Focal Bathys Review – Premium ANC Headphones with Luxurious Design

The premium French audio brand Focal is well known for its high-end over-ear headphones. Models like the Focal Utopia, Focal Clear, and Focal Stellia have built a strong reputation among audiophiles worldwide.

With the release of the Focal Bathys, the brand entered the wireless active noise-canceling market for the first time. Priced at $799 at launch, the Bathys is more affordable than Focal’s flagship wired models — yet it still sits firmly in the premium category.

So the question is: does it deliver sound quality worthy of the Focal name?

Let’s dive into the full review and find out.

Premium Design & Build

The Focal Bathys stands out immediately with a refined, premium aesthetic. The combination of aluminum and magnesium gives the headphones a solid, high-end feel while maintaining structural durability. The design language clearly reflects Focal’s luxury headphone heritage.

At 12.4 ounces (around 350 grams), the Bathys is heavier than competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, and slightly heavier than the Beoplay H95. However, the added weight comes from premium materials and advanced internal components.

The earcups feature a distinctive perforated grille design with over a hundred small openings, giving the Bathys a bold and recognizable look. The illuminated Focal logo adds a modern touch and can be dimmed or turned off when needed.

Although the headphones do not fold inward, the earcups rotate 90 degrees and lay flat for easier storage. A premium protective carrying case is included, reinforcing the luxury positioning.

Fit and Wearing Experience

The earcups are wrapped in thick, genuine leather that feels soft and supportive during long listening sessions. The padding distributes pressure evenly, helping reduce fatigue over time.

The adjustable headband allows the Bathys to accommodate different head sizes comfortably. While the headphones are not lightweight, the clamping force is well-balanced, making them suitable for extended use.

That said, due to their weight and size, users with smaller head sizes may find them slightly heavy after several hours. Comfort ultimately depends on personal preference, but overall, the Bathys delivers a high level of wearability for a premium wireless ANC headphone.

Sound Quality

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The Focal Bathys uses a 40mm aluminum-magnesium “M-shaped” dome driver — a signature design derived from Focal’s high-end wired models. While it does not use beryllium like the flagship Focal Utopia, the aluminum-magnesium driver still delivers impressive clarity and dynamic performance, especially for a wireless ANC headphone.

Soundstage & Imaging

For a closed-back wireless headphone, the Bathys offers a surprisingly open presentation. The soundstage feels wide and well-layered, with strong instrument separation and precise stereo imaging. Vocals and instruments are placed clearly in the mix, giving music a spacious and transparent character rarely found in wireless ANC models.

Bass

The bass response is deep, controlled, and articulate. It has good sub-bass extension without becoming overwhelming or bloated. Rather than emphasizing quantity, the Bathys focuses on texture and definition. Low frequencies remain tight and do not bleed into the midrange.

Midrange

The midrange is natural and slightly warm. Vocals sound smooth and well-positioned, with good presence and body. The tuning strikes a balance between clarity and warmth, making it comfortable for long listening sessions without sounding overly analytical.

Treble

The treble is detailed yet refined. It avoids harshness or excessive brightness, delivering sparkle without fatigue. High frequencies extend cleanly without sounding thin or piercing, maintaining the overall balanced character of the headphone.

Overall Sound Impression

Overall, the Focal Bathys delivers a well-balanced and engaging sound signature. It combines clarity, control, and musicality in a way that sets it apart from most wireless ANC competitors. The tuning works well across different genres, from acoustic and vocal tracks to modern pop and electronic music.

Focal Bathys High-End Wireless Headphones – Battery or Playtime

The Focal Bathys delivers strong battery performance for a high-end wireless ANC headphone.

With Active Noise Cancellation turned on, the Bathys offers up to 30 hours of playback. Turning ANC off extends battery life to approximately 40 hours, which is more than enough for several days of regular use.

One of the standout features is its fast-charging capability. A quick 15-minute charge provides up to 5 hours of listening time, making it highly convenient for travel or busy schedules.

The Bathys also supports USB-DAC mode, allowing you to connect directly to a laptop or compatible device for improved sound quality. When used in DAC mode, battery consumption may vary depending on volume level and usage.

