Focal Clear Professional Headphones Review & Giveaway ($1699 Value) - Warren Huart
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- Опубліковано 29 тра 2018
- 🔥🔥Enter to win a pair of these headphones here: bit.ly/2LIOTIX
Putting on these headphones and listening to Bohemian Rhapsody was like hearing it for the first time.
Focal has recently released the Clear Professional reference headphones, built “with listening quality aimed to match the ‘best monitor speakers in a room with perfect acoustics.'” The headphones are an open-back, circum-aural design whose purpose is to reproduce playback material at the absolute highest quality. The extreme openness essentially makes the headphone construction itself “disappear” for the benefit of sound quality and comfort.
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Hi Friend, thanks you for watching this video! I loved using the headphones! You can see how teary eyed I got while listening to Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody', from 'A Night At The Opera' the Rock Album I ever heard that my Father bought me for Christmas! Enter the giveaway here:- bit.ly/2LIOTIX As Focal pointed out before we released the Video, I wore them backwards! They are designed to be even more comfortable (boy are they comfortable!) and sound even better the other way around!
These look amazing and I trust your ears Warren!!
Great review Warren! Honest and without bias!
Thank you for your incredibly honest review Warren
Thanks ever so much Darlene!
Thanks ever so much Apple!
Now... put it on the right way... the LEFT/RIGHT marks could be better!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
So jealous right now! I remember the first time I tried my DT 1990 pros, it was as if I had rediscovered all my favourite music again. Good luck to everyone who enters :)
Best of Luck In The Mix! These headphones are amazing!
I am thinking about investing in these. Are they worth it? Would you use them for mixing / mastering?
oh boi when I jumped from AD500X to my most powerful LCD 2C that was unreal to hear planar magnetic for the first time 💕
Given that the drivers are angled, imagine how great the Focal Clear Professionals would sound if you had the cups on the correct ears!! 😜
Lol. Good Catch!
I tried this way, horrible. fake review....
These are amazing headphones indeed. I have their "little brother", the Focal Elex. However, I noticed that you guys are all wearing them the wrong way! The headphones have angled drivers that are supposed to be angled towards the ear canals, but the way your put them on makes the drivers fire away from the ear canals. I am sure they still sound fine that way, but probably not as good as if you wear them properly. :) I may need to try wearing my Elex that way to see how much difference, if any, that makes to the sound. lol
Please wear them the right way, It hurts me. It physically hurts me.
I liked that I could hear you move them on and off of your ears. It lets me know they could be on where others couldn't hear them leaking, but also, I could walk down the road, with them around my neck and hear my surroundings as well as the music until I got to a safe place to put them back over my ears. I can't tell if they are over the head or behind the neck. I think there have been times when barometric pressure was optimal for sound, and no wind was happening, where natural sound has been amazing. Sometimes my friend calls me over facetime purely for the audio quality. It's better if we're both gonna be playing our guitars at the same time. I think I could hear sound leaking out later at the end of the video from these headphones but suspect that was just how high the other guys cranked the volume.
Thanks Audrey for your wonderful comment! Yes, the headphones are open backed so their is some leakage. I would be using them for mixing and enjoyment!!
Warren, great moment watching you get taken into Bohemian Rhapsody. I remember when I was in the 5th grade, the first time I sat down and listened to a favorite song through headphones. It wasn't an incredible pair. Probably $50 or $75 pair of Yamaha headphones that were my dads. But oh man, I remember how the music came alive. That was the first time I realized there was more to a song than what I was hearing through speakers. I could here the "depth" that you are talking about. The front to back. The space. I remember feeling like I was in the middle of the band hearing them all around me. I could hear the room, the reverb, etc. I couldn't articulate as an 11 year old what I was hearing, but I knew it was different and it changed my understanding of how music was made. Good to see that others have those moments, even after years of making music.
Emerger Fly Fishing beautiful comment my friend! It’s so amazing that we have this community where we can share our experiences!! Thanks for sharing yours!!
Ooooh, amazing!!! Also reminded me when buying my KNS-8400 from KRK. To be able to listen to little details from music I love as if it was the first time again! New ears! A whole new experience!
