Alright thanks. So I can just use the 6.3mm single ended right?
Yes. Both options work.
Any ideas when measurements might be made available from the new B&K rig?
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Still enjoying my Clear OG, my most used headphone. Finding the perfect backup amp when not on tubes aināt easy 
These 3 are all different. iFi Zen Stack has the most character and does its iFi thing with the sound, Diablo is the smoothest, relaxed and plays differently than Zen, Rebelamp is the most dynamic. And as Clear already is very dynamic the Rebelamp pairing is one h 
ll of a ride.
Diablo was more dynamic at medium gain than on low and medium was more of the sweet spot soundwise, but not much volume travel when using the Clear sadly.
The balanced 4,4mm cable is ivipQ 98.
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Such a good morning. And one of my favourite pairings for Clear OG. ZDT Jr adds even more dynamics to the Clear sound, so watch your ears.
iFi Zen Stream ā Hegel HD12 - > Eddie Current ZDT Jr - Focal Clear
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Hello everyone, Iām looking for a piece of advice on a good amp pairing for OG Clear in the $400-1000 price range.
I currently have an SMSL SP200 and to my ears it sounds too clinical and slightly too bright with the Clear. I also keep getting a feeling that itās lacking base, even if I EQ it adding a few db bass shelf.
Iād appreciate something that is warmer, to liven up the lower end of the spectrum. Ideally this new amp should also help expanding a rather narrow soundstage.
Not sure Iām ready to go with the tubes, but both solid state and tube options are welcome.
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First, what is your DAC?
Second, the SMSL SP200 is also known as the THX AAA 888. Per my old THX AAA 789, this is likely one of the worst possible pairings for the Clear. The Clear is bright and has very defined edges. The family of THX AAA amps are bright, have limited bass, and emphasize edge definition.
Clinical and bright indeed. Would you like some broken glass in your cup of ice?
To warm up the Clear, I recommend iFiās DACs and amps (several models and price points), the warmer Schiit amps (e.g., Lyr or Jotenheim) and DACs (e.g., Modi Multibit 2 or Bifrost 2/64), and the RebelAmp.
Soundstage is a often a function of the driver shape and may not be changeable. However, you might find an add-on spatializer useful (or find it to sound fake).
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First, what is your DAC?
SMSL Sanskrit 10th
To warm up the Clear, I recommend iFiās DACs and amps (several models and price points), the warmer Schiit amps (e.g., Lyr or Jotenheim) and DACs (e.g., Modi Multibit 2 or Bifrost 2/64), and the RebelAmp.
I keep an eye on RebelAmp since my HE6se2 adventure. Nice that itās a good pairing with the Clear as well.
Which iFi amp or combo should I look into with <$1000?
Soundstage is a often a function of the driver shape and may not be changeable. However, you might find an add-on spatializer useful (or find it to sound fake).
I tried software spatializers before and they do sound fake. Soundstaging varies from amp to amp though, e.g. with my Beyerdynamic headphones the SMSL combo sounded much bigger and better defined than my old Dragonfly Red dongle. I donāt notice such a difference between them with the Clear though.
It has an AKM 4493 ā thatās a middle-of-the-road and very standard delta sigma DAC chipset. To my ears itās neutral, and neither warm nor bright. Consider multibit as an alternative and often warmer sound profile.
I have a <$200 iFi ZenDAC in a secondary system, but thatās below your price range. Itās warm or at least doesnāt emphasize treble, and has a bass boost function suitable for the Clear or the HD 600. IMO the ZenDAC pairs well with the OG Clear but doesnāt get the most (detail/layering/depth) from the headphones.
iFi has several models ranging into the thousands of dollars, but Iām not experienced with all of them. I suggest looking at reviews and the iFi threads. The iDSD Diablo and NEO iDSD are in your price range.
The Clear behaves like the Clear. In my experience Focal headphones just donāt have wide soundstages. They are great at dynamics, clarity, and localization but not width.
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As @generic recommended as an option, check out the Rebelamp. It should drive the Clear without issue and will add some body and warmth; staging is good too. Rebelamp - join the Rebellion!
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It WILL drive the Clearā¦easilyā¦and the HD 800 S easilyā¦andā¦
I have both.
