DuncanDirkDick
100+ Head-Fier
I "upgraded" from the Empyrean and I'll be totally honest with you I'll be trying to find another set for my collection at some point this year. I've since had four other headphones with my gear and none of them can do what the Empy's can. That being said I just got a ZMF Aeolus and these are the best I've tried with the smooth ease of listening like the Empyrean.
For my ears I think the Focal Clear has better sparkle and perceived resolution and detail than the Empyrean but i'm sure saying that in this thread is pretty taboo and not many others would agree with me here.
I owned the Aeolus as well. In my ear they sound lush in comparison. I didn't like them at all. Similar thing with Clears but for other reasons. I think Focal Clear and Utopia implement that kind of Focal house sound which many of their speakers with beryllium tweeter do as well. I just don't like it and find it rather tinny. I've probably slagged off a huge amount of people by now I'm not saying that any of those cans are bad, they are just not to my taste and I don't know if I'll find one that is.