Hi Vesohag I agree! When something like this happens it’s so wonderful! Like hearing music again for the first time!!
I got a pair not long ago and can confirm they are special. In regards to mixing; they make the job easier by being so natural you can make better decisions. Awesome. Whoever wins them will be very very happy. Good DAC required tho; they sound better when the DAC is better; still work great with basic phone day and headphone jacks too.
Fantastic and very real review! I love and know what you speak of when it comes to these Hi-Fi headphones.
Thank you for sharing your experience with these headphones. I’ve been researching these and now I’m going to buy them.
Warren, I lost my father suddenly when I was 14, just over three years ago.
A few months later I was sat in the attic with the first CD player he ever bought and a bunch of really cool old hifi stuff. The first CD I played on it was Queen's Greatest Hits. Bohemian Rhapsody was the first track that played and I burst into tears. It was an album he played all the time when I was much younger.
It's amazing what power music can have, especially when it intertwines with nostalgia and great memories. I'm glad to hear someone else has just as special a memory of this track. All the best Warren! - Adam
Wow!! Thank you ever so much Adam! This really means a lot to me. I don't talk openly about it, but recently went through the same thing. My Father meant so much to me, it's why I do music! Thanks for your amazing comment!
Thank you for your kind response :) It's a tough thing to go through and I hope you're doing well considering. All the best!
I wish you all the best my friend at this time. I know it is a tough time! We are blessed to have had them in our lives!
I have FOCAL Studio monitors and they are just phenomenal!
That's great to hear Tavares!
I just got these headphones for $900! They were a demo display model but for almost half the price of a brand new model retailing at 1599-1699. I couldnt resist cause I think it's a bargain! I'll post impressions after some listening time.
Whats your review
..and?
These look amazing and I trust your ears Warren!!
Thanks ever so much Darlene!
Focal makes great stuff. Using a pair of Focal Alpha 65s for monitors. Thanks for the review.
Daniel Lussier yes! I’m impressed!
Entered! I absolutely love all you do! Thank you!!
Thank you Chris! You're too kind. Best of luck my friend!
I’ve got a pair of Focal Elear headphones and they are awesome. I can testify that if the Clear are the top of the range then whoever wins them is in for a treat.
I listened to these headphones at NAAM and had the exact same reaction as Warren! I thought they sounded incredible!
Hi Sean McMorris wow!! That’s great to hear!! Thanks for sharing! NAMM is a great place to discover new equipment!!
Thanks for the great review of these great headphones Warren!
Thanks ever so much Harmony!
Amazing, thanks for the review Warren! Would love to rediscover Bohemian Rhapsody on these!! Cheers from Canada.
Thanks Benoit! I agree! It's like hearing again for the first time!
Thanks Warren! I use the Ultrasones and have always loved them, thought they were generally pretty flat, good to check mixes with. Do you feel the Focals are true enough to check your mixes?
Trey Vittetoe Music marvellous question! The Ultrasone are hyped in the high end, so great for checking my mixes at the end, making sure there isn’t any pops and clicks. However these Focals would be great to mix on from the beginning!
I tried a pair of AKG headphones that looked like metal waffels suspended away from my ears and I tracked vocals with them, Le Studio in montreal, I think they belonged to Paul Northfield, changed my perception of headphomes. I now mix on sony mdr-7509Hd's which give a good balance, cool Warren!
Hi Tom MacDonald thanks ever so much for sharing your insight!! I love the visual of the metal Waffles!!
They look simply amazing and Im sure they sound even better! I really enjoy to watch your reviews and your vids in general, i must say I learned so many things watching your tips & tricks. Good luck to everyone in the giveaway!
HI Eduardo! Thanks ever so much! Yes, I was extremely impressed!
Tha vocals from tha Focals. Man, they remind me of the old school, cushy cinema seats at a glance. It's like their design team found a color palette for "Stereo Image" lol.
I have a pair of Elex that I’ve been evaluating. I’ve decided to return them finding them shouty and aggressive. I ran across you wearing the pros in reverse of the intended design, and thought, why not try it before I give up on these otherwise very nice Cans.
