Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

Product Strengths

  • Excellent build quality with premium materials, creating a premium feel
  • Wide and spacious soundstage
  • High-level transparency and detailed technical performance when paired with a proper source
  • Comfortable design, suitable for long listening sessions
  • Good bass quality, articulate and well-controlled

Product Considerations

  • Cannot reach its full potential with low-powered portable sources
  • Bass performance is less impactful compared to closed-back headphones
  • Tuning may seem too colored or far-from-neutral for some listeners
  • Strong clamp force—can be a little tight
  • Upper treble might be fatiguing

Takeaway: The Focal Clear MG offers a spacious and detailed listening experience with a comfortable design, making it enjoyable across various music genres when paired with the right equipment. It strikes a good balance between technical performance and musical enjoyment for those seeking a premium open-back headphone.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

All

Clear MG

reviews

[{"title":"Focal Clear MG: A Brilliant Update on the Original","link":"https://headphones.com/blogs/reviews/focal-clear-mg-review-chronos-take","source":"Headphones.com","datePublished":""},{"title":"Focal Clear MG Review - The Gentle Giant","link":"https://mobileaudiophile.com/headphones-reviews/focal-clear-mg-review-the-gentle-giant","source":"Mobile Audiophile","datePublished":""},{"title":"Focal Clear MG review","link":"https://www.soundguys.com/focal-clear-mg-review-93250","source":"SoundGuys","datePublished":""},{"title":"[Crinnotes] Focal Clear Mg Quick Review: Padgate?","link":"https://crinacle.com/2021/03/22/crinnotes-focal-clear-mg-quick-review-padgate","source":"Crinacle","datePublished":""},{"title":"Focal Clear Mg Professional Review — One Step Forward, Two Steps Back","link":"https://jakecheriff.medium.com/focal-clear-mg-professional-review-one-step-forward-two-steps-back-2d29b71a1b8","source":"Medium","datePublished":""},{"title":"Best Headphones Ive Ever Heard / Focal Clear MG Headphones Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J02vNNZJmpM","source":"Ju1ce Audio","datePublished":"2025"},{"title":"Focal Clear MG Headphones Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWNgTU8B3IA","source":"Geekanoids","datePublished":"2025"},{"title":"Focal Clear MG Review - A Mixed Bag","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXl3FXhgBoQ","source":"GoldenSound","datePublished":"2022"},{"title":"Focal Clear Mg. High-End wired headphones","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtOkguKMzn0","source":"Pult Electronics","datePublished":"2023"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Product type: Open-back headphones
  • Loudspeakers: 15/8" (40mm) Magnesium 'M'-shaped dome
  • Frequency response (+/- 3dB): 5 Hz – 23 kHz
  • Harmonic distortion rate: 0.25 % @ 1 kHz / 100 dB SPL
  • Impedance: 55 Ω
  • Maximum SPL (peak@1m): 104 dB SPL
  • Weight: 450 g / 0.99 lb
  • Carrying case depth: 120 mm / 4.75 in
  • Carrying case height: 250 mm / 9.87 in
  • Carrying case width: 240 mm / 9.5 in
  • Cables provided: • 1 x 4ft (1.2m) Jack 1/8" cable • 1 x 10ft (3m) 4-pin XLR cable • 1 Jack adapter,1/8" (3.5mm) female – 1/4" (6.35mm) male
Thanks to its exclusive open-back drivers, Clear Mg reveals the finest details of your music with precision and finesse. The headphones make you forget all about them... The solid aluminum yoke offers a pure, seamless design. Clear Mg is also the elegance of a finish combined with the comfort of a leather headband and microfiber earpads.
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

  • Focal monitors are noted for their "mid-forward" sound, guiding users toward balanced mixes, particularly in the midrange frequencies, which aids in crucial EQ and dynamics decisions.
  • They integrate an inverted dome tweeter crafted from Aluminum/Magnesium or Beryllium, optimizing high-frequency dispersion and minimizing distortion through back wave absorption.
  • Focal frequently employs flax or "W" composite sandwich cones in their mid-bass drivers, providing a lightweight yet rigid diaphragm construction that delivers exceptional definition and controlled bass.

