FOCAL CLEAR _ (Z Reviews)

[amzn.to/2EbBTKG] -- Clear on Amazon
Dekoni ---- [dekoniaudio.com/filter/?produ...]
[ / zeos ] -- Check out the Patreon
SOUND DEMO : • Video
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Wallpaper : i.REMOVED .com/7JqXTK6.jpg
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[HiFiGuides.com] -- A Better Buying Guide
[ / zeos ] -- My Reddit Buying Guides
[ / zeospantera ] -- Yes, I have a twitter

[@ZReviews]

For anyone concerned about the amplification... From its creator. "Since people have been asking about the HPBA-2 output impedance being 164 ohms, and the MAIN tech difference has not been mentioned, an explanation is in order. The HPBA-2, unlike the vast majority of amps, which are voltage driven, is a current-drive amplifier. This is a pivotal difference! Voltage-drive amplifiers are audio voltage sources, the headphones 'see' them as a voltage source, which, in theory, has no internal resistance (in practice low ohms), while HPBA-2 is seen by the headphones as an audio current source. Current sources, in theory, have infinite impedance (in practice HIGH ohms). The drawback is that current drive implies that the headphones have a ruler flat impedance curve, as it tends to follow specularly this impedance response curve in the FR. The solution to make the HPBA-2 perfect is a correct dosage of what is called CDI (current drive index), in words, how much the amp tends to a perfect current source. Hence the 164 ohms. All this is because, according to the laws of physics, the formula describing the force which moves the headphone driver membrane is the following: F = B*l*i where: B is the magnetic flux density (in Tesla), l is the length of wire contained in the magnetic field, i is the current in the wire As you examine the equation above, you'll see the MAIN difference here between voltage drive and current drive in controlling the voice coil: namely the voltage between the ends of the wire does not appear in this equation at all! This means that in an ordinary voltage-drive amp, the current needed to form the magnetic field in the voice coil and produce the membrane movement, is indirect, consequence of ohm's law: a voltage in a resistance (coil wire), gives a proportional current. The voltage-drive amps move the membrane indirectly. Current-drive amps: they deliver a "current", not a voltage, and this directly governs the magnetic field in the voice coil, the voltage, as per ohm's law is, in this case, a consequence, however negligible since the voltage does not appear in the above equation, so current-drive amps move the membrane directly !!!"

[@vm6038]

Ok, that's way too technical an explanation for most people I think, but let's assume that it all indeed means that the Focal headphones should be driven perfectly fine by the amp. However, on the website it clearly says " Minimum load impedance: 200Ω or higher", "Recommended load impedance: 600Ω". Why? From my understanding this means that headphones under 200 Ohms will still be too affected by the output impedance (or something else?) of the amp.

[@vm6038]

From your description of the Clear sound, I think it's pretty likely that you are getting that frequency response spike around 60Hz due to impedance mismatch with the amp. In no way is the Clear a bass heavy headphone out of a low impedance amp. It's only very slightly above neutral in the low end and even that's debatable. I have the Elex here as well. I compare them directly and they sound very similar in the low end in terms of quantity. Unless it's your amp or sample variation between headphones, I don't know what else could cause you to perceive the Clear as a bass heavy headphone. Fit maybe?

[@velocetplus]

Have you already bothered listening to them with another amp?

[@vm6038]

Check out the section of the Clear review from DIY Audio Heaven about output impedance and how it affects the headphones. Measurements of the effect are provided there: diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/focal/clear/ In a nutshell: "As can be seen the tonal balance changes considerably when connected to a higher output resistance amplifier. You get about 6dB more lower bass." That's out of an amp with an 120Ohm output impedance. That's a pretty big bass boost.

[@jameslee123]

Smells like BS. How headphones are driven has nothing to do with why we want as low of an output impedance as possible--namely to increase the electrical damping. When you send an impulse to a speaker driver, it moves. Because it has mass and physics applies to speaker drivers, it keeps moving due to momentum. The driver's coil, which is immersed in a magnetic field, will generate its own current. That current has to go somewhere. When the amp's output impedance is high, that current (momentum) drains from the headphone more slowly than an amp with a low output impedance. It is said to be poorly damped, and, according to NwAvGuy, the following should be expected: "the bass performance of the headphones, as designed by the manufacture, may be audibly compromised if there’s insufficient damping. The bass might become more “boomy” and less controlled. The transient response becomes worse and the deep bass performance is compromised (the headphones will roll off sooner at low frequencies)" In other words, you described in your review the exact behavior ("muddiness; boomy, elevated bass") as predicted by the physics. Between that, the manufacturer's own recommendation of using the HPBA-2 with 600 ohm headphones, and dozens of commenters (not to mention other respected reviewers and plain old frequency response measurements) who have had a markedly different experience with the Clear, maybe it's time to reconsider your methods? Besides, you have a THX AAA 789 amp now. There's no reason to use anything else if you really want to be impartial.

[@mr.dynamite2543]

As a Clear owner, I lost track of how many things I disagreed with in this video.

[@leatherhidegaming]

Same here.

[@CaveyMoth]

I thought the Clear has an emphasis on treble, specifically.

[@turbomustang84]

He prefers a rather boring sound signiture which is fine but I wouldn't make purchase decisions based on what he says . His videos are fun to watch but I've agreed with his opinion about 5 percent of the time at most .

[@viveksood8323]

@@turbomustang84 I agree. T2 is a good IEM and he recommended that to everyone and I found it boring. Love the BLONs though. We need more opinions. He loves his stuff .. tends to praise almost everything unless its really bad.

[@scottlowell493]

He lost me completely when he hyped the monolith 1060's.

[@aceofspades6667]

I absolutely love my clears! They sound great on any amp I have and I love the length of the cables as I listen 8.5 feet away.

[@MidnightTitan]

I'm glad I bought the clears before I watched this review, I would have made a huge mistake.

[@ELSA-ex4ph]

Based on his reviews bad purchases like the m1060 and el amp are God tier after those mistakes I look to other reviewers on better choices like tyll review of the clears bought them and couldn't be happier after zeos saying they are beat pro of the focal line he is just a joke of a reviewer

[@kaimills8807]

Mitch Turbisky what’s wrong with el amp, looking at measurements it’s nearly perfect

[@krutorkruty1174]

does these headphones benefit from tube amp?

[@soulfulfool]

@@krutorkruty1174 yes

[@ChrisStoneinator]

@@kaimills8807 What the fuck has that got to do with how it sounds?

[@zequnsun1264]

Tyll and Jude would not be happy to hear that "Clear is like beats"...

[@zindahoon]

Clear are surly not like beats they sound amazing

[@klewja]

I really like this channel and I actually ended up with the LCD-X after seeing it here. I have a pair of Clears and was able to compare the actual songs to what is represented in the sound demo. I did this with the Idsd BL, AK SP1000, and K300 as well as with the ALO CV5. I must say that there seems to be something going on with the sound. Either there is something wrong with these cans or it has something to do with the recording. In the sound demo they have very exaggerated bass and sound veiled and muddy. With the Clears that I have the bass is very even and impactful. There is much more air and detail than what is represented here. I am not going to say that it is because of the amp pairing but the utopia sounds very veiled and muddy too comparatively. I find that the Clear actually has a larger soundstage and even more so with the Utopia pads on them (I wish Focal would get real with the pricing on the pads $250 is too much for any ear pad).

[@c.cullum5526]

I think this is going to be one of Zeo's most controversial videos ever.

[@ZReviews]

Don't wish it on me

[@MichaelLee-ch8bh]

Hello, can you recommend a tube amp that would match the Clear? I’m thinking the Woo WA6 but I couldn’t find its output impedance. Many thanks.

[@HungryCheff]

Dude, ZEOS love your reviews, but listening to the sound demo and comparing them to my clears i immediatelly noticed the bass wasn't right. Doncamatic has ZERO bass on my clears and on yours it like beats as you said. I've heard this before and it's because the amp's output impedance is too high for the Clears.

[@velocetplus]

Did he really review them using only one amp, and an unsuitable one at that? If so, this review is completely ridiculous and he definitely should put more time and effort in.

[@ZReviews]

Final listen was that amp and sound demo. I confirmed with one or two others about the bass before settling on my opinion.

[@HungryCheff]

@@ZReviews Sorry that i and alot of others are such a burden about this. But the clears just are not bassey, and does not come close to the sound demo when properly amped. I have personally used the Audio GD Nfb11, the Questyle cma400i and my LG V30. Next to that the difference between the clears and the elex is minimal. But with the elex being 80 Ohm and the clear 50 Ohm the bigger difference you precieved is again easily explained. So please just relisten if you ever get the chance.

[@ELSA-ex4ph]

@@HungryCheff he calls them the beat pros can't take him seriously

[@Vracer111]

@@ZReviews So what other amps besides the QES did you try the various Focals on? Normally you would try headphones on whatever is at your disposal... yet for these Focals it seems you just up and ran with the QES amp. Why not just run them straight out the RME ADI-2 DAC?

[@dylancakes]

What do you do if one side of your headphones ( Audeze LCD-2c ) no longer works randomly? Tried two different cables. Send backup, pls.

[@turbomustang84]

I am of the mind that anyone buying a headphone based solely on an opinion expressed by Zeos or any of his compatriots is making a huge mistake . This is great content to watch and Zeos makes very fun videos But the problem comes when there is a statement made such as these being like Beats.... This is a ridiculous statement that most that have heard the Focal clears would find completely false . So enjoy the videos but don't take them too serious because what Zeos likes might be world's away from what you like I only listen to his opinion on build quality where most of the time he is spot on.

[@61SouLReapeR61]

focal elex, lcd2c and mobius for closed with aune stack/schiit jotunheim - do you approve?

[@dylanangel2870]

are spirit one S any good for $100ish they go for

[@gnewt75]

To compare these to beats is a bit much. I own these and find these to be balanced and quite good. Especially with the provided XLR cables and a good amp.

[@jpa244]

I have them with Querstyle 400i, using balanced cables and they sound gorgeous.

[@volvoew1585]

Can you do something with dali speakers?

[@6a6uHBHyK]

These or Aeon Flow Open?

[@DjTumbao]

hi how r u ? can you change the headband ?

[@c.cullum5526]

I personally have the Clears, and I absolutely love them. I will say that it use them on a Cavalli tube hybrid which definitely smooths them out, and it took my ears maybe a week to really get used to them. But after that, I would have a hard time finding a pair of headphones I liked more. I was happy to hear so many other big names absolutely loved them (Tyll, etc), but I was very curious to hear how you felt Zeos. Thanks. As for how much bass you say they have, I don't have that for my ears. They seem quite well balanced for me; much better balanced compared to my HiFiMan 400i's. The Clears are generally considered the best behaved of the Focal line. I'd love to demo Elex's.

[@02honeydew]

How are they comfort wise for you? Do they evenly distribute over your head without giving you any kind of fatigue? I'm on a quest for headphones that don't hurt my head and I'm currently deciding between these and the Ether Flows but unfortunately can't try either in person.

[@djhmax09]

@@02honeydew They're pretty comfortable to me......the only thing that makes them slightly "uncomfortable" is the weight. For reference I'm comparing them with the nightowl and aeon flow closed comfor-wise

[@c.cullum5526]

@@02honeydew Hard to say. For me, they are comfortable. They are heavier than most headphones, they are certainly heavier than my He400i's, but they are not uncomfortable. The clamp force is noticable, but I sort of like that personally. I have HD598s that disappear on the head, but I find the clamp force unsatisfying on headphones like that. Overall, I'd give comfort a 7.5/10, but for me, they are well worth the sound. Keep in mind I find Zeo's review the odd-man-out. Most other outlets LOVED the Clear and had a totally different impression of it, so it depends whether you like the headphone or not. If you don't like it, you won't find the comfort a selling point.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

Architect Is the "Cavalli tube hybrid" this one www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=33305 or is it an older model? I'm considering getting one based on the reception so far.

[@Sebastian_Athea]

@@02honeydew I have the Elear, and they are 6.5/10 comfort, not that they are uncomfortable I can wear them for 6h without issues, but HD800 put them to shame in comfort department.

[@kvn864]

here is how it went for me: -put elears on my head .. ehh ..ehh -bought clears .. hmm .. hmm -had a chance to plup utopias on my head, and knew right away what I will have

[@OriginalBosss]

Will a SMSL M3 be enough to power my beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition 250 Ohm headphones? I asked for some input a while back but you or no one else in the comments seemed to reply sadly Thanks!

[@Drac_YT]

According to the specs that should totally be enough to power them

[@mr.dynamite2543]

I have the Clears with WyWires Red cable and a. Burson Conductor V2+ and I’m in heaven.

[@Vracer111]

The Clears I tried had less subbass than my modded STAX L300 Limited setup while the Elear I demoed for a month had subbass right in line with the L300 Limited setup. Setup used for both the Clears and Elears was the same Gustard X20U DAC with custom Gustard H10 amp (which is a warm toned, high current, class A amp designed to properly drive planars and excells at driving Fostex biodynas.) Elears have way more of a sound issue though, highs were extremely weird and detail was just furious thrown right in your face. The Clear is a much more neutral and relaxed headphone which really sounds a bit like my L300 Limited, very pleasant experience compared to the Elears which gave me headaches - couldn't take much more than 30 minutes of them. Elear subbass impact is still well below that of a modded Fostex TH-X00PH, but their extension, midbass punch, and speed is noticeably better. Definitely prefer the mids and highs from a modded TH-X00PH though.

[@youwhatmadeidk]

Vracer111 Clear’s have very good sub-bass. You need to achieve a perfect fit for them otherwise you won’t hear much.

[@vm6038]

Have you tried the Clears out of a low output impedance amp Zeos? The bass should be neutral to very slightly above. I find that between the Elex and Clear, the bass quantity is quite close and right about neutral - maybe a couple dB of difference at most. None of the Focals should be paired with an amp that has an impedance of more than 10 Ohms or so otherwise, the frequency response alters audibly from the intended one and the sound starts loosing control. Google "damping factor" for more info. In case of the Clear, the higher the output impedance of the amp, the more emphasis the Clear will have on the low mid bass (or upper sub bass, whatever you want to call it) centered around 50-60Hz... A great way to bump the bass without EQ? Not really, because the sound also looses control and becomes more bloated.

[@vm6038]

I checked the manufacturer's page for the amp you used to review the Clears. It is this one if I am not mistaken: www.qeslabs.com/hpba2tc.html It clearly says " Minimum load impedance: 200Ω or higher", "Recommended load impedance: 600Ω". The Clears are 55 Ohms... Unless I am misunderstanding something, this is a problem.

[@NighteeeeeY]

7:16 oh man whats that track again???? need to listen to it ASAP. please send help :(

[@RyanZNO]

These reviews are opinions, take everything you hear with a huge grain of salt. I’ve purchased a few things based on his reviews and about half of them I’ve completely disagreed with after hearing it myself. The Focal Clear is a beautiful, and wonderful sounding headphone IF you enjoy detail. They’re not overly bright.

[@zamonian9525]

Thank you for pointing this out.

[@x-ray3431]

Hi Ryan, do you play games with your Clears? Just curious how they perform especially FPS games.

[@rhodey2952]

X -Ray they're pretty good for that. Wouldnt be my first pick for fps but I use them when I play fps and they work fine. The hd800S is better in gaming imo but the clear is probably the better all around headphone, again imo. Unless you just want the soundstage of the hd800 and use them for gaming I'd probably go clears. I think the Clears have good enough imaging and soundstage that helps in fps games. Not the best but very good all around. And sometimes the hd800S soundstage can be exaggerated. I enjoy it but others don't. All subjective tho.

[@x-ray3431]

@@rhodey2952 thank you Rhodey!

[@narkformost867]

How is this his opinion when he lies about its frequency response? it doesn't even have beats bass. it's called being incompetent reviewer.

[@humanbass]

I have the Clears and I love it. My only very minor complain is that the high-mids can be slightly harsh, but i'm way sensitive to highs and sibilance, 98% of the people won't have this impression. The bass is quite perfect, punchy but not bloaty at all. I didn't find the low end exagerated or any close to Beats at all.

[@MFillmore]

You can try to use a different cable with it. I went out and bought a different cable on ebay that smoothed out the treble considerably.

[@Catkat2907]

@@MFillmore cable sound OMEGALUL

[@joshfoss7407]

EQ to Oratory1990's curve. makes them fantastic

[@soulfulfool]

@@Catkat2907 actually Clear's can perform better if you have silver or mixed copper with silver wire, absolutely nothing harsh in their sound, they work great with tubes

[@Catkat2907]

@@soulfulfool your name fits.

[@RX-rd4sc]

z1r vs clear og in sound??? im wanting to buy one, which one is good?

[@halimj7]

Bismillah I agree the low end is elevated a little but other than that I find them to be really balanced and smooth with good imaging.

[@brianp4199]

I can't believe he said these are bass heavy. I thought they were bass light. I know what he means that it can sound a bit forward, but I like that type of sound.

[@davidbarger3820]

Taxi Driver is "you talkin' to me?" Marathon Man is "is it safe?"

[@rich_t]

Robert DeNiro vs. Dustin Hoffman.

[@Arman-hq1tr]

I had a listen to this to see how they rate, yeah you are right BUT when listened to with Focal's own headphone amp, it was actually quite good.

[@igorslajs212]

Hello Z, how come you never review Sonus faber Pryma 0/1?

[@Elusive_Chicken]

I own both, the Elex and the Clear. I like the clear more. In fact the clear is my favourite headphone right now.

[@jacksonville4932]

Still?

[@allen0088]

@@jacksonville4932 lol

[@jesusonlyway]

​@@allen0088what's lol about that?😅😂😆i'm lol to your lol! Lol!😄

[@allen0088]

@@jesusonlyway he said......STILL?

[@xSociety]

You def had something wonky going on with your setup here.

[@DGRWPF]

amp with 160ohm Zout

[@antxiety]

hey ik you hate the m50x but uhh how bout if it had bluetooth?!

[@ZReviews]

Nope, m50x with bt

[@klewja]

You should try the clear with the utopia pads. I find it to open up the sound stage. They are also more comfortable.

[@RealYethal]

Or with Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin

[@allen0088]

@@RealYethal which pads are better?

[@allen0088]

Which clear? Og or MG?

[@klewja]

@@allen0088 OG clears

[@GamersInkInfo]

Z, I love you, keep up the good entertaining content, but I agree this couldn't be further from being a bass head headphone. You sure you were not using a DAC with a 60Hz 9+DB boost? The bass on these are clear and crisp, It has a little more bass than a HD800s.

[@sussychachi]

Are theses good for vocals. Am looking for headphones for vocals.

[@chubbs4820]

what kind of software do you use to listen to music?

[@jipillow1]

I have started saying "oh my Science" just because of you

[@zblus]

What is that song he's listening to at the beginning?

[@SamCampbell]

Nanachi in the Light by Kevin Penkin (Made in Abyss soundtrack)

[@randomdudeman4782]

Clears have better subbass extension than the other Focals, and are in this regard among the best dynamic driver open headphones you can get. So the extra bass rumble can easily be that. They're also a bit more sensitive to the output impedance of your amp, and running them with an amp with too high impedance will give a big boost to the mid and upper bass. So it could be that too. I like mine, but the highs are wonky and uneven. Looking at the measurements, that seems to be a thing with all Focals. Out of the box they do have a slightly tinny and metallic edge to the highs. To fix it I EQ them, reduce the peaks in the highs and make the sound a bit more natural. They are very pretty and very well accessorized. The sound quality isn't worth $1100 or indeed $1500 which they cost when they first appeared. I'd put them at $500-800 SQ-wise, but then you throw in the very nice accessories and maybe it's worth it? I don't know. All I can tell you is that the L700 is on a different level sonically, but then again it's not as pretty and the ergonomics are straight out of the 70s. So I end up using the L700 (and various other Stax) for serious music listening and the Clear as well as the HD650 for everything else.

[@johnyang799]

I feel the output impedance of your amp you're using caused all the sound you described.

[@NiSHAN256]

they are 50ohm so no worry about the impedance imbalance.

[@vm6038]

From what I read, the ideal damping factor with headphones on an amp needs to be around 1 to 8+ in that the impedance of the headphones needs to be at least 8 times that of the output impedance of the amplifier. So divide 50 by 8 and you get 6.25. That is the maximum amp impedance that the Clears should ideally be paired with to get the intended tightness and frequency response.

[@RealYethal]

@@vm6038 The amp he uses has 164ohm output impedance

[@vm6038]

164 Ohms!? My God. No wonder Zeos gets a crapload of bass emphasis centered around 50-60Hz that is probably quite poorly controlled to boot. Just look at the Clear's impedance graph in measurements here: www.innerfidelity.com/images/FocalClearsnA1BRQE000007.pdf That spike in impedance means that the higher the output impedance of the amp the more the frequency response will be lifted in that region that's spiked...

[@vm6038]

Now Z's description of a lot of bass that's "not quite sub bass" makes perfect sense to me. :D

[@alessandrodifrancesco8110]

Sorry mate but you clearly don't know how the Focal Clear sound. You better delete this review in order to not loose your credibility

[@x-ray3431]

Lmfaooo

[@okktok]

Are you crazy

[@alessandrodifrancesco8110]

@@okktok sorry? I just found this review wrong and completely not giving justice to the Focal Clear. He is not Jesús ,he can be criticised when just messes up a review. Saying that are just good to listen to Miss Elliott means something is really wrong

[@RealYethal]

As a Clear owner I find some of your findings curious. I wouldn't call their bass bumped, to me they have about as much bass as they should, it's the Utopia that's bit bass light. Have you tried plugging them straight into the Aune or Fiio amp without a million adapters inbetween?

[@MFillmore]

Just remember that zeos prefers the hd600 over the hd650. The average person enjoys more bass than he does. So his version of bass bump is different. He likes slightly understated bass with good extension. Also think about his description of a club, he finds that situation overwhelming. The clears are high intensity in the best possible way imo.

[@ResolveReviews]

He's very confused about a lot of things. Soundstage on utopia is wide? ... what?? I feel like he needs to take a crash course on using terms correctly.

[@c.cullum5526]

I too find his review kind of puzzling. Of course different ears for different people, but to say they are basically higher quality BEATS seems...simply wrong. Most other outlets felt it was very well balanced and super dynamic.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

He said the lcd x's sound wide too, but literally everyone else that has reviewed it said there pretty intimate.

[@RealYethal]

@@enjoshi-godrez8775 And he said that Utopia have a bigger soundstage when it's actually the same size across the entire headphone range.

[@MrPigeonaids]

"smash the face against speakers and lets do some ecstasy"

[@x-ray3431]

🤔

[@nicklynchard7594]

Wow - I was sold on these headphones, and your review made me second guess myself. I love fully detailed vocals - clean and clear and suitable for stuff like Julien Baker. Can anyone give me some recommendations? I've googled until I'm dead, and just can't find a consistent review for headphones with expertise in piano/vocal type music. I'm so lost and need some help. Help?

[@nicklynchard7594]

Wish I could reach out to you, directly, Z reviews - you clearly, CLEARLY know what you're talking about. Thanks for the review either way.

[@Fremmy]

Buy them.

[@ELSA-ex4ph]

To me soundstage isn't everything my clears are the best headphones I owned coming from a lcd2,elex, he500, Senn hd6xx, hd600, hd598. The are just perfectly balanced and although the soundstage not large but about the hd6xx level ofsoundstage they are very detailed has a 360degree imaging and the bass is there when called for just enough and they are not dry but although not neutral it's very enjoyable. I heard more detail in the midrange in These than the elex or my other past headphones I would rek these to anyone in a heartbeat

[@russharris8964]

Love my Clears

[@AresPT]

Off-topic: is that a pair of Kef R3 in your desk?

[@exarkunn69]

But is still built like a French tank?

[@litsaudio]

the only purpose of boxes is to protext what's inside especially pricy things like this need foam and thick metal cases

[@MrJassim7]

can anyone help me plz i have sony bluetooth headphones how can i connect it to my amplifier so the sound be better and get louder volume

[@Matias-wu6xp]

The amp you're using is meant for high impedance cans not low like the 55 ohm clears

[@blueblizzard98]

what's the output impedance on the amp?

[@Matias-wu6xp]

@@blueblizzard98 I pretty sure it's over 100 ohms

[@Drac_YT]

@@Matias-wu6xp that would not be output impedance that would be recommended headphone impedance if it were 100 ohms.

[@Matias-wu6xp]

@@Drac_YT go check the qes website it says 164 ohm output impedence

[@Drac_YT]

@@Matias-wu6xp Geez that's insane output impedance. I wonder if they measured it different than normal

[@briandorsey6437]

Listen to the Clears out of the Sony TAZH1ES and you would be singing a different review - beautiful combo

[@briandorsey6437]

Or many other great amps

[@hellschatt]

These have the most beautiful highs I've heard. Still went for the HD800s, because they have a better soundstage... and more detail to be honest. Also I can't wear these longer than 30 minutes without getting headache while I can wear the Hd800s all day long.

[@xephyr2371]

Visiting my audio store tomorrow to make this final decision ... HD800s or Focal Clear

[@RY-gg2dm]

@@xephyr2371 Clears with Chord ShawCan cable and Chord Hugo2 amp, pure heaven!

[@Flackferry]

@@xephyr2371 which one you like?

[@xephyr2371]

@@Flackferry Did not like the Clears sound AT ALL. They are absolutely 11/10 design and build quality couldn't have done any better. For that type of build quality alone they should be praised. Headphones could've been 3000 USD easy with that type of construction. Anyway, sound popping at too high of volumes, my amp has plenty of juice and it didn't like my blasting-loud rock music, -1 from me. Sound was COLORLESS and that's where the CLEAR comes in - absolutely not and never again. I personally do not see the point in owning such FLAT headphones unless you're mixing maybe? But from an open-back?! Idek what to say. Realized from here that 800s will just be an arguably better option but that closed back with a more Japanese sound signature is the way to go for me personally. Purchased the Denon 9200s and haven't looked back. To satisfy the open-back headphone gap currently looking at repurchasing the 660s since those are a stupid good value and also the Fidelio X2 which I remember I was fond over with maybe one day upgrading those to the 800s. No rush. But, yah. Lmk if you have any questions would be happy to discuss. Cheers

[@Flackferry]

@@xephyr2371 I have the Clear Professional (brand new - 970 €) for a week now and I thaught they would sound better after 50 hours burn in but it did just a little. They are not worth for the price. So I'll send the Clears back and keep the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro with Oppo HA-2 SE because I love the sound from them. I can listen, mix and master music with the DT 1990 Pro a lot better.

[@ResilientME]

Man that amp has 4x the output impedance of an OTL tube amp. Says on their site 'for medium-high impedance headphones.' Test them with more amps like with the Fostex, it's the same deal. Low impedance headphones are amp picky divas.

[@ZReviews]

Yes but it's a current drive topography which means that number isn't the same as other amps.

[@vm6038]

So what is the actual output impedance of the amp? Should still be no more than 10 Ohms, but ideally no more than 6 for the Clear to sound their best.

[@frosty6845]

@@ZReviews who told you that because that simply isn't true

[@ZReviews]

@@frosty6845 the designer of the amplifier

[@ZReviews]

@@frosty6845 see newly pinned message

[@georgedoesstuff170]

Not Taxi Driver. "is it safe?" Is from Marathon Man. tee hee

[@reptilespantoso]

dr. Szell :-)

[@twr412]

Beat me to it.

[@cyberathlete]

Z almost had me convinced that Elex were supposedly better. But I personally did a side by side hearing comparison of the two, and that test revealed the Clear to be definitely better. Better balanced, tonality is better, and so is clarity. Elex are a bit v-shaped with not as resolving as the Clear. You can tell tracks sound better and with more detail on the Clear. I was using Hugo Dave as the AMP/DAC and that thing is to be heard through.

[@Geerladenlad]

Yeah but there is an $800- $1000 difference between those two. I'd say the Elex has the better $ value.

[@Cripple2588]

This entire review confused me. I hear none of what Z hears on my own Clear. Everything is so even and relaxed sounding, with just enough bass (far from exaggerated the way he's hearing it), and nice separation and imaging, albeit more intimate than I expected for a fully open headphone. They are probably one of the more neutral headphones I've ever listened to, but still confident and musical in their portrayal of anything that you listen to through them rather than boring, lifeless, and analytical the way a lot of other neutral 'phones come off sounding. Its weird that his sound so drastically different to him than mine do to me.

