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.
Sony has taken a design diversion with the latest update to its 1000X noise cancelling Bluetooth headphone series. The WH-1000XM5 cans feature a sleek new look with a stepless headband slider. Unlike their predecessors, there are no hinges and they’re not collapsible. The ear cushion shape is also slightly rounder, ostensibly to better block externalContinue Reading
Is it really possible to have an immersive home cinema audio experience without surrounding yourself with a plethora of physical speakers, or wearing surround sound headphones? Sony says you can, if you use its new wireless neckband speaker, the SRS-NS7. The SRS-NS7 is hailed as the world’s first Dolby Atmos compatible wireless neckband speaker, aContinue Reading
Marshall has expanded its True Wireless earbud line with its first noise cancelling model, the Motif A.N.C., and cheaper stablemate Minor III. Both models herald an entirely new stick earbud design for the brand, rather than the more familiar dot, but retain the brand’s distinctive rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic. Tech specs look good. Fully charged,Continue Reading
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.
Sony upgrades design and noise cancelling for stylish WH-1000XM5 headphones
Sony has taken a design diversion with the latest update to its 1000X noise cancelling Bluetooth headphone series. The WH-1000XM5 cans feature a sleek new look with a stepless headband slider. Unlike their predecessors, there are no hinges and they’re not collapsible. The ear cushion shape is also slightly rounder, ostensibly to better block externalContinue Reading
Can the cans: Sony launches neckband speaker for personal home cinema sound
Is it really possible to have an immersive home cinema audio experience without surrounding yourself with a plethora of physical speakers, or wearing surround sound headphones? Sony says you can, if you use its new wireless neckband speaker, the SRS-NS7. The SRS-NS7 is hailed as the world’s first Dolby Atmos compatible wireless neckband speaker, aContinue Reading
Marshall gives first noise cancelling True Wireless earbuds some stick
Marshall has expanded its True Wireless earbud line with its first noise cancelling model, the Motif A.N.C., and cheaper stablemate Minor III. Both models herald an entirely new stick earbud design for the brand, rather than the more familiar dot, but retain the brand’s distinctive rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic. Tech specs look good. Fully charged,Continue Reading
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