[baunauf]

Focal’s warranty registration page and authorized dealer page. That’s why I trusted to buy there in the first place.

Focal’s warranty registration page and authorized dealer page. That’s why I trusted to buy there in the first place.

I didn't see them, cool. Return should be smooth, hopefully.

 

[inseconds99]

I didn't see them, cool. Return should be smooth, hopefully.

They responded last night apologizing for the mixup of the product but stood firm that they weren’t used or a display unit. Unfortunately, that is patently false, the headphones weren’t in the focal brown box with the anti tamper label nor were the cable connections correctly wrapped in clear plastic. Also the cables were in disarray. 100% used. They claim they got them from the vendor just like that.

They said they would be sending a return label immediately, it’s been 14 hours since response, no label.

 

[HiFiRobot]

Focal Clear on Cavalli Liquid Carbon v1. Still my favourite solid-state amp for the Clears. When not on tubes, this is my go to.

 

[Goldvein]

It happened! My 1000€ headphones' left driver tapped out. I happened a few weeks ago but I've been in denial until now.
I know it has happened to a lot of you before. My warranty finished 6 months ago. What should I do?? Is there a chance I can fix it by myself if I open it up?

 

[dougms3]

It happened! My 1000€ headphones' left driver tapped out. I happened a few weeks ago but I've been in denial until now.
I know it has happened to a lot of you before. My warranty finished 6 months ago. What should I do?? Is there a chance I can fix it by myself if I open it up?

It may be able to be fixed if you know how to solder.

 

[chesebert]

Focal Clear OG is at $890 at headphones.com

 

[Goldvein]

It may be able to be fixed if you know how to solder.

Have you done it before?

 

[dougms3]

Have you done it before?

Yes I have.

If the voice coil wire popped it will be more difficult, you will have to use a similar size cca strand to solder on but if its just the solder joint going dead as they're known to, its very easy.

 

[pbarach]

It happened! My 1000€ headphones' left driver tapped out. I happened a few weeks ago but I've been in denial until now.
I know it has happened to a lot of you before. My warranty finished 6 months ago. What should I do?? Is there a chance I can fix it by myself if I open it up?

At some point Focal extended the warranty on the Clears. You should check with Focal or with the authorized dealer (I hope) where you bought them.

 

[dougms3]

To be honest, if I were to get another focal headphone, I would preemptively resolder those joints so that it doesn't fail in the future.

Whatever the solder they're using, its garbage because there was a significant sound quality improvement from upgrading the solder on that joint to mundorf supreme.

Initially I only did the left side but the channel imbalance was too much to ignore, so I resolderred the right side as well.

 

[ChJL]

If there is a planar equivalent/brother/upgrade would be fabulous to the Clear OG? Which one would that be?

I'm contemplating either trading in my OGs for a pair of Utopias - would that justify 3k?

Or complement my setup with "matching" planars...

Electronic music... therefore I'm not even sure if there are "better" planars than 1266TCs! (comfort and price aside which are actually exclusion criteria)

Thanks for Tipps!

 

[arielext]

I posted this in the MG topic but it might be something worth considering for the OG's as well: What you see is a defean/geekria replacement pad mounted using a 3d printed mounting ring. Pads are widely available at amazon https://www.amazon.com/M30-M40-M40X-M50-M50X/dp/B07T7W2Q15/138-0848034-4079131. This is the closest I got to the stock pads. None of the Dekoni pads came close imo and at $15 for the pads (and $15 for a pair of rings) these can be a cheap replacement / experiment for some

 

[chesebert]

Got the Clear OG on sale and as a backup as certain other cans are going to the shop (again..obviously) - expectation has been subverted so far. How did I skip this one after hearing the other Focals

 

[inseconds99]

Got the Clear OG on sale and as a backup as certain other cans are going to the shop (again..obviously) - expectation has been subverted so far. How did I skip this one after hearing the other Focals

Which other cans?

 

[chesebert]

Which other cans?

Utopia, Stellia and Celestee. All at meet/show condition and none sounded all that pleasant to me. I am not a huge fan of Focal speakers either.