Focal Celestee review
Our Verdict
The Focal Celestee doesn't come inexpensive, only what these closed-back cans deliver in sound and fashion make them an enticing splurge.
For
- Exceptional audio
- Beautifully assembled
- Great noise isolation
- Reasonably affordable compared to other high-end headphones
- Three-year warranty
Confronting
- Large, bulky and heavy
- Can't use for calls or voice assistance
- No onboard controls
Tom'due south Guide Verdict
The Focal Celestee doesn't come cheap, simply what these closed-back cans deliver in sound and way brand them an enticing splurge.
Pros
- +
Infrequent sound
- +
Beautifully assembled
- +
Great racket isolation
- +
Reasonably affordable compared to other high-end headphones
- +
Three-year warranty
Cons
- -
Big, beefy and heavy
- -
Can't use for calls or voice assistance
- -
No onboard controls
The Focal Celestee is the latest creation from the French high-allegiance audio staple. It'south a pair of circum-audible, closed-back headphones that comes with remarkable sound and build quality that outdoes even the best over-ear headphones. What'southward even more than phenomenal is the price, which, at $990, is actually inexpensive compared to other truly loftier-end headphones.
Focal Celestee specs
Colors: Navy Blue/Copper
Size: 9.8 x 9.4 x iv.7 inches (carrying case)
Weight: 15.ii ounces
Driver size: 'M'-shaped Aluminium/Magnesium dome full-range speaker
Connectivity: Wired
Accessories included: ane x 4-pes OFC 24 AWG cablevision with 1/eight-inch unbalanced TRS Jack connector, 1 x jack adapter, one/eight-inch betoken socket 1/4-inch point plug, carrying case
That'south right. The Celestee runs for nigh a grand, placing it beneath luxe heavy hitters such as the Meze Audio Empyrean, simply besides above market favorites similar the Sony WH-1000XM4 and even sibling models similar the Focal Elegia, which shares similar specs. Some will say that the blueprint and technology totally warrant its MSRP, while others will complain that certain omissions (concrete controls and intelligible features) make it a questionable splurge. To that, I say read our Focal Celestee review and see which side of the statement these wired cans fall under.
- The all-time headphones with a mic for phonation and video calls
- The best wireless headphones we've tested
Focal Celestee review: Price and availability
- Focal Celestee for $990 at Adorama
The Focal Celestee goes for $990 at select online retailers, including Adorama and Moon Sound. It's only sold in ane colour scheme: Navy Blueish/Copper. A three-yr warranty comes with the buy.
Every bit crazy as it sounds, this pair of headphones are relatively affordable compared to some of Focal's other models, falling correct in betwixt the $890 Elegia and $ane,490 Clear, and listed much lower than the $3,990 Utopia. At the same time, it'south steeper than many of the market'south best headphones, including the Sony WH-1000XM4, a Tom's Guide favorite that offers stellar sound and functionality for nearly a third of the price.
For all of the latest sales, be sure to bookmark our best headphones deals page.
Focal Celestee review: Blueprint
The materials, accessories, color scheme and even the silhouette — everything nearly the Celestee looks and feels opulent. Information technology all comes together in ane sleek package, and when paired with a headphone stand, can be a nice decorative piece for whatever study or man-cave.
Like the Elegia, these are airtight-back headphones that completely seal around the back to block out external sounds, so you can enjoy audio at its fullest. This type of design makes the Celestee a suitable option if you desire a model that can eliminate ambient noise in a more natural way than agile noise counterfoil; not anybody's ears can handle the compression or hissing produced by ANC technology.
The ear cups are what stand out nearly on these cans. On the exterior, you lot're looking at durable plastic casing with some unique detailing. This includes a dimple texture, rose gilded bolts, and an engraved logo that exposes a vent (more on this later). The inside has a honeycomb speaker grille and supple leatherette that wrap around the cups and headband. Then yous have the thin and sturdy aluminum yokes that have some stretchability to them, though I wouldn't exam your forcefulness to see if you tin can bend them.
Nowadays, it's odd to see whatever pair of headphones without some sort of controls. The Celestee doesn't accept any. Nor are there whatsoever mics built into the design, meaning y'all can't use the Celestee to brand calls, video conference with co-workers or burn up your device'due south native digital assistant. Lamentable, Siri.
Focal Celestee review: Comfort and fit
All of these fancy components come at a cost, and I'm non just talking price. The Celestee is a hefty beauty at 15.two ounces. That puts it in the same weight grade equally the Elegia and Clear, but it is still heavier than flashy, well-congenital models similar the Five-Moda M-200 ANC (11.iii ounces). These headphones are cumbersome to carry around, fifty-fifty when rested on your shoulders, and the tight clamp force produced by the headband affects comfort the longer yous clothing them.
Those who use the Celestee for curt stretches will enjoy decent comfort. The plush padding on the ear cups is gentle on the skin and doesn't apply too much pressure level on the side of the head. The cutouts are really wide too, giving your ears more than room to breathe. Also, the speaker grille won't pierce your ears like some other over-ear headphones do.
The yokes are lengthy and accommodate all head sizes. I suggest figuring out the proper setting for your skull because the looser the fit, the more than likely they will sideslip off due to all of that actress weight. You don't want these bad boys striking the ground.
Focal Celestee review: Accessories
I truly believe that whatever pair of headphones priced over $500 should come loaded with accessories. Still, knowing already what Focal bundles with their headphones, I tempered my expectations. The Celestee's master improver is a hefty zippered conveying example that boasts a tweed fabric design inspired past the headphone's colorway. Yes, it's incredibly bulky, but notable inclusions like the leather handle grant some portability, fifty-fifty if the entire parcel weighs you down. More than importantly, information technology's solid every bit hell and protects the headphones.
