Focal Clear Review - Ultimate HD 6X0 Upgrade

[@PredCaliber]

HD650 guy here. Got the Focal Clear for a week now, so here are my 2 cents vs the HD650. Hopefully it will help other HD650, HD600, or HD6xx owners. First impressions: To be honest I expected night and day difference first time listening since the HD650 is 350 Eur and the Focal Clear is 1500 Eur MSRP. So I launched my Tidal (HIFI) to test some random tracks, and to be honest I have to say first impressions for me were that they almost sounded the same as my HD650.. I know that audiophile gear usually doesn't scale well in price, but 1500 Eur vs 350 Eur but that was not really something I did expect.. For that my initial thoughts were to return them the next day and stick to my HD650. After one week: However, I did decide to give it a week to critically listen to Focal Clear's before returning them. when I did some more serious critical listening I could notice for sure on some HQ loseless tracks (Tidal HIFI) that the sound stage sounded wider and more clear (No pun intended) than my HD650. Some specific mastered tracks even sounded WAY better than the HD650. But then finally.. the funny thing was, after a week of full use of the Focal Clear, and switching back to the HD650 I directly noticed the 650's were actually sounding inferior in almost every way. It was like a curtain has been placed over the Focal Clears, and all of a sudden the HD650 sounded a bit 'muddy' which I never really experienced like that before. Switching back to the HD650's, it was directly noticeable that you were missing details and clarity when listening the same music vs the Focal Clear. Its just not as crisp and detailed anymore as on the Focal Clear. Also bass is WAY better and more natural on the Clears than on my HD650. Not really something you see much in Focal Clear reviews. The way to compare this the best to is when you are now playing a 15 year old videogame. In your mind it looked a lot better, but it appears not to be. I felt the same way after trying to switch back to the HD650 from a week of Focal Clear use. Verdict: I got my Focal Clear's for 920 Euro which is a way more interesting price point than the 1500 Eur MSRP imo. Also Spotify is fine, but this headphone is endgame material and really requires a good DAC, and loseless music like Tidal HIFI to really take full advantage of this headphone. Gaming is fine as well, but I think this headphone just shines the best with music.Comfort is fine, and the pads are nice. They are a however a bit heavier than the HD650, take note of that. Still the HD650 , 600, and especially the HD6xx are a way better price point for what you get of course. Also I used these on an external Sound Blaster X7 premium AMP/DAC. It is more than a fine DAC/AMP, but it will probably sound even better on a bit higher level DAC's as well. Also, even while reviews say this headphone should not require an EQ as much as the HD800s, I really liked it a lot more with EQ. (I used the Crystallizer and EQ in the Sound Blaster software.)

[@raikozy35]

very interesting take. I have been contemplating whether I should get the clear as well (and contemplating between the OG and the MG). I have the 6xx since 2017 and I really love the sound signature with the exception of the slightly luckluster sub-bass lol. I heard the focal clear is like 650 but with everything turned to 11 and the bass turns to 20. It seems to be so good lol. I'm currently using my beyer dt177x go as a daily driver but I have been using my KEF ls50 meta more recently (a speaker yeah and the entire system cost double clear mg at full price). The heavily discounted OG clear is so enticing to me right now, especially that I already have a relatively high end amp/dac to back it up. I guess my only concern is, the build quality and the insanely high price for replacement of earpads.

[@JRussUT]

I've been considering the Clear (and the Audeze LCD-X) as an upgrade to my HD6XX and your review is just what I needed. After spending most of the last year with some excellent IEMs, the Senns do seem dull and flat...but not all the time.

[@filovirus1]

wow 4k image is just stunning!

[@fclp67]

his shirt turns into a freak of nature at 4K, at least on my monitor

[@thechef5531]

Kept the Clear Pro over the Utopia, Empyrean , and Arya. The Clear have the perfect balance between all 3 mentioned above.

[@keithb5612]

Hi. Did you try the Focal Clear grey version? I wonder if there is a tuning difference between the Clear Professional and standard grey version?

[@thechef5531]

@@keithb5612 There's no difference in sound. Which has been confirmed by Focal themselves. It's on their website.

