Pho
Nice review!
The Clears are indeed a very special dynamic driver headphone with such a nice accurate tonality. The “Clear” moniker seemed abit "hokey"until you listen with them…awesome cans.
Enjoy the music!!
Alex
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What EQ software do you use?
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What headband did you end up using?
I ordered one each of these hand bands. The Black one went on my Focal Elegia, and the Grey one went on the Focal Clear.
I thought the black one was made better and has firmer snaps. I ordered the Black one most recently.
Hope that helps…
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Just tried out your EQ and I really like it! When I was playing around with EQ earlier today I was trying to mess around 105Hz… but bringing up 86Hz sounds a lot better to me.
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Recently bought the Clear and I haven’t done a lot of comparing to my other headphones, but so far 
However I’m getting some creaking on the right side of the headband when I move the right ear cup. It’s not a big deal because I haven’t noticed it while they are just sitting still but I’m pretty sure this is a new thing since I didn’t notice any issue when I first got them. I’m seriously thinking I should contact Focal for a fix or replacement. I’d accept this noise on most other headphones but not something in this price range.
Anyway I thought I’d post here as a first step. See if anyone has any advice or similar experience.
I’ve read reports of creaky Focal hardware elsewhere. If I flex mine I can make them creak sometimes too – but this doesn’t happen in actual wear or use. I take it as a function of dry metal rubbing against dry metal rather than unexpected or a defect. Metal will always squeak or scrape without lubrication. One could apply a bit of light, unscented machine oil I suppose.
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I think dry lube (teflon powder) could work well actually.
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Thanks to you both. I’ll post here what I decide to do and the results.
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Curious to hear how you go. Both sides of mine creak a lot when moving them around or putting them on. I never really thought to try and fix it, but curious if you have any luck.
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What EQ program do you guys use?
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I use EqualizerAPO with Peace UI https://sourceforge.net/projects/peace-equalizer-apo-extension/
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Got the Dekoni Elite Velour pads in, @Resolve 's comparison clinched it. First impressions are very positive. Comfort is actually better than OG pads and bass is slightly boosted like the video promised.
I hate the idea of dirtying up the original headphone more, so here we go. That headband’s knit thingy is from my HE500. Already tried the EQ suggestions with my own tweaks (like -1,5db at 125hz for my mid-bass bloom hating ears). This far I’m very happy with the Dekonis and quite okay with the new black look 
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It looks great! I might have to give the Dekoni’s a whirl. Thanks.
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A light grey fenestrated sheepskin pad would surely be a hit, if Dekoni can make 'em. Some Utopia vibe for the Clears…That would look cool as hell, also not change color as easily.
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Update on my creaking issue: it stopped. At least while I am wearing them. I don’t know if it was the weather or what but I haven’t noticed it happening recently and I can’t get them to creak while wearing them. They still creak a bit if I take them off and flex the headband, but that isn’t an issue for me.
Focal doesn’t have a support contact that I can find. Instead they direct you to contact the dealer. So I reached out to headphones.com where I bought them for advice. Unfortunately that confirmed what I suspected, which is that there isn’t anything I can try that wouldn’t potentially void the warranty.
Sorry but the risk to reward ratio is too high for me to try any of your suggestions. If it starts again I will probably try to get a warranty replacement.
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Adjust them for a snug fit as you wear them. They’ll creak if they are too loose and thereby have the potential to move.
Search for “squeak” and “creak” in the items below.
See posts #485 and #486:
https://headphonist.com/review-focal-elear-attainable-mid-range-hifi/
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Currently I adjust the headband as short as I can or pressure points develop below my ears. Perhaps this is what has changed rather than the weather.
Finding the right headband length is tricky for me with most headphones. Longer lengths have less clamp force but apply that force too low and don’t distribute the weight across the headband. Shorter lengths increase the clamp force and start to pull up against my ear lobes which drives me nuts. I think I have a wider than average head which is making heavy or high clamp headphones uncomfortable. 
Yeah that’s me wearing my portable headphone amp. Pretty slick and as you can see it has balanced connectors!
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