When picking out any pair of headphones, you’re making a compromise of some kind between price, features, … The stainless steel build is … Keep an eye on your inbox! The sub-bass synth hits that punctuate the beat are modestly delivered in Neutral mode, but their bass presence, as well as the drum loop's, is substantially heightened in Loudness mode. This is where the Sphears really shine. October 9, 2017; New products; French speaker makers Focal has updated their award-winning Sphear in-ear headphones. Apple's AirPods Max Over-Ear Headphones Are Here, and They're Expensive, Getting Static or Crackling in Your AirPods Pro? It’s funny but true since Focal only started foraying into the IEM category barely two years ago. Read on… I’m pretty sure almost everyone has a pair of in-ear headphones lying about at home. While they’re not K-Mart cheap, they are cheaper than I would have expected from Focal. In both modes, the vocals are clean and clear, though there's a hint of added sibilance. On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife's "Silent Shout," the bass depth is delivered with a fullness and richness that isn't over the top, and is complemented well by bright, clear highs. Apple Will Fix It for Free. The Focal Spark Wireless earphones feature an eight hour battery life, making them ideal for commuting and listening on-the-go. You can answer calls on it, and it sounded acceptable, though this isn’t a feature I use frequently, admittedly. The control module has a USB Micro port covered by a rubber flap, and plugging it in will charge the headphones up in about two hours. The Focal Sphear Wireless earphones deliver a good audio experience, with two useful EQ modes, for a reasonable price. Two plastic compartments weigh the thin cabling down on either side; the compartment closest to the left earpiece houses the inline remote control, mic, and the covered micro USB port for charging. Using the Voice Memos app on an iPhone 8, we could understand every word we recorded, but the audio quality is among the worst we've heard in awhile—fuzzy and distorted. On Jay-Z and Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild," the kick drum loop receives an ideal level of high-mid presence, allowing its attack to retain its punchy edge. Bill Callahan's "Drover," a track with far less deep bass in the mix, gives us a better sense of the general sound signature. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; It helps that Focal includes three pairs of silicone eartips, as well as three pairs of memory foam eartips, in small, medium, and large sizes for both sets. 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. What's missing is an IP rating for water resistance that would make us more comfortable suggesting the earphones for the gym and other uses. © 1996-2021 Ziff Davis, LLC. In either mode, the earphones deliver bright, clear audio. Focal. The lilting piano notes in the Amelie soundtrack are fluid and weighty, with each clunk and harmonics delivered clearly.. 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. Godzilla: King of the Monsters trailer – So many Kaiju! PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. All Rights Reserved. Hasbro unveils its Spider-Man Far From Home line of toys, Spider-Man: Far From Home ends MCU phase 3, not Endgame, Curse of La Llorona wins the weekend at the box office, The 20 best JRPGs of the 2010âs: Part 2, Mpow H5 Headphone Review – Not worth the headache, Supernatural wraps up season 14 in new episode photos. The love only grows when I remember the price. Contributing Editor Tim Gideon has been writing for PCMag since 2006. Will these updates see them take the prize again? You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. amzn_assoc_linkid = "8c4a182df5aea9b1bbcad92c4e18ad32"; TechnoBuffalo LLC (dba TheNerdy.com) has affiliate partnerships with various companies. They cost £89, just £30 more than the wired version. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. The other included accessories are a short micro USB charging cable and a black velvet drawstring pouch. Sphear Wireless is an in-ear headphones that delivers precise sound, characterised by excellent treble handling, a realistic bass and plenty of dynamics. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Which Pair Is Better? This is most obvious in the vocal presentation, where the vocals are very clear, but are missing the weight that a stronger response in the lower mids can give you. 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. In Miles Davis’ Blue in Green, the bass in the upright bass resonated uncomfortably. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; We found that the… Apple AirPods Max vs. Bose NC 700 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: Should You Pay More for AirPods? Many Bluetooth earbuds have gone the way of true wireless, and to be fair, Bose also has a SoundSport free option. At the same time, though, I did find some downsides. The Focal Sphear is a pair of earphones geared toward serious music lovers. My pattern for headphone reviews includes long-term listening sessions combined with travel use. I wish the headphones had USB Type-C instead of USB Micro – both because I think it’s a studier connector and because I think that rubber flange could break off in time and USB Type-C has splashproof options. A smooth tonal balance and a comfy fit distinguish the Focal Sphear from the competition. I think most listeners will dig the clear sound and solid isolation. Thanks … 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. