Focal Clear Professional - Review - Fantastic French Looks, Design and Sound! Am I going to buy it?

[@cobrabucket]

I got these earlier this year and think it's the best headphones I've ever heard. I love it with both my Liquid Platinum and A90 with a Schiit Gungnir MultiBit [A2] DAC. It really is FANTASTIC! Great review, sir. I bet a better comparison with the Clear might be the HiFiMan Arya.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I appreciate your kind words. I am glad you enjoy the Clear. I would take the Clear over the Arya, the Arya is more intense in the presentation.

[@divinecurrent9053]

Nice review! The Clear is very detailed and in your face, but it's so unique in that regard because it's not harsh or anything. It presents the detail in a smooth way yet with high dynamic range, and I agree with other reviewers that it is reminiscent of the Sennheiser HD 600 series headphones but upgraded in just about every way. The Clear along with a Hifiman planar are great compliments, in my case the original HE-500.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Agreed. Hifiman Ananda and Focal Clear compliment each other very well.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness 😎 Glad you enjoy the Clear.

[@gabsriel]

the pro is one of my holy grail headphones with the Diana V2 on top :-)

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I totally understand that. I would love an opportunity to review the Diana V2; maybe one day.

[@gabsriel]

@@TheHonestAudiophile I really want your take on the Diana :-)

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Me too, hopefully I'll get a chance to review one.

[@frencoffee__]

Could not agree more with that sound review. BTW, I asked Focal to send you a Clear. Maybe they would send you some other pair for review.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness. Thanks.

[@sidvicious3129]

Hi David, My local dealer allowed me to take home a pair of the regular Focal Clears and Audeze LCD3s. The Clears (regular), I haven’t heard the pros, are outstanding and I thought that they would be too bright, but no. The bass response is very good and if the recording is very good to excellent these headphones reveal that. I wonder if there is an improvement in sound going from the regular Clears to the Pros. The Lcd3 are good as well and the bass response is actually better on some recordings, but the Clears are more detailed overall, but it something about the LCD3 that keep me coming back to listen. My best headphone that I own is the Fostex Thx-900 and both are better. I also own the Mr. Speaker Either and the Audeze LCD3s eat them for lunch. Before the Audeze LCD3s I thought planar speakers had no bass. I have also listen to the Meze Emphyreans and they are without a doubt better than both the Lcd3 and Clears. They do everything that both of them do, but on an elevated level. The Emphyreans are like having speakers with pillows on your head. If you can get the Emphyreans in for a listen David, I would love to hear your prospective.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the thoughts and impressions. From what I understand there isn't a difference soncically between both but some say there is so I am not sure, have only heard the Pro version of the Clear. I would love an opportunity to review the Empyrean, LCD3 and THX-900, maybe one day. I love my Ether and I can see that if that is someone's only planar how that would make one think that planar are bass light. The Ether C are very detailed in the bass but lack impact unlike a lot of other planar headphones for sure. Thanks for commenting, watching and subscribing.

[@tanukibrahma]

Just got these for mixing. “Clear” is right!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Glad you enjoy the Focal Clear.

[@liujun050612]

I used to have focal clear and replaced by stellia. Before the stellia, I have to admit that clear is the best headphone I have ever heard. It is very natural, smooth and coherent. Until I heard stellia, I am shocked that stellia been a closed back beat the clear. The tone is a little warmer, and even more detailed than clear, but not as neutral as clear. Although stellia is better, I missed my clear quite much. One downside for clear is the silver version is very easy to catch dusts and the cable is too stiff. The clear pro solved the problem and I probably will buy the clear pro again. In term of sound, the silver clear sound identical to clear pro. Just pro variant is for studio and regular silver is for music listening. They have different accessories.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness. Thanks for the comparison and impressions.

[@tomvu9353]

Jun Liu May I ask which amp you used with the focal stellia and clear? or which amp pairs well with them? Thanks!

[@bigmanlizard7326]

closed or not for the price increase i would hope the stellia are better

[@themastroiannis]

excellent review! just left a message on your LCD-X 2021 review and now you made me curious about the LCD-X vs the Focal Clear for editing, mixing and mastering (particularly jazz and classical). would you recommend one above the other? also, could you recommend a headphone amp/DAC for these focals of the LCD-X? thanks so much in advance.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I recommend the Rosson RAD-0 for mixing and mastering. But between the Focal Clear and Audeze LCD-X 21 I would take the Audeze as it is more neutral and tonally accurate. As for amp for the Focal, I recommend the Tor Audio Roger tube amp.

[@themastroiannis]

@@TheHonestAudiophile hey! thanks so much for your prompt response! will go then for the LCD-X 2021 (the RAD-0 are way beyond my budget). regarding the amp/dac, that Tor is quite expensive at $600. Do you have another suggestion? I'm guessing something really neutral that will not color the sound... thanks so much.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@themastroiannis Awesome choice, I look forward to hearing your impressions. Drop THX 789 and One Linear are excellent amp choices. The 789 is a little more on the cold, analytical side and the One Linear has a touch of naturalism.

