Focal Clear

Description:

Key features

• Open-back design for use at home
• Exclusive full-range speaker driver with an ‘M’-shape Aluminum/Magnesium dome (patent pending)
• Excellent performance when connected to an audiophile portable stereo
• A listening experience very close to that provided by high-fidelity loudspeakers
• Comfortable and ergonomic

What is it?

Clear are audiophile circum-aural open-back headphones. They represent a new evolution of Focal’s now famous completely open-back full-range speaker driver. The ‘M’-shape Aluminum/Magnesium dome benefits from a new copper voice coil. This provides remarkable dynamics over the entire audio spectrum; bass that is always controlled, even at high volumes, and exemplary linearity in the high-end. The new generation of perforated microfibre ear cushions give the headphones an extremely open design. The user will completely forget Clear are even there, and will be overcome by the feeling of listening to the best loudspeakers on the market.

A key factor for realistic sound through headphones is acoustic impedance. Apart from their weight, users sense the headphones, even open-back models, as a change of space, which translates into a sensation of going from one room to a smaller room. To solve this problem, Clear have been designed with new microfibre ear cushions. Ear pads are as important for headphones as a listening room is for loudspeakers. The 1mm diameter micro-perforations on the outer edge of the ear cushions offer unrivalled openness in this price range. This enhances the feeling of being in a listening room and not listening to headphones. The other advantage of the design is the extreme tolerance to ear cup position, regardless of the user’s head size or shape. This provides sound with unprecedented uniformity, guaranteeing higher levels of performance for everyone. In terms of design, the finish of the ear cushions has been mirrored under the headband, with a blend of grey leather on top and grey microfibre fabric underneath.

How does it work?

The innovation initiated with the speaker drivers for Elear and Utopia headphones is gaining momentum with the launch of Clear. The very light weight of the mobile parts in each of these products has resulted in the creation of a specific production line at the site in Saint-Étienne (France), making it possible to achieve exceptional levels of precision. Once the five steps of the speaker driver manufacturing phase have been completed, all the transducers are tested and measured, before being paired. Thus, each pair of headphones benefits from speaker drivers offering an identical frequency response curve at +/- 0.5dB! Focal continues its quest for absolute acoustics with a new reference in the headphones market. Capable of reproducing the slightest details, offering tonal neutrality, remarkable dynamics and transients worthy of the best loudspeakers, Clear will be sure to meet the expectations of the most demanding music lovers.

The solid Aluminum yoke developed is also impressive, both in terms of the purity of the design and in terms of comfort. The yoke doesn’t have traditional vertically rotating mechanics, as this has been integrated into the headband. In addition to this, the asymmetry of the attachment points connecting the yoke to the ear cup improves the distribution of pressure, ensuring excellent sealing and optimum comfort.

What’s in the box?

• Focal Clear Circumaural Open-Back Audiophile Headphones
• Hard, elegant carrying case with storage for one cable
• 3 cables: 1 x 1.2m with 3.5mm stereo jack for connection to audiophile portable devices
  1 x 3m with 6.35mm stereo jack connector
  1 x 3m with XLR 4 pin symmetrical connector
• Optional: stand to display your Clear headphones in your home