Thanks for everything you do. Your reviews are so thorough and I noticed that you have taken the time to reply to so many people over the years. I hope your channel gets huge. Have a good one- Karyn and George from Canada
Totally agree with you. Lachlan takes time to reply and in my case (I believe for many too), he remembers my preferences so recommendations were spot-on for me. So I became a Patreon. Wish he has more manufacturer and stores’ support so he gets more and newer equipments to review.
I liked the sound of the Mg a lot, they sounded a bit dark at first in contrast to brighter headphones but after acclimatising sounded quite natural. The resolution and separation is top notch, plus the nuance in the bass and slam is awesome. I couldn't get over the creak when I moved my head though, Focal really need to sort out their headbands.
Got the Clear Mg. They were a semi-impulse buy: I went to the hifi store to test a Bathys vs. a PX8. After an hours worth of back and forth, I went for the Bathys. And when I was about to pay, he said “we also got this in…” -> and the rest is history, lol. Cheeky bastard. The Clear Mg is wonderful on an RME ADI-2 DAC fs. I find it somehow calms down the “shimmer”, even without eq.
@@PassionforSound I really am. They have distinct use cases and complement each other well! Thanks for your review. Another thing I like about the Clear MG is how bloody pretty they are. When I first saw and felt them, they were like a finely crafted timepiece. It’s a superficial thing but headphones kinda are like gadget fashion to me and Focal really has that French “je ne sais quoi” 😆
One thing I love about the OG clears is the sense of impact/macrodynamics. It feels like the air between my ears and the drivers is “tangible” and alive in ways I get from no other headphones. Especially with AutoEQ!
I agree about the sense of dynamics and energy from them (although that also made them sometimes a little fatiguing for me). I think perhaps the MGs have split the difference and are neither quite as dynamic and exciting, nor quite smooth enough to get away from any sense of fatigue so maybe the OGs are the better option!?
I love the MG, the lower midrange especially. Of all of my headphones, they have an almost speaker like timbre. There are qualities from about 1 kilohertz down that i notice on my car stereo. i have the Arya as well. I find them fatiguing in the treble occasionally and they definitely “sound” like a headphone. The MG never bothers me in its treble. I think they are fairly equal in their resolving abilities, most people would probably say the Arya is more resolving because it focuses on the treble. The MG is a more midrange forward listen and that’s where it really pulls details out. The new LCD-X is probably a great compromise in tuning between the other two in that price range. I think it combines aspects the MG’s lush midrange with a little more emphasis in the Treble. If you get a chance to get a pair in, i’d love to hear your thoughts. I think you might really like them.
I would say you absolutely nail the MG - they are universally solid, almost too consumer, too pleasant, an easy buy for people outside of the hobby. Having owned my pair for a year and a half or so they're still impressive headphones, but unable to blow you away like the Arya Stealth did for me. They prevent major complaints about music, but also prevent it feeling truly real. I think I will still keep mine as an alternative when my HEKs arrive, and it may be down to my Ares II/SA-1 overly smoothing the upper mids. But they should be, for the tier, more than just 'nice' - they should be an experience every time you use them, and they simply aren't. I genuinely wonder if we're seeing the limits of dynamics versus more mature and affordable planars now.
Very well said! That's an interesting point about dynamics vs planars - maybe you're onto something there, but I'll see how the ZMF Auteur Classics sound before I agree totally on that one 😉
@Passion for Sound oh you're going to love them, the biodynamic driver is really special. I think one of the issues the focals suffer from is your brain can sometimes tell its a small driver making the sounds, you don't get that on a big zmf!
I know that the Atrium is my second favourite headphone ever so I'm definitely expecting the Auteur Classic to impress. That's an interesting point about the driver size too
Pretty sure it’s a dumb question, but there is any ZMF you, guys, would recommend for using at gaming also (first person shooter, competitive level). Thanks!
@@PassionforSound great video! Very clear explanation of the qualities and ptfalls. It has solidified my choice for the MG. A couple months ago I made the joke that you where rapidly reviewing everything I had my eyes on except the MG. And here we are. You have been very important in my portable audiophile journey. So thank you very much!
I went to a headphone meetup on Saturday, I heard the Focal Utopias, Stellias, and the Clear MG. The Clear MG sounded amazing, made a bigger impression then the Utopias.
Loved the review. As the MGs are currently sitting at my "one and only" I feel good about them as I really do enjoy listening to them. However, I still find myself consuming headphone content so I can't imagine they'll be the one and only for long. Crazy thing is, I was listening to the White Ladder album and paused it to watch this review, kudos on the David Gray as a referenced track! Keep up the amazing reviews/content. Cheers.
Great video! Appreciate the detailed breakdown. I’ve been eyeing focal clears for a while. Had a chance to extensively audition the MG at a store here in Toronto several times in 2022. I was using mostly hd800s, the 600, and DCA Aeon2 noire for reference. 800 and aeons are roughly in the same price range and are my frequent go to. And 600 is just a decent reference point I like to work off of. Now, on my first ever listen to the MG I was honestly shocked how muddy they were. I made sure to double check my connections and tried a few more tracks and the issue remained. Consultant in the store confirmed there was nothing wrong with that set. I was pretty sad but I also harbored an idea that maybe listening fatigue had set in by the time I got to listen to the mg and i needed to give them another shot at a different. So I gave them 2 more shots. Unfortunately, my perception of the set had not changed. But I still wanted a decent set of bassy-er open backs. Eventually, I decided to take a plunge and got a set of OG without ever having heard them. Received the set about a month ago and was very pleasantly surprised. I like how refined and restrained they were. It’s important for me that the sound emitted by any set I own is subtly different and that none of them go into extremes. To my ears, MG’s do go into the extremes with their bass in an effort to be more musical. I also have to admit, that MGs were auditioned only after I have heard the elites and those for me are the benchmark for musical headphones. So I think the next addition to my small collection will be the elites. No hate to the MGs. Great set from a great brand. Just not for me. PS: I play classical guitar somewhat professionally so my ears are very much used to that sound.
