Focal Clear MG Review: Worth The Money?
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Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions, so…
Today’s Focal Clear MG Review will cover build, comfort, sound, amplification needs, genre pairing, and more.
Why Listen To Me?
I’ve spent nearly 20 years mixing, EQing, and critically listening to music, with hands-on experience across over 200 pieces of audio gear. My focus is simple: break down how something actually sounds/performs, determine price to performance, and help you decide if it’s right for your setup.
- Required Reading: My Ethos
Build Quality
The Clear MG headphones, much like their predecessors, exemplify Focal’s commitment to premium craftsmanship.
The build quality is exceptional. The M-shaped magnesium dome drivers, perforated microfiber earpads, combined with an all metal + leather profile results in headphones that exude luxury and durability.
They also feel substantial in your hands, and the attention to detail in their construction is quite evident.
Focal has maintained its reputation for creating headphones that look and feel high-end.
With their eye-catching chestnut color, mixed-metal finish, and honeycomb grille, these headphones are quite gorgeous and also feel great in your hands.
For added convenience, they come with multiple cables to accommodate various consumer devices and balanced headphone amplifiers.
Additionally, a 3.5mm-to-1/4″ adapter is included, along with a protective carrying case for on-the-go use.
Comfort
Comfort is often a make-or-break factor when it comes to headphones, and Focal has consistently excelled in this area.
The Clear MG is no exception, providing a comfortable listening experience even during extended sessions.
The plush ear cushions and well-padded headband make these headphones suitable for long hours of use without causing discomfort or fatigue.
Furthermore, the clamping force on the sides and top of your head is near perfect, even despite them weighing in at a substantial 450 grams.
They, like most of Focal’s lineup, are fairly bulky, but feel good on your head and aren’t overly intrusive like something from Audeze’s lineup.
Sound
- Amps: Naim Uniti Atom, McIntosh MHA200
- Source: Roon, FLAC’s got your back.
The Clear MG headphones offer a balanced sound signature and clean overall profile; a testament to Focal’s dedication to audio excellence, at least in this particular case.
They strike a harmonious balance between clarity, detail, and a smooth, resolving sound.
The bass response is commendable, providing depth without overpowering the mids and highs.
It thumps without getting out of line, with a nice texture and articulation that allows you to hear individual bass notes rather than feeling them rattle your brain into oblivion.
With hardly any roll off to speak of in the sub-bass regions, and a mostly flat profile, the bass here is exemplary and one of Focal’s greatest strengths.
Additionally, 200-300 Hz, while not cut completely, isn’t boosted higher than Jupiter and dips slightly. This is basically one of the ideal ways to tune bass, and Focal gets high marks for it.
Mid-Range
While the mid-range, as is typical with Focal headphones, may appear slightly recessed to some listeners, it is well-integrated into the overall signature and doesn’t sound lost due to the boost at 1kHz, recovery at 3kHz, and the overall excellent resolution that the MG provides.
Some emphasis around 1kHz is key for intelligibility and definition across most instruments, and the Clear MG has it in spades.
Vocals and instruments stand out without becoming in your face, but they also don’t sound muffled or distant, as in the case of something like an Elegia.
The treble may not contain that sparkle that some users will inevitably crave, but it makes for fatigue-free listening over extended sessions, which is always a plus.
Yes, it could use a bit more sparkle, as at times, the Clear MG may lack that zip and zest that other headphones provide in spades – sometimes to their detriment.
In other words, the MG can sound a tad blank when you’re listening to it, but the tuning is definitely on point.
This blankness issue is definitely more of a problem in the Celestee, but it’s there nonetheless.
That said, this profile aligns with what the Focal House sound is known for—precision and clarity.
- Perforated microfibre earpads: extended soundstage
- Headband covered with leather and microfibre
- ‘M’-shaped grille following the curve of the speaker driver: better high-frequency reproduction
- Solid aluminum yoke which molds to your face shape
- Honeycomb grille for even more open sound
In addition, Focal has made significant improvements in the sound department with the Clear MG, addressing issues present in previous models like the Stellia, Elegia, Elear, and Celestee.
The most notable improvement is the more balanced sound signature, which leads to better resolution and overall instrument timbre.
That is to say that you can absolutely hear the difference when going back and forth between this headphone and the Celestee.
You’ll notice that the latter sounds a bit janky, muffled, and ragged due to, in my opinion, its somewhat overemphasized mid-bass response and jagged signature moving into the mids and treble.
The Clear MG, by contrast, is much more sure of itself and sounds pristine when going back and forth.
It’s also going to sound less claustrophobic due to its more open-sounding nature, with a propensity for better Soundstage and separation.
It strikes an impressive balance between different frequency ranges, delivering a smooth and coherent audio experience.
This quality was lacking in the aforementioned models, ones with either strange peaks and dips, a mid-range that was simply missing, or, in the case of the Stellia (and to an extent the Celestee), a weird-sounding bass response that kind of ruined the rest of the signature.
To be fair, it was much worse in the case of the Stellia, as I thought the Celestee, while significantly flawed, was at least listenable.
Amplification
In terms of amplification, the Clear MG is relatively easy to drive with an impedance of 55 ohms and a sensitivity of 104 dB.
While they don’t require a high-powered amplifier to perform at their best, having a quality source and amplification setup can still enhance the listening experience to an extent, although this won’t be a night-and-day difference.
I used both the Naim Uniti Atom and McIntosh MHA200, but I firmly believe these are overkill for this particular headphone.
If you’re interested in a sensible option, I like the FiiO K5/K7 or ATOM paired with an ATOM DAC.
Genre Pairing
The Clear MG headphones are versatile when it comes to genre compatibility.
They handle a wide range of music styles admirably, making them suitable for audiophiles who appreciate diversity in their music library.
Whether you’re into Hip-Hop, Classical, Rock, Jazz, Folk, Metal, Pop, or electronic music, these headphones deliver a balanced and engaging listening experience across a diverse array of genres.
With hip-hop, you’ll get a clean, textured response, with detailed notes and the ability to hear bass lines rather than feel them rattling your brain. Classical lovers will appreciate the smooth, balanced sound and splendid resolution across instruments. Rock & Metal heads will love the raw transparency that the Clear MG provides, allowing crunchy guitars to shine through the mix with incredible detail.
Closing Thoughts
The Clear MG headphones represent a significant step forward in Focal’s ongoing quest for audio perfection.
They maintain Focal’s reputation for exceptional build quality and comfort while addressing previous sound issues found in models like the Stellia, Elegia, Elear, and Celestee.
Their balanced sound signature, with a well-controlled bass response and a slightly recessed mid-range, embodies the quintessential Focal audio experience.
While they may not reach the lofty heights of the Utopia, the Clear MG headphones are undoubtedly among the best that Focal has to offer, catering to discerning audiophiles who demand both style and substance in their listening devices.
However, the question of whether they are worth their roughly $1,300-$1,500 price tag may leave some prospective buyers pondering.
Sure, the MG is much improved over its predecessors, but it’s still not worth over $1,000 in my opinion.
For instance, a headphone like the HIFIMAN Arya Organic is basically half the price and sounds better to my ears.
Additionally, they face stiff competition, even within the Focal family.
For those who seek the absolute best in Focal’s headphone offerings, the Utopia remains the undisputed champion.
It set the bar incredibly high in terms of audio fidelity, and I haven’t heard anything better since about 2017.
However, the Clear MG confidently secures the second position in Focal’s lineup, delivering a fantastic listening experience that comes decently close to the Utopia (let’s be honest, they set the bar REALLY high), all while offering a more accessible price point.
Considering the exceptional sound, comfort, and craftsmanship you’re getting with the Clear MG, a price point of around $700-$800 would likely be more in line with its overall value proposition.
That is to say that even despite this positive review, I can’t justify $1,500, but I’d certainly consider paying that much for a Utopia.
