HiFiMAN Arya vs Focal Clear vs Audeze LCD-X: Which high end headphones should you buy?

[@krisrudecki9477]

Great review, pretty much spot on. If anyone is interested, I'm comparing Clears, Aryas and LCD-3 (through Reveal EQ plugin, should be on par with X) for the past week or so, and here are some thoughts : 1. Arya is the most spacious, LCD is the most intimate but still with the planar separation, Clear is the most conventional. 2. Clears sound like a great set of hi-fi speakers, LCDs sound like being in a room (relatively tight space) with the band, Aryas are like being in a large hall with the band. 3. LCDs have a tight and impactful sound (especially the midrange), Aryas have a distant and slightly hollow sound (mids are really recessed), Clears are more even and good in all areas. It's hard to compare the Clears to the other two, as dynamics just have a different sound to them compared to the planars. I take LCDs EVERY TIME listening to rock, metal, anything that has live instruments and is supposed to be intense. Something that aims for a room feel. I take Aryas EVERY TIME listening to spacious electronica (trance, house, techno, chillout, liquid dnb, even tighter technical dnb has an upper hand on Aryas most of the time), acoustic performances meant for large spaces, live performances in large spaces. I find that if I play something that is meant to be tight and intense on Aryas it sounds artificially distant and hollow, if I play something that is meant to sound spacious on LCDs it's still ok but compared to the Aryas it's compromised. Clears are in between, they can do a bit of soundstage, they can do slam, they are really crisp and clear, can play well with any genre (you might need to drop the highs a bit for more intense rock and metal), but they do sound more like a set of speakers as opposed to being in a spaces with the music in comparison. If you never compare back to back you will probably not notice it much though. All 3 are great, you can have all 3 and not double on anything pretty much. Other bits : - Aryas require a lot of amping . You pretty much need to buy a balanced cable ... the one bundled with headphone is not balanced and mediocre ... so that will be an added cost for the Aryas. (or have a high output single ended like Chord stuff or a desktop amp, after more investigation it’s more the power on tap and less the cable, however changing the cable also made a difference) - Focals win on build, packaging, presentation, weight, efficiency, balance. LCD is close second on build. Aryas feel like a £500 headphone build, fit, packaging etc. which is a real shame (at the time of writing they go for about £1350) ... but they are also light ... in fact really light and fit tight for a planar. - Clears are great for playing electric / electronic instruments (tight and snug fit, decent efficiency, sound very open and natural, cables are a joy to use), so for playing an electric guitar on headphones Clears take it hands down. You could use Aryas for playing live instruments as well, but you need decent low latency amping and better (longer etc.) cables ... so it might not be ideal (especially amping required). - All 3 work amazing as studio headphones for mixing and supplementary references for mastering (you need the Reveal plugin for LCDs though which thankfully is free and comes in all common plugin formats AU, VST etc.). - Clears are super loud outside, all 3 are open obv but clears sound like small mobile speakers, no joke, you will annoy people if you don't lock yourself in a room :P

[@krisrudecki9477]

Update on Aryas : just got a balanced lead for them and plugged them to higher power balanced out. Oh boy, what a difference. Bass goes up, lower mids up, mids in general get sharpened up, this counters against the top end. The sound gets a LOT more full and balanced if you pardon the pun. They really need a higher output amp, no question. On this setup they sound a lot closer to LCDs.

[@rocco036]

Kris Rudecki what amp are you using with your balanced leads? I'm really tempted by the Arya.

[@krisrudecki9477]

rocco036 I’ve done my testing on FiiO Q5s. Thinking about it, it probably has more to do with power (FiiO has 2x the power on balanced) than the balanced out itself. Arya needs a lot of power, so make sure you have a decent amp. Q5s in balanced is a decent minimum, I wouldn’t go any lower.

[@rocco036]

Kris Rudecki after looking all bloody day I'm going to either go with the Monolith with built in DAC by Monoprice, or the SMSL SP200 & their SU-8 DAC. All available in the UK, much appreciated👌🏼.

[@krisrudecki9477]

rocco036 haven’t had the chance to try these but SU 8 + Smsl thx aaa sounds like a good setup for Aryas 👍

[@r00s.]

I got the Focal Clear Pros earlier this year from Sweetwater. LOVE THEM! Best headphones I've ever heard, personally. PC > Foobar2K > Schiit Gumby > Monoprice Cavalli Liquid Platinum > Focal Clear Pro

[@Wadacup]

Same! Sweetwater is amazing

[@ChildrenOfDesire]

That's a really nice setup

[@r00s.]

@@ChildrenOfDesire Thanks! I recently upgraded my Solid State amp to a Burson Soloist 3XR. My other main headphones are the HiFiMAN HE6SE v1 and an Audeze LCD-XC [2018]. Love all of these!

[@ChildrenOfDesire]

@@r00s. Ooh nice. I'm getting a HE6SE v2 in the mail really soon too actually. My setup is PC > Foobar2000 > Schiit Modius > Schiit Jotunheim 2 > Ananda, Sundara, LCD2, HD800S, AD2000. (Soon also HE6SEv2 and Arya) Also have Modius > Stax SRM-212 > Stax SR404 and SR202. I do want to get a Schiit Lyr 3 and a better Stax Energizer but I'm really running out of room lol. Bifrost 2 on my mind as well.

[@FierceLeo.]

I don't get Audiophiles. Contradictions. Some say that the Focal Clear is 95% of the Utopia. If that is true. The Focal Clear should be the clear winner in resolution and technical performance????

[@michaelbutler9166]

Very happy with my Focals. Extremely comfortable, bass is punchy and well-articulated, plenty of detail and dynamics. Voices sound great ... a terrific upgrade from my HD600s.

[@Terra101]

Which ones do you have? I have the Sennheiser HD650 and I'm thinking about buying Focal Clears. Do you think its worth it? I will try them before I buy them but wanna hear others opinions too.

[@DBSTH0R]

@@Terra101 If impatient - get the Celestee, if patient - wait for new Focal Clear mg. Or if on a budget - get Focal Clear now when they are clearing stock. :)

[@metalpiston1212]

Hi, is the soundstage of the Clear significantly better than hd600/650?

[@soulfulfool]

@@metalpiston1212 similar to 600 but with better highs, right tube amp also do the trick to enhance quality of soundstage

[@mikew9788]

I upgraded from the 660's to the clear mg and can definitely report that it is better in every way while maintaining a similar tonality, in short if you like your 600's you will love the focals, ive had them a few months and they still impress and amaze me, also got the celestee wich is great, kind of likr a closed back clear but the clear is the better of the two​@Terra101

[@Cesare.Maffioletti]

I’ve owned the Clear, the Lcd-x and i own the Arya actually. I can’t agree more with your impressions, so no one of the three is totally superior to the others, but if i have to pick up one... i choose the Arya. For me is the more complete, and has excellent soundstage and imaging, which is extremely important for my tastes.

[@nicktan4530]

why do you own all three ?

[@Cesare.Maffioletti]

Nick tan i’ve owned them in different times... ahah. Now i have only the Arya

[@nicktan4530]

@@Cesare.Maffioletti why do you sell the other two then?

[@Viettzz]

How close is the sound stage on the Focal Clear compare to the Arya? I know the Arya has larger sound stage than the Focal Clear, but if the Clear is only behind a little bit in s ound stage, i would buy the Clear instead of the Arya. Let me know what do you think?

[@DrPmach]

Viett I’ve had the clear and now own the Arya. The clear has a very small soundstage and is the reason I sold it. Arya is absolutely amazing with a large soundstage and I cannot put into words how wonderful it sounds.

[@FelixAlicea]

This is going to sound corny as hell, but that was my single favorite review in two years of this hobby and watching all headphone/audio KZbinrs. Thanks for this comparison. But also darn you because I was set on the Arya and now I gotta try the Clear. 🤣

[@rhodey2952]

Selling my Clear Professional. Save you on taxes and fees 😉. About 3 months old.

[@klewja]

When I got my Abyss TC i sold my LCD-X and kept the clears. The clear is a great headphone.

[@callmevil]

Yes you must personally audition the two to know which suits you best. They are two very different beast.

[@r00s.]

Clears are amazing, IMO!

[@varunu4176]

I would shy away from HiFIMan at this price range for its build and lack of a long warranty like the 3-Years provided with the Audeze. You also get 3 insanely built cables with the clear which you don't get with the other two headphones but with a 1-year warranty like the Arya.

[@ftlaud911]

Fanatastic review. Own both Arya and Clear. I agree with the evaluation. Arya has amazing sounstage, great depth, pinpoint imaging, and crystal clear details. Some instruments sound spectactor. On a negative side instruments are really seperated due to the soundstage. Can feel like the left and right are too independent when there are no vocals in the middle. Highs can get uncomfortable with some songs, but it's rare. Also feels thin and not a full sound. Very revealing and can makes some songs sound bad. I find I am evaluating sounds more vs enjoying the song. Clear is way more fun to listen to music and not get distracted. Bass is vastly superior. It's a perfect amount and makes the music sound full bodied. Sounstage is average. It is amazingly balanced. Nothing is louder and stands out. Build quality is stellar. Like a piece of jewelry. Vocals have slightly more texture. Negatives - not a lot of separation due to the smaller soundstage. Imaging and depth are not as good due to be balanced. This also provides less details. Hate to say it, but it's less clear. One can 100% own both and enjoy both. Want to relax and enjoy music full bodied, grab the Clears. Want to be analytical and hear things you never heard before, grab the Arya. Both are phenomenal headphones!

[@brianpacheco1927]

I found the Aryas 5k peak to be annoying on poorly recorded music. They have great sub bass even non equalized but they’re too bright for my liking. How’s the treble on the Clears? I’ve heard them described as bright too.

[@ftlaud911]

@@brianpacheco1927 - everyone is different. I did find I had to lower the volume on the Arya's on poor recordings. They also require a higher volume to sound right like most planars. Definitely not a low volume headphone. They do sound amazing once turned up with right source. On the Clears I never lower the volume on poor recordings. They also sound good even at low listening levels. Clears are a great all around headphone that are in one word balanced. Nothing is missing or overly emphasized. No headphone is perfect, but they are the closest I have found so far. I do not find them bright personally. Highs are clear and just right.

[@bendecker7342]

Thanks for the review, i actually ended up with the Focal Clear in the Pro edition for the extra cable pack, very nice set of phones.

[@danielhipwell3607]

I’m not an audiophile but it’s nice to hear an audiophile talk about headphones because they go into so much detail about headphones and I would say I learn a lot in researching hi end cans

[@callmevil]

Thanks for the video. I was lucky enough to find an audio shop open yesterday and got to spend 3 hours deciding my next headphone.. i spent over an hour comparing the arya vs clear all on their stock se cable through the hpa2 (benchmark dac3 hgc). Comfort wise the arya wins hands down.. plus the were so easy to put on and take off.. in terms of sound, i chose the arya over the clear in almost every song i tested them on (blues, jazz, edm, house, classical, instrumental, choir, bob marley, metallica, rnb and hiphop), while its true the clear has more bass slam and punch over the arya, but bass drops are handled much better on the arya; at least from my own listening. The clear just wasnt exciting. It had nothing up its sleeve, tho its presentation of sound was really good but, it never wowed whilst i had moments with the arya i could not forget (bocelli’s voice in The Prayer, the constant simbals in eva cassidy’s rendition of Blue Skies, etc etc) Next was arya vs hedd, comfort and ease again went to the arya but i do prefer the comfort of the hedd over the clear. took less than 15mins to decide the arya was the obvious winner running both off their stock cables as i had to crank the volume up to 2 oclock for the hedd to match arya’s 11. Switched the cables on the hedd to a nordost heimdall 2 with its xlr to se extension cable and still the arya was beating the hedd.. And then the shop owner took off the se extension and plugged the xlr jack straight into another amp (spl phonitor x) when things became complicated.. the two headphones were so equal in terms of wins where each were better over the other but the hedd were much better over the arya in its wins while the arya was just slightly better than the hedd in its wins (except for the bass region where the arya was much superior). There was an instance where the hedd made me forgot why i was there for and sat through 4 whole songs in my playlist (mariah carey’s my all, three little birds, paganini’s caprice no. 24, and a marimba and strings track performed by the national taiwan symphony orchestra) all on the hedd without remembering to switch back to the aryas. the hedd sounded exactly like it looks, thicc! so it sounds much fuller over the arya. i ended up buying the heddphone, sadly i didnt get to go home with one as their stock would only come in next week sighhh. At least that gives me time to find a decent xlr cable for them i guess cause boy do they need it! So for those deciding to get the hedd, you must make sure to run them balanced on a strong amp as the difference is night and day! If acquiring such amplification would be impossible then, go for the arya. They sound so so good and feel like a feather to wear.

[@callmevil]

I also got to spend time with the stelias and that focal is just AMAZING for closebacks.. if only they were 1/4 cheaper than their asking price..

[@callmevil]

Grady hahaha its made in germany! so trust that every gram on it has purpose lol. still waiting for mine to be shipped :/

[@tendayimavhima]

I was so psyched about Arya until the Hedd came on my radar. Thank you soo much for your words, just solidified my pick of the Hedd over Arya & LCD X. Planning on running them with the RME -ADi -2 and MassDrops THX 789. Any balanced cable you may suggest, heard it also shares same balanced cables with Audeze

[@ZeBubba]

I agree, Clear isn't that exciting, esp at first listen. It represents music very as-is, reminds me of my HD600 in that regard. Should work great for mixing/mastering, haven't tried that yet though. If one's going to use just one headphone for everything, Clear should be high on the list.

[@callmevil]

@@ZeBubba agree, if the aim is for just 1 headphone, the clear would be the better jack of all trade and being a dynamic driver and its build, much less to worry about in the long run lol

[@semtexxl4023]

Definitive comparison. Clear(ly)!! the best out there. ;) Very technical but not exluding your personal preferences out of equation based on their own sonic weaknesses and strenghts. This is gentlemen how it should be done - informative, detailed and consistent & calm without any type of hype (most important). If you don't have any chance to try most of them in person and relying on reviewers The Headphone show and Josh Valour are the ones you can rely for fair and CONSISTENT comparison over the time... Period

[@rhodey2952]

Nice comparison! Never heard the Arya but I'm a fan of the Clears. Very enjoyable headphone. So clear haha.

[@nl_2652]

Perfect timing, I’ve been looking into all three of these! Only been able to listen to the Clears in person so far but I’m a big fan. Great comfort and sound.

[@KirkLazurus]

We need a 2021 update for this Clear Mg vs Lcd X 2021 vs Arya stealth magnets

[@Alkyno]

Yes please !!

[@albertweedsteinthethuggeni7797]

The Hifiman without a doubt has the highest profit margin out of the three. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual manufacturing costs less than 200 bucks

[@ChildrenOfDesire]

Would be surprised if any of them cost more than 200 dollars to manufacture to be fair. We're really paying for the R&D anyway, but yes no doubt the others would cost more to manufacture even without considering country of origin.

[@soulfulfool]

I would have arya in my collection long time ago but their price is way too high for what you get, I choose Clear because it is quality product with case and 3 cables to choose, still I dont have any Hifiman headphones in my collection they dont deserve my money for their overpriced items

[@badgermcbadger1968]

@@soulfulfool sundara and edition xs are far from over priced

[@soulfulfool]

@@badgermcbadger1968 sundara never interested me I believe hd600 is better, XS with its lame build also dont buy me, ananda and arya are only options from chinese cheap build company its really a shame to price that high headphones build like shit

[@badgermcbadger1968]

@@soulfulfool sundara vs hd600 is subjective and the ananda has the the same build quality as the xs. The xs has fine build quality, it's the qc that the real issue with hifiman.

[@zabdi786]

Bought the Clears. Love the build, but couldn't fall in love with the sound. I tried. Ended up selling them and picked up the LCD-X. Much happier.

[@jim8643]

why though ? I can buy both at the same price and it's a hard choice

[@jmons33]

I needed this comparison....THANK YOU!!!!

[@giuseppeafellay4855]

Same here! I have an Auteur and I am looking for something to compliment it. All of these three are really tempting...

[@brianpacheco1927]

Giuseppe Afellay Clear is the brighter Auteur. Arya might be up your alley as a compliment.

[@Zerosixious]

I actually think that LCD-X is the best buy as an all-arounder headphone in that price tier. While the Clears and Arya are better than the Xs for more specialized things, I think the middle ground nature will really appeal to those who want a one size fits all approach. I got a few pros for them, and one glaring con that must be discussed. Definitely read the con, as it is a deal breaker for a lot of people. Pro 1) They EQ very well, and can fill the "fun" feeling of slam adequately, while not matching the clear. They also do everything else close to the Arya, while not quite matching them. This means they play well with almost all genres, which really is a plus for those with a broad taste. Pro 2) They also are much cheaper at $1200, which means you can get a full headphone setup, and a DAC/AMP setup like a Schiit, Atom stack, or an Element 2 for all around the price you would spend on the Arya. Even if you get a separate case, the LCD-X's still are cheaper than the clears. I would always go with the creator package, and either then buy the Audeze case or a third party case. Pro 3) You can also get an Audeze mic cable, which comes with a splitter, and then can be used as a very good headset for Discord and Gaming. They don't image as well as some other headphones in the price tier for gaming, but they can also be EQ'ed to get where they need to be. The LCD-Xs, mic cable, and Element 2 all together are about the price of the Arya. If the mic cable is on sale. The normal price is way higher than it is worth. Con 1) The LCD-Xs are extremely heavy, and while I love this channel, I think he is understating how heavy/uncomfortable they can be. Con 1B) The suspension strap is made too large, so the distance between the band and the spring metal is too close. If you have a small head, you can shorten the strap to fix the issue, but larger heads will need the extended yokes to adjust the strap. Even after adjusting the strap, and breaking in the spring metal, the weight and clamp will take a lot of getting used to. They will never be as comfortable as the other 2 options in the review, and will cause fatigue occasionally, even after you get used to them. Be Warned. While I really love he LCD-X's, I still occasionally have anxiety about using them, as the memory of how tight and heavy they were when I first got them are burned into my mind. After I put them on, I remember that they are not that bad now that they are broken in. In short, the price savings and all-around nature may not save them from the downside of poor comfort.

[@killeraudiofile8094]

@@metal571 Yea I kind of wish they change to the GX/MX4/4Z type form factor for all the models. Still not the lightest things ever but holy crap they feel so much better on head than the "regular" design...

[@classicmartini]

​@@metal571 Can't wait to try your EQ with my Brand New pair. I put additional notes in a separate entry above this on why I went with "X" given the competition.

[@Zerosixious]

@@metal571 With the LCD-GX Mic Cable, the LCD-X'S weigh 756g. I just checked it now. With the stock cable, they are around 700g. For the longest time Audeze did not list the accurate weight on these. They literally are like 1.5x the weight of a lot of full size open backs. While I think they are amazing at the price point, that is a huge con that is a deal breaker for some people. A lot of reviews tend to mention the weight, but most do not really give the full breakdown like I did in my previous comment. I personally love the Audeze house sound, with the reveal EQ applied anyway. They also EQ pretty well in general. The can kinda be whatever you need them to be, and are a chameleon when it comes to playing well with an assortment of genres. Kind of like a pre flagship tier jack of all trades, master of none pair of cans. Others perform better in just about every way when it comes to individual specialization. But at $1200, it is hard to beat what they offer. The weight is definitely something Audeze has needed to figure out for a while now. I think they do a lot right, but they won't get the market saturation I think is possible without at least finding a way to get around 500g stock, and 550g with the mic. Unless you have been into audio forever, most have never had a pair of cans that weighs 700g+.

[@Zerosixious]

@@metal571 Yeah, when I bought them, it still showed them as less than what they really are. I think of I really had the money to do it all again, I would heavily lean towards the Clear Pro package. Getting the case and extra set of pads is a very good long term solution, but the Clear does have some minor cons that most ignore. All headphones in the tier between entry and summit have negatives that most entry-level audio fans are forced to deal with. Kind of sucks, as $2k for a full setup is a significant investment. I can understand why most are disappointed that there are things to nit-pick with that investment barrier. Diminishing returns is a B****.

[@classicmartini]

@@metal571 it would be an honour, unfortunately I live in Sydney, Australia.

[@ZeBubba]

Have looked at all three at some point... Already had the highly "sound-stagey" hd800 and an LCD (2) - Clear's dynamic oomph made them easily the most interesting out of the three. So I got em a month ago, haven't really listened to the others since. A very balanced and punchy sound, that should please most who aren't after the biggest staging. For such a fresh face in headphones they achieved a very mature physical design too: stylish and comfy. Stiff cables don't bother me really, but the grey pads needed a wash after I got this used pair home. Now they're a-ok. Cheers!

[@DBSTH0R]

As a first owner of Focal Clear Pro, I'm curious how did you wash them? What to look out for? I'm hoping that my red pads won't show as much stuff on them as the white ones do...

[@ZeBubba]

@@DBSTH0R Warm/hot water, let them sit there for a while. A bit of dishwashing liquid and very gentle rubbing. Nothing went wrong, but you better be aware of the risks. Especially those red ones could maybe lose their red color a bit, dunno. So, at your own risk: Clear pads are way expensive :D

[@DBSTH0R]

@@ZeBubba So similar to washing a large mouse pad then? Thanks for the info. Luckely I have a spare set of pads with Clear Pro. :)

[@briannicepianoworship8944]

Why is your microphone so clean.. that’s the best sounding mic I’ve ever heard 🎙 🤯

[@Assimilator702]

It’s a good quality microphone.

[@dedompler]

@@Assimilator702 It's the AT2020 USB. It's sort of meh.

[@riseuplight]

Andrew’s voice is like warm velvet

[@banterbanter]

He'd sound less nasal through an SM57B with some compression :) Wish he'd turn his well tuned ears to his vocal production lol

[@mathieud4770]

I really like how you break things down instead of just declaring a "winner", and how it's layered for both rookies and Hifi enthusiasts. Great job!

[@mengshilim7364]

Love this type of comparison. Please do for different price categories 500, 1000,1500 etc. Great job

[@Tallnerdyguy]

I LOVE my Arya, especially with a tube amp. Just holographic and amazing. Wish i had seen this before i had made my purchase... Hifiman also sells open box for $1300

[@TheJonazas]

I have the LCD-X. I want more soundstage and the Arya is really tempting me with a high end tube amp. Will cost a shit ton of money for both though lol.

[@soraflame66]

@@TheJonazas I'm curious what u think of the X I'm thinking about to buy one used in a few days, also have a Ananda which is very close to the Arya.

[@soulfulfool]

@@TheJonazas only high end tube amp otherwise it distort

[@TheJonazas]

@@soulfulfool I have a schiit mjolnir 2. I love my setup now with the arya v3.

[@soulfulfool]

To be honest I would pick up Clear out of these three. The fact that they scale well with gear shows their potential is big. Tube amp paired with Clear can make wonders, bass punch that Focal's drivers produce is the best at market. They should make anniversary Clear version in gold chrome and black finish, with beryllium coated drivers.

[@DBSTH0R]

Just the review I was waiting for. Well done. Found a local store that had Focal Clears Pro on sale, auditioned them vs. few other Sennheiser models and it was an easy purchase.

[@chrisydarg1268]

Great review. Hifiman Arya HANDS DOWN imo! Amazing soundstage, clarity and detail. Plus they "breathe" the sound to you, completely effortlessly. Yes a little hard to drive but if you are looking at these headphones and don`t have a quality DAC and amp to drive you WILL need to unlock aryas full potential. Topping D90 / A90 stack to driver them is a very good way to drive.

[@soulfulfool]

nasty sterile combo, I dropped planars because dynamic drivers are more musical and work well with tube amps giving me many options to tune sound as I like it without buying new amp

[@Tom94ness]

Your reviews are magnificent detailed and polished. Wow! Thank you.

[@scanspeak00]

A very informative and helpful review and so I bought my Focal Clear today (the black version) as a Christmas present to myself. Prices have dropped greatly over the last 18 months (especially since the MG was released which isnt that much better) so now they are a steal!

[@1988remixx]

I know this is an old video now but I'm really curious on if he redid this video with the Arya “Stealth” & LCD 2021 version & how they would all stack up now. Especially price was you can find all of them for just about $1000 or sub $1000 now

[@18yearsoldnot]

Was about to cancel my purchase for lcd-x and get the clear until you mentioned glasses. I wear glasses and I have a terrible time getting a proper seal so thank you for mentioning that! Excellent review.

[@martyn_g]

I'll save people some time. These are all great headphones. Buy the LCD if you can handle the weight. If you can't, buy the Arya. Way lighter. If you need something easy to drive, buy the Clear.

