Focal Bathys Review (or How a Pair of Headphones Changed Me)

[@petershapiro679]

I’m 62 and my ears at higher registers? Not so good. The Focal app tested my hearing and boosted frequencies on the Bathys where I have difficulty hearing. Im so happy that it improved my listening experience.

[@NorbReviews]

That was a fantastic update they did to the software. Very awesome that it was able to help you out some!

[@dicktrickle5352]

Yeah these headphones are badass, love them

[@jackfreedom76]

Same for me. I can't believe how much that Sound Personalization changed and improved the Bathys. I would recommend that for everyone, regardless of whether they have any hearing issues or not. It picks up on the shape of the ear canal, etc., and customizes sound. You can easily turn it on or off. For me, it's always on and I love it.

[@robertnoblitt518]

Same here; its Sound Personalization is amazing! These are my favorite headphone, really the only one I use now.

[@djclass005]

I don’t think you can expect the best in class tech integration.. this is their first pair of Bluetooth headphones, Sony and Apple have more people working on this that the whole of Focal! I love my Bathys, I rarely use my other headphones now, looks, sound comfort the Bathys has it all!!

[@NorbReviews]

Oh, I agree. I call this out for the sake of expectations and making sure people know what they’re getting. But I’ve been loving my Bathys, and still will recommend them to anyone who just wants arguably the best sound in Bluetooth headphones. (I’ll still also recommend the Sennheiser Momentum 3 and 4 for those looking at a lower price tier.) In my standard, non-review rotation, the Bathys are my most used headphones, to the point where I’m now starting to sell most of my collection because I just don’t need them anymore. (Also to get funds to buy new review units.)

[@musictube123]

Bathys is not Focal first BT headphone but first BT headphone with noise cancelation, Focal had made one BT heaphone without NC before.

[@Daniel_Zarate]

Are AT M50x bt2 good?

[@bhaveshpatel9626]

Thanks for doing the voice quality demos between the different headphones! Loving my Bathys for months, and just now starting to watch the reviews lol

[@NorbReviews]

My pleasure, and thanks for watching! (Also, you’re like me: I will 100% buy something then look up reviews later, even if I’ve already seen reviews.)

[@robertnoblitt518]

I'm very happy with my Bathys. I have a bit of high frequency hearing loss, so the app's hearing test and Sound Personalization (based on the hearing test results) make this a truly unique product and my favorite headphone by far. I think the hiss you complained about in transparent mode is just the Bathys amplifying the ambient noise. This is what this mode is intended to do. If your Bathys lacks the Sound Personalization feature, you need to update the firmware and Focal app. I agree you get the best sound with DAC mode. However, if your Bluetooth transmitter supports aptX Adaptive, you may be happy with using the Bathys wireless only. A great match for the Bathys is the new iFi Zen Blue 3 High-res bluetooth transmitter/receiver.

[@NorbReviews]

That’s for the great comment! The personalization options weren’t there when I reviewed the Bathys, but super happy they went with the Mimi integration. The hiss might be amplification, but it’s something I don’t get with other feature headphones, like the QuietComfort Ultra, AirPods Max, or Px7 S2e, so I felt it was worth mentioning. Still excellent, though. Finally, thanks for the recommendation on the iFi Zen Blue 3! Cheers!

[@wopper5858]

I used to have B&O H9i, but wanted something better. I considered on getting wired headphones, but when I compared Bathys vs wired at this price point, I felt like Bathys weren't any worse, so now I got them. Thank you for this great video, you put my thoughts into words better than I couldve.

[@NorbReviews]

Thank you for the kind words! As a B&O fan myself (I have the H9 and enjoy them), the move to the Bathys is definitely a good one.

[@Ghosteh36]

I've been doubting between the B&O H95 and Focal Bathys, but ended up going for the H95 for a variety of reasons. One important reason was that you cannot turn off ANC on the Bathys, while you can on the H95. How does the Bathys compare to the H9i? For reference, I come from the H7, tried the HX and felt like they were a downgrade. Also tried the B&W Px7 S2 and Px8 but wasn't satisfied.

[@msmith508]

Momentum 4 user/lover here and am considering adding the bathys for slightly better comfort…thanks for the review!

[@NorbReviews]

TBH, they complement each other well. Having both is a luxury, but it provides a good set of options, depending on your mood.

[@msmith508]

@@NorbReviews I got the bathys and returned the same day…the standing bass and chello ranges just don’t come through on train’s ‘play that song’ repeating bridge…that leaves them sounding lifeless and clinical, even with the eq in the app boosted…and same story with the highs…they’re basically the total opposite of bose since bose tend to drop mid ranges and highlight the lows and highs…also what is with the constant anc hiss which can’t be turned off?…you only have 3 choices: alot of hiss and 2 levels of almost as much hiss!…at least the momentum4s can be mostly set to anc off(though I wish it were dead simple to just turn off anc)…I didn’t even bother trying usb dac mode bc what would be the point with all that hiss and poor range?…they were very comfortable but I was super disappointed…definitely not $650 sounding headphones to me…the momentum 4s when eq adjusted blow the bathys away in sound and anc hiss

[@cataca91]

i had the momentum, and i found them slightly more comfy than the bathys, also you have to keep in mind that the momentum 4 has a quality control issue and alot of people are complaining about the poor ANC and constant white noise in the right earcup (including me, i returned them for repairs and they werent repairable).

[@yarmgl1613]

just got the momentum 4 2 days ago loving it

[@Dingbobber]

Don't, I'm going to say something sad, my momentum 4's were much punchier and nice to listen to

[@lakhjeetmann]

Really great content. It aches my heart to see this channel haven’t blown up yet. I really like how detailed it is without being too much overwhelming with deep technical knowledge. The statements also seem very unbiased and rather natural. Very nice work on the script. I also like the fact that you well thought out about some people who might like to know more about technical stuff, how conveniently they can just watch another video related ro it. It’s my humble request also review ( or maybe give general opinion on MW65 since you already own a pair. It peaked my interest when you had put them at 99% of the music quality of these.

[@NorbReviews]

Hi Lakhjeet, thank you for the kind words! You've made my week! As for the MW65, I've been thinking about doing something for a while, but had decided against it because I didn't know that there was any interest. With your request, I think I'll work on putting a video together. Given my schedule, it probably will be a couple of months before I can get it out. So my opinion: the MW65 have a fantastic sound. They're very clear, but a little light on bass. Still, the sound is detailed and smooth. They have beryllium drivers, and beryllium has similar sonic properties to magnesium, which is what Focal uses. The complaints I have with them are (1) comfort, since they're basically on-ear, and so that can become uncomfortable after a while, (2) ANC is not really great, although it's not bad for things like airplanes, and (3) again, little bass. Still, I absolutely love them and will easily recommend them if you can find them at a good price.

