With the Listen Professional Focal, you’re assured of value for money. The strengths start with a quality design that goes beyond good workmanship and, as expected, impressive sound levels. These headphones are well suited as an analytical listening instrument that can reveal tonal details in all areas of the frequency spectrum. Those who classify the Listen Professional as pure studio headphones will, however, fail to appreciate its suitability for mobile use. Thanks to a relatively short straight cable with microphone and remote control, low impedance, closed design and folding mechanism, the Listen Professional is an almost perfect companion on the go. Only its high contact pressure will cause some issue with the a few users. If you want to invest your money in good sound and practical headphones, the Focal Listen Professional is an almost perfect choice of headphone.

Overall, the Focal Listen Professional headphone is a great option both for mixers looking for a closed-back reference headphone, as well as those looking for a high performing headphone to take on the go. In fact, it is one of the best options out there, especially at this price point! If you’re looking for a portable headphone with an even and natural sound, I highly recommend checking out the Focal Listen Professional.

I would characterize the Listen Professional as a sort of audio magnifying glass: whatever’s there, it brings closer to you for careful examination. I wouldn’t call it ‘fun’ or ‘easy’—it’s designed to put your music in front of you and not let you look away from problems that need to be addressed, and that makes it a valuable addition to any control room. This headphone sounds gorgeous, but only if you feed it gorgeous audio.

Accurate and flat headphones can often be wearing, so these Focals have achieved a rare balance. Next to our cheaper reference headphones, they really are streets ahead and actually closer to our mid-range reference phones, which perhaps reveals how good the sound quality of these Focals really is.

If sound is your main concern, you can't go wrong with the Focal Listen headphones. They sound great.

The Focal Listen ticks all the right boxes, offering excellent sound and build quality at a mostly affordable price.

French company Focal's closed-back, over-ear headphone is designed for mobile use and delivers excellent sound for $250.

A pair of headphones that can go loud with a rich and insightful sound

The Focal Listen Professionals, are exactly what they say on the tin; ideal for both listening and pro duties. As a result, we’d put them firmly in the all-rounder category. Overall, the fit is snug, but not too tight that long periods in the mixing saddle are unbearable. In fact far from it, the longest period of time we had them on continuously was for around three hours - with little discomfort or need for a ‘breather’. While many engineers and audio specialists may prefer open-backed designs for their lack of fatigue, the closed Listen Pros perform admirably in this regard.