Theva

  • Positioning: The entry-level series in Focal's high-fidelity lineup.
  • Description: Features Focal's signature technologies like the TNF tweeter for clear treble. Compared to the Aria Evo X, offers a more budget-friendly option with simpler cabinet designs. While it lacks the advanced materials found in the Kanta series, still provides a solid performance for its price range, suitable for basic home audio setups.

Aria Evo X

  • Positioning: Sits in the mid-range of Focal's lineup, offering a balance between performance and affordability.
  • Description: Features flax cone technology, providing natural sound and excellent dynamics. More refined than Theva, offering better build quality and soundstage.

Kanta

  • Positioning: A premium series, offering advanced technology and design.
  • Description: Known for their innovative design and use of materials like the Flax sandwich cone and Beryllium tweeter, delivering precise and detailed sound. They offer a more sophisticated sound profile than Aria Evo X, with enhanced clarity and warmth.

Sopra

  • Positioning: A high-end series, just below the flagship Utopia line, focusing on compactness and performance.
  • Description: Excels in sound transparency and precision, featuring technologies like the Infinite Horn Loading system for improved treble. They offer a richer harmonic experience than Kanta.

Utopia III Evo

  • Positioning: Focal's flagship series, representing the pinnacle of their speaker technology.
  • Description: Renowned for their exceptional sound quality and luxurious design, incorporating technologies like the Beryllium tweeter and W composite sandwich cone. They surpass Sopra in every aspect, offering groundbreaking soundstage and detail, ideal for large dedicated listening rooms and those with no budget constraints.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used For Sale
239
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
10
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
79
Founding Year
1979

Our take on the brand

Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

From our interview with
.
Brand Page

What if you spend more?

Product image
Meze
Empyrean II
2999
2999
/
13
Reviews
Meze Audio is a hifi brand known for their unique Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver technology, which provides an immersive sound experience with a frequency range of 3 Hz to 112 kHz. Their headphones feature distinctive design elements like black walnut wood ear cups and detachable magnetic ear pads, setting them apart from typical plastic or metal designs in the premium headphone market.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Top-notch build quality, with premium materials and a comfortable design
  • Excellent sound quality with a balanced presentation—no outstanding weaknesses across the frequency spectrum
  • Two sets of earpads are included (Duo and Alcantara) for sound customization
  • The design has a strong aesthetic, and the magnetic pad swapping system is easy to use
  • Wider soundstage and more three-dimensional imaging

Product Considerations

  • Sensitivity has dropped compared to the original Empyrean and Elites, requiring slightly more power to drive
  • There might be a little bit of extra emphasis around the three to four kilohertz mark, which can make them a little bit fatiguing—a little bit bitey in the treble
  • Not the largest soundstage that can be experienced at this price point
  • The open design leaks sound and doesn't offer much in the way of isolation
  • Those particularly sensitive might hear some spikiness in the lower treble region

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Original Meze Empyrean: Empyrean II has a more neutral tuning, is more defined, and has better detail separation
  • Vs Meze Elite: Empyrean II offers stronger bass extension and more of the engaging emotional delivery
  • Vs Meze Elite: The Elite seems more expansive than Empyrean 2, though not by a lot
  • Vs HIFIMAN HE1000SE: The HE1000SE sound is more spacious, the bass is snappier, and the amount of detail is slightly above the Elite and Empyrean

Takeaway: The Empyrean II is an enjoyable headphone, improving on the original with a more accurate and versatile sound that maintains the core Empyrean identity. The comfort, build quality, and well-balanced sound make it a great choice for a high-end listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Meze Audio is a hifi brand known for their unique Rinaro Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver technology, which provides an immersive sound experience with a frequency range of 3 Hz to 112 kHz. Their headphones feature distinctive design elements like black walnut wood ear cups and detachable magnetic ear pads, setting them apart from typical plastic or metal designs in the premium headphone market.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Austrian Audio
The Composer
2699
2699
/
10
Reviews
Austrian Audio, founded by the former AKG Vienna core team, manufactures its own ceramic CKR12 capsules and Hi-X headphone drivers in-house in Vienna. Their capsule consistency is so precise that any two microphones can be used as a stereo pair without matching. The brand's microphones feature unique tech, including dual-output mode for reshaping polar patterns in post-production, and real-time wireless polar pattern control via Bluetooth.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Built with premium, high-quality, sturdy materials with a solid feel
  • Very comfortable and relatively lightweight, suitable for long listening sessions
  • Easy to drive with low impedance and reasonable sensitivity
  • Delivers a reference-grade sense of clarity, balance, and vast soundstage
  • Excellent instrument separation and imaging
  • Easy to drive with low impedance and reasonable sensitivity