I love your reviews. My current setup is Schiit Bifrost 2/64 -> Topping A90 Discrete -> Sennheiser HD660S which imo produces a silky smooth sound but also resolving. I am now looking for a replacement of the HD660S for a bit more bass and soundstage. My ears are quite sensitive to sibilance, so despite how much I love details, I can't bear the "sharp edges" in the music. I tried a few pair of headphones including the new Arya Organic, HE1000 and Focal Clear MG in a hifi store today. I listened to a few songs from Maroon 5 and Imagine Dragons. I found the mid-treble in the Arya Organic a bit harsh (probably because it has not burnt-in yet). The HE1000 sounds less harsh to me but then they sound a bit muddy compared to HD660S. The Focal Clear MG sounds the best to my liking but there are occasionally some low/mid-highs that sound a little bit fatiguing (it's minor but I can hear it). Unfortunately, the OG is not available for listening and I really want to try them out!
Sorry to hear that you're struggling to find a good upgrade. Maybe see if you can try some Sendy Peacocks somewhere. They're on the same level as the Aryas and Clears, but with a different tuning that's very enjoyable IMO
Nice review! And similar to my experience. Own the clear mg and Arya - Arya is very balanced headphone out of the box - the mg is dynamic and intimate but imo benefits from some eq to bring out the highs and tame the sometimes nasal/boxy tonality - I split time between both but my tastes right now lean to the clear mg with some eq but for me each present the music differently enough to keep both - IMO if you don’t eq and want a balanced sound it’s Arya for sure - if you like music that is dynamic with intimate presentation and don’t mind eq it’s Clear MG or if you like a good planar and dynamic experience maybe both as they are excellent imo
It's always hard when you can't try a headphone first. There's also now the Arya Organic which I just received today so stay tuned for that one soonish...
I purchased my OG Clears off headfi ~2 years ago for $500 and perhaps for the $ spent are the best headphones I own. I also currently have the LCDX, LCD3F, HP3, HD800s, Celestee, 1266 Phi TC, and VC. I would say for all the headphones I own the OG Clears get the most listening time out of the bunch at home and Celestees at work/office. I prefer the technical performance of the OG over the MG. Also for my tastes the OGs benefit from an R2R dac. When paired with a DS or other analytical leaning dac the timbre is metallic where an R2R + Class A Hp amp help to smooth it out quite a bit.
That makes total sense because I always enjoyed the OGs with the Bottlehead Mainline to tame their treble a little. An R2R DAC will do similar things, but differently. That's really interesting about the OGs vs MGs on technicalities. I wondered if I would prefer the OGs too, but don't have them anymore to find out.
Thank you for your insightful review. The Focal Clear MG's provide a very good listening experience. I was reluctant in spending this much money on headphones but I am glad I did. How do they sound, well the best comparison is they sound like a McIntosh amp. Slightly warm, full, wonderful clarity, mids are very detailed, and the bass is punchy and full; exactly what I want in great headphones. The one negative thing is the high end is not as open and detailed as I want it to be. To compensate, I boost the treble by 2 db on my preamp which helps boost the top end to a more satisfying experience. I found its not possible for headphones to do everything excellent regardless of price. The higher end headphones do provide better drivers and components to hear additional detail and provide a proper bass that sounds solid and clear with min distortion.
Great review! One of my favorite headphones. Yeah the MGs are still a bit sharp in the treble, but the dynamics and punch is just so addicting to me, no planar I've heard presents the sound quite like the Focal drivers do. EQ helps to tame the treble too.
The Clears definitely respond well to tubes. I'm not sure, but they might have a funky impedance curve that can lead to some extra colouration when using higher output impedance amps.
Great review! I disagree about the Clears being more fatiguing though; having owned both headphones. I find that the treble extension of Arya is a bit more fatiguing over time. Sadly I had to sell the Aryas because of inflation, but I’m getting another pair of Clear MGs very shortly. I find the bass just slightly too lean in the Aryas, and I prefer to not use EQ. I find the Clears perfect in that regard; no EQ needed for my ears.
Glad you liked the review! We all have slightly different treble sensitivities so it makes sense that the Arya will be more fatiguing to some people. Glad you've found a sound you love - the Clears are brilliant!
I paired this headphone with the Macintosh MHA200 it really, really, made these babes perform, crisp clear sound .I put the setting on the 100ohm to push the drivers, do a review with that amp and you will see a huge difference in sound quality.
As usual, great review. I was wondering, where would you put Clear MG in your headphone tier list? I am getting Focal Clear MG unboxed deal at $1000 here in India, do you think it’s a good value at that price?
