Im still using the stock cable. It sounds just fine and that’s all that matters. Unless you like bling.

I almost sold my Focals due to comfort issues and this little strap solved all my issues. Wonderful addition to my Clears!!

Original Clear pads are back in stock at headphones.com! First time I’ve seen them in over two years owning the Clears. I’m happy!

The longer 1/4 inch plug stock cable is thick and unruly sure, but in no way will it impact the sonics like this poster is having. I’m still using the smaller 3.5mm cable that they came with and it’s perfectly fine.

I don’t find my Focal Clear OGs to be shaping the sound. If you are able, how would these compare to somthing like the Clears or the Austrian Audio X-65s?!

When you say clearly they are mixing/mastering headphones, what do you mean specifically? Are they clinical or overly analytical? I’m looking for a fun, spacious sounding planar to compliment my 6xx and Focal Clear and none of the Hifimans I’ve tried scratched my itch.

So if I'm understanding the reviews, these would be more of a sidegrade to the 650/6xx and something like the Focal Clear? I'm looking at planars for a larger soundstage but I don't want to sacrifice that for body and weight (as I feel the Sundara's and Edition XS are lacking in). Do these sound...

I use the Focals with an Asgard 3 and my 6xx’s with the same or a Little Dot MKII fed from a Pontus II DAC. I think those cans are known for having a smaller soundstage in general. I guess this is an example of why folks have multiple pairs!

Wow, that Monolith is 700grams! I think my Focals are heavy at 450. I really wanted to like the Sundara or Edition XS but even with EQ, they just sounded thin and too airy. I did love the soundstage though. I love everything about the Focals except for the soundstage. I'd read some praise of the...

Thank you! I did try the Edition XS and Sundara as options and while both had great soundstage, they both lacked the weight and presence I was looking for. I was hoping this might be the can that had all of those things I liked about the Focal (tonality/weight/presence) and Sundara/Edition XS...

Anyone? ^^^^ Thanks!

So if I already have the Focal Clear OG, would these be more of a side-grade move? The only issue I have with the Clears are the narrow field but I don’t want to sacrifice that for lack of impact. How would these measure up? Also curious if they’re good for home listening since they are...

Totally agree with this. Mine came with 1.4 and my first listen, I was wondering what the fuss was all about with this DAC. It sounded just like other DACs I’d heard. Then I went to 1.0. Let’s just say I was almost in tears it sounded so good. I know understand all the praise for the Pontus...

So I just got a used Pontus II loaded with the 1.4 firmware. Since I’ve never heard a Pontus before, would you folks recommend I load the original firmware so I hear it in its original state so I can hear it the way it was rolled out? I’ve read some folks prefer 1.0 anyway. Thoughts?!

That’s some major praise if it compares that well to the Pontus at a forth of the cost!

Besides the analog type sound signature, how does it compare sound wise to those much more expensive units?

I’ve also been curious about comparisons between this and a Denafrips or other model r2r DAC. Interested to learn what you found out. I tried one out for a month and absolutely loved it, but not so much at the current price point.

How are folks still feeling about this DAC? For its price tag, I’d imagine there’s a lot of alternatives. I’m looking to upgrade from my Topping E30.

Curious how this DAC sounds in comparison to an R2R DAC like the Ares II? It’s clearly an upgrade from my Topping E-30 but with this price point, I wonder if it will give me upgraditis to hear what’s better up the ladder. If people feel it’s an endgame when compared to pricier units, that might...

How do these compare to the Sundara’s? I’m new to planners but weight is a big factor for me. I currently have Focal Clears and 6xx’s but always wanted to try planners.

Where are you finding these for $143?

Your question was exactly why I posted mine. Why do people spend thousands on DACs if their purpose is to simply pass through information accurately. But again, I have a budget DAC which to me sounds perfect but you don’t know what you don’t know. Guess I’ll need to hear some pricy DACs to compare.

Shouldn’t any decent DAC not really have any “sound” but simply pass through the information? Forgive my naïveté as I’m new to the streaming world. I did an A/B test of a track via Qobuz through my E-30 DAC with the same track running on my CD player and they sounded identical so I assumed my...

Besides looks and esthetics, are those pads and the cable somehow better sounding than the stock?

Wow. Is there a specific system you used for where to put the tape? I don’t even know if it’s the treble causing my fatigue or that they’re just more open and aggressive compared to the 6xx’s I’ve worn for years.