Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 800 S. It ranks #46 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.2/5) at $1,799.95 and is still sold new; the Focal Clear ranks #147 (rated 3.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Focal Clear’s replacement, the Focal Clear Mg, is rated 2.5/5 at $1,197.
Why pick the Focal Clear: Measured response gives it a very good Harman preference score of 78 with a 2.35 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
The Sennheiser HD 800 S is the better-sounding choice. A preference score of 86 with a near neutral tilt and bands from 60 Hz to 10 kHz mostly within about 1.7 dB of target gives a natural, spacious presentation with good tonal balance. The catch: A 6 dB dip near 9.1 kHz followed by a 5.4 dB peak near 11.4 kHz makes the treble uneven.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 800 S. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Focal Clear is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Clear | Sennheiser HD 800 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $1,799.95 |
| Ranked | #147 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #46 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 55 ohms | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW | 102 dB SPL/V |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 28kHz | 4Hz - 51kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (450 g) | 0.7 lbs (330 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.35 dB standard deviation | 2.19 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.45 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 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
Focal Clear Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Focal Clear Mg, ranked lower, rated 2.5/5, released Mar 2021. See every Focal Clear generation.
Pros: Measured response gives it a very good Harman preference score of 78 with a 2.35 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. It uses 1 x 40mm dynamic.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Sub-bass is 5.8 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble. Treble sits about 5 dB low, so it sounds a little dark.
Full Focal Clear review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.35 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 28kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 55 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.45 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (450 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | +7.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,789 Hz | +4.5 dB | 1.48 |
| Peak | 1,236 Hz | -3.8 dB | 2.26 |
| Peak | 73 Hz | -3.6 dB | 0.36 |
| Peak | 4,557 Hz | +3.8 dB | 4.14 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,219 Hz | +2.0 dB | 3.33 |
| Peak | 3,136 Hz | -1.1 dB | 3.33 |
| Peak | 1,563 Hz | -0.9 dB | 4.71 |
| Peak | 5,934 Hz | -0.8 dB | 6.00 |
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Sennheiser HD 800 S: $1,799.95 Amazon $1,799.95 eBay
Older model: the Sennheiser HD 800 (ranked lower, rated 3.8/5). See every Sennheiser HD 800 generation.
Pros: A preference score of 86 with a near neutral tilt and bands from 60 Hz to 10 kHz mostly within about 1.7 dB of target gives a natural, spacious presentation with good tonal balance. Air above 10 kHz runs about 4 dB above target, adding openness and perceived detail. It rates the same as the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth.
Cons: A 6 dB dip near 9.1 kHz followed by a 5.4 dB peak near 11.4 kHz makes the treble uneven. Sub-bass is about 5 dB under target, so rumble is limited. The 300 ohm impedance and 102 dB per volt sensitivity call for a dedicated headphone amp, and the open back leaks sound. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full Sennheiser HD 800 S review and specifications →
| Back | Open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.19 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 56mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 51kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-7.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (330 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 | +6.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 142 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.30 |
| Peak | 1,959 Hz | +2.5 dB | 0.88 |
| Peak | 5,679 Hz | -4.4 dB | 4.36 |
| Peak | 212 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.36 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,043 Hz | -1.0 dB | 2.89 |
| Peak | 1,445 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.43 |
| Peak | 2,640 Hz | -0.9 dB | 4.01 |
| Peak | 3,421 Hz | +1.3 dB | 5.47 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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