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; Focal Sphear in-ear headphones — Review. It can be really tough to find something that feels like it’ll serve all your needs. French audio company Focal has been creating acoustic equipment since 1979 in the home … One thing that stood out as odd to me was that the controls are on the left-hand side of the band, while most of the banded headphones I can ever remember wearing feature controls on the right side. They connect wirelessly via Bluetooth 4.1, which has a range of about 15 m or 30 ft. Additionally, onboard the cable is a remote and microphone, good for adjusting playback, answering calls, … By. The Bose SoundSport wireless headphones hold a very specific place on the market. At $129, they're priced to compete with some of our favorite neckband-style in-ears, though unlike most of the competition, they aren't intended for working out. I didn’t ever feel like they were going to pop out during use, but more active users might be able to shake them loose. The higher register brass, strings, and vocals retain their prominent bright presence in the mix, and the lower register instrumentation plays a more subtle role here than the boosted bass in Loudness mode does on the other tracks we've discussed. The Focal Sphear definitely hold their own against some of the more popular brands like Bose, Shure, and Sony. The fit is secure and the overall design is comfortable and easy to use. The overall sound profile is loud and sharp. Aside from that, the headphones offer a few nice features. by Eric Frederiksen | April 28, 2019 April 28, 2019 7:30 am EDT # bluetooth headphones # earbuds # Focal # wireless headphones Headphone Reviews Review. Focal is known for its high-fidelity audio gear, but the company also dabbles in more affordable products, like the Sphear Wireless earphones. Focal Sphear Wireless combine high quality listening, comfort and freedom of movement with 8 hours of listening time. Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones Review. I really enjoyed the way songs like “Man in the Box” by Alice in Chains and “Of Wolf and Man” by Metallica showed off how much punch the headphones can add to the bass of the former and the drums of the latter. 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. amzn_assoc_asins = "B07NJ1MGJF"; The Spark Wireless comes with the same accessories as the Spark — three sizes of silicone ear tips and a carry case — plus the a short micro-USB charging cable and magnetic shirt clip. Try These Headphones Instead, The Best Earbuds (In-Ear Headphones) for 2021, Cheap AirPod Alternatives: The Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $100. Disclaimer: We received a review unit from the manufacturer and spent about 30 hours using the headphones before starting this review. For a similar price, you can get IPX7-rated in-ears like the JBL UA Sport Wireless Pivot, which can withstand being submerged in water or rinsed under a faucet. The headphones are built largely out of plastic, but in this case that doesn’t seem to be such a bad thing. Twitter. This time, we’re trying out Spark Wireless ($99), the Bluetooth version of Focal’s entry-level headphone range. Product review: Focal Sphear S headphones. These headphones offer an eight hour battery life, and we would have liked to see a little more from them. A smooth tonal balance and a comfy fit distinguish the Focal Sphear from the competition. The Sphear Wireless earbuds are banded wireless headphones. The outer plus/minus buttons adjust both volume and, when held for longer, track navigation. The next generation BT circuits from Focal are going to be monsters! The outer plus/minus buttons adjust both volume and, when held for longer, track navigation. Th… The first thing you’ll notice about the Focal Listen Wireless headphones is their design, and they look very nice. Focal Sphear Review. There’s also an airplane adapter, … Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Focal Sphear Wireless Earbuds with Three-Button Remote and Microphone (Blue) at Amazon.com. Available in black, blue, olive green, or purple models, the Sphear Wireless earphones have a neckband connecting two somewhat large, orb-shaped earpieces with flattened outer metallic panels. Focal Sphear Wireless Earbuds Review . In Stone Temple Pilots’ “Vasoline,” I noticed some extra sharpness during the chorus, with sibilant ‘S’ sounds being particularly prominent. It can be tough for earbuds to give a sense of space. I was disappointed in the build quality of some of the components. From a design perspective, they're a bit bland and lack useful safeguards like water resistance which makes them less versatile, even if you aren't planning on taking them to the gym. The Focal Spirit Professional is one of my favorite headphones, but I will probably never buy the Sphear. Bass lovers will prefer this mode, and perhaps most listeners will—it's not an insane level of boosting, and it doesn't upset the balance overall. I can’t wait. The remote is a typical three-button design, with a central multifunction button for playback and call management, or summoning Google Assistant or Siri when held down. They sound amazing, they sound like Focal headphones which is what you want. That happens to be one of my favorite colors (despite finding olives themselves to be nothing short of inedible), so it was nice to have a set of earbuds that I really dug wearing. 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. The mic offers weak intelligibility. The Sphear comes in packaging that can best be described as a labyrinth of cardboard and foam. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; But if you think you'll prefer the Sphear Wireless' sound signature and don't need earphones for the gym, they become a more compelling option. The set that Focal sent me for this review are olive green. AirPods Pro vs. AirPods 2: Which True Wireless Apple Earbuds Are Better? Magic: The Gathering War of the Spark – Our Favorite Common Cards, Power Rangers Beast Morphers Gold Ranger revealed, Avengers Endgame’s expectations are the movie’s true big bad, Riverdale heads to the prom and back to the boxing ring, Star Trek animated series gets the green light at Nickelodeon, Men in Black: International trailer gives Tessa Thompson an origin, Bond 25 cast revealed at press event, but still no title, Amazon one-day game sale sees board games massively discounted. Apple AirPods Pro vs. