Focal Clear MG Review: Beautifully Flawed

[@Thevikingcam]

I was between LCD-X and MG but went for LCD-X.

[@willjohnson2722]

I'm a long term Elear fan. I have tinnitus and I'm super sensitive to 4k. This makes the Elear perfect for me. In the shop I still preferred the Elear to the OG Clear, even though it seemed obvious to me the OG Clear was the superior driver. The Elear was just more fun and rough in right way. Just tried the Clear MG and I feel exactly the same way. I've got some Dekoni fenestrated pads on the way for my Elears. A high end quality aftermarket cable came with my Elears, copper occ. Highly recommended. Try one on loan or something, you might be surprised. Nice one.

[@sergejfahrlich2934]

I own these headphones and I personally find them currently the best BY FAR for my personal preferences in terms of the sound signature (and I really had a lot of headphones). I am looking now a while for a closed back headphone alternative for mobile usage which sound close to the focal clear mg, but I cannot find any :( They sound so gorgeuous "warm" with a spectacular amount if micro details.

[@MrAyrit]

Yeah, I couldn’t tell you a closed back that is similar. I hear good things about the Radiance and Aeon Noire.

[@sergejfahrlich2934]

@@MrAyrit Hey, thanks man. Maybe I should give it up to find a compact mobile version of the clear mg. I should give those headphones at least a try and travel with a bunky pair of headphones 😅

[@soulfulfool]

@@sergejfahrlich2934 why not Stellia ?

[@darthdurkelthewise320]

The Clear MG is super nice so the ownership experience is great. However, having owned the OG and MG, Celestee, Elex, and Elear, the staging is just so small to me. Almost every time I try/buy a Focal, I ultimately sell or return it. If you get used to them and you like the amount of detail/info being dumped into your ears, and you don’t mind their small sound they’re great. Unfortunately, I find myself gravitating more towards the ZMF Auteur or even Arya. That stage thing just gets to me. It’s like metallic tinged detail in a fish bowl. The Auteur doesn’t have a huge stage and not as strong in the dynamics department, it’s just way more pleasing to me and can be tuned easily with pad rolling. Frankly, I miss my Elears even w/the upper mid dip. The Utopias are in another level but that’s to be expected at $4k Good overview though

[@RayCabrera1]

I actually have MG, had the OG and the Elex, but I my opinion the MG was much more detailed and dynamic then both. One thing I did notice is that even though you don't need much power to drive the MG it is Amp picky. I have found a sweet spot with the sound when paired with the RME ADI-2 FS as the dac and the Topping A90 Amp. I don't even EQ the RME to adjust sound, it just gives it a smooth and at the same time dynamic sound. Maybe play around with different setups and see if you can find a good chain for the MG for you.

[@stephendenagy3396]

The Clear MG is wonderful. Though heretical, minor EQ fixes all. The detail is stunning. On my Mac I use apps to feed my Gryphon with 700+ KHz data stream and I am in Heaven!

[@dasninjastix]

Dekoni has been hit or miss with me but the Focal pads have all worked as advertised. Focal stock pads are constructed well enough (and look and feel great) but they don't have enough padding for me. My ears have touched the housing on each pair I've tried. I'm hoping ZMF will take a shot at making Focal pads, their Sennheiser pads are fantastic.

[@matthiasbroek8055]

I had the clear MG and for me the treble was way to muffled. Cymbals were cut off. I retuned hem as fast as I could. Mid range was nice though but that was the only stand out.

[@JTB--]

I've stopped considering buying Focal HP's after all the clipping issues I've experienced with them. I want HP's I can drive hard without issues. I've tried the OG Clear, MG, Elex, Celeste and Radiance. I'd keep the Radiance out of that bunch.

[@szeredaiakos]

They are moving the clear into the pro space. You'll get more ... normal sounding cans with those. There is the MG pro, which is even less exciting. But, TBH ... I am not sure why the non-pro clear even exists... Probably for producers who are using the pro in the studio? ... Anyhow. Magnesium is rigid enough and does not ring, perfect for pro use .. not so much for listening, especially if someone is looking for that slightly sustained air of percussions.

[@JayGreezy]

Sweetwater had a decent deal since i already had an account with them, and I was looking for an upgrade to my HD6xx. I will see how I feel about these while testing the Clear MG out. It pisses me off that so many companies sell shit with tons of problems for over a grand. its fucking ridiculous.

[@MrAyrit]

To be fair, it may just be a preference thing. Not sure there is anything “wrong” with it objectively.

[@Andyusa11]

Does it come with balanced cables ?

[@MrAyrit]

Honestly, I can’t remember. I’m sure it’s an option if you’re buying new.

[@andreasschwarz4908]

Never liked it all that much either. I think they should've kept the OG Clear and change the model name. It's quite the departure from the Clear OG so I don't see them related at all (for me, the MG stands for muffle galore - as technically capable as it is)

[@theprince6590]

Are they wireless?

[@MrAyrit]

No

[@mastaboog749]

I've noticed a lot of people do trades when working with gear over a grand which I think is a great idea and honestly a good way to keep the fiance calm. Tho she just got hired by a theater in Boston for a pretty penny and I have a feeling her spending tastes might increase as does her income and I might not get the looks I get when I mention how much an audio equipment piece costs... but my point is I think I'm going to try out trades. Where do you do your trades, headfi? Also are these usually permanent trades or are their often people looking to try out one thing for another for a month or 2 and then trade back? Thx again

[@MrAyrit]

I do tons of trades. I use head-fi, Hifiguides, and Reddit avexchange. Usually, I trade permanently, but sometimes I will swap with someone for just a couple of weeks. Most of the time, that is with people who I’ve already dealt with and trust.

[@spiritualarchitect4276]

@@MrAyrit Would a Yamaha AS-1200 amp be enough to power the Focal Clear MG's and/or Stellia? Or do they need some kind of dedicated headphone amp?

[@MrAyrit]

@@spiritualarchitect4276 they are relatively easy to drive headphones, so I think it is a good starting point. Down the line, I imagine you will hear some pretty significant improvements if you get a dedicated DAC and amp, even if they are relatively inexpensive. I like them on tubes.

[@spiritualarchitect4276]

@@MrAyrit Thank you.

[@Leroyy536]

Color matched you hair

[@dkssudgktpdy492]

where is he1000se?

[@MrAyrit]

In the works, patience my friend.

[@ixoye56]

Focal Clippers, stay away from this crap.

[@sebanambrus9265]

I have the OG Clear and they are Way better Than MG , the MG is a muffled mess with 0 air and treble. I do not know what Focal tought with this tuning . Almost 0 detail , my old hd600 is Way better technicalities...

[@mhortop1]

Sounds like you got a dud unit or didn’t break them in properly. Detail retrieval if you upgrade to a pure silver premium balanced 4.4 cable is actually similar to the new Utopia 2022 version. The Clear MG is over half the price too so way better value than the Utopia as well.