Focal Clear

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by The Alchemist, Nov 15, 2017.

  1. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    No Kenzie, I was using the Mogwai Special Edition.

    They seemed to do well on both amps actually. The Clear and PMx2 liked the Aficionado more while the Auteur liked the Mogwai a little more. As far as bass goes though the Mogwai was just as solid and impactful as the Aficionado except with a little more slam and body. Personal preference is for the Mogwai SE even though the Aficionado is a little better, the Mogwai is more musical.
     
  2. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Tyll's review is up.

    https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/focal-clear-over-ear-open-headphones
     
  3. iDesign

    iDesign Almost "Made"

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    The silver finish on the Clear leaves a lot to be desired but Tyll's positive review makes them intriguing.
     
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2017
  4. chakku

    chakku Friend

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    The smaller opening in the pads does for me as well.
     
  5. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    Likewise! My LG with Dolby Vision is cinema - worthy. A huge upgrade
     
  6. TMRaven

    TMRaven Friend

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    All of these high end Focals weigh around 500 grams. They're not totally uncomfortable, but I can't see how people find them comfortable. They are annoying to wear with highish clamping force and weight.
     
  7. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    I actually dig its silver finish compared to the black finish of the Elear.
     
  8. TonyNewman

    TonyNewman Validated by Tyll removing Utopia from WOF

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    After Tyll's gushing review of the Utopia "World's best headphone" forgive me if I take the Clear review with a big bag of salt. I will never again make a purchasing decision based on a Tyll review.

    The Utopia has some strengths, but also some significant weaknesses. Sold mine. I find both the HD800S and HEKv2 to be better headphones than the Utopia.
     
  9. Melvillian

    Melvillian Friend

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    I’m worried about the grey colored pads and headband. During the summer time it gets hot and sweaty...
     
  10. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    I had a short demo of the Clear this afternoon and thought it was really excellent. This evening I noticed Tyll's review which was pretty consistent with my own impressions. I do think this is a very significant step up from the HD600/650 (which it should be for the price, but, as we know, is often not the case).

    I did not have the Elear or Utopia for direct comparison, butI suspect I woul chose the Clear as my favorite Focal. I did not like the Elear at all for the reasons typically given here. I think the Utopia is great but . . . Price. Also ,while technically superior, during my loaner period I did find them somewhat fatiguing over time and they did demand your attention. While the Clear seemed like it could be a less demanding, more relaxo listen while still being technically sound and not boring. Bass was much better than I was expecting based on the other models. Not the absolute cleanest but very good and satisfying quantity for my tastes and very little bleed into other frequencies. Bassier than expected but not over done. Usual Focal dynamics/punchliness.

    Liked the soundstage - very enveloping sound it's good width and height, but not exaggerated. From memory though I think thePMx2 may do instrument placement a bit better.

    Still not sure whether this would be a better choice for me than the PMx2 upgrade I have been contemplating for a bunch of reasons but I am now strongly considering a Clear purchase.
     
  11. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Surprised that they didn't have an Elear or Utopia there for you to compare. What was the system like there?
     
  12. notsimar

    notsimar New

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    I have heard the three focal offerings and I really preferred the Clear to the Elear and the Utopia. The Utopia almost ruined saxophones for me, it comes across as shouty and overwhelmingly bright. The Clear was detailed and well balanced while the Elear lacked in the same balance. I think Focal did a great job with the Clear, and the case and cables are sweet. The Clear reminded me a lot of my HD800 with the detail retrieval and comfort.
     
  13. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    They did. I just wasn’t going to ask them to set that all up on their counter. I already know I don’t like the Elear and won’t pay for the Utopia. They did set up the new Kilpsch for a side by side. That was pretty good but I thought outclassed by the pricier Clear.
     
  14. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    yup...PMx2 does instrument placement better.

    I just found the Clear a little nasally at first in the midrange. Afterwards it didn't bother me but first impressions had the Clear nasally, sounding too much in my head, and a little bright.

    After more and more listening, the Clear treble didn't bother me at all but imaging and soundstage never put me 'there' I remember the Utopia being much better at staging.
     
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2017
  15. Aeron

    Aeron Facebook Friend

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    The Clear were superior to the HD800 in my system, SBR Mod and Draug2. I know many have worked years attempting to make a sows ear silk, so much invested, it’s tough to admit it’s been surpassed by something new. Tyll’s review is spot on, it’s an incredibly balanced headphone, in total agreement with my somewhat limited experience.

    You can spend $5K+ attempting to make the 800/800S sound better, or spend $1.5K on a superior headphone.
     
  16. Erikdayo

    Erikdayo Friend

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    What made the Clear superior to the HD800 on your system? What about it was better? Also, what even is your system?
     
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2017
  17. slankoe

    slankoe Tongue tastes of LH butthole

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    When I demo'd the Utopia I thought the staging was very interesting in that it had a lot of depth. Everything seemed to be coming through a tunnel. Instruments all had their place and it was pretty clear where they were coming from - and most were pretty far in front of me. Pretty unique, I haven't heard a headphone do that before.

    Can anyone comment on whether the Clear has a similar tunnel-like stage to the Utopia, or is it more like conventional headphones?
     
  18. Aeron

    Aeron Facebook Friend

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    My system is a Monarchy dual PCM63K R2R DAC, MicroZOTL 2/Herron 5 Amps, the aforementioned HD800, LCD3f, MrSpeakers Ether Flow open and closed, iSine 20, a bunch of other CIEMs I don’t feel like listing now, and a Chord Mojo. The Clear has all the resolution of the 800 without the thin tone, superior dynamics, bass, and tone. Really, the only area the HD800 is superior is the soundstage, and since headphone soundstage are unrealistic to begin with, definitely not enough to push the old dog over the line.
     
  19. Aeron

    Aeron Facebook Friend

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    Oh, I forgot to add Mr. Poon tricked my DAC out with updated components, the only thing left unchanged are the DAC Chips, I wouldn’t let him touch those.
     
  20. Besnia

    Besnia Facebook Friend

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    I agree with you word by word. Clear is superior to HD800 in every way.

    PCM63K ;-) IMO the magical number is 58, but 63 is the next best thing. It's great to see other people enjoying the old BB chips. We are few and far in between. For CD audio quality nothing beats a good implementation of the old school BB chips.
     

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