Focal Radiance Impressions - How does it compare to the Focal Elegia? 

Man, the radiance just looks good!

yay! The warmer presentation definitely is going to win some people's hearts. Leathers are going to be easier for maintenance. Bass response that does not depend on the pads, change in vents, ... Looks like quite a number of technological innovations are put in there. So excited to see how the next generation of Elegia would be with newer techs.

Great work @Resolve Reviews and @The HEADPHONE Show !!!

Nice review! The looks on these are just gorgeous *.*

I want to thank you (immensely) for your full articulate and completely thorough review (IMHBAO) on the new Focal Radiance. Deciding on a pair of headphones has been a l - o - n - g process for me because I'm not anywhere near a hifi store that sells hifi headphones. Thus, I've been resorting to listening to review after review after review. And none really pushed me to a certain brand . . . until . . .I heard your review (and another review in which you compared three open-back headphones in the 1500 dollar price range). You covered the key items of which helped me (basically) lead to a decision - and that is to buy the new Focal Radiance (because it will work perfect for me based on the type of music I listen to +90% of the time via headphones).

My god they look good! Not a big fan of the Bentley logo on the headphones themselves - very gaudy, I feel like it does not belong on a headphone - Like most non-car-car-branded stuff is. Having it on the case is fine, I don't care. Very interested in hearing these as I actually really liked the Elegia despite how 'weird' it is. And I very much prefer the design and colors of the Radiance to the Elegia. Might pick these up as I just sold off my HD820s and wanting a closed can. After listening to your first impression of the Radiance, this sounds in my opinion like a great pairing with my Clears due to their differences (More like a detailed fun-can?). Thanks again for your superb reviews! Happy to have you in the community! Keep up the fantastic work!

Have any of you guys at The HEADPHONE Show had a chance to listen to the Flagship "Denon AH-9200" headphone ? I've been going down the rabbit hole researching closed back headphones lately and the 9200 comes up in conversations a lot as being really good. They seem a bit pricey at $1600 to me though. They're really charging for that Japanese workmanship and Japanese Bamboo on the cups I guess.

Great review, these headphones look amazing! I'm curious, how do the new pads interact with glasses?

Would the Radiance be a good compliment to the Clear MG?

The Elegia sounds like very good large speakers in fairly big room. You never get this from the Radiance - it is more intimate.

I'm waiting for the day there's a closed back wireless bluetooth headphone that sounds as good as the Hifiman Susvara. Also you're the GOAT headphone reviewer.

Could you do a video on proprietary surround sound technologies and how they work with various high-end headphones like these?

This price difference with the Elegia is hefty, the Bentley logo is making this headphones almost twice as expensive. Glad I bought the Elegia 6 months ago (with a 200 euro discount), this seems excellent value even more now.

I wonder how these compare to the ZMF closed backs. It seems like the price bracket places it right with the ZMF closed backs. Is there any chance of a ZMF Eikon/Atticus review? Also, an Auteur review redux using this review format would also be nice.

You’re The Mann! I was awaiting this review! You’re a Very trustworthy Audiophile! Would u say that the Radiance has a bass response or has a similar slam to the LCD X?

Thank you for getting these reviewed so quickly. For months I was chasing the dragon of the perfect headphone. Doesn't exist. After buying thr Clears I have finally been able to stop buying headphones. Such a great balanced sound with just enough bass. I do still miss the Arya's wider soundstage and depth. That headphone was an experience on some tracks. May get an Ananda to try em out. Currently have a stack of headphones already and want to enjoy bliss for a while with my new RME ADI-2 Pro fs R. It never ends!!!

Will you review Sennheiser’s HD560S anytime soon?

