OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Focal Listen Professional Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£180Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Focal Listen Professional Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

6.2

Overall score

Score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
Score components

80%

5.8

Technical score

20%

7.8

User score

â–¼Worse than 52% of headphones
5.8

Technical score

Technical score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
Score components

52%

6.6

Sound

20%

4.3

Features

10%

6.6

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.2

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 57% of headphones
7.8

User score

User score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.5

Number of reviews

Based on 440 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 63% of headphones
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Focal Listen Professional

Technical score
Technical score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 57% of models
Score components:

52%

6.6

Sound

20%

4.3

Features

10%

6.6

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.2

Calls & Controls

5.8
User score
User score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.5

Number of reviews

Based on 440 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.8
Popularity
Popularity
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 58% of models
Popularity:
Focal Listen Professional has a popularity score of 6.5 points, which is higher than that of 57.7% of products in this category.
6.5
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components:

60%

6.2

Overall score

40%

9.6

Price

7.2
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
â–¼ Worse than 27% of models
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Driver size
40 mm
â–² Better than 29% of models
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Number of drivers
1
â–¼ Worse than 4% of models
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
5 Hz
Lowest frequency
5 Hz
â–² Better than 86% of models
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 5 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 10.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
Noise-canceling microphone
no
â–¼ Worse than 39% of models
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
Can be used as a headset
yes
â–² Better than 15% of models
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Number of microphones
1
â–² Better than 27% of models
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
yes
Boom microphone
yes
â–² Better than 87% of models
This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone. 86.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
Connectivity
wired
â–¼ Worse than 49% of models
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
Multipoint support
no
â–¼ Worse than 31% of models
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
Ambient sound mode
no
â–¼ Worse than 25% of models
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
EQ support
no
â–¼ Worse than 23% of models
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
Companion app
no
â–¼ Worse than 22% of models
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
?
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
Quick charge
no
â–¼ Worse than 33% of models
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Focal
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
280 g
Weight
280 g
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 280 g, heavier than 73.1% of headphones and equal to 1.3% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Focal Listen Professional vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    Lowest frequency
    5 Hz
    â–² Better than 86% of models
    Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 20 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sensitivity
    122 dB/mW
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <94 dB/mW – >115 dB/mW
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (122 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    122 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • In-line controls
    In-line controls
    yes
    â–² Better than 63% of models
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Foldable design
    Foldable
    yes
    â–² Better than 52% of models
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Boom microphone included
    Boom microphone
    yes
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 19 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    Sound pressure level
    122 dB SPL
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <94 dB SPL – >115 dB SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (122 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    122 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    Highest frequency
    22,000 Hz
    â–² Better than 52% of models
    Market range: <20k Hz – >40k Hz
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22000 Hz vs 20000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 12 dB higher max SPL
    Max SPL
    122 dB
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <95 dB – >126 dB
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (122 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    122 dB vs 110 dB
  • Foldable design
    Foldable
    yes
    â–² Better than 52% of models
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    Lowest frequency
    5 Hz
    â–² Better than 86% of models
    Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 20 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sensitivity
    122 dB/mW
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <94 dB/mW – >115 dB/mW
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (122 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    122 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 19 dB SPL higher sound pressure level
    Sound pressure level
    122 dB SPL
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <94 dB SPL – >115 dB SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (122 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    122 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    Highest frequency
    22,000 Hz
    â–² Better than 52% of models
    Market range: <20k Hz – >40k Hz
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22000 Hz vs 20000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 12 dB higher max SPL
    Max SPL
    122 dB
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <95 dB – >126 dB
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (122 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    122 dB vs 110 dB
  • In-line controls
    In-line controls
    yes
    â–² Better than 63% of models
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Boom microphone included
    Boom microphone
    yes
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 28.4% higher weight
    Weight
    280 g
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    Market range: <14 g – >340 g
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (280 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    280 g vs 218 g
  • No battery indicator
    Battery level indicator
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    Tangle-free cable
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 4 mm tighter earcup height
    Earcup inner height
    56 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    Market range: <43 mm – >73 mm
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (56 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    56 mm vs 60 mm
  • 2x more expensive
    Focal Listen Professional is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£180 vs £90).
    £180 vs £90
  • 4 mm tighter earcup width
    Earcup inner width
    40 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    Market range: <33 mm – >60 mm
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (40 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    40 mm vs 44 mm
  • 2x more expensive
    Focal Listen Professional is more expensive than the average pair of headphones (£180 vs £90).
    £180 vs £90
  • 28.4% higher weight
    Weight
    280 g
    â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
    Market range: <14 g – >340 g
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (280 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    280 g vs 218 g
  • Tangle-prone cable
    Tangle-free cable
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • 4 mm tighter earcup height
    Earcup inner height
    56 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    Market range: <43 mm – >73 mm
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (56 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    56 mm vs 60 mm
  • 4 mm tighter earcup width
    Earcup inner width
    40 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    Market range: <33 mm – >60 mm
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (40 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    40 mm vs 44 mm
  • No battery indicator
    Battery level indicator
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 56% of models
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

