[mbj666]

Utopia padas give you significant SQ boost.

where do you get them from? thx

 

[vonBaron]

https://www.moon-audio.com/focal-utopia-headphones-earpads-pair.html

 

[Andrew_WOT]

I have to kindly disagree with @Andrew_WOT. The stock cable that came with my Focal Clear MG is terrible, to the point I almost returned them. Thanks to an Audiophile Ninja cable, I was able to tolerate them again.

I do believe cables empart their own characteristics to how headphones sound, and in my particular case, the difference was substantial.

YMMV

I thought it was burn in that made you keep them.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Seems like the headphone is like the Arya of Hifiman, just pure value and performance!

Neither one is value or performance to be honest.

 

[ColSaulTigh]

I thought it was burn in that made you keep them.

I know (think?) you're pulling my leg, but for the record, the first thing I said in my re-analysis of them was:

First off, I owe the Focal Clear MG's an apology - I finally figured out my issues with these headphones. They are not thin and shrill as I had originally decried them to be. The first problem is that they must be paired with a decent cable. The god-awful stock cable should go immediately in the garbage. Don't waste money on anything recommended in the "cheap cables" thread. And DON'T buy a $300 no-name "16 Strands 7N Single Crystal Copper/Silver Mixed" cable from Amazon. My Audiophile Ninja cable came in today and *MAN* what an incredible difference it made!

[...]

TL;DR: Long story short - MGs are actually very good headphones with the proper cable and fed with the appropriate power source. Swapping pads will not make the MGs "poor man Utopias". They WILL widen the soundstage quite significantly.

Let me know if you have any questions, thoughts, or other things I should consider.

I still stand by my statement - the stock cable should be swapped out - it's just awful.

Apologies if I offend.

 

[JollyGreen]

I'm considering sending my Focal Clear MG Pro's back and getting some Sennheiser HD800s instead. I don't listed to a lot of pop and metal and other genres that really take advantage of the macro dynamics of these things. Since I'm mainly using them for ambient, downtempo electronica, indie composer, space ambient, and gaming I'm thinking the 800s may be a better move.

Focals are good, just not "magical" and I already have Sennheiser 6XX, which I can't hear a 6x improvement for the 6x price of the focals vs those.

Anyone else have a big interest in ambient music or composers like NIls Frahm? Always looking for recommendations for cans, and if the 800s would be a better fit than the focals.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

I'm considering sending my Focal Clear MG Pro's back and getting some Sennheiser HD800s instead. I don't listed to a lot of pop and metal and other genres that really take advantage of the macro dynamics of these things. Since I'm mainly using them for ambient, downtempo electronica, indie composer, space ambient, and gaming I'm thinking the 800s may be a better move.

Focals are good, just not "magical" and I already have Sennheiser 6XX, which I can't hear a 6x improvement for the 6x price of the focals vs those.

Anyone else have a big interest in ambient music or composers like NIls Frahm? Always looking for recommendations for cans, and if the 800s would be a better fit than the focals.

I'd take HD800/S over Focals on any day and for any genre. The other phones I'd recommend that fit in between Clears and HD800S are HE6SE. They are much more detailed than Clears with more alive treble, and offer more bass slam and warmth than HD800. Considering you have sufficient amplification they would be my universal choice for any kind of music, they are not as spacious as HD800 (nothing is really), but better than small studio presentation of Clears.

 

[padawan25]

I'd take HD800/S over Focals on any day and for any genre. The other phones I'd recommend that fit in between Clears and HD800S are HE6SE. They are much more detailed than Clears with more alive treble, and offer more bass slam and warmth than HD800. Considering you have sufficient amplification they would be my universal choice for any kind of music, they are not as spacious as HD800 (nothing is really), but better than small studio presentation of Clears.

Just goes to show you how everyone hears different. No chance I’d ever trade my Clear MG’s for the HD800/S.

 

[JollyGreen]

Just goes to show you how everyone hears different. No chance I’d ever trade my Clear MG’s for the HD800/S.

What kind of music specifically do you find yourself listening to most?

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Just goes to show you how everyone hears different. No chance I’d ever trade my Clear MG’s for the HD800/S.

I think most of us, unless hearing impaired, hear the same, with different preferences for qualities offered.

 

[padawan25]

What kind of music specifically do you find yourself listening to most?

Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits , Usher, George Michael……all kinds.

 

[KaOs492]

Utopia padas give you significant SQ boost.

What improvements did you notice? Thanks

 

[mbj666]

found uk seller of the utopia pads

https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/focal...utyaM0nE36SyzKO0Jr0fYszl6qzJPf9RoC8SQQAvD_BwE

not cheap though.....

 

[vonBaron]

Still worth buying imo.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Just get Dekoni Stellia ones.
https://www.miniklangwunder.de/kopf...elestee-und-clear-pro-interessante-eindrucke/