The Focal Clear MG and Sennheiser HD800S are both popular high-end audiophile headphones, available at a similar price point. While the HD800S was introduced in 2016, its design can be traced back to 2009 when the nearly identical HD800 was first released. The primary distinction lies in the black color and the addition of dampening material in the ring driver’s center, addressing the notorious treble peak issue.
At the time of HD800’s debut in 2009, Focal had not even entered the headphone market. Their first headphone, the Spirit One, came out in 2012, The Spirit One was a portable realistically affordable headphone, it wasn’t a serious high-end offering. Focal’s entry into the high-end headphone realm began with the launch of the Utopia in 2016, earning a reputation as one of the world’s finest headphones. Subsequently, they introduced the Elear later that year and followed up with the original Clear in 2017.
The Clear MG, introduced in 2021, represents Focal’s effort to push the Clear’s capabilities even further and has garnered many positive reviews. Nevertheless, some audiophiles still prefer the original Clear’s tuning. Similarly, with the HD800S, there are enthusiasts who favor the discontinued HD800, often citing less precise bass response and loss of imaging capabilities.
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BUILD QUALITY AND COMFORT
The Focal Clear MG has a solid build quality with lots of metal but inevitably also some plastic components. It features memory foam ear cushions in perforated microfiber fabric, providing good comfort. The headband has soft, comfortable padding too.
The Sennheiser HD800S is also well-built and has large, comfortable ear cups. The iconic design of the HD800 and HD800S makes them arguably the most comfortable headphones ever. The unique design of the ear cups is claimed to contribute to its large soundstage.
SPECIFICATIONS HD800S
- Sensitivity: 102 dB (SPL @ 1 V)
- Impedance: 300 Ω
- Frequency response: (speaker) 4 Hz – 51,000 Hz
- Total harmonic distortion (THD): < 0.02 % (1 kHz 1 Vrms)
- Cable connector on headphone: Proprietary 3 pin connectors.
- Cable length 3 m x 2 cables
- Cable with 6.35 mm jack plug
- Cable with balanced 4.4 mm jack plug
- Transducer principle: dynamic, open
- Weight 330 g
- Ear coupling: circumaural
- Magnetic field: 10.5 mT
- Article number (SKU): 506911
- Included in the box: Headphones. 2 x 3m cables: One unbalanced 6.35 mm TRS and one balanced 4.4 Pentaconn. User manual.
SPECIFICATIONS CLEAR MG
- Impedance: 55 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 104dB SPL / 1 mW @ 1kHz
- THD: 0.25% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL
- Frequency response: 5Hz – 28kHz
- Speaker driver: 1 ⅝” (40mm) ‘M’-shaped magnesium dome
- Cable connector on headphone: Standard 3.5 mm
- Cables supplied:
- 1.2m mini-jack cable with ¼”/6.35mm) jack adapter
- 1 x 3m 4-pin XLR cable
- 1 jack adapter, 3.5mm female – ¼”/6.35mm) male
- Carrying case provided: 250x240x120mm
- Weight: 450g / 0.99lbs
- Included in the box: 2 cables, one short cable that terminates in 3.5mm connection and one long that ends in a 4-pin XLR termination. A 1/4″ adapter is also included. Nice carrying case.
When it comes to pricing, the Sennheiser HD800S is generally priced higher than the Focal Clear MG. In the US the difference is $1800 vs $1500, which makes the HD800S 20% more expensive.
You can check out the current prices of Focal Clear MG at Amazon here – and Sennheiser HD800S here. As an Amazon associate we might get a small provision if you decide buy a qualifying product with these links.
COMPARISONS
I have compared these two headphones side by side using three different amplifiers based on different principles. The Auralic Taurus is a powerful class A solid-state amplifier, the Woo WA22 is a transformer-coupled tube amplifier and the Monolith uses the THX “Achromatic Audio Amplifier” technology.
As a source I used the RME ADI-2 DAC FS for all comparisons.
AURALIC TAURUS AMPLIFIER WITH HD800S AND CLEAR MG
10:15 Saturday Night by The Cure
The spaciousness and instrument separation on the HD800S is insane. This recording brings out the best of the HD800S. The drums hit quite hard too. Really a great performance.
The Clear MG also sounds very spacious, but more left right and less out of your head. The sound is a bit warmer, the bass fuller. The vocals sound a lot closer with the Clear MG. It’s a more intimate presentation but still very open compared to most headphones. Both are very detailed sounding.
Richter 852-2 and 3 by Bill Frisell
This modern contemporary music is composed by guitarist Bill Frisell. A blend of classical strings and electric guitar. Here the spaciousness is not too different between them, but the HD800S sounds more distant. It’s also drier sounding. I tend to find that the separation is cleaner with the HD800S, but the Clear MG had a more natural tone and timbre.
Akka-Safad by Faraj Suleiman
Fascinating genre mix from Palestinian pianist Suleiman. The piano is crisp and clear, yet with nice natural warmth with the Clear MG. The bass is really good. Impactful and satisfying without being too much – just right. No need for an EQ bass shelf.
The HD800S sounds very clear and the music floats around you like in a big bubble. The bass is much less pronounced, even if it goes deep, and has some punch and great texture.
Cold Cold Heart by Norah Jones
The bass is very nice with the HD800S, very tight and precise. Huge soundstage and lots of detail. The best is a bit more powerful and has a bit more bloom with the Clear MG. It delivers a very spacious performance as well but again it is not quite up there. The female vocals are significantly more crisp with the Focal, which seems to me to be caused by more upper midrange energy. I normally prefer the Clear MG for its more natural presentation, but I find the bass to be perfect, the mid-range to be spot on and the treble and sound stage as well. The Clear MG isn’t really inferior, on another day my preference might shift.
Angel by Massive Attack
Strong yet well-balanced and tactile bass from the Clear MG. The HD800S is very different. The bass is there, is deep and detailed but lacks the fullness and punch of the Clear MG. Vocals and everything else are placed further away and further apart. With the Clear MG, this track is warm and full-bodied, with the HD800S, it’s quite bright and dry-sounding. This is a clear win for the Clear MG.
Almost Like the Blues by Leonard Cohen
The sense of space with the HD800S is quite special. The Sennheiser feels like you’re seated a lot further away than the Focal, which isn’t really lacking in the sound-stage department to begin with. The HD800S is still a headphone, but it’s something special in this regard.
The tuning is however a lot more to my liking with the Clear MG. It is more intimate but more natural and full-bodied. With regards to technical detail, I tend to favour the HD800S.
WOO WA22 TUBE AMPLIFIER WITH HD800S AND CLEAR MG
Daddy Lessons by Beyonce
The HD800S has very good bass; it is textured, linear sounding and goes deep. The sense of space is fabulous, details are easy to pick out. I do find that Beyonce’s vocals are more natural sounding with the Clear MG. The bass is much fuller and warmer. Lots of details here too, but it feels a bit coarser than the Sennheiser.
Deadwood by David Schwartz
A great Western title theme from a great TV series. The Clear MG sounds great. Lots of space and detail. Nice tonal balance. Moving over to the Sennheiser it gets even more spacious but it is also drier sounding, less natural. However, the detail level is higher.
Fire Walker by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
The detail and the textures that the HD800S reveals are quite amazing. The Clear MG isn’t quite at the same level and in direct comparison, the HD800S sounds significantly better at delivering fine detail. However, I do find it to sound brighter than my ears are happy with. It is a relief to go back to the Clear.
Higdon’s Violin Concerto 1726 by Hilary Hahn
I never get tired of this fabulous piece of music. The long building-up and Hahn’s fabulous violin playing are awesome. Both headphones do very well. However, this is the HD800S home ground. Symphonic music, primarily strings. The vast staging, incredible detail and separation. Clear MG is close but not quite up there at the same level. That being said I find again that the Clear MG had better tonality and timbre.
In My Tree by Pearl Jam
Fabulous drum playing by Pearl Jam drummer Matthew David Cameron. The HD800S is fascinating, making it easy to follow every beat. At the same time, it makes everything a bit distant. You’re an observer of the music. I find that the Clear MG is more groovy, inviting you into the music. It’s also more tactile, especially in the bass.
MONOLITH THX AAA 887 AMPLIFIER WITH HD800S AND CLEAR MG
Bridges by Adam Baldych and Helge Lien Trio
This sounds incredibly delicate and beautiful with both headphones. Again the HD800S has a more airy and distant feeling while the Clear MG is warmer and more intimate. Both have great detail, the HD800S a bit more micro-nuanced.
Down by Stone Temple Pilots
Nice and full-bodied presentation from the Clear MG. The HD800S has better separation e.g. easier to distinguish the bass from the other guitars. The late Scott Weiland’s vocal performance sounds a bit dry, recessed and shouty with the HD800S, though. I definitely prefer this with the Clear MG.
En Casa Del Herrero by Tomatito
They actually don’t sound too dissimilar on this track, but the Clear MG is a bit warmer. Both with the acoustic guitar and the vocals. The HD800S is a little bit airier but not so much.
