Focal Clear MG

A neutral reference with punch, dynamics, and high resolution

The Neutral One.

With the Clear MG, Focal has a truly unique headphone in its lineup.

When it comes to long-term listening enjoyment—something you can “ground” yourself with, a reference precisely because it’s so neutral—there’s been one obvious name for years: the Sennheiser HD650.

But what if you’ve outgrown it? What if the bass feels too soft, the treble too veiled—what’s the next reference? In my view, Focal designed the Clear MG as an answer to that exact question.

Neutral, but not necessarily shy in the low end. Very balanced mids with a slight emphasis. And then a more relaxed treble. That description fits the HD650—and it fits the Clear MG. The difference: the Clear MG delivers more punch, more dynamics, and higher resolution. It’s the direct upgrade.

If you’re not looking for a niche specialist but a neutral reference, borrow the Clear MG from me. I’m sure you’ll want to keep it.

What the press says

WhatHiFi.com

“Focal has done a terrific job with the Clear Mg. They’re talented performers that stay comfortable over extended listening sessions. Add excellent build and finish into the equation and we think they're right up there with the best at the price. Highly recommended.”

TechRadar.com

“These headphones have the ability to magnify details while still being kind to poorly recorded source material. While the soundstage isn’t the widest available, their pin-point accurate imaging more than makes up for it. If you can afford them, the Focal Clear Mg could be the last headphones you’ll ever buy.”

Headphones.com

“A Brilliant Update on the Original.

The Clear MG, like its predecessor, is a brilliant and very competitive headphone. If you’re in the market for a high-end headphone with an enjoyable tonality and excellent technical performance, then the Clear MG gets a strong recommendation from me.”

Measurements

Frequency response (example measurement)

What does this mean?

The black line is something you could call the “ideal” curve: a target response derived from research by the Harman group, exploring what kind of headphone tuning tends to be preferred by a broad range of listeners—regardless of age or demographics. This is often referred to as the Harman Target.

From left to right you see sub-bass, bass, mids, and then the curve tilts upward where treble begins. That part of the spectrum is naturally amplified by the shape of the human ear.

Clear MG has a slight mid emphasis around 1.5 kHz, a very neutral bass response, and a more recessed treble. It remains highly detailed, yet offers a very non-fatiguing listening experience over long sessions.

Harman Research: The Perception and Measurement of Headphone Sound Quality – What Do Listeners Prefer?

Technical Specifications