Focal Bathys | Endgame Bluetooth headphones, really?!

Immersive Sound Tech tests the new Focal Bathys with built-in active noise cancelling, fast Bluetooth connectivity, and great sound.
Spoiler alert…life's too short to not own a pair of great-sound headphones!
▬ Content of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 - Intro
01:31 - History of Focal
02:39 - Design and features of Focal Bathys
05:52 - How do they sound?
09:16 - On the technical side
10:48 - Now for the thousand-dollar question. How do they sound over Bluetooth?
13:03 - The quality of the active noise cancelling - ANC
13:48 - The possibility of future updates
14:12 - Wrapping up discussing the sound quality, Bluetooth connectivity, active noise cancelling and usability
15:20 - Is there anything to complain about?
17:23 - Finally, who are these headphones for?
* BREAKING NEWS UPDATE *
Here are a couple of features that didn't make it into the review.
- It IS possible to hook up the headphones to an iPhone or iPad, but for it to work, you need an "Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter". The battery will last longer using a cable, and your phone battery will most likely also last longer. GREAT! :-)
- It IS possible to have several Bluetooth devices connected to the headphones at the same time. So, you can listen to music on your laptop, and when the phone rings, the headphones will switch over to the phone call. Sweet!
- There's been a lot of questions and comments on the Internet regarding the battery and what to do if it dies. It is located in the left ear cup and it's a standard 3.7V battery available on eBay and Aliexpress. There are even larger batteries available that probably will fit inside the ear cup, maybe offering even longer lasting battery time. But, I don't recommend anyone to swap the battery themselves - instead you should contact Focal.
Thanks Bill Bâby at [Headphone Audio] for identifying the battery.
- No, the headphones can't be used passively, they need battery power to work. Some might consider that a deal breaker, but I say it's the contrary. One reason that the Bathys sound and perform so well, is because the clever engineers at Focal make use of the internal DSP power to form the sound stage. I've quite sure that phase correction is done in the low-end along with some level correction in the frequency domain - that's why the low-end is much more firm, tight and even in level, compared to high-quality passive headphones.
* OVER AND OUT *
Here are a couple of tracks for you to try out with your own headphones:
Hannah Schneider - "We Will Be the Only Sound in the World"
Simon & Garfunkel - "The Sound of Silence" [Live from New York City, 1967]
Disturbed - "The Sound of Silence"
Pat Metheny - "The Sound of Silence"
Nine Inch Nails - "Hurt"
Ane Brun - "Halo"
Club For Five - "Brothers In Arms"
An Pierle - "Are 'Friends' Electric?"
Chris Jones - "Roadhouses & Automobiles"
Elvis Presley - "In The Ghetto - Take 1"
If any of them gives you goosebumps, please leave a comment. 😍
Just got a big one making the list… 😉
And I'd love to know about your favourite 'headphone' tracks. Please post them in the comments. 🙏
Please subscribe to this channel and ping that notification bell for more exciting videos.
For more information about Focal - www.focal.com
For online courses in immersive sound technology - www.immersivesoundtech.com
Music by: Corbyn Kites
Focal factory tour: • Focal Factory Tour
#focal #bathys #headphones #bluetooth #anc #bt 5.2

[@waiik76]

I just bought the Focal Bathys headphones 🎧. It's awesome and the sound are beautiful! Thanks for the information. Your video clip are great. Love your interviews.

[@yusif.heybatov]

Sound IS beautiful...

[@isixteenX]

Hey I’m planning to buy one for gaming I love playing campaign games and I spend most of the time watching movies n listen to music

[@isixteenX]

Is surrounded sound present on dac mode? For gaming n movies

[@dbean5174]

@@isixteenXof course. It is a headphone and so whether you are in Bluetooth, 3.5 mm, or dac mode, you will have “surround sound”. If you are referring to Dolby Atmos, then I believe the BAthys can run Atmos but does not have the official “licensing support” for it.

[@immersivesoundtech]

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everybody supporting my KZbin-channel. ❤❤ Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎅❤

[@Bronwyn031]

Bathys (Ba-This) comes from the word “bathyscaphe”, the first submarine exploration vehicle. The embodiment of calm, depth and absolute silence, this vessel is the inspiration behind the name of Focal's very first headphones with active noise reduction.

[@carpediem7013]

bah - TIS in french. faux-Cal bah-Tis

[@WorthlessDeadEnd]

The _Trieste_ was the first and only bathyscaphe submersible to descend to the Mariana trench in 1960, until James Cameron went there in 2012. Thank you for expounding on the origin of the headphone name.

[@fedebo1233]

Congratulation for your reviews! They are very interesting and professionals! It would be to great to have a comparison between px8 and px7s2!

[@jurgenort1504]

🎉🎉🎉 Hello, thank you very much for this video. I love how you do that. I have a Focal Clear MG and will now buy the Bathys. Greetings from Germany.

[@immersivesoundtech]

You are so welcome! Please spread the word about my channel, I want to hit 1500 subscribers before Christmas. 😀

[@Aztekiar]

Fantastiskt vilken kvalité du levererar direkt från start med din kanal Frederick, riktig rivstart. Grymt ljud, grym bildkvalité och intressant content. Skulle vara kul med en video om dina favoritbiografer och kanske en jämförelse med vad du ser som största fördelarna och nackdelarna med hembio kontra biografbesök.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Tack så mycket för din feedback! Uppskattas! 🤗 Det låter som en riktigt kul idé att besöka bra biografer och sedan jämföra ljud, bild och upplevelse med bra hemmabios. Skulle kunna bli en riktigt intressant serie av videos. Jag tackar för idén! 🙏

[@victorrivera6375]

I’ve been watching videos on the reviews of the Focal and Bowers and Wilkins and you’re the first to mention burn in period on the headsets. Appreciate the information, thanks!

[@immersivesoundtech]

Glad to help! 😀

[@Mr-Raccoon]

Nice review , it seems to be a great pair of headphones 😊

[@Pashyabhau]

Thank you so much for such a great and insightful review, Fredrick. Everything from the way you covered all the review aspects to the soothing background music is spot on. Oh, and the music recommendations are legit goosebumpers!

[@blackdaniels8361]

Great video 👌🏾 Keep em coming 💪🏾

[@scottdavidson5154]

Great review and thanks for bringing up the topic of break-in! It's my habit to break-in audio equipment before serious listening (and in a couple of instances I've taken notes during the process - 20hrs / 50hrs / 100hrs etc.). Can't say I've done 300hrs, but I'll take that under advisement. Regardless, you are the only headphone reviewer I've come across recently that even mentions a break-in period - which I consider an important topic. All of the new audio equipment I've purchased over the last 40 years has been listened to initially and then gone through a break-in period before serious listening begins. Sometimes the improvement is not that dramatic, sometimes the improvement is very dramatic and in no case has there not been a worthwhile improvement. In most instances the sound becomes fuller, better balanced, smoother on the top end and most importantly - more engaging! Cheers

[@immersivesoundtech]

Hi Scott! Thanks for your kind words. 🙏 You are right on the money in your description - sometimes the difference is subtle and sometimes it’s more dramatic. And if I’d was forced to describe it in only two words, it would be “more engaging”. The “break-in process” is one of those hot-potato-subjects on the Internet. Funny enough, the critics have seldom tried it out themselves and their arguments often based on the opinions of the self-appointed “google professors” on forums and KZbin. Whereas users like you and I have done our homework by trying out break-in and evaluating the results - over many years. 🎵👍 I guess it’s a “whatever rocks your boat” thing. 😊 Rest assure, I will continue to talk about the importance of the break-in process of factory-new audio equipment. 💪 Because, when I read user comments and negative experiences on newly bought headphones, it's sad that they are sent back before being properly evaluated. Have a nice Sunday!

[@Arlebrink]

Go Freddan! Underhållande och Informativt i go blandning.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Tack så mycket gamle vän! 🙏😀

[@vudanghoang6325]

Great review. Burning period makes a lot of sense. Thank you for the great tip!

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your kind words. 🙏 Yes, the importance of ‘burning in’ headphones before evaluating the sound quality is very underrated. To me, it can make all the difference. That’s why I always ‘break in’ headphones, speakers, DACs, preamps, power amp etc - before doing any serious listening sessions. It’s just good practise - to me. 👍

[@BigStreetCinema]

Great work 💪🏼

[@samaziz3397]

Thank you for a great review 🙏🏽

[@samaziz3397]

Got me a pair 👂🏽👌🏽 If I want to listen via cable on my iPhone what cable/connection would you recommend?

[@rodzishot]

Awesome review..very detailed. I tried the Bathys and h95s. The bathys sounds way better, which I immediately pre-ordered! Would look forward to a video of the bathys vs the px8

[@immersivesoundtech]

Congratulation! 🎵🥳 Thanks for your kind words, much appreciated. 🙏 I agree with you, Focal Bathys sound substantially better than the Bang & Olufsen H95s - to me. There will be a review of the B&W PX8, they are burning in as we speak. 😀 And there will be a Bathys vs PX8 video too, later on... 👍 Thanks for supporting my channel!

[@ekjellgren]

​@@immersivesoundtech time for that vs video?

[@runenorderud]

Thank you for a verry good review.😊 I think i must buy a pair of this headphones!

[@immersivesoundtech]

Glad I could help!

[@WorthlessDeadEnd]

Ever since switching to Bluetooth headphones for my PC via my $20 USB to Bluetooth adapter, I stopped using my $300 wired headphones (which I love) with my computer. Right now, I am genuinely pleased with my cheap $30 hybrid noise canceling Bluetooth headphones that I got from Amazon, but now I want serious audiophile quality in wireless form, so here I am. I've been doing a lot of online shopping and watching reviews like this. So thank you for this review. My number one problem with using any wired headphones with my PC is the peripheral neuropathy in my feet. I have lost count of all the times my headphone cables have gotten stuck in between my toes, and I never knew because I couldn't feel it. It's never fun to hear the loud *_"crash"_* after I've gotten up and walked away from my computer desk, only to look down and see a trail of carnage on the floor behind me. The headphones fell off the headphone stand that's on my computer desk and both the headphones and the headphone stand ended up in the wastebasket that's right next to my computer desk. 🤦‍♂ So yeah, Bluetooth.

[@HockeyMuscles]

Hi Sir...I got my first goose bumps with them by listening to Beat it by M Jackson...here on KZbin, the offical video (on vevo)....Deep and precise sound indeed....Thanks...

[@jeroenvanwesemael8556]

Bought them today based on your very good review, thanks it is a great headphone! And listening to Ocean Letters gives me goosebumps as well 😂 thanks for the tip!

[@andrehunter8137]

I've had my Bathys for two days and they sound awesome.

[@mklaudijus]

Good review. Headphones for this much should support all avaliable BT codecs this was decisive factor for me to get the headphone or not I think there will be many ppl thinking like me.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks! You have a valid point. Focal Bathys uses the latest version of Bluetooth, so hopefully support for more codecs can be implemented in the future. 👍

[@DamianNocun]

Frederick, another great content. I'm thinking of changing B&W PX8 for those, how would you compare both in terms of sound quality ? Did you have goosebumps with PX8 in the past ? :)

[@Oyvind88]

Great review, love mine😍🇧🇻

[@immersivesoundtech]

Great 👍

[@greatestsportslegends]

What an exceptional review. You may be the very first person to talk about the importance and the difference the break-in period plays. Awesome. And thank you. Officially subscribed. Just don't refer to yourself as Daddy again. LoL

[@immersivesoundtech]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevel4329]

A better connection for the iPhone to play lossless wired is with the ddHiFi TC28i Pro. A nickle size connection that is less cable and cumbersome then a lightning connector. It allows the OTG connection. You right about the connection. It is quick and easily recognizes which device to connect to via Bluetooth. These are the best sounding bluetooth headphones to date. And with the option of connections they have it is like having a wired pair and a wireless player you can take with you. They are so good you may only need these headphones rather than having to buy a wired pair and a wireless pair for these do both very well!

[@immersivesoundtech]

I agree with you, the Focal Bathys are the best wireless headphones to date (that I’ve listened to). 😀 Thanks for the tip! The adapter looks nice. 👍 Personally - and working as a sound engineer - I always try to use adapters that don’t put force on the connection - because then it will last longer. So I will stick to the Apple USB camera adapter, because it’s “just” a lightning connection which won’t put more momentum force in the connection than a normal lightning earbuds cable will. 👍 But thanks for the tip, the adapter looks good.

[@gianlucaalessia5538]

I just got these and they are amazing! The only ones that come close are the b&o h95s and those have a great punchy bass. But these are the only ones that at not even 3/4 volume they are loud enough to enjoy every Lil sound. Every other in ear or over the ear i usually max out the volume. Not only did I have the volume only at 3/4 but I listened to them with a loud hairdryer in front of my face and it was still amazing and could barely hear the hairdryer. Turning them up a bit drowned yhe hair dryer out completely.

[@tomasg5348]

Weird I got them and found them to be lacking sound completely, 😅. Had a bunch of my friends listen to them who reached the same conclusion. I wonder if those pair were defective in some manner.

[@anncleverley4721]

@@tomasg5348 Hi Tomas, I have had a similar problem, when i first got them they seemed play at a louder volume. Now the volume seems to be capped also I now cant get it to work in DAC mode. Happy Christmas

[@immersivesoundtech]

Well, then you didn’t break them in properly. www.immersivesoundtech.com/post/break-you-stuff-in-man

[@blinsmaslom3263]

​@@tomasg5348What did you compare them to?

[@superrluigi64]

I enjoy the brief historical intro for the headphones and the burn in period for the drivers. Amazing review!

[@JFlint.02]

I love the way you convey your feelings and information! Very entertaining and refreshing take on audio-related content. I hope to see more from you in the future :) Cheers, and happy new year 🎆

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your kind words, Josh! I really appreciate it! 🙏 I'm uploading a new review as I write and I hope it will get the same interest. Making KZbin reviews is very time-consuming but so rewarding when finally reaching the finish line. 🎉🎇 If you have the possibility, please spread the word about my channel, and let's build a great community here. 👍 I wish you and your family a Happy New Year! 🥳

[@JFlint.02]

@@immersivesoundtech You are so very welcome!! And thank YOU for the lovely reply! I'll be sure to check out the new video as soon as it releases, and I'll spread the word where I can :) I wish you the utmost fortune going forward 😊 Keep making a difference!

[@micklepanwar]

very well explained video. Thanks. However, I need your suggestion, as I am looking to buy a excellent sound quality headphone. Which should I go with Wired focal or wireless bathys??

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your question and for your kind words! Well, first it depends on whether you plan to bring them along for travel, day-to-day walks and use them at work - because if you do, the Focal Bathys are great-sounding travel partners. Great sound, good battery life, effective ANC and pretty okay size. Secondly, what's your budget? If you're willing to spend more money than what the Bathys cost, then a more expensive set of Focal headphones might be a better alternative, along with a good-sounding DAP or headphone amp. Right now, I'm comparing the Bathys to Focal Stellia that cost $3000, requiring a good headphone amp as well. Do the Stellia sound better than Bathys? Oh yes, they do! It's not even a contest...😀 Is it worth spending $5000 on a pair of headphones and a really good DAC and headphone amp? Only you can decide. Good luck with you purchase. 👍

[@edwinramos4910]

I subscribed after watching your excellent PX8 review, and also enjoyed this one. I would love to see you do a comparison video between the PX8 and the Bathys. I know why I chose the PX8 over the Bathys, but I'd love to hear your take on how they compare.

[@audio_tron]

Excellent review. Having heard both Focal’s Bathys and B&O’s H95, I think Bathys wins on sound, comfort, features and price. However, the H95 was a worthy competitor and would be my choice if Bathys didn’t exist because of its novel dials and beautiful design, plus a well done sub bass lifted neutral signature.

[@fabienromero1832]

Thank you for the quality of the review. I would like some feedback about other applications than music even if it's the most important one of course (whatching movies or gaming). One thumb up and one subscription for me ;) (desperately waiting for your Px8 Vs Bathys video 😉).

