[TSAVJason]

Can you confirm there are no changes to the clamp force/headband size? That´s at least how I understood Marine´s (Focal Community Manager) email that was posted here a few pages back...

I absolutely can confirm there is no change in clamping force and headband size.

 

[TSAVJason]

Hi Jason, thanks for the feedback on the Pro's. Just curious, why would Professional studio engineers, mixers, etc buy the Clear Pro when they could get essentially the same product with a similar set of Single ended cables for $200 less? Is there some sort of advantage that I'm not taking into account (ie, all the cool kid Engineers these day use "coiled" cables)?

Coiled cable is common in studios and what is known as 1/4”/6.5 jacks are also the most common headphone connection in studios. Other than that there really is no reason not to just go buy a set of Clear.

 

[vrln]

I absolutely can confirm there is no change in clamping force and headband size.

Thanks... Sent Focal the same question earlier just to double check, but they haven´t replied.

Guess what headphone I just brought home 30 minutes ago? Damn, even the carrying case is built like a tank. This is how you build high end headphones. Just burning them in right now, but couldn´t resist listening at the same time. They still sound a bit muted, but they´ll open up to sound just like the ones in the store.

By the way if anyone is worried about the ergonomics (most of the weight sits directly on top of your head), here is a modification I can see becoming quite popular: just attach one or two Sennheiser HD 650 headband paddings (~10 euros) with something that doesn´t damage the headphones. Problem fixed - no more hotspot. You can then also extend the headphones more which results in more clamp if that´s something you like (I do). I´ll post some pictures of this setup later.

 

[BunnyNamedCraig]

Thanks... Sent Focal the same question earlier just to double check, but they haven´t replied.

Guess what headphone I just brought home 30 minutes ago? Damn, even the carrying case is built like a tank. This is how you build high end headphones. Just burning them in right now, but couldn´t resist listening at the same time. They still sound a bit muted, but they´ll open up to sound just like the ones in the store.

By the way if anyone is worried about the ergonomics (most of the weight sits directly on top of your head), here is a modification I can see becoming quite popular: just attach one or two Sennheiser HD 650 headband paddings (~10 euros) with something that doesn´t damage the headphones. Problem fixed - no more hotspot. You can then also extend the headphones more which results in more clamp if that´s something you like (I do). I´ll post some pictures of this setup later.

very neat idea! I never thought of that.

Something my buddy used to do is use a child's seatbelt cover to wrap around his headband to give it more padding. Thats another affordable option and it is meant to wrap around a seatbelt, so it easily wraps around a headband and stays in place.

 

[Ekul61]

Little off the subject. I’ve owned the 800S and Clear. But not the Senn 650. How does the Clear compare to the Senn 650. Thanks.

 

[qrtas]

@MTMECraig you have both the Clear and Utopia, right?

Have you switched the pads on both headphones and see what the sound effect is?

Clear + Utopia pads

Utopia + Clear pads

I think it would be very interesting to have both set of pads to change the sound signature, if there is any significant change, depending on my mood or depending on the recording quality.

 

[vrln]

Still need to give the stock headband design a chance first, but here´s a little tweak for those interested in a more HD 650 style ergonomics (pressure on the sides instead of on top + more clamp). Just buy two HD 650 headband paddings, cut off most of the extra plastic and use the straps from the Clear package (holding the cables together) to attach them. End result:

 

[Satir]

n/a

 

[TSAVJason]

That's just it. Four open and zero closed. Suspect Focal's Listen headphone is not on any headphone enthusiasts top twenty list.

Yes and previously there were 4 closed with zero open. It takes time to design and build new product. It’s not a “just add water” process.

 

[Beagle]

That's just it. Four open and zero closed. Suspect Focal's Listen headphone is not on any headphone enthusiasts top twenty list.

It should be

 

[Paulo Abreu]

Perhaps the challenge to create a really good closed can is to much for them ...

A too much big challenge for Focal, a good closed headphone? Focal makes speakers, just that, they specialize and make some of the best speakers in the world for +35 years
Considering some companies make good closed headphones as their 1st product just assembling parts from others, I can just imagine the headache Focal engineers are having to build a closed headphone.

 

[franz12]

A too much big challenge for Focal, a good closed headphone? Focal makes speakers, just that, they specialize and make some of the best speakers in the world for +35 years
Considering some companies make good closed headphones as their 1st product just assembling parts from others, I can just imagine the headache Focal engineers are having to build a closed headphone.

Their employees may have many other priorities, and the company don't have such a large resource to do everything.

An open-back headphone market already faces fierce competition. The good strategy for them is to keep developing a new open-back headphone to preserve or expand their market share, which they already have good knowledge about how things get done properly.

I don't see they introduce a new closed back product in a foreseeable future.

 

[meomap]

A too much big challenge for Focal, a good closed headphone? Focal makes speakers, just that, they specialize and make some of the best speakers in the world for +35 years
Considering some companies make good closed headphones as their 1st product just assembling parts from others, I can just imagine the headache Focal engineers are having to build a closed headphone.

But yet. Here we are with no TOTL closed can from Focal.

 

[dontfeedphils]

But yet. Here we are with no TOTL closed can from Focal.

Ya know, sometimes we just don't get everything we want, right when we want it.

Patience is a virtue, or at least that's what I've been told.

 

[Ekul61]

Closed just might not be Focals bag. They certainly have plenty of research and development money. Some of theses company’s. Have like.. one owner and one engineer. Very minimal money for research.