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Which Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earphones Are Better? Phil Tann - 29 November 2015. So Loudness mode is subtle when there isn't much bass depth in the mix to begin with, but certain tracks that pack added depth will sound more dramatically boosted. I have no real complaints … After Sphear in 2015, the first high–end in–ear headphones, Spark will satisfy a mobile, young and connected target. The newest peer is Focal’s Sphear Wireless. © 2021 TechnoBuffalo LLC. Focal claims the earphones gets roughly eight hours of battery life, but your results will vary with your volume levels, and likely your usage of the Loudness mode, as well. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Wireless seems the future of audio, just take a look at what Noontec and Flare Audio have done for the wireless market. In neutral mode, the drums sound natural and full, but not at all thunderous—it's Callahan's baritone vocals that command the most richness in the mix. And that Focal logo on the buds acts as the bass reflex port, which is pretty clever. They’re about as light as something like this can be, tI wore them primarily with the black memory-foam ear tips. The in-ear fit is lightweight and secure. PlayStation 5 reveal deep dive – what’s in store. What’s more, their innovative spherical design provides unrivalled comfort for hours of undisturbed listening. Music sounds vibrant and lively – especially acoustic stuff and bass guitars. In the audiophile headphone world, the Focal Sphear is often overlooked and not so popular. 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 Focal Sphear Wireless earphones deliver a good audio experience, with two useful EQ modes, for a reasonable price. Focal Sphear Wireless Headphones Listening Tests. 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. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; PCMag Digital Group. We conducted the bulk of our audio testing in Neutral mode, but will add some thoughts on Loudness mode at the end. The Focal Sphear Wireless is certainly a win for Focal when it comes to the sound department. We're never fans of combining these two functions on one button, as it's far too easy to skip a track unintentionally. At maximum, unwise listening levels, the drivers don't distort, and at moderate levels, the bass seems full, but not overly boosted. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. Share This Post I’m glad you enjoyed our Focal Sphear Review and were able to have a little bit a faith restored in in-ear headphones. The highs are bright and clear, allowing the acoustic guitar strums and higher percussive instrumentation some extra presence in the mix. Well, they’re fine, but not great. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. The Bottom Line The Focal Sphear is a relatively affordable audiophile-grade in-ear headphone that's easy to listen to for long stretches. They really do offer a great value for such a high-performing pair of earbuds. That means the two buds are connected by a length of wire that also features a pod for the controls and one for the battery and Bluetooth hardware. Focal is known for its high-fidelity audio gear, but the company also dabbles in more affordable products, like the Sphear Wireless, The remote is a typical three-button design, with a central multifunction button for playback and call management, or summoning Google Assistant or Siri when held down. 8.2 Overall Design 9 These do not at any time have any influence on the editorial content of The Nerdy. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Compared to my Shure SE535s – which are admittedly far more expensive and running on AptX HD instead of AptX – the sound felt artificially amped up. The Sphears offer 8 hours of battery life. The Focal Sphear Wireless headphones look good, are comfortable, and sound great — but how do they perform? We're always fans of memory foam tips, as they tend to provide a better seal and block out more surrounding noise; the seal also tends to provide an enhanced sense of bass depth. They’re an excellent set of earbuds that can defeat even the Shure SE215 in audio quality. Sonically, the earphones sound fantastic and offer two useful EQ modes. Even so, at $129 these are great earbuds that I’d recommend to anyone digging around in that price range. TechnoBuffalo LLC may earn a commission from these links. The Focal Sphear Wireless earphones deliver solid audio in a crowded field of quality Bluetooth in-ears, but offer little excitement otherwise. They’re not enough to shake me off my Shure SE535s, but that’s not a fair contest. I was really impressed by the feeling of space the Sphear headphones gave me. Most Bluetooth in-ears offer weak Bluetooth mic clarity, but this is below average quality. It is mainly because they aren’t about the hype life. There are a few bells and whistles, and at $149.99, that implies solid performance. Initially, I listened to several hours of classical music followed by classic rock and pop. They’re light and comfortable, and will last a day before needing a charge. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; I wasn’t a fan of it, but it’s there. In the sub-$150 range, we're also fans of the Jaybird X4, the JLab Epic Sport Wireless , and the Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd. Without that, these are good in-ears for music lovers, but they're not terribly versatile. While the Sphear Wireless earbuds don’t come with any hardware specifically for keeping them in ears during activity, they feature a magnetic clip to ensure they won’t fall down if they do fall out. At $129, the Sphear Wireless headphones offer a really nice balance of good sound and solid battery life. Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams' The Gospel According to the Other Mary, sound most natural through the Sphear Wireless. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/focal-sphear-wireless. There's a magnetic clip included to secure the remote control/battery compartment during physical activity, but it's worth pointing out that the Sphear Wireless has no advertised IP rating for water resistance, so you may want to think twice before using the earphones during a very sweaty workout or jogging in the rain. Internally, Focal employs an electrodynamic sandwich diaphragm driver with a frequency range of 15Hz to 22kHz in each earpiece. With the Sphears, I could almost forget I was wearing earbuds – that’s incredible. Dampen the Din: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 vs. QuietComfort 35 II, Pre-Order Bose's Sport Open Earbuds for $200, Samsung Reveals Galaxy Buds Pro Name on Canadian Storefront. The Sphear S is missing that fullness and warmth you get from the midrange, which gives the overall sound a brighter sheen. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. 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. We're never fans of combining these two functions on one button, as it's far too easy to skip a track unintentionally. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Tracks ranged from orchestral to heavy bass, detailed guitar work, and of … Even so, wearing the Sphear Wireless headphones is a blast. When picking out any pair of headphones, you’re making a compromise of some kind between price, features, and quality. Focal just released Sphear Wireless, an around-the-neck Bluetooth earphone for $129. Like many other Focal buds and phones, the Sphears are capped off with the logo on a steel end cap. They came with three sizes each of these and silicone tips. It’s a big sound, and the Sphears tackle that … They’re pretty standard – if good-looking – banded wireless earbuds, but I love how they sound. And although they may be wireless, these headphones will not fail to … 5. The Focal Spark Wireless are mid-price Bluetooth earphones. Whether in Neutral mode or Loudness mode, the bass isn't boosted much on these tracks, primarily because they lack as much super-deep bass presence. Always aiming higher, this year the brand unveils the wireless version: Sphear Wireless, the in-ear headphones that massively increase freedom of movement and heighten emotions! When it comes to IEMs, I'm mainly interested in high-end CIEMs. The single-wire design of the SoundSports here might … For now, the Wireless Spark is a great choice for excellent treble and good imaging properties. Moving from Neutral mode to Loudness mode, the drums suddenly get some notable depth, and the mix sounds a little more anchored in the lows. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "thenerdyjfl-20"; For me, that made it tough to remember which ear was which without looking at the headphones first. In 2015 Focal launched Sphear, a pair of in-ear headphones that became a market reference for their audio quality and comfort. They follow the original Sphear (wired) in-ear headphones first released in 2015. The controls of the Focal Listen Wireless are nice and large, but the placement of the playback controls on the upper half of the front-side of the ear cup paired with the volume and pairing buttons on the lower half of the back-side of the ear cups makes it difficult to press one control without accidentally pressing the … Pressing both the plus and minus buttons simultaneously switches between Neutral and Loudness EQ modes (more on those in the next section). During my listening with them I went through the battery a few times, and that time rings pretty true to me. Holding down the + and – buttons together will switch to a loudness mode setting, meant to help with using the headphones in louder environments. Focal, the French leader in professional acoustics, hi–fi and automotive, completes its range of headphones with a brand new in–ear: Spark. We also wish there was a vocal prompt to tell you which mode you're in (though it's often obvious). He specializes in reviewing audio products, and is obsessed with headphones, speakers, and recording gear. AirPods Max vs. AirPods Pro: What's Apple's Best Pair of Noise-Cancelling Headphones? It is hard to believe, but at the beginning of this year, I had never laid ears on any head or earphone from the French company known as Focal.. Hard to believe, because in the last six months, I have now reviewed four products from the good company of Focal: the Elear, the Listen, the Listen Wireless, and now, the Sphear … The fit is secure and the overall design is comfortable and easy to use. What the Focal Sphear Wireless lack in features they more than make up for in sound. As mentioned above, there are two listening modes: Neutral, which applies no EQ, and Loudness, which is intended for noisy environments or for boosting bass response when listening at moderate volumes. The headphones feature a sleek black design save for the Focal logo on each ear cup, and we really liked the look. Pressing both the plus and minus buttons simultaneously switches between Neutral and Loudness EQ modes (m, Orchestral tracks, like the opening scene from John Adams', For a similar price, you can get IPX7-rated in-ears like the, How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Find Free Tools to Optimize Your Small Business, How to Get Started With Project Management, AirPods Max Too Expensive? Your subscription has been confirmed. One note before, though—switching between the two modes when the volume is high results in an audio prompt that is almost painfully loud, so make sure to lower the volume first.
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