Product Considerations

  • Some reviewers found the range of headband adjustment limited, making it potentially unsuitable for those with smaller heads
  • The banana plug cable connectors are proprietary, limiting third-party cable options
  • The stock cable is acceptable, but not particularly premium feeling
  • The bass is a little lightweight and might require EQ adjustment for some listeners
  • A dip at 2kHz was noted by some reviewers

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Sennheiser HD800S: The Composer has better bass extension, but the HD800S has better resolution and detail
  • Vs HIFIMAN Arya/HE1000 series: The Composer sounds more natural than some HIFIMAN planars, and it may have greater bass depth
  • Vs Meze Audio Empyrean II: The Composer goes deeper in the soundstage, with better layering and more sub-bass presence, but the Empyrean II is softer and more relaxed
  • Vs ZMF Outure Classic: The Composer has better bass response but is smoother and more tame in the treble

Takeaway: The Austrian Audio Composer is a well-built, comfortable, and easy-to-drive headphone with a balanced, clear, and detailed sound signature. It offers a reference quality that can be great for critical listening and casual enjoyment.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Austrian Audio, founded by the former AKG Vienna core team, manufactures its own ceramic CKR12 capsules and Hi-X headphone drivers in-house in Vienna. Their capsule consistency is so precise that any two microphones can be used as a stereo pair without matching. The brand's microphones feature unique tech, including dual-output mode for reshaping polar patterns in post-production, and real-time wireless polar pattern control via Bluetooth.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Abyss
Diana MR
2995
2995
/
8
Reviews
Abyss is a hifi headphone brand that uses a patented single-sided planar-magnetic driver architecture and machines all-aluminum chassis with foamed-aluminum acoustics in their New York facility, targeting a "speakers-in-room" sound rather than typical headphone presentation. The brand offers granular fit adjustments through magnetic pad systems and interchangeable acoustic pads that allow owners to intentionally shift tonal balance, supported by a 10-year warranty and vertical integration from driver production to final assembly.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Delivers a beautifully smooth and refreshingly beefy tuning compared to previous Diana headphones
  • The most comfortable planar magnetic set of cans ever worn
  • Build quality is very impressive
  • Good mid-range

Product Considerations

  • Needs additional padding for optimal scalp comfort
  • Treble can become problematic

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Diana MR most remind reviewer of a super version of the HIFIMAN Edition XS
  • Spatial presentation is better from the HIFIMAN HE1000SE, and the midrange is better balanced as well

Takeaway: The Diana MR is the most accessible set of high-end open-back planar headphones to date from Abyss. It is a fun and impressive listen.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Abyss is a hifi headphone brand that uses a patented single-sided planar-magnetic driver architecture and machines all-aluminum chassis with foamed-aluminum acoustics in their New York facility, targeting a "speakers-in-room" sound rather than typical headphone presentation. The brand offers granular fit adjustments through magnetic pad systems and interchangeable acoustic pads that allow owners to intentionally shift tonal balance, supported by a 10-year warranty and vertical integration from driver production to final assembly.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
final
D8000 Pro Limited Edition
4499
4499
/
7
Reviews
Final is a hifi audio brand known for deep in-house manufacturing control by designing and building its own diaphragm-forming machines and assembly jigs, while engineering products like their D-series headphones for longevity through screw-fastened parts that enable user repairs and future upgrades.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • Natural sound, evoking a dynamic driver sound but with planar magnetic performance
  • Excellent resolution, while maintaining smooth treble
  • Holographic stereo image, which contributes to its lifelike character
  • Good layering and separation of instruments
  • Incredibly wide and tall soundstage, providing a very dynamic experience

Product Considerations

  • Bass extension is not spectacular, with noticeable roll-off below 50Hz, and can be a bit soft without great impact for some listeners
  • Can tend towards sibilance on some signal chains
  • Overall presentation is amp sensitive, and can vary the experience significantly
  • The D8000 Pro Limited Edition can be finicky, and requires careful signal chain pairing to achieve the best sound
  • May slightly lack the charisma that one looks for in a more expressive or musical headphone

