Focal Clear headphones

[Daniel Johnston]

Would one recommend Empyrean to someone who owns and enjoys both Clear Pro and Stellia?

I own the Clear and Elegia. Demo’d the Stellia. I do love the focals. I just bought the Empyreans.

I love the Empyreans the most. Its laid back and musical, yet detailed enough to pin point instruments in an orchestra. They also don’t get as congested during complex passages. The bass is deep and detailed. Their musical nature makes them kind to most all genres. I’ll truly get “lost in the music”. Super comfortable, no fatigue


The Focals and Empyreans are completely different beasts.Unless you demo them yourself, I don’t think you’ll get a good answer. And as you probably are aware, the equipment used to drive either headphone makes a big difference. Both scale very well.

Good luck
DJ

 

[starmartyr]

I did some searching and didn't find a post on here about this, nor have I seen any pics of Clears using this anywhere. So I'll go ahead and let you guys know about a headband cover I discovered on Amazon from Geekria.

And no, it's not the wool woven ones most everyone seems to be rocking (which i happen to think looks hideous imo). This is a zip-up stretchy sort of nylon one, and it matches the Clear perfectly! It's made for the ATH-M50 series so it may have been overlooked. But considering it's $15 CAD I rolled the dice and it turned out perfectly!

Take a look at the pics. Unfortunately I just finished pad swapping to Dekoni Velours, but trust me when I say the grey matches very closely. (Edit: I threw in a bonus pic with one of the original earpads to help visualize)

You'll notice it is just a bit unevenly positioned on each side. It depends on how you position it, since you have to zip it at it's narrowest part - it is not as stretchy at the ends due to the added material there - so you kind of need to start at the narrower part of the band (where Focal is embossed) and because moving it after you zip it doesnt quite seem to be possible since the velour type material on the headband is very grippy. But regardless I think it turned out great, and is much better looking to me than putting a damned Cosby sweater on my sleek looking cans

Not sure if links are allowed but here's the link for Amazon Canada, if it is removed just search Geekria replacement headband cover for ATH-M50.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07HQFVS8Y?ref=cm_sw_em_r_rw_mw_CUEGk1SjGbWmn

It comes in both grey and black so I think I'll grab a black one too to match my dekoni pads

Hope this helps some of you keep your headbands fresh! And a bit of extra padding always helps

 

[PointyFox]

I did some searching and didn't find a post on here about this, nor have I seen any pics of Clears using this anywhere. So I'll go ahead and let you guys know about a headband cover I discovered on Amazon from Geekria.

And no, it's not the wool woven ones most everyone seems to be rocking (which i happen to think looks hideous imo). This is a zip-up stretchy sort of nylon one, and it matches the Clear perfectly! It's made for the ATH-M50 series so it may have been overlooked. But considering it's $15 CAD I rolled the dice and it turned out perfectly!

Take a look at the pics. Unfortunately I just finished pad swapping to Dekoni Velours, but trust me when I say the grey matches very closely. (Edit: I threw in a bonus pic with one of the original earpads to help visualize)

You'll notice it is just a bit unevenly positioned on each side. It depends on how you position it, since you have to zip it at it's narrowest part - it is not as stretchy at the ends due to the added material there - so you kind of need to start at the narrower part of the band (where Focal is embossed) and because moving it after you zip it doesnt quite seem to be possible since the velour type material on the headband is very grippy. But regardless I think it turned out great, and is much better looking to me than putting a damned Cosby sweater on my sleek looking cans

Not sure if links are allowed but here's the link for Amazon Canada, if it is removed just search Geekria replacement headband cover for ATH-M50.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07HQFVS8Y?ref=cm_sw_em_r_rw_mw_CUEGk1SjGbWmn

It comes in both grey and black so I think I'll grab a black one too to match my dekoni pads

Hope this helps some of you keep your headbands fresh! And a bit of extra padding always helps

Doesn't look like the headband is protected from the metal parts of the zipper rubbing?

