The Clear is simply clear. It reproduces what’s in the source and adds little else. If I was still heavily gaming I might buy a dedicated set of headphones (AKG?) for quasi spatialization and leave the Clear alone.
Regarding the issues with the Clear THX AAA 789 pairing, I just tried my test playlist with the following Clear sources:
Loser (4th Place): THX AAA 789 – The main issue is that it grabs the attack phase of every note and exaggerates the intended volume. Even very clean and mild vocals (e.g., Tori Amos, Norah Jones, Paul Simon) become harsh and sharp. With EDM or electric guitar music the exaggerated notes add up to shrill peaks and painful whines. As the initial point of each note becomes louder, this also throws off the natural timing of many musical phrases (e.g., too loud at the start rather than a smooth ramp-up). Timing issues do weaken and blur the soundstage.
3rd Place: iPad Mini 4th Generation (released several years ago) – Has a mild sandpaper roughness that destroys high-range details; slight grayness to everything. This saps the nuances from Clear. In addition, the noise turns into glare with female voices and brass instruments (i.e., it recreates the negative characteristics of the Focal Elex). Still, it’s better than the 789.
2nd Place: iPod Touch 6th Generation (most recent) – Quite respectable with no major flaws. Clean and black with good high end details. It’s underpowered for bass and dynamics, but I could use it without major complaint.
Winner: Loxjie P20 with replacement 6N3-E triple mica tubes and an upgraded power supply. Despite its high output impedance (and theoretical bass bloat with the Clear) the bass definition is about the same as the rest. As a desktop unit it has more oomph than the Apple devices (bass is roughly equal to the 789). Triple mica tubes retain the details and slightly warm the delivery. Normal dynamics; not piercing at all.