[@lakhjeetmann]

Will wait for your review of mw65. And the detailed comparison in your recent video was amazing too.

[@seefeel2043]

Like the structured approach and attention to tiny details (e.g. NC-to-Transparent switch time) 👍

[@NorbReviews]

Thank you!

[@mariorock76]

Excellent review! If we forget the advantage of wireless, do you think that the Celestee with a Questyle M15 dac has better sound than the Bathys connected to a dac?

[@NorbReviews]

Thank you for he kind words! I think the M15 is a great amp that can drive just about anything not crazy, Celestee included. I *LOVE* the sound of the Celestee, and prefer it to the sound of the Bathys, but that's because I feel the sound is better detailed. (It's almost as good as the Focal Clear.) If you don't need ANC or calling features and you're OK with wires + DAC, I think the Celestee+Questyle is a MAGNIFICENT choice, even though it's about twice the price of the Bathys (which now sells for like $650).

[@geekatari4391]

How would the bathys compare to the ananda bluetooth? I don't if the Ananda can be used wired, since one could just buy the wired ones.

[@NorbReviews]

Unfortunately, I can’t say. I own the Anandas-wired-and they are effectively complementary sounds: where the Bathys is warm, the Ananda is analytic; where the Bathys are relaxed, the Anandas are extremely tight. Completely different sound profiles, and one complements the other, with something like the Focal Clear being an interesting middle ground. If the wireless is anything like that (and I suspect it is), then that’s probably accurate. As a side note, what about getting an Ananda and paring it with a Qudelix5K? You’d have to deal with the cable and the battery would be short, but it guarantees a great sound and you can always upgrade the Bluetooth DAC.

[@laika25]

Did anybody test the 3.5 jack/cable plugged to a proper DAC, such as a Chord Mojo or similar?

[@bossoli60]

Being an audiophile and by the way congratulations for what you do I keep a wired semi open headphone for good sound.And I moved from a Sennheiser pxc 550 that started to die (but not it’s Nokia battery after 6 years of use)to a Momentum 4. 😊

[@NorbReviews]

The PXC 550-II is my wife’s daily driver and one of my own favorites. Moving to the Momentum 4 was a good choice. There’s an EPOS model that’s basically the 550-II by a different name, in case you’re ever interested. But I think the M4 will keep you happy for while!

[@bossoli60]

@@NorbReviews thank you the Mom 4 is an amazing headset.I couldn’t believe how close he’s to the Bathys. After hours of breaking it it’s very open and I don’t feel like listening to a headset but to my favorite loudspeakers ☺️

[@TheQuickyouknow]

I'm confused lol. What's your recommendation for someone who's primary use would be watching movies on a plane, but still want a clear sound? I was thinking this was it based on other reviews, but you're saying they're not good for movies.

[@NorbReviews]

Good question, thanks for asking! For primarily movies on a plane, you’ll want good ANC and preferably something that offers spatial sound that is clear, but not necessarily warm. The Bathys are on the warmer side and don’t really have a booming bass. While they’re fine for movies, they’re meant for music. For movies: if you use Android and your phone can handle LDAC, the Sony XM4 or XM5 are good options, especially if you can make use of the Reality 360. Might need to EQ them a bit for vocal clarity, but they have a great EQ (and I’ve done a video on EQing the XM5, which you can watch if interested.) If you use Apple, both the AirPods Max and Beats Studio Pro will do you well. I don’t find them all that comfortable on planes, but it’s just because I have sensitive sinuses. I’ve done a review on the Max, and just put out a short on the Beats. When it comes to movies + ANC, the APMs are generally my overall recommendation. A dark horse here is the Sennheiser Momentum 4, which I feel is just a great all-around headphone, even if it has a few bugs. I’ve done a few videos on this one, including a direct comparison to the Bathys. I haven’t tried the Bose QC Ultras yet, so I can’t speak to them, but they also do have spatial sound. Best of luck!

[@TheQuickyouknow]

@@NorbReviews thanks for the detailed reply. I'm on Android and I'm looking to upgrade my V-Moda M-200 ANCs. I was really trying to avoid the XM5s since everyone I know have them, but it sounds like they are the best for what my use. I looked at the Momentum 4, but the touch controls aren't for me.

[@NorbReviews]

@@TheQuickyouknow if touch controls are t for you then avoid the XM5, which are also touch control. Crazy thought, but what about going with something from SoundCore? They’re inexpensive, sound similar, and all use buttons. They’d be about 1/2 the cost or less, too. If the ANC is what’s stoping you then there’s another consideration: Bose Beats Pro. They have ANC that’s on par with the XM4 and are designed to work with Android and Apple equally. They also have physical buttons. But they don’t have all the fancy XM4/XM5 features that’s Sony is so good at.

[@TheQuickyouknow]

@@NorbReviews Thanks for the recommendations! After a bit of research, it seems like those 2 don't have the sound quality of my V-Modas. I may actually look into the Bose QC Ultra. The ANC seems to be as good as the XM5s and while the drivers aren't the best, the DSP chip seems improved over the old Bose headphones.

[@mosesna3471]

So do i just plug the usb c into my Samsung phone and use dac mode for best sound quality ?

[@NorbReviews]

Yep!

[@emanuelebresciani6281]

Great review. I have a pair of (wired) Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro for pretty much everything. I am a sound engineer so I use them a lot, and I find them both analytical and amusing. I listen to them through an Audient interface and Tidal Plus, and the sound is just awesome. If you didn't check them, I encourage you to do so.

[@NorbReviews]

Thanks for this! The DT1990 Pro has been on my list for a while, so I definitely want to give it a try. I currently have the Focal Clear and the HiFiMan Ananda, but need to work on my DAC and amp game! (Been using them with a Qudelix5K and an iFi Go Link, which aren’t much, but both are pretty easy to drive so they work.)

[@ptgenpai8537]

Hi, do you have any recommendations for a bluetooth headphones that i can use for travel and wired use (passive playback) when it is off for my pc.

[@NorbReviews]

Many. What’s your budget? What are 3 most important things for you in order?

