Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Focal Clear Mg

Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT 1350, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #176 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.9/5, at $1,161.61; the Focal Clear Mg ranks #200, rated 2.5/5, and costs $1,197, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones; for better sound, the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano ranks #4 at $319.

The Beyerdynamic DT 1350 is the better-sounding option. This closed-back headphone weighs only 0.4 lbs (174 g) and keeps sound in and outside noise out, which suits monitoring in loud spaces. The catch: A preference score of 58 in crinacle’s measurement places its tonal balance well away from the response most listeners prefer.

Why pick the Focal Clear Mg: With a 55 ohm impedance and 104 dB/mW sensitivity, this open-back headphone gets loud from most sources without a dedicated amp. The tradeoff: In oratory1990’s measurement the presence and treble bands sit about 6.6 and 9.4 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, with a 13.6 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so vocals lose clarity and cymbals sound muted.

Buy the Beyerdynamic DT 1350. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Focal Clear Mg and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.

Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Headphone Comparisons

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Beyerdynamic DT 1350:

• Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Beyerdynamic DT 880
• Fostex TH900mk2 vs Beyerdynamic DT 1350
• Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS vs Beyerdynamic DT 1350
• Audeze LCD-2 Classic vs Focal Clear Mg
• AKG K872 Pro vs Focal Clear Mg

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The Two Headphones In Full

Beyerdynamic DT 1350: $1,161.61 Amazon eBay

Pros: This closed-back headphone weighs only 174 g and keeps sound in and outside noise out, which suits monitoring in loud spaces. With 80 ohm impedance and a nominal 109 dB sensitivity it reaches useful volume from portable sources without a headphone amp.

Cons: A preference score of 58 in crinacle’s measurement places its tonal balance well away from the response most listeners prefer. The Focal Elegia rates higher and costs less.

Full Beyerdynamic DT 1350 review and specifications →

Released	Feb 2011 (15 years ago)
Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.50 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	58 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	80 ohms
Sensitivity	109 dB SPL (nominal)
Tonal Tilt	-0.78 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.4 lbs (174 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+1.1 dB	0.70
Peak	2,762 Hz	+6.9 dB	1.10
Peak	496 Hz	-4.5 dB	0.48
Peak	4,606 Hz	-7.2 dB	1.87
Peak	1,546 Hz	+5.4 dB	1.70
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-1.7 dB	0.70
Peak	98 Hz	-1.6 dB	1.90
Peak	7,672 Hz	+2.5 dB	2.60
Peak	5,822 Hz	-2.3 dB	6.00
Peak	174 Hz	+1.4 dB	3.45

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Beyerdynamic DT 1350 (crinacle measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Audio-Technica ATH-AWAS
  • Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Fostex TH900mk2
  • Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Beyerdynamic DT 880

Focal Clear Mg: $1,197.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: With a 55 ohm impedance and 104 dB/mW sensitivity, this open-back headphone gets loud from most sources without a dedicated amp. Its warm tilt suits listeners who find bright headphones fatiguing, and it rates level with the Audeze LCD-2 Classic and Fostex TH900.

Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement the presence and treble bands sit about 6.6 and 9.4 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, with a 13.6 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so vocals lose clarity and cymbals sound muted. Sub-bass is also about 5 dB shy below 60 Hz, and the open back leaks sound and lets outside noise in. The Sennheiser HD 820 rates slightly higher.

Full Focal Clear Mg review and specifications →

Released	Mar 2021 (5 years ago)
Back	Open
Built-in Microphone	No
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.57 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 40mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	48 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	55 ohms
Sensitivity	104 dB/mW
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-5.4 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-1.35 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	1 lbs (450 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.8 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+5.9 dB	0.70
Peak	8,641 Hz	+6.3 dB	1.17
Peak	1,198 Hz	-4.0 dB	1.73
Peak	94 Hz	-4.2 dB	0.30
Peak	4,530 Hz	+5.5 dB	3.15
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-3.4 dB	0.70
Peak	2,223 Hz	+1.7 dB	4.29
Peak	3,196 Hz	-1.7 dB	3.02
Peak	7,343 Hz	+1.5 dB	5.95
Peak	3,986 Hz	+1.4 dB	6.00

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Focal Clear Mg (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Focal Clear Mg vs AKG K872 Pro
  • Focal Clear Mg vs Audeze LCD-2 Classic