I love your reviews and I respect your opinions greatly and in fact bought my Sundaras based purely on your review (which I love, btw - the review and HPs!) BUT ... I've gotta say that in this case, the Radiance is NOT an upgraded Elegia, it's a totally different beast! About 2 hours ago I had the chance to listen to both and in fact I was about to purchase the Elegia (at US$450) because of the price and also cos of your long-term review. I noted your point about EQing the Elegia so I just had to test it out before buying ... and I'm glad I did. Listened to it on a Cayin IHA-6 (balanced, high gain, low gain, low current, high current) and omg did it sound awful! It had a weird freq response; no sub bass, thin-like-aluminium foil low/mid bass, nasal mids, and bright? highs ... Sound stage was like a military band playing marching in line formation on the spot in front of me ... by that point didn't matter how much "slam" the dynamics had ... I had enough and there was no way in hell I was going to bother with EQ to salvage anything from it. AND THEN I TRIED THE RADIANCE. It was a fluke chance that it had just arrived at the local store (in Singapore) ahead of schedule and so happened to be available to test right after the Elegia. AND OMG, I think I found my end-game Focals! If this just proves my total unworthiness of any audiophile-related monikers then I'll gladly embrace it (it's not that I even consider myself an audiophile in any way, shape or form, except that I'm a gear slut!) Again on the Cayin IHA-6, from the remastered studio session of Jeff Buckley's first pluck of the acoustic guitar and his first line in "Hallelelujah" ... to Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP ... to Stan Getz, Coltrane, Miles Davies ... to Dream Theatre and finally Pachelbel's "Canon in D" ... Intimate vocals with wide soundstage, beautiful tonality with clear, distinct, and "ompful" sub-bass, low bass and mid-bass to low-mids and full , luscious vocals and yes, warm highs! Airy but never ever strident, clear, detailed and present but never shrill. And god-damn SLAM and FAST DYNAMICS! AND NO NEED TO EQ!! I paid US$1300 on the spot for the Radiance and now I've just gotta end this rambling and go get my money's worth of music bliss! ...... Oh, and did I mention they look so fucking sexy! :)

Hello! The Radiance or Aeon 2 noire is more balanced ?

It's just radiating with good looks I wish the elex and clear professional and Utopia would look like this 😭😭😭

Have been planning on getting the Clear, my daily driver are the Arya. You say these aren’t the Clear but how do they differ ? Unfortunately, there’s no place to sample headphones anywhere close to where I live. I listen to a lot of classic rock and metal and the Arya sound very stark and dry with a lot of it to me. The warm signature sounds like it might be what I’m looking for but for $200 more maybe I should still go for the Clear pro... then there’s the LCD XC !!! ... sooo many choices - sooo little $$ :) Any recommendation is greatly appreciated. Oh, and thanks for another great review. IMO you are the #1 reviewer hands down

Nice knowing that it's not just a recolour like the HD800S Anniversary

When you talk about one headphone in comparison to another so much, you should really put both headphones on a graph (or both headphones plus a target), not the one headphone plus a target. The graph doesn't really match the content without the Elegia on it. Good review, it's nice that Focal is able to make headphones with a number of different sound signatures and styles, with their 'house sound' being dynamics...it allows for more variety than other 'house sound' styles. Any idea why (or if ?) they're discontinuing the Elegia though ?

Hmmmm so I have the 177X's, and I really enjoy the sound signature. I am looking for an upgrade, would the radiance suffice? The 177X's - with the leather pads - actually soundstage really well, so I wonder if the Radiance soundstages better than said Beyer's.

Great review! Really interesting pair of headphones. Can you share your findings with pad swapping for the elegia? I’m interested in the dekoni offerings that can help with the bass.

Would you consider these tonally similar to the Verite Open? The way you describe the upper treble sounds similar to how the VO is handling there’s. Do the Verites have less congestion than these?

Did you have a chance to try the Dekoni Stellia pads? They certainly improved the sound, for my preference. Do you still stand by the statement that the upgrade is not worth it if you already have the Elegia's? Thank you!

Do you still like the Radiance? what about if you compare the OG clears, which would you choose?

now i'm looking forward to the Bentley Mulliner Stellia

How is the sub-bass slam compared to the LCD-XC?