No shout in the low treble, no longer nearly as aggressive and forced. Much better, but I need to do more listening.
Thank you warren for this great review!
Thanks ever so much Apple!
Thank you for your incredibly honest review Warren
Mia Sampaoli thanks ever so much!!
Best thing about your videos is that you don’t say any gear is better than the other. Rather, you imply all gear has its place and purpose! I’m going to enter this as I’d love them but also I respect your reviews immensely! :)
Thanks ever so much my friend! I agree! You Rock!
You rock too!!
Media Man Productions thanks ever so much! We reached 200k!! Thanks for being a big part of that!!
You and Glenn Fricker are the best on UA-cam brother! You inspired me to get as serious as I can with my music and I thank you!
Thanks Moon Child! Glenn is a good friend! I'm very glad that we could inspired you! You rock!
That is really cool! and thank you Warren! YOU ROCK
Great headphones thx for the review and giveaway Warren!!
No problem Austin! Best of luck!
Time to try the Focal Utopias, and Hifiman Susvaras!
Oh my God. I really, really, really want those suckers. I at least want to try them! I really love my Sennheiser hd-600's, they have a lot of the qualities you're describing but I have a really, really good feeling about these based on your reaction. And the way the wires connect to the headset, yes! Finally. Genius. And they look incredible. I've never hoped to win anything this badly in my life. Thanks for sharing! I wasn't aware of these until this review.
Hi Les Francoeur thanks ever so much! Yes, I had to consciously stop myself from bursting into tears!
Thanks for the details....pretty expensive stuff...for now i'am sticking with my DT990's....Cheers Warren and staff
I hear you! These are AMAZING headphones! The DT1990's I won are also amazing though...but these! Haha
new focal lengths cost more than double
that will have that earphone in his bowels.
I had tried their older pro headphones - the Spirit Pro, I think? They sat 'on' my ears and were pretty uncomfortable - these seem to have larger, better padded cups - worth a try! I do remember that those other Focals we very flat - honest...
David Case yes, very flat and very accurate!
Awesome video and content as ever Warren :) thank you very much to both yourself & Focal for the giveaway opportunity keep up the stellar work as always mate!.
Thank you Gambit! You rock! - These videos are very fun to do!
Hey Warren. Forgot to congratulate you on the 200k subs. Also, two questions. One of them is when is the giveaway date? When do we find out who wins/how do you pick the winner? And question number two, is there a way i could get feedback for a mix or two?
I own a pair of the Focal spirit professional (closed back) Even though they are way less pricy, (350.00)
have a very flat very accurate sound, no fluff. They are my daily drivers, Pardon the Pun.
Fantastic Bill! That's amazing to hear! Thanks for sharing!
Oh boy! Now this one I am entering with a real desire to win. Just imagine in the studio when it's time to check the mix, going to the backlit glass case and taking them out ha ha!
Terry Doyle hahah yes indeed! So impressed! You’ll love them Terry!
I feel like I'd need my ears to be Royally Nighted before using those... Thnx for the chance to win them!!
Jonas Bambrough haha well my ears aren’t Royally Knighted either!!
For a cheaper alternative Sennheiser HD600 or HD650 are just great for mixing and pleasure too.
UA-cam can be cruel with their suggestions.
I didn't realize the video was almost three years old, and I rushed to enter the giveaway. This is a luxury item I could never afford. Psyche!
Yes, it’s quite old now. However we always do great giveaways! Please stay tuned! Thanks ever so much
Hope they send you two pairs so you can keep one! You seem really impressed! :)
Chris Wacker fingers crossed for me!! Hahahaha
I need quality headphones. Good video review.
Hi Warren, lovely video! I was wondering if you have made or would consider making a video on your recommened producing and mixing headphones for proffesionals on a budget. 50-200 pound range?
Thank you
George
Hi George, YES! I love the Blue Headphones in that price range! I am blown away with them!
Produce Like A Pro Thank You very much for your reply! I'll check them out! :)
Excellent! Let us know how you get on!