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks Fabien! You have a good point. 👍😀 I will make sure to include watching movies listening to headphones. 👍 Haven’t had the time to play video games in many years, but I got two teenagers at home that would jump at the opportunity. 😂 I plan to make a comparison video, but I just have too much paid work right now, so my KZbin endeavours will have to wait a bit. But stick around and there will be a video posted eventually. 👍 Cheers Frederick

[@fabienromero1832]

@@immersivesoundtech great, thanks 😉

[@geekatari4391]

I am loving your soothing voice, and that you look a lot like my father who also enjoyed music and clear sound, although our humble lives didn't allow for a high end HiFi system. I subscribed.

[@immersivesoundtech]

I'm glad to hear that I remind you of your father - even though that makes me 'an old guy', I guess. 😉 My father passed many years ago, but I try to keep him dearly in my memory. Thanks for reminding me! 🙏

[@geekatari4391]

@@immersivesoundtech Mine passed almost a year ago. It feels like yesterday. Keep up the good work 👏🏻

[@immersivesoundtech]

@@geekatari4391 Time is a healer...❤ I'm glad that I remind you of your father. Sometimes my son giggles exactly the same way as his grandfather did - and it gives me a warm feeling every time. 💖

[@83nakedtruth]

Hi. Great review. Thank you. I'm really wondering how they sound comparing to Beoplay H95.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your kind words! 🙏 I've briefly listened to the Beoplay H95 at a local HiFi-store - I listened to them for ten minutes and fiddled around with the Beoplay app. Personally, I prefer the B&W PX8, but the Beoplay H95 headphones sound fine too. The Beoplay app let's the user alter the sound stage quite extensively to create a personal headphone listening experience - whereas the Bowers & Wilkins app only offer treble and bass EQ. Both headphones are well worth a good listen. 👍

[@stevel4329]

Club for Five Brothers in Arms is pretty amazing what they can do with their voices and the bass in the leads voice is wicked awesome!

[@immersivesoundtech]

Yes, it’s cool isn’t it? 😀 They’ve done very cool low-end processing on the bass voice for sure. 🎶❤️

[@edenconnell4322]

@@immersivesoundtech Such an amazing song listening to all your other song recommendations now. Will buy these headphones tomorrow what an excellent review. One of my all time favourite audiofile songs is "Dire Straits - Your Latest Trick". Thanks again !

[@immersivesoundtech]

@@edenconnell4322 Thanks for your kind words! 🙏 Love that track too! Good luck with the headphones!

[@kafkaworkshere]

I had a pair of these. My kid took them. She wouldn't give them back. I just bought a second pair because I miss how good they are in practical situations where I just need a closed-back set of cans. I love this guy's delivery. He reminds me that words can be delicious.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Oh, thank you so much for your kind words. 🙏 Sounds like you raising a future HiFi-enthusiast. ❤️ The Focal Bathys are great-sounding headphones for sure and it's comforting to hear that you're getting a second pair. 😀 Please feel free to spread the word about my channel - I want to reach 1500 subscribers before Christmas.

[@johnepic2422]

Frederick, I love you man! Most professional review of headphones I have ever heard. I will get them to enjoy. BIG THANKS!

[@immersivesoundtech]

John. Thanks for your kind words. 🙏 I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do. 🎧👍 More reviews are in the making, so stay tuned to my channel.

[@joelbregy1819]

thank you for this great review. If u get the chance to listen to the Bowers & Wilkins PX8, I would love to get your opinion on those, if possible compared to the bathys. Subbed, excited to see some more content of yours. Cheers

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your kind words and thanks for subscribing! 🙏 I've made contact with the Scandinavian distributor of Bowers & Wilkins, and they are working on getting me a pair of PX8 for reviewing. 😊 Like you point out, they are interesting headphones, and a good pair to compare with the Focal Bathys. More will follow...

[@joelbregy1819]

@@immersivesoundtech Well I'm excited to see that Video. I have never owned a pair of Headphones of such calliber so I really want to know where my money goes. You seem to have a good connection to Focal, so if u get the chance, and if you are even interested in speakers, you should listen to the Focal Utopia Evo. I got the chance once in a Hifi-Store in Germany, I could not believe my own ears.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Good news! The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 headphones are being sent to me shortly. 😀 Stay tuned for a review. Regarding Focal speakers, they are amongst the best-sounding speakers on the market. 👍

[@joelbregy1819]

@@immersivesoundtech Glad to hear that, I will be there to watch it.

[@NotTheOnlyMattAround]

Bass is heavily emphasized, but the Yamaha YH-L700A sounds incredible and has a lot of very cool additional features. I'm a bit of a basshead, however, so I probably appreciate that low-end emphasis more than most. Owning both, I have to say the Bathys sounds better for more types of music and certainly isn't lacking in bass. Everything I've ran through it sounds great.

[@immersivesoundtech]

I agree, the Focal Bathys certainly isn't lacking low-end, and compared to many headphones that might have prominent bass, if you listen closely, the Bathys play deeper down in the low-end, and most of all, the bass frequencies are very even and tight in the time domain. On a rainy day, I might compare a couple of different headphones, and measure the group delay of the bass frequencies. I'm pretty sure Focal does some phase correction in the Bathys, because the low-end just sits together with the rest of the frequency spectrum in a wonderful way. Other cans might have 'more' perceived bass, but Focal Bathys has tighter, punchier and more even bass, and in the end, that's what counts for me. 👍 Also, for anyone that needs more bass, the built-in EQ is pretty good, but I've felt no need to use it, yet...

[@barrybrown7892]

@ImmersiveSoundTech - Thank you for the excellent review! About the burn-in period, basically one could set a repeating playlist to play for hours on end? Certain types of music and volume levels??

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your kind words! 🙏 I use a playlist of an hour of music and a five-minute track of silence. I have no special thought behind the choice of music except for having a couple of tracks with extra low-end. The music is playing 24/7 for a couple of weeks, at normal listening level, about 80-85dB(A). 👍

[@barrybrown7892]

@ImmersiveSoundTech - how are vocals? Another reviewer that was comparing these with the B&W PX8s said the vocals were muddled a little towards the background music. Whereas the PX8s put the vocals more in front of the supporting music/instruments - a more live presentation. What do you think?

[@immersivesoundtech]

@@barrybrown7892 I think vocals sound great in both the Bathys and Px8 - they are just different sounding. 👍 And regarding sounding like a "more live presentation", well that can mean that the vocals sit very well with the music, and it can mean having prominent vocals that sits in front of the music and engaging you as a listener, right? Apples or oranges... 😉

[@pdiddly5609]

"why daddy needs to work late in the studio" earned my sub lmao

[@zajko3113]

Have you ever tried Mark levinson's n5909 and how do they stack up against something like Focal Bathys?

[@cassiecat7038]

Will you do a review of the 2022 focal utopia? I’m eager to hear the comparisons with the OG which I just purchased! thanks

[@immersivesoundtech]

Hi Cassie I would love to do a review of the new Focal Utopia headphones. 😀 Let's see if I can make that happen. I have listened to them briefly and they sound fabulous. Thanks for the suggestion and please stay tuned to my channel. 🙏

[@michelleroy2585]

Thanks

[@zombieimpact2790]

Can you review the Audeze maxwell for music? I heard that it sounds amazing.

[@xl5man]

Great review.. and lovely French accent!

[@heywoodx5353]

I believe it's a Swedish accent. Sorry.

[@gdemirjian]

PLEASE REPLY>>> Approximately how often did you need to recharge the Bathys battery through the three week burn-in period that you applied? Great video! Thanks much!!

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your question! I had a minijack cable connected and battery life is a bit longer using a cable. I’d say I charged it every 1,5 day (close to 40h).

[@juliencomandini4455]

Hey. Really asking me. Focal bathys or PX8. If I listen mostly Metal music. Thanks

[@alaincollin7513]

Got goosebumps from Disturbed’s version of The Sound of Silence 😉. Any idea how they compare to the B&W Px8?

[@ninja_sound]

I teared up the first time I heard that version of "The Sound of Silence" - listening on a pair of Pioneer SE-Monitor5 headphones. The B&W PX8 looks very interesting and I've reached out to Bowers & Wilkins and asked for a pair to review in this channel. Hopefully I get the chance to try them out. 👍

[@_DST0NE_]

@@ninja_sound I just subbed to your channel because of this review. Can’t wait to see you get your hands on the Px8.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Good news! The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 headphones are being sent to me shortly. 😀 Stay tuned for a review.

