Focal Celestee vs Focal Clear MG: Two High-End Headphones Compared

Introduction

Focal’s high-end headphone range spans several distinct designs, and two of the closest matches in price and intent are the Celestee and the Clear MG. The Celestee is a closed-back model at $999, while the Clear MG is an open-back reference headphone at $1,499. They share a house style in materials and finish, but they are built for different rooms, different gear, and slightly different listening priorities.

This comparison covers what each headphone is made from, how the drivers differ, how each one is meant to be used, and which is the better fit for a given setup.

What Separates These Two Headphones

The first difference is the enclosure. The Celestee is closed-back, which makes it the more practical choice in a noisy environment within reason, while the Clear MG is open-back and intended for a quiet listening space where its more open presentation can be appreciated. Neither is an active noise cancelling design, so the isolation on offer comes from the closed-back housing of the Celestee.

The second difference is positioning and price. The Celestee sits beneath the Utopia, Stellia and Radiance as the foundational model of Focal’s high-end line, replacing the Elegia. The Clear MG replaced the original Clear in the open-back range, where only the Utopia sits higher, and it launched in 2021 at $1,409 before moving to $1,499. Both are efficient enough to run from a mobile device, at 35 ohms and 55 ohms respectively, so a dedicated headphone amplifier is optional rather than mandatory.

Focal Celestee: Closed-Back Luxury

The Celestee is Focal’s high-end closed-back headphone, priced at $999 and manufactured in France. It takes the place of the Elegia as the entry point to the company’s high-end range, and it introduces a new colour to the lineup: a rich navy blue paired with soft copper accents throughout.

Celestee Design and Comfort

The navy blue finish is applied to the aluminum yoke and the aluminum accents in a satin texture, and the copper detailing ties the look together. The ear pads, ear cups and headband are covered in semi-aniline leather, while the underside of the headband uses a soft suede leather, which keeps the headphone comfortable over extended listening sessions. The external ear cup grille has a circular finish similar to the Stellia, with an aluminum exoskeleton and a leather underside.

At about 430 grams, the Celestee has a weight and feel consistent with the rest of Focal’s headphone line. The fit stays secure without constant adjustment, and the headphone is easy to forget about once it is on. Build quality follows the same standard: Focal says the speaker drivers pass through five manufacturing stages, after which they are tested and measured, and each headphone is then assembled and kitted by dedicated teams.

Celestee Sound and Everyday Use

Inside, the Celestee uses a full-range 40 mm (1-5/8 inch) aluminum-magnesium M-shaped dome driver, manufactured in Focal’s Saint-Étienne workshops in France. The design includes an acoustic treatment inside the ear pads that Focal says limits resonances, and the leather ear pads are chosen to help extend the bass response.

That bass character is one of the first things that stands out: dynamic and controlled, with a rich mid-range and the detailed presentation the brand’s headphones are known for. With an impedance of 35 ohms, the Celestee is easy to drive straight from a mobile device, and no dedicated headphone amplifier is required to get it working well. Because it is closed-back, it can also be used in noisy environments within reason, though it is not an active noise cancelling headphone.

The package includes the same rigid carrying case used across the high-end range, finished in a woven navy blue with copper accents to match the headphone. Inside is a 1.2 metre cable with a 3.5 mm TRS jack and a screw-on 3.5 mm to quarter-inch adapter for use with headphone amplifiers.

Focal Clear MG: Open-Back Reference Sound

The Clear MG is the open-back reference headphone that replaced the original Clear. It sits under the $2,000 mark, with only the Utopia above it in Focal’s open-back lineup, and it was developed to push the sound of the original Clear further at roughly the same price point.

Clear MG Design and Build

The finish is chestnut, a warm brown that reads as unmistakably high-end Focal, with discreet silver accents on the ear cup grilles, the beveled edges of the headband and the ear cup pivot points. The top of the headband is wrapped in leather, the underside uses a soft microfiber, and the ear cups themselves are covered in microfiber for comfort.

The ear cup grilles use a distinctive honeycomb pattern that Focal describes as more open than the grille on the original Clear. Weight comes in at about 450 grams.

Under the grille, the driver sits closer to the opening: the new grille follows the shape of the driver to reduce the space between the two, which is part of how the Clear MG achieves its improvements. The headphone ships in the same style of rigid case used across the range, finished in the Clear MG’s chestnut and mixed metal colours.

Clear MG Sound Performance

The Clear MG uses a 40 mm magnesium M-shaped dome driver, the result of four years of research into a new dome material. Magnesium brings useful properties to a driver: it has a good damping factor, it is extremely rigid and very light, and it is stronger than beryllium, though beryllium remains the lighter of the two. Focal says those properties deliver excellent dynamics alongside impressive levels of detail.

In practice, the headphone is noticeably more dynamic and lively than the original Clear, and bass lines carry real weight and control, with richness and precision. The overall sound is fuller, the mid-range is slightly warmer, and the top end stays clear without some of the brightness that the original Clear could show. With an impedance of 55 ohms, the Clear MG works well with a dedicated high-end headphone amplifier and can also be driven fairly easily by a mobile device.

The supplied cables support both approaches: a 3 metre 4-pin XLR balanced cable, a 1.2 metre 3.5 mm mini jack cable, and a 3.5 mm to quarter-inch adapter for amplifiers without an XLR output.

Buying Advice

Choosing between them comes down to where you listen and what you value most. If the headphone has to work in a shared room, on a commute, or anywhere with background noise, the closed-back Celestee is the more sensible pick, and at $999 it is also the more affordable route into Focal’s high-end range.

If you have a quiet space and want the most dynamic, open presentation of the two, the Clear MG is the stronger performer, with its magnesium driver, more open grille and balanced cable option. The $1,499 price reflects that step up, and the included XLR cable makes it a natural partner for a desktop headphone amplifier.

Both headphones share the same attention to materials: leather and microfiber padding, aluminum structures, and rigid protective cases. Whichever you choose, the practical questions are the same ones: does the enclosure suit your room, and do you want the extra openness and dynamics of the Clear MG or the isolation and lower price of the Celestee.

Conclusion

The Celestee and the Clear MG sit at the same table in Focal’s high-end lineup but serve different listeners. The Celestee brings closed-back practicality, a distinctive navy blue and copper finish, and easy mobile-friendly driving at $999. The Clear MG brings an open-back reference design, a magnesium driver, richer dynamics and a balanced cable for $1,499.

Neither is a compromise pick; they are simply aimed at different rooms and different listening habits. Match the enclosure to where you actually listen, and either headphone will deliver the detail, build quality and comfort expected at this level.