First impressions of this MG is it is so beautiful, think LV, Hermes etc… build is solid and I really love it. I have owned this for a year now I think (too many to rotate around with too little time), I’ll automatically reach out for the a Clear MG when I’m in the mood for punchy , R&B and pop music. When I use the MG with Topping D90 & A90 stack, it’s just too bright for me, I get fatigue. Pair the MG with warmer DACs and amps and it’s a gem. The Arya Stealth it’s easy listening and so comfortable , I can put in on and doze off in my chair.
I have a Clear OG, and I think it's a very good headphone, but difficult to listen to for longer periods - a bit too engaging I guess - this seems to agree pretty well with your description.
Yeah, that's a good way to describe them. The MG tones that down just a little bit, but it's still just a little too energetic/engaging at times unless tamed with specific DAC/amp choices
yeah i agree the peak with treble, but after hundreds of hours it does go away. maybe it is character of the mG driver to fade away in time. Maybe not all out, but with lot of songs they now sound more balanced if having these sound qualities in it. It is very versatile headphone that you can listen with all genres,. i have had it since launch and enjoyed it very much :) It is warmer side also, but in level that makes it easy to enjoy and still hear the instruments very nice natural way.
Glad you're enjoying your MGs! The pair I reviewed were secondhand and have had plenty of use so I think what I'm describing is their 'final state' but they're only very slightly aggressive IMO and not enough to scare anyone off them because they do everything else so well
I never listened loud enough to trigger that problem with any of the Focals I've owned (Clear OG, Utopia OG, Clear MG, Utopia 2022) so I can't say. Sorry.
I am looking for a pair of reasonably-priced but high-performing headphones (if that's not a contradiction in itself) to listen to mainly classical but, occasionally, 'classic' rock and trad. jazz tracks. Would the Clear MG be a good choice? Many thanks!
I think the Clear MG could be a perfect choice for that usage. The Arya Stealth would be the other obvious option, but I think I'd lean towards the Clear MG for the combination of genres you mentioned
The Utopia was my upgrade from the OG and definitely a nice step up IMO so that's a good plan I think. I'm yet to try the 2022 Utopia, but hopefully will get the chance at some point. I'm expecting they'll be even better again. Hope you get the chance to try them and/or own them.
I like the looks of the OG . Love the OG Clearthe Elex ,& the Bathys for travel . I bought them hugely discounted about50% off. I'll buy the MGs when they are disconnected . Very happy with Focal products . I like the looks of the OG better than the MG . I have Focal Choras for my tv surround .
My only problem with Clear's like many other users is that those drivers tend to clip on higher SPL. Sometimes we crank up the volume to get more of that sweet bass but sadly it is impossible. Focal even reply that they are aware of that flaw but it changes nothing. Problem is that even if I wanted to sell them, new owner can notice it and tell me that I sold him defective pair. I can live with that flaw but still its a shame and huge minus for Focal brand.
@@PassionforSound Not sure if its also MG problem, like you said not everybody listen on higher SPL or to a specific tracks that squeeze everything from the lowest sub bass region. I can count on fingers of one hand tracks where I do notice it and lower SPL to fix that. Maybe it really has to do with driver itself, since MG's is coated with magnesium and Utopia's is made of beryllium they are more rigid preventing that to happen. They punch really hard because suspension of driver is very soft and diaphragm as thin as it is must take all of that stress (in those cases probably too much stress)
I don't think the MGs have the clipping issue that the OGs had. The comfort is a little average compared to some of the competition though - that's true
Okay, didn’t realize Elite’s price lol. Just between Arya Stealth and Clear MG then? Or if you have a better suggestion than those two for my genres ($1500 top). Thanks!
That's a new addition to the equation 😉 Not sure which way I'd go now. The Arya Stealth has a more balanced overall tonal response (less peaks/cuts), but the soundstage on the HD800S is exceptional... Tough call and not one I can recommend on without doing a direct comparison (which I can't)
I heard that the drivers can be picky where u have them. Are they alright while listening laying down? Or angled on your head or are they picky like people say?
Every headphone can be affected by positioning on the head in terms of things like if there's any break in the seal of the pads against your head. Beyond that, I never found the specific positioning of the Clears to be any more sensitive than any other headphone.
@@PassionforSoundI know it's a late response but after some searching and trying the og clears. Which would be better for soundstage and imaging? The og clears are very closed in and imaging is disappointing. I'm looking for a more open back while still retaining the full bodied sound of the OGs.
What source chain are you trying the OGs with? That can dramatically influence the staging and I wouldn't think of them as closed in so I suspect something else might be going on.
Having reviewed both, I'm not sure I agree. I liked the DT1990s, but they are less tonally balanced due to the treble spike and that can get quite fatiguing for many people.
I do all testing across a bunch of amps, but the TT2 is my reference point when comparing headphones so that there's consistency. I used the Clear MGs on the LTA MZ3 and Folkvangr and they did sound good there. I'm definitely not suggesting they're a bad headphone because they're not, but they still have the same slightly aggressive top end that limited my love of the OG version
Yep, that's why I declared openly that it was from memory. I also know what I enjoy, how various products that I still own compared to the OGs, etc. If I don't say anything about the OGs then people complain in the other direction. Never going to win...
@@PassionforSound "If I don't say anything about the OGs then people complain in the other direction. Never going to win..." Very true. They're extremely similar headphones though (obvious I know) and from what I understand the pad wear can greatly affect how different they really are. Big fan of the Clears in general as long as the headband holds up.
