[Wildcatsare1]

OK - I'll bite - why? - can you explain your 'Yes' and in what ways.
I'm an HD800S owner with a pretty decent dac/amp {plus using True-Fi which adds body} and am really interested in the Clear - especially for use with my AK300 DAP.

What sold me on the Clear versus the 800/800s is that you have the same clarity, without the bite. Superior tone and body, micro and macro dynamics are at least equal, I can listen to any genre with the Clear, metal, grunge, plus, classical and jazz. The only place the 800/800s is better is size of the soundstage. Though I think imaging is better with the Clear, so soundstage is a wash.

 

[donlin]

Many opinions would say yes, others would say no. The Clear has bass. The 800S has very little bass. The 800S has a little larger sound stage but the Clear does have a very nice sound stage just not as wide. Many would say, the 800S is too wide making it seem unnatural. Others love the heck out of that Sennheiser sound stage.

If you like normal bass over minimal bass the Clear likely wins the contest.

IMO this response underplays the superiority of Clear over the HD800S by making it seem like they are around the same level of quality. They are not. The Clear is better in all areas, a step above in all parameters.

 

[llamaluv]

I am tempted by a pair of Utopias sitting right next to the Clears, but I must resist!

I had the Clear for two weeks and loved almost everything about them, but returned them in favor of getting the Utopia. It was only because of how favorable my impressions were of the former that I allowed myself to consider, audition, and buy the latter.

 

[qrtas]

Ok, this is something I never understood about the HD800/800s. Many people say they excel in classical music. I know they have a huge sound stage and classical music benefits from that. I understand that part. I had the 800s for a while and not even classical music sounded good to my ears. If you go to a live classical music concert , the instruments have more body. With the 800 every sounds thin, no matter what genre. In real life nothing sounds as thin as the 800.

To my ears the focal clear has a better tonality, more realistic. I don’t care if a pair of headphones is technically better. If the tonality is off, that’s a deal breaker for me.

 

[TSAVJason]

IMO this response underplays the superiority of Clear over the HD800S by making it seem like they are around the same level of quality. They are not. The Clear is better in all areas, a step above in all parameters.

I respect all opinions whether I feel they are right or wrong. I also try but I’m not always successful to stay relatively neutral whenever posdible. The Clear is a great headphone no doubt but I think which is better is on the consumer/buyer to decide

 

[wldcohso]

I had the Clear for two weeks and loved almost everything about them, but returned them in favor of getting the Utopia. It was only because of how favorable my impressions were of the former that I allowed myself to consider, audition, and buy the latter.

After getting my 5yr warranty on my Utopia I can’t see myself letting them or my HD800S go. Thinking if I didn’t alreadyhave my Utopia I’d probably go for the Clear but I’d still need my HD800S because (to me) they’re just freaking amazing.. even after only using my Utopia exclusively for nearly two months.

 

[donlin]

I respect all opinions whether I feel they are right or wrong. I also try but I’m not always successful to stay relatively neutral whenever posdible. The Clear is a great headphone no doubt but I think which is better is on the consumer/buyer to decide

The guy asked if the Clear is better than HD800S. He didn’t offer an opinion. No need to be neutral.

 

[Bern2]

I had the Clear for two weeks and loved almost everything about them, but returned them in favor of getting the Utopia. It was only because of how favorable my impressions were of the former that I allowed myself to consider, audition, and buy the latter.

What didn't you like?

Bern

 

[llamaluv]

What didn't you like?

About the Clear? There was almost nothing I didn't like. I just liked the Utopia a lot more, so felt compelled to bite the bullet and trade up!

 

[wldcohso]

To my ears I don’t here this tonality issue and I hear full bodied music.. doesn’t sound thin to me.. could it be the amp/dac I’m using? Chord Hugo 2 / Sennheiser HDV820 and both sound so darn good to me with both of my headphones.

 

[TSAVJason]

The guy asked if the Clear is better than HD800S. He didn’t offer an opinion. No need to be neutral.

Thx for the input but I think I took the path I’m limited to by headfi. I’ve never been a fan of the 800’s or S. So in that I have to be neutral. I’m not one that suggests purchasing anything in particular. I’m more one that gives the data that may help you (plural) make an educated choice.

 

[Luke Thomas]

About the Clear? There was almost nothing I didn't like. I just liked the Utopia a lot more, so felt compelled to bite the bullet and trade up!

Are we sure it's a trade up?

 

[llamaluv]

Are we sure it's a trade up?

Haha, presumably there's room for personal opinion on such a question. As for me, most definitely. I hear more resolution, speed and punch with the Utopia. It's a little more intense, which I like.

 

[S-O8]

It is. I have both and the Utopia is stunning ... but different. If I only had one pair it would be the Utopia ... sorry !

 

[TSAVJason]

It is. I have both and the Utopia is stunning ... but different. If I only had one pair it would be the Utopia ... sorry !

There is nothing to be sorry about.

Those that prefer the more FUN attitude with great detail from a headphone may feel their nirvana is the Clear but overall the Utopia is still the top performer for the majority of listeners