[@alaincollin7513]

@@immersivesoundtech Looking forward to it!

[@caseyHRC]

Hello, thanks for great review. I have Bahtys for a few days, they are amazing, huge step forward compared to Bang & Olufsen H95 and I can confirm even after 10 hours they are much better than they were first day. I would like to ask you what is the proper way to burn-in headphones? I mean in terms what type of music, volume level...should I avoid punchy bass for the first hours or doesn't matter? Thanks

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your kind words! 🙏 I have a playlist with a bunch of different sounding tracks that play at "normal" listening level - 85dBA or so - for an hour, then I have a five minute silent track to let the headphones 'rest'. And set the playlist on repeat. I use the same method when breaking in new speakers. I'm not using anything super-heavy in the low-end for the first 100 hours or so, then I put more bass heavy tracks in the playlist. I don't think it's that important when breaking in headphones, but with expensive HiFI-speakers, I kind of what to be around when I start playing them loud - just to make sure that they sound okay and doesn't break up. And yes, like you've already noticed, the sound stage of the Focal Bathys changes for the better after a good burn-in period. My pair have more than 500h hours now, and sound spectacular to me. PS. I've briefly listened to the Bang & Olufsen H95 and spontaneously, they aren't playing in the same league as the Bathys, but I wouldn't mind reviewing them in this channel.

[@caseyHRC]

@@immersivesoundtech Thank you for your exhausting answer. The thing why I asked if I can play music with heavy bass, is that I just want to make sure if I'll start play with EQ, if I can somehow damage the headphone speaker? I don't think I am listening at high volume levels, I just wanted to test an increase in 32Hz for little bit more present sub-bass and little bit less on 125 Hz....So just If I should be worried that I will mess them? Thank you

[@immersivesoundtech]

@@caseyHRC Well, for starters. I think that what you are looking for might fall into place once they are properly 'burnt in', because I found the low-end to tighten up and play deeper after 300h or so. It just 'fell into place' after a good break-in period. But for sure, do experiment with the EQ-settings. I'm sure you won't damage anything as long as you keep the levels below full blast. For sure, there are headphones with more sub low-end and inflated low-end - but if there's one thing I love about the Bathys, is how firm, tight and punchy the low-end is, without clouding the mid-range or treble. It's also very even in level. So, my suggestion is to keep breaking in the headphones, and then live with the sound stage for a while - I sure you will become very fond of it. 🎵👍

[@caseyHRC]

@@immersivesoundtech Thank you very much for the answers. If I can have one last question...what DAC/AMP would you recommend me to match with Bathys? I currently have Creative SoundBlaster AE-9, which is fine for me, but I don't have any comparison, so if there is any recommendation from you which would be "noticeable upgrade" from what I currently have, it would be great. Price range is something like like 700 USD. Thank you 🙂

[@immersivesoundtech]

Actually Casey, I suggest that you just connect the Bathys using a USB-C cable and enable the [DAC]-mode. That way, you will get the most transparent connection between your phone/laptop and the headphones - a digital connection. Because, if you use the mini jack input, the analogue signal needs to be digitalized before reaching the internal processing of the headphones - it's an unnecessary DA to AD-conversion that will affect the sound quality. Do try the [DAC]-mode, and let me know what you think. 🎵👍

[@jol4675]

Wow, just stumbled on your review in my obsessive research for a pair of anc headphones. Your reviews are by far the best out there! Thanks for your work! I was heaitating between the px8 and the B&0 H95 but my choice will be the Bathys! I aleady own a pair of Focal Elear (one day Utopias maybe 😊), would you be able to recommend a good sub 1000€ heaphone amp? Thnaks and keep up the fantastic work!

[@erkanvural3621]

how do this focal sounds compare to PX8 B&W ? i really wonder so much your opinions thoughts . you are very expereinced guy about audiophile i'd like. to hear your comment and im gonna make decision accordingly.

[@mcbridepaul]

One of the best reviews of the Bathys, thank you. I have two questions. Regarding burn-in; there’s a lot of conflicting information about whether or not it makes a difference. Yours is the most compelling rationale (I.e. based on your experience) but not knowing whether this approach is noticeable to everyone’s ears is the question. Is there a measurable difference in pre/post burn in performance? Second is around the DAC itself which is apparently an ESS DAC - would you know the type? E.g. is it a Sabre DAC?

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your kind words! 🙏 I have no information about the DAC inside Bathys. If you get solid information about which model used, please feel free to post a comment, because I’d love to know. 👍 Whichever DAC-chip used, I think it performs great! 🎶👍 Regarding burn-in. I’ve been reviewing audio hardware for over twenty years - although this is my first KZbin review. And I’ve always had access to a studio and control room where I’ve let new gear play around the clock for days without bothering anyone. Few HiFi-enthusiasts have the ability to do that. So, new speakers will play for days without I having to listen to them. So yes, after two weeks of burn-in, it’s easy for me to hear the difference. Same thing with headphones, I do an initial listen because I’m curious, then I leave them playing around the clock for three weeks. Try it out and you will most likely spot the difference in sound stage. Have I ever measured the difference? No, I haven’t, because to me the difference have always been so audible, and I’m not an evangelist about it. To me, it’s just standard practice. Also, I’m a trained professional sound engineer and trained to spot minute differences in sound quality. Maybe I’ll do a video about the importance of proper burn-in in the future. I just have to prepare to be flamed by the naysayers. 😆

[@thomasdewaard7050]

@@immersivesoundtech I'd be curious if you were able to tell the difference between a burned in set and a brand new one in a blinded test. I'm sure you're aware of the concept of confirmation bias and placebo, because burn-in does not change the frequency response of a headphone and produces no measurable differences. That you haven't actually attempted to measure the difference at any point probably speaks for itself.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Well Thomas, I'd be curious if you were able to spot the difference between a pair of brand-new headphones, and a pair with 500 hours of break-in. If you're curious, you should try it out. 👍 I'm very aware of confirmation bias, the McGurk effect and most other things that can play tricks on you and me. What sets me apart from most users, is that I take the time to properly burn-in speakers, headphones, equipment etc. And I evaluate the results. Very few users do that, or even have the possibility to do that. But I do, because I have a control room that I can play as loud as I want in, 24/7, and I've come to the conclusion that it's important to do proper burn-in for hundreds of hours. I'm all for measuring things, I work as a Trinnov installer and design home cinemas, HiFi-listening rooms, and studios - calculating the designs, and measuring the results are very important. But, after twenty-five years as a sound engineer, I've come to the conclusion that measurements will never take precedence over what I hear and experience as a listener. It took me years to reach that conclusion, but that's where I am now and I'm confident in my findings and opinions. So, even if you say that it's not possible to measure any difference in frequency response, group delay or THD, if I hear a difference, then that's what I'll act on. I'm all for measuring things, yet there are no numbers or SI-units for stating the sound quality of perceived depth, width, 'punch', 'realness', 'fidelity', timbre, coherency, sonic integrity and the list goes on - rather universal words to describe a sound sensation, yet no really good way to measure and put numbers on them. Go figure...

[@thomasdewaard7050]

@@immersivesoundtech I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I'm not here to tell you your subjective experience doesn't exist, I'm sure it does and I believe you when you tell me you think burn in matters to you. I'm here to tell you that the effects of burn in cannot be measured and fall completely into the subjective domain. I think we don't disagree on that point.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thomas The pleasure is all mine. Thanks for pointing out what matters to me. 👍 Tell me, when you evaluate and eventually decide which headphones to buy, do you compare the specs or do you listening to headphones and then decide which one to buy? According to the manufacturer, the Focal Bathys has a frequency response of 15 - 22000Hz whereas the Mark Levinson 5909 has a frequency response of 10 - 40000Hz(!!) (in passive mode). The B&W PX8 has a THD of

[@anncleverley4721]

Happy Christmas and thank you for you expertise - please help as I really did like these headphones or advise me on another brand. . My Bathys were for Christmas and was so looking forward to using them, BUT when I first tested them everthing seemed to work perfectly well, that is the volume was great and did not seem capped. I was able to use the dac mode with my hires DAP (Hidiz AP80 PRO. Now however, tonight there have been problems: I cannot get the Bathys to work with my Hidiz with the dac mode and the volume when listening to Apple Music, KZbin and movies is not very good and not to mention a gurgling sound coming through intermittently (like you hear in a submarine). I am so frustrated parting with £700 and now not knowing what is going on. I want a higher volume as some of my music needs it. Is the Levison better or the B&0 95? What are your thoughts?

