Focal Bathys Review | The Best Sounding Bluetooth Headphones

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The Focal Bathys are closed-back, hi-definition, premium noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones designed at Focal's headquarters in France. They feature a built-in USB-C DAC, Aluminum-Magnesium drivers, wireless calling, and seamless App integration from Focal featuring a headphone EQ, noise canceling options, and external LED controls. Rated with a 30 hour battery life, and a well-constructed travel case, Focal has added a high-quality Bluetooth endgame headphone to their premium Headphone lineup. The Bathys come with a USB-C cable for charging / DAC use and a 1/8 inch to 1/8 inch headphone jack for analogue sources.

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00:00 Intro
00:52 Drivers/Sound
01:56 The DAC
03:04 Bluetooth Exp
03:36 Noise Cancelling
04:29 The App
05:42 Design/Durability
06:54 Battery
08:04 Final Thoughts
09:54 Where to Find

#focalbathys #bluetoothheadphones #wirelessheadphones #closedbackheadphones #audiophileheadphones #headphonereview

[rca]

Wow!! You are saying these sound better over Bluetooth than wired? I’ve never heard this before anywhere.

[JohnOBryan]

Shure Aonic 50 headphone also has a built-in DAC that can be used when connected via a usb c cable.

[fxn]

This review is great. I got mines since the first day, and they are amazing. I've reached the same conclusion: purchased them as high-quality wireless, but my experience has shown these are incredible portable wired closed cans, that *in addition* sound incredible over Bluetooth and feature ANC. Question: I've noticed you can enable exclusive mode and passthrough MQA on TIDAL if wired via USB-C, however there's nothing in their docs about MQA. I guess their DAC is at least a decoder? Do you know anything about that?

[enriqueali]

There are at least three other high-end wireless ANC bluetooth headphones that outclass these, from Mark Levinson, T+A, and Dali. But any of those will cost you a LOT more than the Bathys....

[rca]

I want to hear from anyone who has traveled with these. I am quite happy to purchase these but, am hesitant as they seem huge to travel with.

[Mikesapien]

Just remember that not all forms of Bluetooth are created equal. iPhone / iOS devices support AAC and SBC, but they are missing out on all the new formats like AptX, AptX HD, or LDAC which work on Android. So Bluetooth may not sound as clean as USB or 3.5mm connections on iPhone.

[eduardwalter]

can you use the Bathys with the Ifi IDSD Signature?

[mohamedomer]

The Sony wh-1000xm5, I presume does not sound as good as this focal, but when it comes to battery life and noise cancelling the Sony is better, plus the price is cheaper, Yet I still want to buy the Focal Bathys 🙃

[leonasj]

best bt is hifiman ananda bt. it is new reality... tried today EQ-ed my bose QCE II and meze rai penta+fiio utws5, both easy outperformed focal bathys in details and clarity. even bose has far better ANC vs bathys. they both sounds tone similar to my focal stellia...stellia, of course another class in every way and home use. but i have on road and trips my new mini 'stellias' bose QCE II and rai penta. bathys collecting dust now at home. maybe for watching tv movies will be ok.
This may help:

[revelationsoundstudio]

How about the Bowers and Wilkins which have a fuller sound vs the more spacial Focals

[garybennett]

If you want long battery life with great sound try the Cleer ANC which I own for a hell of a lot less !

[harackmw]

If you are connected to a phone by usb does it still use noise cancelling? or is that only for wireless listening?

[cyprio]

Focal QC does concern me though. I've heard lots of reports about various issues - driver failure etc. In fact I have a pair of £5000 Focal hifi speakers and on one of the speakers the tweeter surround came with a lovely big scratch. How the hell did that get past inspection beggars belief.

[sheldonmcgee]

Great review! Can you comment on how these compare to the Focal Stellia and Elegia closed back models? I currently drive Elegias with a Chord mojo - poly combo but have thought about upgrading to the Stellia. If the Bathys is close to Stellia resolution and microdynamics, I might go with Bathys and ditch the wires.

[donnytramp]

how is this compared to the b&w px8 in terms of sound

[unarestem]

How different in sound quality, sound stage and dynamic when compare to Mark Levinson No.5909?

[JTB--]

The biggest fear with a HP like the Bathys is how long is the battery life? What happens when it dies? Does Focal replace it?

[NotASpndingPrblemImAEnthusiast]

How do these compare to the Bowers and Wilkins PX8?

[dragonsofnorway]

The phones has not enough power to use the dac say a few people that have tryed. Have you tryed it? And if so what phones?

[bawtreerd]

The styling of these puts me off Then again it could just be me