H
homestudiobasics.com
13/12/2025
Summary of the review
Focal Listen Pro Review – A Bass Head's Dilemma?
R
recordingmag.com
01/03/2018
Summary of the review
Focal Listen Professional Headphone: Meant For The Studio
M
musicradar.com
05/04/2019
Summary of the review
Focal Listen Professional review
B
bonedo.de
07/06/2018
Summary of the review
Focal Listen Professional Review
(Translated)Show original
K
kopfhoerer.de
17/05/2018
Summary of the review
Focal Listen Professional review on kopfhoerer.de
(Translated)Show original
B
beat.de
10/09/2018
Summary of the review
Focal Listen Professional Review: Top-Class Headphones for Production, Monitoring, and Mixing
(Translated)Show original
M
musiker-board.de
21/04/2018
Summary of the review
Focal Listen Professional Studio Headphones Review Bonedo
(Translated)Show original
D
delamar.de
01/07/2019
Summary of the review
Focal Listen Professional Review: Foldable High-End Headphones
(Translated)Show original
L
lesnumeriques.com
08/08/2018
Summary of the review
Focal Listen Professional Review: A Smooth Studio Monitoring Headphone
(Translated)Show original
A
alarrecordingstudio.com
08/08/2020
Summary of the review
Focal Listen Professional Studio Headphones
(Translated)Show original
M
musicmaker.nl
16/07/2018
Summary of the review
Focal Listen Professional headphones review
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 440 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: June 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Focal Listen Professional

  • Neutral and accurate sound signature suitable for professional studio monitoring and mixing
  • Excellent vocal clarity and detailed mid-range reproduction
  • Robust build quality with a flexible, durable headband that improves on previous models
  • Effective passive noise isolation provided by a snug closed-back design and memory foam ear pads
  • Low impedance (32 Ohms), making them easy to drive even with mobile devices and laptops
  • Included accessories such as a rigid carrying case and multiple detachable cables (coiled and straight)

What we don't like about Focal Listen Professional

  • Tight clamping force and a lack of padding on the headband can cause discomfort or headaches during long sessions
  • Microfiber ear pads are prone to getting dirty and may wear out or dissolve if washed incorrectly
  • Bass response is described by some as lean or lacking 'meat' for certain genres like rock or metal
  • Small ear cup size may feel more like on-ear than over-ear for users with larger ears
  • Proprietary 3.5mm locking cable mechanism makes finding third-party replacements difficult and expensive
  • W-shaped frequency response or mid-range coloration can sometimes interfere with critical mixing decisions without calibration

Verdict

The Focal Listen Professional is a closed-back circumaural headphone designed for studio monitoring, featuring 40mm Mylar/Titanium transducers that deliver a wide frequency response of 5Hz–22kHz and a sensitivity of 122dB SPL. With a low impedance of 32 ohms, these 280g headphones are easily driven by mobile devices and offer high-quality isolation, 22mm heat-sensitive memory foam ear cushions, and a robust, foldable construction. Main pros include its highly detailed, natural sound signature ideal for critical mixing, exceptional vocal clarity, and the inclusion of premium accessories like a rigid carrying case and two detachable cables. However, common cons include a high initial clamping force that may feel tight, relatively small ear cup dimensions for those with larger ears, and a lack of sufficient padding on the silicone headband that can cause discomfort during long sessions.

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