The Focal Stellia are premium closed-back over-ear headphones that are outstandingly well-built. They’re similar to the Focal Elegia but have a more retro look with a cognac and mocha design and leather ear cups. They come with a great hard carrying case and detachable braided cables, including a 1/4" TRS adapter and an XLR cable. They’re a bit more versatile than the Focal Elear since their closed-back design isolates a bit more noise; however, they’re still bulky headphones that aren’t the best for use on the go, especially since they don’t have a microphone or any in-line controls. That said, they have a well-balanced sound and are comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions.
Our Verdict
The Focal Stellia are poor for mixed usage. Although they’re good, comfortable, critical listening headphones, their design isn’t versatile enough to be adequate for any other use. Their premium build is durable but bulky, which makes these headphones hard to grab and stash in your bag when you’re on the run to work or heading to the gym. They’re very comfortable, which is great for use at the office or while commuting, but they don’t isolate very much noise, so they might not be ideal. Since they’re wired, they have no latency, which is great for watching TV or gaming, but they don’t have a microphone or any in-line controls, and their short TRS cable is a bit restrictive.
- Premium design and build quality.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Comfortable fit.
- Bulky design.
- Bass delivery varies across users. Sensitive to glasses.
The Focal Stellia are decent for neutral sound; they have a fairly balanced sound with overall good audio reproduction. They have deep, punchy bass, good treble, and an even and flat mid-range. However, their bass response is sensitive to fit, and whether you wear glasses, their mid-range is a bit overemphasized, which can make vocals and leads sound slightly forward, and their treble is somewhat veiled, which can negatively affect brightness and detail. Overall, they sound versatile enough to accommodate most genres of music and are comfortable enough to wear for long periods.
The Focal Stellia are disappointing for commute or travel. Although they’re very comfortable headphones and come with a great hard carrying case, their isolation performance is mediocre. They isolate more noise than the open-back Focal Elear, but they still let in all the low rumbles of bus and plane engines. They’re also quite bulky and can be cumbersome to carry around. However, if you appreciate their design and sound performance, they can be used as travel headphones as long as isolation isn’t an issue for you.
The Focal Stellia are inadequate for sports and fitness. They're bulky over-ear headphones that don’t have a very stable fit and are likely to fall off if you exercise with them. They have leather ear pads that reduce breathability and will stain if you sweat while wearing them. They’re also not wireless, and their cable is quite thick, so it’ll likely get in your way, and can get hooked on something which would yank the headphones off your head.
The Focal Stellia are sub-par for office use. They're very comfortable headphones which means you can wear them for long periods without experiencing fatigue. They also do a fair job at reducing office chatter and noises produced by A/C systems. They’re a bit leaky, though, so you might bother your colleagues if you like to listen to your music loudly. You should be fine if you work in a quiet, uncrowded office.
The Focal Stellia aren't suitable for wireless gaming. They don’t have a microphone or any controls. However, if you don’t require a mic or dedicated controls, the Stellia could be suitable for single-player gaming since they’re very comfortable, have no latency, and sound alright.
Changelog
- Updated Mar 27, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Apr 10, 2019: Review published.
Check Price
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Focal Stellia are remarkably well-crafted audiophile headphones that stand out thanks to the premium materials used in their build. They have a straightforward wired design and well-balanced sound but aren’t very versatile since they don’t block much noise and are a bit bulky. They look great, but may not provide as much value as other models in the Focal lineup, like the Focal Clear Mg.
If you’re looking for headphones for neutral sound, check out our recommendations for the best audiophile headphones. See also our recommendations for the best closed-back headphones and the best headphones for studio use.
The Focal Stellia and the Focal Celestee are similar closed-back audiophile headphones, but the Stellia have a slight edge. Unlike the Celestee, which use aluminum and magnesium alloy drivers, the Stellia's drivers are beryllium. They're able to reproduce bass more accurately, and their treble is more neutral. However, both headphones are very comfortable and have a high-end build.
The Focal Clear Mg are better headphones for neutral sound than the Focal Stellia. The Clear Mg have a more neutral sound profile, more consistent audio delivery, and a more immersive soundstage. However, the Stellia are closed-back headphones, which some users may prefer since they leak less audio and isolate against more background noise.
The Meze Empyrean and the Focal Stellia are high-end headphones, but the Meze offer a better overall sound performance. While both headphones are very comfortable and well-built, the Meze are open-back headphones with significantly better frequency response consistency and a wider, more immersive soundstage. They also come with a better carrying case to help protect them when you're not using them. The Focal are closed-back headphones with a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also block out more ambient noise, and leak less audio at high volumes, which is good if you're listening to audio in a shared space.
The Focal Stellia and the Focal Elegia are very similar closed-back critical listening headphones. They’re both very well-built, comfortable headphones. The Elegia have a more understated design whereas the Stellia have a retro look that stands out more. Some people may find the leather ear cups of the Stellia more pleasing on the skin and they also come with an XLR cable, which is a nice touch. They sound fairly similar overall, but the Stellia’s bass is a bit punchier, and their treble is slightly less underemphasized. Overall, it comes down to personal preference and taste; however, the Elegia provide better value for most. That said, if you’re looking for a more premium listening experience, the Stellia may be worth the investment.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
