Over-Ear
Focal Listen Wireless
72Good
$299
Full review dataFocal Listen Wireless vs Sennheiser HD 650: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 650 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 650 - Outstanding overall at around $380.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 650
85Outstanding
$380
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Focal Listen Wireless
Sound7.5
Battery7.0
Value6.5
Sennheiser HD 650
Sound9.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Focal Listen Wireless | Sennheiser HD 650 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $299 | $380 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 85 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2017 | - |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic electrodynamic mylar-titanium | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 42 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 15Hz-22kHz | 10Hz-41kHz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/mW | 99.8 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 103 |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 4.1 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 4.1 | - |
| Codecs | aptX, SBC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Wireless range | 15 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Wireless charging | No | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| ANC type | none | - |
| Transparency mode | No | - |
| Companion app | No | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 300 g | 260 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Foldable | Yes | No |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | No | No |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | - |
What reviewers said
Focal Listen Wireless
The Focal Listen Wireless is a straightforward over-ear headphone that prioritizes sound quality, offering a smooth and well-organized audio performance with solid battery life. While it carries a premium price, its feature set is minimal—lacking noise cancellation, app support, and EQ options—and its design feels bulky, making it a better choice for audio purists than for those seeking modern conveniences.
- Pro:Strong, well-organized sound quality
- Pro:Good battery life that matches or exceeds claims
- Pro:Foldable design for portability
- Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
- Con:Bulky and dated design
- Con:Premium price for a limited feature set
Sennheiser HD 650
The Sennheiser HD 650 is a wired, open-back dynamic headphone built for serious home listening. It delivers a natural, detailed sound with a comfortable fit, though its sub-bass rolloff and bulky design limit it to stationary use rather than portable or active scenarios. Its replaceable cable and balanced connection option add to its appeal for audiophiles.
- Pro:Excellent clarity and natural tonal balance
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Pro:Detachable cable and balanced output support
- Con:Noticeable sub-bass rolloff
- Con:Not portable or suitable for active use
- Con:High impedance requires a dedicated amplifier
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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