[catscratch]

Suspension headbands are really good. However they do look goofy, and depending on the design, the elastics that hold the headband in place will get weak over time, causing the headband to flap around when you're just picking up the headphones and they aren't on your head. That's a bit unseemly. So from the standpoint of style, Focal's design is solid.

I like the Sennheiser design, tbh. No flappy headbands, and no pressure on top of the headband. Though it's also a tad less comfortable than suspension headbands.

The biggest fail in terms of headbands is, weirdly, the Stax SR-007. It's a self-adjusting headband in that the tension of the elastics counteracts the weight of the headphones to hold them exactly in place. The problem is, the elastics are too tense, and the headphones end up sitting too high, in a headphone where fit is absolutely critical to the sound. Over time they loosen up and the fit becomes normal, but damn. I see why they switched away from this design for the SR-009, and I wish they'd update the SR-007 with the SR-009/LX00 headband too.

However, none of these headphones are uncomfortable, truly.

Buy the original SR-003. Suffer. Understand.

Spoiler

The SR-001 Mk2 / original SR-003 sounds really good. One of the best things for vocals, ever. But damn, that comfort... The Spanish Inquisition would be proud. I had multiple pairs and got rid of them all. When your ears literally swell shut after 30 minutes you know you have a problem. Stax redesigned the eartips for the SR-001 Mk2, and I've seen photos of a prototype that redesigned the eartips again, so we'll see. At least they're trying.

 

[TSAVJason]

Some people have necks made of paper mache, manufacturer's can't fix that.

I've worn Elear and Utopia for 8+ hours straight with zero fatigue (to put this in perspective, I'm 5'9" 145lbs soaking wet).

Hahahahaha paper mache neck, I have to remember that one ....so funny I’m still LMAO

 

[PeteSTRADAMUS]

Are you moving up to the Utopia? Sounds like you refer to the Clear's in past tense......

Bern

I will have the Utopia next week. Excited. I loved the Clear, but I wanted the top of the line. First world problems. Lol

 

[S-O8]

I will have the Utopia next week. Excited. I loved the Clear, but I wanted the top of the line. First world problems. Lol

 

[S-O8]

I have both and they are both great ... the Utopia is better but the Clear is a longer term listen. Try both back to back and you will know what I mean but will still want both. The Clear is superb !

 

[TSAVJason]

I will have the Utopia next week. Excited. I loved the Clear, but I wanted the top of the line. First world problems. Lol

Congrats Pete! Remember what I told you about the burn in process. And have a great New Year with your Utopia!

 

[PeteSTRADAMUS]

Congrats Pete! Remember what I told you about the burn in process. And have a great New Year with your Utopia!

Thank's to you guys. I can't wait for these bad boys to get here.

 

[LaCuffia]

Ah just a heads up, we are in Torrance California not Beverly Hills. We get people here from all walks of life not just celebrity or athletes. In fact I’d make the bet that most of our customers are just regular people that want good advice and guidance. It’s an $18 billion dollar market, I’m not going to call that a niche market.

$18 billion market for high end headphones or just as a whole? I would think a large piece is sales is of mass produced stuff like MX50, 7506, Beats, Bose, etc. If I asked 20 people on the street if they knew what a Focal Clear or Utopia was I’d be lucky to get one hit.

 

[TSAVJason]

@Jackson99, since you’re upgrading from the Elear to the Clear ....please share that experience with us. They sound pretty impressive right out of the box!!

They’ll begin to really gain their voice at just over 100 hours. They be fully open at about 170-200 hours. They open a little faster than the Utopia and about the same as your Elears did.

Enjoy Scott! Have a great New Year!

 

[TSAVJason]

$18 billion market for high end headphones or just as a whole? I would think a large piece is sales is of mass produced stuff like MX50, 7506, Beats, Bose, etc. If I asked 20 people on the street if they knew what a Focal Clear or Utopia was I’d be lucky to get one hit.

Good question. I apologize, that was a little lacking in detail. I also hope you see this as a conversation & sharing not an argument.

That $18 Billion is the genre of “Personal/Portable Audio” globally. Including the non-OE cables estimated at $120 million in sales, DAC’s, Amps, DAP’s, Streamers and all mannerisms of Headphones.

If we assume (just for giggles) that $800 is the lower end of High End Headphones it’s a much smaller number in units of course. As such it’s also a smaller portion of the $18 billion. So using that $800 number for Entry High End products and $2000 as Luxury High End, you’re estimated numbers are still in the 13% range of yearly sales. So if you calculate 13% of $18 billion ...is it really a niche hobby?

In my opinion this genre and it’s “philes, enthusiasts, hobbiests and general purpose users should be given serious consideration and respect by both the resellers and manufacturers.

Have a great New Year!

 

[Ojisan]

Ah just a heads up, we are in Torrance California not Beverly Hills. We get people here from all walks of life not just celebrity or athletes. In fact I’d make the bet that most of our customers are just regular people that want good advice and guidance. It’s an $18 billion dollar market, I’m not going to call that a niche market.

Just curious, is $18b the addressable market size considered today for headphone/earphone market today? That’s sounds pretty substantial.

 

[franz12]

Just curious, is $18b the addressable market size considered today for headphone/earphone market today? That’s sounds pretty substantial.

While a high end market is growing, still vast majority of market is dominated by under $100, beats, airpods, bluetooth, etc

 

[TSAVJason]

Just curious, is $18b the addressable market size considered today for headphone/earphone market today? That’s sounds pretty substantial.

Yes ....pretty big, right?

In just the sub $300 range it’s a substantial portion of the $18b. Near 75% if I remember correctly. In that same range the sub $100 is the major portion that. Those in the high end category at 13% is not only very respectable but also high enough of a percentage to cause manufacturers to listen and I mean listen seriously.

 

[bgbkt]

Focal Clear is now on Tyll's Wall of Fame... and Utopia, Elear, LCD-4 and Stax SR-009 are now retired.

 

[donlin]

Focal Clear is now on Tyll's Wall of Fame... and Utopia, Elear, LCD-4 and Stax SR-009 are now retired.

Nice! The Clear is definitely a game changer. It just sounds so right.