Is the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO better than the Focal Clear MG?

None of the 15 comments naming both says outright which one to buy. Overall, 38 people recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO and 22 the Focal Clear MG. Read what owners love and complain about below and decide by taste.

Which is cheaper, the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO or the Focal Clear MG?

The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO is cheaper: $700 against $1499 when we last checked. Prices move, so the buy buttons show the live price.

Which do more people recommend, the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO or the Focal Clear MG?

The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO: 38 people recommend it against 22. On the site-wide leaderboard the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO is #17 and the Focal Clear MG is #24.

Do people own both the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO and the Focal Clear MG?

Yes. 3 of the 15 comments that name both come from people who say they own both pairs. 3 say they own the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO and 3 the Focal Clear MG.

What do owners complain about on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO and the Focal Clear MG?

The most repeated complaint about the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO: treble peaks: the reason most people who move on from it give. About the Focal Clear MG: price, and Focal's steep discounting means owners who paid full price feel burned. The full lists are on each side below.

Head to head · for music listening

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO vs Focal Clear MG

More people recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO overall (38 vs 22). None of the 15 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.

Comments naming both: 15
Say they own both: 3
Choose the DT 1990 PRO: 0
Choose the Clear MG: 0

Preference evidence:Limited0 explicit choices among 15 comments naming both.What the levels mean

Counted across 11 review videos, harvested Sep 2026. A comment counts as a choice only when it says so in plain words (prefer X over Y, upgraded from Y to X); questions never count. Quotes are whole sentences of 12 words or fewer, linked to where they were said. How we count.

At a glance the better number on each row is highlighted
	Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO	Focal Clear MG
Typical price	$700cheaper	$1499
Overall rank	#17higher	#24
People who recommend it	38more	22
Say they own it	51more	30
Mentions	470more	255
Type	open-back wired	open-back wired
Known for	DetailTwo pad setsNeeds amp	DetailPunchNeeds amp
Best for	Recommended to detail-first listeners and home producers who want a headphone that will outlast several amps.	The money-no-object pick people recommend for punch and warmth instead of analytical detail.
Buy	Amazon · $700 Direct	Amazon · $1499

#17 overall

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO (now sold as MKII)

3 of the 15 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

Build quality owners describe as the best in its class; metal, made in Germany, everything replaceable
Detail and technical precision that producers and mixers pick it for
Comes with two pad sets (analytical and balanced) that genuinely change the sound

The complaints

Treble peaks: the reason most people who move on from it give
Heavy and warm on the head after long sessions; pads flatten over time
250 ohm, needs an amp

In their words

“I got the DT-1990 mkiis and I love them”
A commenter under Almost all headphones are inaccurate. Only these are good. (AP Mastering) · Dec 2024
“These DT 1990 are worth every penny”
A commenter under Z Review - Beyer-Dynamic DT1990 [Like a German Porno...] (Z Reviews) · Mar 2017
“I love my DT 1990 Pros :)”
A commenter under Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro Review: Big, Built, but TOO Bright?? (BadSeed Tech) · Oct 2019

#24 overall

Focal Clear MG

3 of the 15 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

Punch and dynamics owners rate above any planar; several call it their daily driver over the Arya
Warm, even tuning that makes every recording sound good, without fatiguing treble
Built and finished like a luxury object

The complaints

Price, and Focal's steep discounting means owners who paid full price feel burned
Focal drivers can clip on very bass-heavy music at high volume
Pads and headband discolour; cables wear
The original Clear was cheaper and some prefer it

In their words

“I also love my Stellias, and focal Clear MG's”
A commenter under the GIANT headphone tier list (end of 2023) (The Headphone Show) · Dec 2023
“I love my Focal Clear MG Pro's”
A commenter under The Best Headphones for Mixing and Mastering (ALL Models Compared) (SonicScoop) · Aug 2023
“You could get a focal clear for under 500, in decent shape”
A commenter under The Best Value in Audiophile Headphones (The Headphone Show) · Aug 2025

Questions people ask about this pair

Every answer is built from the counts on this page, not from our own listening.

Is the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO better than the Focal Clear MG?: None of the 15 comments naming both says outright which one to buy. Overall, 38 people recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO and 22 the Focal Clear MG. Read what owners love and complain about below and decide by taste.
Which is cheaper, the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO or the Focal Clear MG?: The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO is cheaper: $700 against $1499 when we last checked. Prices move, so the buy buttons show the live price.
Which do more people recommend, the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO or the Focal Clear MG?: The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO: 38 people recommend it against 22. On the site-wide leaderboard the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO is #17 and the Focal Clear MG is #24.
Do people own both the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO and the Focal Clear MG?: Yes. 3 of the 15 comments that name both come from people who say they own both pairs. 3 say they own the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO and 3 the Focal Clear MG.
What do owners complain about on the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO and the Focal Clear MG?: The most repeated complaint about the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO: treble peaks: the reason most people who move on from it give. About the Focal Clear MG: price, and Focal's steep discounting means owners who paid full price feel burned. The full lists are on each side below.

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