[@immersivesoundtech]

Hi Ann Thanks for supporting my channel. 🙏 When troubleshooting it's important to be meticulous. How does it sound when you hook up the Bathys via USB to a laptop? When you connect them to your phone via Bluetooth, is the volume lower than it was before? If you get the gurgling sound when connected via Bluetooth to your phone, I would say that something is wrong with your headphones. My advice is to contact your Focal reseller and ask for advice. Regarding having problem connecting them to a DAP, my suggestion is to contact the manufacturer Hidiz and ask them for advice regarding connectivity and supported headphones models. Focal Bathys are great-sounding headphones and I haven't had any problems with the volume or noise. That said, if I listen to really dynamic music, the maximum sound level won't be enough to produce a high sound level, but the sound level will be enough for me. Finally, regarding your question about the Mark Levinson 5909, they don't produce as much sound level as the Focal Bathys - unless you use them in passive mode driven by an external headphone amp. However, if you use them passively, you can't utilize the internal processing, like the [Bass Contour] filtering. I'm going to explain this in my upcoming review. I have only briefly listened to the Beoplay H95 headphones, and they can play loud. However, in my humble opinion, the sound quality isn't on par with the Focal Bathys. I hope my advice is helpful to you.

[@anncleverley4721]

@@immersivesoundtech I am extremely grateful to you for allaying my fears about my headphones and taking the time to give such a detailed reply. I think the noise I am hearing is the bluetooth sound when trying to connect although it continues intermittently once the music has stopped. I will keep an eye on this as it may be normal for this to happen. The dac mode still did not work with the Hidiz, but remarkably the bluetooth on the Hidiz works flawlessly with the Bathys and is playing my hires files. I am using a MacBook Pro 14 and I think the volume is not all that loud on these tablets. I think the headphones are working correctly phew! Thank you once again.

[@sanchomill]

Hello. Thanks for your amazing reviews. I've tried the Bathys yesterday and was quite disappointed. The wired killer Bluetooth anc hi-fi headphones are not him yet. May I ask you a piece of advice, then ? I'm gonna return Hifiman Sundara 'cause the pads do pain at the contact point beneath the ears. But I loved the sound. I'm therefore looking for its substitute. I've also tried the Celestee and the Clear MG (Celestee was very nice AFTER being EQed). But the budget needed, woaw. Any recommandation would be welcome. Closed back are welcome too, as I don't want to bother my neighbourhood when listening to music in public places. Main music styles : electropop, progressive house, trip hop, rock, pop... An answer would be appreciated but I understand if you don't.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for watching my reviews! 🙏 I think that the headphone experience is the most personal listening experience, and therefor it's important to do your own listening session with different headphones - like you have done. 👍 If you like the wired Focal headphones and are looking for closed-back headphones, then the Focal Stellia are amazing-sounding headphones - to me... If you're on a budget, check out the headphones from Meze. I find them interesting and quite price-worthy. I hope this helps. Have a nice weekend Frederick

[@theanorakchannel2496]

Hi, it’s Rob, the blind guy who commented on your PXeight video the other day. Sorry it has taken me a couple of days to get back to you. I decided to listen to this review as having owned a pair of PXeight headphones, I know what they look like so I thought if I listened to a review of something I don’t know I’d be able to answer your questions better. in terms of the headphones themselves, your description was spot on. I don’t think there’s anything else you could have put in that would’ve improved the accessibility of the review. You could have mentioned whether there is any audible indication or voice prompts on the headphones to tell you which mode you are in. It may have been helpful however if you had described the case a little bit more, you said it was a bag, is there any padding to the bag, are there any pockets for cables et cetera? and does it seal with a zip or is it just a drawstring bag like one of those useless toiletry bags We get where everything falls out? I’d be Surprised if they don’t come with a hard case, however I could hear you putting something down on the desk at various points during the review, was that the box they came in or the case? It is also useful if you mention the title of the app for these headphones so that those of us who cannot see can download it and see if it is accessible with VoiceOver. on another subject, apparently I need an OTG USBC to lightning cable to connect these cans to my iPhone. I want to listen using USB DAC mode to music. Any suggestions as to what I should buy and from where? The cable I mentioned earlier costs nearly €100 and you have to buy it from China. I’m based in the UK so if that complicates the answer for you, you’re welcome to say so. so you’re a potato head, I’m definitely a grapefruit head. You do realise that you’re totally mad don’t you? Thanks for great reviews, and by the way I’ve bought the focal bathys headphones rather than the Px8. Can’t wait for them to arrive! Rob.😂

[@trebleclef4889]

I love high volume listening. Tryed xm4 xm5 momentum 4 all of them too weak volume. Is this headpone louder than others?

[@immersivesoundtech]

I haven't tried all the models you mention, all I can say is that the B&W Px8 can play LOUD! 😃 And the louder you play, the better they sound.

[@bernief.7463]

I bought the Bathys. I am thrilled with the sound, but I permanently hear a slight noise. In Transparancy mode, it even hisses very clearly. How was the noise with your test device?

[@immersivesoundtech]

Hi Bernie! Thanks for supporting my channel! 🙏 There shouldn't be any noise when using the ANC - my Bathys are dead-silence when not playing music. When enabling the Ambient mode, the sound from the built-in microphones are mixed with the music, and when no music is playing, there is a slight hissing sound. But you shouldn't permanently hear a slight noise when set to ANC mode. My recommendation is to contact your seller and ask for advice. I wish you all a nice and relaxing weekend.

[@johnepic2422]

Good morning Frederick! Will you have the chance to review Bowers & Wilkins PX8 headphones? I wonder how they compare to Bathys in your opinion 😃 thanks

[@immersivesoundtech]

Good morning John. Yes, I will. I now have the B&W PX8 on the test bench. 😃

[@barrybrown7892]

I’m am stuck deciding between the Bathys and the Px8. Looking forward to this review.

[@bill3117]

Any future comparisons with this headphone and the Px8 possible?

[@immersivesoundtech]

Yes, Bill, I plan to make a comparison video between the Focal Bathys, B&W Px8 and Mark Levinson No5909 (that I'm writing a review about right now). So, stay tuned to my channel. 😃

[@minminli6248]

I have the beoplay hx and the px7 s2. How do they compare to the bathys?

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your question! I haven't listened to the Beoplay HX or PX7 S2, so I can't comment on them. I have the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 headphones on the test bench. Stay tuned for a review. 👍

[@bekhele]

how do they perform outdoors in wind?

[@iBetUrWet]

Highly recommend listenting to Josh Curnow - Leave a Light On (Tom Walker Cover) | RouteNote Sessions | Live at the Parlour Im so impressed how the vocals sound on the Bathys. Amazing piece of headphones

[@cartuber1570]

Focal Bathys or B and W Px8 ? which one is better or shall i keep my Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 ?

[@immersivesoundtech]

Only you can decide which headphones are better - to you. But I can tell you this, both the Focal Bathys and B&W Px8 sound quite a lot better than the Sennheiser Momentum - to me. 👍

[@digitalkamran1]

Hei. Jeg vurderer å kjøpe disse, og de skal hovedsakelig brukes med mobiltelefonen. Bør man kjøpe en liten hodetelefon forsterker, eller har det liten betydning? Jeg skal bytte ut B&O H95 med disse. Hvordan er lyden anderledes/bedre enn B&O? Takk for evnt svar :)

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for you questions! The Beoplay H95 are fine headphones, but the B&W Px8 play in a league above them, both in sound quality and comfort. The beauty of active headphones are that you don't need any external headphone amplifier - it would actually just have a detrimental effect on the sound quality, due to the fact the amplified headphone signal will be digitized in the headphones anyway. So it's better to stay in the digital domain. Good luck with the Px8

[@d.s.6268]

Thanks for a tremendous review. Only one question before I get them - will they fit a really big head comfortably ? And favourite goosbump headphone track - Probably anything by Eva Cassidy. "Songbird" is a personal favourite.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Oh, tough question. You really have to try them out yourself. I have a big, but we are all shaped differently. For gym, running and exercise activities, I’m thinking IEM are better alternatives. I plan to go down that rabbit hole, but I’m still waiting for review AirPods from Apple, B&W, Sennheiser etc. Stay tuned for more information. 👍

[@d.s.6268]

@@immersivesoundtech Appreciate the response, thank you very much. I don't really like IEM so going to have to risk it on an over ear headphone at some point :) thx again !