[@keithb5612]

@@thechef5531 Many thanks

[@yujmgo]

That's nice to hear since i recently bought the clear pro. I also listened to the stellia and empyrean on a store and despite loving the empyrean, i didn't like the stellia one bit. It sounded metallic in comparison.

[@bruinranger13]

@@yujmgo Supposedly there is some slight variance between the clear and clear mg. The mg prob and the mg are the same. This channel recently did a comparison showing some slight differences between the mg and clear. Mg has slightly more bass which I absolutely love. I think the treble differences here less low treble on the mg and more upper treble, could be wrong on that. To be up front, I do not have a clear, but I do have a Clear MG Pro, and absolutely love it.

[@hal9xxx321]

Me: **looks at my HD650** Me: Don't worry my boi, i still love you and you're irreplaceable

[@VeeHausen]

Comparisons are evil! 600/650's are still great!

[@Bumper210]

My pair is 15 years old, and is still great, absolutely love it

[@hal9xxx321]

@@Bumper210 it's kinda insane that we can get headphones that can potentially last up to 20+ years with good care and also delivers amazing sound and comfort for just 200 dollars (HD6XX). The HD6X0 series will forever be regarded as legendary and everyone should own one :)

[@cowboyflipflopped]

I have a pair of HD6XX, and a HiFiMan 400i. I apply some EQ to the 400i to bring up the bass and bass extension, add a little warmth, and reduce the 8kHz peak. I have the 6XX for jazz, classical, and acoustic. I have the 400i for everything else. Total cost (not including the Topping D30 and JDS Atom amp): $350. Why spend more?

[@tswizzy5526]

@@cowboyflipflopped if you're broke just say it m8 ;)

[@r00s.]

I really like these headphones. They are my current go-to. I got an open-box pair of the Clear Pros for around $1100 and couldn't be happier. Probably the best all-around set that I've heard.

[@Wadacup]

Which other ones have you heard? I love my Pro's they're soooooo goood

[@r00s.]

@@Wadacup I have heard Beyerdynamic T1.2, HD 6XX, LCD 2 rev 1, Denon D7200, Argon Mk3, Philips X2HR, DT880 600ohm, AKG K553 mk2, SHP 9500, HD558, and some more I am forgetting. I really liked the T1.2s, but the Clear was better in every way, IMO.

[@Wadacup]

@@r00s. well damn haha. Thanks

[@DanDhaniels]

@@r00s. Hello :) So I got a brand new Clear, after saving all the cash imaginable to buy it... and two months later the left driver died :/ I've seen a lot of comments on forums where other buyers complain the same thing, and I wouldn't have bought the Clear if I had read those comments before. I feel so disappointed, I'm not rich and this was expensive. Sent them to Focal in France for repairs (it's under warranty), but honestly I'm scared it will happen again, because it takes time to deliver and then get them sent back to my country... it's an annoyance. Is your Clear still working? Like no problems? Am I one of the few unlucky customers? Thanks in advance for your attention :)

[@r00s.]

@@DanDhaniels I am sorry to hear that. My Clear is still going strong, but admittedly I am very gentle with it. I put it back in it's carrying case when I am not listening. Keep us informed of how the replacement goes!

[@FabioKasper]

Great review Chrono. That was a very Clear explanation. That combo will be mine. Fingers crossed.

[@chrono-headphonereviews242]

Hahaha I see what you did there. Best of luck!

[@TheWretchedWorld]

only pair of headphones that i ended up keeping for over a year after replacing my hd600 and believe me there have been many.....