[@NorbReviews]

Actually - right off the bat - Sennheiser momentum 4 Link to my review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKW4opJsnsuCidU Link to sale ($220 for Amazon Prime today): amzn.to/3U2EU5X SennheiserMomentum4 - Bose QuietComfort Ultra Link to my review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2qlk4h_nZuLp9U Link to product (on sale for $100 off for Amazon Prime today) : amzn.to/3XZKNCc - Sony WH-1000XM5 Link to my review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fILIdnt3fqZmfpY Here’s how to tune them (tutorial): kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKKzn5KJZdN9atU Link to product (on sale for $100 off today for Amazon Prime, but they can be found cheaper sometimes): amzn.to/47X7ono

[@zap...]

Would you recommend picking these up if using android (LDAC)?

[@NorbReviews]

These don’t have LDAC, but they do have aptX adaptive, which is pretty decent. I do wish they did, but even then, they still sound fantastic.

[@dkd171]

Great review, what do you think about Elegia which is half of the price? Only sound quality count and on DAC mode for Bathys.

[@NorbReviews]

Thank you for watching! I haven’t tried the Elegia, so I can’t stay. I do own the Clear and the Celestee is one of my favorites, so take what I say with a grain of salt. The only real advantage to the Bathys here is the wireless capabilities and the noise canceling. If you plan to use them wired, and ANC doesn’t matter to you, in your shoes, I’d probably save my money and go for the Elegia. Of course, in both cases, I’d either A/B test or buy from somewhere that allows returns. (Side note: weight, comfort, and battery are also important. The battery can be replaced by Focal on the Bathys, but the weight and comfort… honestly, I find the Bathys more comfortable than the Clear.) That said, use the rest of the money for the Elegia to get a good amp with it that accents the features you want. (I use the Chord Mojo 2 and Qudelix 5k, since both allow for some level of EQ. You may want to get a desktop amp unless you specifically want portability.) Best of luck!

[@dkd171]

@@NorbReviews Thank you for detail reply 🙏🙏🙏

[@victorrivera6375]

Great information! Wondering if you can review the Bowers and Wilkins px8 for comparison. Thanks.

[@NorbReviews]

I would absolutely love to, and maybe I will, if I can borrow one or find it cheap enough. I did try the PX8 some time ago at a local audio shop. My impression then was that it felt underwhelming, but then the comparison points at the shop were the Audeze LCD-2 and LCD-X, and the Focal Clear MG. (All top-tier wired headphones connected to a $6000 Moon Audio DAC/Amp stack.) I did a quick A/B test with the Focal Bathys, but I wouldn’t render a judgment based on that other than “my ears for those 30 seconds preferred the Bathys I’d been using for a month by that time.” But that shouldn’t be trusted.

[@DroidLocks6971]

I'm enjoying mine while I can notice a difference between Bluetooth and the USB C Wired connection . This is because there is no LDAC Support . I'm thinking if I Use my fiio btr7 to get ldac it will cause an issue since the bathys uses its own internal dac .

[@NorbReviews]

True, but the initial source would be an LDAC stream, so it should still be better than Bluetooth alone. Definitely a worthwhile experiment!

[@DjTonioRoffo]

Late to the game, but a question: Does noise cancelling work in DAC mode?

[@NorbReviews]

Yes! And more than that, it also works in aux mode: they have to be powered on, so all that stuff works. The only thing that doesn’t work is connection to the app, so EQ and light control. And no such thing as late to the game. The game starts when you start. If you’re just now getting them, I hope you find a spectacular deal!

[@DjTonioRoffo]

@NorbReviews thank you!

[@60beats44]

Thank you for this informative review. I am considering replacing my BOSE QC45 headphones with these Focal Bathys headphones, due to a consistent crackling in the left ear cup of my BOSE. The QC45's are not even 2 years old and BOSE is not responding to my Emails. How would these Focal headphones compare to the QC45's. Thank you in advance.

[@NorbReviews]

Hi 60 Beats, thanks for the question. I feel the Bathys sound MUCH better. But while they are comfortable, I find the Bose more comfortable. Still, I think the Bathys make for a good upgrade. Best of luck and I hope this helps.

[@60beats44]

Thank you very much for your prompt reply and advice@@NorbReviews

[@GogiTavadze]

They added a hearing calibration, it makes sound brighter for me, I'm setting it to 50% and it's juuust perfect (100% is kinda too bright for me sometimes)

[@NorbReviews]

I definitely understand that. Tuning is very much a matter of mood for me. I love the tuning options with these so much for that reason.

[@the_benjamin_effect]

I tried them today. The clarity compared to my Bose was huge (which now seem muddy), but the ANC was weak. They felt a bit heavy on my head (but not like my LCD-X cans 😬) As well, the clamping force was a little more than I prefer. For flying I want max noise cancelling even at the expense of sound quality. I do like them though and I think they’re worth another listen. I have a feeling the Beatles will sound great on them.

[@NorbReviews]

The LCD-X are a chonk! Their weight is literally the only reason I haven’t bought them (though I dream of one day buying the LCD-5). As for sound, they’re fantastic, especially if you use the sound personalization. But you’re right, they have a very specific overall presentation. The Beatles sound GREAT in them! For ANC, though, I like them well enough, but for max noise canceling… Bose or Apple, TBH. arguably Sony XM5, but I like the sound on that less than on the Bose or APMs: Sony’s advantage is technology across multiple platforms. Best of luck finding something great!

[@the_benjamin_effect]

Update: I bought the Bathys. They sound great! But the ANC is disappointing. Even on a quiet street I hear every car go by and more. A week is enough; they’re going back.

[@blablabla9978]

Is there truly no notable difference between Focal Clear headphones and moderately priced options like the AirPods Max when consuming content on Netflix or KZbin? If there is a difference, how significant is it in terms of percentage?

[@NorbReviews]

Oh there is a *significant* difference. But that difference is based on what you listen for. The Clear will give you a deeper, more resonant sound. It is full, deep, and clear without ever being sibilant. These are my favorite sounding headphones (save for perhaps the Audeze LCD-X, whose biggest sin is that it crushes my neck). The APMs are fantastic for movies and video because of the software Apple puts in them: spatial sound, head tracking, and a surprisingly open sound. But it’s nowhere near as full, deep, and resonant as the Clear in the sound it produces. That said, if you’re only going to use it for movies and KZbin videos, save yourself the money and go with the Max. Go with the Clear if your primary focus is music. I don’t know that I can give you a percentage, but I’ll say this: most people will be better served with the APMs than the Focal Clear, provided they’re using the Apple ecosystem, because of their flexibility. But if your use case is just listening to music and maybe videos and games at home, then the Clears are a fantastic option. (And they can be found used for about $600.)