[@immersivesoundtech]

Well, my suggestion is to try the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. The noise cancelling is really good, they are solid-built and light-weight. So far, they have survived the mishandling of my twelve year old daughter for months now, and still playing. 😃 They don't have the same sound quality as Focal Bathys or B&W Px8, but doesn't cost as much, and they still sound nice. They sit very well on my head and I like how light-weight they are. Only you can decide if they feel comfortable on your head, and if you like the sound or not. The Sony WH-1000XM5 are well-worth a listen. 🎧👍

[@d.s.6268]

@@immersivesoundtech Thank you very much again for taking the time to respond !

[@immersivesoundtech]

Sure, glad to help. Let me know which headphones you choose. 👍

[@alexsmith1207]

I have the Sennheiser Momentum 4 I do wonder how they compare to these.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Sorry, no I haven’t listened to them, but will try to the next time I’m at the HiFi-store. 👍

[@sulgrave_]

I appreciate the technical competence accompanied by the unsettling Werner Herzog ASMR

[@immersivesoundtech]

Your comment cracked me up! 😆 I'm still working on finding that soothing 'after midnight' radio voice. Thanks for noticing. 😅

[@VitiateTheImmortal]

Please do a Beoplay H95 review 🤩 i tried focal yesterday but wanna go with bang and olufsen.

[@immersivesoundtech]

They are quite different in sound and how they fit the head. Try out both headphones and follow your heart. 🎧❤️

[@immersivesoundtech]

I have reached out to Band & Olufsen and asked if they could send me a pair of Beoplay H95 headphones for review, but unfortunately they declined my request due to lack of units for demo purposes right now.

[@IndecisiveConclusion]

I'm torn between this and the px8 I have heard that the px8 is better for bass, which has me torn now on my decision because I was definitely going to buy the focal. You see my music that I listen to most is quite a bit different from most reviewers out there. I rarely listen to vocals. Pretty much most of everything I listen to is instrumental. And electronic. The only instrumental I listen to on occasion with a band is jazz. But most of what I listen to is bass, usually heavy bass influenced. Even the jazz I do listen to is "electronic" jazz. It has jazz bands but they incorporate electronic synthesis throughout. So with that in mind I'm wondering if you could include an insight about how this style of music compares with the focal and px8 and how the two compare in the bass category specifically. I may share a track down below of some of the music I listen to that I'm talking about. Thanks for the review I'm following now

[@immersivesoundtech]

I now have the B&W PX8 on the test bench, and they are playing and breaking in as I write. Spontaneously, I wouldn't say that the PX8 has "better bass" than then Focal Bathys - it's not as simple as that. They comparatively sound quite different, and when I've done the video review of the PX8, I plan to do a short "Bathys vs PX8" video. Regarding your predicament choosing which ANC-headphones to buy, my boring answer is that you really need to take a listen to both models, because they deserve it. I need to take the time to form my opinion about the B&W PX8 and give them the chance to prove themselves to me, because I want to be nuanced in my video reviews. So, thanks for subscribing to my channel, and for patiently waiting for my findings that will be published in a video soon. 👍

[@DimitrisVayenas]

@@immersivesoundtech OMG. First time visitor here, I am impressed with the quality of the review - never mind Le Bathys. I am a fan of British Audio (Naim, LINN, ROKSAN (back in the day)) and my current wireless headphones are the PX7 and PI7 (earbuds). After 3 years with my PX7 is time for a replacement (I found your electricity bill argument to the point too :) ) and I will appreciate if you don't just compare the PX8 vs Le Bathys but also the PX7 vs the PX8 and the Bathys. On the technical side it will be good to know if the new Focal / Naim App can switch from Bathys to other products (i.e. MuSo I have in my parents home back in Greece) with no fuss. With the B&W Headphone app, at times I find difficult to switch between the PI7 and PX7. Thank you for your time and great content. Keep up the good work!

[@immersivesoundtech]

@@DimitrisVayenas Thanks for your kind words - much appreciated! 🙏 It would be great to be able to test lots of headphones, but I just don't have the time right now, and I'm putting a lot of effort into my reviews. Right now I'm testing the B&W PX8, then I will test the Mark Levinson 5909, and then I a plan a shootout between Bathys, PX8 and 5909. The next time I'm at the local HiFi-store, I will try to compare the PX7 S2 and PX8, because I believe they hang in the same rack. 🙂 But I haven't got any plan to do a review of the PX7 S2. Regarding the Naim Focal app, my suggestion is that you reach out to Focal and ask them about the support for other products.

[@turalsuleymanov4529]

Hello sir, I really would love to hear your comments on Bang and Olufsen Beoplay H95.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Me too… I reached out to BEO but they weren’t able to provide me a pair of H95 for review. 🤔

[@pauljordan3828]

Great review , have you tried dac mode with a cable to your iPhone ? If so can you tell me how you wired them up

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks! 🙏 I should have mentioned that in the review, but it slipped my mind. I tried hooking up the Bathys to my iPhone 11 Pro, but it didn’t recognise the headphones. So for now, it seems like a no go. Given the fact that the headphones can be updated via the app - this can hopefully be possible through a future update. 👍 Haven’t had the chance to try and hook up an Android phone. If anyone has done it successfully, please leave a comment. 👍

[@franckbichot5750]

@@immersivesoundtech Hello, it looks like it takes two cables to make that option work. First an "Apple Lightning to USBA" cable (the one used for photo camera) and then "USBA to USBC" cable. Saw that information on a French website. I did not test it myself. Thanks

[@ninja_sound]

@@franckbichot5750 Ah, okay. 👍👍 I will try that out when I get my hands on a Lightning -> USB-A adapter. Thanks for the tip! 🙏

[@immersivesoundtech]

Paul I can now confirm that it's possible to connect the Bathys to an iPhone or iPad, using an Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter. Sweet! 🎵👍 I guess that mean longer battery life for both the headphones and the phone - win-win. And best of all, the sound-quality... ❤

[@franckbichot5750]

@@immersivesoundtech Apple just announced that the iPhone 15 will be usb-c which might solve the problem... or not...

[@zorqis]

Very relevant review, matches so well with my experience. The PX8 sounds more like an improved XM5 (in character), but the Bathys is one or two categories up in the sound quality. The ML 5909 is a competitor I'd like to hear your opinion about.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your kind words, Zoltan! My ML 5909 review is in the making, the script is done, just have to find time to record and publish it. So, please stay tuned to this channel. :-)

[@edwinramos4910]

I couldn't disagree more regarding the PX8 in comparison to the XM5, unless your only basis for making the statement is that the PX8 has about a 2 db boost in the midbass with its ANC on. In every way that doesn't have to do with ANC or comfort, the PX8 is vastly superior to the XM5. Overall, I also don't think the Bathys is "better"...just different. The Bathys has more of a traditional "hi-fi" headphone tuning, but that is not what I want in an ANC wireless headphone designed to be used on the go in noisy environments. The more "neutral" tuning of the Bathys makes it sound a bit anemic in noisy environments when background noise masks some of the headphones' low-end response. The PX8, on the other hand, sounds great on the go. That 2 db of extra bass energy works perfectly to offset the masking effect of background noise. In those occasions when I want to listen in a quiet environment and don't want to be tethered by wires, the B&W app allows me to quickly lower the bass energy by a db or 2...which I rarely feel is necessary.

[@zorqis]

I repeated the comparison a few times, and the PX8 is indeed better than the XM5 - but I maintain they belong to the same/similar sound family. So they likely serve best people with similar preferences. I also agree that outdoors and in a plane the bass boost is reduced. It is the likely reason for this tuning. In the app one can make a profile for both headphones, with the PX8 the result being better than with the XM5. The new thing about the XM5 is that one can actually EQ it to an acceptable indoors performance. I could not do that with the XM3, which sounded just awful, regardless what I tried with it. In a recent session I compared the XM5, Momentum 4, PX7 s2, PX8, and the preference was roughly in this order (aligning with the price as well). I think both the XM5 and PX8 set a good compromise at their price level. I don't like Focal headphones, but I was fine with the Bathys: for my musical preferences it brought the most out with the least sonic compromise. On the 5909 and Solitaire T the jury is still out. At the moment, I would still go either with the Bathys or 5909, each having different strengths and problems.

[@edwinramos4910]

@@zorqis If I wanted a wireless headphone to use mostly at home, I may have chosen the Bathys..or at least bought it in addition to the PX8. It does have a more open, spacious sound...and it is well tuned for quiet environments. That being said, even in quiet environments, for any modern music genres and most live music recordings, I still prefer the timbre and powerful sound of the PX8. The Bathys has the same exact and very capable driver as all of Focal's other offerings short of the Utopia, Stellia, and the Clear MG. But, despite all of that driver's technical and dynamic prowess, I still can't help but feel that something sounds a bit off in it's timbre. Most people who don't like it describe it as a metallic timbre. I don't know if I'd go that far, but it definitely doesn't sound as natural as I'd like a driver used in headphones costing $800 and up to sound. I don't like the looks of the ML 5900 at all, and it also seems overpriced by about $100 USD. I am intrigued by the claims of a true, no compromise, "audiophile" level sound made by T+A regarding the Solitaire T, but strongly doubt that its sound and all around performance as an ANC headphone can truly justify costing twice as much as the Bathys, and a ridiculous $900 more than the PX8.

[@MrJ.31]

I had no idea which headphone I wanted to try first and I didn't want to have to buy and return one headphone after the other so I decided to get the M&D MW75, B&W PX8, B&O H95, and ML5909 to really to a deep dive and see what they all can do. My friend who's an audio engineer/DJ decided to do some comparisons with me and loaned me his Bathys and T+A Solitaire. What I decided to keep was the 5909. Sound wise it didn't seem to be the absolute best at any one thing but it was incredibly good at everything which was interesting. It was the only set of the bunch that came closest to the soundstage of the Bathys, it's overall signature was nearly as energetic as the PX8, the Bass was about as deep as the H95 but cleaner, and it was almost as analytical as the Solitaire T, and had all the accessories the MW75 had only better quality. When I listen to music I try to pay more attention to just how many nuances I can pick up on and how much I "feel" from the songs and the 5909 was damn near perfect at that. It as well as the Solitaire T also seemed to work better than the rest with a couple of DACS I own. I think one thing people need to remember is that once you start going over a certain price range (usually starting at $500+) the overall sound signature may vary but the differences in sound quality start to become very minimal. You could compare a properly eq'd Sony XM5 to the PX8 and while the PX8 may sound better, it doesn't sound $300 better, or the Clear MG which doesn't sound $700 better than the Bathys. The sound quality only winds up changing by maybe 10% differentials. My same friend also has a Focal Utopia and Hifiman Shangri-La. They both sound absolutely incredible and do blow the BT options I've mentioned out of the water (especially the Hifiman) but when I listen to the Utopia and the Bathys side-by-side it may be 6x the price but probably 2-3x better, not 6x. The same could be said about his $5000 Utopia vs his $20000 Shangri-La. It's better but not $15000 better, but those higher priced units do allow you to hear a few more notes, changes, or nuances that you may not normally hear and that's what makes all the difference to the critical listener. For instance when my friend went into debt after deciding to purchase the Shangri-la I couldn't justify his decision but once he told me how much just hearing a few more notes helps him do his job and how happy it makes him I get it and it becomes worth it. At the end of the day it really just boils down to what's important to you and what sounds the best to you. I can't believe how long my stupid comment became and I apologize for it lol but long story short, for me and what I was willing to pay ($1000 and under) for sound quality alone the 5909 was my favorite set

[@maciejstalonczyk]

@immersivesoundtech Hey Frederic :) If You would go for rest of Your life to stick with only one of this headphones, which it would be? Focal Bathys, ML 5909 or B&W PX8

[@immersivesoundtech]

The answer will hopefully soon be published in a video on this channel. 👍😉

[@davidg4026]

Do you know if the Bathys' Bluetooth will connect to two sources at once? In other words, can I connect to my laptop and my phone at the same time without disconnecting and reconnecting when I change sources?

[@immersivesoundtech]

* edit * It can, and thanks guys for pointing that out. 🙏 Looking at the phone and the laptop, both are connected to the headphones. 👍 And I can answer a phone call while listening to music on the laptop. I should have tested this properly before answering your questions. * edit * It can’t, but Focal Bathys uses BT 5.1 which is the latest version of Bluetooth, so hopefully it will be implemented in future updates.

[@nineteen76]

Actually you can. It supports multi-point connection. So you can connect to both and play on the phone, stop then play on the laptop

[@davidg4026]

@@nineteen76 Yeah, I did some more research and came to the same conclusion. It's also Bluetooth 5.2 not 5.1.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Yes, you are right. Thanks for pointing that out. 🙏

[@immersivesoundtech]

Yes, you are right. Thanks for pointing that out. 🙏

[@iBetUrWet]

@immersive sound tech You said the Bathys play in bluetooth while charging. Can you confirm this again to me that it is possible with yours? It is in fact not possible for me in any case. Neither bluetooth or dnc could play audio while being charged. I dont know if something is wrong with mine or there is a newer version somehow. Great Rewiew, love it! Thanks :)

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks Alex for watching my videos and supporting my channel! Much appreciated. 🙏 Yes, I can charge my Focal Bathys while listening via Bluetooth - both with a charger and powerbank. I think you should try another charger and also a powerbank and see if they work better for you. When playing music via USB-C cable, the headphones won't charge. I think it might be a sound quality thing. According to the app, I have Hardware Version 1.1 and Firmware 1.4.2 - so check yours in the app. Good luck with the charger.

[@iBetUrWet]

@@immersivesoundtech Thanks for the answer i noticed that over usb C they wont charge, from USB to USB C they are :)

[@immersivesoundtech]

@@iBetUrWet Ah, okay. Good spotting that! I have to try it out, basically all my USB-cables have USB-A connector to USB-C. Happy charging! 😀

[@immersivesoundtech]

Friends! My next review is online now. Please have a look at it! 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYrMhZJtZ9FpgKc

[@NipseyHussle1]

Can you compare Focal Bathys to the Mark Levinson No. 5909?

[@immersivesoundtech]

I had plans to listen to them last weekend, when I was visiting my HiFi-dealer (a four-hour drive from home), but got lost in music in his TAD Reference One listening room. 🎶😀 But I have plans to test them in the future. 👍

[@immersivesoundtech]

Good news! Mark Levinson 5909 will be send to me later this week. So stay tuned for a KZbin-review in the near future. 🎧😀

[@NipseyHussle1]

@@immersivesoundtech I can't wait for your review of the Mark Levinson No. 5909. To find out if Mark Levinson is better than the Focal Bathys.

[@steveee2511]

i was almoust buying these like it seemed i woud get a job that was over 1 hour train each way but they declined me so i get the focal celestees for at home and sure they come with a aq dragonfly us portables on my cruise and flight in September.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Both Focal Bathys and Focal Celestee are great-sounding headphones. Good luck with your new headphones. 🎶😀

[@uggZymoroon]

I used to have raycons e25 buds, they were horrible, absolutely terrible, so bad I switched, to the sony wf 1000xm4's, although not perfect, sony's implementation of ldac stunned me, they were uncomfortable, but I wore them till they gave out. Now I have pixel buds pro and although they are competent, they are not good, they are just okay. The sony's left me craving for more, for quality and true reproduction. I ordered the bathys and am scared now, that as the sony's left me craving for more, the bathys will ruin every other reproduction systems for me :D But I have to have a good sound I can't take the subparness of most headphones, I just need to hear everything and well. Thank you for the reviews, I was torn between these and mark levinsons 5909, but now it feels obvious thanks to you.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for watching my videos! Going from in-ear buds to headphones is itself a huge step up in sound quality. You only live once and the Focal Bathys are great-sounding headphones. Let me know how they work out for you. All the best Frederick

[@Letechno]

Hi ! Mark Levinsen No5909 sound better in bluetooth and can be wired in passive and active mode !!