You can also shop the accompanying aux cable and aureate-plated 3.5mm adapter in there, along with other mobile accessories. Both of these are congenital to survive the daily corruption y'all'll probable put them through, be information technology at your desk or on commutes. If is in that location 1 complaint, it'due south that the cable has very footling pliability and gets in the mode a lot, especially when wearing the headphones outside.
Focal Celestee review: Drivers
The driving force backside the Celestee's sound is the aforementioned hardware blimp within the Elegia. I'm referring to the company's 40mm dynamic full-range driver with aluminum/magnesium "K" shape dome. Yet, Focal did tune its driver differently to give the Celestee its own unique sound profile.
Remember the vent I mentioned before? It also serves great purpose. By employing it into the pattern of each ear cup, this allows for controlled frequency response, tighter bass especially. The results definitely evidence, as listeners are given an incredibly well-balanced soundstage with high resolution and zilch distortion, even when blasting music at high book.
Focal Celestee review: Audio quality
When looking at the toll, annihilation less than infrequent sound would exist a gyp. I'm happy to report that the Celestee won't rob you of an splendid listening experience. You can expect refined sound output with an accent on clarity and bass.
While I wasn't able to exam these headphones with a high-end audio system or DAC, the Celestee still performed at an elite level. It delivered equally of detail and nuance from my favorite recordings. For comparison, I did put it upward against an industry favorite: the WH-1000xM4.
Despite the closed-back design, the Celestee's sound profile has some airiness to it that you would hear on aristocracy open up-back headphones. The vocal presence on Armada Foxes' "Fool's Errand" was magnificent, as the headphones gave layered harmonies more expression and distinction. It was astonishing to hear how sharply focused the guitar strums sounded, as well as background instruments like the tambourine.
Something that really grabbed my attending was the Celestee's audio-visual quality. The bass guitar on Jazz classics like Joe Pass "Ain't Misbehavin'" had such hit realism to it, as if the musician was giving a masterclass in the condolement of my living room. I found just as much joy on upbeat tracks like The Notorious B.I.Grand.'due south "Hypnotize." The monstrous bassline was impactful, while Diddy'due south adlibs, a particular I barely e'er noticed when listening on other headphones, were clear and pronounced.
The Celestee's low cease was stable, not too aggressive, nor also tamed, only producing merely enough kick to complement overall sound. Although, if heavy bass is what y'all crave, then the WH-1000XM4 volition satiate your thirst. On the flip side, mids, highs, and vocal range perform amend on the Celestee.
Focal Celestee review: Noise isolation
Despite the Celestee existence made for at-domicile listening, I took it outside to see how information technology would perform in noisier backgrounds, and was surprised past how well it minimized external sounds. Common distractions similar Amazon delivery trucks, gusty winds, and passing cars went silent for the well-nigh office.
You don't demand the best noise-cancelling headphones to enjoy music peacefully. All it takes is a good closed-ear design to do the play a joke on, which the Celestee demonstrates superbly. This pair of headphones served me well when sharing office infinite with my wife and newborn. I was able to block out the missus' Zoom calls and any incessant whimpering that took identify afterward naptime.
As for leakage, let'due south only say you'll want to play information technology cool with volume levels considering blasting music will bleed a high amount of sound. My wife had to pull my collar a few times, requesting that I lower the music to keep the baby from waking up. Dropping volume down one or two levels wasn't plenty because she could nonetheless hear exactly what I was streaming. My advice is to prepare the book around 50 percent.
Focal Celestee review: Portability
You need to be a serious audiophile to motility around with these headphones tethered to your iPhone. Size and weight alone make the Celestee i of the to the lowest degree portable-friendly headphones out there. Only if you're willing to compromise to enjoy howdy-fi sound on your mobile devices, who's to terminate you?
The peachy news is that audio remains untouched when transitioning from a laptop to a smartphone. And, the Celestee will adapt to any changes yous implement, which may consist of tweaking the EQ in Spotify or selecting one of the numerous presets available in the iPhone settings. Every bit tempting every bit it may be, don't experience persuaded to do either because Focal's sound contour is far superior to any of those options.
For those who loving binging YouTube on the go, you lot'll be happy to know that there isn't any latency when watching videos. All audio is synchronized and crisp.
Focal Celestee review: Verdict
Not everyone has $990 to driblet on a pair of headphones, but the Focal Celestee'south performance and craftsmanship might make yous call up nigh breaking the bank. This set of cans will accept you lot unearthing dissimilar elements in recordings that you lot've probable never heard before. The isolation is provides is surprisingly constructive, then you don't have to worry virtually the lack of ANC. Build quality is top notch, besides.
However, with the Celestee designed mainly for at-home listening, you're stripped of several novelties that would ordinarily come with less expensive wired and wireless headphones. These include onboard controls, the ability to make calls, and Siri or Google Banana utilise. And though the Celestee does neutralize external sounds very well when worn outside, commuting with it isn't practical when factoring in size, weight, and minor nuisances like the unpliable cable.
If none of that matters and you lot have room in the budget, then the Celestee makes for a rewarding purchase. If your upkeep is shot, and so a model like the Sony WH-1000XM4 can be just as valuable, and for a whole lot less.
- More: Our picks of the best noise-cancelling earbuds
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/focal-celestee
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