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Luxury headphones are quite the trip, but is the Clear MG worth the journey?
A 0.4 puts its noise isolation in the bottom 10% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 92 of the 242 we've cataloged.
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Wired-3.5mm is the most common — on 47% of the 252 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 242).
above average for over-ear headphones — based on 200 of 242 we've cataloged.
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Focal Clear MG Frequency Response (measured on a B&K 5128)
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Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -3.7 |
| 25 | -2.4 |
| 32 | -1.3 |
| 40 | -0.3 |
| 50 | 0.4 |
| 63 | 0.7 |
| 80 | 0.9 |
| 100 | 0.8 |
| 125 | 0.4 |
| 160 | -0.2 |
| 200 | -0.7 |
| 250 | -1.2 |
| 315 | -1.5 |
| 400 | -1.7 |
| 500 | -1.8 |
| 630 | -1.3 |
| 800 | -0.4 |
| 1000 | 0.8 |
| 1250 | 2.4 |
| 1600 | 3.2 |
| 2000 | 3.5 |
| 2500 | 5.8 |
| 3150 | 8.4 |
| 4000 | 5.5 |
| 5000 | 2.0 |
| 6300 | 2.2 |
| 8000 | 7.2 |
| 10000 | 2.9 |
| 12500 | -2.1 |
| 16000 | -3.0 |
| 20000 | -12.7 |
Focal Clear MG Attenuation (measured on a B&K 5128)
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Solid lines: passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 1.5 |
| 26 | -1.1 |
| 33 | -0.2 |
| 41 | -0.2 |
| 52 | -0.1 |
| 65 | -0.2 |
| 82 | -0.2 |
| 103 | -0.1 |
| 130 | -0.2 |
| 163 | -0.1 |
| 205 | -0.2 |
| 259 | -0.3 |
| 325 | -0.1 |
| 410 | -0.6 |
| 516 | -0.8 |
| 613 | -1.2 |
| 772 | -2.1 |
| 972 | -3.5 |
| 1220 | -4.7 |
| 1540 | -4.3 |
| 1940 | -0.7 |
| 2440 | 2.6 |
| 3070 | 2.6 |
| 3870 | 5.5 |
| 4870 | 13.4 |
| 6130 | 14.1 |
| 7720 | 11.7 |
| 9720 | 11.9 |
| 12200 | 5.5 |
| 15400 | 6.0 |
| 19400 | 16.8 |
The verdict
Despite its pricetag, this is a luxury set of headphones that very much walks the walk. Sure, it's a bit of a bespoke product for a very narrow group of users, but what it does it does well.
✓Liked: Sound quality, Good sensitivity, Style, Comfort
✕Could be better: Isolation, Price
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Own the Focal Clear MG?
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What readers ask about the Focal Clear MG, answered by the people who own it.
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Ask the first question →Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributor
2 of 4 would buy again
4 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
Expected more from the fit and build
The battery beat their expectations
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Nothing surprising about comfort
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · 1 photo-verified
Expected more from comfort
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Comfort beat their expectations
0 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · 2 photo-verified
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
The battery beat their expectations