So I’ve had the Radiance for a couple of weeks now and I thought I’d post a few impressions.
First off the build is exemplary, and I feel it’s the ‘nicest’ Focal that I’ve had in hand. The leather is so supple (I think it’s Lambskin), and the mix of matte and gloss black finishes on the metalwork is done tastefully. The copper (it’s definitely not rose gold) accents are a nice touch.
When I received them and gave them a quick listen I wasn’t very impressed, but knowing that they needed to burn in I wasn’t worried and I knew I had to let the drivers settle.
After a few days of playing a mix of bass heavy and pink noise/grey noise/white noise I sat down and gave them some listening.
They were better that that initial listen, but still didn’t ‘wow’ me. They were warm, but not as warm or bass heavy as I thought they’d be (I was worried that they’d be bass cannons, which they’re not). I also found the mids just a tad shouty even though there’s a decent scoop in the mid to upper-mid region.
At this point I had already received a cable I ordered for them, an Eletech Dante Series Inferno and I figured I listen with that since I wasn’t really impressed at this point (I generally like to listen to things in their stock form before tinkering).
Holy mole was it better! The overall signature was the same, but it was a much fuller, more fleshed out sound. It didn’t add to any one frequency, but rather allowed how the Radiance is tuned to come through.
Bass had a fullness with greater texture, the mids were still present to the same level, but less shouty and smoother. The treble is excellent, and I don’t mind the small elevation in the upper region because it’s not excessive, and I’m guessing they added it to give the Radiance a larger soundstage.
They have that wonderful Focal impact that’s immediate, and highly percussive. They also have the Focal trait of being transparent to the source that they’re fed and are very detailed to my ears. Micro elements are very present, but not elevated largely in part to the tasteful scoop in the mid to upper-mids. That scoop allows them to not be too fatiguing for those that are sensitive to upper mids/lower treble.
The general slope of the mids prior to the scoop can still come across as shouty to my ears with certain tracks, but it’s not terrible.
Treble is pleasant and airy, and even though it’s has a generally intimate staging, the airiness of the treble helps to expand the soundstage. Imaging is very good presenting things appropriately in the soundstage.
Fortunately they sound good off of all the sources that I’ve tried such as the L&P W2 ACG, and the Chord Mojo2. With the W2 they seem more musical/fun, and more neutral off of the Mojo2. I honestly don’t like one more than the other which is surprising given that the W2 is a dongle, but maybe it’s advantage is that it’s being used in balanced mode via the 4.4mm output?
When used with the LTA MZ3 they’re taken to another level (as they should be). Focal and LTA have a magical synergy, and it’s one of my favorite pairings that I’ve heard to date. The ZOTL circuit seems to really control dynamic drivers, and that’s especially apparent with Focal’s highly excursive headphones. Man, do these things punch!
It’s just a great pairing, allowing for the sound to flow through with great speed, and energy. All the details are there, and IMO the pair provide a very transparent listening experience while maintaining the Radiance’s warmer sound. Bass isn’t bloated or muddy, but very textured with fullness. Treble is sparkly, and images have a holographic presentation (generally how I’d describe the MZ3). It’s honestly a great pairing.
I’m really happy I picked up the Radiance. It’s warm, but detailed. It’s has plenty of presence (sometimes a bit too much for me), and although it’s intimate it still presents a quality soundstage all in a gorgeous, closed back package. They are easy to drive, but like most Focal they require quality power/source.
If you like a warmer sound but still want some technical chops, and are looking for a closed back then I highly recommend giving the Randiance a try. They’ve quickly become one of my favorites.
Lastly they isolate extremely well. As in IEM isolation, so you do get shut into your own musical world. Pretty sweet, IMO.
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This applies to all Focal’s, IMO.