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REVIEW: Focal Clear Headphones

Model: Clear
Category: Headphones
Suggested Retail Price: $1500
Description: Over Ear Open Dynamic Headphones
Manufacturer URL: Focal
Model Picture: View

Review by EdAInWestOC on May 26, 2018 at 07:03:05
IP Address: 71.206.21.231		Add Your Review
for the Clear

The Focal Clear is the third statement headphone product from Focal. Focal made headphone history with the introduction of the Elear and the Utopia. Both of the prior models created a lot of buzz in the headphone industry. The third model from Focal is a product where Focal took everything they learned from the two prior statement products and rolled it into the Clear.

The Focal Clear is a headphone without any weaknesses. They are beautifully made, have beautiful accessories and come in a very nice case. The Clear is comfortable to wear for long periods of time and has outstanding sound quality.

I am a long time fan of Stax full range electrostatic headspeakers. I am used to outstanding sound quality and the Focal Clear delivers outstanding sound quality with ease.

The Focal Clear never sounds too analytical nor do they sound too relaxed. The Focal Clear cuts the difference between these two extremes perfectly. They have excellent bass quality and extension plus they have outstanding treble response without sound too bright or irritating.

The treble is there without drawing attention to itself unless the musical content demands it. It is extended and perfectly natural. The midrange is also perfectly natural and blends into the whole musical picture without ever sounding out of balance.

The Focal Clear does everything well without ever sounding brash or out of balance. They will not sound like a show stopping audiophile product, they just make beautiful music if the music is beautiful.

They sound bright if the music is bright, laid back if the music is laid back and dynamic when the music calls for it. The Focal Clear reproduces whatever the music calls for and does so without drawing attention to itself.

The Focal Clear is one outstanding product and performs better than the asking price.

Product Weakness: They take a long time to break in...approximately 100 hours before they sound their best.
Product Strengths: Build quality, Accessories, Sound quality, Wearing comfort, Value

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Schiit Lyr 2 w/NOS Philips 7DJ8s
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audible Illusions L1
Sources (CDP/Turntable): VPI Prime w/Ortofon Windfeld Ti
Speakers: Magnepan MMC 2
Cables/Interconnects: Kimber Hero w/WBT connectors
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classic Rock, Jazz
Time Period/Length of Audition: 100 hrs
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner


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Topic - REVIEW: Focal Clear Headphones - EdAInWestOC 07:03:05 05/26/18 (14)
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