Focal is a French company specializing in high-fidelity audio components. Unfortunately they’re designed for Apple devices so don’t expect the volume controls to work if you have an Android device. Written and Tested by Chris Thomas. Our only criticism is that the Sphears – as refined and mature sounding as they are – can sound a little polite. Overall, the design of the Focal Sphear is understated and mature but the Klipsch Reference X6i feel better made with its die-cast Zinc housings and beefier cable. 5. By. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Harman Kardon brings 3D spatial audio and live music concerts to your car, Sony launches new 360 Reality Audio wireless speakers and video streaming service, Mercedes MBUX Hyperscreen is a giant 56-inch OLED 'in-car cinema', Wonderfully subtle, balanced and weighty sound. Clean, powerful audio performance with robust bass and bright highs. Focal’s first in-ear headphones offer clear and balanced sound at an affordable price. FOCAL SPHEAR: Audiophile Sound in an In-Ear Headphone. They fit snugly, and never feel as if they’re going to pop out. The Focal Sphear definitely hold their own against some of the more popular brands like Bose, Shure, and Sony. Tested at £100. The earbud housings are made of plastic with a handsome brushed stainless steel grille that helps the headphones feel more expensive. Bath Focal Sphear is the new reigning king, there isn't anything else to be said. The wired Focal Sphear headphones retail for less than $80. It is a bass reflex design, with the port rear-firing into the stainless-steel outer ring and grille. Focal also claims to have built Sphear in a manner akin to a loudspeaker, albeit one with a single, 10.8mm electrodynamic drive unit sitting in the matt-black ABS housing. The Good The Focal Sphear is a lightweight, comfortable in-ear headphone that stays in your ears and sounds impressive for the price, with full bass and pleasantly crisp treble. They really do offer a great value for such a high-performing pair of earbuds. Lenny Kravitz’s Are You Gonna Go My Way is packed with heavy guitars and attacking drums, and the layers of textures are laid bare in a fairly open soundstage. That full-bodied sound and excellent design have won us over – we’d spend £100 on these in-ears. For about the same money, you can get the excellent Klipsch Reference X6i, which feel better made and offer a more laidback and balanced musical presentation. The lows will please a lot of users with its bigger presence and decent control. If you want a pair of headphones for a heavy workout, check out the wireless NuForce BeSport3, which have an IP55 dust and water resistance rating that will stand up to abuse while at the gym. The Focal Sphear Wireless headphones look good, are comfortable, and sound great — but how do they perform? While the Sphear is considered a noise-isolating headphone, it does let in a bit more ambient noise than your typical noise-isolating headphone. Let’s see what $129 dollars buys today. There's an … There was a problem. Focal, an audio company based out of France and most well known for its superior quality loudspeakers, wowed the world with the introduction of its line of headphones. The $4,000 Utopia shook up the audiophile headphone market and the equally impressive budget-friendly Focal Listen helped introduce amateur AV enthusiasts to a brand they might not have ever known. Unique shape offers powerful sound Thanks to their spherical design, the Focal Sphear S manage to pack in 10.8mm drive units. A year and a half ago, I saw a few posts and ads about Focal and I was surprised that they went into “In Ears” market with the Focal Sphear. Focal Sphear In-ear headphones Review. Focal, the French leader in professional acoustics, hi–fi and automotive, completes its range of headphones with a brand new in–ear: Spark. These $150 (£100, AU$220) headphones look and sound great and are perfect for anyone looking for lightweight, portable headphones with a touch of class and rich sound. For a first attempt at making an in-ear headphone, Focal knocked it out of the park with the Sphear. The Focal Sphear share the same mid-forward sound as its over-ear sibling, the Focal Listen. 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Focal’s first in-ear headphones offer clear and balanced sound at an affordable price. Unfortunately, while noise isolation is good with the silicone tips you’ll still be able to hear the bustle of a busy coffee shop. The lilting piano notes in the Amelie soundtrack are fluid and weighty, with each clunk and harmonics delivered clearly. Bass has good extension but could use a bit more impact for electronic and rap music. magazine’. The Sphear S is an IEM and looks to be retailing for $129, although I have seen it for less. Read more. On the other end of the headphones, the cable terminates in a 45-degree 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a good compromise between a straight and L-shaped plug, helping to relieve some cable stress of a fully straight connector. Linkedin. They may not be the best built or best isolating in-ear headphones on the market but for the commuter looking for a comfortable and great sounding pair of in-ear headphones, the Sphears check all the right boxes. For better isolation, you can use the foam tips but regardless the Focal Sphears can’t match the excellent noise isolation of the Shure SE215, despite being much more comfortable. Also included is a nice hard case that will protect the headphones while traveling. New York, Focal has the Shear wireless headphones priced around $129. In the audiophile headphone world, the Focal Sphear is … All rights reserved. What Hi-Fi? The no-frills Focal Sphear in-canal earphones deliver a secure fit and a balanced sound signature that still allows for some added bass depth. The Sphear comes in packaging that can best be described as a labyrinth of cardboard and foam. Well, they’re fine, but not great. This single buttons means you won’t be able to control volume, but that’s the price to pay for a pair of headphones that work with both Apple and Android devices. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Ships with multiple eartip options, including memory foam tips. This makes them a great companion for acoustic and vocal music. 42 people found this helpful. Rival in-ears, such as the Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEis, are a tad livelier and more expressive. Our only criticism is that the Sphears – as refined and mature sounding as they are – can sound a little polite. The stainless steel build is solid and feels of a high quality, but most importantly, that sleek, round design is ideal for keeping the buds secure. BA1 1UA. Sphear S is faithful to Focal’s historic acoustic signature, with a particularly rich mid-range which is never muffled, accurate and clear sound, it is extremely faithful to the original work, and offers harmonic richness, from the low end to the high end, for true listening pleasure. While not the most analytical in its presentation, it clearly is a quality sound that is more for extended listening. Focal Sphear Review. After Sphear in 2015, the first high–end in–ear headphones, Spark will satisfy a mobile, young and connected target. You will receive a verification email shortly. Using 10.8mm electro-dynamic drivers, I expected there to be a smooth and engaging sound, and that’s exactly what I’ve got here. 3.0 out of 5 stars Remote doesn't work properly. Even so, sound quality is … For them, Focal created its first ever in-ear headphone, the Sphear. Phil Tann - 29 November 2015. TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Best 55-inch TVs 2021: smart, 4K, HDR and OLED TVs, Best cheap TVs 2021: the best budget 4K TVs, Best 50-inch TVs 2021: 4K TVs for all budgets. The Focal Sphear S line of headphones has always struck a decent balance between price and quality. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, The Focal Sphear feature bulbous black driver housings which give the headphone ample room for its Mylar drivers. The lilting piano notes in the Amelie soundtrack are fluid and weighty, with each clunk and harmonics delivered clearly. So, the quality of the bass here is very important, and that quality is pretty exceptional for the price. Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. That rawness to Alice in Chain’s Unplugged performance isn’t fully conveyed, although you do get a real sense of the live audience. is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Please refresh the page and try again. The Sphears may be pricey at £100, but their clever design, comfortable fit and engaging sound make them worth the money. French audio company Focal has been creating acoustic equipment since 1979 in the home audio, headphones, car speakers and monitor fields. The Focal Sphear S certainly looks the part but can they hold up on the most important part, sound? They sound great with all types of music and offer an exciting, mid-forward presentation that will make your toe tap with the music. The headphones connect to your listening device through Bluetooth 4.1, which means they’ll get a listening range of up to 10 meters, or 33 feet. The Sphear S really is all about that bass, ‘bout that bass. The Focal Sphears create a bubble of sound in your head, immersing you in crisp audio. Top critical review. Their headphones in fact are some of the best over-ear headphones on the market. Thomas Wellburn. Twitter . Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! I’m glad you enjoyed our Focal Sphear Review and were able to have a little bit a faith restored in in-ear headphones. Speaking of the cable, Focal's cord terminates in a Y-connection where you’ll find the headphone’s single button remote. There’s also an airplane adapter, and a carrying case. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 March 2019 . Sonically, we really enjoyed the rich sound quality of the Focal Sphear. It’s a big sound, and the Sphears tackle that punchy, addictive riff with an agile rhythm and a convincing sense of solidity. ”A gorgeous pair of in-ears that have a full-bodied, detailed sound that’s engaging to listen to.” ‘What Hi-Fi? The Sphear Avoids any harshness or fatigue in the upper range. WhatsApp. I decided to pull the trigger and bought them, which at the time were $150. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Indeed, the Sphear… It’s a big sound, and the Sphears tackle that punchy, addictive riff with an agile rhythm and a convincing sense of solidity. While not as bulletproof as some of the competition, the Focal Sphear sound so good it’s hard to get upset over its plastic build and average noise isolation. Following up on our review last year of the very impressive Focal Sphear in-ear headphones, we now take a look at Focal’s 2017/18 lineup: The Sphear S, Spark and Spark Wireless earphones.. Read on for our review. Visit our corporate site. Sign up below to get the latest from What Hi-Fi?, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! The Focal Sphear is a pair of earphones geared toward serious music lovers. This means you’ll be able to play/pause, skip/rewind tracks and to summon your voice assistant with a long press. The Focal Sphear can easily be described as having a premium, warm sound signature. And that Focal logo on the buds acts as the bass reflex port, which is pretty clever. Which is a good thing, as you won’t want to stop listening to the Sphears. That said, if you want the most secure fit and maximum noise isolation, you’ll want to use the foam tips. They took into account the God-given design of the … A gorgeous pair of in-ears that have a full-bodied, detailed sound that’s engaging to listen to, Focal’s first foray into the in-ear headphones market is off to a smashing start. There are a few bells and whistles, and at $149.99, that implies solid performance. 