The Listener experience
Listener‘s motto, “Closer to the music”, could not be better chosen. This unusual spot recently opened in the very swanky 2nd arrondissement, right in front of the Bibliothèque nationale de France Museum. New visitors will at first be intrigued by this beautifully restored 19th century hôtel particulier well hidden behind an unassuming façade. Once inside, one can enjoy fresh coffee, tea or even soda. A restaurant serves homemade food made entirely from locally sourced ingredients, an important value for founders Jérôme and Thomas. The ground floor space is phonically insulated, airy and pleasant. The real magic of the place, however, starts downstairs.
Here, Listener proposes several kinds of aural experiences. You can enjoy a musical break in one of the espaces écoute, small cosy rooms where you can sit in a big comfortable chair and listen to music for 30 minutes. What makes these experiences unique is the impressive attention to detail and the quality of the audio equipment — lights can be dimmed; playlists are fully customizable (for example you can go for a power nap scenario, relaxing to your favorite music or sounds); the headphones are also open back, allowing for a more comfortable listening experience.
Then, there is the real showstopper: the “listening room”, a place that any music lover must experience at least once. Visually, it’s a large room with an impressive-looking sound system (technical specifications here), but it’s only once the music starts playing that you truly understand. When we listened to the first piece, a tune by Ella Fitzgerald, the sound was so pure that I could almost imagine her in front of me. It was like attending my very own private concert. I recommend starting by listening to a song you know well; you’ll be able to hear parts of it you’ve never heard before. You can send your own playlist in advance or choose tunes from the extensive selection. It’s also worth trying different kinds of music to fully appreciate the range of clarity and quality. Beyond the sound system, everything is set up to help you enjoy your listening experience to the max: comfortable couches, a bathroom nearby and even a button to call staff in case you need a wine top-up (note that you can bring down food and snacks from the bar). The goal of Listener’s two founders, both avid music lovers, was to make professional quality equipment available to the public, for a reasonable price. Mission accomplished! Listener is an experience to be tried at least once. The space can be reserved for up to 15 people at a time, but you can enjoy it on your own just as well (see Listener website).
PS: Listener gift cards are available, starting at 15€.