I know of a case, that the owner of the studio trusts the Clear MG Pro more to mix and master than his desktop monitors
That's proof of how well designed Focal's new pro studio headphones are.
for a reason this brand is used within the companies of Moog and Sequential 💫
Congratulations Warren and team, 200,000 subscribers !
Well done Sir............. Jolly good show ole boy
Time for Tea and Tiffin ;0)
Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it
@@Producelikeapro I know you are always super busy, but 4 years to reply ! LoL cheers ;0)
I like your review. What is your take away between Clear Professional vs Utopia?
Completely different experience, both amazing
Unbelievable sound.... I want it bad!!
Hi Roger Garrett I was seriously impressed!!
Warren - I have bought a pair - partly due to your your enthusiastic review ...
"This is worthy." Amazing!
cgraugaard yes! That’s exactly what he said! And I LOVE him for it!
Wow they're awesome!
Indeed they are! Best of luck!
Thanks for the opportunity to win these Warren!
You're very welcome Ryan!!
Oh my god I need these to use with my little labs headphone amp....
Make sure you enter to win a pair Nothing!
I tried Tidal recently. The difference in sound quality is immense. Spotify has the ease of use though. very easy to find new music within the spectrum of what you like listening to. But i wouldn't test speakers or headphones too much on spotify anymore. Oh and considering how revealing these headphones apparently are there is also a risk to mixing in them. They will make you work less to hear those things only expensive gear lets you hear as it is. When you can make these small nuances audible in mainstream gear, that is to me when you hit the nail on the head with the mix. So my advice would be to mix in something less than stellar and make sure everything you want to hear can be heard. and then check to make sure it sounds great in the focals as well.
Thanks ever so much for sharing your experience with Tidal! Is everything on there?
I havn't compared my entire playlists availability in tidal but the music i have looked for has been there. One track i use to test monitors and hifi speakers is The Zone by Weeknd. But the version i test with isn't available on TIdal or spotify and i'm stuck with an mp3 for it. The track has a certain snap and vivid bottom to the kick and snare which i listen to on that track. If those sounds are inconsitent through the frequency spectrum of the speakers, they are not qualified for me. The bottom of the snare especially has to feel separated from the speakers. Like really popping out vividly. I think its the original master of the track and not the updated version available on the currently available albums. For power in the vocals i use Vienna Teng - Blue Caravan and 1BR / 1BA where there is also some nice low air from the kick going on which doesn't get audible enough on some monitors. And Infected Mushroom - Nation of Wuzzes for its up front midrange and painful harshness in the 3-4k area as well as a its loudness for when i mix music like that. If the harshness isn't there, something is wrong with the speakers delivery. The track also has a couple of sections where they play around with a minimalistic bass rythm which feels great if the speakers can deliver that properly. I have more tracks i use to test speakers with but these are the main ones. All of them are on Tidal except for that specific version of Weeknd - The Zone.
Wow! That's an amazing indictment! Thanks for sharing that! Some if the Infected Mushroom stuff is incredible!! I agree, the 3-5k range can be horribly harsh in many new recordings!
My kingdom for some Focal headphones
Haha my horse my horse!!
"It's like chalk and cheese" You have me sold by that. +1 subscription.
Thanks ever so much
You recommended this focal clear, for mixing hip hop, Trap, rnb?
ELECTED MUSIC absolutely!! I’m impressed
i haven't heard them all but So far I still choose the budget Sennheiser HD 280 Pros or the Sony MDR 7506s, but the old Sennheiser were using a different transducer ooooh speak lol.
Just a heads up. You’re wearing them the wrong way. The drivers sit towards the front of you ear.
Loved how you described it!! Now I'm just praying I win this one😅 Subscribed and liked man thanks
Hi nine nine! Thanks ever so much! I got teary eyed!
looks like in 2023 you moved to the LCD-X? Have you thought about the MM-500's over the LCD-X? They are supposed to be more accurate. Just wondering if you needed to EQ the phones? I am deciding between the the X and 500. Right now I'm playing with the Arya Stealth, focal clear mg, DT1990, DT1770 and others. I don't think I can buy both. Any suggestions?
