Sennheiser HD 800 S vs Focal Clear Mg

Which Headphones Are Better?

Products

Sennheiser HD 800 S
Focal Clear Mg

Tested using Methodology v2.1

Updated Mar 09, 2026 06:31 PM

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Sennheiser

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Jul 18, 2025 11:59 PM

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B&H
  1. Recommended in 9 articles:
  2. Headphones
  3. Over-Ear
  4. Wired
  5. 6

Our Verdict

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Focal Clear Mg

Both the Sennheiser HD 800 S and Focal Clear Mg are premium open-backs geared at audiophiles. While both headphones are very comfortable, the Sennheiser have a more immersive sound and a more breathable design. However, the Focal have a better build quality and a warmer treble, if that's your preference.

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Variants

  • HD 800 S
  • Clear Mg (Chestnut)

Check Price

Standard
HD 800 S
SEE PRICE
Sennheiser
Chestnut
Clear Mg
SEE PRICE
B&H
Standard
HD 800 S
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Chestnut
Clear Mg
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HD 800 S
SEE PRICE
B&H
Chestnut
Clear Mg
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Standard
HD 800 S
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Chestnut
Clear Mg
BestBuy.com
Standard
HD 800 S
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Chestnut
Clear Mg
Focal
Read more

Main Differences for
Neutral Sound

Threshold 

0.10

Neutral Sound 
 

N/A
0.0
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Full Comparison

Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Sound Profile  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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Normalization Frequency 
 

Lock Hz

Bass Amount 
 

Locked

Bass Amount 
 

Lock dB

Treble Amount 
 

Lock dB

Treble Amount 
 

Locked

Sound Signature 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

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Consistency R  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

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Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw FR R  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

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Bass Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

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-Range Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

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 Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

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 
 

Sennheiser HD 800 S Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Mismatch 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Phase Response Mismatch  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock°
Lock
Show Text 

Cumulative Spectral Decay 
 

CSD  

Sennheiser HD 800 S CSD Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg CSD Sample

SAMPLE

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PRTF 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

Sennheiser HD 800 S PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

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PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Distance 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Openness 
 

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation 
 

0.0
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Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Harmonics Levels  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

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THD Ratio  

Sennheiser HD 800 S THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

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WHD @ 94 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock

WHD @ 104 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock

Electrical Aspects 
 

Impedance  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

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Sensitivity @1kHz-1V 
 

Lock dB SPL

Bluetooth Max SPL 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Virtual Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Virtual Soundstage  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

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Head Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Room Ambience 
 

Locked
Locked

Head Tracking 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked
Locked

Power 
 

Locked
Locked

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Codec 
 

Locked
Locked

Test Instrument  

Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC 
 

Locked
Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Imaging 
 

N/A
N/A

Group Delay  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

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Phase Response Mismatch  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Weighted Group Delay 
 

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock°
Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock
Show Text 

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

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WHD @ 90 
 

Lock%
Lock

WHD @ 100 
 

Lock%
Lock
Show Text 
Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

Lock lbs
Lock lbs
Show Text 

Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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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

Breathability 
 

N/A
N/A

Breathability After Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Avg.Temp.Difference  

Lock °C
Show Text 

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

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  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Type  

Locked
Locked

 

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

N/A
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

N/A
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Side Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Rear Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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Focal Clear Mg Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Top  

Top Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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Focal Clear Mg Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Noise Cancelling  

Locked
Locked

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Isolation Audio 
 

Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Airplane Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Office Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Street Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling 
 

Female Voice 1 
 

Male Voice 1 
 

Female Voice 2 
 

Male Voice 2 
 

ANC Wind Handling 
 

ANC Wind Handling Graph  

Sennheiser HD 800 S ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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ANC Wind Noise 
 

Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

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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  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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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

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

Sennheiser HD 800 S SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

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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  

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

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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Focal Clear Mg App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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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
Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture  

Sennheiser HD 800 S Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Focal Clear Mg Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length 
 

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector 
 

Locked
Locked

Latency - Analog 
 

Lock ms

Latency - USB 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Recorded Latency 
 

Recorded Latency Connection  

Locked
Show Text 

Bluetooth Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
Locked

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

NFC Pairing 
 

Locked

Quick Pair (Android) 
 

Locked

Quick Pair (iOS) 
 

Locked

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - SBC 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality) 
 

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) 
 

N/A

Latency - LDAC 
 

N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

Recorded Latency Codec  

Locked

AAC Support 
 

Locked

PC Latency (aptX HD) 
 

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL) 
 

N/A

iOS Latency 
 

N/A

Android Latency 
 

N/A

Wireless Connection (Dongle) 
 

N/A
N/A

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - Dongle 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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

Check Price

Standard
HD 800 S
SEE PRICE
Sennheiser
Chestnut
Clear Mg
SEE PRICE
B&H
Standard
HD 800 S
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Chestnut
Clear Mg
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HD 800 S
SEE PRICE
B&H
Chestnut
Clear Mg
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Standard
HD 800 S
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Chestnut
Clear Mg
BestBuy.com
Standard
HD 800 S
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Chestnut
Clear Mg
Focal

Sennheiser HD 800 S

Focal Clear Mg

Comments

  1. Comparison

Sennheiser HD 800 S vs Focal Clear Mg: Main Discussion

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