Over-Ear
Focal Clear
88Outstanding
$1499
Full review dataFocal Clear vs Sennheiser HD 820: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Focal Clear comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Focal Clear - Outstanding overall at around $1499.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 820
82Great
$1949
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Focal Clear
Sound9.0
Value7.0
Sennheiser HD 820
Sound9.0
Value5.0
Specifications
| Spec | Focal Clear | Sennheiser HD 820 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1499 | $1949 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 82 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2017 | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 56 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz - 28kHz | 6Hz-48kHz |
| Sound signature | Warm neutral | - |
| Impedance | 55 Ω | 300 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW | 103 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 103 |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 450 g | 360 g |
| Detachable cable | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Balanced connection | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
Focal Clear
The Focal Clear is a wired, open-back-style over-ear headphone with a warm-neutral tuning that balances musicality and accuracy. Its dynamic driver delivers rich, natural timbre and strong technical performance, making it a versatile choice for critical listening across genres. The build is solid yet comfortable, with a detachable cable and balanced connection support for audiophile setups.
- Pro:Natural, engaging warm-neutral sound
- Pro:Excellent detail retrieval and imaging
- Pro:Comfortable fit for long sessions
- Con:Heavier than some competitors at 450g
- Con:Pricey despite discounts
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound
Sennheiser HD 820
The Sennheiser HD 820 is a premium closed-back flagship that uses a ring-radiator dynamic driver to deliver a wide, airy soundstage unusual for this design. It excels in detail retrieval, controlled bass, and solid build quality, but demands a high-quality amplifier and carries a steep price that may not justify itself for everyone.
- Pro:Wide, open-sounding stage for closed-back headphones
- Pro:Excellent detail and clarity across the frequency range
- Pro:Tight, well-controlled bass response
- Con:Very expensive for the performance offered
- Con:Requires a powerful dedicated amplifier to sound its best
- Con:Closed-back tuning may not match the openness of the HD 800 S
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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