But do they come in all back... Well, now I can add those to my list as well.
stormshadow2k haha I’m sure they might!! Yes, add them to the wish list!!
Aluminium this is not english (well I guess is it too) but it's French, Focal is a French company so they label aluminium. Excellent review I like to watch you listen on headphones could have been longer even without sound it's great!
Haha thanks ever so much! Currently in France
Cool video, but don't you have them on backwards? :D
Tom K yes!! The guys at Focal told me I had them on backwards!! I turned them around and they sounded equally as amazing!! Just goes to show how good they are!!
"It's like chalk and cheese." LMAO Great review Warren! I need to check these out at VK.
SquareB0t yes! Go to VK and let me know what you think!
I've entered. Thank you for the opportunity.
You're very welcome!!
You should listen to some Melody gardot on those headphones
Great idea!
Awesome review, love these, enetered hope to win ;)
Thanks! Best of luck to you and everyone else!
Try the utopias and you’re done with headphones for the rest of your life. It is getting very hard for me to go back to my others hp.
I have Focal monitors in my home studio, awesome stuff, great company!
Amazing Herr!
I checked the Focal shape 65 monitors in a store, they were pretty convincing! If I ever buy new monitors, they’re my favorites.
I own a pair of CMS 40. They're small but they're built like tanks, incredible for the size.
That's great to hear Herr!
Great stuff Jan!
If you get thw chance can you compare the following headphones. Sony MDR 7506, Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, Beyer Dynamic DT 770 pro, & DT 990 Pro AKG 553 MKII, Neumann MDH 20, Shure SR 840A, Mackie MC 350, and Focal Clear MG. I think price shouldn't matter and i believe these are all closed back headphones. Once you have compared these then do Open back and Bluetooth headphones. Your comparison should be the best at any price. The comparison should involve music from every genre. Now thats a serious group of cans!
Entered!! Really hope I win these🤟🏻🙌🎶
Best of luck Pontus!
Great headphones would love to win.take care
anjali nanda thanks ever so much!! Yes! Enter to win! Amazing headphones!
$2200.00 Canadian. Ouch !! Thanks for the review Warren
I know they are NOT cheap, but boy are they AMAZING!!
I got a pair for $1799CAD after. Highly recommended if you can afford the outlay. Just need to shop around a little to get a competitive price
Fantastic information! Thanks for sharing guybkt!
Do remember the significantly less expensive Elear and Elex models that can be bought for nearly half the price of the Clear, yet deliver most of the sound quality. In fact, all three use identical metal dome drivers, but the Clear has superior voice coil design and a more balanced frequency response than the Elear. However, the Elex has nearly identical frequency response to the Clear and, from what I read, this is because the Elex uses similar ear pads to the Clear. If you put the Clear ear pads on the Elear, the frequency response will also become more balanced and closer to the Clear.
I could be mistaken, but it looks like the "Visit Focal's Website" section of the giveaway entry form is not working correctly. FYI.
Alex Common thanks for letting me know my friend!
Warren consider mixing a song with these before you give them away!! Would be fantastic insight..
Barry driedger that’s an amazing idea!!
I heard they are very immersive and relaxing, dynamic not cold unbalanced and technical.
Yes, beautiful headphones!
Produce Like A Pro You should more headphone or audiophile reviews. It’s your area of expertise.
You’re very kind Roger! Thanks ever so much
Produce Like A Pro I would trust your reviews because I know that you produce. A lot of guys are doing these reviews and they are not Producers.
You deserve best headphones
Anyway congratulations
Aw shucks thanks ever so much!
Produce Like A Pro you are welcome 😊
I have their ear buds. Very nice, articulate and accurate.
northof50now now I want some of their ear buds!
2:55 I think Eric should have pulled the box off and you hold the bottom not the other way around hahahahaha
Haha yes indeed! It was his Justin Beiber haircut getting in the way!
Entered 👍🏽
PaperPushin Gudda great stuff!!
WOW! Guess you do get what you pay for! :D Thx, Warren!
Hi Tze-chiu Lei yes you do my friend!!
Such a marvelous person you are, mr Warren Huart! I absolutely love all your videos and courses! Hello from Moscow!