I really wanted to purchase these headphones unfortunately I don't drive a Bentley. I wonder if Focal will come out with a Chevy version : )

Thanks for the impressions. Would love to hear your take on the E-MU Teaks at some point... I grabbed the Elegias on sale recently but sent them back because of the unnatural (to my ears) sounding mid-range compared to the Teaks. Perhaps just me, but I love the sound of the Teaks and the Anandas - my two main drivers.

How would older Jazz recordings sound on these or records that aren't necessarily the best recording ?

First time seeing your channel and “subed” in first 30 seconds. Really nice job! Thorough and concise. The last good pair on cans I owned was the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro. Really enjoyed the low end with the bass pads, don’t remember if that was the “A” or “B” (flat) pad? Have you heard the 1990? How would the low end compare with Elegia? For 5 bills is the Elegia a good “closed” value today? Thanks!

usin elegias while watching this: C:

btw, that pattern is from naim

Personally, I have never been a fan of Focal's speakers. Mainly as I find them to harsh in the upper ranges. I tend to lean on the warmer side myself, like you would get from let's say Hybrid Audio's Legiatia's for instance. So to hear this coming from Focal is a very welcome development. Being a bit more bass heavy isn't a problem either. As I listen to all kinds of music. However, I have found many headsets to be lacking bass. So this is a welcome change here but any headset is only as good as it's source. So I plan on using it with my Astell & Kern DAP mostly. :)

Wow it doesn’t look like spiderman’s headphones like the Stelia 😂

How does it perform on metal? I think you said that Elegia is not the most ideal headphone for it.I wish they change the gold to silver.

How does it compare to the us 800s

Will they make a normal looking version of Radiance? I don't want to wear Bentley on subway.

Do you know if the headband part is still plastic inside the cushioning? My Elegia broke after less than 2 years of use in my studio (never dropped), and Focal refuse to take it as a warranty issue and it cannot be repaired.

I changed the pads (your recommendation) on my Elegia's. That brought the bass up nicely. Can you do a compare with your modded Elegia's?

Great looking headphone but would you really recommend the Radiance over the Elegia with such a huge price increase? I’m interested but I’m trying to save for purchasing the Stellia or Utopia

Magnifique !!!!!!

So since the Celeste will soon be released it looks like The Radiance will be the next Focal headphone that will be on fire sale like the Elegia was for $400. For $400 the Elegia is still an amazing deal. If I spent any more $$$ I would need that bass region to be pushed up a bit to the point where NOTHING is missing in the music. So now the cage match is Radiance vs Celeste.

I just ordered a set and I can’t wait for them to get here. They’re the first high end headphones I’ve ever bought, does anyone have any advice on an amp that will pair well with them?

Doesn't seem like it has that Focal air outlet/port under the F sign to let back wave out like the Elegia and Stellia have...

Is the he 800s better I’m buying on of these two headphones in April

My brain says Clear but my heart says Radiance.

Kind of and off topic but I wish there was a replaceable headband pad.

I can now buy the elegia for $250 USD here in Australia it’s $329 AUD. Should I pick it up?

I wonder if they sound as good as they look.

Thank you for your review of the new Focal Radiance headphones. I recently purchased the Focal Elegias which I quite enjoy, but have been wanting a bit more short of purchasing the Stellias. The stock cable that comes with the Elegias has a nice overall tonal balance, but lacks detail and transparency. I built two identical cables, one with the Black Dragon wire and another with the Cardas 4x24 wire. Both are superior (by a large margin) to the stock Focal cable and the Cardas is the better of the two overall with the Elegias. So - my question is are you using the same cable when doing these comparisons or just using the stock cable that comes with the particular headphones? The quality of the cable (and it's compatibility) can make such a difference that a review without an equal quality cable employed doesn't do justice to the ability of the cans on review.

@The HEADPHONE Show Slight off top, but are there any plans for an opinion on Focal Elear?

I’m New to this so please excuse me if I am asking you something that might be ridiculous to those who are Hardcore Audiophiles…. So this is my question: What is in Your Opinion, The Best Headphone/Amp and Dac for My music listening preferences that are along the lines of… 60’s-70’s-80’s, from The Beatles to Zeppelin to Ozzy Osbourne to Dokken, Rush etc.? Again, I am in any way knowledgeable about Anything to do with components. I want to get into the hobby and well, you have to start somewhere! Lol… Thank you in advance for any help or advice.

