Closed-Back Headphones

Focal Bathys Review – Premium ANC Headphones with Luxurious Design

Focal Bathys Review – Short words

Focal Bathys review: The sound performance is top-notch and well-balanced lows, mids, and highs. Besides, there are 5-band EQs that you can freely adjustable. This way lets you choose the sound profile and go the way your favorite. The Focal Bathys is very soft and comfortable as well as allows you to immersive your music world. They are wireless and offer good playtime for up to 40 hours when turning ANC off and just only 30 hours when turning ANC on. The great thing is excellent sound output when you use DAC, yes the Bathys also built-in DAC too. They can rotatable earcups to 90-degree to be flat shape earcups and the Focal offer a nice protective carrying case in the package, letting more convenient portability.


Focal Bathys – Best High-End Wireless Headphones

over-ear, wireless/wired, great design & very beautiful, active noise-canceling, 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

 

The premium and famous brand from France, Focal, comes at quite expensive. The Focal had been successful for several wired over-ear headphones whether Utopia, Clear, or Stellia. The first wireless active noise cancellation headphones of Focal, the Bathys. Even though cheaper than the Focal headphones that I mentioned above but the Focal Bathys wireless active noise-canceling headphones are still quite expensive as well. The release’s price at $799. But its sound is stunning and very outstanding. Okay before more introduction, go to the detail of the Focal Bathys review before.

Focal Bathys Review – Premium ANC Headphones with Luxurious Design

At first glance, wow! They look nice and so beautiful. A housing structure that blends perfectly between aluminum and magnesium makes the Focal Bathys headphones look luxurious and not too much weight. Of course, they are not lightweight, around 12.4 ounces or almost 350 grams. It is difficult to make these high-end headphones so lightweight. Because there are a lot of internal components to make these headphones deliver excellent sound quality and be most comfortable. The Focal Bathys has more weight than other high-end wireless ANC over-ear headphones like Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose 700, which both are only 8.8 ounces or 250 grams, and even Beoplay H95 another high-end wireless ANC headphone has only 323 grams that have a bit less weight than Focal Bathys as well.

The earcups are covered with real leather that is thick and soft and provides soft and comfy ears. They can’t be collapsing inwards but the earcups are rotatable to 90 degrees or the earcups can be folded flat. The rear of the cups is designed to drill more than a hundred holes of different sizes. which makes it look outstanding and very eye-catching.

What’s even more smart and cool than regular Focal headphones is the logo placed on the rear of the earcups can glow to indicate that it’s working. Moreover; it can dim or turn off the light on the logo too, which helps to not disturb the eyesight at night.

The general features like an adjustable headband, which the Focal Bathys don’t miss too. So you don’t have to worry about it won’t fit your head size because the headband can stretch to fit head sizes and shapes.

Even with their weight and un-foldable design but don’t make the Focal Bathys over-ear headphones difficult for portability. personally, It wasn’t too heavy to put in the backpack and quite easy portability because the company provides a nice and strong protective case. But with the headphone’s weight and bulky size, the Focal Bathys is not ideal for those who have a small head, because it might feel heavy if worn for several hours. This is my thinking, but it may be a different idea for many people.

Personally, I think it’s more beautiful and detailed than many competing headphones. They are premium ANC headphones with luxurious designs.

Focal Bathys Wireless ANC Over-Ear – Extreme Comfortable

When it comes to comfortable while wearing, it is still as good as the high-end headphones of the Focals or HifiMAN. The earpads and headband are supremely soft and comfortable to wear even without using the best premium materials. The feeling of touch, these Focal Bathys wireless ANC headphones are still very good level. It feels splendid, expensive, and durable.

They give just the right amount of force pressure. It won’t feel hurt your ears even after wearing it for hours. But it might feel a little heavy for small people with small heads, as mentioned earlier.

In the manual, it says that we can replace the sponge on the earpads as well. It’s a very good feature and convenient to remove them for cleaning or you can buy a new one for replacement when it is damaged.

Focal Bathys High-End Wireless Headphones – Battery or Playtime

As for the battery, I don’t want to mention much according to their specification, The Focal Bathys offer about 30 hours or more of playtime. Depending main factors are the volume level and turning ANC on. The fast charging feature is also great, just 5 minutes of charging can add up to approximately 5 hours of your time.

