ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
- Today I unbox the new and freshly received Focal Clear MG.
This a new high end open-back headphones from Focal.
More details here: www.focal.com/...
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Music intro from Dee Yan-Key
More info on the artist here: freemusicarchi...
Music used under CC BY-NC 4.0 license
More info here: creativecommon...
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Definitely one of the best looking headphones in my opinion! I'm really curious how it sounds compare to the hd800s, please share your impression between the two 😁
I share your point of view. It is a very beautiful one. I hope one day I will also be able to get the Meze Empyrean.
In short, my first impression was "WTF is this!". I think I got used to the Sennheiser sound signature. The sound is very natural, vocals are beautiful and I would say more present or forward than with the HD800S. The bass is there and this is much more present than with the HD800S. The sound is lush and clean with a nice presentation. While the imaging is good, I think I still prefer the one from the HD800S. Maybe because to my ears, the HD800S has a wider soundstage and the feeling is very different.
On one had you have a very large soundstage, a very good imaging and a lighter sound but you are one step backward, on the other hand you have a narrower soundstage with maybe a less precise instrument separation (or it is a soundstage feeling effect?) and a sound with more bass but the band is playing in front of you. The feeling is very different. Honestly I like them both.
I tried different albums from Jazz, Metal... to Classical and maybe it depends which kind of music you want to listen to at the end. Same budget but different target.
If I take Norah Jones or Melody Gardot, maybe I relax a bit more with the HD800S than with the Clear MG. But AC/DC or Linkin Park seem to be better with the Clear MG.
It is a matter of taste at the end.
Note it is my first Focal and I did not try the previous Clear.
Maybe I should make a video about what I just wrote ;)
@@cernus2279 Thanks for sharing your impression! I'm a vocals listener, from your impression, I think clear mg is indeed a headphone I should try out. I've tried the 800s, the sound stage really impressed me. I think it's a good idea for you to make a comparison video between the two, and it will be great if you can also mention the amplification you're using with them.
@@alfafloor6208 You're giving me more work ;) That's a good idea. I have a few things in mind but will add this to the to do list.
Would this be the best for modern progressive metal? I want the headphone to capture detail for each instrument on a very busy and aggressive metal track, as well as I can headbang to it \m/
BTW this vid is awesome:)
Thanks for the comment! Now I will try to reply to your difficult question. While the Focal Clear MG have a lot of good things for them and I am talking not only about the look or the great built quality, the soundstage and the imaging are not as wide and precise compared to the HD800S which is my favorite headphones until now. When I listen to Qobuz and I am discovering new bands, new albums or new tracks, I very often use the DT1900 Pro or the HD660S. I think they are great overall purpose headphones. Not perfect, but not as expensive as some others like the Focal Clear MG. Why am I saying this? Because you mentioned you wanted to capture all details and I am not sure this is what you get with the Focal Clear MG. Some people say it is a downgrade compared to the previous Focal Clear. I cannot tell because I have not tried the previous generation.
Now saying this, the Focal Clear MG are very good. It feels like the band is playing in front of you in a smaller space. Instrument separation might be less precise but you can definitely enjoy it. Does it worth 1500 euros? Well you will be the judge for that. It is a great pair of cans but I still prefer the "uglier" HD800S for the sound part.
I personally prefers my DT1990 which is more precise in my opinion. On the over hand, the Clear MG are much more comfortable and you can really wear them for hours while I cannot do it with the DT1990. The Clear MG are also a bit more "punchier" compared to the HD800S which is probably something you will like. Imaging aside, you should like them.
Sorry if my answer is not "clear" (joke aside) but it is not really easy question :)
The best would be for you to go and try them with your favorites tracks and compare the sound between different headphones (and with the same amp if possible).
@@cernus2279 Hi and thank you for taking your time to respond to my question:)and I apologize that this will be and long read.
It is really hard for me to compare these headphones since it's the pandemic and I can't really go into stores and try them out, as well as there are not many high end audio store here in Montreal Canada where I live, as well as I don't have friends who are into audio that I can borrow gear from and see what headphone characteristics that I actually. I'm currently using a self-modded T50rp mk3 and would just like to experience something of very high end, because for me I only stick to 1 headphone that I wear everyday, and would just like 1 very good one that would be good for alot of music. I thing don't want to own multiple lower cost headphones because I know I would have to change between them, and it would change my perception of each of them because I'm used to the sound signature of the previous headphone. Also maybe I shouldnt have said very detailed use, since most of metal is badly recorded and I meant that I want instruments in a metal track to not sound compressed/undefined.
Sorry I'm only quite new to the hobby, and only heard headphone as good as the t50rp and I have a lot more to experience in this hobby.
The point is that I'm just trying to find 1 best open back headphone for mainly metal music, since I have t50rps for isolated use. And I think the clear mg is the best option at this time. What do you think?
@@nerfkevin9111 No worries. I like to exchange around music and gears :)
Before I start, bonjour ami Québécois!
I know you have a couple of stores in Montréal. I was there for a month some few years ago but they might disappeared in the mean time.
Anyway, I understand you. I really do. When I wanted to buy get my first pair of cans, I was targeting the Focal Utopia with the Focal Arche. And you know what? I am glad I did not buy it because I would have been frustrated and my journey to this world would have been spoiled. instead I have started with the DT1990 and later with the RME ADI-2 DAC... I have learned a lot and I still do. Going back to your point. Depending on how you would like to spend, I think you keep in mind the amp has to match or at least be good enough for the headphones. Maybe you will need a DAC, some cables... well the budget can cover a wide range of "compulsive" shopping afterwards.
I still think the DT1990 is pretty good for this job and I also like the HD660S. I do like rock, metal and these are doing a good job. Of course, the HD800S is also amazing.
Check some reviews, there are many covering the music type aspects. Would you go for an open back or a closed back? Some people prefer closed because it is pushier.
I have found a review for you: headfonic.com/best-headphones-for-metal-music/
It is 2 years old so you will not have the Focal Clear MG there.
You can see the HD800S is listed... ;)
Before I forget, even if I am not a big fan of closed back headphones, I can say my Audio Technica ATH-M50x is doing a pretty good job as well. But I only use it when I am outside or at the office. There are also other variations like the M60x.
I hope this helps a bit.
A bientôt l'ami !
@@cernus2279 Salut amI! Thanks for the response again :)
Currently, I'm using the Motu M4 interface as a DAC (ESS SABRE32 DAC) and waiting for a cable to connect to my newly received Schiit Asgard 3 yey!!! Right now I'm us plugging my Schiit directly to my laptop and with the T50RP it sounds amazing and full, so i think it has enough power for anything i throw at it down the line. They are semi closed back but are pretty much closed for me, but i also have a Koss kph30i with the grado pads which are open back and they work great.
But since I'm studying from home, maybe i would want an open back since i would like to try out how a good open back sound anyways. But once i get back to school, maybe i would consider a good closed-back (maybe focal celestee or Aeon 2 noire) as it is a bit cheaper than the clear mg.
So right now I'm torn between an open back or closed back because i would like to try out an open back for its airiness, but a closed back for more portable use, or even consider an open back for home and IEM for portable use...
But anyways, i will see what i think in a few days as i will continue to contemplate over what to get, as it is one of my favourite past time to research about technology!
@@nerfkevin9111 If you want something you can take outside, you definitely need to select a closed back unless you want to share your music with the people around you ;)
I have read some good and less good comments about the Celestee. That was my first choice and the time I decide to buy it, the Clear MG appeared. You already know the rest of the story.
Besides this, there are also the products from Hifiman to put in the equation.
Another brand which I do like is Audio Technica. If you can get your hand on the ATH-R70x, you will not be disappointed. It worth is Canadian dollar you spend ;)
Let me know what you chose at the end!
Couldn't get through your review, you ramble too much. Get to the point man and stop torturing us.
That's not a review, just an unboxing. Come on, it is written!