I am surprised they have had driver issues since they have been in the high end speaker business for years and even supplying drivers to other companies but as with anything it can fail at anytime and that pretty much goes for all brands and equipment.
Just last week I read in the German Headphone Forum that someone ordered a new Utopia and the right driver did not work. Had to send it back, but got a new one without hesitation.
Yes was not supposed to be. My Clear so far without any problems!
Mine zero issues, it's a very early, late 2017, serial number, almost 3 years of use, still rocking. Hope it doesn't start to act up on me now, after bragging about it.
I'm considering the Focal Clear but reading through the this thread I do recall some of the problems I listed. The latest posts certainly do talk about the "loose screw" rattling sound in the ear cup and the poor head and ear pad quality. As for failed drivers I don't recall where I read that perhaps it was in the Focal Utopia thread. Hopefully these "issues" are few and far between.
Yes I did mix up the Utopia's with the Clear's regarding driver failure...my bad.
However, the Utopia's are considerably more expensive than the Clear's being that they are Focal's TOTL offering. Maybe it's just me but it certainly causes me to pause when considering Focal headphones.
Yes I did mix up the Utopia's with the Clear's regarding driver failure...my bad.
However, the Utopia's are considerably more expensive than the Clear's being that they are Focal's TOTL offering. Maybe it's just me but it certainly causes me to pause when considering Focal headphones.
Meh, I wouldn't overly worry about it. Focal is aware of the driver issues and, to my knowledge, have replaced those headphones when the problem arises. I wouldn't pass on the clears because of issues with other models, they are an awesome headphone.
Meh, I wouldn't overly worry about it. Focal is aware of the driver issues and, to my knowledge, have replaced those headphones when the problem arises. I wouldn't pass on the clears because of issues with other models, they are an awesome headphone.
I have not heard the X, but had a long discussion with someone on facebook marketplace who was debating between my LCD-2's I have listed there, and LCD-X. They are two totally different headphones, and he got a good deal on the X's so he went with those. A week later he was looking to get rid of them because they were too analytical, not enough bass, etc. From what I understand, those are best for mixing/mastering as they have a ton of detail, but not really a fun or musical headphone to listen to. Again, I havent heard them, but these were my impressions from reading about them from others
I have not heard the X, but had a long discussion with someone on facebook marketplace who was debating between my LCD-2's I have listed there, and LCD-X. They are two totally different headphones, and he got a good deal on the X's so he went with those. A week later he was looking to get rid of them because they were too analytical, not enough bass, etc. From what I understand, those are best for mixing/mastering as they have a ton of detail, but not really a fun or musical headphone to listen to. Again, I havent heard them, but these were my impressions from reading about them from others
The rattle was inside the cup and audible when I moved my head. It occurred whether or not music was playing. The replacement set of Clears has had no rattles or other issues.
I think I've come across that complain in this forum for a while, some QC issue with drivers, or rather the casing, not the speakers themselves. With you that the headband is a bit squeaky, but not on the head. And I Absolutely love these headphones.
My Clears don't exhibit any of the problems mentioned on here, maybe I won the Focal lottery? My only complaint is that they're pretty heavy and a little too much clamp pressure, also not a fan of the spring loaded cups.
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