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs. Dan Clark Audio Expanse: The D8000 Pro LE has a more natural sounding bass and tighter attack on drums, while the Expanse has more bass emphasis and a wider soundstage

Takeaway: The Final Audio D8000 Pro Limited Edition provides a thrilling and engaging listening experience with its natural sound and incredible detail. It could be a worthwhile addition to a collection for listeners who appreciate acoustic music and a highly immersive soundstage.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Final is a hifi audio brand known for deep in-house manufacturing control by designing and building its own diaphragm-forming machines and assembly jigs, while engineering products like their D-series headphones for longevity through screw-fastened parts that enable user repairs and future upgrades.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

What competes at this price?

Focal
Clear Mg Professional
1499
/
Released
2021
Clear Mg Professional is an essential work tool for the most demanding sound engineers and producers. Its open design provides a perfect sense of spatialization and immersion. With the ability to reveal the smallest details, it offers excellent dynamics for smooth transitioning between monitoring speakers and headphones.
Check Amazon
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Extreme precision and remarkable tonal balance between bass, mids, and highs due to the magnesium driver
  • Comfortable to wear for extended periods due to the memory foam ear pads and lightweight aluminum frame
  • Detailed and focused soundstage, which is described in terms of depth for easy placement of elements in a mix
  • The open-back design creates a listening experience where it feels like not wearing headphones at all—lending a sense of spaciousness
  • Remarkable detail in the high end without harshness or fatigue

Product Considerations

  • Requires a run-in period to stabilize the drivers and achieve optimal sound
  • Open-back design is not ideal for recording or isolated listening environments
  • Differences in bass response are noticeable if the fit is not adjusted properly
  • Positional variation accounts for discrepancies in measurement of the Clear MG Pro, due to the angled driver design, small pad openings and the spring-loaded headband
  • Some might find the sound a bit stark for casual listening, especially those who prefer thumping bass or a warm top end

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to Audeze LCD-MX4 and HEDD Audio HEDDphones, the Clear MG Professionals come surprisingly close to matching the dynamic impact and thump of the Audeze

Takeaway: The Clear MG Professional headphones are a great choice for mixing and mastering because they deliver a balanced and detailed sound. They are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, making them useful for studio work or critical listening at home.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
ZMF
Atrium
2499
/
Released
2022
The ZMF Atrium is our most open design, which features our patent-pending rear damping system that accentuates stage layering, depth, tactile "feel" with realistically natural timbre. The Atrium expands the range of spatial sound experience first incepted with the auteur (now the "auteur classic"), through its shared biocellulose driver heritage and linear ZMF tuning.
Check Amazon
ZMF is a boutique hifi headphone brand that crafts one-of-a-kind wooden headphones from stabilized resin-wood billets, each harvested, processed, and assembled in the USA. Their patented acoustic systems include the Atrium Damping System (ADS) and the Caldera's trapezoidal magnet structure. The brand offers lifetime driver warranties and maintains measurement transparency using professional B&K equipment. They have created a distinct enthusiast culture around their annual "ZMF November" limited-edition sales.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Stunning aesthetics and high-quality craftsmanship with various wood options and grill designs available
  • Creates a wonderful sense of space with a great spherical soundstage and natural depth
  • Has an amazing ability to be both smooth and detailed at the same time
  • Provides a deep reaching and encompassing bass sound with a punchy and impactful profile
  • Natural and lifelike tonal quality with vibrant midrange and textured vocals

Product Considerations

  • Not ideal for those seeking maximum detail retrieval or a reference-level sound
  • May not be the best choice for music that relies heavily on aggressive, distorted electric guitars due to potential mid-range harshness
  • Bass extension may not reach as deep as some planar headphones
  • The stock cable has shape memory, and some may prefer aftermarket options
  • It's a heavier headphone, so comfort may be a concern for some users

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs ZMF Verite: The Atrium sits alongside it, and is a significant step above the Auteur, in the sense that it is competing absolutely with the Verite, whereas the Auteur doesn't quite reach the heights of the Verite
  • Vs Sennheiser HD650: The Atrium overall tuning is very reminiscent of the Sennheiser HD 650, where it is still fairly neutral, but it tends towards a little bit of warmth
  • Vs HIFIMAN HE1000 V2: The HE1000 V2 has a bigger soundstage, but the imaging and the separation handle spatial reproduction much better than the Atrium does

Takeaway: The ZMF Atrium offers a beautiful design and a unique sound signature that combines smoothness and detail, making it a very enjoyable listening experience across many genres. Its ability to create a lifelike and engaging soundstage makes it a worthwhile option for those looking for something special.

