[adydula]

I guess my budget is a bit high, having owned multiple $4000 headphones, a $3400 amp, and a $1200 DAC, but more expensive doesn't always mean better, especially when you get up into the higher prices and especially regarding DACs and amps. Also there is a point at which something becomes too expensive to justify, even if you can afford it. There is always a risk of something failing or getting damaged. The LCD-4 and Utopia have a higher than normal chance of spontaneously breaking and that's too much risk for me. I've actually had a LCD-4 break after being concerned about it, same with a lithium battery explosion. I find the OG Clear, the JDS Ol DAC, and THX AAA 789 to be in my sweet spot for value, performance, and risk.

Well your amazingly frank on your experiences and I totally understand your experiences....same here as well.

At my ripe old age. Its more about being happy with your stuff..being honest to yourself and enjoying the music...ya can't take it with you....

 

[iFi audio]

more expensive doesn't always mean better,

In many cases it means different, which is good enough if that's the 'different' we weant at that time

 

[adydula]

In many cases it means different, which is good enough if that's the 'different' we weant at that time

Human beings are funny creatures at times....

 

[iFi audio]

Human beings are funny creatures at times....

They sure are, and it seems that in this hobby we enjoy complicating stuff

 

[skfktkwjs]

it's been about a week since I got clear MG Pro on my hand.
I think I had about 50~60 hours on my head listening to them almost all day while working.
I've paired it to Sabaj D5 + THX 789 combo very very linear DAC and AMP combo.

As my Clear MG pads form around my head, I start to hear a significant amount of improvement in the mid~mid high area.
Mids are no longer vailed, yet came forward just like clear OG is.

Since my roommate owns Clear OG I did some small tests. I have been swapping pads between clear and clear MG and did short listening test.
There are year-old Clear OG pad, 50 hours worn MG pad, and brand new MG pad that comes with pro version

the oldest and most worn clear OG pads making both clear OG and MG sounds most vivid and clear.
there was no muddiness whatsoever on both OG and MG. The OG and MG had small difference in high above the 8khz area.
OG has a bit more mid-high emphasis while MG has more energy above 10khz

I swapped it to my worn MG pad. Soon I realize both clear OG and clear MG now has more laid back mids and lost some clarity.
vocal lost texture compares to old OG pads so I assume 3~6k are getting impact the most.

I swapped it to an extra pad MG pro comes with, and the newest pads sounded the worst out of the three pads that I tested with.
Mids are hallowed and lost their texture compares to the other two pads on both OG and MG.

If my roommate had a brand new clear OG pad, it would be easier to make my point but, I don't think OG pads are not that far different than MG pads in material wise
so as my MG pads get worn off more, the sound will probably come closer to the clear OG.

 

[Hamltnblue]

My clear MG's are also a week old now. I did a day and a half burn in and noticed the same difference without wearing them in between.
Focal recommends a burn in for their headsets and speakers.
Outstanding cans.

 

[iFi audio]

As my Clear MG pads form around my head, I start to hear a significant amount of improvement in the mid~mid high area.

Would you say that these improvements are more pronounced that changes within first several hours?

 

[skfktkwjs]

Would you say that these improvements are more pronounced that changes within first several hours?

I would say yes.
I have been listening to clear mg for about 60~70 hours now so I think the burn-in process on the surround of the diagram is pretty much done.
Putting new mg pad turn mg sounds bit hallow around 4khz even with 70 hours of the burned-in.
I think the current generation of focal headphones (elear, elex, clear, stellia, and utopia etc) has been tuned with earpads a lot.
Getting it right seal and makes pads forms around-ear are very important on this set of headphones, more than burning in the driver.

 

[iFi audio]

I would say yes.
I have been listening to clear mg for about 60~70 hours now so I think the burn-in process on the surround of the diagram is pretty much done.

That's interesting, thanks. I thought that the most impactful changes happen early on, but it seems that some cans stretch differently.

Putting new mg pad turn mg sounds bit hallow around 4khz even with 70 hours of the burned-in.
I think the current generation of focal headphones (elear, elex, clear, stellia, and utopia etc) has been tuned with earpads a lot.

Perhaps that's just me, but I think that now people pay far more attention to pads than several years ago, as if our knowledge increased.

 

[Soundizer]

That's interesting, thanks. I thought that the most impactful changes happen early on, but it seems that some cans stretch differently.



Perhaps that's just me, but I think that now people pay far more attention to pads than several years ago, as if our knowledge increased.

Just like iFi created a DAC/AMP for HD650 you could do a version for Focal Range?

 

[Hamltnblue]

That's interesting, thanks. I thought that the most impactful changes happen early on, but it seems that some cans stretch differently.



Perhaps that's just me, but I think that now people pay far more attention to pads than several years ago, as if our knowledge increased.

If you burn in by simply listening, you will notice a change but will likely attribute it to getting used to them.
if you plug them in and leave at half volume for a full day you’ll definitely notice.
It almost seems like Tidal will notice what you are doing and automatically play a wide mix of music. Great site.

 

[PointyFox]

If you burn in by simply listening, you will notice a change but will likely attribute it to getting used to them.
if you plug them in and leave at half volume for a full day you’ll definitely notice.
It almost seems like Tidal will notice what you are doing and automatically play a wide mix of music. Great site.

..or not. Mine didn't seem to experience any audible change.

 

[iFi audio]

Just like iFi created a DAC/AMP for HD650 you could do a version for Focal Range?

We never say never. Doing something for Focals would be interesting, that's for sure.

 

[Bimbleton]

Would anyone have any subjective comparisons of the new Audeze LCD-X (2021) vs Focal Clear Mg? They both seemed tuned relatively similarly, but noticeably different weights.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

Would anyone have any subjective comparisons of the new Audeze LCD-X (2021) vs Focal Clear Mg? They both seemed tuned relatively similarly, but noticeably different weights.

X will perform bigger imaging, with little more bite at upper mid to treble area, where Clear MG that nice (and kind of balance) warm feeling at midrange to bass area. Great allrounder both of them, really can't go wrong either way.

Both produce punchy and deep bass, with Audeze has extra "oomph" on midbass area.