Simple Control & Connectivities

The control is physical buttons, not touch control. The buttons feel durable and they are positioned okay. All main functions are placed on the right earcup. There is play/pause music, skipping songs, answering calls, adjusting the volume, and connecting Bluetooth. Besides, the USB-C charging port and 3.5mm AUX port are also on the right side. The left earcup has only one button for switching between ANC and transparency mode. I’m quite confident that you will have to get used to it after using it for a while and will feel that it is so much easy to use.

Focal Bathyrs Wireless ANC Headphones Reviews – Key Features

Bluetooth 5.1 Connectivity

The Focal Bathys wireless ANC headphones utilized Bluetooth 5.1 same as the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95. Both support codecs like SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, and aptX. A bit pity that there is no LDAC codec in these lists (both Focal Bathys and Beoplay H95). While the Sony WH-1000XM5 is much cheaper but also supports LDAC.

Active Noise Cancellation

There are two modes of active noise cancellation, which are soft and silent. The soft setting will remove some outside low-frequency noise but still lets some high-frequency noise creep in. But the silent setting quells the outside treble better, while low-frequency noise is even more even quelled, but it feels some awkwardness. So, anyone who doesn’t like awkwardness should choose soft mode will better.

The silent mode is perfect for traveling on a flight or train.

The noise cancellation performance of the Focal Bathys, I think it’s in good criteria. Even though can’t win the Sony but not inferior to the obvious. The good thing is using ANC almost does not affect the sound performance, even switching the ANC mode does not reduce sound efficiency as well.

You can use the active noise-canceling on all modes (Bluetooth, DAC, and wired). But one not good thing is, you can’t turn ANC off at all. Just chose between complete ANC (silent) or some (soft). Another small defect is while switching between both ANC modes, there will be a slight delay, it is not switched immediately.

DAC and Wired Mode

The key feature and very impressive is the Focal Bathys comes with a built-in DAC. Just plug in a USB-C cable between headphones and your laptop or PC to listen to high-quality music with 24Bit / 192kHz. The output sound is very excellent.

Focal & Naim App

To perfect and be worth buying the Focal Bathys wireless ANC headphones, you should download the Focal & Naim app before use. The app will allow changing the ANC mode and also adjust the brightness of the Focal’s logo light on the rear of the earcups.

Moreover; via the app, you can adjust 5-band EQ, which you can adjust freely and also can use a preset. Although there are only 5 bands, this 5-band EQ is well done and also can be adjusted quite thoroughly too. The adjustment will move 0.5db per step no matter up or down and sensitive and fast response for adjusting for each step. It’s really great.

I almost forgot to tell you about voice assistants, the Focal Bathys wireless over-ear ANC headphones are supported and compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa as well.

Focal Bathys Review – The Sound Quality

This part is very difficult to describe. The sound quality is a feeling matter which it might be different for each. And I’m not an audiophile and there is no knowledge of sound engineering. So that’s why this topic is quite difficult for me. But I will try my best to explain. If some sentences or some paragraphs make you confused and hard to understand, I would like to apologize in advance. But I will try to do my best. Okay, let’s go.

The Focal Bathys utilized an ‘M-shaped’ dome driver, made of combine between aluminum and magnesium that deliver great sound quality. Although it may not be as good as Beryllium, it is cheaper than other models of Focal’s headphones that use Beryllium such as the Focal Utopia open-back headphones.

The driver diameter is standard, 40mm with 15Hz to 22kHz frequency response.

Sound Stage

I would like to say that the Focal Bathys is one of the best wireless headphones that provide a very good sound dimension. The width and transparency of the sound stage are very good. The placement of various musical instruments is clear and has an excellent stereo image when compared to other wireless headphones. As for the detailed sound, the Focal Bathys is fully delivered and quite perfect, at all.

Bass

Fun to listen to but not so big bass that they are annoying. The bass is quite deep and bass-detailed clear, not swollen, not blurred, and also easy to hear. The bass is not crowding the midrange as well.

Mids

The mids is clearly but a little warmth. I think Bathys’s mids are placed between crystal clear and dark midrange. Personally thinking, the Focal Bathys offer smooth mids and give feel comfy while listening to music as well as not annoying the ears too. The Focal Bathys headphones also give complete clarity and detail of the mids as well.

