[pataburd]

How close?
. . . and in what respect(s)?

 

[texx2818]

How close?
. . . and in what respect(s)?

I think overall sound signature, they are incredibly similar, but the Clear has more punch and slam. The 800S pulls ahead in soundstage, listening to orchestra on the 800S is the equivalent of being there.

 

[pataburd]

I find the ["sticker"-modded] HD8xx* to be more resolving than the Clear OG**.
The Clear are ahead in terms of bass presence and macro-dynamics [as you, too, observe].

(*) w/Audio Envy ToneKraft cable and Oratory 1990 EQ
(**) w/NeoTech UPOCC hybrid Ag + Cu cable and Oratory 1990 EQ

 

[Shane D]

If anyone is considering getting a Focal Clear OG, they are on sale right now at headphones.com for $750.00. Pretty good price!

 

[Ben86]

Ordered and tried couple balanced 4.4 cables for my Clear OG and Elegia.

1. Meze 99 Series | Silver-Plated OFC Copper 4.4 cable. (50-60€).

Build quality and practicality impressions:

Extremely lightweight, but feels very cheap regarding of materials being used and overall look. L and R contacts barely holds and stays inside earcups of both Focal headphones.

Sound impressions:

Lacks a lot in sound quality compared to original stock Focal cables. Narrower soundstage, a bit muffled high frequencies and bass. After first two minutes usage don't want to use it anymore. Maybe this cable sounds better with Meze99, but with my Clear OG and Elegia it lacks in each sound and build department compared to stock Focal cables.

2. OpenHeart 4.4 balanced cable for Focal headphones. (30€)

Build quality and practicality impressions:

Good build quality, weights a bit more compared to Meze and original Focal cables, but feels reliable and convenient.

Sound impressions:

Sound out of the box is much better compared to Meze cable. OpenHeart cable sound is very similar to stock Focal cable. Did not hear any difference in bass and soundstage compared to stock Focal cables, but OpenHeart cable lacks just a bit in detail retrieval and refinement. Instruments in high frequencies and vocals sound just a little bit muffled and not so clear engaging and refined as with original Focal cable. The difference in sound quality is about 20% compared to stock cables.

So I decided to stick with stock Focal cables until I will find something better and more convenient.

Next I'm considering to try "FiiO LL-RC 2024" modular cable I really need a good sounding quality 4.4 balanced cable to use with my DAP on the go, but I don't want to spend more than 100€ for it

 

[pataburd]

You might try something from Arctic Cables. I am quite happy with their $99+ DEFINE hpc [for the AKG K812], made with UPOCC copper.

https://www.arcticcables.com/ac-store/Define-p470813155

 

[pataburd]

If anyone is considering getting a Focal Clear OG, they are on sale right now at headphones.com for $750.00. Pretty good price!

That's half the original MSRP(!).
That is a pretty good price.
Makes you wonder . . .

 

[Shane D]

That's half the original MSRP(!).
That is a pretty good price.
Makes you wonder . . .

When they first came out they were $1,999.00 in Canada, plus tax (15%). And so I bought the Elex's, which were Great for a few years.
I was then thrilled to get my Clear's for about $880.00US. I think they were open box special's.

While this hobby, in the high end, has gotten insane, there is a TON of great value in the entry level/mid-fi tiers.

 

[Sp12er3]

More initial impressions:
Earlier I was running these off of the Woo Tube Mini, I am currently jamming the FiiO Q15, and while the punch is more subdued, the Clear are very effortless. Not my 800S, but close.

I think Clear's biggest advantage is it's driveability.

 

[Erick Muller]

I think Clear's biggest advantage is it's driveability.

Yep, I was able to drive them to complete satisfaction with my Cayin RU7 using my iphone as the source.

 

[16tons]

I have the clear og since few days, they are better than I thought, even more resolving than the grado rs2x but less fatiguing

 

[16tons]

I like both, the grado wins for lightness and comfort, especially now that's getting warmer here in Italy. The clear sounds better in mostly cases but its original price was about the triple of the rs2x. Anyway I need only one openback

 

[Shane D]

I like both, the grado wins for lightness and comfort, especially now that's getting warmer here in Italy. The clear sounds better in mostly cases but its original price was about the triple of the rs2x. Anyway I need only one openback

My favourite two, for years, has been Focal/Grado. It evolved from:
1) Focal Elex's/Grado GH2's
To
2) Focal Clear's (OG)/Grado GH2's.

Between the two, I can get everything that I need, musically.
All the rest are just toys for variety.

 

[Erick Muller]

I've been listening again to the Clear's, mostly the Jazz at the Pawnshop album and man are their great for that, super relaxing and smooth sounding but really dynamic at the same time, I also tested my Cayin RU7 upsampling to DSD on HQPlayer and oh boy, the went up another level, still, they're missing something that the LCD-X does have, the main difference between the two it's that with the clear's I'm perfectly aware that I'm listening to a pair of headphones and sometimes with the LCD-X it has those magical moments that it transports me as if it was a live presentation. Nonetheless, I think I have a greater appreciation of the clear's, I would say that it's a more refine tunning compare to the LCD-X but it's not as grand as it can sometimes be, both can be mesmerizing at times in different ways.