[@brydon10]

I think you should re-review these with the THX Amp. I'm not sure it would make a difference or not - but there's a lot of hate in these comments! Keep up the vids man.

[@JeffJacquesmd]

The Clears are beautiful with a THX amp

[@conrad9race1]

review Fiio FA7

[@c29395]

Not Taxi Driver. (Marathon Man) Laurence Olivier👀

[@TheJonazas]

These or LCD X's ? I want really loud and deep bass. I also wear my headphones for hours without breaks, and hope they won't be fatiguing in the high mids/treble. edit: I have Schiit Jotunheim as DAC/AMP.

[@vm6038]

LCD X will output more bass with better quality and less distortion, so I would go with that if you are looking for lots of bass, especially at loud volumes. Clear is known to fall apart at very loud levels. I would question whether you need such a quality headphone if you care mostly about bass though. I think a cheaper headphone may satisfy you just as well. I would consider M-100 by V-Moda.

[@TheJonazas]

@@vm6038 I could also get a used pair of Hifimans edition x v2 for half the price. $800 for hifimans compared to lcd x's $1600.

[@cosmoshfa88savant66]

Have a Happy PAGAN Vest Z :-)

[@Heart0rHead]

Clears have less bass than Elear, something went wrong on your side with the track.

[@troupsterT]

Hey Zeos, your quote "Is it safe?" is from Marathon Man, not Taxi Driver. Love your vids, totally am nit-picking.

[@Ahzahail]

Not being able to change the headband pad ALONE is keeping me from buying these.

[@davidelmquist8670]

About unboxing u have (must!) Check out Klipsch hp3.

[@sleepyrhythms6668]

Made in Abyss :D

[@buster7618]

Funny you say elastic. I moved from New York and found it odd that everyone in New England calls rubber bands elastics or elastic bands.

[@robinator3202]

I have had the Clears for about a month now. Unfortunately I can’t agree with Z, maybe due to his amplification. I have two Senns and an AKG and the Clears are by far the best of the four and comfortable. My opinion is also based on many years of listening to higher end audio equipment. I can listen to the Clears for hours without fatigue and enjoy them completely. If you are looking for pure listening enjoyment these are fantastic cans. Look towards other YT reviews and I think you will see there are plenty of positive opinions.

[@patrickferlaino4621]

Z! you should try the Elegia's- they are close to the Clear's but with less bass.

[@elba_magellan]

Hi patrick , I'm trying to decide between elegias and the Neumann ndh20 for a well isolating closed back. Any advice? I care about detail, Soundstage imaging and speed. Mostly listen to classical, but I like clean accurate bass. I hate the look of the Neumanns, so dorky. I wish they at least had a matte black option :(

[@patrickferlaino4621]

@@elba_magellan buy the Elegia's ... ;)you won't be disappointed

[@elba_magellan]

@@patrickferlaino4621 thank you

[@smkink]

The "Darbs!"

[@nizodizo9549]

They look cool but are they better than HD-650's?

[@jekken333]

Not superior nor inferior, depends on which signature do you prefer

[@Sakeroz]

I prefer them over 650 but the price difference being 1300$ is insane. Also amp pairing is important

[@jekken333]

It is like utopia(4k-5k)vs hd800s(1600). Yes, utopia has better build and technically better. However, not $3000 better than hd800s. When it comes to high-end open-backs Sennheiser is one of the best when it comes to Performance-Cost ratio. Stick with HD650 or if your budget allows HD660 go for it.

[@vm6038]

The Clear is better than HD650, but I don't think the difference is dramatic. Unless you are making good money and can afford the Clear fairly easily, I would stick with the HD650. You are not missing much with them. I think that if you really want a better listening experience coming from the 650s, the next best step is to invest in a good pair of speakers and have at least some room treatment. If that can't work out for you, I would stick with the 650s or save up a bit more and go with an Elex. The Elex is really close to the Clear and a decent step up over the HD650 as well, but is much easier to afford than Clear and a better value IMO.

[@lolliklauer]

I upgraded from 650 to Clear and like Clear better in every aspect except weight. Especially detail, clarity and punch are better IMHO. HD 650 are very good, though, and have better value for money.

[@audiofreak3453]

I bought the Clears a year ago and I'm still trying to love them as much as most people does. Thick powerful sound with Pop/Eletronica/Jazz but like you said narrow soundstage and picky with the mixings of some tracks. Plus, I mostly listen orchestral/score music and I was pretty bummed listening "The Lord of the Rings" score through the Clears. They sounded tiny at passages where the music needs to sound huge. Loud vocals have an ugly timbre imo too. Totally n sync with you though about how gorgeous the presentation of the cables is on that magnet box and the cool portable purse but that thick cable is one of the most annoying/yanking I've ever tested. Alcantara grey pads and inner headband also look like a sweat t-shirt if your a sweaty person at summer. Not cool at all. Ok headphones but overpriced and overhyped for me. If only the sound matched the good looks and presentation.

[@brandonkey181]

I'm torn. Focal makes the most amazon 30 dollar headphone looking wallet breaker cans ever. A shame they sound great

[@charp150]

They look terrible in pictures. They look much better in person.

[@brandonkey181]

@@charp150 Idk, the shape of it is pretty similar to those ugly cheap plastic amazon gaming headsets

[@bgoldsm]

"6 darbs worth of jank"

[@Tripokaridos22]

After all these good reviews i found one bad... Niceee

[@horstschimanski6608]

looks like an iron cable :)

[@imcat21]

for the sound and price, i prefer Focal Elear than Clear.

[@user-ee9hh8vz8m]

use those clears with that rme dac you have there and your ears will claps from, happines

[@robertgosselin14]

“Is it safe ?” is from The Marathon Man, not Taxi Driver.

[@ZReviews]

Yes... yes. I wrong

[@p2777]

These are not the most natural sounding. Compared the elegia vs aeon and the 800s via sonarworks vs clear....They still have the Focal sound = unnaturally large dynamics, uneven highs and shouty mids...Inherit problems of metallic dynamic drivers...simple physics...

[@FeedMeSalt]

1300 Canadian, Cool.

[@sterlingjones6674]

hey Zeos! new phillips headphones!!!! SHP2600/27 for 48 dollars!!!! review them please

[@QQ-td9id]

Shall consider taking this video back because much said was just not true but biased opinion.

[@shroud1390]

Problem with a lot of Z’s reviews is that he changes the pads snd the cables and doesnt always listen stock….

[@angelstudiosmggsg3196]

That is true some people walk into the club and say I'm going to do drugs like ecstasy and like Aaron but yeah I know what you mean I don't like that kind of Beast that hit you in the face like that even though I got my soni's ionian play techno music I only played taking the music through my so nice and yes I know so needs to dirty word ended Channel but I know for a fact that its ears 13 nines wedding in the beach

[@BopWalk]

The Focal Clears to me are Ear Rape. The treble will give make your ears fucking exhausted after 30 min.

[@michaels2787]

I am so glad I discovered your channel last year during the height of the Pandemic. I have learned so much and the most important lesson of all: Do exactly the opposite of what you say or believe in. Voila! I have since made some great buying decisions. Like the Focal Clear's. As an aside: You should really get rid of that Camera mounted on your Noggin. It's more annoying than your reviews. 😜

[@jabalajabolindest4852]

I don't know what sample you have Z, but this headphones are not even close to Beats in terms of sound signature. Focal Clear are bass heavy? No my friend, just the bass extension is great for dynamic headphones.

[@bobcoco6047]

But... But? Why are there speakers that are upside d.... Oh wait, am I on Zeos' channel? Ooow, that's why... ^.^ Well, what's sometimes (here as a premium case) reproached to Z with reviews, is to only test on 1 DAC Amp combo. Here, what most of comments stated, is the Amp had for sure an impedance output that happenned to be unadapted for the Clear (164ohms for a 50ohms pair). So what I would simply suggest, to Z, is to check that before with next ones, but also to ... upside down the hp so that every unbalance gets "Cleared" out, ya know?

[@wilfredbao9998]

From what I read online, focal headphones sound quite different with different cables, hope Z can try the original clear cable. I have the elex but I don't have any other cable to try myself

[@d0nj03]

She's not quite the same thing she used to be, but yes, Missy Elliott is still a thing. :)

[@Sebastian_Athea]

In short; Elear: aluminum magnesium driver, aluminum voice coil, single magnet Elex : same as Elear Clear: aluminum magnesium driver, COPPER voice coil, single magnet Utopia: BERYLLIUM driver, aluminum voice coil, COMPONENT magnet

[@JUDE_WK]

8:32 I really want to be like you in the future

[@KingFiercer_zip]

This or HD660S?

[@ZReviews]

660

[@leev2463]

I tried the focal clear, very neutral sound overall, almost "sterile" sound, but for far less money I'm enjoying my Senn 660s, clean low bass, detailed mid & love the high end on the HD660. I think the 660 has slightly wider soundstage than the focal clear . @@ZReviews

[@ELSA-ex4ph]

@@ZReviews your a joke

[@XRayTube]

@@ELSA-ex4ph "you're" learn to write English.

[@Seiserism]

My first thumbs down here..

[@XRayTube]

Conditional fan 🖕 no respect for people like you.

[@thomasferrarojr.9772]

@@XRayTube WTF? Just because he disagrees? Weird man.

[@Tacet137]

@@XRayTube I mean zeos fucked up big time here

[@chrishall7601]

@@XRayTube Hi friend! Apologize!