5-star review. Focal Sphear ⭐ review. December 11, 2015 All in all, the Focal Sphear in-ears are very decent performers, but they are a little light on the bass. The Focal Sphear in-ear headphones are no exception to the balancing act of having to juggle price point and quality. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Focal Sphear S High Definition Earphones - Black at Amazon.com. That’s far less than when they debuted. Sphear breaks with conventions and proves that high-fidelity in-ear headphones can be used for hours on end without the slightest discomfort! NY 10036. So what is the company doing about the portable listening audience? Focal’s first in-ear headphones offer clear and balanced sound at an affordable price. For example, Pharrell's "Freedom" is an emotional, chantlike song, and … © Discover the key facts and see how Focal Sphear performs in the headphones ranking. Focal Sphear In-ear Headphone Review High-end in-ears hit all the right notes—except value. No, this isn’t for the perfect gift for the basshead in your life, but this is right at the border of having too much bass to be called neutral. We found that they generally retained a connection well, and never really skipped or jumped. Compared to the excellent Klipsch Reference X6i, the Sphear has an in-your-face presentation that makes music sound more exciting. Cost: £99.99 Available from: focal.com. They sound wonderful. See all 4 critical reviews › Liam Mobsby. Bass lovers should check out the Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear for added bass response or, for even more bass, check out the Klipsch Reference X8Ri, which offer thicker and more refined bass than the Sennheisers. Well, yes it does, but that doesn’t make for a very informative or exciting review. It’s a minor worry in an otherwise accomplished performance, though. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. April 11, 2016. Lenny Kravitz’s Are You Gonna Go My Wayis packed with heavy guitars and attacking drums, and the layers of textures are laid bare in a fairly open soundstage. Its mid-forward presentation doesn’t detract from the highs and bass either, offering a nice amount of energy in the highs for instruments like the violin. Included in the package are various foam and silicone tips that are very comfortable during extended listening sessions. However, once you excavate these earphones, you’ll find some nifty included accessories, including three pairs of silicon eartips and three pairs of memory foam eartips. Thanks again for stopping by! Focal Sphear in-ear headphones — Review. For comparison, the lower-priced Focal Spark headphones sell for around $45. Visit our corporate site. Th… If you have a tight case, you’ll be happy to know that the slim 3.5mm connector should fit most cases with recessed headphone jacks. Just note they’ll need to be replaced as they get gunked up by ear wax. © Focal also wanted to combine the comfort of earbuds with the bass response capabilities of in-ear monitors. My past reviews of Focal products were quite favorable; does the Sphear S live up to the lofty standards of the others? Sphear is faithful to Focal’s historic acoustic signature, with a particularly rich mid-range which is never muffled, accurate and clear sound, it is extremely faithful to the original work, and offers harmonic richness, from the low end to the high end, for true listening pleasure. These headphones offer an eight hour battery life, and we would have liked to see a little more from them. These sound like they could be twice the price. The in-line remote and mic button is discretely hidden in the logo in the cable’s Y-section, for instance, making it easy to use. The French hi-fi company spent two years developing their debut in-ear headphones, and they certainly seem to have given plenty of careful thought to the Sphears’ design. From home stereo to pro audio, Focal is well known for their consumer audio and pro audio electronics. Focal is known for its high-fidelity audio gear, but the company also dabbles in more affordable products, like the Sphear Wireless earphones.At $129, … Thank you for signing up to What Hi-Fi?. Please refresh the page and try again. Pinterest. Focal’s first foray into the in-ear headphones market is off to a smashing start The Sphears may be pricey at £100, but their clever design, comfortable fit and engaging sound make them worth the money. While the Focal Sphear feel well made, they aren't designed for sweat so we don’t recommend using them at the gym. The Klipsch Reference X6i offer a more laidback approach and a flatter tonal curve, giving them a slight edge in terms of sound to our ears. There was a problem. To combine these things (comfort and bass), Focal started with an entirely new design (they kind of had no choice). Of sound in your head, immersing you in crisp audio 10.8mm drive units in home! 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