Before buying Focal products, beware the shitty pads that will wear very quickly, and worse. Something that isn't given enough thought. They are not built to last. Those headbands can and will break on you.
@@PassionforSound Through semi-regular use. The reason why I am vocal about the issue is that, I did not even use mine as daily drivers. They were regularly rotated between 3 other headphones. Two of which seemingly have a more fragile make-up in the TH-610 and Arya Stealth. Yet, upon taking the headphones off my head, the headband bent and is on the verge of breaking on the left side of the headband. I do not have a large head, my hair is quite short and I use the same headphone stand as you in most of your videos, which would be an Avantree brand stand, I believe. There was no stress placed upon it at all. Yet, it failed. I had read in the past reddit posts about the headband issues and largely ignored it because I took great care of my pair. But, given the fragility of the headband in my hands, and seeing what the material inside was actually like (plastic with metal, with the parts near the cups being poorly supported) really disappointed me. I am personally afraid to use it often, which is a shame because I enjoy the punchiness of the clear OG. I will unlikely purchase another Focal product until this fundamental flaw is rectified. From the moment you get a Focal headphone, it is hard to ignore the creaky, plasticky nature of that headband. The metal supporting it is not enough, in my opinion. However, there is hope for those who have their headbands break worse than mine. You can replace it. I am currently exploring my options in using an Audeze headband as a modification.
![NLE Choppa - Or What ft. 41 (Orchestra Mix) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/biOFASEgSOM/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for everything you do. Your reviews are so thorough and I noticed that you have taken the time to reply to so many people over the years. I hope your channel gets huge. Have a good one- Karyn and George from Canada
Totally agree with you. Lachlan takes time to reply and in my case (I believe for many too), he remembers my preferences so recommendations were spot-on for me. So I became a Patreon. Wish he has more manufacturer and stores’ support so he gets more and newer equipments to review.
Thanks both! I do try to reply to every comment (except some of the trolls 😉) so it's nice to know that it's valued. 🙂
I liked the sound of the Mg a lot, they sounded a bit dark at first in contrast to brighter headphones but after acclimatising sounded quite natural. The resolution and separation is top notch, plus the nuance in the bass and slam is awesome. I couldn't get over the creak when I moved my head though, Focal really need to sort out their headbands.
Great points and a good summary across the board. A comfort and creak-free redesign in future models would be nice
yep that headband creak like very cheap chinese plastic
so Focal headbands gonna break in someday ?
They won't break, but they can make some noises when you move your head sometimes
Did you EQ yours? I used oratory1990s preset for my clear MGs to unveil them
Got the Clear Mg. They were a semi-impulse buy: I went to the hifi store to test a Bathys vs. a PX8. After an hours worth of back and forth, I went for the Bathys. And when I was about to pay, he said “we also got this in…” -> and the rest is history, lol. Cheeky bastard. The Clear Mg is wonderful on an RME ADI-2 DAC fs. I find it somehow calms down the “shimmer”, even without eq.
Glad you're loving your MGs (and Bathys 😉)
@@PassionforSound I really am. They have distinct use cases and complement each other well! Thanks for your review. Another thing I like about the Clear MG is how bloody pretty they are. When I first saw and felt them, they were like a finely crafted timepiece. It’s a superficial thing but headphones kinda are like gadget fashion to me and Focal really has that French “je ne sais quoi” 😆
I agree. Probably the most beautiful headphone around (maybe tied with the Meze Empyreans)
One thing I love about the OG clears is the sense of impact/macrodynamics. It feels like the air between my ears and the drivers is “tangible” and alive in ways I get from no other headphones. Especially with AutoEQ!
I agree about the sense of dynamics and energy from them (although that also made them sometimes a little fatiguing for me). I think perhaps the MGs have split the difference and are neither quite as dynamic and exciting, nor quite smooth enough to get away from any sense of fatigue so maybe the OGs are the better option!?
I never really took to the Og, but I find the mg very enjoyable - more bass and clearer everything so its a winner for me.
Glad you're enjoying it!
I love the MG, the lower midrange especially. Of all of my headphones, they have an almost speaker like timbre. There are qualities from about 1 kilohertz down that i notice on my car stereo. i have the Arya as well. I find them fatiguing in the treble occasionally and they definitely “sound” like a headphone. The MG never bothers me in its treble. I think they are fairly equal in their resolving abilities, most people would probably say the Arya is more resolving because it focuses on the treble. The MG is a more midrange forward listen and that’s where it really pulls details out.
The new LCD-X is probably a great compromise in tuning between the other two in that price range. I think it combines aspects the MG’s lush midrange with a little more emphasis in the Treble. If you get a chance to get a pair in, i’d love to hear your thoughts. I think you might really like them.
second on the LCD-X review proposal
I'd love to try the LCD-X too and have been working on it for ages with no luck ☹️
I would say you absolutely nail the MG - they are universally solid, almost too consumer, too pleasant, an easy buy for people outside of the hobby. Having owned my pair for a year and a half or so they're still impressive headphones, but unable to blow you away like the Arya Stealth did for me. They prevent major complaints about music, but also prevent it feeling truly real.
I think I will still keep mine as an alternative when my HEKs arrive, and it may be down to my Ares II/SA-1 overly smoothing the upper mids. But they should be, for the tier, more than just 'nice' - they should be an experience every time you use them, and they simply aren't. I genuinely wonder if we're seeing the limits of dynamics versus more mature and affordable planars now.