Lovers on the Sun by David Guetta
Sam Martin’s vocals are much more natural and present sounding with the Clear MG. The bass too. Frankly, the HD800S sounds very anaemic and the track isn’t enjoyable with it.
Carretera by Brito/Fahrer
Again the midrange doesn’t have enough presence with the HD800S. Julie Fahrer’s vocals sound just better with the Clear MG. Oliver Pellet’s guitar has a warmer glow. This track is also preferable with the Focals.
CONCLUDING ON AMPLIFICATION
When comparing these headphones I used three different amplifiers and I find that the difference between the two headphones remains the same or similar across different types of amplifiers. The Sennheiser requires a little bit more volume but the difference is surprisingly small with some amps and higher with others. Although the impedance is vastly different from 300 for HD800S vs 55 ohms for the Clear MG, the sensitivity is very close 102 dB vs 104 dB, respectively. I think all three amplifiers did a very good job with both headphones.
HD800S WITH TUBES
Now, many, including me, find the HD800S to be a lot more likable with tubes. I give it some time with the Sparkos Gemini and the WA22 and compare it to the Clear MG. I’ll make it short, but these tube amps make the HD800S more organic and natural sounding, especially in the mids and highs. There’s more a total transformation, but it tilts the experience towards something I find better sounding.
If you are curious about amplification for the HD800S, you’re welcome to check out my previous comparison review here: The best amplifier for the HD800?
WRAPPING IT UP
- Treble: The HD800S has more fine detail, but the Clear MG feels more natural. The HD800S is brighter in a way that can get fatiguing.
- Midrange: I find the Clear MG more natural sounding with better timbre and more presence. Midrange detail might be a bit better with the HD800S, but it feels recessed.
- Bass: The macro dynamics/slam factor is definitely better with the Clear MG . When it comes to revealing textures and analyzing detail in the bass, the HD800S is better.
- Sound-stage: Focal Clear MG has a wide and open soundstage. It isn’t the deepest I’ve heard, it’s a bit left/right but certainly quite good. The HD800S has an open, wide and deep soundstage, creating a holographic presentation. The sound-stage of the HD800/S has become a reference for a reason.
- Sound presentation: Clear MG has more body and weight across the spectrum. It’s more visceral and punchy, it has a higher PRaT (pace, rhythm and timing) – factor. The HD800S is more about micro dynamics than macro dynamics, it’s more analytical and refined, but doesn’t sound as natural. The realism factor is higher with the Clear MG.
MAIN CONCLUSION
The Sennheiser HD800S is known for its great technical sound performance and it doesn’t disappoint. The famous expansive soundstage from the HD800 is still there. In comparison to the Clear MG, it’s quite analytical sounding, making you observe the music more than engage in it. That does not mean that you can’t be totally enveloped by the experience but in direct comparisons that is how I would describe it.
The HD800S has a brighter sound signature than the Focal Clear MG. I am definitely in the group that thinks that the HD800S sounds too bright. It is fascinating for shorter periods of time but for me personally, the HD800S can be quite fatiguing, depending on the music. It is less fatiguing than the original HD800, though. This might not be an issue for you but it is something to be aware of. I must say that the HD800S in my ears sound more organic and less fatiguing with the tube amps I have tried.
Both in terms of bass quantity and mid-range warmth the Clear offers a more natural presentation. It is not “dark” sounding: Focal Clear MG is still living up to its name and I still find the Clear MG to be clear-sounding and quite neutral. It does however have less treble intensity than the HD800S.
The extra bass presence of the Clear MG compared to the HD800S is very welcome, especially since it is quality bass; well-balanced and never too much. Again, the Clear MG has a slightly warm and sound signature, making it suitable for a wide range of music genres.
In conclusion, with regards to raw technical detail retrieval and the size of the sound-stage, the HD800S wins. The Clear has better timbre and a more natural tonal presentation with more warmth and body. It also has a better bass punch and low-end presence.
The 55 ohm/102dB Clear MG is an easier load on portable amplifiers especially. However, the 300 ohm/103dB-HD800S isn’t too demanding to be part of a powerful portable setup. If you are going portable, though, the nice carrying case included by Focal is definitely a big plus, so is the included short 3.5 mm cable. The Clear MG also has the popular 3.5 mm jacks on the headphone end, making it a lot easier to find 3rd party cables than with the HD800S which uses proprietary plugs. Both headphones are very comfortable and well built.
Ultimately, the choice between these two headphones depends on your personal preferences both in terms of what sound you’re after and the type of music you listen to.
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