Headphones Newbie; Senheisser HD 800s or Focal MG Clear

I typically switch between my Sennheiser HD800s and my Focal Utopia’s. They are both great headphones. But the Focal are a lot easier to drive. The Sennheiser did not not sound as well balanced and natural until I put about $15K of outstanding electronics with a tremendous tube amp (a 300B Woo headphone amp) behind it.

I definitely recommend the Focal… easy to drive, great resolution and bass… even tonal balance. If you have got the power and natural organic electronics… then the Sennheiser (I would not count on a tap on a preamp… typically you need a dedicated head amp to drive a great headphone like the Sennheiser HD800.

I listen to my sennheiser 800s more now… but Focals before my I bought my tubed Woo amp.. with $2K of 300B tubes.

Headphones are very sensitive to the quality of the input. Less than great electronics and great headphones and you are going to hear it.

I now have about $15K of incredibly naturally sounding electronics behind my headphones… they all sound fantastic… Focal Utopia, Sennheiser HD800, Beyerdynamic T1, Audiez LCD, Ultrasond Edition 9, and Denon 5000 (?)… etc. You can see my headphone system under my user ID.

OP,

Sorry to hear about the accident. Hope you were not injured.

I have had many headphone amps, streamers and DACs… many highly regarded. The headphones performance typically very different depending on the electronic / headphone. I found the difference in headphones accentuated by say, too little current, or high frequency hash, or cold presentation… etc. headphones are in your ear… so any deficiencies in the signal combine with the character of the headphones. I am constant surprised how similar my Sennheiser HD800 and Focal Utopia now sound. I guess my only point is that the whole signal path is important in what you get out. 

OP,

Yes Focal Clear would be an excellent choice. Easy to drive.