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I would 2nd the Schiit amps as well, plus they are somewhat less expensive (if buying new) than the Rebel. The Jot 2 may be somewhat more versatile if used with 4 pin XLR headphone cabling, as it can deliver more power than the Rebel amp.
Having said that, the Clears are very efficient, and can be driven with almost anything. Plus they can sound really fantastic, especially with a bit warmer sounding DAC/amp combo! 
Good choices either way.
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The essence of the Rebel is that itās so overbuilt that it never needs to strain in real world use. It thereby delivers full, rich, transparent, high-quality Class A sound. The designers didnāt attempt to win a spec war, and thereby maximized its output quality.
My Lyr 3 is physically half the size the Rebel and delivers a lot more power (9 wpc / 16 ohms vs. 0.95 W / 32 ohms). However, the Lyr doesnāt deliver the staging or nuances or coherence of the Rebel, even when run on the LISST. The Lyr always comes across as a bit hot and sizzling soundwise.
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Iād be interested in where you landed with EQ on the OG Clear. Iāve been experimenting for months but always seem to end up liking Oratoryās Harman preset the best (but not perfect).
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Sure, Iāll share you my EQ here. Keep in mind that itās suited to my taste and you might need to adjust it. For me, It corrects the forward upper mids, which Im not a fan, and gives it the treble extension that I was missing. Also, you gotta consider that I listen to low/normal volume levels and people who listen louder may find this bright or sharp. Give it a try anyways 
There are 12 bands but if you are limited to 10, just donāt use the ones on 3136hz and 200hz
Also, I use a pre gain of -7,5 db to avoid any clipping.
Here are the pics from the Qudelix 5k
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Hi i was wondering if any one can suggest a good headband replacement? I want to try and build a high end Bluetooth reciver into one, but think it best not to pull apart the original one.
Moving the conversation to the Clear threadā¦
Take a look at @Resolveās post on the main headphones dot com website about pad rolling.
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I bought the Dekoni Velour Solid recommended by Resolve to use with Focal Clear OGās. To my ears, the result was bloated and overpowering bassāI sent them right back to Amazon. Chacun a son goutā¦
I donāt disagree, but this is both amp and taste dependent. Iāve run those Dekoni pads happily on leaner amps, but find them too warm and bloated on others. My solution is to turn down the lower midrange with an EQ to retain the beneficial deep bass. The Clear typically struggles with deep bass.
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Just received my Focal Clears I ordered from Headphones.com. I had to pull the trigger at the price-point offered. I was impressed with their order processing. I ordered around noon on June 13th and received them on the 15th.
I just finished testing all of the cables and the Clear comes with 3. A shorter single ended cable with a 3.5mm connector and adapter and two longer cables, 6.35 single ended and XLR balanced. Comes with a very nice case. All was good. I have been burned in the past with a defective cable.
I am driving these with a Windows 11 PC running Musicbee, a Schiit Bifrost 2/64 DAC and a Schiit Jotunheim amp (original version). Running totally balanced. I also have a little Fosi P1 tube preamp that I run through the SE connection between the DAC and the amp when I am in the mood for something differentā¦
Spent most of my time listening through the XLR cable. These sound so much better than anything I have owned. I was hearing things that I never have before.
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds is my go to test record because of the variety of instruments and the vocals. Also Isaac Hayes - theme from Shaft, Grateful Deadās Unbroken Chain and Teach Your Children, Nilsson Schmilsson and Henry Manciniās Theme from Peter Gunn.
My regular headphones are the Hifiman Sundara and the Sennheiser HD6XX. Also have the Mitchell and Johnson JP1 closed back and Audio Technica ATH-M40X that donāt get a lot of ear time. I think the HD6XX, the JP1 and the M40X are eBay bound as I do like the Sundara better than those other three.
Iām not a knowledgeable audiophile so I canāt comment on things like soundstage and frequency drop-off but I can say these really sound great. And unlike a lot of other āhigher-endā headphones, these are incredibly efficient. I really canāt turn my amp up much past 9 oāclock without things getting too loud for my old ears.
Overall, I am incredibly pleased with my purchase. I briefly considered the Clear MG but for almost $700 more I really couldnāt justify it. I couldnāt imagine they would be that much different than the original version. I think I will be quite happy with the Sundara and these Clears for quite a while. I am thinking about upgrading my amp though, maybe to the Jotunheim 2.
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