[@iPain3G]

When you like the Bathys than try the Celestee. It is the better headphone, is tonally better and more detailed, especially when you also buy the Dekoni Stellia pads for the Celestee. The thicker Dekoni pads give the Celeste a bit more air to breath and open them up which result in a closed back with extremely good pin point directioning and the headphone also gets a bit more deep bass.

[@NorbReviews]

I love the Celestee! Ended up getting the Clear some time ago instead, since I wanted an open back at that point, and have been considering also adding the Celestee, but the Meze Liric II (review upcoming) is definitely giving it a run for its money. Thanks for the recommendation on the pads!

[@cinemapigeon4898]

How do they compare to say the H95? I've had the H95 and really liked them, might get them again, but I'm also open to another high end headphone as well.

[@NorbReviews]

I haven’t used the H95 yet enough for a proper comparison, so I can’t tell. Sorry!

[@arplay5715]

Have you tried wilkins px8? If so how do they compare to the focals

[@NorbReviews]

@@arplay5715 I haven’t, unfortunately. I almost bought them recently, but instead bought the Px7 S2e, which I feel holds up pretty well, even if it a a bit too bass-heavy. (I’d put it on par with the Sennheiser Momentum 4.)

[@sweatyfootenjoyer]

I picked these up about 5 months ago. Do you know if using the 3.5 mode with a desktop amp/dac will override the internal dac?

[@NorbReviews]

I don’t. My guess: Because the external DAC/amp might change the timbre some, I think it would compound: if you have an amp that warms up the sound, for example, the headphones will just then apply their tuning to that signal (which might take it from warm to muddy).

[@cmy5199]

May I have question, is this headphone compete with other wired headphone on the same price by using USB DAC mode? I was interested to buy it for my daily home computer used headphone and I don't have any external DAC or amplifier at all. I want to know if it worth the price to be a computer headphone rather than just a bluetooth headphone.

[@NorbReviews]

Thanks for the question! My short answer: yes, it’s fine. As for the long answer… It depends on what you’re comparing them to, but on the whole, I’d say that they match up well enough. They’re not as good as something like the Meze 109 Pro ($800), the Focal Clear or the Focal Celestee (both of which are $900 new), but they’re not bad at all, the trade off there is that these are more flexible because of the wireless use. (Also, both the 109’s and the Clears are open back, which can change the sound significantly.) None of these REQUIRE an amp, but definitely can benefit from one, which can cost you a few hundred. If you want to match dollar for dollar, then consider a $600 pair of headphones and a good DAC/AMP combo. Whether that’s good enough… that’s really up to your taste. (The Foster T60RP will give you a very different sound, more like a poor man’s LCD-X, but if you like spatial separation more than warmth, this may be the way to go. Price is about $330.) But remember: all the alternatives I mentioned here are wired, so you’re giving up noise canceling, in-app EQ, and portability. If you’re just looking for sound and that’s it, you owe it to yourself to see what’s available in the wired world. I watched a reviewer who said that the Bathys replaced his Focal Radiance as his daily, desktop-use headphones because they served the same function (warm, relaxing sound). I haven’t used the Radiance, but this was from a reviewer I highly respect (DMS), so I’ll trust his word. The Radiance sell for about $1000, I think. So short answer: yes. Longer answer: it depends, but probably. My recommendation: but somewhere with a good return policy. Try them for a week. You should be able to tell by then whether you’d like this or not. As for my daily use, I bounce between these and the Sennheiser PC38X, mostly because I need a mic, but also because I love the way Sennheisers sound (although the Bathys sound much better, more deep and rich). In both cases, I use them wired.

[@NorbReviews]

Side note: this is an EXCELLENT question and I might make a video from it in the future.

[@stephendenagy3396]

I have them, and yes, they are great. You will have to spend a lot more to be appreciably better.

[@raydionangy]

Nice review. Thanks for your content. Liked and Subscribed... and I ordered the Bathys headphones too!

[@NorbReviews]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@lahu8264]

Question, my husband has larger than average skull, smaller ears than you and primarily use his headphones for gaming and a little bit for watching TV, after I go to bed, the Bose gave him tinnitus ? That ringing in the ears sensation, so what is your recommendation with that information?

[@NorbReviews]

First thing, I’d avoid anything with active noise canceling, unless he’s in a loud environment. That’s because ANC will work to counter noise that’s coming from the outside. Without much constant noise (for example, a plane engine), ANC can sometimes amplify the pressure, which makes tinnitus worse. The Bose (I’m assuming it’s the QC45?) has constant ANC or transparency mode. You can’t turn them both off entirely. If it’s the NC700, I’d start by just turning the ANC off. If that doesn’t work then… let me think about that and I’ll get back to you with a recommendation.

[@NorbReviews]

Alright, sorry for the delay in reply. Honestly, if ANC is not that important, I'd recommend getting a wired headphone like the Sennheiser HD560X (because it has good detail) or EPOS PC38X (because it's designed more for gaming) and pair it with something like the Qudelix5K. (If he doesn't need a boom mic, the Sennheiser HD599 would work better than the EPOS PC38X, since it has a lower clamping force.) That avoids any potential tinnitus issues from ANC or pressure in general, since they're open-back headphones. Another potential is the Sony MDR-7506, although I'd replace the earpads with something like the Dekoni suede pads because the sound can be a little TOO detailed: amzn.to/43Ax46h. If clamping force (the pressure of the headphones on the ears) is a problem then you might want to consider something by Grado, like the SR60 or SR80. They're VERY treble-heavy, which makes them super clear, but that's something you either love or hate: the sound is TOTALLY different from the Bose. But when it comes to comfort... well, the headband is just a metal band, so if you find it uncomfortable, all you need to do is reshape it yourself until they're comfortable. Now, if ANC *IS* important, check out the AKG K371BT. If ANC isn't important, but he needs something that's wireless, the AKG K361BT is the same thing, just without ANC. Let me know if I can do or say more, or if any of these don't seem to work.

[@petedivine]

What kind of cable were you using for the Iphone?

[@NorbReviews]

It’s a Lightning to USB-C OTG DAC cable. Here’s the link to the one I got: amzn.to/43nY4qq I’m perfectly happy with it, but there are others if this one doesn’t strike your fancy.

[@petedivine]

@@NorbReviews Thanks !! So I'll need a DAC to drive the headset. It won't drive from the phone. Is that correct? Do you have a favorite portable DAC?

