Herein we see the absurdity of pseudo-audiophilism. Other than color schemes and accessories, there is no difference between the MG and MG Professional. They're exactly the same beneath their shells. This is the official statement from Focal. Videos (and the similar online review) like this are misleading and could send readers down the wrong purchase path. Buy the style or accessories you like best, the sound is the same.
I see this statement often over the internet, but if this is true why is that on their official website Focal put Clear MG PRO under 'Professional headphones' aka Studio headphones and they list the Clear MG as Hi-Fi headphone?
Literally copy/pasting from their website: Clear MG PRO - 'Designed for the most demanding sound engineers and producers, our professional headphones are versatile, high-performance tools to help you succeed in all your projects' Clear MG - 'Open-back hi-fi headphones for the home' So are Focal lying? 👀
Yeah... the differences are likely due to expectation bias and maybe even manufacturing variation... Given that Focal themselves say they are the same aside from color and included accessories. Maybe try some blind testing with some other people and see if they can tell a difference. That being said, I agree the Clears in general are some great sounding headphones.
@@MFHRaptor I have mine paired with the Topping A30 D30 Stack and using this setup I get a nice fuller more open sound stage, then when I had it paired with the Topping A50 D50 and Ifi Zen Stack, which were a little more closed and shouty. I am extremely happy with the more open fuller sound of my current setup setup.
Thank You for this amazing comparison. Useful, complete, and quite rare. I'm really tempted to buy the "non pro" Mg version. I tried the Elegia, and I didn't like it. Too much congestion in the mid-high region, and too fatiguing to my ears. I wonder if the presentation of the Elegia in some way resemble the straight forward one that you mentioned about the MgPro. If it's the case, maybe the "normal" Mg would fit my tastes. I would pair it with the Singxer sa-1, which also has a very pleasant and smooth sound.
The Elegia has immense potential, but unfortunately, are held back by their staggeringly-terrible stock earpads. Real leather earpads (with some perforations on the inner areas of the pads) completely transform their sound.
If this is true why is that on their official website Focal put Clear MG PRO under 'Professional headphones' aka Studio headphones and they list the Clear MG as Hi-Fi headphone? And why the different names?
Literally copy/pasting from their website: Clear MG PRO - 'Designed for the most demanding sound engineers and producers, our professional headphones are versatile, high-performance tools to help you succeed in all your projects' Clear MG - 'Open-back hi-fi headphones for the home' So are Focal lying? 👀
Depends on what you mean by significant, in these price tiers the difference is not as notable as upgrading from a pair of 50$ headphones to HD 660s. I got my set of Focal Clear MG a few weeks ago and I have been preferring them over my HD 660s for sure but if it's worth it all depends on your wallet. I have tried both on my single ended JDS labs EL stack 2 and balanced on my Topping D90 with a Singxer SA-1 amp. In my opinion they are clearly better, but it's up to you to decide if you're willing to spend the money to find out for yourself. If you have a local HIFI retailer where you can try them in person that is always the best option IMO. Audio experience is very subjective so don't put too much faith in reviews online.
@@-gid-9072 Would you happen to know how to locate local hifi retailers that let you try on headphones? Best Buy is the best we've got here in Houston and their best is like BW Px7 or sony MDR1AM2
Great review, I personally love my MG's, though I believe it's an Amp picky headphone, I have mine paired with the Topping A30 D30 Stack and using this setup I get a nice fuller more open sound stage, then when I had it paired with the Topping A50 D50 and Ifi Zen Stack, which were a little more closed and shouty. I am extremely happy with the more open fuller sound of my current setup.
I actually have a weekly updated playlist of my favorite songs for HiFi listening on Tidal, I will double check to make sure all the songs mentioned in this video are also in the playlist tidal.com/browse/playlist/713080f4-a2ea-4fb1-9c02-ea41ac01b9f2
I do not know you and have never heard or seen one of your reviews before but you seem knowledgeable and fluent in "Headphone Speak and lingo" BUT....am not sure how credible to make of your assessment on the audible difference between the Clear MG and the Clear MG Pro. Focal states that the construction of the two headphones are identical with the same specifications except for the colors of the pads, the leather and the metal. The main differences that I can tell are in the accessories/cables and extra set of pads provided. I worry that the moniker of "PRO" imparts to you some preconceived notion of what a professional headphone should be compared to a so called "audiophile" headphone.
We had numerous audio engineers here try both pairs and all found noticeable differences. Is there a statement from Focal saying they have the same sound signature that you can link me to? - Luke
@@MajorHiFi check out Jude's comment from the HeadFi thread, an email correspondence states that they are sonically identical. www.head-fi.org/threads/focal-clear-mg-review-measurements.956702/page-12#post-16257707
@@MajorHiFi put up some frequency responses then. Focal have already stated they are the same and your review makes you look like a tone deaf amateur sorry.. No other reviews claim what you claim. Do you also make this claim with the clear and clear pro as well?