Very well said! That's an interesting point about dynamics vs planars - maybe you're onto something there, but I'll see how the ZMF Auteur Classics sound before I agree totally on that one 😉
@Passion for Sound oh you're going to love them, the biodynamic driver is really special. I think one of the issues the focals suffer from is your brain can sometimes tell its a small driver making the sounds, you don't get that on a big zmf!
I know that the Atrium is my second favourite headphone ever so I'm definitely expecting the Auteur Classic to impress.
That's an interesting point about the driver size too
Pretty sure it’s a dumb question, but there is any ZMF you, guys, would recommend for using at gaming also (first person shooter, competitive level). Thanks!
I don't know exactly what people prioritise for gaming, but the Verité Open is the most likely to fit the bill I think
No way, you got your hands on one! So excited to find what you think!
Yep, picked these up secondhand just to review them. Hope you enjoy the vid!
@@PassionforSound great video! Very clear explanation of the qualities and ptfalls. It has solidified my choice for the MG. A couple months ago I made the joke that you where rapidly reviewing everything I had my eyes on except the MG. And here we are. You have been very important in my portable audiophile journey. So thank you very much!
So glad I could help. I hope you love your MGs - they're a great headphone
I went to a headphone meetup on Saturday, I heard the Focal Utopias, Stellias, and the Clear MG. The Clear MG sounded amazing, made a bigger impression then the Utopias.
That's really interesting! Was it the new or old Utopias?
@@PassionforSound new I think not sure
I've not heard the latest ones
Watching this with a pair of Clear MGs on right now, can't wait to hear your thoughts! 🍻
Loved the review. As the MGs are currently sitting at my "one and only" I feel good about them as I really do enjoy listening to them. However, I still find myself consuming headphone content so I can't imagine they'll be the one and only for long. Crazy thing is, I was listening to the White Ladder album and paused it to watch this review, kudos on the David Gray as a referenced track! Keep up the amazing reviews/content. Cheers.
Glad you enjoyed the review and a great album in White Ladder - what a coincidence!
Great video! Appreciate the detailed breakdown. I’ve been eyeing focal clears for a while. Had a chance to extensively audition the MG at a store here in Toronto several times in 2022. I was using mostly hd800s, the 600, and DCA Aeon2 noire for reference. 800 and aeons are roughly in the same price range and are my frequent go to. And 600 is just a decent reference point I like to work off of. Now, on my first ever listen to the MG I was honestly shocked how muddy they were. I made sure to double check my connections and tried a few more tracks and the issue remained. Consultant in the store confirmed there was nothing wrong with that set. I was pretty sad but I also harbored an idea that maybe listening fatigue had set in by the time I got to listen to the mg and i needed to give them another shot at a different. So I gave them 2 more shots. Unfortunately, my perception of the set had not changed.
But I still wanted a decent set of bassy-er open backs. Eventually, I decided to take a plunge and got a set of OG without ever having heard them. Received the set about a month ago and was very pleasantly surprised. I like how refined and restrained they were. It’s important for me that the sound emitted by any set I own is subtly different and that none of them go into extremes. To my ears, MG’s do go into the extremes with their bass in an effort to be more musical.
I also have to admit, that MGs were auditioned only after I have heard the elites and those for me are the benchmark for musical headphones. So I think the next addition to my small collection will be the elites.
No hate to the MGs. Great set from a great brand. Just not for me.
PS: I play classical guitar somewhat professionally so my ears are very much used to that sound.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with the various headphones!
I love your reviews. My current setup is Schiit Bifrost 2/64 -> Topping A90 Discrete -> Sennheiser HD660S which imo produces a silky smooth sound but also resolving. I am now looking for a replacement of the HD660S for a bit more bass and soundstage. My ears are quite sensitive to sibilance, so despite how much I love details, I can't bear the "sharp edges" in the music. I tried a few pair of headphones including the new Arya Organic, HE1000 and Focal Clear MG in a hifi store today. I listened to a few songs from Maroon 5 and Imagine Dragons. I found the mid-treble in the Arya Organic a bit harsh (probably because it has not burnt-in yet). The HE1000 sounds less harsh to me but then they sound a bit muddy compared to HD660S. The Focal Clear MG sounds the best to my liking but there are occasionally some low/mid-highs that sound a little bit fatiguing (it's minor but I can hear it). Unfortunately, the OG is not available for listening and I really want to try them out!
Sorry to hear that you're struggling to find a good upgrade. Maybe see if you can try some Sendy Peacocks somewhere. They're on the same level as the Aryas and Clears, but with a different tuning that's very enjoyable IMO
Nice review! And similar to my experience. Own the clear mg and Arya - Arya is very balanced headphone out of the box - the mg is dynamic and intimate but imo benefits from some eq to bring out the highs and tame the sometimes nasal/boxy tonality - I split time between both but my tastes right now lean to the clear mg with some eq but for me each present the music differently enough to keep both - IMO if you don’t eq and want a balanced sound it’s Arya for sure - if you like music that is dynamic with intimate presentation and don’t mind eq it’s Clear MG or if you like a good planar and dynamic experience maybe both as they are excellent imo
Great explanation and summary!
Thank you for another great & honest review. i own a clear mg for quite a while now. & i couldn't agree more with your opinions.