[@NorbReviews]

@@petedivine oh, you don’t need a DAC! These have a DAC mode. So what you do is, you plug the OTG cable’s Lightning end to your iPhone then to the USB-C port on the headphones. Then, you move the 3-way ON switch to the middle position. That’s DAC mode. And then, get ready for very spectacular sound. That cable would be the only extra thing you’d need to buy.

[@petedivine]

@@NorbReviews Awesome !! Much appreciate the guidance.

[@NorbReviews]

@@petedivine my pleasure!

[@z33chie]

hii really enjoyed this review, just curious when you say this isnt the best for gaming/watching tv do you mean its like not ideal for people specifically looking for that or that its actually BAD or not very good for that. because im looking into getting these for my general computer use, music production/listening but as well as just casual gaming and watching shows, would you say these are still a good choice for this? or would you recommend something else really good for music since i produce music but thats also good for casual use. thanks!

[@NorbReviews]

Good question, and thanks for asking. First: if you’re getting headphones for music production, don’t get these. Get something with a more detailed, flatter signature. These change the sound too much and will impact your mix. I recommend something like the Sennheiser HD 560S, which are also good for gaming. As for what I mean: the imaging on these - how good they are at positioning the sound so that you can tell where it’s coming from - isn’t the best on these. Those are important for games. Aldi, they are very warm, which makes them great for long listening sessions, but will lose detail that’s important for both games and movies/shows. With those, you also want something that give you a lot of emphasized clarity in the high treble and low bass, which these lack, at least in the proportions you want for movies and games. So recommendations: - for production and gaming, consider the Sennheiser HD 560S. amzn.to/3wHJ1vI - then get the Sennheiser Momentum 4 fur music and TV. (They’re also decent for games.) amzn.to/3K9cUIz That combination will cost you about the same as the Bathys, but will give you the flexibility you want. (Linked to Amazon so you can price compare, but in USD, the combo comes out to $480. Even at full price, they come out at $649, which is cheaper than the Bathys and good for your needs.) I did a comparison of the Bathys and Momentum 4 here, by the way, in case you’re interested. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6nKd6yAp62Yjbs Best of luck!

[@z33chie]

@@NorbReviews oh my god thank you so much very much appreciated! These recommendations look great, I will absolutely get them! Have a good one

[@jamestorres5582]

Is the Audeze Maxwell comparable in sound ??? Andrew from the Headphone Show says the Maxwell blows everything away ... Just wondering if you'd done a review on the Maxwell

[@NorbReviews]

Unfortunately, I haven’t done the Maxwell yet. I probably won’t, because they run much heavier (490g) than I like (

[@jamestorres5582]

@@NorbReviews yes that was Andrews only complaint. It is hefty . For the most things like that doesn't bother me . Price point for me is perfect. Both companies have great products . If I could get both I probably would . Thank you for your input

[@a_gtr3578]

Which one better for movie this / sennheiser m4 or mark levinson 5909

[@NorbReviews]

Haven’t used the 5909 but I did a video comparing the Bathsys vs M4 where I talk about that and other things: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6nKd6yAp62Yjbssi=K4N_vlSR0F6YsIrC For movies specifically, I liked the M4 better.

[@rossjones940]

Stepping into hifi, would a mobil dac/amp improve the experience ?

[@NorbReviews]

Not necessary :-) Just use the included USB-C cable and use the Bathys’s DAC mode. (Or get an OTG cable if you have a Lightning-based iPhone.) That’s all the DAC/Amp you need with these. (And it sounds amazing.) If you want to use the 3.5mm jack then maybe a separate DAC/amp might help, but since you can’t use it passively, it probably wouldn’t.

[@bbha3293]

is it possible to use this headphone with iphone 14 pro without need anything else ?

[@NorbReviews]

@@bbha3293 - Wirelessly? Sure, not a problem. Wired? You’ll need an adapter of some kind.

[@jonathanbarnes7641]

How do these compare to the Mark Levinson 5909 Bluetooth headphones 🎧?

[@NorbReviews]

I haven’t tried the 5909’s, so I can’t say. (I do want to, though.)

[@jonathanbarnes7641]

@@NorbReviewshave you tried them yet boss?

[@StressKind]

How's the connectivity? I have bose 700s now and they connect to phone and laptop at the same time and I can seamlessly take calls from bot devices - do they bathys do that? also, does the mic sound as good or close to the bose 700s? I'd buy them for work, so they need to do all the call stuff as well...

[@NorbReviews]

1. The connectivity seemed fine to me, but I don’t know that I can speak to your specific scenario. 2. Unfortunately, I can’t really speak to a side by side comparison with calls. Both were good. I’ve always liked the way Bose prioritizes voice isolation, so if you like Bose, you might just want to stick with it. What I can say is that the Bathys are at the very least not significantly worse here.

[@StressKind]

@@NorbReviews Thank you, regarding the mic quality, "not significantly worse" is good enough for me (has to be good enough for customers :) )

[@dicktrickle5352]

I have both, bathye sound way better, more comfortable, bigger ear cup, I like that covers all your ear. Bose better Bluetooth op.

[@StressKind]

@@dicktrickle5352 any details on what makes it better exactly?

[@masoodfarooquevm5956]

I'm currently in the process of buying these headphones, but do you have any alternative suggestions that might be superior to the Focal Bathys?"

[@NorbReviews]

Superior? Depends on what you mean by that, but the Bathys rival my wired headphones (Focal Clear, HiFiMan Ananda), so I that’s a tall order. On par with the Bathys might be a better question. The Bang & Olufsen H95 would be one, but I like the Bathys better. The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 is another option, and the Mark Levinson 5909 is one that comes up in conversation. I wasn’t crazy about the PX8 for the 5 minutes I listened to it, but that’s not a fair test, and I haven’t tried the 5909. These are all in the same price range and natively wireless. If you’re going to be listening mostly at home, you may want to consider a wired headphone (Focal Celestee, Fostex T60RP, Audeze LCD-2) and pair it with a Qudelix5k so you also have Bluetooth functionality, plus exceptional sound. If you want someting less expensive, the Momentum 4 gets my vote, but it’s a VERY different sound.

[@masoodfarooquevm5956]

@@NorbReviews I use Apple AirPods into my daily gym routine, and I'm in search of a wireless headphone option with excellent sound quality(not for gym), excluding Sony or Bose as I didn't find their sound immersion enjoyable during testing. I'll definitely explore the B&W PX8. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@hrezzatimdapcpphd2]

hey man i wanted to buy the bathys and say your review in the random playlist youtube generates. battery life 35 hour on aux? am i living in a parallel world or something? aux doesn't need battery life on any other bluetooth heaphones prior to this.

