee it’s also pushing the design envelope too, opting for a striking navy blue aluminium yoke to contrast the signature soft copper details (speaker driver grille, cable connectors, rings) on the earcups.
“Dark blue is a versatile and timeless colour that has been increasing in popularity,” says Doris Bölck, Designer and Product Colourist. “By choosing navy blue, we are adding a sophisticated, sumptuous feel to the headphones.” Bölck says the combination reflects a trend in interior and accessory design, and has become particularly popular in watchmaking. “These shades offer a very interesting and elegant alternative to more traditional chrome and silver parts.”
Focal engineers have taken inspiration from the cheaper Focal Elegia headphones, introducing acoustic treatment inside the Celestee earcups. In other respects, they nod to the brand’s flagship closed-back Stellias.
The closed-back design makes them suitable for both home and on-the-go use, although cans of this calibre and style would seem best suited to an evening in your favourite recliner.
Build quality appears superb. A semi-aniline leather and microfibre headband, coupled to leather earpads with distinctive stainless steel grille, promise comfort and sonic isolation (although it should be noted these headphones don’t feature noise cancelling technology, as championed by rivals).
The headphones utilise large 40mm aluminium/magnesium full-range speaker drivers. Claimed characteristics include a deep bass extension with accurate treble and high-mids.
The Focal Celestee headphones, which ship with a matching thermoformed woven carry case, sell for £999.
The Luxe Review Podcast: These new headphones are designed to turn heads
This time out, The Luxe Review podcast lends an ear to the latest developments in personal audio. Join our AI hosts as they recap TLR’s recent headphone coverage, including a review of Sony’s new WH-1000X flagship cans, and a literal paint swatch of new colourways from JBL and Technics… Anne: The team has been covering…
Campfire Audio unveils ultra-premium bone-conducting Chimera in-ear monitors
Campfire Audio has unveiled the Chimera, a new flagship in-ear monitor that combines four distinct driver technologies within a single design. Hand-built in Portland, Oregon, the luxury earphones bring together a dynamic driver, balanced armatures, electrostatic tweeters and, for the first time in a Campfire Audio product, a bone-conduction driver. The idea is to deliver…
Sony 1000X The Collexion headphone review: Luxurious comfort, premium styling, yacht rock sound
The 1000X The Collexion is the most indulgent headphone yet from Sony. Crafted in celebration of its award-winning, and best-selling, WH-1000XM series, and marking a decade of the brand’s flagship wireless line, the 1000X has been created with the sole aim of delivering Sony’s most engaging headphone experience yet. But has it succeeded? Certainly, the…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Share this: