At $1,600 and $1,500 respectively, both the HD 800S and Focal Clear Mg are aspirational purchases that most headphone buyers will never make. If you're reading this, you're probably serious about music in a way that makes the premium justifiable. These are two of the finest headphones you can buy without stepping into bespoke territory.
Sennheiser HD 800S
The HD 800S has the most expansive soundstage available at this tier; the Focal Clear Mg delivers more dynamic, engaging sound for most genres.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 800S | Focal Clear Mg |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Type | 56mm ring radiator | 40mm magnesium dome |
| Impedance | 300 ohms | 55 ohms |
| Weight | 330g | 450g |
| Soundstage | Exceptional — class-leading | Wide and precise |
| Transient Response | Excellent | Exceptional |
| Open/Closed | Open-back | Open-back |
| Price | ~$1,600 | ~$1,500 |
Soundstage: The HD 800S's Defining Trait
The Sennheiser HD 800S has the widest, most three-dimensional soundstage of any headphone under $3,000 — possibly any headphone period. Its patented 56mm ring radiator transducer creates an imaging space that approaches the impression of loudspeakers. Music played back on the HD 800S doesn't feel like it's inside your head.
This is particularly meaningful for orchestral music, opera, and any genre where spatial cues are integral to the experience. A symphony recorded with a Decca tree setup sounds like you're in the hall.
The trade-off: that same airy, spacious presentation can make the HD 800S sound thin on genres that benefit from intimacy. Intimate vocal recordings and electric guitar can feel slightly distant.
Dynamics and Engagement: Focal's Answer
Focal's Clear Mg uses magnesium-dome drivers that have a faster transient response than traditional aluminum or paper cones. The result is tighter, more precise dynamics — notes start and stop with exceptional control.
The Clear Mg is also more forgiving of upstream equipment. The HD 800S is brutally revealing — a mediocre DAC or amp will sound mediocre through it. The Focal is more forgiving while still rewarding quality components.
For rock, electronic, and jazz with complex rhythmic content, the Focal's dynamic precision makes the music feel alive. The HD 800S can make the same music sound majestic but slightly distant.
The 6kHz Peak Problem
The HD 800S has a well-documented treble peak around 6kHz that causes the presentation to lean bright and occasionally sibilant with certain recordings. Sennheiser addressed this in the 800S version (the original 800 was more severe) but it's still there.
Focal's Clear Mg has a more balanced treble that's easier to live with on extended listening sessions. The HD 800S benefits significantly from EQ or choosing amplifier pairings that complement its brightness.
With the right amp — a warmer solid-state or a tube amp — the HD 800S 6kHz peak is managed. Most people buying these headphones will be doing that pairing research anyway.
Comfort and Build
The HD 800S weighs 330g and uses large oval earcups that never touch your ears — it's genuinely one of the most comfortable headphones ever made for long sessions. The headband distributes weight excellently.
Focal's Clear Mg at 450g is heavier, and some users find the oval earcups don't seal as consistently over three-hour sessions. Still comfortable, but not in the HD 800S class.
Both are built to last decades. Sennheiser's modular design makes cable replacement trivial; Focal's build is more integrated but equally premium.
Sennheiser HD 800S Strengths
- Most expansive soundstage of any headphone at this tier
- 330g — one of the most comfortable high-end headphones for long sessions
- Sennheiser's ring radiator transducer is genuinely unique
- Exceptional for orchestral and spatial recordings
Focal Clear Mg Strengths
- Faster transient response and more dynamic impact
- More forgiving of source equipment
- More balanced treble — less fatiguing long-term
- Excellent across all genres including rock and electronic
Sennheiser HD 800S Weaknesses
- 6kHz treble peak requires careful amp pairing or EQ
- Costs more than Focal Clear Mg (~$1,600 vs $1,500)
- Intimate recordings can sound too spacious and distant
Focal Clear Mg Weaknesses
- Doesn't match HD 800S soundstage width
- 450g is heavy — less comfortable than HD 800S in marathon sessions
- Driver can occasionally sound compressed on very complex passages
Best For
- a: Classical, orchestral, and spatial music listeners who want the most expansive, immersive soundstage available
- b: Listeners who want dynamic, engaging performance across all genres and a more forgiving amplifier pairing
FAQ
What amplifier should you use with the HD 800S?
The HD 800S pairs well with warmer-sounding solid-state amps — the Schiit Mjolnir or Violectric V281 are community favorites. A tube amp adds warmth that helps tame the 6kHz peak. Avoid bright solid-state amps that will exaggerate the treble.
Do either of these headphones require expensive DAC/amp setups?
Both benefit from quality amplification but neither strictly requires the most expensive gear. A $300-500 DAC/amp combination — Schiit stack, iFi Zen Signature, SMSL SH-9 — will drive either headphone to a very high standard. Beyond that, improvements are diminishing returns.
Is the HD 800S significantly better than the regular HD 800?
The 800S adds the 6dB absorber in the ear cup that attenuates the notorious 6kHz peak, making it more listenable. The driver is the same. The 800S is the version to buy if you're choosing between them — the absorber makes a real difference.