[@NorbReviews]

Hey, thanks for watching. Battery on Aux is weird, and probably my single biggest complaint with the Bathys. I don’t know why they went that route, but I’m hoping that in the next edition (assuming there will be one), this is something that’s changed. (Side note: The AirPods Max effectively have the same issue, and it’s just as annoying. It’s the only other headphone I can think of that does this.) The only upside here is that Focal says they can replace the battery… for $200. As a side note, I still use these regularly. It’s annoying to find them out of power occasionally. To combat this, I don’t tend to use the Aux. instead, I use the DAC mode, which is better and lasts longer. Plus, the headphones are already plugged in when I turn them off.

[@plebmike8997]

So dac mode needs to be wired into a dac? Or can it be in dac mode be used while using something like tidal high res mode?

[@NorbReviews]

It has to be wired into a USB C port, like on your phone or a computer. It doesn’t need a separate DAC or amp. Just use the included USB-C cable, connect it to your phone/computer/tablet and enjoy!

[@plebmike8997]

@@NorbReviews ok thanks!

[@Gwinter452]

Can the Momentum 4's EQ be adjusted in dac mode? (Phone to headphones directly). Or can the EQ only be adjusted over Bluetooth? I'm looking for a good wired headphone that doesn't require a separate amp or DAC hardware.

[@thejonathandoan]

Excellent review! Lots of great content and advice here. Thanks for the video!

[@NorbReviews]

Thank you!

[@Kazeon]

Hi, seeing you gave Momentum 3 some high praises in term of sound quality, I wonder how does it compare to the Bathys?

[@NorbReviews]

I depends on what you’re looking for. The Bathys are better in most respects, but the Momentum 3 are arguably the better bang for the buck if you’re only considering sound. Soundwise, a of what I’ve said about the Momentum 4 applies to the Momentum 3 (except the M4 is more bass-heavy and I prefer the tuning on the M3). Here are some videos I’ve done on these: - Bathys vs Momentum 4: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6nKd6yAp62Yjbs - Momentum 4 Vs Momentum 3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKW4opJsnsuCidU - Momentum 3 review: (literally the first video I published on this channel) kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5yoqoWKrKqribc Best of luck!

[@69Muscle]

Great review! My HP collection includes the Sennheiser 650’s, Audeze LCD-2, B & W PX 7’s, and Focal Clear’s. I’m seriously considering buying the Bathys soon as my new travel cans.

[@NorbReviews]

You won’t regret it. That said, that is one heck of a collection!

[@69Muscle]

@@NorbReviews thank you.

[@paulk9534]

What about the anc… it didnt seem that great when i tested but i wasnt on a plane 🤔

[@NorbReviews]

Covered at 8:42. Any specific questions, though?

[@paulk9534]

Thanks….. my big consideration is will the anc be anywhere near as good as Bose Ultra? I tried the Bathys in the shop and the arc didn’t seem very good and I could still hear people, traffic etc I haven’t been able to try the Bose though.

[@NorbReviews]

No, it won’t be. It’s good, but Bose is on par and arguably better than the XM5. Bose has a decades of research behind this, whereas Focal is new. Given the nature of ANC, voices will always cut through above a certain level. (That level depends on the headphones, ear pad seal, build materials, etc.) So whether it will also happen on the Bose depends partly on you. But at least to be, Bose is better at ANC. I also did a review on the Bose QCUltra, but short of it: the ANC was extremely good. Link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2qlk4h_nZuLp9U

[@peterwood2633]

Always think dont buy a product with firmware promises to give a function you want or need. However do you think Focal would still be putting r&d into the NC to provide a firmware update and upgrade? Do you have experience of the xm1? I have those but they are cracked and I'm itching to upgrade before flying to the states from NZ in a few weeks. Even thet first gen from sony had excellent NC. Wondering if their NC was still better than the Focals? Cheers

[@NorbReviews]

It wouldn't surprise me, but I wouldn't count on it. The Bathys are Focal's first go at a pair of wireless headphones. There maybe limitations we're not aware of. While I'm not familiar with the XM1, I'm suspect the ANC is at least on par: ANC has come a long way in a few years. If you were talking about the XM5, this would be a different conversation. But honestly, despite the ANC not being all that great, it's good enough, provided you're not on a plane where a loud birthday party is happening, or you have a loud, chatty person beside you.

[@peterwood2633]

@@NorbReviews hehe I'm sure ANC has improved. I just remembered trying xm2 or 3s in a store and it had horrible bloated over-driven imprecise bass like it was competing with beats! I hung onto my OG XM1s ever since then. There's a YT home theatre enthusiast that rated ANC highly and only a bit behind xm5. Another reviewing proved the Bathys attenuate sub 1000hz well but then do less on the mid range. I'm looking for comfort too as wear glasses on planes and currently my XM1s can hurt after an hour sometimes.

[@frederickrobcis8901]

Thank you for your review. And for your energy ! I really don't know what to take. But I will. Someday...

[@NorbReviews]

Thank you for the kind words! I hope you find your answer soon!

[@beats-by-skrill8925]

Do Bathys sound quality improve over BT using the wire???

[@NorbReviews]

Yes.

[@TheAwesomejuan]

Damn I've never heard of these so when I got them for free, I didn't think much of them. This review opened my eyes. Decided to try the DAC mode for the first time on some Atmos mixes. Really liking them though I don't have much to compare to, only my Sony WF-1000XM4 which aren't a true comparison. I like both of them for different reasons; I walk to work with the Bathys but I still use the buds when I need to run light. Love them!

[@NorbReviews]

I don’t know who gave you these for free, but they REALLY love you. Pairing them with solid earbuds you love, like the Sony, is perfect. Sounds like you’re well set!

[@TheAwesomejuan]

Yea I feel like I have the best of both worlds. The crazy story is I went to a product release party and when the event ended, they gave these away to all the attendees. Not only are they an exclusive chocolate color, but they have a custom engraving on an earcup. Gonna keep them though, the story behind them is too good. The release party vlog is on my page :) @@NorbReviews

[@caspar_gomez]

lucky bastard@@TheAwesomejuan

[@eduardwalter812]

Can you use it with the iFi Signature???

[@NorbReviews]

Unfortunately I’m not sure. I would think you can, but I’ve never tried.

[@felixknoll398]

Hey, they are the best, but they are primarily for music listening.

[@NorbReviews]

100% agreed. I did a comparison between these and the Momentum 4 where I called this out, too: if you’ll be watching movies, the Bathys are fine, but others like the M4 are better.

[@romrom3254]

Are you sure that they sounds better then Audeze Maxwell?