Thanks for confirming what I'm hearing! Glad you liked the review 🙂
Majesticly majestic. Huge review
Glad you liked it!!
Great review, you are the second respected reviewer that said the Clear is technically better but I like a Aryas better. Which I could hear these.
It's always hard when you can't try a headphone first. There's also now the Arya Organic which I just received today so stay tuned for that one soonish...
I purchased my OG Clears off headfi ~2 years ago for $500 and perhaps for the $ spent are the best headphones I own. I also currently have the LCDX, LCD3F, HP3, HD800s, Celestee, 1266 Phi TC, and VC. I would say for all the headphones I own the OG Clears get the most listening time out of the bunch at home and Celestees at work/office. I prefer the technical performance of the OG over the MG. Also for my tastes the OGs benefit from an R2R dac. When paired with a DS or other analytical leaning dac the timbre is metallic where an R2R + Class A Hp amp help to smooth it out quite a bit.
My preferred chain is Holo spring KTE -> burson soloist (spArkos op amps ) really helps to smooth the OGs
That makes total sense because I always enjoyed the OGs with the Bottlehead Mainline to tame their treble a little. An R2R DAC will do similar things, but differently.
That's really interesting about the OGs vs MGs on technicalities. I wondered if I would prefer the OGs too, but don't have them anymore to find out.
Having both MGs and Peacocks I've been after a pair of Arya Stealths for a while. So I appreciate this video on another level.
That's great! Hope I helped one way or another 🙂
Thank you for your insightful review. The Focal Clear MG's provide a very good listening experience. I was reluctant in spending this much money on headphones but I am glad I did. How do they sound, well the best comparison is they sound like a McIntosh amp. Slightly warm, full, wonderful clarity, mids are very detailed, and the bass is punchy and full; exactly what I want in great headphones. The one negative thing is the high end is not as open and detailed as I want it to be. To compensate, I boost the treble by 2 db on my preamp which helps boost the top end to a more satisfying experience. I found its not possible for headphones to do everything excellent regardless of price. The higher end headphones do provide better drivers and components to hear additional detail and provide a proper bass that sounds solid and clear with min distortion.
I'm so glad you're enjoying the Clear MGs!
Great review! One of my favorite headphones. Yeah the MGs are still a bit sharp in the treble, but the dynamics and punch is just so addicting to me, no planar I've heard presents the sound quite like the Focal drivers do. EQ helps to tame the treble too.
Glad you liked the review and that you're loving your MGs!
my OG on tube amp has very mellow treble, those headphones really change their sound it depend on amp
The Clears definitely respond well to tubes. I'm not sure, but they might have a funky impedance curve that can lead to some extra colouration when using higher output impedance amps.
@@PassionforSound yep highs get sweeter, never metallic or sharp, timbre is different more natural
which is better in bass, clear mg or Celestee, thank you for your attention and excellent content.
I haven't tried the Celestee to answer that one. Sorry!
Great review! I disagree about the Clears being more fatiguing though; having owned both headphones. I find that the treble extension of Arya is a bit more fatiguing over time.
Sadly I had to sell the Aryas because of inflation, but I’m getting another pair of Clear MGs very shortly. I find the bass just slightly too lean in the Aryas, and I prefer to not use EQ. I find the Clears perfect in that regard; no EQ needed for my ears.
Glad you liked the review! We all have slightly different treble sensitivities so it makes sense that the Arya will be more fatiguing to some people.
Glad you've found a sound you love - the Clears are brilliant!
@@PassionforSound Indeed. I’m not particularly treble sensitive, but I definitely found the Aryas to have a more pronounced treble response.
Yes. The specific frequencies of peaks are important too. Some might be affected by an 8kHz peak while others by a 10kHz peak so it's all personal.
Thanks so much for the database.
My pleasure. It's not getting as well updated now as it used to, but should still provide some clarity.
I paired this headphone with the Macintosh MHA200 it really, really, made these babes perform, crisp clear sound .I put the setting on the 100ohm to push the drivers, do a review with that amp and you will see a huge difference in sound quality.
I've used the MGs with higher output impedance amps and I agree that they sound nice with that setup.
As usual, great review. I was wondering, where would you put Clear MG in your headphone tier list? I am getting Focal Clear MG unboxed deal at $1000 here in India, do you think it’s a good value at that price?
I think it's a great deal at that price. It would be a comfortable A-tier headphone for me.
perfect timing for this video!
Glad I could nail it for you 😁
First impressions of this MG is it is so beautiful, think LV, Hermes etc… build is solid and I really love it. I have owned this for a year now I think (too many to rotate around with too little time), I’ll automatically reach out for the a Clear MG when I’m in the mood for punchy , R&B and pop music. When I use the MG with Topping D90 & A90 stack, it’s just too bright for me, I get fatigue. Pair the MG with warmer DACs and amps and it’s a gem. The Arya Stealth it’s easy listening and so comfortable , I can put in on and doze off in my chair.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with the Clear MG, Billy! I agree that it's such a gorgeous headphone
Thanks for the review, so for about the same price do you recommend the mg over the og?
Yes. I would take the MG every time
I have a Clear OG, and I think it's a very good headphone, but difficult to listen to for longer periods - a bit too engaging I guess - this seems to agree pretty well with your description.
Yeah, that's a good way to describe them. The MG tones that down just a little bit, but it's still just a little too energetic/engaging at times unless tamed with specific DAC/amp choices
Hi! would you mind sharing your top tier comfort preference in this price range? Thank you!