 

[Pandacup]

Have any of you thought if it'd be possible to sew a strip of leather into the headband, covering the microfiber?

 

[PointyFox]

Or just wrap it in plastic wrap

 

[starmartyr]

Doesn't look like the headband is protected from the metal parts of the zipper rubbing?

It actually has extra material flaps underneath to help cover the zipper part when it's closed... I should have taken pics before installing but was anxious to give it a try!

Furthermore it is a plastic zipper. Also it doesn't rub if you're careful when you're zipping it up, and it doesn't move at all after the fact either so rubbing doesn't seem to be a factor at all.

Or just wrap it in plastic wrap

Believe me I exhausted every possibility and nothing was ruled out until I found this

 

[starmartyr]

Have any of you thought if it'd be possible to sew a strip of leather into the headband, covering the microfiber?

The problem is it's basically impossible to disassemble the headband without breaking it - I've checked in with a couple of brave souls who did some disassembling of broken headbands - and both they and Focal have confimed this. I'd think that would be the only way to sew it. Plus sewing is pretty invasive and worse to undo. It's just an unfortunate design. It should have been pure leather either way. Beside the dirt and wear, the velour is grippy and can grab at your hair, so it's really all around bad

 

[Pandacup]

The problem is it's basically impossible to disassemble the headband without breaking it - I've checked in with a couple of brave souls who did some disassembling of broken headbands - and both they and Focal have confimed this. I'd think that would be the only way to sew it. Plus sewing is pretty invasive and worse to undo. It's just an unfortunate design. It should have been pure leather either way. Beside the dirt and wear, the velour is grippy and can grab at your hair, so it's really all around bad

Yeah thanks. It seemed like a PITA. Guess I'll just make a leather cover if it ever wears out, or throw it at a cow and hope for the best.

 

[descloud]

Have any of you thought if it'd be possible to sew a strip of leather into the headband, covering the microfiber?

I don't think I've seen anyone did this, but would be curious to see anyone trying it.

But, I have seen someone make a post about covering the headband with a badminton grip using something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Western-Dire...3642&sprefix=badminton+racket,aps,218&sr=8-11

Found the post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/f0kdh6/custom_headband_cover_with_grip_wrap/

Honestly, that grip cover looks dope.

 

[Gamerlingual]

I don't think I've seen anyone did this, but would be curious to see anyone trying it.

But, I have seen someone make a post about covering the headband with a badminton grip using something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Western-Direct-Store-Badminton-Pickleball/dp/B08BX2MJJ5/ref=sr_1_11?crid=YKB0W6CG8NBX&dchild=1&keywords=badminton+racket+grip&qid=1600503642&sprefix=badminton+racket,aps,218&sr=8-11

Found the post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/f0kdh6/custom_headband_cover_with_grip_wrap/

Honestly, that grip cover looks dope.

Might need this, as I stopped using my clear until I can find a solution to keep it clean. Oh well, one defect from the cans

 

[descloud]

Might need this, as I stopped using my clear until I can find a solution to keep it clean. Oh well, one defect from the cans

You can get something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Geekria-Comp...eywords=headband+cover&qid=1600504103&sr=8-17

That should be adequate in keeping the headband clean.

 

[Gamerlingual]

You can get something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Geekria-Comp...eywords=headband+cover&qid=1600504103&sr=8-17

That should be adequate in keeping the headband clean.

Appreciate it. Will buy in a few minutes. The Clear are still the best open back cans. At least I can say I’m not stuck in the Sony sound house, but I really do try to test lots of equipment I can.

Again, thank you kindly

 

[gazzington]

Are these good all rounder can. I listen to stuff from black metal to electronic and classical. Considering these or lcd 2/x

 

[Pandacup]

Are these good all rounder can. I listen to stuff from black metal to electronic and classical. Considering these or lcd 2/x

I can say they're one of the best all-arounders. Others with more experience could give you better comparisons though.

 

[albertmuc]

I will receive a Focal Clear soon.

Can anyone in a few words draw a comparison with the Kennerton Magni (or Gjallarhorn)...?