• expired

[Pre Order] Focal Clear $1199 Delivered @ Addicted to Audio

230

Focal Clear. Has gone out of production. On special for $1199 again.
https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/focal-clear-open-bac…

Related Stores

Addicted To Audio
Addicted To Audio

closed Comments

  • +1

    Upvoting for the Clear $1199.

    I loved these the moment I heard them (friend owns them), but they're out of my budget. And I had them in my future plans, but sadly Focal has discontinued them, this is probably one of the last times they will be in stock (new).

    • Sorry for the stupid question but is it a bad idea to buy a model that will soon be discontinued? Doesn’t this mean there will be an improved model coming?

      I only ask because I have a discontinued model from another brand and although they are great I had a lot of trouble getting my headband replaced recently

      • +2

        There is a new model already, the Clear MG. By all reports the OG clear are better sounding and at $1199 a much better buy.

        • +2

          The earpads are compatible with the new model so no problem there, the headband is non-replaceable on either model.

          I agree these are a better buy than the MG

  • +1

    Do I need the Clear if I have Z1R, HD800 and electrostatics….?

    I think so.

  • Still regret not picking up an Elegia when they were selling for $599.

    That said - I recently bought a pair of 7Hz Timeless IEMs for around $250 delivered and they're so similar to my full sized headphones, including the Elear and the LCD2, that its my most used set both at home and on the go.

    • do you have link to the iem? most place price over $280+ thx

      • Hey sorry can't seem to find exact link - but it was during one of the AliExpress sales!

  • +3

    +1 for addicted to audio, great customer service

    I bought the elear from.them a few years ago, however after a year the left driver died, despite very little use. Warranty process was easy, sent them back to get fixed. A few weeks later they came back. But after a month the same driver failed again. This time I asked for a refund, which went though quickly after the headphones were received by them.

    Overall happy with the shop, but just heads up about Focal quality not that great (or I just had bad luck?) and possibility of being without headphones for a while when theyre being repaired

    Went back to my Fidelios X2 which are still going strong after 10 years

    • +1

      definitely ur not the first, had heard similar stories from others on the forum as well

    • I've got clears and elegias, only problem I have had was a cable failing after a year. A2A were awesome, sent one out the same day.

  • Been tempted to give the Clear a try from my LCD-X. This might be the trigger haha.

    Do prefer the pro version colour scheme though.

  • +1

    Too hard to to justify the Elear B-stock at this price while Drop would still do Elex sales for barely above this. HIFIMAN Edition XS compounds this, but from a technicalities point of view they are two different beasts.

    I think anyone looking at Focal open backs might be better served these days with Dr Anan's Nan-6 headphone via Taobao, which would be around $650-$700: it has almost identical technical similarities with HIFIMAN's HE-6 line-up, while having a nicer tonality than the HE-6 SE editions you'd be buying new or open box.

    It's insane value, but like the HE-6 it's extremely current hungry and needs something approaching a class A amp.

    Elegia is a hard sell at the best of times, and I feel like the Clear is a chance to start getting crowded out by the next generation of headphones, but it's certainly preferred over the Clear MG. You've also got the Sennheiser HD 800S to consider at that price point, as well as Chi-Fi Ribbon headphones, though the former is tonally different and the latter requires different amps and a little product research.

    For closed backs at these price points, look into the Audeze Penrose ($400), and the Drop X DCA Aeon Closed X on sale (hopefully under $600).

    • Which Chi-Fi Ribbon headphones are better than the Clear for $1200?

      • I was thinking the Gold Planar GL-1200, but that's $1600 at the moment. Got the pre-release price stuck in my head. I'd imagine you'd go close during a Taobao major sale, though it still needs a modified speaker amp.

        The Nan-6 is probably the value standout here though: basically a HE-6 with better tuning and a slight dip in technical performance. Both have narrow soundstages, but the HE-6 style driver thrashes Focal's line up for detail while having fantastic dynamics, and in this case it's almost half the price.

        A brand new HE-6 SE v2 sets you back around $2000 locally, though you can occasionally get them at $500-$600 USD during an open box sale before shipping and tax, but you're still left with the stock tuning, which is not great after 3 kHz.

    • Shame that Drop have started to charge GST - also regret not picking up the Aeon prior to the change.

      • Makes me sad when I read this. Bought a 58x recently and had to pay tax. Wish I bought elex before but worried about reliability and too expensive now with price rise and gst.

    • Any idea when to look for a sale on the Aeon Closed X?

      • +1

        June, then maybe October & November. You just missed a sale last month.

  • Damn, wish they had Utopia Bstock again…

  • I have HD800, bought from a2a. Focal Clear seems to be an upgrade, Tyll said he loved them before he quit his audio review game.

    I am just holding myself back, did anyone compare the HD800 and Clear?

  • These headphones imo are better than the new MG model.
    End game dynamic headphones in every sense. Aren’t power hungry but really upscale with better gear.

    At $1199 they are a steal and likely to never be available new again as they have been discontinued.

    I preferred them to the hd800s, Hifiman ayra, LCD3 and basically anything else under $2000

    Next step up from here for dynamic headphones are the utopia imo.

  • Bit the bullet and bought a pair. Anyone know how long it'll take to arrive?

  • Used to be so tempted by 1, kind of sad I missed this deal. The colour looks so nice when new but must be hard to keep clean. Mmm wonder if I will get a chance. Not sure if i should instead go for a hifiman. But also have read they don't have reliability issues like the elex.

Login or Join to leave a comment