My measurements didn't show a marked increase in openness to the acoustic environment around you (though my measurement system seems to wander around a bit in its isolation measurements lately), but in wearing and comparing the Clear to Elear (and Utopia) I do think I hear it as slightly more open to external sounds. The headband outer cover is medium gray leather; the earpads and headband pad are perforated Alcantara-like microfiber; yokes are a sandblasted aluminum; outer capsule covers are stainless steel mesh; cables are black and white striped cotton covered—the Clear is a harmonious symphony of premium materials at play in the light, teasing you for attention. Focal calls it a locking mechanical connection, but it seems more like a detented mating to me. Focal Clear Over-Ear Headphones Inspired by the world's best loudspeakers, the Clear incorporates a new generation full-range speaker driver and frameless copper voice coil. Instead of the magnetized latch on a stiff cardboard box that is meant to be a sort-of display case for your headphones, Clear has a more standard box with a slip cover. This issue effects everyone, it has been confirmed by Focal. I will note they do tend to keep their kinks from being stored and are a bit stiff, but they're a significant improvement over the previous cable sets. Additionally, the shape of the pads follows the shape of the cups. Plus, you’ll find one 1.2m (4-foot) cable with a stereo 3.5mm jack designed for portable use. Cables must be removed for the Clear to fit in the case, but a molded central compartment is available to store a cable or two. Replacement pads are available through your dealer. Focal claims two important differences between the the Clear and Elear: the perforated microfiber earpads, and the copper voice coil. If not for the cables and carrying case, I have to conclude no. That said, without hearing a direct comparison, it’s difficult to discern exactly what problems Clear was meant to solve with Focal’s upper-end headphone line, if not simply the inclusion of more peripherals such as better cables and a hard-shell carrying case. The Focal Clear has clipping/pop type issues with its drivers when you try to listen at loud volumes, sometimes it can be present at low volumes. The Focal Clear headphones, as mentioned, are built with plenty of padding and quality leather, and as such they’re pretty comfortable for long periods of listening. Clear are our brand new open-back high-fidelity headphones made in France by Focal. Dan Clark (of MrSpeakers) and I had a chat about this recently and we both agreed that for some unknown (to us) reason, having less isolation from external sounds does somehow translate to perceived improvements to a headphones perceived openness. This is a beautiful headphone! Elear has been criticized for dipping a bit in the upper mid-range but still, a great headphone even at its $1K asking price. One of the biggest differences between the Clear and its siblings is the accessorization...which is absolutely terrific! Inside you’ll find that Focal has been responsive to requests and critiques circulating among headphone enthusiasts online. Wayde is a tech-writer and content marketing consultant in Canada s tech hub Waterloo, Ontario and Editorialist for Audioholics.com. Its extremely well-balanced performance would provide long … The voice coil impedance is also lower than the 85 Ohms of other two Focals at around 60 Ohms. Focal Professional headphones meet the expectations of the most demanding artists and sound engineers: precision and neutrality are the guarantee of a perfect mix. 1 x 3m with 6.35mm stereo jack connector: 5. It’s difficult to find fault in the acoustic signature of Clear on any level. The headphones feature a nice fabric covering for the headband and ear cups, ensuring that the headphones remain comfortable. Clear raw response with Simaudio Moon NEO 430HA (purple) and Bottlehead Crack (orange) with about 120 Ohm output impedance. This means that from the same source set at the same volume Clear will go louder. The 'M'-shape Aluminum/Magnesium dome benefits from a new copper voice coil. It’s like the Porsche where Arya is a luxury stretched limo. Gone is the mid-range dip and uncomfortable pads. Both the Elear and Utopia comes with very long and heavy cables; the new Clear cables are a welcome change. Clear, Focal’s newest reference headphones, are one of the best I have ever reviewed. Focal Clear ($1499) The Focal Clear is an over-ear, open acoustic, dynamic driver headphone. At 450 grams, or around 1 pound, the headphones aren’t necessarily light — but considering the padding and nice-feeling materials, we never f… Focal Clear vs Elear vs Utopia Good news: the Clear don’t just sound good, they sound distinctive. In the end, it's up to you to decide which of these headphones in the Focal line are right for you. First sound impressions were made listening to The Killer’s new album. However, in terms of their contents, the Radiance is more lacking in supply compared to the Clear. The tonal quality of Clear compared to the similarly priced Audeze LCD-3 shows Clear has more of a clinical approach, less of the warmth in the upper-mids that I’ve come to love in Audeze, but there is something about the accuracy and detail of Clear that I found myself really getting used to. Perhaps the only thing to consider is how heavy the headphones are. The Focal Clear is an exquisite-looking and brilliantly executed pair of headphones. 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