Focal launched the Focal Clear today, a new addition to their flagship headphone line. We review and discuss the new Focal Clear, comparing it to Focal's other flagships (the Elear and Utopia), including frequency response measurements.
I was just at RMAF as well and yes they are more neutral but they are also losing lots of detail compared to Elear. I know sound is very relative but I am gonna stay away from the Clear.
Note the different pronunciation Focal have settled on for a word they invented - *Elear* - vs a word they couldn't reinvent - *Clear*. I have no problem pronouncing focal as 'fo-cal' when I'm referring to a French audio manufacturer, but I dont change 'head' to 'ead' to mimic Nicholas' pronunciation and I'll continue to pronounce Elear like 'clear' : YMMV. Thanks for the vid.
Awesome review. Beautiful headphones, glad to hear they sound great as well. Now if only I was the kind of person that could spend 1500 on headphones ;Q
Excellent review. Amazing headphones. The fact that Focal includes 3 cables and the carrying case shows you how much they care about complete customer satisfaction. I'll be buying these beauties.
Did they fix the horrendous upper mid dip/hole? That recession killed lots of energy in my music (rock and metal). Would love if the Clear's were a more neutral Elear.
Yes! Lighter cables! Those cables on the elears weigh like bricks dragging your head down. How's the sound stage/imaging on the clear? The soundstage on the elears sounded too narrow and intimate for me for an openback.
I tried the Elear at Canjam and it had too much treble emphasis compared to other similar priced headphones including my SR-007A. The frequency response of the Clear seems worryingly similar to Elear.
You say you like bass, so I'm curious to what you think of the V-Moda Crossfade LP². Not in comparison to the headphones you mention in this video of course, they're in quite a different price range, but in general.
I haven't heard the clear but you can't go wrong with the Utopia. Really they are just wire and music. I have the Stax 009 and dare I say its better. ;-)
wish focal would make a new closed headphone with the new technology and look, similar headband and cup construction. then make it budget friendly. heck make it in china for massdrop even. heard the utopia four or so times. did nothing when listening to high energy electronic fringe genres.