Hello t4rry from Moscow! Thank you so much! Make sure you enter to win!!!
Are you wearing them backwards?
Edit: Looks like you are. The soundstage is probably going to be better the right way around, when the drivers are angled towards your ears from the front.
Yes! I agree! Focal told me to flip them around and they sounded even better!! Which is hard to believe they were already amazing!!
2022 Here: I get the same experience but for far less money than those (really great) Focals, by huffing a fatty of my favorite Dankenstein and popping on my Sennheiser HD 600s.......also, I would start with a little Steely Dan first...then I spend a couple of hours music surfing....looking for additions to my various playlists.....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
Entered!
Good luck Kevin!
if i happened to win these i think id be too scared to use em...prolly get some sort of display case and shelve them lol
Haha! Once you heard them you'd never want to take them off Adrian!
I just bought HD 700 and so I know what you are saying.
Eric Anderson fantastic!!!
It is actually kind of freaky the level of clarity. hahaha This is a great investment.
Fantastic Eric!!
Hi Warren, wow, they look great, i am glad I couldn't hear them though, no I'm not (JEALOUS) lol. Thanks for a great review as always ,all the best, Darren Ross.
Darren Ross haha thanks my friend! I really appreciate your extremely positive response!!
they look so comfortable to wear, are they light?, they are gorgeus.
They are amazing!! Sound incredible!!
HaHaHa Warren, you got your ears tickled didn't you ;0)
Be careful my friend, it's VERY addictive, and very expensive !
But then you know that already.
One thing about Focal, no matter what they make, it is high Quality for the price point.
There are a few companies always pushing "state of the art", the rest follow on behind, playing catch up.
Focal is one of those companies that have "state of the art" in their DNA.
Great fun to see all of you get your ears tickled, brought back some good "ear tickling" memories to me.
Good luck to everyone in the giveaway !
Yes! Amazing sounding headphones!!
You have to try Sade's "stronger than pride" album on those Warren.
If ever you get a chill out moment ;0)
SirEggbertfartalot fantastic!! I love Sade! I know Paul the Bassplayer, he’s a great guy and I loved that great bass solo he played in Smooth Operator!
Well, if you should see or speak to Paul, give him my thanks for Lots of his work.
That line on "cherry pie", has to be one of the most infectious ear worms ever, even now after all these years, that thing just pops up in my head at random moments.
Doo bedoo de doodoo, dum de de dum da ....arrgghh gotta hear it now ! LoL
Wow! Amazing gift to a lucky follower. Fyi, I'm afraid I'm dating myself but I saw Queen open for Mott the Hoople at the Palace Theater in Providence, RI 4/27/74. Wild, great, and very pre-Bohemian Rhapsody. (New follower as you close in on 200k)
Hi Bill McGovern wow!! That would have been an amazing gig!!
Produce Like A Pro It surely was. A friend at my college (Brown U) was a dj and would offer me comp tickets when he had extras. Saw Mountain, Lou Reed, and a few others, usually in the front 10 rows. Sadly (for me) he graduated after my sophomore year.
Bill McGovern wow! That’s so amazing! What incredible memories! Huge Lou Reed fan!!
Wow awesome
Thanks ever so much!
Produce Like A Pro your welcome
If i win these, i shall start recording my first album :)
Wonderful Zoltan!
Drool.... you're making me drool Warren.... dang
Haha I understand!!
the link in the giveaway to focals web page doesn;t work
Thanks Ben for letting us know!
great
Sertaç Kakı thanks ever so much!
Those headphones would help me mix marvellously well...sniff
Alex Muli haha yes, indeed! Truly marvellous!
Hahah.And the headphones go to...drum roll...let me not jinx myself.Good day!
Haha indeed Alex!
I just bought a focal headphone this year (a cheaper one) and indeed, you can "feel" the music with even the cheaper one (focal's headphones are not cheap). With cheaper I mean, the price of the one I bought, compared the one in the video that I am going to win. Warren, pls you can start the process of shipping to me because I am going to win it. Why wait for tomorrow if you can do it today 😉....................
I Hear You Eddy!! I was very impressed!!