[@brothatwasepic]

I just got this incredible headphone for $550USD from someone who already had the Utopias and wanted to free up some cash. They are absolutely incredible and the dynamic punch and instrument separation/imaging is honestly more separated than my HD800. I am so impressed with the Focal clears

[@stamatiskokotas-x5w]

ur lucky

[@brothatwasepic]

@@stamatiskokotas-x5w I think I see a few pairs on sale on canuck audio Mart in case it helps. Have a good one

[@SeanLiu4]

I'd love to see you review a zmf auteur and do a comparison video between the two, given their prices 🙂

[@DBSTH0R]

Another excellent review, very nicely done and covering all the important bases. Especially about the weighty stock cables. Thanks for the EQ, I might give it a try even though I am not so keen on using it. Three things I think you've missed pointing out: 1) pads and headband discoloration & expensive replacements (none for the headband as far as I know) 2) creaking headband, especially in combination with weighty cables 3) these need a really quiet room to enjoy them properly (i.e. hear all those details) With this in mind, and your recommendation to get aftermarket cables - Clear Professional in red / black version is IMHO a better and more affordable option. You lose the balanced cable whist gaining extra set of replacement pads. This is what I am feeding my ears with for the last month, based on Andrew's recommendation. :) For custom cables, I recommend customcans.co.uk if you are from EU like me. I've picked up an XLR cable from them. Reasonable prices and fast shipping. Last but not least (and this very well might be a placebo effect) I find these to sound their best from a balanced connection. I've read JohnYung1997 (forum and YT nick, an audio engineer from a company Topping) say that balanced connection can help "with channel separation with low impedance load". So perhaps there is some truth to what I'm hearing since these are only 55 Ohms...

[@djhmax09]

How are the clear pro stock cables? They look more manageable in photos

[@DBSTH0R]

@@djhmax09 Stiff and heavy. Especially the coiled one. Inasmuch that, on one occasion one cup connector partially disconnected due to weight when moving around when I was at max length before needing to stretch it fully to get more length. They are high quality no doubt, just heavy and stiff.

[@hal9xxx321]

Stellar review chrono!

[@raff6590]

Awesome review!!! The comparative between headphones was great, giving a good a idea of the strenghs and weakness of the Focal Clear. Besides that I really would like to know how the Clear behaves with other genres like Acoustic or Eletronic Music and how it behaves with other uses like Movies or Games.

[@iliketoreadiliketothink1763]

These are nice. But I got to say, I love my HD 600 and I am satisfied with them to the point where I don’t feel the immediate inclination to spend triple the money on something that may or may not be marginally better. Although the very fact that I am watching this video shows that I must be open to the idea. But, I think I will stick with my 600

[@steverosales2616]

Do It!

[@soulfulfool]

yea do it before you sink in this expensive game

[@aceofspades6667]

great review and great looking product... Focal is on fire!

[@JosephEhrenpreis]

Thanks for the detailed review!

[@ThePlatonas]

the best pair i've ever heard, prefer them over the utopia! think it's my endgame! hope i get lucky at your focal giveaway!!

[@Alxtorr77]

I got the 6xx.. I hope to win to upgrade and enjoy the clears

[@divinecurrent9053]

Great review Chrono! I hear those same peaks on the Elex (treble peak is closer to 11 kHz though), and with the correct EQ they are absolutely the Sennheiser upgrade I was looking for, along with the Sundaras. I do want to try the Clears at some point though, even if they are only slightly better than the Elex. edit: By the way, the headphone footage you shot looks so freaking high quality and clear, pun intended!

[@SeanSisco]

Purchased the Clear, used them for a few months and sold them....but kept my HD600. Obviously the HD600 are not "better" but I just wasn't thrilled by the Clears and I use my HD600 or LCD-2C for music depending on genre

[@dennisvanderben2719]

That's why I liked them more than the other focals! but hd600 are my babes

[@GiulianoM14]

Looks beautiful.

[@hectormendez4593]

Great review!

[@nkenchington6575]

I've had the Pro version for a week now. Wonderful. Try listening to Zappa doing Inca Roads...

[@rickg8015]

What’s the main difference with the Pro version? Hopefully a more linear HF response?

[@nkenchington6575]

@@rickg8015 errr , red pads, mush!

[@rickg8015]

Nick Kenchington ahh cosmetics lol.. Thanks.

[@DBSTH0R]

@@rickg8015 Asside from different colors, you lose a balanced cable and gain a set of replacement ear pads. FR / tuning is the same.

[@keithb5612]

@@DBSTH0R Hi. An audio vendor tells me that the Focal Clear Professional headphone is more neutral than the standard grey version. Have you tried both at all? Cheers

[@edjack1993]

I just ordered these on run-out sale for USD530. Super excited to hear them. Feels like I might have got a bargain!

[@TillTheLightTakesUs]

Great "clear" headphones. One of my favourites that I've had the pleasure of listening at an audio show. The world would be mine if I were to win it.

[@N3ukenInD3K3uken]

I prefer their budget option the 'muddy'

[@kobestrazdins2977]

Great review

[@thechef5531]

If anyone is worried about the treble. These are closer to the HD600 than the HD800, HD700 which make you feel like your being scalped. Lol

[@jonjon-xb1kg]

damn these look really good

[@naivesakura]

Nice, Wish I have such a fidelity headphone :)

[@aniksinha3784]

What amp + dac would you recommend for this? Budget under $500. I am leaning towards JDS Element 2

[@djhmax09]

Got mine for $800 new! Love my clears

[@r00s.]

That's an outstanding price. Mind if I ask where you got that incredible deal? Thanks. Focal Fam World Wide!

[@nemesis82]

Yeah.. Where from??

[@djhmax09]

Just got lucky. The site had extra inventory and they offered a brand new pair for $800! Told me to keep it on the down-low so that's all I'll say

[@P.7005]

@@djhmax09 👀

[@juanp756]

Go to eBay guys, and be patient. In a pair of months you can get a good deal. In the two months I watched prices I saw 4 below between 700-1k$. Finally got mine new for 900$.

[@darrellharwood6600]

Totally off topic: you have incredibly nice teeth. Also, very cool pictures.

[@santibergallo]

Nice review!

[@SugaFree2387]

How is the detail and imaging compared to HD800s?

[@fatelvis5791]

These are my favorite dynamic driver headphones.

[@jaxtrauma]

Love my Clear!

[@frankhorvath7495]

The stiff cables relax over time

[@imabeliever85]

How sensitive is this headphone, will it sound excellent out of an iPhone, or do you really need an amplifier to drive it?

[@yeahthatsright33]

Oh man I hope I win these.

[@danidingo977]

Many people are complaining about the Focals clipping at moderate/high volume? No reviewer talks about it. Why???

[@titienne1937]

Well, it can start to clip at around 90-95 dB, but you honestly shouldn't even listen to music that loud to begin with, so is it really that big of a problem?

[@TheSPazCORE]

If you're hearing any clipping or distortion you are in hearing damage territory. I listen quite loud 80-87db range approximately and no issues with my pair.

[@chrono-headphonereviews242]

In the video, I addressed the clipping that seems to cause a lot of concern online. You really need to be stress-testing these to get them to clip hahaha

[@Wadacup]

If they clip within normal listening ranges (under SPL levels that damage your hearing), they are defective and need to be exchanged or repaired. All drivers in speakers too, clip if driven to the limit

[@Wadacup]

Also the reviewers haven't experienced it, because it's such a small quantity of the total product sold

[@x-techgaming]

So, Clear sounds as big as 660? Bigger? I love how 660 sounds, unlike 600 & 650.

[@randomdudeman4782]

Bought the clear years ago as an HD6X0 upgrade. Didn't think it was one - the treble peaks were bothersome and the midrange tembre wasn't as good. But it was a good sounding balanced headphone with exceptional punch and dynamics, an excellent sense of smoothness throughout the mids, and very good bass, but marred by the peaky highs. I bought the Utopia afterwards and, well, that wasn't it either. Though the resolution on the Utopia is significantly higher. Now using an EQ'd L700, and that gets pretty close to the Sennheiser FR, though some tembral weirdness remains. Maybe RAAL ribbons next?

[@MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING]

I would get the full clear professional because I love the red and black and OOOOOOOO I love RED

[@bot02525]

What's the headphone stand seen in this vid?

[@brianisaac1804]

How are they for FPS games?

[@garrygalloway5043]

I own the Stellia and they also clip at levels that are not that loud. Before buying I had contacted Focal asking them what the maximum input level was. They never clearly answered my question. I took it for granted because of their reputation. Not being able to play them loud enough, I feel as though I've wasted my money and have repacked the item in its original parcel while I decide what to do.