Video review

Our take on the brand

ZMF is a boutique hifi headphone brand that crafts one-of-a-kind wooden headphones from stabilized resin-wood billets, each harvested, processed, and assembled in the USA. Their patented acoustic systems include the Atrium Damping System (ADS) and the Caldera's trapezoidal magnet structure. The brand offers lifetime driver warranties and maintains measurement transparency using professional B&K equipment. They have created a distinct enthusiast culture around their annual "ZMF November" limited-edition sales.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Mod House Audio
Tungsten
1699
/
Released
2023
Introducing Tungsten, Mod House Audio's first headphone designed from the ground up. Tungsten is the crowning achievement of over 3 years worth of work in research and development.
Check Amazon
Mod House Audio builds high-impedance planar headphones (≈155 Ω) with sound quality rivalling summit-tier options at far more reasonable prices, though have a reputation for being among the most difficult headphones to power properly, attracting enthusiasts who prioritize performance over efficiency. Offering user-selectable single or double-sided magnet drivers with 24k gold conductors and extensive Cerakote ceramic customization options.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Nice cable made in partnership with Viking Wave
  • Attractive design with some components being 3D printed
  • Comfortable to wear with well-distributed weight and ZMF earpads
  • Stands out with its 'warm yet balanced' sound signature, described as having flat bass extension and an emphasized lower mid-range
  • Delivers instrument separation, and sounds reasonably spacious

Product Considerations

  • Build quality can feel a little rough around the edges, which may be noticeable
  • Requires a dedicated headphone amplifier
  • The dual-sided version is more expensive, while the single-sided version is affected by pressure changes inside the pad
  • Sound can come across a little bit crunchy and trebly

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Against Audeze MM500, the MM500 has better build quality
  • Against Meze Empyrean 2, the Empyrean 2 is more comfortable
  • Against Dan Clark Audio E3, the E3s overall sound more competent

Takeaway: The Modhaus Tungsten is a unique headphone built with care. It's enjoyable to listen to, has good bass extension, and the sound can be customized by swapping earpads.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Mod House Audio builds high-impedance planar headphones (≈155 Ω) with sound quality rivalling summit-tier options at far more reasonable prices, though have a reputation for being among the most difficult headphones to power properly, attracting enthusiasts who prioritize performance over efficiency. Offering user-selectable single or double-sided magnet drivers with 24k gold conductors and extensive Cerakote ceramic customization options.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
HEDD
HEDDphone TWO
1999
/
Released
2023
Check Amazon
HEDD Audio, founded by physicist Klaus Heinz, pioneered Air Motion Transformer (AMT) technology. Typically reserved for tweeters only due to difficulty achieving low frequency output, HEDD was the first to achieve full 20hz-20khz in a headphone design with the HEDDphone, later refined and improved with the HEDDphone 2 and 2 GT. The brand hand-builds their products in Berlin, with their headphones particularly noted for exceptional detail retrieval and natural soundstage, making them suitable for both professional and audiophile use.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Improved ergonomics and comfort compared to the original HEDDphone, largely due to a significant weight reduction and the innovative HEDDband system for adjustable fit
  • Highly detailed and resolving sound, particularly in the midrange, with excellent timbral resolution and microdynamic control
  • Unique and expansive soundstage that doesn't restrict the sonic image to inside the head, resembling a good pair of speakers in a well-tuned room
  • High-quality build with premium materials and a 5-year warranty inspires confidence
  • Excellent accessory package including a carrying case, spare earpads, and multiple cable options

Product Considerations

  • Can be picky with recording quality, performing best with well-recorded tracks and less impressive with lower-quality productions
  • Some reviewers find the clamping force of the headband to be too strong, even on the lowest setting
  • Bass response may lack sub-bass extension or 'oomph' for some listeners, especially those craving a strong low-end rumble
  • The treble might be perceived as bright or sibilant by some listeners, particularly due to an elevation in the upper treble region

