[mrjayviper]

The stock pads are microfiber fabric.

Thanks!

 

[mrjayviper]

so the focal clears arrived today. Also bought an HP Elitebook 17in to use as a media center/TV (watching something during my lunch break WFH). I will be using my DIY tubed amp for now while waiting delivery for a audio-gd dac/amp combo.

The ones I demoed in the store are the grey/dirty white version. but found these Focals at a discount (around $75USD cheaper than the greys) and I love the color scheme!

 

[mrjayviper]

has anyone bought (and using) ear pads from Aliexpress? If yes, can you please measure the depth/height of the pads? thanks

 

[andresnol]

I think they are actually great for the money. Quality seems good. No weird smell, no residue glue. They are correct size and nice feeling and sufficiently stuffed (my earlobes do not touch the inner grill unlike massdrop 2020 focal elex pads). Should have bought the leather ones though.

 

[mrjayviper]

I think they are actually great for the money. Quality seems good. No weird smell, no residue glue. They are correct size and nice feeling and sufficiently stuffed (my earlobes do not touch the inner grill unlike massdrop 2020 focal elex pads). Should have bought the leather ones though.

that looks nice. are they the same depth as the original ones?

 

[andresnol]

They seem to be slightly shallower, but i guess they don't crumple as much cause my earlobes don't touch the insides.
On the right are the famously criticized focal elex pads from Massdrop which I cannot use, since my earlobes touch the inner grill of the headphones.
On the left is my original pad that has been washed several times and is super messed up and stretched out.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

I think they are actually great for the money. Quality seems good. No weird smell, no residue glue. They are correct size and nice feeling and sufficiently stuffed (my earlobes do not touch the inner grill unlike massdrop 2020 focal elex pads). Should have bought the leather ones though.

It does not use fabric ring as OEM pads, the only aftermarket pads that have them are Dekoni Stellia LTD.

 

[andresnol]

that's true. does anyone know where to buy the OEM pads in Europe?

 

[mrjayviper]

It does not use fabric ring as OEM pads, the only aftermarket pads that have them are Dekoni Stellia LTD.

can you please explain? are you saying the 2 rings on the stock pads are made of plastic? Thanks

 

[andresnol]

he is talking about the ring inside the earpad.

 

[mrjayviper]

he is talking about the ring inside the earpad.

I never noticed. thanks

 

[surfgeorge]

Just be aware that the pads have a big influence on how the Clears sound.
I have been testing the Clears with the original pads, Dekoni Velour and Ltd Stellia, and with the Focal Utopia pads.
The original Clear pads and the Utopia pads have a similar refined and open character with the Utopia pads sounding a little more natural, open and refined.
The 2 Dekoni pads sound somewhat closed in, more bassy and punchy in comparison, the Ltd Stellia pads more so than the Velour.

Frankly, the combination of high price and short lifetime of the original pads is a bit of a bummer.
The Utopia pads may be the better long term solution despite the high price as they sound even cleaner and clearer and should last much longer.

 

[mrjayviper]

Just be aware that the pads have a big influence on how the Clears sound.

that's not limited to these phones though

 

[mrjayviper]

Is this the wiring when using a balanced 4-pin XLR? this a male XLR that's facing towards you.

(I don't have the Clears but the Clear Pros which didn't come with the balanced cable)

 

[roskodan]

Is this the wiring when using a balanced 4-pin XLR? this a male XLR that's facing towards you.

(I don't have the Clears but the Clear Pros which didn't come with the balanced cable)

That's correct. Usually the connectors have the pin's soldering pots numbered inside, so it's pretty straight forward.

Check this guides for more details regarding DIY cables. robrobinette.com/BalancedCable.htm