[@joggometer5393]

Thanks for your opinion on this awesome headphones. Actually i'm comparing and deciding between the Arya and the Clear just these days at home ;) Quite difficult as they are both really great headphones and though different in some aspects, quite comparable in total performance.

[@brothatwasepic]

I just got a Focal clear to compliment "different sound day" relative to my HE1000SE and HD800. Wow the punch and slam on the clear is so controlled and fun. Sometimes the tonality and timbre is almost preferable to the HE1000SE (all 3 without EQ)

[@XaviLaw]

Really great video. U are my favorite audio reviewer. Love how u get all the info out, precise, relaxed but professional at the same time. Was lucky to land a pair of clear pros new for 900. Loving them so far. Just need to figure out a amp and DaC. They do sound fine out of my Hiby R5. Keep up the great work!

[@jimmiefu8998]

Can we have a new video featuring the Stealth Arya, Clear Mg and Lcd X 2021 creator edition? Would be interesting to see!

[@omni6409]

Great and more objective comparison. I notice a lot of reviewers don't mention about timbre, which is also important and usually planar's weakness.

[@heatontom1]

Awesome content! Very thorough! I have Arya & Clear and I agree with u. The Only difference is I got my Clear 50% off on a 4 day flash sale so it’s the best value for me!!!! Lol! Recently, I got a tube amp Woo WA6SE and I surprisingly found 6xx and Elear sounds so much more fun with it, completely different cans now, while the Clear and Arya don’t get much synergy from it so far, still better than my cma400 solid amp tho. I definitely prefer WA6SE Elear combo to WA6SE Clear combo! The 6xx is also 10 times better for the enjoyment, as it sounds close to a 2000 dollar cans now for fun! Haha haha! Forgive my exaggerating style!!!! My point is if a person uses tube amps and like fun listening then 6xx and Elear value are unbeatable.

[@dirty_dan75158]

Clears for 50% off?? Where?? Were they b-stock, open box?

[@heatontom1]

@@dirty_dan75158 No it was a 4 day flash sale. Brand new. Keep an eye on focal products they always do heavy discount! I am in Australia fyi'

[@ftlaud911]

Great video!!! Got the Elegia on sale and with EQ I really like it. Without EQ its slightly thin on bass. I can now say I like the Focal sound signature. Definitely dynamic and exciting. I dont know though if I want the same signature with another model. Bought Arya about a week ago. Initial impressions were stellar. The imaging and soundstage is amazing. With some bass boost it comes alive even more. Problem is the shape hits me right on vertical jaw line. After a few hours it starts to get sore. I value in order comfort, sound, value, and build quality last. Unfortunately, Arya is going back. Wanted to try Anada, but same shape so its out. I just ordered the Sundara to try and see if it can get me somewhat close. Not expecting miracles. Value wise it seems like a great deal. Been eyeing the Clears and dreaming of Utopia or Stellia. Even the Elear is possible, but heard about the recessed mids. Might have to go to a CanJam just so I could hear em all and know which one I have to have. I really only want max 4 cans. Elegia stays for now so 3 spots left. Hoping Sundara could be spot 2. Then 3 and 4 can be big hitters while I save up and stomach the high cost. Arya was purchased to be my end game and was pushing the cost limit. Any suggestions?

[@nathanielestilloso6187]

Perfect! I was looking around for a new pair, specifically the Arya and the LCD X.

[@simonklotz8817]

i just wanted to say THANK YOU. Based on your summary i chose the Clear for my taste in music (post rock, stoner etc.) and i could no be more happy.

[@marc8vino]

Great Review. I have 2 sets of focal clear mgs one pro version. Hifiman Arya stealths. I'm will get the LCD-X soon. That should cover my basis. Running through the new RME ADI 2/4 really made a big step up for the phones.

[@RafaelGrigorian]

Looking forward to upgrade my Sundara's... Leaning towards Focal's although I really like the depth and space of Hifimans... :(

[@rherbm]

What did you get? I am in the same position.

[@RafaelGrigorian]

@@rherbm I got the Arya’s non stealth version. Pretty much an endgame headphone for me.

[@rherbm]

@@RafaelGrigorian I actually just auditioned clear mg, lcd x, 800s, and 109 pros. Went with lcd x. So much more fun than sundara

[@briancaulfield7251]

Bought Clears about 5 months ago but I guess I wasn't paying enough attention to how many people actually think the Arya is better. I love my Clears, but I wonder what I'm missing with the Arya. Is it really like a step up or more like a side grade? I do tend to prefer more neutral-warm signatures over neutral bright because I listen to a lot of rock and hip hop. I will say, for the $1000 I got them it's a pretty good deal, at $600 cheaper than the Arya. Guess I'm just experiencing FOMO haha. Haven't seen many negative comments towards the Arya at all, while the Clear seems more polarizing.

[@petercraig389]

Arya is not the best for rock. Otherwise they are pretty cool. I listen to rock on the HE6se and they are really great. But when I switch back to the Arya you feel like they are technically better in so many ways.

[@geekatari4391]

It's clear to me the Arya are my next headphones.

[@carlopascual4091]

Can we get a revisit on this with the LCD-X 2021?

[@thiagokraft9585]

And what about the LCD-X 2021 revision and Clear MG? Could you remake this comparison with these new versions in mind?

[@jlin5459]

I was contemplating all these headphones but ended up going with the ZMF Auteurs primarily due to your review. I also am a big fan of tubes and ZMF pairs so well with tubes. If anyone is into tubes or a warmer sound I would say people should also check out the Aeolus, Auteur, and Verite/VC (Bit outside price range)

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Yes, I also think the Auteur is worth consideration among these.

[@SeanLiu4]

@@TheHEADPHONEShow but you didn't include in the comparison video. Would you consider comparing the Auteur vs the winners of the respective categories in this review? I.e auteur vs lcd x in build Auteur vs clear in comfort Etc

[@fatdoi003]

@@SeanLiu4 i don't think Auteur will win on detail retrieval and separation to Arya... depending on what you listen to and prefer... no 1 headphone fits all genres

[@djhmax09]

@@TheHEADPHONEShow How's bass between auteur and clear?

[@FierceLeo.]

I don't get Audiophiles. Contradictions. Some say that the Focal Clear is 95% of the Utopia. If that is true. The Focal Clear should be the clear winner in resolution and technical performance????