[@Wadacup]

They're defective if they clip at safe listening levels below the permanent damage range (loud). Maybe just replace or warranty them first?

[@davidmason8212]

A dynamic headphone got a better Seperation than a planar headphone? This was a shock

[@oblio44]

How do the Focal Elex differ from the Clear in sound?

[@NotOrdinaryInGames]

In the small "default" window your shirt looks psychedelic.

[@djhmax09]

Focal should do some earpad giveaways instead. Sooo expensive! Lol

[@MrLeeCox]

Nice

[@P.7005]

Apart from Focal what other extremely dynamic headphones are there?

[@chrono-headphonereviews242]

Audeze's. They kick hard, harder than Focal.

[@P.7005]

@@chrono-headphonereviews242 bass slam too?

[@chrono-headphonereviews242]

Pixel From what I have experienced so far, they slam the hardest in the bass.

[@garychen2181]

I personally thought the focals have better dynamics than audeze cans, try demoing them and deciding for yourself.

[@P.7005]

Hopefully I can especially with corona around

[@dkssudgktpdy492]

You can buy it in Korea for $900.

[@hassabsaeed9993]

Also in Saudi Arabia same price for new

[@DjTumbao]

is the head band replasable ?

[@MRFUTURETECHNOLOGYGAMING]

Yeah but the sennheiser's have the most natural timbre on the 580 580 jubilee 580 precision HD600-HD650 DROP MAGIC HD6-xx excluding the 58x and 660s

[@DarkPa1adin]

can you compare Clear to Elex please? :)

[@juanargueta5988]

I just got this crazy deal the focal arche with focal clear for $2000 so it like almost getting the arche for free or the clear for free

[@DJEcchi]

What does metallic sound like?

[@llevine6510]

like you scratch the surface of a metal..try it you will see

[@bubukill1]

I need them...

[@chai2913]

ananda vs clear would be nice

[@nemesis82]

These or the anandas??

[@olimphus26]

ok, i do have an instagram, Andrew didnt mention instagram in his video... one question tho, how do you know its my instagram (or facebook page) if my usernames and emails for those accounts are completely different, this is something ive always wondered? the form only asks what is my youtube name not my instagram name. Anyway i hope i win LOL , i want a new amp.

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

You can just put it in the comments.

[@slimshadythe111]

Anybody else here has been traumatized by the dt 990 pro's treble?

[@tatangarts222]

this review makes me wan't to upgrade my headphone

[@jamesbianchi]

Love me some headphones.com

[@SoundWaveTrax]

The HD800 has no bass clipping with +4 dB bass boost.

[@fatdoi003]

i prefer Elex over Clear..... real bang for buck

[@scottiepdizzle]

dude, please slow that hand movement waaaaay down... I nearly had a seizure from the constant motion. but otherwise a very good review. ty

[@rskbug]

hi

[@Wadacup]

Yo

[@konradherrmann3213]

tanx

[@LuboAck]

Nice one, but Elex is a better value

[@Bradum]

"For a Flagship class headphone" I don't think he understands what a "flagship" is. It doesn't just mean "high end".

[@Wadacup]

What do you mean?

[@dakaroz]

Never wear that shirt again

[@hassabsaeed9993]

Every Focal headphone just clip with bass ,, PASS

[@MrGrosMamouth]

Hassab Saeed what do you mean it clips?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

You need to be driving the Focals to unsafe listening levels in order to get them to clip. If they clip at regular listening levels than they are defective and would be replaced or repaired under warranty.

[@Wadacup]

This is not true, don't disparage entire companies based off your misguided assessment of a few posts on the internet

[@hassabsaeed9993]

@@Wadacup ​ @SR Teacup my dear i bought the Elear , Elex , and i tried the Utopia ,, its your comment is not the true , not mine , beside that thank you ,, you confirmed me by saying others also experienced the same problem

[@hassabsaeed9993]

@@TheHEADPHONEShow moon audio refused to repair my Elear and they said it clip by design , massdrop actually were more honest and accepted my Elex return , also they offered 140$ refund but i chose to return it

[@nebula1923]

hi