Focal has just launched the Celestee luxury closed-back headphones, manufactured in France. Celestee follows in the footsteps of Focal’s Elegia headphones, and features a new navy blue color – a color that is a first for the Focal headphone collection, and a color the company says was chosen after consultation with Designer and Product Colorist Doris Bölck, as it blends with the soft copper finish of the headphones. She commented, “Navy is the new black. Dark blue is a versatile and timeless color that has been increasing in popularity. By choosing navy blue, we are adding a sophisticated, sumptuous feel to the headphones. The combination of this blue with copper and bronze accents is a trend influenced by interior and accessory design, and has become popular in watchmaking and consumer electronics sectors. These shades offer a very interesting and elegant alternative to more traditional chrome and silver parts.”
Celestee combines the latest Focal headphones technologies: full-range speaker drivers with a 1 5/8-inch (40mm) aluminum/magnesium ‘M’-shape dome manufactured in Focal’s St. Étienne workshops. Focal provides an acoustic treatment inside the ear pads that is said to limit resonance and improve sound performance; the choice of leather ear pads extends the bass frequency response.
Five manufacturing stages are involved before the speaker drivers are complete, when they are then tested and measured. The clean lines of the aluminum yoke create controlled geometry to mold to the head while providing optimal grip, says the company, and the choice of a semi-aniline leather and a microfiber headband, as well as leather earpads, provides added comfort while offering soundproofing. A thermoformed woven carrying case in colors to match the headphones is included.
The Focal Celestee will be priced at $990, and will be available in the U.S. in February.