[@filovirus1]

sounds like I need all 3. when I'm listening to classical or pop/rock I would need Arya; when I'm in the mood for electric/metal/industrial I would need Clear; for fun and games LCD-X probably.

[@mr.fufucudlypoops8207]

Yo do you mind handing some of that cash to a poor guy on the other side of the internet?

[@malek8736]

It would've been nice if the HD 800 S was in the comparison too.

[@SoundWaveTrax]

*original HD800 (best value for money, especially used)

[@allansh828]

@@SoundWaveTrax HD800 is clearly inferior to Focal Clear, more expensive, harder to drive

[@gwapster13]

@@allansh828 Completely disagree, but yeah this is all subjective.

[@DJJEZ]

Arya wins. Absolutely love them

[@danielardeline5247]

You have presented your opinion only. Have you owned the other two?

[@ChiLL_iLL]

Great review. Picked up some Focals and they are sonic heaven and so so so clean.

[@Coztomba]

I already have the Clear and really want to get the Arya to compliment them for the nice wide soundstage.

[@juanp756]

I was thinking the same, I don't like the clears for gaming or movies (I prefer the much cheaper 4xx). But from these descriptions it could be a nice compliment

[@20puskinas1992]

Big soundstage = crap mids. Dip in mids can create sensation of big soundstage, but at the same time it will sound thin, lifeless and gonna lack warm.

[@juanp756]

@@20puskinas1992agree, and good mids = movie speech right in your face, I think they are good complementary for certain kind of uses and music genres

[@MisterWrench]

In Australia: Hifiman Arya $2K LCD X $1.8K Focal Clear (Pro) $1.2K Yeah clear choice. The clear pro sound exactly the same as the regular clear, just comes with different colour scheme and accessories.

[@scanspeak00]

And then also factor in the cost of the amps for the planars.

[@RafaelGrigorian]

As I posted week ago, I sold my Sundaras and got Clear Pro's, however Im gonna return them and get Arya's. That Hifiman "Depth" feeling, or should I say planars depth feeling is really special and Clears sound just like good headphones, I don't get anything special out of them, like I did from SUndaras.

[@cesarromero7495]

Your comment on the bass is rare, for me the LCD X is the one with the strongest bass, with more precency, more solid, the FOCAL is a softer, more ducel bass.

[@giuseppeafellay4855]

I would love to see your review on the entry level Beyerdynamic headphones (DT770/880/990), especially the 880. Also I would love to see you review the DT1350 as well. I know that beyerdynamics are mostly considered sibilant but I think you might like the dt880 or the dt1350 quite a bit. Also the dt1350 is an on-ear so it would be refreshing to see something new. I know that on-ears are usually for portable use and for those shitty consumer headphones, but I think the dt1350 are pretty damn good for on-ears.

[@Xiaoguan8845]

Thank you so much. I just about to get a good headphone. this video is so handy to help me making a decision

[@irondad007]

Great review, as always with you. You still hold firm that the newer, silent revision of the Arya has “fixed” the treble peaks of the earlier version, right?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

It's certainly improved on this one. Not sure that's due to unit variation or a revision. But it's not exactly a silent revision with this, it's quite obvious that the dust cover is different.

[@callmevil]

I can also confirm after trying them out that they were no offensive treble peaks in the newer revision

[@brianpacheco1927]

plad plad When was the newer revision made? I have the V1 and the treble is the thing that bothers me the most about this can. Other then that the weight, sub bass and mids are all great as well as the imaging and soundstage.

[@acataclysm]

I'm watching this as I'm waiting for the Arya to arrive and I've noticed the enhanced bass as well @ 13:13. I discovered this on the Sundara when trying to play with different pads and orientation! Pleasantly surprised to see someone else notice this. Try holding a pair of Hifimans just a couple millimeters off the sides of your head, as if you're removing the headphone, and listen to a bassy song. Club vibes!

[@Andyhandle]

Great review, thanks. I'm thinking of some new headphones. I have some old Audeze LCD2c. They sound decent, a bit unexciting, but I find them too heavy for long periods of listening.

[@Audi0phool]

This answers a question I had... kind of. I got the Arya a couple months ago and it’s awesome but I’ve been looking to get something a little more punchy and dynamic. I listen to everything ,more so now since I have the Arya, I’m listening to stuff I wouldn’t normally just because it sounds so damn good on the Arya. It’s really broadened my scope of musical appreciation. My true love though is metal ( Dark tranquility, in flames, older Opeth, Lamb of God, as well as black and folk, etc) so I was looking for something better suited for those genres and was torn between the clear and the x. This narrows that for me but I’m still wondering where the ZMF line might for into the mix

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

For older Opeth, the ZMF Verite is worth looking into. The gentle downslope with the 3-4khz dip is really nice for metal in general. But it sounds pretty darn awesome on an EQ'd LCD-X and Clear as well.

[@riseuplight]

This will be revisited for years to come :)

[@bubbachua]

fantastic review, looking to get the last batch of Focal Clears

[@dirty_dan75158]

Mine are coming tomorrow, paid just under $1000 brand new! Always wanted the Arya but that build and the frequent mentioned driver defects made me stray far away from anything of Hifiman; they make great sounding audio products but I can't risk even paying $1000 for the Arya cuz of the QC. Audezes are too damn heavy to even listen for 5 minutes.

[@io_metre]

Love my Arya and my Clear. Thanks for review

[@Krmpfpks]

I literally just bought the Arya, although I don’t like the design of it. the focal clear just looks so much better. Since I very much like bass and lower mids - I am now second guessing.

[@Krmpfpks]

Arya arrived and it's a scam. The Arya fakes soundstage by dips and peaks in the high frequencies, to the point it makes vocals not even recognizable and wood instruments sound just wrong. Also the Arya has way to little bass. You can fix the bass by EQ but not the dips and peaks in the highs. Now bought the focal clear and it is just wonderful. I love it so much.

[@ElCharvo]

​@@Krmpfpks I agree with your assesment of the Aryas -tried to eq them but had to admit defeat and returned them.

[@nortonfamily6711]

@@Krmpfpks you either received a faulty pair or you were severely underpowering it, although I’m willing to bet it’s the former. The Arya’s bass extension is ruler flat; it’s no understatement to say that it literally couldn’t go audibly deeper. If you think it sounded bass anemic, something is seriously wrong. The clear has less bass than the Arya. Moreover, having personally compared the two, what you’re saying about voices being unrecognizable is either bullshit or indicative of faulty drivers.

