Focal Clear Review (headphone)

[staticV3]

I guess I cannot really know that ?

It's pretty easy to measure using a basic multimeter and something like this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256803497862592.html

If you ever get curious.

Is it only the volume ?

Yes.

I tried with a USBC > USB-A adapter > USB-B and it worked pretty well.

Nice!

 

[Slothang]

Yes.

Like...People are listening at full volume with the gain to "High" ? Is that really possible ? It's the only goal ?

 

[staticV3]

People are listening at full volume with the gain to "High" ? Is that really possible ?

Depends on the audio content and headphone being used.

It's the only goal ?

Not sure I understand. What is the only goal?

 

[Peterinvan]

Hello,
I'm looking for a amp for my Clears. I actually listen out of my laptop and it's pretty nice but I think I can improve my listening : i don't know the world of hifi so...i just want to discover, learn and enjoy :

• Low volume listening
• All kind of musics
• Maybe a little bit more of soundstage
• Maybe a little bit warmer
• Small device or elegant (the headphones are in my living room...which belongs to my wife).
• <300$.

Thanks for your suggestions !

I am enjoying my new FiiO K7 (with a LPS). Drives my Elegias (and other phones) with ease. Should meet all your requirements above.

 

[Slothang]

Not sure I understand. What is the only goal?

To increase the volume. It's for headphone with a low sensitivity, that's the point ?

I am enjoying my new FiiO K7 (with a LPS). Drives my Elegias (and other phones) with ease. Should meet all your requirements above.

It looks nice too.

 

[staticV3]

To increase the volume. It's for headphone with a low sensitivity, that's the point ?

Yes. You use high gain if low gain doesn't get loud enough.
That's the only purpose.

 

[Bibo]

I own my Clears for more than 6 years now, they are still my daily drivers. I only switch to other headphones (closed back or even NC) if I have to, because family live takes its toll.
So after 6, years, what are my key points:
Pros:
- They are still the best sounding headphones I ever heard. These are de facto the only headphones, that sound 100% "right" for me.
- They used to be very comfortable. This has changed somewhat, see cons.
- They do not clip at my listening volume.
Cons:
- Earpads wear off very fast and they are laughably expensive (230€ a pair). Luckily you can get these from China for 12€ by now, probably from the same factory as there is no noticable difference in quality.
- Cables are too stiff and quality is poor. The balanced cable broke after only two months of usage. Could not RMA it, because I did not not use it from the beginning (I did not have a balanced amp then). Official replacement is 230€ too. Ridiculous.
- The headband snapped recently. This seems to be a common problem, because the headbands are somewhat overengineered. Sourced a replacement headband from China for 50€ that does the job, but comfort degraded a bit (see above).

So was the investment of 1499€ in 2018 worth it for me? Definetely yes, because I had that money and I love my Clears for their sound and there is no alternative for me. But I do not like to be scammed. And the price for replacement pads and cables is a scam. Period. And build quality is disappointing too for that price.

 

[Rayman30]

I own my Clears for more than 6 years now, they are still my daily drivers. I only switch to other headphones (closed back or even NC) if I have to, because family live takes its toll.
So after 6, years, what are my key points:
Pros:
- They are still the best sounding headphones I ever heard. These are de facto the only headphones, that sound 100% "right" for me.
- They used to be very comfortable. This has changed somewhat, see cons.
- They do not clip at my listening volume.
Cons:
- Earpads wear off very fast and they are laughably expensive (230€ a pair). Luckily you can get these from China for 12€ by now, probably from the same factory as there is no noticable difference in quality.
- Cables are too stiff and quality is poor. The balanced cable broke after only two months of usage. Could not RMA it, because I did not not use it from the beginning (I did not have a balanced amp then). Official replacement is 230€ too. Ridiculous.
- The headband snapped recently. This seems to be a common problem, because the headbands are somewhat overengineered. Sourced a replacement headband from China for 50€ that does the job, but comfort degraded a bit (see above).

So was the investment of 1499€ in 2018 worth it for me? Definetely yes, because I had that money and I love my Clears for their sound and there is no alternative for me. But I do not like to be scammed. And the price for replacement pads and cables is a scam. Period. And build quality is disappointing too for that price.

I also own Clear OG, they are tuned in a certain way that makes them sound what I would describe as "Light on their feet" I enjoy them the way they are out of the box. I got rid of the stock cable for a $65 Periapt cable a while back. But when I want more meat on the bones, I grab the LCD-X.