Short answer: the Cleer Next. It ranks #82 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $699.99. The Focal Spirit Classic ranks #99, rated 3.8/5, at $672.53, $27.46 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
What the Cleer Next does well: A preference score of 80, with bass 2.1 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz and extension within 2.7 dB of target at 30 Hz, giving a warm, full low end. Watch for: A 4.8 dB peak near 4.7 kHz can make vocals and strings sound forward or edgy at higher volumes, while a 10.7 dB dip near 10.8 kHz takes away treble air.
What the Focal Spirit Classic does well: The response is smooth, with a deviation of only 2.15 dB around the target, so tonal balance sounds coherent without sharp spikes. The catch: Sub-bass is about 3 dB light and the upper mids, presence and treble all run roughly 2.5 dB under target, giving a warm, slightly veiled tilt that softens detail.
Buy the Cleer Next. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $27.46 saving on the Focal Spirit Classic is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Cleer Next | Focal Spirit Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 | $672.53 |
| Ranked | #82 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #99 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 77 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.17 dB standard deviation | 2.15 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.46 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.65 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB/mW | 102 dB SPL/mW |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (395 g) | 0.7 lbs (310 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
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- Cleer Next vs HIFIMAN Audivina
- Cleer Next vs HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La
- Focal Spirit Classic vs Neumann NDH30
- HIFIMAN Audivina vs Focal Spirit Classic
- Focal Spirit Classic vs Meze 109 Pro
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Cleer Next: $699.99 Cleer Audio eBay
Pros: A preference score of 80, with bass 2.1 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz and extension within 2.7 dB of target at 30 Hz, giving a warm, full low end. The mids stay within about 1.7 dB of target, so voices keep good body and presence. It rates above the AKG K712 and Meze 109 Pro.
Cons: A 4.8 dB peak near 4.7 kHz can make vocals and strings sound forward or edgy at higher volumes, while a 10.7 dB dip near 10.8 kHz takes away treble air. Its 92 dB/mW sensitivity is low for an over-ear, so a phone may run out of volume and a headphone amp helps. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Cleer Next review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.17 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.46 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (395 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.0 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 | +3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,129 Hz | +5.9 dB | 1.09 |
| Peak | 200 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.47 |
| Peak | 1,021 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.48 |
| Peak | 2,593 Hz | -3.3 dB | 0.48 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,859 Hz | +3.2 dB | 5.86 |
| Peak | 4,784 Hz | -3.5 dB | 5.81 |
| Peak | 6,387 Hz | +1.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 2,290 Hz | -0.7 dB | 4.41 |
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Focal Spirit Classic: $672.53 Amazon eBay
Pros: The response is smooth, with a deviation of only 2.15 dB around the target, so tonal balance sounds coherent without sharp spikes. Bass at 60 to 200 Hz is within half a dB of the target and a slight lift in the low mids adds body to vocals and guitars. At 32 ohms and 102 dB/mW it runs fine from a phone, and the closed back at 310 g is portable enough for daily use.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 3 dB light and the upper mids, presence and treble all run roughly 2.5 dB under target, giving a warm, slightly veiled tilt that softens detail. A 5.5 dB dip near 7.5 kHz takes some edge off cymbals. It costs far more than the AKG K712 for an equal rating.
Full Focal Spirit Classic review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.15 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.65 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (310 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.2 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 | +2.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 544 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.41 |
| Peak | 2,189 Hz | +4.1 dB | 0.69 |
| Peak | 7,443 Hz | +2.6 dB | 4.61 |
| Peak | 103 Hz | -1.2 dB | 1.52 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,490 Hz | +1.6 dB | 5.05 |
| Peak | 3,885 Hz | -1.4 dB | 4.10 |
| Peak | 5,059 Hz | +1.0 dB | 4.56 |
| Peak | 6,119 Hz | -1.1 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons