The Focal Clear MG is a dynamic driver headphone with a magnesium dome diaphragm. Lily Audio’s Genesis 1 is a very different kind of headphone, built around CrystalCore, a groundbreaking new ribbon driver technology based on piezoelectric principles. The Genesis 1 was previously called Genesis One but is now part of the “Genesis One Series”, which includes the Genesis 1 and Genesis 1 S.
The CrystalCore driver must be used with a dedicated headphone amplifier that outputs very high voltages, because of its remarkably high impedance. Several standard headphone amplifiers can do the job, but not all of them. Do some research before purchase; there is a list on Lily Audio’s website. The Clear MG is much easier to drive and behaves like a typical dynamic driver headphone.
As mentioned, there is also a version of the Genesis 1 called the Genesis 1 S. It has a less energetic treble, which is achieved by moving the driver 3 mm closer to the ear and adding a 30 ohm resistor. As you will see, the brightness of the Genesis 1 is my main critique of it, so the S variant might be worth considering.
Unfortunately, I have not yet heard the S version myself. However, the driver and housing are otherwise the same as on the non-S variant – the only difference is the adjusted driver position and the tuning resistor.
The Genesis 1, the Genesis 1 S, and the Focal Clear MG all currently cost around 1200 USD.
My Focal Clear MG review can be found here
FOCAL CLEAR MG SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Open back
- Driver: 40mm dynamic (magnesium)
- Impedance: 55 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 104dB SPL / 1 mW @ 1kHz
- Frequency response: 5Hz – 28kHz
- Cable connector on headphones: 3.5 mm
- 2 Cables supplied: 1.2m mini-jack cable and 3m 4-pin XLR cable
- 1 jack adapter, 3.5mm to 6.35mm
- Carrying case
- Weight: 450g (0.99 lbs)
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: Clear MG
LILY AUDIO GENESIS 1 SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Open back
- Driver technology: CrystalCore™
- Diaphragm-disc: 75 mm in diameter.
- Impedance: 50 Ohms – 10.000 Ohms
- Frequency range: 20–55 kHz
- Sensitivity: 75 dB/V (at 1 kHz)
- Recommended amplifier >10 V output
- Cable: Detachable, 3.5 mm connectors on the headphones – optional jack on the amp end 3.5mm , 6.35mm, 4.4mm or 4-pin XLR
- Carrying case
- Weight: 300 grams
Current price and availability:
BUILD AND DESIGN
Comparing the build and design of the MG and the Genesis 1, the Genesis 1 has larger circular cups, much more swivel, and a strap headband. It is also 150 g lighter. The MG has a padded headband and smaller, oval cups.
Both are comfortable and well built. Both have detachable pads: the MG uses a proprietary click-on system, while the Genesis 1 uses the traditional lip-and-groove system. They both have detachable cables with 3.5 mm connector sockets on each side.
SIMPLE FOAM MOD
I have done a simple, reversible modification to the Genesis 1. To tame treble brightness, reflections and resonances, I put a 5 mm tuning foam disc inside the cups in front of the driver. Without it, the headphones are too bright for me. I don’t find that the foam negatively affects the technical sound quality (like detail, imaging etc), rather the opposite.
However, even with 5 mm of tuning foam, the Genesis 1 is still bright. Another solution is, of course, to use EQ, get Lily Audio’s Treble Control Box (link) – or combine any of the measures in the way you might prefer.
On the Focal Clear MG, there is nothing except a protective grid in front of the driver – it’s 100% stock.
LISTENING COMPARISONS
Associated Equipment:
- Amp for Genesis 1: Violectric V222
- Amp for Clear MG: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
- Foam tuning pads (5mm) in the Genesis 1 cups
Terminal 7 by Tomasz Stanko Quintet
The two headphones sound rather different. The Clear MG is smoother and darker. The Genesis 1 is brighter. The trumpet is not too different in timbre, but the Genesis 1 is more upfront. The main difference is in the percussion, which is much brighter with the Genesis 1.
Both are nice, but swapping directly from one to the other requires you to recalibrate your brain a bit – some time to adapt to the different tuning is required.
Blessed Feet by Tord Gustavsen Trio
The Genesis 1 is snappy with the snare, and the bass drum is excellent. The piano is clear and present.
The Clear MG is a bit darker in the mids and especially in the highs.
The soundstage feels more airy and larger with the Genesis 1, but more precise and focused with the Clear MG.
