Focal Clear headphones
Mar 31, 2018 at 9:22 AM Post #3,256 of 12,840
Probably, I would use a xlr female to 2.5mm balanced male adapter. A decent adapter is available around $50. A 1/4' TRS to 2.5mm balanced adapter wouldn't work and might damage an amp.

Or I would probably go after a new short cable terminated with 2.5mm balanced...
Thanks for the reply. I found some 2.5mm cables for the Clear/Elear but they're so expensive that I thought I'd just have the short cable that came with the Clear modded. I was wondering if that cable would work as a balanced cable just by replacing the existing 3.5mm with a balanced 2.5mm one...
 
Mar 31, 2018 at 9:25 AM Post #3,257 of 12,840
Anyone toggle back and forth with a planar headphone? Last night I dug up my old hifiman he 400. The overall warmth was a lot of fun. Makes me wonder if the crystal clear headphones are a little over rated.
Yes, I do that alternating between the Clear and my LCD-2C and Aeon Flows... they're so different that IMO they complement each other... I use the ones that I feel like at that moment and depending on the kind of music I'm listening to as well.
 
Mar 31, 2018 at 9:29 AM Post #3,258 of 12,840
Any idea where to buy these? Looking through authorized retailers, only one even carried them, but are out of stock until the end of May and I need them by the end of April. According to Focal's website there isn't a store within 100 miles of me that even carries them. Any help would be appreciated, thanks <3
 
Mar 31, 2018 at 11:32 AM Post #3,259 of 12,840
I'm finding myself completely lost in the music like I haven't in years...

Solvine.jpg
 
Mar 31, 2018 at 12:06 PM Post #3,260 of 12,840
I went back and forth with a borrowed Elear and my LCD 2 Fazor. I heard much more detail with the Elear. They made the LCD sound veiled. I don't just mean high frquencies either. It was much easier to follow bass lines with the Elear.
Can't wait for the Clears.
 
Mar 31, 2018 at 5:53 PM Post #3,262 of 12,840
This morning, Talking Heads was slamming hard enough that I was afraid I was going to break something. New cable made a world of difference. The Clear's have plenty of hard-hitting bass. I'm recognizing that if I'm not hearing something that I thought I should, it's because it's not in the recording. I'm loving having my entire library to choose from on my laptop instead of scrolling through my DAP. I really do lose track of all time once I put these on my head though...lol.
 
Mar 31, 2018 at 7:26 PM Post #3,263 of 12,840
Has anybody weighed up the Clears in comparison to LCD3s? I think of my LCD3s as my perfect headphone but I find myself tempted by the descriptions of detail in the Clears. Aside from wondering if I need another pair of headphones around that price, I'm wondering if I will find them harsh and a bit cold in comparison? Or whether I am going to get a completely different experience in the mids and high mids, particularly around orchestral music.
 
Mar 31, 2018 at 11:49 PM Post #3,264 of 12,840
I'm listening to a hi res version of Art Blakey's Moanin' (the 2013 remaster). It's a classic track on a great album. When listening tonight, I'm hearing Lee Morgan's trumpet breaking up at punchy passages. Listen beginning at time stamp 1:17 and let me know if you hear any break up of Morgan's trumpet? I do and need to know from others who have this classic album and the Clears if they hear the same thing.
 
Apr 1, 2018 at 7:40 AM Post #3,265 of 12,840
I'm listening to a hi res version of Art Blakey's Moanin' (the 2013 remaster). It's a classic track on a great album. When listening tonight, I'm hearing Lee Morgan's trumpet breaking up at punchy passages. Listen beginning at time stamp 1:17 and let me know if you hear any break up of Morgan's trumpet? I do and need to know from others who have this classic album and the Clears if they hear the same thing.

Just listened, at around 1:17 Lee is blowing staccato, no break up, at least on mine. I listened at fairly high volume and couldn’t replicate any breakup.

On another note, I’m finding the Clear to be the perfect foil for my (new to me) Abyss 1266 Cans. Both have great articulation, are musical and impactful, one planar, the other dynamic, the best of both worlds.

Happy Easter & Passover!
 
Apr 1, 2018 at 10:00 AM Post #3,266 of 12,840
I am really impressed about the clears, i even prefer them to the Utopia....utopia sounds a bit too revealing, especially on bad recordings...and you have to spent a lot more money ... The Elear is nice, but lacks upper midrange. The clear is among the best over ear headphones in the world and worth the price
 
Apr 1, 2018 at 10:15 AM Post #3,267 of 12,840
I am really impressed about the clears, i even prefer them to the Utopia....utopia sounds a bit too revealing, especially on bad recordings...and you have to spent a lot more money ... The Elear is nice, but lacks upper midrange. The clear is among the best over ear headphones in the world and worth the price
Glad you’re enjoying them! They have a ton to offer. Checks off so many boxes I feel
 
Apr 1, 2018 at 1:31 PM Post #3,268 of 12,840
I'm listening to a hi res version of Art Blakey's Moanin' (the 2013 remaster). It's a classic track on a great album. When listening tonight, I'm hearing Lee Morgan's trumpet breaking up at punchy passages. Listen beginning at time stamp 1:17 and let me know if you hear any break up of Morgan's trumpet? I do and need to know from others who have this classic album and the Clears if they hear the same thing.

Is it like a thumping/knocking sound in the left channel? Because I do hear that starting at the 1:17 point.

You post caught my eye because previously I was experiencing a intermittent breakup with any music or source on my Clear's right channel. I was in the process of contacting my re-seller when the problem just went away. It's been a couple weeks and they have been performing fine. Since I bought an extended warranty I'm going to keep this pair.

By the way, this is a cool album I haven't heard before.
 
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Apr 1, 2018 at 6:41 PM Post #3,269 of 12,840
Just listened, at around 1:17 Lee is blowing staccato, no break up, at least on mine. I listened at fairly high volume and couldn’t replicate any breakup.

On another note, I’m finding the Clear to be the perfect foil for my (new to me) Abyss 1266 Cans. Both have great articulation, are musical and impactful, one planar, the other dynamic, the best of both worlds.

Happy Easter & Passover!

That's a nice duo!
 

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