[@Krmpfpks]

@@nortonfamily6711 I don’t think power was an issue, I tested (among others) the audio-gd d-28 and the topping dx7s with balanced cables. The bass of the Arya was on the lighter side, but well extended and precise. That I prefer a bit more on the bass is personal taste and certainly not a fault of the Arya. My problem with the Arya were peaks in the highs and that has little to do with taste. Of course I cannot rule out faulty drivers as I only tested one pair - the one I bought- but there was no difference between left and right. After my first days of listening I looked up measurements which confirmed my impressions and later on DMS also said similar things. I am treble sensitive though and for me peaks might be worse than for you. At that price point I think it’s unacceptable, hence my strongly worded warning.

[@johncrighton4738]

Nice to hear that you eq your phones. What do you use? I've been looking for something great..thx

[@jwest88]

After upgrading my amp and dac to the monoprice thx 887 and smsl su9 I feel like I should upgrade my headphones too. I currently have the Sundara and 6XX. I think I'll have to stay content with those until tax returns or some other 'extra' income comes around. The Arya are the ones I have my eye on.

[@damyanstoyanov5044]

Great review. I own HD599 and 660s, first amplified with SMSL SP200, and they sound really good, but recently I bought Soundblaster X7 and now the listening experience is way better. On top of that I purchased Arya two days ago, instead of 800s, because I would like to hear a new sound signature. I hope this is the right choice. A question. Do I really need a balanced cable for Arya?

[@allansh828]

If I knew how much power supply matters in high end audio, I would stick to battery powered system. Chord Hugo 2 + Focal Clear would be the perfect transportable combo.

[@mariodrv]

Rather get an Ifi Mico IDSD Black Label and put the rest into an end game desktop rig like a DNA Starlett or ZMF Pendant paired with something like the Bifrost 2.

[@allansh828]

@@mariodrv micro iDSD sound too muddy

[@mariodrv]

@@allansh828 Then the new Signature.

[@varunu4176]

The Focal comes with 3 cables including a balanced cable that costs around 150usd each for the Audeze or the HiFiMan. I'm still on the fence with HiFiMan build quality, we get a 1-year warranty on Focal and HiFiMan while the Audeze gets a 3-year warranty on the headphones. I think these should be more important criteria while deciding to buy one of these.

[@Wadacup]

All the Focal headphones have a 5 year warranty!

[@varunu4176]

@@Wadacup My guess is that the warranty differs from country to country, India gets 1year. When I checked Focal's website, it is mentioned to check with the local dealers for information on the warranty period. Correct me if I'm wrong. :)

[@Wadacup]

@@varunu4176 oh yes I think it differs based on country. I'm not sure. However websites have also not been updated, but Focal themselves confirmed the 5 year warranty.

[@completestrangeronline7284]

Would love to try a Focal Clear. If I were to get a hifiman, I would step up to the 1000SE, something with a little bit nicer build quality.I have the 400s, Which I like, I love its spaciousness, but it is ridiculously light in the sub bass, I use it with an Oppo HA2se which does give it more punch... The Audeze is fantastic, And I like them a lot better than the $400 iems I have from them, they just don’t sound “right” to me, I should sell them... I know they don’t get much respect from the younger crowd, but I absolutely love my Grado RS2e, So spacious and clear with a pinch of warmth. And they sound great right out of a phone as well as my Valhalla2. The only thing I hate is that ridiculous industrial cable, wish they were detachable.Although some say that the cable gives it its sound, I don’t know how that works, I don’t know enough about the construction

[@r00s.]

I got the Focal Clear Pros earlier this year from Sweetwater. LOVE THEM!

[@fatdoi003]

400s from memory has slam quality but rolls off on high/low ends.... so depends if you want to have similar style headphones or different

[@completestrangeronline7284]

R00s Is there a sound difference between the Clear pro and the Clear?

[@djhmax09]

@@completestrangeronline7284 According to focal there shouldn't be

[@DBSTH0R]

@@completestrangeronline7284 There shouldn't be any difference sound wise. Pro version comes in black and red color (better looking than the gray IMHO), the real difference is in accessories. With Pro you get an extra set of pads while losing the balanced XLR cable.

[@darrellharwood6600]

THANK YOU. I wanted this Clear vs Arya. I have the Clear Pro and while I want to say I should have bought the Arya instead because I'm a heavy gamer, I think I'm glad I got the Clear for the bass impact. I'm definitely going to get the Arya. I will use them for classical, live and singer-songwriter style music and, of course, gaming. I was going to sell the Clear when the Arya came in, but I think I'll keep them around for EDM and hip hop.

[@callmevil]

just so you know, Infected mushroom sounds better on the arya..

[@vonBaronX]

I owned Focal Clear, now i listen Arya loan from friend and i think Arya is better sounding headphones if you have powerfull AMP if not Clear's are better option.

[@Animosity00]

Considering the new $990 pricetag on the Focal Clear, in this matchup anyway, it's easily the current CLEAR winner.

[@Joniyah444]

I’ve tried all 3, if I could choose 1 it would be Arya. Ananda sounds very close to Arya too, ultimate savings.

[@nmnate]

Would be pretty curious to see how an EQ'd LC2C would fit into the mix. Supposedly they have a little less manufacturing variability than the LCD-X.

[@gcb2101]

The 6k spike in the FR of the Clear was absolutely killing me. I wanted to love this headphone, but ended up hating (and selling) it. Since then I am a very happy owner of an Arya. Best headphone ever (for me). Owned the LCD X too. Meeh. Very punchy and structured base, but overall, the sound is totally muffled and veiled. Not a good total package.

[@colingordon0986]

MM 500 way better headphone then the X

[@Abraxus34]

I listened all these 3 headphones. and I likt a lot audeze X. Arya is far from audeze headphones. arya didnt impress me absolutely. but lcd x problem is its weight. its too heavy and not comfortable for me. too big for my head. but the most confortable is focal of course!

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

This was a really helpful review.

[@Farazao]

Great content! Do you think the Clear is a valueble upgrade from the Elex?

[@vote4ulvio]

Good question I was wondering the same thing?

[@Farazao]

@@vote4ulvio hey mate. Now I have a Clear and it is definitely more refined. Not as awesome bang for buck, but it is better than its little brother.