If this is true why is that on their official website Focal put Clear MG PRO under 'Professional headphones' aka Studio headphones and they list the Clear MG as Hi-Fi headphone?
Literally copy/pasting from their website: Clear MG PRO - 'Designed for the most demanding sound engineers and producers, our professional headphones are versatile, high-performance tools to help you succeed in all your projects' Clear MG - 'Open-back hi-fi headphones for the home' So are Focal lying? 👀
WHAT BS! these are the same headphones just different colouways, pretty sure the drivers, chamber and tuning is identical and the only difference is the brain in this channel
Herein we see the absurdity of pseudo-audiophilism.
Other than color schemes and accessories, there is no difference between the MG and MG Professional. They're exactly the same beneath their shells. This is the official statement from Focal. Videos (and the similar online review) like this are misleading and could send readers down the wrong purchase path.
Buy the style or accessories you like best, the sound is the same.
I see this statement often over the internet, but if this is true why is that on their official website Focal put Clear MG PRO under 'Professional headphones' aka Studio headphones and they list the Clear MG as Hi-Fi headphone?
Literally copy/pasting from their website:
Clear MG PRO - 'Designed for the most demanding sound engineers and producers, our professional headphones are versatile, high-performance tools to help you succeed in all your projects'
Clear MG - 'Open-back hi-fi headphones for the home'
So are Focal lying? 👀
Yeah... the differences are likely due to expectation bias and maybe even manufacturing variation... Given that Focal themselves say they are the same aside from color and included accessories. Maybe try some blind testing with some other people and see if they can tell a difference. That being said, I agree the Clears in general are some great sounding headphones.
They’re the same headphone just in a different color. Just saved anyone curious some time.
Nica take mate and pleased to see the young audiophiles embracing this hobby.
Nice review - and thanks for not rushing through it and taking the time to explain.
I own the Clear Mg, and I absolutely agree with how you are describing the Clear mg.
Does it really have a wide soundstage?
Another owner commented that his is narrow, intimate sounding.
@@MFHRaptor Depends on what you are comparing it to. But, in my opinion, it is definitely not narrow.
will they be upgrade from monolith m1570?
@@MFHRaptor I have mine paired with the Topping A30 D30 Stack and using this setup I get a nice fuller more open sound stage, then when I had it paired with the Topping A50 D50 and Ifi Zen Stack, which were a little more closed and shouty. I am extremely happy with the more open fuller sound of my current setup setup.
Do they clip on bass heavy songs?
I need to know which of these is a worthwhile addition to a collection that has a HD 800S and a LCD-X
What will you choose for sound
Clear mg vs clear og vs lcd x 2021?
Thank You for this amazing comparison.
Useful, complete, and quite rare.
I'm really tempted to buy the "non pro" Mg version.
I tried the Elegia, and I didn't like it. Too much congestion in the mid-high region, and too fatiguing to my ears.
I wonder if the presentation of the Elegia in some way resemble the straight forward one that you mentioned about the MgPro.
If it's the case, maybe the "normal" Mg would fit my tastes.
I would pair it with the Singxer sa-1, which also has a very pleasant and smooth sound.
The Elegia has immense potential, but unfortunately, are held back by their staggeringly-terrible stock earpads. Real leather earpads (with some perforations on the inner areas of the pads) completely transform their sound.
Those have the same sound cause they are the same headphones just in other colors. You can ask focal if you want to.
Extra pads and cables on the pro also
If this is true why is that on their official website Focal put Clear MG PRO under 'Professional headphones' aka Studio headphones and they list the Clear MG as Hi-Fi headphone? And why the different names?
Literally copy/pasting from their website:
Clear MG PRO - 'Designed for the most demanding sound engineers and producers, our professional headphones are versatile, high-performance tools to help you succeed in all your projects'
Clear MG - 'Open-back hi-fi headphones for the home'
So are Focal lying? 👀
I did. Their Support server is broken. More on this story as it develops.
No they are the Same Headphones. Just different colours and different Accessoires@@daworstone
Great review as usual. Waiting for the mg to arrive
I really enjoyed your super expressive presentation!
Listen to Roger Bonner- Love Medicine “ to test this or other headphones.
Is the side honey comb grill on both made out of metal ?
Would either of these be a significant upgrade to the HD 660s?
