In short: French audio equipment manufacturer Focal launched the Elegia, its first-ever pair of premium closed-back headphones. The newly introduced gadget offers a no-compromise design but unsurprisingly comes with a massive price tag that only audiophiles will be willing to pay; the device will retail at $899 in the United States and €899 (£799) in Europe. The exact release date varies across markets but the Focal Elegia should be available for purchase in most parts of the U.S. and Europe by the end of the month.
Much like their design suggests, the new headphones have been envisioned as the ultimate solution for experiencing high-fidelity sound in noisy environments, without worrying about sound leakage. The Eluga’s speaker drivers with an M-shaped dome made of aluminum and magnesium are another key selling point of the device, as is its ability to deliver precise sound at both extremely low and high frequencies. Coupled with a stylish aesthetic and memory foam microfibre earpads, the Elegia is being advertised as the option for high-grade audio that requires no compromises, not accounting for its spicy price tag.
Background: The release of the Elegia marks Focal’s return to what it’s best known for – ultra-premium devices aimed at people who don’t consider price a factor when shopping for an excellent audio experience. Earlier this year, the company also refreshed its Listen Wireless line with several Chic-branded models that are targeted at the average consumer price-wise but still deliver high-end audio, in addition to expanding its range of Kanta-series speakers and catering to the earphone market with the new Spark and Spark Wireless earbuds.
Impact: While Focal has yet to truly embrace AI assistants with its products, the higher end of the company’s portfolio is now richer and more capable than ever and will likely give audiophiles plenty to think about this holiday season, traditionally the most lucrative period for consumer electronics manufacturers.