Review on Focal Celestee: Premium Closed-Back Over-Ear Wired Headphones - Superior Sound Quality and Luxurious Comfort by Paula Pickett

Sources: 1a) Sony SACD player via Burson Conductor 3 headphone amp reference , 1b) Revain Prime streaming via Burson Conductor 3 DAC/headphone amp reference, 2a) SACD player via Feliks Audio Espressivo Mk II headphone amp, 2b) Revain Prime via Burson C3R DAC to Feliks Audio Espressivo Mk II headphone amp. VERY comfortable headphones. If you like comfort, try these headphones. Secondly, the overall sound is quite balanced, clear and powerful. In my opinion, the bass is just a bit lacking. Compared to the closed-bank Beyerdynamic T5 at the same price, the Focal Celestee has a more balanced performance due to the T5's bloated and muddy bass (which also detracts/distracts from its mid and treble response). The overall performance of the Focal was reasonably balanced but a bit nasal compared to the T5. The T5 had a wider soundstage, so it sounded more open compared to the Focal. If we compare this Focal to the Focal Clear Pro with an open background, the Clear Pro sounds brighter. open, with plenty of bass presence, complementing excellent mids and highs (no bloat like the T5), but that's to be expected when comparing open vs. closed designs. I really like the Clear Pro, and despite the similar sound signature, the relatively nasal (pinched, closed) sound of the Celestee just kills me. already discontinued sealed Oppo PM-3 cans (they use planar magnet technology not found in any of the other cans mentioned here) and sound 95% as good as the Focal Celestee, losing 5% in musical fidelity overall . The Oppo has a bit more bass than the Celestee lacks in my opinion, as well as a wider and more open soundstage. AND OPPO CANS IS LESS THAN HALF THE PRICE OF CELESTEE. It broke the deal for me. However, if I hadn't had Oppo cans, I might have kept the Celestee. I am returning the Celestee cans as I continue my crazy journey in search of the perfect unopened cans. Perfect, and what I can afford, that is. Thank you for your attention.