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.
Full review
Magnesium driver implementation
The Clear MG Professional features a significant change in driver construction with a pure magnesium diaphragm, replacing the previous aluminum-magnesium alloy. This shift in materials was designed to improve dynamic response and clarity without altering the overall tonal balance. According to Recording Magazine, the magnesium diaphragm's cross-sectional shape is 'm'-shaped rather than the typical 'c'-shaped dome, which provides greater rigidity for increased dispersion, better dampening, and improved clarity. The diaphragm is suspended in free-floating copper voice coils and surrounded by honeycomb patterns that conform to the diaphragm shape. These design elements contribute to the headphone's claimed improvements in dynamic response and clarity while maintaining the characteristic Focal sound profile.
Frequency response measurements
Independent measurements revealed notable deviations from ideal frequency response in the Clear MG Professional. Audio Science Review found a shortfall in bass response with significant deviations from 1 kHz upward. A 2 to 3 dB channel level difference was observed that could not be corrected through standard calibration procedures. The impedance was highly variable due to a large low frequency peak, which would affect frequency response when used with high impedance headphone amplifiers. Group delay measurements were described as messy, and dynamic range and distortion were disappointing at higher output levels. Sensitivity measurements were considered average for the class.
Soundstage and spatial imaging
Listeners consistently described the Clear MG Professional as offering an expansive soundstage with frontal focus and crystalline clarity. According to Hans Cox, the driver positioning, set ahead of center and angled toe-in, creates a sense of aural-physical space that distinguishes it from competitors. This positioning allows the natural contours of the ear to shape the sound as it would in live performance. The headphones deliver powerful bass while maintaining clear cymbal reproduction in the high frequencies. The mids are described as not overdone, providing a balanced presentation that avoids the mid-strong characteristics found in some reference headphones. The soundstage width was noted as superior to competing models like the Sennheiser HD650, with the Clear MG's offering a more expansive acoustic environment that allows for better spatial awareness.
Comfort and build quality
The Clear MG Professional demonstrates solid build quality with a luxurious design featuring a thin aluminum yoke and armature, thick red perforated microfiber-and-leather headband, and matching 3/4-thick microfiber-and-memory foam ear cups. The headphones come with a hard-fabric zipper case containing two cables: a 16.5-inch coiled 1/4 cable and a straight 3.9-inch cable with 1/8 jack and screw-on 1/4 adaptor. Replacement foam ear cups are included. Comfort levels were described as excellent, with the foam pads fitting gently over the ears while the light aluminum frame conforms to the head. The headphones were noted as being one of the most comfortable headphones tested, fitting securely enough to stay in place but light enough to be barely noticeable. The headband spring was described as progressive and getting stiff quickly, which may present challenges for users with wider heads.
Dynamic performance limitations
Performance limitations became apparent when pushing the headphones to higher volumes or during bass-heavy tracks. The drivers exhibited crackling sounds at 114 dBSPL, a defect that significantly impacts the listening experience. This issue was noted as problematic because it forces users to reduce volume levels or avoid certain musical content. The low excursion drivers were identified as a continuing design flaw despite the magnesium diaphragm upgrade. Dynamic range and distortion issues at higher output levels were consistently reported, making the headphones unsuitable for aggressive listening sessions. The need for equalization to achieve satisfactory sound quality was emphasized, with the headphones performing best at low to medium volumes with proper EQ settings.
Tonal balance characteristics
The tonal balance of the Clear MG Professional reflects Focal's house sound with subtle variations. Unheard Lab described the bass as dynamic, deep, and punchy, with performance comparable to the Utopia 2022 model, though the latter showed marginal advantages in speed and microdynamic nuances. The mids were characterized as smooth, organic, full-bodied, and articulate, with a dip around 4-5kHz that adds softness or romantic tinge to vocals. This dip helps polish off harshness or graininess in vocals, though it differs from the more neutral presentation of reference headphones like the Sennheiser HD600. Treble was described as well-tuned with lively presence without offensive peaks, maintaining a neutral character in the highs. The upper treble above 15kHz showed improved clarity compared to previous models, while the 6-10kHz area was more linear overall. The headphones rarely exhibited the metallic sound sometimes associated with the Clear OG model, though some noted a slight reduction in brightness compared to expectations based on measurements.
Comparison with competing models
When compared to the Sennheiser HD650, the Clear MG Professional offered superior soundstage width and a more expansive acoustic environment. The Focals were noted as being like much better HD650s in terms of lightness and clarity, though they lacked the bass that creates the low-end cocoon effect in Sennheiser headphones. The HD650s were described as having a tonal signature more similar to the Focals but with less bass reproduction and a narrower soundstage. The Clear MG Professional was found to reproduce lower frequencies better, achieving a more omnidirectional effect of bass tones that lessens the sense of directional panning. Compared to the Sennheiser 600-series headphones, the Focals were noted as more comfortable and offering better spatial awareness. The build quality was considered superior to competing models, with the Clear MG's having a higher weight class and more robust construction that doesn't fold like some competitors.
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
- +Open-back design suitable for professional use in studio, home, or on the go
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
How it compares
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.
Rating sources
“The Clear Mg Professional is the latest entry in the Focal headphone universe. When reviewing the original Clear Professional, Mike Metlay called it a "humbling and joyous" experience. As such, I was quite curious to get my humble hands and ears on the new Mg version.”
“The standard cord supplied with it is rather thick, short and kind of stiff. Not a fan.”
“The Focal Clear MG's beat all the competition, hands down. There was no comparison in my mind.”
Our 4.0 score is the average of the 4 scored reviews above; 4 more reviewed it without printing a score and are not in the average. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
