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on9desu t1_iwmiufm wrote

Reply to comment by blorg in HD6XX back down to $199 by blorg

I’ve been thinking of upgrading to the Focal Clear but hesitant because of the weight difference compared to the HD6x0. Comfort is a big factor for me because I wear headphones for 5+ hours a day. How is the comfort on the Clear in your opinion for long hour usage?

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blorg OP t1_iwmjwxc wrote

I find it extremely comfortable, if anything the Clear is more comfortable than the HD6XX/HD600 because the clamp force is lower. It's not too low, it's still perfectly stable, just right. The HD6X0s aren't problematic for me, but I feel the clamp more, the Focals just dissolve away more. The HD800S is also very comfortable and with a light clamp, incidentally, but the Focals feel just a bit more stable.

For my head, at least, Focal make extremely comfortable headphones, I can wear them indefinitely. I did add a headband cover which spreads out the contact a bit but it's comfortable either way.

One issue with the Clear, it has a bit of a creak. It's not a major problem actually on the head but it does creak a lot putting it on, or handling it off the head. Just sort of a "$1,000 headphone shouldn't really do this" sort of thing.

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on9desu t1_iwmok83 wrote

That is very helpful. Thank you. Clamp force actually doesn’t bother me that much. I’m one of those maniacs who doesn’t feel the need to stretch the headband on a brand new HD600 lol. But I dislike headphones that dig into the top of my head after wearing them for awhile. Unfortunately most higher end headphones are quite heavy so a lot of good sounding ones are out of my consideration. The NDH30 I tried recently had this problem even though it is just 350 grams. I had to return it due to the discomfort even though it sounded great. The DT 900 pro X has about the same weight but for some reason I don’t have a problem with it. So it is hard to tell with just the weight alone.

Yes the creak! I tried the Clear MG at a local store and that was the first thing I noticed as I was putting it on. I agree an expensive headphone shouldn’t be doing that. Definitely felt a bit cheap but everything else on it is super nice that kind of make up for it I guess lol. I’ve only tried it at the store so I couldn’t tell the long term usage on it. Thanks for the help!

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KawaiifuWorks t1_iwnqlzk wrote

The weight isn't enough to really bother me. And the pads are more comfortable. I found it overall nicer to wear for extended durations.

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Almost_Ascended t1_iwmplt9 wrote

Honestly, the brittle plastic headband is literally the only reason I've not considered them, even after their discount. It's simply unacceptable.

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Sachdeva-Yusaf t1_iwncjiy wrote

Is it comparable to the HD598? The comfort and weight I mean. Barely feel like I’m wearing headphones with those

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Dan_706 t1_iwpcfdt wrote

HD650 are chonkier and have a noticeably broader profile profile, but are comfortable to wear all day regardless.

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blorg OP t1_iwodz5n wrote

I don't know, I have never tried them.

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L4t3xs t1_iwnmdpi wrote

It took some breaking in for me as they clamped pretty hard imo. Now they feel perfect.

Not a fan of either of the pro version's cables, though. Coiled one is pretty heavy and the other one is short as hell.

HD660S was more comfortable for me initially but Focal is better after a while. Where my ears would touch the padding in the middle with Sennheisers there is no such problem with Focals.

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