Please do Beyer 300 Tygr.

If you like the design and look of the Radiance you'll love the Naim MuSo for Bentley that they were designed to go with..

Hmmm. I'm wondering if they'll make the pads available for purchase. The inner lining towards the drive looks similar to the Clear pads. I'm wondering how they would sound with the Clears.

Has anyone compared the Elegia and NDH-20 Neumanns? Elegia are 40 bucks more right now and I want to know which one to buy haha I need a pretty good closed back.

Too much of a price jump from elegia now. Look nice though

Love the copper/black but that Bentley logo screaming to be seen is such a turn off. It could have just been stamped/de-bosed on top of the leather headband. I'll keep waiting for a closeback version of the Clear.

This looks very radiant .

is this a limited release collaboration thingy or a long run production?

Are the stellia’s a big upgrade over the radiance?

Why are you avoiding electrostatics? I am really interested in your thoughts on all them Lambdas, Omegas and the Voce.

That cable looks like death. Talk about kinky. I don't understand how they make their headphones look so nice while producing some of the heaviest and least ergonomic cables on the market. Beats cables are 10x better, it is ridiculous. Good review though! Glad to see them putting out more models.

Will there be measurements please?

Finally

I already think harman is too dark in the treble, and this is even darker on the measurements. Looks like warm consumer-fi.

I don't get the idea of a car and headphone maker collaboration. Is there a tradition behind this kind of thing or is it just a bit of fun? It certainly looks nice but I would feel a bit silly with Bentley logos on my cans.

Elegia was amazing… lacked bass but otherwise perfect in other frequencies imo

Bit of black duct tape to cover those logos. Should bring it right down.

Is the Radiance better than the Clear. I like it’s design as opposed to the Clear.

If they come with a free Bentley i'm in ....

Focal headphones with similar tonality to ZMF huh? I don't know how, but I have to find a way to listen to these...

I think the lack of a back port has something to do with the bass and pad interaction.

Does it have that base excursion rattle?

Hmmm..... I kind of want these badly. I tend to be sensitive to significant peaks in the 3 to 6kHz range so I'm wondering what the opposite of that will sound like to me. It might be okay.

I lost faith in closed back headphones after I tried the Elegia, I wear glasses so I can’t benefit from low frequencies, basically strip out bass making it so bright, the mids literally in your face. The details expression is like you try to hear what your brother is saying in front of someone who’s drilling a hole in the wall, I don’t believe I received a good unit but I returned it over replacing it cuz the glasses still an issue to the Elegia. I hope glasses are not big deal to the radiance cuz it looks so pretty

Harman targeted with a little bit of EQ.

Where can I find a pair of Elegia for 400?

I want buy this headphones but not sell in japan...

I like the color palette, but the Bentley logo is so pretentious and gaudy. Also, for a headphone that is sonically so similar to the Elegia, the price seems too high. Too bad these aren’t an “Elegia II” with the appropriate pricing, sans logo.

So that’s why the elegia is going for 400 now. Tried it, somehow I didn’t like it. Love the looks of focals. Hmm, maybe it was the seal. Don’t like leather though. And the elegia cable, looks good but awful awful

Sharp headphones 🎧 !!! I Know the sound good..my kind of headphones looks and sound!!

The Bentley logo is really gaudy.

beyer t1

Just another ploy to get you to spend money you dont have

No way. My wallet will hate me. I already have the clears

off subject.... You should use a better warmer mic.... Just because....... You talk fast (so do i) but i want to relax when i hear your reviews...... Thank you for reveiw

Haha, too bad we don't see with ears. Sounds like (pun intended) these are not good upgrades from elegia.

First :-)

Who you think you are, Joshua Valour?

That FR graph is terrible, no beating around the bush. It looks worse than an Audeze measures in the treble.