This article will be intense. Read the title again! What does the title say to you! Nothing?! Really?! Well, it says a lot to me! I haven’t been living between the years 1870 and 1871, but I was a good student in high school. I was good at history and I remember perfectly that during the years that I mentioned, the Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War occurred.
Now, read that title again! Is like history is repeating itself all over again! Okay okay, I’ll stop hyperbolizing, but isn’t it exciting? Focal Clear is a French manufacturer and Sennheiser is a German manufacturer. See, just as I said, this will be intense.
That war was a war that shaped the modern state. And with the war that is happening in this article, I hope I will be able to shape your decision or help you to shape your decision.
Both brands promise a lot, and they both are amazing brands. They both have been around for a couple of years now, and quality is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name of both brands. Let’s start comparing!
Key Takeaways
- Focal Clear and Sennheiser 800S are both well-known headphones that have so much to offer.
- Making a decision between them could be very challenging since they are top-notch headphones.
- In terms of the design, I would definitely choose the Focal Clear due to its outstanding design and comfort.
- If you are a fan of bass, then the Sennheiser 800S would be a better purchase.
- If you are curious about the price tag, I would say that they both have very close pricing, which would not help you make a decision.
Introducing the Headphones
Focal Clear – Brief Review
Focal Clear is a well-known brand for headphones and many other audio devices. Clear Focal headphones are always a great idea if you want to have some fantastic ear companions that will provide excellent sound quality and unique features. Not only these factors, but they have an expensive appearance as well. So, when using these headphones, you will feel like never before. There are many reasons why these headphones are always on the top of the list of many listeners and audio professionals.
Specifications
- Type – Open back, Over-ear
- Impedance – 50 Ohm
- Connector – 6.3 mm stereo speakers jack
- Adapter – None
- Weight – 450 g (without cable)
- Require headphone amp – Yes
Sennheiser 800S – Brief Review
It is not by accident, but the same logic applies every time we think of a unique pair of headphones, the Sennheiser 800S is one of the best options that come to our minds. The Sennheiser 800S has an extraordinary sound quality that will make everyone satisfied with the performance they offer. Also, many other features make these headphones to be a top-notch product. The build quality and comfort are other aspects that keep the Sennheiser 800S unbeaten in the market. As I mentioned, this is a short review intended to help you choose between these two remarkable models. I will discuss everything in more detail in the sections below, and it will be challenging to compare these two fabulous headphones.
Specifications
- Type – Open back
- Frequency response (speaker) – 4 Hz – 51,000 Hz
- Sound pressure level (SPL) – 102 dB (1 V)
- Impedance – 300 Ω
- Total harmonic distortion (THD) – < 0.02 % (1 kHz 1 Vrms)
Focal Clear Vs. Sennheiser 800S: Head-to-Head Comparison
Focal Clear is a French brand, and Sennheiser is a German brand; it is clear that it will be a brutal war, like back in history. I am curious about who will be the winner this time since both show so much force and put in a lot of effort. Let me mention it will be a friendly war, and we will find peace at the end of this article. Now, take your seats and watch the battle between these two headphones. I wish them good luck!
Design and Built Quality
First and foremost, I will start with the design and build quality of the Focal Clear headphones. When I think of a pair of headphones that will look pricey and very vogue, the first option that comes to my mind is the Focal Clear. I love the headphone’s appearance and think they do a fantastic job at this point. The headphones appear contemporary with some metallic pieces, and the grills resembling a honeycomb are another significant part of the headphones. Headphones are generally built of metal which makes them very durable. So, there is nothing I can mention as a drawback in the design and built quality of the Focal Clear.
Let’s move on to the Sennheiser 800S and see what it offers in terms of design and built quality. The design of these headphones is a bit intriguing, and at some point, they look cool, but to be honest, they do not appeal to my taste, even though I can’t deny that they are amongst the most preferred headphones regarding design and quality-wise. The headphones are generally made of metal and high-grade plastic, and what I found here worth mentioning is that the earcups are made of aluminum and microfiber material. The Sennheiser 800S are a bit bulkier when compared to many other headphones.
Comfort
Please let me clarify that the Focal Clear is a very comfortable headphone. The built earcups and headband differentiate the Focal Clear from its rivals. The earcups are well-padded with microfiber material, which makes them softer to the touch than most headphones. I don’t have anything to complain about the headband as well, since it is thick enough and cushioned, you can be assured that you won’t experience any fatigue. I can claim that Focal clear is an excellent combination of stylish design and comfort.
What I want to mention first about the Sennheiser 800S is its large earcups; the earcups are well-made and amazingly cushioned with a material that resembles suede. There is nothing different that I can mention about the headband since the same materials are also used in the headband. From my perspective, what keeps these headphones one step back from their rival Focal Clear, is that the Sennheiser 800S are a bit heavy and bulky.
Sound Quality
When comparing headphones, sound quality is what truly matters. So, what about the sound quality of Focal Clear? What I want to mention firstly, in this case, are the superb mids of Focal Clear; the headphones do a mesmerizing job in mids. You will be able to hear vocals and instruments like never before, and they are crystal clear. The highs are well expressed, but sometimes there may be some distortions. Focal Clear lacks bass accuracy; the bass is not that dynamic, and at this point, they fall.
The Sennheiser 800S has a fantastic frequency response and breathtaking sound quality. Mids and highs are perfectly delivered, and you will be able to hear a neutral and natural sound that most listeners desire. The bass could be better, but when compared to Focal Clear, the Sennheiser 800S is one step forward since the bass is powerful enough for open-back headphones.
Price
The price is another factor that plays a significant role when you are about to decide to purchase any product. In this case, the price won’t help you decide since they both have close price tags, so you should consider other factors, not the price.
Final Words
Here comes the end of the battle, and to be honest, I can’t claim that there is an exact winner since they both fought fairly. So the battle remains undefined, without a real winner, but the most important thing is that we will live in peace altogether. Based on your demands, I will let you decide which one the winner is.
I enjoyed writing this article and felt like I was on the field with both of them. I hope that this article will help you in making a decision.
Stay tuned; many other articles are on the way!
Further Reading
Keep reading some more blogs for some more fun reading.
There is a list of the finest soundbars for firestick, don’t miss out on this one. Furthermore, there are also the top soundbars for iMac.
Not only that but there are also some amazing headphones for jazz music.
Audio Engineer
You’ll never find anyone more passionate about audio as me. I love to share my knowledge with others and help people find the right equipment for them.
