Focal Clear

No sibilance, no distortion, enchantingly pleasant to listen to ; Lifelike vocals and instruments ; Luxurious ear pads and enduring comfort ; Excellent carry case and cable selection

More bass would have made them perfect ; Not designed to withstand reckless use ; You’ll need a good amplifier to get the most out of them

My ultimate test for a pair of headphones is how much I want to keep listening to them after a review is complete, and right now, I don’t care to listen to anything else.

Audio quality ; Overall build quality ; Materials chosen for the ear surrounds (memory foam) and headband (microfiber and leather) ; Cable quality and variety ; High quality carrying case ; Cables that flex more ; Included set of replaceable ear cushions

Cables that flex more ; Included set of replaceable ear cushions

Not cheap by any means, but the FOCAL CLEAR perform like much more expensive headphones. They are a tremendous value for the asking price. I really could not find fault with the sound of the Focal Clears. Other headphones may excel in the deepest...

Better sound than many $2,000 headphones we've heard ; Astounding, lush sound reproduction, with exceptional transparency, resolution, and dynamics ; Incredibly comfortable, thanks to exquisite materials and first-rate build quality

The price tag will be an insurmountable barrier for many ; Sound leakage is a downside to most every open-back headphone

Focal’s Clear open-back headphones are an astounding sonic achievement. Its name says what it does: It empowers you to hear your music clearly, without any barrier. But be warned! Auditioning Focal’s Clear headphones is like choosing the red pill from...

The very pinnacle of craftsmanship and build quality ; Very comfortable for extended listening sessions ; Warm and lush sound signature ; Lots of treble detail and resolution ; Controlled and punchy bass ; Efficient enough to pair well with a variety...

Treble may be rolled off for some tastes ; Warmer, non-neutral, and less detailed midrange may not suit all listeners ; Some users report extreme high-frequency pressure ; A 4-pin XLR to 6.35mm adapter would be a good inclusion as the single-ended...

($250) that can get the job done for a fraction of the cost, and has lots more features.

Is $1,499 a lot to pay for headphones? Well, how much is a lot? Only you can make the definitive decision about what is a good buy and what would be an undue burden on your checking account. Here’s how Focal thought through the problem. This formidable...