I think the HiFiMan Arya or Meze 109 Pro (a bit cheaper) would be the top two options
I just realized magnesium is Mg on the periodic table of elements, which is what you said the driver cone is made from if I'm remembering correctly.
Yep 😁
Focal headphones are gorgeous.
Especially these - they are stunning! 🙂
yeah i agree the peak with treble, but after hundreds of hours it does go away. maybe it is character of the mG driver to fade away in time. Maybe not all out, but with lot of songs they now sound more balanced if having these sound qualities in it. It is very versatile headphone that you can listen with all genres,. i have had it since launch and enjoyed it very much :) It is warmer side also, but in level that makes it easy to enjoy and still hear the instruments very nice natural way.
Glad you're enjoying your MGs! The pair I reviewed were secondhand and have had plenty of use so I think what I'm describing is their 'final state' but they're only very slightly aggressive IMO and not enough to scare anyone off them because they do everything else so well
Will the cable length, e.g., 3m, impact the sound with 6.5mm TRS? Unfortunately, I need to connect clear MG with my Luxman SQN-150.
No, I've never found cable length (within reason) to affect the sound of headphones. If you're not going further than 3m, it should be fine.
What would you suggest for edm music production at any price looking at Audeze LCD XC
The LCD XC is probably a great choice, but one I haven't tried. The Auteur Classic from ZMF is another one to consider.
Best reviewer on RUclips. Can't trust the other ones.
I'm glad you like mine, but I believe it's worth always taking more than one opinion before making decisions. 🙂
Does the MG have the same bass clipping issue as Clears ? I enjoyed Clears but was super annoyed about the clipping when pushing louder volume.
I never listened loud enough to trigger that problem with any of the Focals I've owned (Clear OG, Utopia OG, Clear MG, Utopia 2022) so I can't say. Sorry.
@@PassionforSound Thank you for the answer anyway.
Clear MG fan for a year now. End game for me.
Glad you're loving them!
I am looking for a pair of reasonably-priced but high-performing headphones (if that's not a contradiction in itself) to listen to mainly classical but, occasionally, 'classic' rock and trad. jazz tracks. Would the Clear MG be a good choice? Many thanks!
I think the Clear MG could be a perfect choice for that usage. The Arya Stealth would be the other obvious option, but I think I'd lean towards the Clear MG for the combination of genres you mentioned
@@PassionforSound Many thanks for taking the time to respond peronally to my comment - it's greatly appreciated!
I own these, and the £10 pads from China sound great on them, prefer them better than the original pads at a fraction of the price.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Still enjoying my Clear OG after almost two years. Though the Utopia might be my final destination? 🤔
The Utopia was my upgrade from the OG and definitely a nice step up IMO so that's a good plan I think. I'm yet to try the 2022 Utopia, but hopefully will get the chance at some point. I'm expecting they'll be even better again. Hope you get the chance to try them and/or own them.
I like the looks of the OG . Love the OG Clearthe Elex ,& the Bathys for travel . I bought them hugely discounted about50% off. I'll buy the MGs when they are disconnected . Very happy with Focal products . I like the looks of the OG better than the MG . I have Focal Choras for my tv surround .
My only problem with Clear's like many other users is that those drivers tend to clip on higher SPL. Sometimes we crank up the volume to get more of that sweet bass but sadly it is impossible. Focal even reply that they are aware of that flaw but it changes nothing. Problem is that even if I wanted to sell them, new owner can notice it and tell me that I sold him defective pair. I can live with that flaw but still its a shame and huge minus for Focal brand.
I've never listened loud enough to experience that. Does it still happen on the MGs?
@@PassionforSound Not sure if its also MG problem, like you said not everybody listen on higher SPL or to a specific tracks that squeeze everything from the lowest sub bass region. I can count on fingers of one hand tracks where I do notice it and lower SPL to fix that. Maybe it really has to do with driver itself, since MG's is coated with magnesium and Utopia's is made of beryllium they are more rigid preventing that to happen. They punch really hard because suspension of driver is very soft and diaphragm as thin as it is must take all of that stress (in those cases probably too much stress)
I liked the sound of them when I tried them out, but the comfort wasn't great imo, and the clipping problem made me give up on them.
I don't think the MGs have the clipping issue that the OGs had. The comfort is a little average compared to some of the competition though - that's true
clipping is a problem, hate it when Clear dont allow me to listen louder I am the master to decide not my headphones 😂
I see what you did there because it's called stealth. You hid the arya in the shadows Very clever I like it
I'm not actually sure that was deliberate 😁
Which pair is the best for listening to mostly classical music, operas, and vocal jazz between Arya Stealth - Clear MG - Meze Elite?
Definitely Meze Elite
Okay, didn’t realize Elite’s price lol. Just between Arya Stealth and Clear MG then? Or if you have a better suggestion than those two for my genres ($1500 top). Thanks!
I'd personally go for the Arya Stealth for those genres 🙂
@@PassionforSound Arya Stealth even over Sennheiser 800S? Seems like the 800S are quite recommended for classical. Thanks!
That's a new addition to the equation 😉
Not sure which way I'd go now. The Arya Stealth has a more balanced overall tonal response (less peaks/cuts), but the soundstage on the HD800S is exceptional... Tough call and not one I can recommend on without doing a direct comparison (which I can't)
I love the Clear OG. I find better than Sv023.
