Focals do tend to be a bit more polarizing it seems. People either love the Clear or dislike them. But those that dislike them still recognize that they are good headphones.

They are good headphones, they’re just not for everyone. Just like every headphone this hobby has seen pretty much. I have the Clear and I am a fan, fwiw.

I have the same feeling towards the Clear and ultimately felt that while I might be missing out on the soundstage of the HD800S and the planar bass of the Arya or LCD-X, I’d just be getting a damn good all-rounder headphone that doesn’t do anything wrong. And coming from the Sennheiser family yes, it’s a great upgrade.

I’ve had mine for 2 years now and still love them. Add in the fact that you can get a new pair for $900 in the US now, or even less open box or used, you’re getting an end-game headphone for a really good price.

I won’t deny their sexiness is what drew me into them initially. Thankfully they have the sound to match.

Yeah, I think when you look at the best headphones in this price category, it ends up coming down to preferences as they all have their own strengths and weaknesses, but it’s hard to go wrong with any of them.

For example, some may gravitate towards the HD800/S for soundstage, precision, comfort, build, etc, but it’s more analytical/cold. The Clear has a more lively, fun and warm sound but you’re sacrificing soundstage.

Yea I played a couple tracks and as soon as I heard how soft and muffled the highs sounded next to the Clear I had pretty much made my decision.

I suppose the Clear’s soundstage could be bigger but I’ll admit I haven’t really heard anything that sounds wider than the Clear or Sundara (aka haven’t heard the Arya or HD800S) so I’m not really a soundstage junkie. I do think they image very well, and have an adequate soundstage, and still sound open to me. They almost give the effect of a ring around the head

The fact that the Clear can be had for less than $1k these days makes it an amazing deal.

Made the same move as you a couple years ago and don’t regret it. The Clear has a very similar presentation to the Sennheiser, but is a lot better on the technical scale.

It’s kinda hard to describe. I do think that detail can be “faked” by heightening a frequency response. Or, listening to a new headphone can make you hear new things because the frequency response is different, or “new toy” syndrome is forcing you to pay more attention than you normally would.

On the flip side, some headphones and even driver types can do things that are simply unique. For example, I compared my Focal Clear to the Sundara I previously owned, and the Sundara had that “plucked” quality to its bass that I’ve heard some describe, where it sounds like each bass note has its own little vibration or feel to it. Meanwhile, the Clear has this dynamic capability that’s hard to match, and it can come with either a lot of dynamic swing where drums have a lot of power, or something soft where you can kind of feel the air or breath of a voice or instrument. Something like that is what I call detail, because you can actually feel the driver doing something. Acoustic guitars on the Clear are amazing in a similar way, because you can sort of feel the strumming and air around the notes that’s otherwise hard to replicate.

I’ll also say that the recording you’re listening to plays a major part.

U12t. They are bananas

Gotta have that jumbo dong attachment

It just kinda has this satisfying click or feeling to it, it’s hard to explain. IYKYK

Plugging in a 4.4 jack feels like sex

Ugh that’s the most annoying thing with the U12t stock tips. I’ve found that they give the best sound out of everything I’ve tried but because the tips are shorter than the IEM nozzle, wax can get into the nozzle sometimes.

I have the Clear and Emu Ebony for headphones, and U12t and AirPod Pros for IEMs.

The Clear and U12t are very close but if I had to choose one it’d be the U12t. They just sound so smooth, so clean, detail on them is amazing. What they do for being IEMs still kinda blows my mind sometimes. Add to the fact that being IEMs makes them more portable, that makes them my desert island headphone.

Great journey, we’ve found ourselves in similar spots too. I have Focal Clear, end game IEM (in my case U12t) and AirPods. That’s all I really need, though I also got some EMU Ebony closed backs.

You preferred the Clear to the Utopia? I’ve been hoping to stumble on a Utopia for a good price, but it does seem like some folks prefer the Clear for being a little warmer. And, the IER-Z1R is simply gorgeous. Sony makes a great product, even the M9 seems like a wonderful IEM.

Yea exactly! Unfortunately talking to NG on the phone probably won’t get me anywhere.

I did find that energyswitch site and am probably going to look into that or reach out to the community electricity program. In regards to the former though I’m just a little concerned about catches.

I’m looking at both this time last year, where my bill was around $110 (though usage was lower) and looking at my highest usage bill this summer, which was $170.

When they say there’s a 64% increase they should be referring to the static service rate right? The thing that’s confusing me is the service rate going from .11 to .33. That’s not 64%. And it’s the only thing that I saw a jump in from this pill and previous bills.

That looks closer to triple to me

So looking at a bill from the summer, usage was 650 kWh and the bill was $170. This last bill was $275 with 550 kWh. I guess I’m just confused by the quoted “64%” increase, because the service rate tripled…

Damn, is the Clear really that much better with the Burson? I use mine with the 789, the Burson stuff looks really nice but they are expensive

Is this the most polarizing headphone? People seem to either really love them or really hate them.

I can kind of get the shouty part but I’ve never really heard these as metallic. I see people say that all the time, and yet I can’t hear it. I even compared it side by side with the HD6XX, Sundara and still own an EMU Ebony and the Clear doesn’t really stand out to me as having an off timbre.

Not knocking your opinion or anything as it’s a common and valid criticism but I’ve just never really noticed it. I thought it blew away the HD6XX and Sundara from a technical standpoint tho.

Sorry to hear that. I don’t have that same issue.

Mind blowing price is right

I’ve been seeing a lot of Clear posts this week. I won’t complain.