[@NorbReviews]

I’ve never tested the Maxwell, so I can’t say.

[@MrKirkaudi]

Wish you could review the Mark Levinson 5909 very underrated brand

[@MrKirkaudi]

Great review

[@NorbReviews]

Thank you. That one is definitely on my radar. I just have to find it at a good price.

[@MrKirkaudi]

good luck on finding a good price. there stuck at $999@@NorbReviews

[@blueandwhiteeighttwo]

Hi! How’s bathys anc vs h9 3rd gen anc?

[@NorbReviews]

Thanks for the question! I have *not* yet compared these side to side, but but give me a couple of days and I’ll get back to you with an answer to this. (My next flight is at the end of the month, so I can’t say which would be better then. Therefore, my tests will involve traffic, sample white noise from my Google Home, and noise from my kitchen appliances: microwave / dishwasher.)

[@blueandwhiteeighttwo]

@@NorbReviews thanks. Will look forward to it.

[@andymod]

If you audiophile, after Bathys, you won't wear any other Bluetooth headphones (except Mark Levinson). You have only way to wired ones with external DAC.

[@NorbReviews]

I want to disagree with this, but I don’t. The T&A Solitaire T and B&O H95 might wanna have a word, though.

[@MarkLloyd-yo4li]

I love mine bar non wireless headphones for music. I am a Focal fanboy but not to the point of blind stupidity. My fav Focals in order of my personal best that I own Focal Elex , Clear , Stellia , Radiance . My home theatre speakers for surround system is the Choras with 2 REL T9X subs . I have others but Focal is my favorite

[@NorbReviews]

That is an *enviable* collection!

[@GEFELICITEERD45]

I love the T&A solitaire T

[@NorbReviews]

Haven’t tried these yet, but I’d really love to!

[@jatinbhardwaj9147]

@Norbreviews PLZ MAKE VIDEO ON SENNHEISER VS BOSE VS SONY HEADPHONES WITHOUT EAR HEAT OR SWEAT WITH BETTER SOUND for larg ears too . PLZZZZZ

[@NorbReviews]

I will look into this. Thanks!

[@tonyrawhouser1373]

i cant figure out the DAC

[@NorbReviews]

1. Turn on the power switch to the middle position. 2. Plug in the included USB-C cable to the headphones. 3. Plug the other end into USB-C port on the source (a computer, phone, or DAP). 4. Make sure the source is set up to play from that port. (Apps like Qobuz, you’ll have to choose by hand. And MacOS, you have to go into the sound settings.)

[@kaankaral]

i dont understand why cant you increase the brightness from the app or from the equalizer. )( im talking about listening Music)(

[@NorbReviews]

Technically you can, but these are tuned warm. There’s only so far you can go with them. Honestly, If you want something of this caliber that’s brighter, the Mark Levinson 5909 may be worth considering.

[@kaankaral]

thank you very much for this review, i think i changed my mind about buying this altough there is 100usd discount now on it . @@NorbReviews

[@scottd1342]

These are now AUD$649 (down from $1349) in Sydney so I think that elephant in the room just evaporated. The only thing that is a potential deal breaker for me is the inability to switch off both ANC and transparency mode. I have big problems with ANC on the SONY XM4s for example and cannot use it. I wonder if I'd be able to handle the "soft" ANC mode on the Bathys? Hmmmm

[@NorbReviews]

That’s a good question. I get why Focal did this, but I’d love an Off option, too. If your issue is tinnitus then the soft mode might be OK. Best of luck!

[@ROCKSTAR3291]

It's Focal so i'm sure these sound great but they're still a pair wireless headphones, you don't really pay attention to the sound quality when using them on the go or at the gym anyway, and at home there are much better wired options with no battery degradation to worry about.

[@NorbReviews]

You’re not wrong, and I agree. But for a most people, it’s a 50/50 proposition: they’re looking for something they can use for outside the house (wireless + ANC) AND at home (good sound quality). And people love their wireless tech, which means wired headphones will usually take a back seat, no matter how much better they sound. (Within reason.) Plus, if you want one thing for all situations-as most people do because why get tools to do the same thing-you’re gonna go with the most flexible option. It’s why earbuds are so popular. If you’re gonna go wireless and get something nice, the Bathys are a very good option. But like you, I really wish they could be used while turned off. Or at least had user-replaceable batteries.

[@chee_wai]

Sennheiser momentum 4 is the alternative if price is too high on these

[@NorbReviews]

Yep, though with some caveats. That’s why I made a video comparing them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6nKd6yAp62Yjbs

[@ricksmith2177]

Excellent review! Made my decision to order them a lot easier.

[@NorbReviews]

Glad to be of help!

[@ricardojornada]

Hey mate, really good review, subscribed. You probably won't even see this but decided to give it a try anyway. I own WH-1000XM5's with SOULWIT Replacement Earpads and they are excellent as a work headphone, they're light, great ANC, good microphones, good battery etc. but when it comes to music I feel like they're truly meh out of the box, after using the EQ they get ok but that's about it. For music, home use I have something that sounds a bit better, old Bower and Wilkin's P7 Wireless Bluetooth. They sound better than the XM5's but have some drawbacks at this stage: The battery doesn't last as long as it once did, micro USB charging (annoys me more than it should), heaps heavier, no EQ (as far as I know) and not as comfortable. I still chose to use it for the better music quality at home but am looking to upgrade. I'm no audiophile by any means, but would like to start a journey in that direction and the Focal Bathys seem like a good option to replace my old P7 Wireless, specially given the DAC wired option. I live in Sydney, Australia and came across them being sold for AU$650 which seemed quite cheap for what they are supposed to be. Quite cheaper than PX8's (almost half the price of the PX8's here and about AU$250 less than Apple's) Can you confirm it's the same model you are reviewing? Also, would it be a noticeable upgrade in sound quality if using it via Bluetooth for youtube/spotify etc or only wired using the DAC mode? Link bellow. addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/focal-bathys-wireless-noise-cancelling-headphones?variant=39926079586438 Appreciate anyone's input into this as well, thanks in advance. Have a great day everyone!

