Head-to-head · Best Open-back Headphones For Mixing

Focal Clear MG Professional vs Sennheiser HD 800 S

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Sennheiser HD 800 S comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.2 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about audiophiles with high-end setups seeking clarity — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #6 in Best Open-back Headphones For Mixing

Focal Clear MG Professional

4.0

8 sources3 derived$1,494as of Sep 25

The Focal Clear MG Pro delivers a well-balanced sound profile with dynamic bass, smooth mids, and refined treble. Reviewers noted its close resemblance to the Clear OG but with enhanced treble extension and slightly better definition in the mids and highs. While the bass is described as class-leading and punchy, some reviewers observed a subtle dip in the 3-6kHz range that affects brightness. The open-back design caters to professional use, making it ideal for producers and mix engineers. It maintains Focal's signature house sound while offering a more refined iteration of the original model.

Strengths

— Bass is dynamic, deep, and punchy with class-leading impact and slam
— Mids are smooth, organic, full-bodied, and articulate with a dip around 4-5kHz that adds softness
— Treble is well-tuned with lively presence and improved clarity above 15kHz

Watch-outs

— Slight dip in energy between 3-6kHz may make the sound appear less bright than expected
— The headphone tuning may differ from the Clear MG, despite both being part of the same series

$1,494 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Open-back Headphones For Mixing

Sennheiser HD 800 S

4.2

10 sources3 derived

The Sennheiser HD 800 S delivers outstanding detail and clarity, with an expansive soundstage that sets it apart from competitors. Reviewers noted its comfortable open-back design and minimal clamp force, though the headphones require dedicated amplification to reach their full potential. The build quality is refined with a sleek dichromatic aesthetic, though some reviewers expressed concerns about the lightweight plastic construction. This headphone appeals to audiophiles seeking premium sound reproduction and is best suited for users with high-end audio setups.

Strengths

— Exceptional detail and clarity in audio reproduction
— Impressive soundstage with wide stereo separation
— Comfortable open-back design with minimal clamp force

Watch-outs

— Very lightweight construction may feel less durable
— High price point

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Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Focal Clear MG Professional

The Focal Clear MG Pro offers dynamic bass and smooth mids, surpassing the AKG K-712 Pro's bass over-emphasis and treble dip. While it's less detailed than the Audeze LCD-X and lacks the open-back design of the HD 800 S, it provides a more balanced and refined sound compared to the HD 490 Pro, which has less clarity in the high frequencies.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S provides exceptional clarity and expansive soundstage, outperforming the HD 490 Pro in detail and the HD 650 in openness. While it's more expensive and lighter than the Audeze LCD-X, it lacks the planar magnetic drivers that give the LCD-X its edge in resolution and avoids the bass over-emphasis found in the K-712 Pro.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Focal Clear MG Professional	Sennheiser HD 800 S
Design	Open-back	Open-back, Over-ear
Driver	Pure magnesium dome	56mm Ring Radiator dynamic transducer
Impedance	55 Ω	300 Ohms
Sensitivity	104dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz	102 dB (1 V)
Frequency Response	5 Hz – 23 kHz	4 Hz - 51,000 Hz
Weight	450 g / 0.99 lb	330 g
Connector	1/4" - 6,35mm TRS jack, 1/8" - 3.5mm TRS jack	4.4mm (balanced) and 6.35mm (unbalanced) jack plugs
Cable	1.2m Jack 1/8" cable	Specially tuned symmetrical cable

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