Highs

According to the specification of Focal Bathys, frequency response is 20Hz to 22khz, and their range is wider than general headphones. But the treble is not too height and not too sharp as well. The treble still has a character similar to the mids range, a little soft but the end of the sound is not blunt or dull. Personally, the highs are not too thin and not too sharp till to pierced the eardrum. Fun to listen to and well-detailed.

All in all the sound quality, the Focal Bathys wireless ANC headphones produce great sound and are very well-balanced for all frequencies. Great for listening to all genres.

Compare Focal Bathys to Other High-End Headphones

Focal Bathys Vs Focal Clear Vs Focal Utopia 2022 Vs Focal Elegia Vs Focal Stellia Vs HifiMAN Arya Vs Beoplay H95

Focal Bathys

Color: two-tone black and dark metallic grey
Specs
: over-ear, closed-back design, dimension: 9.45″ x 8.46″ x 3.35″, weight: 12.4 ounces/350 grams, driver: M-shaped/40mm aluminum-magnesium, frequency response: 15Hz – 22kHz, total harmonic distortion: <0.2% @1kHz,  connectivities: Bluetooth 5.1/3.5mm analog/USB-C, app: Focal & Naim
Features: wireless/wired, Bluetooth 5.1 (multipoint), Bluetooth codecs: SBC/AAC/aptX Adaptive/aptX, Bluetooth range: > 15 meters, active noise cancellation: yes, noise reduction: yes, voice assistant: yes (Google Assistant/Amazon Alexa), special features: built-in DAC, battery life: up to 42 hours (USB DAC & ANC off)/35 hours(jack mode)/30 hours (Bluetooth/ANC on), fast charging: yes (15 minutes get 5 hours), waterproof rating: n/a, built-in microphones: 8
In the box: Focal Bathys wireless ANC over-ear headphones, hard protective case, 1.2m USB-C cable, 1.2m 3.5mm audio cable, quick start guide

 


Focal Clear

Specs: over-ear, audiophile open-back, circumaural, dimension: 9.25″ x 12″ x 12.25″, weight: 6.8 pounds, driver: 40mm Aluminum-Magnesium “M” shape dome, ear cushions: 20mm memory foam covered with perforated microfiber fabric, frequency response: 5 – 28 kHz, impedance: 55 ohms, THD: 0.25% @ 1kHz / 100dB SPL, sensitivity: 104dB SPL/ 1mW @ 1kHz, cables: 3m balanced cable (XLR 4-pin); 3m unbalanced cable (1/4″ TRS jack); 1.2m unbalanced cable (1/8″ TRS jack); 1/8″ jack to 1/4″ stereo jack adapter
Features: adjustable headband, comfortable and ergonomic design, carrying case: hard-shell

 


Focal Utopia 2022 High-Fidelity Open-Back

Specs: dimension: 12″ x 9″ x 16″, weight: 5.95 pounds, audiophile open-back circum-aural, driver: 40m Beryllium M-shaped dome, ear cushions: 20mm memory foam, frequency response: 5 – 50 kHz, impedance: 80 ohms, sensitivity: 104dB SPL / 1mW a 1kHz, 4-pin XLR cable (10′) & 3.5mm cable (5′)
Features: full-range speaker drivers, high-fidelity home audiophiles headphones, design from outstanding sound & comfort, earcups with honeycomb grilles, perforated lambskin memory foam earpads, copper/aluminum coils, carbon yok & leather headband (adjustable), offers striking realism, neutrality, dynamics & clarity, hard carrying case with magnet locking system

 


Focal Elegia

Specs: dimension: 5″ x 10.1″ x 10.1″, over-ear, closed-back circum-aural, impedance: 25 ohms, sensitivity: 105 dB SPL / 1 mW a 1 kHz 40mm Aluminum-Magnesium “M” shape dome, ear cushions: 20mm memory foam covered with microfiber fabric,
Features: full-range speaker drivers, audiophile circum-aural closed-back headphones, excellent ambient noise soundproofing, comfortable and ergonomic design, hard-shell carrying case

 


