HiFiMan Sundara 2018 vs Focal Clear Mg: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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HiFiMan Sundara 2018

Focal Clear Mg

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Jul 18, 2025 11:49 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Jul 18, 2025 11:59 PM

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Picture

Focal Clear Mg Picture

TypeOver-ear

EnclosureOpen-Back

WirelessNo

TransducerPlanar Magnetic

Noise CancellingNo

MicNo

TypeOver-ear

EnclosureOpen-Back

WirelessNo

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingNo

MicNo

Our Verdict

HiFiMan Sundara 2018

Focal Clear Mg

The Hifiman Sundara 2018 are better headphones for neutral sound than the Focal Clear Mg. The HiFiMan are planar magnetic headphones with a slightly more neutral sound profile, even though they lack a bit more low-bass than the Focal. They also reproduce audio more consistently and their soundstage is perceived as larger and more spacious. However, the Focal are dynamic transducer headphones that are better-built and come with a carrying case.

Variants

Sundara 2018 (Black)

Clear Mg (Chestnut)

Review

See HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Review

See Focal Clear Mg Review

Check Price

Black

Sundara 2018

Chestnut

Clear Mg

Black

Sundara 2018

Chestnut

Clear Mg

Black

Sundara 2018

Chestnut

Clear Mg

Black

Sundara 2018

Chestnut

Clear Mg

Black

Sundara 2018

Chestnut

Clear Mg

Main Differences for

Neutral Sound

Threshold

0.10

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Calls

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

N/A

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Passive Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Distance

Lock dB

Lock dB

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

N/A

N/A

FR Std. Dev.

N/A

N/A

HFE

N/A

N/A

Weighted THD

N/A

N/A

Gain

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SpNR

N/A

N/A

Noise Gate

Locked

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Additional Charges

N/A

N/A

Total Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Charge Time

N/A

N/A

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

NFC Pairing

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (SBC)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL)

N/A

N/A

iOS Latency

N/A

N/A

Android Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Focal Clear Mg Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Connection

Locked

Locked

Analog/USB Audio Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

PC Compatibility

Analog

Locked

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PlayStation Compatibility

PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PS5 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

Black

Sundara 2018

Chestnut

Clear Mg

Black

Sundara 2018

Chestnut

Clear Mg

Black

Sundara 2018

Chestnut

Clear Mg

Black

Sundara 2018

Chestnut

Clear Mg

Black

Sundara 2018

Chestnut

Clear Mg

HiFiMan Sundara 2018

Focal Clear Mg

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

HiFiMan Sundara 2018 vs Focal Clear Mg: Main Discussion

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