gb21011971
100+ Head-Fier
Spending more time with the Arya. I understand this may be blasphemy in this thread. But the Arya totally blows the Clear out of the water.
The Clear IMO has better dynamics. That's about it. In everything else, the Arya is better. Focal's PR is that they are a speaker manufacturer and their headphones sound like speakers right next to your ears. I don't agree, not after hearing the Arya. It takes exactly that comparison to the next level. I would describe the sound as "large", very spacious, 3D. Admittedly it's not news that the Clear has a small soundstage, but man the Arya drives that point home. I also feel the Arya is more resolving, better instrument separation. The bass is a typical planar bass, i.e. deeper than the Clear's dynamic driver bass.
Now in terms of tonality, the Arya is a touch more V shaped. Or is it actually not V shaped, but neutral? Because if I am critical, I could accuse the Clear of being too mid forward. Anyway, this probably comes down to taste.
Deeply impressed so far by the Hifiman.
The Clear IMO has better dynamics. That's about it. In everything else, the Arya is better. Focal's PR is that they are a speaker manufacturer and their headphones sound like speakers right next to your ears. I don't agree, not after hearing the Arya. It takes exactly that comparison to the next level. I would describe the sound as "large", very spacious, 3D. Admittedly it's not news that the Clear has a small soundstage, but man the Arya drives that point home. I also feel the Arya is more resolving, better instrument separation. The bass is a typical planar bass, i.e. deeper than the Clear's dynamic driver bass.
Now in terms of tonality, the Arya is a touch more V shaped. Or is it actually not V shaped, but neutral? Because if I am critical, I could accuse the Clear of being too mid forward. Anyway, this probably comes down to taste.
Deeply impressed so far by the Hifiman.