Focal Stellia

Specs: over-ear (high-end circum-aural), closed-back, dimension: 13.70″ x 10.50″ x 12.90″, weight: 5.95 pounds, speaker driver: 40mm pure Beryllium “M” shape dome, ear cushion: 20mm memory foam covered with full-grain leather, sensitivity: 106dB SPL / 1mW a 1kHz, exclusive electrodynamic speaker drivers, high-quality materials, cable: 4ft OFC 24 AWG cable with 1/8″ (3.5mm) TRS Jack connector/10ft OFC 24 AWG cable with 4-pin XLR connector/Jack adapter, 1/8″ (3.5mm) female – 1/4″ (6.35mm) male
Features: full-range speaker drivers with M-shape, high-end audiophile circum-aural closed-back headphones, exceptional tone balances and dynamic, very good ambient noise soundproofing, very comfortable, ergonomic design, foldable design

 


Beoplay H95

Colors: black, chestnut, grey mist, navy
Specs
: over-ear, dimension: 185 mm x 165mm x 80mm (headphones)/200mm x 180mm x 63mm (case), weight: 323 g(headphones)/500 g(case), driver: electro-dynamic titanium driver 2/ Neodymium magnets (40mm diameter) frequency response: 20 – 22kHz, sensitivity: 101.5 dB 1mW @1kHz, material: aluminum/titanium/lambskin leather/cowhide leather/polymer/fabric, battery: lithium-ion 1200 mAh, charging time: 3 hours (approx.)
Features: wireless, Bluetooth, advanced sound feature: adjustable noise-canceling/transparent, playtime: up to 38 hours (BT & ANC on)/50 hours (BT on), microphones: 4 x MEMS for voice mics (2 mics sharing with ANC)/4 x dedicated MEMS mic for ANC (2 mics in each earcup), foldable design, EQ: presets available & fully customizable through Bang & Olufsen app,  multipoint: yes (2 active devices simultaneously
In the box: Beoplay H95 headphones, Aluminum carrying case, cable: USB-A to USB-C/3.5mm audio, airplane adapter, microfibre cleaning cloth, quick start guide & instruction, care card

 


HiFi-MAN Arya

Specs: full-size over-ear, planar magnetic audiophile, dimension: 4.69″ x 4.09″ x 2.83″, weight: 52.96 ounces, frequency response:5 – 65kHz, impedance: 35 ohms, sensitivity:90dB
Features: wired, hi-grade plastic construction, high-quality metal headband with extra strength, very rugged durability, nanometer thickness diagram, advanced asymmetrical magnet circuit, reducing interference in sound, optimized open-back design

 

Focal Bathys Review – Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Luxurious and outstanding design
  • Premium material and durable
  • Great sound quality and well-balanced for all frequencies
  • There is a built-in DAC
  • Good active noise-canceling and hardly affects the sound quality when turning ANC on

Cons

  • Doesn’t support LDAC
  • There is a little delay while swapping the ANC mode
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Focal Bathys Review – Final Verdicts

The Focal Bathys is undoubtedly at the top of high-end wireless headphones. Who the Focal Bathys is for? I think if you are a serious listener with sound quality and need wireless headphones for convenience use as well as without the budget issue, the Focal Bathys is perfect for you.

The Focal Bathys really give excellent sound quality. Moreover, they come with built-in DAC and wired mode, which both modes produce better sound quality than Bluetooth mode. Great sound and also have ANC/transparency modes. Furthermore, they are made of high-quality materials and durable design. The playtime is just moderate, for around 30 hours or over. The fast charging is quite well, just plug in for 15 minutes and get 5 extra hours. Are all of these worth exchanging for a high price? The answer depends on you.

Thank you for reading the Focal Bathys review until the end. I know this item is very expensive. You don’t need to buy it if you’re not ready. Just read about it and enjoy reading. I’m so glad at all, thank you very much.

Where to buy Focal Bathys

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

over-ear, wireless/wired, great design & very beautiful, active noise-canceling, 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

 

Alternative Wireless ANC Headphones – May be great for you

Bowers & Wilkins Px8

over-ear, wireless, Bluetooth 5.2, advanced active noise cancellation, transparency mode, supported app: yes (Bowers & Wilkins Music app), EQ preference, battery life: 30 hours of playtime, fast charge: 15 minutes get 7 hours, 90-degree rotatable earcups, soft and comfy with premium material, comfortable fit, great sound


Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2:

over-ear, wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, supported codecs: aptX Adaptive/aptX HD,  battery life: 30 hours, fast charge: 15 minutes get 7 hours, active noise-canceling, Pass Through mode, built-in microphones

 

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