Depends on what you mean by significant, in these price tiers the difference is not as notable as upgrading from a pair of 50$ headphones to HD 660s. I got my set of Focal Clear MG a few weeks ago and I have been preferring them over my HD 660s for sure but if it's worth it all depends on your wallet. I have tried both on my single ended JDS labs EL stack 2 and balanced on my Topping D90 with a Singxer SA-1 amp. In my opinion they are clearly better, but it's up to you to decide if you're willing to spend the money to find out for yourself. If you have a local HIFI retailer where you can try them in person that is always the best option IMO. Audio experience is very subjective so don't put too much faith in reviews online.
@@-gid-9072 Would you happen to know how to locate local hifi retailers that let you try on headphones? Best Buy is the best we've got here in Houston and their best is like BW Px7 or sony MDR1AM2
Wish this was a Focal Clear OG vs Focal Clear MG comparison.
We have an article on that, if you'd like you can read it here: majorhifi.com/focal-clear-vs-clear-mg-comparison-review/
@@MajorHiFi Thanks 👍
Yet another great video Luke I love it please keep up the great work
Great review, I personally love my MG's, though I believe it's an Amp picky headphone, I have mine paired with the Topping A30 D30 Stack and using this setup I get a nice fuller more open sound stage, then when I had it paired with the Topping A50 D50 and Ifi Zen Stack, which were a little more closed and shouty. I am extremely happy with the more open fuller sound of my current setup.
Thank you for the review, would you mind making a small list the songs you suggested?
I actually have a weekly updated playlist of my favorite songs for HiFi listening on Tidal, I will double check to make sure all the songs mentioned in this video are also in the playlist tidal.com/browse/playlist/713080f4-a2ea-4fb1-9c02-ea41ac01b9f2
Great great review,thanks!
Could you review Sonys new sony mdr-mv1 and compare it to these ?
I have the clear worth upgrading to mg?
No
Yes!
Yes! No!
Absolutely positively... NO
I do not know you and have never heard or seen one of your reviews before but you seem knowledgeable and fluent in "Headphone Speak and lingo" BUT....am not sure how credible to make of your assessment on the audible difference between the Clear MG and the Clear MG Pro. Focal states that the construction of the two headphones are identical with the same specifications except for the colors of the pads, the leather and the metal. The main differences that I can tell are in the accessories/cables and extra set of pads provided. I worry that the moniker of "PRO" imparts to you some preconceived notion of what a professional headphone should be compared to a so called "audiophile" headphone.
We had numerous audio engineers here try both pairs and all found noticeable differences. Is there a statement from Focal saying they have the same sound signature that you can link me to?
- Luke
@@MajorHiFi check out Jude's comment from the HeadFi thread, an email correspondence states that they are sonically identical.
www.head-fi.org/threads/focal-clear-mg-review-measurements.956702/page-12#post-16257707
@@MajorHiFi put up some frequency responses then. Focal have already stated they are the same and your review makes you look like a tone deaf amateur sorry.. No other reviews claim what you claim. Do you also make this claim with the clear and clear pro as well?
Nice review. Do you know the difference between the Clear Pro original and the Clear Pro MG? Many thanks
Bro, you need more light for recording video, to show the real beauty of these amazing headphones. More light and more colors, we need to see
EXCELLENT REVIEW !!!!!😁
Love this guy!
This review is completely misleading, they’re the exact same headphones just in a different color and accesories according to Focal themself.
If this is true why is that on their official website Focal put Clear MG PRO under 'Professional headphones' aka Studio headphones and they list the Clear MG as Hi-Fi headphone?
Literally copy/pasting from their website:
Clear MG PRO - 'Designed for the most demanding sound engineers and producers, our professional headphones are versatile, high-performance tools to help you succeed in all your projects'
Clear MG - 'Open-back hi-fi headphones for the home'
So are Focal lying? 👀
They are the same spec so how can they be different. Is it all in your own head.?
Tone deaf
I have a set of Clear Mg Pros, and the red earcups turned my girlfriend on so much!
Thank you so much !!!
Listen to Roger Bonner- Poetry in Motion.
Maybe the difference is in breaking-in period?
How can anyone take this channel seriously when they review differences in headphones that are supposed to be identical according to the manufacturer?
WHAT BS! these are the same headphones just different colouways, pretty sure the drivers, chamber and tuning is identical and the only difference is the brain in this channel
this is fake because this is to similaire headphone , the différence is in packaging
There the same headphone just different colors an this guy's like this ones larger stage lol bs
what is this guy even talking about
No difference. They are both veiled and dark.
What….why did you say that. Have you used them with Amps or DACs. I was just about to buy one…
@@TeleporterM11 So did you buy one? It's good?
@@robovirtuoso1354 I bought an Audio Technica M50x and it sounds great.
why is this guy so hot?
Literally felt this.
The hands