[@vote4ulvio]

@@FarazaoGreat. Thank You

[@dododale-ni7bf]

i have CLEAR HP WITH QUESTYLE CMA800I, AND IT SOUND EXCELLENT, SOMTIME I CHANGE CLEAR&HD800 AND CLEAR IS MY WINNER!! MY NEXT HP WOULD BE HIFIMAN NANO!!

[@gddfhjiufcv]

Hi, excellent video, do you need to burn in the focal clear if purchased new?

[@bepresent4235]

Do you have plans to review the Elex?

[@ResolveReviews]

@@Brandon-qs3jq I don't think I did review the Elex actually. Maybe at some point I will.

[@Brandon-qs3jq]

Resolve Reviews oh my fault. I'll remove my post. Sorry - thought it was you but must’ve been someone else

[@bladimir106]

Love focal clear

[@jackryon932]

I like how the winners in detail retrieval before the LCD-X is EQ'ed are the Clear and the Arya, but after the winners are the LCD-X and the Arya. In other words, applying EQ to the LCD-X makes the Clear sound worse. If you're in the market for the Clear you might wanna check that none of your close neighbors have an LCD-X or you might be SOL.

[@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou]

It just means that with EQ, the LCD-X can pull ahead of the Clear.

[@Kazeon]

I have a sennheiser momentum 3, which is a closed back and a "fun" type of headphone.. It's the best one I owned so far and for me it sounds incredible already.. but I'm looking to upgrade to focal clear.. I never listened to open back before.. So I'm looking forward of getting blown away.. but I'm wondering just how much better can it possibly be given that it costs almost 3 times of that the SM3's ?

[@jswarts2923]

You are far better off with the SM3, and avoiding the Clear. I had both, but threw away the Focal, since it could not reproduce low bass without losing control of the voice coil, which rubs and produces a loud bottoming out crackling sound at fairly low levels. The Sennheisers are better for all occasions, and all music. I have them on now. Maybe the Focal cans have been improved, but I no longer trust their QC.

[@mrgerbeck]

Focal Clear sounds amazing but can be very fatiguing.

[@nicktan4530]

Hello, have you considered ZMF Aelous to be part of these three Arya vs Clear vs LCD-X or even LCD-2

[@RaiseYourFamily]

Hey Andrew! I saw you have Ibasso DX220 DAP....... I have it also and using it with Focal Clear....do you think that this combination is enough for unlock Clears full potential or better invest in some desktop amp or something like Ifi Black label to use with Ibasso DX220? Thanks!

[@tomper3972]

Great review, very detailed. Will the chord mojo drive the Aryas all the way?

[@theunder015]

Why the LCD-X and not the HD800 btw? And very informative review.

[@jekken333]

Would you consider the HEDDphone the king of sub 3k headphones? Great review and looking forward to seeing your list.

[@shadouxg7150]

3k? thats an 1.8k headphone

[@fclp67]

@@shadouxg7150 yeah but you don't get anything from a higher league until 3000, heddphone is in the same class as Rad-0 and Zmf vérité. And the next league would be only 3000$ and above - hifiman he1000 v2 is 3000, lcd-4 is 4000, Focal utopia is 4000, Susvara is 6000, final d8000 pro is 4000.

[@shadouxg7150]

@@fclp67 ou your right

[@shadouxg7150]

@@fclp67 also diana phi 4k

[@shadowfury880]

Nice. Will you be looking at or reviewing the newer Audio Technica closed backs since you reviewed the AD5000x? Namely, the ATH-WP900, ATH-AWAS, and ATH-AWKT?

[@zeke937]

What eq do you use, and what kinds of edits do you make to the LCD -X sound signature?

[@mobcrusher4193]

Can you make a video comparing the all the new versions of arya clear and x

[@wcg66]

If the Clear is preferred, is it worth the upgrade from the Elex? From what I can tell, the Elex is fairly close to the Clear.

[@gjtube37]

Thanks for the great review. Is there a headphone in this price range that would have the punch and slam of the Clear and the soundstage of the Arya . I listen to a lot of classical and jazz but also a lot of rock, metal, and blues. What would you recommend? Thank you.

[@nortonfamily6711]

The Susvara is the only headphone that satisfies both conditions to my knowledge lmfao. Below that price point you’ll generally find that vast soundstage and punch/slam don’t go hand in hand. The closest thing I can think of is the HE-6se, which will have a decent amount of slam and stage (still narrower than the Arya), but also lacking the depth and layering of the Arya. That aside, the Arya excels at classical, jazz, and blues, and is still extremely good with metal and rock. I think it’s highly likely that out of all the headphones in this price range, you’ll enjoy the Arya the most.

[@gjtube37]

@@nortonfamily6711 Thanks very much for your reply!

[@edwinramos4910]

Great review, but that’s nothing new for you. The only thing that I disagreed with was your enthusiasm for Reveal Plus from Audeze. I don’t buy headphones that need EQ to come anywhere close to sounding right...but I do appreciate EQ as a tool to fine tune great headphones that are 90%+ of the way there when it comes to frequency response. That being said, EQ presets directly from a manufacturer seem strange to me. It almost seems like they’re admitting that they can’t tune their headphones properly, so they’re throwing these EQ’s out there to try to make up for it.

[@kugelschreiber5678]

This. Not sure why people even take EQ as part of an argument to purchase a set of cans. I'm not buying headphones to EQ them, I want them to sound great out of the box. If that were the case, then reviews for every usable thing in life would be null and void as you can just customize them to your liking. I respect those that do EQ, and I understand it's part of the hobby - EQing isn't wrong. But objectively? These headphones should sound great without any customization.

[@amirranjbar1995]

I am considering the arya for its staging and details and seperation but I do also listen to a lot of rock and metal as well so my question is that can I EQ the Arya so that it can have that punchiness in the bass? does it EQ well in that regard?

[@godtiermedic]

Why do some say that the focal clear is the cleanest headset S/A++ class in the market

[@nortonfamily6711]

They haven’t heard a similarly priced planar.

[@semtexxl4023]

Is there any chance you could do the the review for the new Focal Clear MG Professional? I think there are many people out there curious how it compares to the original Clears/Pro...It will be really interesting to see if there's actually be a difference in tuning between the new models. As we all know “old” ones are the same tuning soundwise with different packaging and color schemes. So far only Clear Pro MG version was released....