Moo)n by Lindström
The bass is excellent with the Genesis 1. Punchy and tight. Everything else sounds good too. The Clear MG also has a very good dynamic bass, but it feels different, less tactile. The mids are more laid back, the highs darker.
Going from the Genesis 1 to the Clear MG, the MG feels laid back. Going back to the Genesis 1, it feels a bit splashy.
Dancing in the Dark by Jørgen Dahl Moe
The vocals here get a bit bright and sibilant with the Genesis 1. The Clear MG has much darker, softer and better balanced vocals, albeit a bit laid back.
Stand by Me by Stephen Wilson Jr.
The Clear MG sounds excellent: nicely balanced, detailed, and slightly dark. The Genesis 1 has brighter and more energetic vocals and guitar, but it can be a bit unpleasantly intense on certain tones. Actually, I prefer the Genesis 1 in most ways, except for the mentioned specific tones. The Clear MG might be a bit too polite.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
The vocals are brighter with the Genesis 1, and there is some sibilance.
The bass is great with both, but there is something extra great about the bass of the Genesis 1. It is tighter and warmer all at once, while the MG’s bass is a bit drier.
Self Aware by Temper City
Here they are very similar. The Genesis 1 is more pronounced with the brighter percussion, but nothing big.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
The MG is smooth and clean. The Genesis 1 sounds very different: lots of detail, but much brighter and crisper. It takes a bit of getting used to the different tonalities. However, I can appreciate both tunings.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
Here too they are different, but not as radical as above. The Clear MG is darker and the Genesis 1 brighter, but not to the extent I anticipated. Both sound good and offer great detail and instrument separation.
Maple Noise by Greene Serene
Both sound good, but the Genesis 1 is more dynamic. The trumpet is more upfront, the percussion more energetic, and the bass even better than the MG’s.
Vicarious by Tool
The Genesis 1 does a lot of things right, especially the bass, but the vocals and percussion are too sibilant. The Clear MG is much better here, but darker and more laid back.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The Genesis 1 is tuned to be V-shaped, but I find the bass and lower mids to sound nicely balanced, while the upper mids and treble are more pronounced.
The Clear MG is more laid back in the treble, with a more even balance throughout.
Treble
The Clear MG has a laid-back, smooth, and slightly dark treble. The Genesis 1 is bright, sometimes uncomfortably so, sometimes entertainingly so. As mentioned, I put a 5 mm tuning foam disc inside the cups to keep the treble and reflections in check, and it is still bright.
Midrange
The midrange is brighter than neutral with the Genesis 1 and darker than neutral with the Clear MG. Both have great detail, but the Genesis 1 is more textured and crisp, the MG smoother and more subtle.
Bass
Both headphones offer great bass, but there is something special about the bass of the Genesis 1. I think the CrystalCore driver gives an extra sense of tactility and presence. It is truly impressive.
Soundstage and Imaging
The soundstage and imaging capabilities are quite similar, but comparing them, the Genesis 1 feels more airy but more diffuse, while the MG is a bit smaller and more focused.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
I think the general detail level is very comparable. It depends a bit on the track and which frequencies are most prominent. Sometimes I feel the Genesis 1 has more detail, or at least that it is more articulate. Other times I think the MG is more refined.
Dynamics are great on both. Often the Genesis 1 feels even more dynamic, though, helped by the more tactile bass and the more energetic upper mids and highs.
When it comes to timbre, the Clear MG is more cohesive and balanced. The Genesis 1 can be fantastic, but on some tones in some songs it can also be quite bad. There is some peakiness that sometimes ruins the experience for me.
That said, most of the time I really enjoy the Genesis 1 for its upfront and energetic playing style combined with the fabulous bass. Most of the time it feels relatively natural, but the Clear MG is the safer choice.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Focal Clear MG is the safer choice: smooth, cohesive, and well balanced, with a slightly dark and laid-back presentation.
The Lily Audio Genesis 1 is the more exciting headphone, with a more upfront and energetic sound, outstanding tactile bass, and a more airy soundstage. However, its brightness and occasional peakiness can be fatiguing or unpleasant on certain tracks, even with my tuning foam mod. If you like energetic treble, are willing to use EQ, or, like me, enjoy experimenting with acoustic materials, the Genesis One is more fun.
When it comes to technical performance such as detail, imaging, and dynamics, both are strong. However, the amplification requirements are very different. The Genesis One is much more demanding, but again also more fun – it’s very satisfying when you get it right.
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- Amazon: Clear MG
- Genesis 1: lilyaudio.com
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