[@themastroiannis]

@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks once again for your response! i see these two headphone amps have very similar prices. will go then for the THX One and will let you know how it goes! really appreciate your help!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@themastroiannis Awesomeness 😎 Look forward to hearing your impressions. You're welcome for the recommendations.

[@sumeetagarwal6561]

just fyi, the silver edition is the same headphone, just a different color and does not come with an extra set of pads. The pads wear quickly and impacts the sonic character.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the information, good to know.

[@sumeetagarwal6561]

@@TheHonestAudiophile the silver tends to be cheaper on the used market, so I would go for that 👍

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Hmmm thanks for the information

[@1234Imre]

Thanks for the review! In case You would need to choose between the Ananda and the Clear, which one would You pick?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Both compliment each other very well. If I could only choose one headphone and the choice was the Ananda and Clear that would be a tough decision. But I would choose the Focal Clear but I'd badly miss my Hifiman Ananda.

[@prabinpaudel5572]

@@TheHonestAudiophile omg Ananda dethroned. Funny I was looking at used deals for clear today morning hoping they came at same price as Ananda.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

If the throne is wide enough both can sit on it, they're that good.

[@prabinpaudel5572]

@@TheHonestAudiophile guess I'll stick with my plan to skip all midfi gear and jump to Ananda or clear directly. 😁

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@prabinpaudel5572 Sounds like a good plan.

[@cybergod77]

I have this and am tempted to compare it to your other lover, Ananda. Hope u can compare the Tor w/ the Xduoo-TA30 and Felks audio. Which dac did u connect to the Tor, Mytek Liberty?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My Tor Audio Roger was connected to multipe DAC, the iFi Neo, Geshelli Labs JNOG and Mytek Liberty. Would love the opportunity to review the TA30 or anything from Feliks Audio, maybe one day.

[@cybergod77]

@@TheHonestAudiophile I have the mytek liberty, any of the above mentioned dacs sound better?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I loved the pairing with the Mytek and the Neo was also very pleasing.

[@cybergod77]

@@TheHonestAudiophile I just auditioned the Ananda...yeszzz, I'm in love w her too... seems like we have a preference for a similar sound signature. The drums at the opening notes of the track, Money for Nothing by Dire Straits caused my ears to tingle w/ joy. Compared against the Audeze LCD2C and the Final audio Sonorous III. The Audeze was too warm and Final Audio was great on clarity but sounded a tad clinical & lacked sub-bass.

[@cybergod77]

@@TheHonestAudiophile will surely give it a try, thks

[@bombadt-yt9818]

been wanting these for a while, but their driver issues is still haunts me to this day

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Havent heard anything about driver issues.

[@bombadt-yt9818]

@@TheHonestAudiophile plenty of that out there, just type in the keyword 'Focal driver failure'. Now I know that defects exists in all kinds of electronics, but its just how often people in the community will report issues like this. I do hope they've fixed this when I'm going to get my own pair of Clear.

[@RX-rd4sc]

sony z1r vs focal clear? which will you choose?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Sorry I've only heard the Z1r at audio shows for brief moments and don't recall enough to compare.

[@giorgivashakidze4805]

Hello, I want upgrade my 660s. Is focal clear pro a good Option?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Clear is an upgrade in someways but it comes with a more intense presentation, small stage width, little better detail retrieval and resolution and slightly metallic tone and timbre. The Clear sounds best on tube amps.

[@giorgivashakidze4805]

@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks, I have been looking for an upgrade my hd 660s for several months now. can you tell me some Option?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Are you asking for other options besides the Focal Clear?

[@giorgivashakidze4805]

@@TheHonestAudiophile im looking for a natural sounding Headphone under 2000 £

[@prabinpaudel5572]

Didn't you use it with your bellari tube amp? Tor Roger is more expensive I think. 500?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I listened to it in all gear, just didn't mention everything in review. Sounded okay on Bellari, nothing special.

[@prabinpaudel5572]

@@TheHonestAudiophile okay will keep that in mind. Maybe I buy a balanced cable and run it with my hip dac. 😁 Buying another cable seems recommended according to your mood while describing them. 😉

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@prabinpaudel5572 yeah the stock cable is mediocre at best

[@MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING]

There is no difference between the focal clear professional and the focal clear it's a color I believe.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness

[@rkd59]

Yes no real difference. The color is different and also the accessories that come with it are different. However, the newer Clear Pro "MG" version has different drivers and different sound. MG means magnesium drivers.

[@enkedo]

✔👍

[@wesleyleigh4063]

i just don't get how this could be when according to every FR chart there is massive, almost 10db dips in the treble? I ended up selling my 58x jubilees because of a couple 5db dips, everything just ended ups sounding muffled or just lacking. I mean the idea of almost double that makes me want to puke! I swear every single reviewer of this headphone has only ever used them for like a week and so it hasn't really landed yet.

[@x32i77]

Dont Play the Song Traust ( Heilung) , over 80 dB , the bass will crack the driver :/ . Thats not the case with my meze empyrean. Looks like the Focal clear cant play deep sub base .