Overall, battery performance is reliable and competitive within the premium wireless category. While it may not lead the class in raw numbers, it strikes a good balance between power efficiency and high-quality audio performance.

Simple Control & Connectivities

The Focal Bathys offers a well-balanced mix of physical controls and modern wireless connectivity.

Physical Controls

Unlike many touch-based competitors, the Bathys relies on physical buttons, which provide more precise and reliable control. The right earcup includes volume controls, playback buttons, and power/Bluetooth pairing, while the left earcup features a dedicated button for switching between ANC modes.

The tactile feedback makes operation intuitive without needing to look at the headphones — especially useful during travel or commuting.

Wireless Performance

The Bathys supports Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, allowing connection to two devices simultaneously. This makes it easy to switch between a smartphone and a laptop without manually reconnecting each time.

Connection stability is strong, with minimal dropouts during normal daily use.

With aptX Adaptive, the headphone dynamically adjusts bitrate based on connection stability, balancing sound quality and performance efficiently.

Wired & DAC Mode

In addition to wireless use, the Bathys supports both 3.5mm wired connection and USB-C DAC mode. When connected via USB-C, the built-in DAC processes the signal internally, delivering improved clarity and higher-resolution playback compared to standard Bluetooth transmission.

This flexibility makes the Bathys suitable for both casual wireless listening and more serious desktop use.

App Support

Through the Focal & Naim app, users can adjust the 5-band EQ, manage ANC modes, and customize certain settings. The interface is straightforward and easy to navigate.

Overall, the control layout and connectivity options feel thoughtfully designed. The combination of physical buttons, multipoint Bluetooth, wired compatibility, and USB-DAC mode gives the Bathys excellent versatility for both everyday and more demanding listening scenarios.

Focal Bathys Wireless ANC Headphones Reviews – Key Features

Beoplay H95 Comparison

Wireless Versatility (Bathys) vs Open-Back Value (Clear) vs Closed-Back Luxury (Stellia) vs Flagship Reference (Utopia)

The Focal Bathys brings wireless freedom and active noise cancellation into the brand’s lineup, making it the most versatile option for everyday and travel use. The Focal Clear delivers an open-back experience with a wide and natural soundstage, offering exceptional performance at a more accessible high-end price point.

The Focal Stellia focuses on closed-back luxury, combining rich, immersive sound with premium materials for private high-end listening. At the top of the range, the Focal Utopia stands as the flagship reference model, engineered for uncompromising detail, precision, and critical listening performance.

While Bathys prioritizes flexibility and modern connectivity, Clear emphasizes openness and tonal balance, Stellia enhances closed-back depth and refinement, and Utopia represents the purest expression of Focal’s audiophile engineering.

Focal Bathys Review – Pros & Cons

Focal Bathys Review – Final Verdicts

The Focal Bathys successfully brings Focal’s high-end audio heritage into the wireless ANC category. Its detailed, dynamic, and well-balanced sound signature clearly stands out from most mainstream noise-cancelling headphones, making it a strong choice for listeners who prioritize sound quality above all else.

In addition to its impressive audio performance, the Bathys offers solid active noise cancellation, USB-DAC functionality, multipoint connectivity, and dependable battery life. The use of premium materials and refined craftsmanship further reinforces its luxury positioning.

While it comes at a premium price and its ANC may not outperform every class-leading competitor, the overall listening experience remains highly refined and engaging.

⭐ Recommendation: Best for Audiophiles Seeking Wireless Convenience

If you are looking for a wireless ANC headphone that focuses more on true sound performance than lifestyle branding, the Focal Bathys is one of the most compelling options in its class.

Where to buy Focal Bathys

Focal Bathys Over-Ear High-Fidelity Bluetooth Wireless ANC:

over-ear, wireless/wired, great design & very beautiful, active noise-cancelling, built-in DAC, battery life: 30+ hours, fast charging: 15 minutes get 5 hours, 5-band EQ adjustable, excellent sound quality, earcups: fold flat design/soft padding, adjustable headband

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• Focal Bathys – download product sheet