[Raphael DeLaGhetto]

Just been reading about it,why would focal make a headphone that massdrop has modified?

Why not?

 

[TSAVJason]

Just been reading about it,why would focal make a headphone that massdrop has modified?

It’s not modified by anyone other than Focal to meet the price point that it’s at. Again this is according to Focal.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Yes they were excellent the couple times I tried them. Do you know if there have been any QC issues reported like the elear? I know it's early days but it does make me a bit gunshy dropping four figures if it won't last at least a couple years.

Also considering the professionals. The colour scheme is cool and as far as I can understand the only functional difference is the lack of XLR cable?

The Clear Professional comes with only the 1/4” plug and a coiled cable, versus the short 1/8”, and longer, straight, 1/4” and 4 pin XLR (@TSAVJason and @MTMECraig please correct me if I’m wrong), plus the color scheme. Functionally, they are the same headphone, I’m loving mine. Though I just added an Abyss 1266 to the Herd, to serve as the Yang to the Clear’s Yin.

 

[paul2qute]

It’s not modified by anyone other than Focal to meet the price point that it’s at. Again this is according to Focal.

OK mate must of read it wrong

 

[TSAVJason]

The Clear Professional comes with only the 1/4” plug and a coiled cable, versus the short 1/8”, and longer, straight, 1/4” and 4 pin XLR (@TSAVJason and @MTMECraig please correct me if I’m wrong), plus the color scheme. Functionally, they are the same headphone, I’m loving mine. Though I just added an Abyss 1266 to the Herd, to serve as the Yang to the Clear’s Yin.

No balanced cables with the Pro. We’ll be showing both side by side at SoCal CanJam. Along with a whole bunch of new goodies.

 

[ChasingDopamine]

The Clear Professional comes with only the 1/4” plug and a coiled cable, versus the short 1/8”, and longer, straight, 1/4” and 4 pin XLR (@TSAVJason and @MTMECraig please correct me if I’m wrong), plus the color scheme. Functionally, they are the same headphone, I’m loving mine. Though I just added an Abyss 1266 to the Herd, to serve as the Yang to the Clear’s Yin.

i thought the pro came with a straight 1.3m 3.5mm cable as well a coiled 5m 1/4inch

 

[kino lau]

i thought the pro came with a straight 1.3m 3.5mm cable as well a coiled 5m 1/4inch

It does. I've got my new aftermarket cable arriving Monday. So the stock cables will never again see the light of day.

 

[devilboy]

What cable did you get?

 

[ubs28]

The handband of these headphones goes dirty quite quickly it seems.

What do you guys use to clean it?

 

[kino lau]

What cable did you get?

I picked up a Solvine from Trevor at Norne.

 

[herrsmith]

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

[Skyyyeman]

The handband of these headphones goes dirty quite quickly it seems.

What do you guys use to clean it?

Yes it's a concern to some of us. Here's what I posted awhile back:

Cleaning the Alcantara
First, it's been confirmed that the fabric is Alcantara (maybe this has mentioned previously someplace.) At Can Jam NY I spoke with one of the Focal people at the Focal booth who confirmed this. I asked if it could be cleaned and he said it could and recommended the following:
(1) Alcantara cleaning kit (there are quite a few) available online or at an auto supply store. He said this is the preferred way to clean the Alcantara
(2) Clorox Wipes - He said you can use this but it's not as good as an Alcantara cleaning kit and cautioned to only dab the wipe on the Alcantara, NOT to rub it.

Personally, while the Alcantara can be cleaned, per above, for the headband I prefer to keep it entirely clean by wrapping some fabric (black or gray) around the headband and affixing it with some.tape. It adds a bit of padding and moisture absorption and doesn't look bad at all. Not that I care -- it's usually just me who sees it.



Edit Report

 

[Skyyyeman]

The handband of these headphones goes dirty quite quickly it seems.

What do you guys use to clean it?

Yes it's a concern. Below is what I posted awhile back: Update: Regarding material to wrap around the headband, I've been using an Ace bandage with some medical tape at the end so it doesn't unwrap. (Don't laugh I'm a sensitive guy.)

Cleaning the Alcantara
First, it's been confirmed that the fabric is Alcantara (maybe this has mentioned previously someplace.) At Can Jam NY I spoke with one of the Focal people at the Focal booth who confirmed this. I asked if it could be cleaned and he said it could and recommended the following:
(1) Alcantara cleaning kit (there are quite a few) available online or at an auto supply store. He said this is the preferred way to clean the Alcantara
(2) Clorox Wipes - He said you can use this but it's not as good as an Alcantara cleaning kit and cautioned to only dab the wipe on the Alcantara, NOT to rub it.

Personally, while the Alcantara can be cleaned, per above, for the headband I prefer to keep it entirely clean by wrapping some fabric (black or gray) around the headband and affixing it with some.tape. It adds a bit of padding and moisture absorption and doesn't look bad at all. Not that I care -- it's usually just me who sees it.



Edit Report

 

[ubs28]

Yes it's a concern. Below is what I posted awhile back: Update: Regarding material to wrap around the headband, I've been using an Ace bandage with some medical tape at the end so it doesn't unwrap. (Don't laugh I'm a sensitive guy.)

Cleaning the Alcantara
First, it's been confirmed that the fabric is Alcantara (maybe this has mentioned previously someplace.) At Can Jam NY I spoke with one of the Focal people at the Focal booth who confirmed this. I asked if it could be cleaned and he said it could and recommended the following:
(1) Alcantara cleaning kit (there are quite a few) available online or at an auto supply store. He said this is the preferred way to clean the Alcantara
(2) Clorox Wipes - He said you can use this but it's not as good as an Alcantara cleaning kit and cautioned to only dab the wipe on the Alcantara, NOT to rub it.

Personally, while the Alcantara can be cleaned, per above, for the headband I prefer to keep it entirely clean by wrapping some fabric (black or gray) around the headband and affixing it with some.tape. It adds a bit of padding and moisture absorption and doesn't look bad at all. Not that I care -- it's usually just me who sees it.

Ok cool, many thanks.

 

[Skyyyeman]

BTW, regarding cleaning, the reason why I was concerned about keeping the Clear's Alcantara headband clean and even covered was because the headband is not removable or replaceable if it gets really cruddy. And even cleaning it would not take all the dirt off. By contrast, the Clear's earpads can eventually be replaced if they get really bad. Replacement earpads for the Clear are not yet available but when they are will likely have a high price since the Elear's replacement earpads are $150 per pair and the Utopia's a massive $248 per pair. So what would be a guess for the Clear? Maybe the midpoint between the Elear's and Utopia's earpads which would be $199 per pair.

It's a shame the Focal headphones are not modular so parts could be obtained and installed by the user. But, you can't have everything in life.