[@immersivesoundtech]

Hi Pierre The Mark Levinson 5909 are mighty fine headphones too. 👍 I have them playing and breaking in on a table in my studio. I will do a review of them after I've reviewed the Bowers & Wilkins Px8. I got my Christmas holidays planned, so to speak. ☺

[@calvinlikesbeer]

“I just love hard Christmas presents”

[@oleksandrandrushchyshyn6824]

New standard? They are almost flat. What about emotions during listening for a long time?

[@mareknowakowski1692]

I'm not sure about them... always had all previous B&W, now considering to buy PX8 or Bathys in few days. I already have good open back headphones, these are juts for fun.

[@immersivesoundtech]

If possible, the best practice is to try out both of them, before deciding with one to buy. 👍 I have them side-by-side now, and they are quite different-sounding. I have a lot of paying work right now, but when I have a day or two free, my plan is to make a KZbin video of the PX8. So please be patient and stay tuned to my channel. 👍

[@mareknowakowski1692]

@@immersivesoundtech Great Plan! You should consider people who already have top tier headphones and looking for something remote with different sound signature. I use Astell&Kern dap's but my Meze's are too big for taking them for holidays.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Which Meze headphones do you use? I listened to a pair of Meze 99 Classic at a friend's place, and was struck by how good they sounded - at that price. 👍 To me, they sounded good enough to make me interested in the company's other headphones. But for now, I will stick to testing and reviewing Bluetooth ANC-headphones in the upper price range - because it's fun to compare the specs, features and sound. 😃 Regarding 'top tier' headphones, I have auditioned both Focal Stellia and Utopia along with a Pass Labs HPA-1 headphone amp - so far, the 'best sounding' headphones I've experienced. Their sound-quality is my headphone 'reference', so to speak. I am keen on doing a comparison between the old and new Focal Utopia headphones. Let's see if I can borrow both headphones and the Pass Labs amplifier - it's really a magic combo, in my book.

[@mareknowakowski1692]

@@immersivesoundtech Yeah the best and most desirable vdeo would be a comparission between old and new Utopias. I use Meze Elite of course, from march 2022. With their silver upgraded silver cable, with Acro CA 1000 it's a killer synergy combo!

[@timotheedileo6826]

Hey, i just Discover your chanel, and great work, thanks :) And a great playlists i must Say !!! I've got this song for you if you want : • Vangelis - Sweet solitude • Damien Saez - Anatoline (I'm french by the way ^^) • Max Richter - Dana Nobis Pacem 2 • Hans Zimmer - STAY • Pink Floyd - Hey You • Moritz Hofbaeur - Thundersnow Let me now if you liked it ?

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for your kind words and for listening to my playlist. 🙏 I listened to you playlist and got lost in music for a while. 😊 I love Max Richter's music, and listening to the track rendered full-body goose bumps. Vangelis...what a genius...in music and being a kind spirit and über-knowledgeable man. RIP! 😢 It's so rewarding listening to music on the Focal Bathys, because they just keep on delivering. Again, thanks for your playlist - much appreciated. 🙏

[@marklloyd4153]

U agree They are the best . They make you look 10 years younger

[@MrBravo143]

Better or equally good sound quality headphones are Mark Levinson 5909, Bowers and Wilkins PX8 🔥🔥

[@immersivesoundtech]

Well, I have both the Mark Levinson 5909 and the Bowers and Wilkins PX8 heading my way. 👍 Stay tuned to this channel for upcoming reviews of both sets of headphones. 🎧😀

[@MrBravo143]

@@immersivesoundtech thanks a comparison would be great 🥰

[@user-zw3jn2bc7n]

Mark Levinson No. 5909?

[@immersivesoundtech]

I've got them so stay tuned for review. 😃 Please subscribe to my channel and hit that notification button, and you will receive a notification when the review is online. 🎵👍

[@Viewer13128]

@@immersivesoundtech I'm really looking forward to the N5909 which is said to be a more relaxed sound with perfect upper-mid to treble transition. I have read some conflicting information though, like how some say the N5909's mids stand out very well while others say it doesn't. Please make sure to compare the comfort/heat/headband pressure of the two

[@immersivesoundtech]

I would say that Bathys and 5909 have quite different tonal character. I will first finish my review of the B&W Px8, then make the Mark Levinson 5909 review, and then I plan to make a video comparing the three models. Personally, I find all three to have their strengths and weaknesses. In the end, it's really up to your personal preference, and wallet, which model that sounds the best to you. 🎵👍

[@Viewer13128]

@@immersivesoundtech looking forward to them. I was under time pressure cause N5909 was on discount, so I just ordered them. Shop was out of stock and had no units to demo at all. So waiting for my N5909 to arrive in a few weeks. Hopefully your reviews will be out by then.

[@immersivesoundtech]

My plan is to have the Mark Levinson 5909 review ready early January. Making KZbin reviews is so time-consuming, but I'll do my best. 😃 The 5909 are well-worth a listen, and in the end, only you can decide if they suit your taste. 🎵👍

[@christiansarrazin5237]

bonjour mon ami de montréal

[@immersivesoundtech]

"Break-in"...is that really necessary? www.immersivesoundtech.com/post/break-you-stuff-in-man

[@scottlowell493]

Endgame? Only if they have substantially better sub bass than the more costly clears, which don't have sub bass.

[@nirvanaphoenix1858]

B&w px8 is as good as bathys and 200 box cheaper. Check it out.

[@immersivesoundtech]

I had a good listen to the B&W PX8 today, and they are very different headphones compared to the Focal Bathys. PX8 produce a much more compact sound stage and they lack much of the fineness and dynamics that Bathys have. I do like how the PX8 fit on my head - they are very comfortable. With their slightly flat sound stage, slightly overblown low-end and soft transient response - they will be loved by bass heads that like to play loud without tearing down the eardrums. The B&W PX8 are well worth a listen, but be sure to listen to the Bathys as well - because they are two very different sounding headphones. 👍 I have reached out to the Swedish distributor and asked for a pair to review.🤗

[@suvann540i]

not from my experience. but sound is subjective. too dark for me. also controls are more fiddly than the bathys. they also missed out on having a dedicated assistant button. also, built in dac on the bathys are FAR superior.

[@MrBravo143]

@@suvann540i PX8 also have built in DAC

[@suvann540i]

@@MrBravo143 Burr-Brown 24-bit/192kHz? cause that's what the bathys has baked in. what's in the px8s? Also, i didn't say the PX8s DIDN'T have a dac built in. i said the bathys' dac is FAR superior.

[@MrBravo143]

@@suvann540i I heard Bathys are Burr-Brown but some says it's not, so not sure. Regarding PX8 not sure what DAC they used but most people are very impressed with it, especially with DAC mode.

[@commonwunder]

For seven hundred UK pounds, you'd sort of expect them to be good. Audiophiles and their money... are so easily parted from one another.

[@immersivesoundtech]

Hehe, you are right about that! 😂 My motto is: “buy expensive, cry once”. 🤭 It has served me well and my bank woman loves me. 💰 🥳 Regarding the pricing of the Bathys, I think they are worth more than they cost - punching well above their weight. 🎧 🥊 If Focal ever do a version of Bathys with the Beryllium driver from Stellia or Utopia, they would have a pair of headphones that would rival pretty much all competition, me thinks. The more I compare the Focal Bathys to other headphones, the more I respect and appreciate them. 👍

[@Skrenja]

You just won't "get it" until you've heard a top notch setup.

[@kirfdtyuszsaijknmol2469]

can u compare bang olufdrn h95

[@immersivesoundtech]

Thanks for the suggestion. Right now I have the B&W PX8 and Mark Levinson 5909 headphones on the test bench, and creating those videos will take up my spare time for the moment. When both videos are published, I plan to do a "Bathys vs PX8 vs 5909" video, and when that is done, I would love to test the Bang & Olufsen H95. Please subscribe to my channel and hit that notification bell, and you will be notified whenever I post a new video. 🔔👍