I just don’t think that the Clear MG’s sound, even though it’s an excellent headphone, is worth 3x as much as an Edition XS or Ananda.
So, if you’d like to experience the step-up from mid-fi without forking over an arm and a leg, go with either of those headphones: Ananda Nano for something a bit brighter, XS for a more subdued profile.
If you want a step up from the Nano/XS, get an Arya Organic. At around $769, it’s a much better value than a Clear MG.
- Nanometer Thickness Diaphragm A breakthrough core technology developed by HIFIMAN and first of its kind in headphone application. Working with this advanced material is extremely challenging yet the successful incorporation of this film as the Arya’s planar driver is the cornerstone of its remarkable sound.
- Acoustically Invisible Stealth Magnet: Unlike the sound waves created by a conventional magnet, the special shape of Stealth Magnets enables the waves to pass through the magnets without generating interference. HIFIMAN’s advanced magnet design is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing wave diffraction turbulence that degrades the integrity of the sound waves. The reduced distortion yields pure sonic output that is accurate and full-range.
- Craftsmanship: The metal structure is created via CNC milling and hand polishing. To meet the critical standard set out by HIFIMAN,the surface finishing is handled and refined by meticulous craftsmen.
- Patented “Window Shade” System: Created to meet the need for driver protection and an optimized open-back design. Asymmetrical Ear Cups: Follows the natural shape of the human ear. The Headband: Ergonomic and comfortable headband design for most people, with greater reliability and durability.
- Sturdy 3.5mm User-replaceable Connector Design: Allows easy cable swapping, giving both maximum durability and enhanced customizability. Cable: The Arya keeps things simple with a single Crystalline Copper cable. Featuring a 6.35mm plug and a jet black woven exterior finish it’s the perfect complement to the sound and sight of the Arya.
Focal Clear MG: Pricing
Price: Check Amazon! | B&H! | eBay!
In The Box
Focal Clear MG Open-Back Headphones (Chestnut and Mixed Metal Finish)
Cable with 3.5m Jack
Cable with 4-Pin XLR Jack
3.5mm to 1/4″ Adapter
Carrying Case
Limited 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Specifications
- Driver Type: Dynamic, full-range drivers
- Impedance: 55 ohms
- Sensitivity: 104 dB SPL / 1 mW @ 1 kHz
- Frequency Response: 5Hz – 28kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.25% @ 1 kHz / 100 dB SPL
- Weight: 450 grams (0.99 lbs)
- Cable Length: 3 meters (9.8 feet), detachable
- Connector: 3.5mm (1/8″) stereo mini-jack plug, with 1/4″ (6.35mm) adapter included
- Accessories: A hard-shell carrying case for protection and transport.
Well, that’s about it for today folks! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Focal Clear MG Review and came away with some valuable insight.
Thoughts on the MG? Is it worth $1500? I would love to hear from you. Until next time..
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Let me know in the comments below or contact me!! I would love to hear from you…
Until then, all the best and God bless…
-Stu
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I enjoyed reading this review. After trying out the Clear MG for a few days I agree with your bottom line here Stu. Personally I prefer the Hifiman Edition XS for most of what I listen to, but I did like the timbre and bass qualities of the Clear MG, and they are indeed very stylish. If the Clear MG was significantly cheaper I would keep it as a nice counterpoint to the XS since they have different flavors, but will be returning it. I am considering trying out the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth at some point in the future, which could be the end game for me if it lives up to the reviews I have read.
Stu,
Great to hear from you!
Yeah, I think the Clear MG is the best option outside of the Utopia, but to be honest with you, I’m still a bit underwhelmed by most of this lineup. I think pretty much all Focal headphones are overpriced though the build, comfort, and overall aesthetic are top. The problem is that, for me at least, the sound doesn’t quite match up to expectations and there’s a clear (no pun intended) disconnect between what they charge vs. what you’re actually getting. In other words, it’s good, but not for those prices. That said, the XS is an amazing value and a great headphone! I recommend it a lot. Keep me posted on the HE1000!
Best,
-Stu