Yes, I'd agree that it's better than the SV023
These are $1360 AUD at addicted to audio at the moment.. tempting
They're a lovely headphone
Have you heard focal radiance or stellia?
No, sadly not.
I heard that the drivers can be picky where u have them. Are they alright while listening laying down? Or angled on your head or are they picky like people say?
Every headphone can be affected by positioning on the head in terms of things like if there's any break in the seal of the pads against your head. Beyond that, I never found the specific positioning of the Clears to be any more sensitive than any other headphone.
@@PassionforSound thanks I'm really considering these as an upgrade from hd 600. Also looking at zmf autuer classics
Both excellent options! The Auteur Classic is closer to the HD600 tonality if that helps.
@@PassionforSoundI know it's a late response but after some searching and trying the og clears. Which would be better for soundstage and imaging? The og clears are very closed in and imaging is disappointing. I'm looking for a more open back while still retaining the full bodied sound of the OGs.
What source chain are you trying the OGs with? That can dramatically influence the staging and I wouldn't think of them as closed in so I suspect something else might be going on.
Wonder why companies like Beyerdynamic & Focal only do dynamic drivers.
I'm guessing it's about already having so much R&D history that to ramp up for planars would take a lot more time and money
@@PassionforSound I'd say the Beyerdynamic DT1990 pro 250 ohm beats the Focal clear MG & a lot less money; definitely more bang for the buck.
Having reviewed both, I'm not sure I agree. I liked the DT1990s, but they are less tonally balanced due to the treble spike and that can get quite fatiguing for many people.
What about MG pro?
Haven't tried it - sorry. I believe it's only different in colourway and the cables it ships with, but double check that
best cable upgrade for clear mg?
It depends on what you're after - ergonomics, a shift in sound quality (in which case, what type of shift?), longer or shorter, etc.
Your description of the Soundstage is completely wrong. Og doesnt have bigger Soundstage than MG
That's a very definite statement about an entirely subjective and perception based characteristic.
Just bought new ones for less than 630 EUR :P
The Clear MG? That's a great deal
@@PassionforSound yeah clear mg, there are some crazy discounts on focal in Australia and France lately 👍😎
Yeah, I bought Utopia 2022s on sale here so I could review them
Why you put focal on chord amp/dac , of course it’s going to be brighter. OTL man that’s what you need. But you know that. …..
I do all testing across a bunch of amps, but the TT2 is my reference point when comparing headphones so that there's consistency. I used the Clear MGs on the LTA MZ3 and Folkvangr and they did sound good there. I'm definitely not suggesting they're a bad headphone because they're not, but they still have the same slightly aggressive top end that limited my love of the OG version
is it better than hd800s
I like it better, but nothing does soundstage like the HD800
i have the Elex.
Nice. I still haven't tried those
How do you compare to the original without it being there? There's no way your brain's "muscle memory" for sound is that accurate.
I bet he makes notes, and he is 'clear' about the fact that he didn't do a direct comparison - but yeah, it is a compromise
Yep, that's why I declared openly that it was from memory. I also know what I enjoy, how various products that I still own compared to the OGs, etc. If I don't say anything about the OGs then people complain in the other direction. Never going to win...
@@PassionforSound "If I don't say anything about the OGs then people complain in the other direction. Never going to win..."
Very true. They're extremely similar headphones though (obvious I know) and from what I understand the pad wear can greatly affect how different they really are. Big fan of the Clears in general as long as the headband holds up.
Before buying Focal products, beware the shitty pads that will wear very quickly, and worse. Something that isn't given enough thought. They are not built to last. Those headbands can and will break on you.
I never had any issues with my OG Clears and the headband is made of metal. How did yours fail?
@@PassionforSound Through semi-regular use. The reason why I am vocal about the issue is that, I did not even use mine as daily drivers. They were regularly rotated between 3 other headphones. Two of which seemingly have a more fragile make-up in the TH-610 and Arya Stealth. Yet, upon taking the headphones off my head, the headband bent and is on the verge of breaking on the left side of the headband. I do not have a large head, my hair is quite short and I use the same headphone stand as you in most of your videos, which would be an Avantree brand stand, I believe. There was no stress placed upon it at all. Yet, it failed. I had read in the past reddit posts about the headband issues and largely ignored it because I took great care of my pair. But, given the fragility of the headband in my hands, and seeing what the material inside was actually like (plastic with metal, with the parts near the cups being poorly supported) really disappointed me. I am personally afraid to use it often, which is a shame because I enjoy the punchiness of the clear OG. I will unlikely purchase another Focal product until this fundamental flaw is rectified. From the moment you get a Focal headphone, it is hard to ignore the creaky, plasticky nature of that headband. The metal supporting it is not enough, in my opinion.
However, there is hope for those who have their headbands break worse than mine. You can replace it. I am currently exploring my options in using an Audeze headband as a modification.
Sorry to hear about your experience with it!
OG has better mids, alot better. MG has more explosive bass, but not significant. get OG .
Out of those I take he 1000se.. 😆
1000SE is a lot more expensive though
@@PassionforSound ,I know I was kidding..only second hand and again I would hardly buy them
Focals poor quality control and horrible customer service means most people shouldn’t buy any of their headphones.
I'm pretty sure there should be similarly sounding models under 500$.
None that I've heard and I've tried A LOT.