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs HEDDphone One: The Two is lighter, more comfortable, and has a more neutral and technical sound, while the original has more bass impact and a unique timbre
  • Vs Audeze MM-500: Both are aimed at professionals with a neutral tuning, but the HEDDphone Two has greater technical performance, microdynamic control, and detail retrieval
  • Vs Sennheiser HD800S: The HD800S has a greater sense of soundstage, openness, and instrument separation, while the HEDDphone Two has better low-level detail for individual instruments and microdynamics
  • Vs HIFIMAN Arya: The Arya has more midbass punch and upper treble energy, while the HEDDphone Two offers greater technical performance
  • Vs Meze Elite: The Elite offers a more rich and entertaining signature, where the HEDDphone Two is more neutral and reference-like

Takeaway: The HEDDphone Two is an innovative headphone with impressive sound and design, offering improvements over the original and it is worth buying if one is looking for excellent sound quality and detail. While its aesthetics may not be its strongest attribute, it delivers on technical sound and offers an enjoyable listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

HEDD Audio, founded by physicist Klaus Heinz, pioneered Air Motion Transformer (AMT) technology. Typically reserved for tweeters only due to difficulty achieving low frequency output, HEDD was the first to achieve full 20hz-20khz in a headphone design with the HEDDphone, later refined and improved with the HEDDphone 2 and 2 GT. The brand hand-builds their products in Berlin, with their headphones particularly noted for exceptional detail retrieval and natural soundstage, making them suitable for both professional and audiophile use.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Sendy
Peacock
1499
/
Released
2021
Sendy Audio Peacock is an open-back planar magnetic headphone with an 88mm ultra-thin composite diaphragm, designed for natural mids, elastic bass, and extended transparent highs up to 40kHz within a wide soundstage.
Check Amazon
Sendy is a hifi headphone brand known for its Quad-Former planar driver architecture that uses four coils to drive the diaphragm, reducing distortion and enhancing transient response across models like Apollo and Peacock.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • The Peacock uses long-lasting, high-quality materials in its construction, with minimal plastic, and has a handmade feel
  • Comfortable to wear for long listening sessions due to its soft leather headband, memory foam earpads, and suspension strap system
  • Good left-to-right soundstage and spatial qualities, with precise imaging
  • Natural sound, focusing on the bass and midrange regions
  • Easy to drive and has high sensitivity (103 dB per milliwatt), meaning it sounds good even with ordinary headphone jacks

Product Considerations

  • Some reviewers describe the treble as metallic and unnatural, with an unwanted ringing or resonance that can be fatiguing
  • Soundstage depth and imaging are not as impressive as its width, creating a 'tunnel-like vision' or 'b-dimensional' sound
  • Detail retrieval and transparency are lacking compared to other headphones in its price range
  • Heavy (578-580g), which may be a challenge for some listeners
  • Aesthetics may not appeal to everyone due to mismatched design elements, resulting in a lack of cohesion in its appearance

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Audeze LCD-X: Has a wider soundstage, but the LCD-X is more resolving, detailed, and technically proficient
  • Vs HIFIMAN Arya Stealth: Has more impactful bass and a fuller midrange, while the Arya has clearer treble and greater detail retrieval
  • Vs Audeze LCD-2: Vocals are more emphasized and engaging, but the LCD-2 is clearer and more detailed
  • Vs Focal Clear MG: The Clear MG's are warmer with more bass impact, more even and forward mids, and darker, less peaky treble
  • Vs Sendy Audio Aiva: Offers better looks, build quality, comfort, clarity, transparency and more details compared to the Aiva

Takeaway: The Peacock is a stylish and comfortable headphone that offers a warm, smooth, and enjoyable listening experience, especially for those who prioritize musicality over technical precision. Its easy-to-drive nature and wide soundstage make it a good option for relaxed listening sessions.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Sendy is a hifi headphone brand known for its Quad-Former planar driver architecture that uses four coils to drive the diaphragm, reducing distortion and enhancing transient response across models like Apollo and Peacock.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

Questions? Ask the brand's dealers.

All Dealers

How to buy

Headphones

Search all hifi products

Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.