[@NorbReviews]

I promise I saw it! I literally read every comment, even if I'm slow to respond, which is most of the time. (Note that I don't read every reply, as the YT studio interface doesn't present those, for some reason, and I'm notoriously bad at following up.) Thank you for the kind words and the sub! As far as an audiophile journey the Bathys are a fantastic choice, but they're definitely pricey. If you're dead-set on wireless headphones, then the Bathys are a great place to go. Something else you might want to consider are the Sennheiser Momentum 3, though I think they run into most of the same issues as the PX7. (They do have USB-C with a DAC mode, though. And I think they have better tuning than B&W, but that's just because I like the traditional Sennheiser tuning, an entirely personal preference.) AU$650 is RIDICULOUSLY GOOD. The store looks like it's an authorized reseller, so I'd say you're in safe hands. Without an ISBN, I can't say, but I would bet that this is the same model and that it's legit. BTW, if you decide to the wired route, see if you can find a pair of used Focal Clears and pair them with an inexpensive amp. Even something like an iFi Go Link should be enough to at least pull some extra detail out. Otherwise, consider going the IEM route: there's a lot of good stuff out there for pretty cheap, and with some of them using multi-driver setups (dual dynamic, balanced armature, bone condition, planar, etc), it's really an interesting direction to go. (I say that, even though I haven't taken that jump myself, largely because I don't like sticking stuff in my ears.) Best of luck!

[@ricardojornada]

@@NorbReviews Thank you so much for taking your time to write back such a detailed answer. I'll save a bit more and go for the Bathy's, they seem too cheap for what they are to pass on (also want to be able to use them as bluetooth). Have a great day and thank you again :)

[@NorbReviews]

@@ricardojornada my pleasure. By the way, I did a little digging: Addicted to Audio in Australia is the exclusive Focal retailer down there, but they’re about to lose their exclusivity, so they’re clearing out the stock. That’s why the prices are so ridiculously low. (I saw some tear-inducing deals on the Stellias and the Utopias that I would jump on if I could.)

[@domwatson7725]

Man, that addicted to audio sale is sending me broke. Got my bathys two days ago. They're awesome and at that price a steal! The clears with a dac are just outstanding too. Grab em while you can.

[@ricardojornada]

@@NorbReviews Thank you. I pulled the trigger and it's an amazing pair of cans. Everything I expected (if a bit smaller than what I'm used to). Bit disappointed that not even a week in the leather headband is already cracking, but ordered some leather conditioning and hopefully can mitigate the issue. Other than that for Bluetooth headphones I literally never heard anything close to it. Thanks again.

[@speedgripen6766]

Can change battery?

[@NorbReviews]

Yes, but not easily. Focal does offer to change the battery on these, but I don’t know the cost as they haven’t made that info public (yet).

[@MeenPo786]

No reviewer ever talks about audio calls thru headphones. I am looking to upgrade from QC45s…

[@NorbReviews]

11:23 Both are about as good as BT gets with calls, receiving and sending. Controls are simple for both.

[@MeenPo786]

@@NorbReviewsthank you! I got XM5s from Sony…now thinking of Focal but am mighty uncomfortable buying open back headphones

[@danielbestpower]

Great review. Very helpful thanks!

[@NorbReviews]

Glad you found it useful!

[@vjs857]

Hi I haven't tested these headphones but I've heard bad things about them I heard that this headphone is almost equal to Bose qc45, Sennheiser Momentum 4, Sony xm5 and Apple Airpod Max in terms of sound quality, and its price is unnecessarily high and it has no special advantage over these mentioned headphones. Do you think this story is true or not?

[@NorbReviews]

Not at all. But this is why I mentioned “diminishing returns” at the top of the video: for example, the Momentum 4 ($350) is a bigger improvement over the HD 450 BT ($130, for a $220 difference) than the Bathys ($800) is over the Momentum 4 (a $450 difference). A key point is that, with all the ones you mentioned, the draw is as much sound as features. (Except maybe the QC45.) With the Bathys, build quality and sound are hands down the primary concerns. Everything else is secondary (albeit still good.) This is why, for most people, the ones you mentioned above will be just fine: what the Bathys offer won’t be enough to justify the price hike. In fact, for most people, unless I KNOW they’ll prefer the Bathys, I’ll generally recommend one of the ones you mentioned because of cost. Note: I’ll be doing reviews comparing most if not all those models, so consider subscribing (shameless plug). Hoping to have some out over the next couple of weeks. Thank you for the question!

[@vjs857]

@@NorbReviews Thanks for the explanation In my opinion, this headphone should have been at most 500 dollars and not more Do you agree with my opinion??

[@NorbReviews]

@Soren - I don’t usually get into the business of saying what something SHOULD cost because I don’t know the details of how they made that decision. I will say that I got them for about $630 myself (during a sale by Focal), and for that price, I feel I got a good deal. But whether that’s a good deal for YOU is between you, what you value, and your bank account.

[@paulthiebaut]

​@@vjs857 Just don't base your opinion on people's impressions, try one yourself. I've had the Bathys for a month and you just can't compare it to AirPods Max (or other Bose and Sony headphones at the same price point). The Bathys is a little pricey for what they offer but I would say the same thing about Apple AirPods Max. They are more expensive because they just wipe them in terms of sound quality.

[@brothatwasepic]

Hi guys. My bathys literally made me sell my Clears. To all the audio freaks out there the Bathys is a good compliment to your Utopia and Susvara but I would still consider waiting for your phone and headphones to support the new APTX Lossless codec or a high end set that also has LDAC 990 sustained

[@NorbReviews]

This is a really good observation. Definitely, if one can wait, and uses Android (I don’t see LDAC or aptX coming to the iPhone any time soon), getting a pair of devices that can do both is definitely a way to go.

[@jimbomak]

Bought these today - great set of headphones. My Sony wh-1000xm3 will be relegated to upstairs use.

[@olegyamleq7796]

thanks for the review

[@NorbReviews]

Thanks you for watching!

[@BobbyDeniroX]

Focal always has been the don in sound. Very underated by audiophiles.

[@NorbReviews]

Not sure I’d call them underrated, but maybe limited audience due to their price range. The Focal Clear OG is widely considered one of the best headphones out there.

[@dicktrickle5352]

Bathye are 🔥

[@joshuvaantonio]

You could try the newly released Audio Technica M50x-BT2 which is far cheaper..better treble accuracy, better mid accuracy, more soundstage at just 200 dollars Or you could get these for a “slight” more bass accuracy (which focal bathys beats audio techinca for 800 dollars ) And if you are into V Shaped sound, Go for Sennheiser Momentum 4

[@NorbReviews]

Thanks for the tips!

[@thediplomat3137]

Do you recommend the ATH M50x wired or wireless for music quality? Is the wireless the same music quality on these as the wired?

[@joshuvaantonio]

@@thediplomat3137 Both are one and the same ( M50x and M50xBT2 ) - Its better to go with M50xBT2 because it can be used as wired ( for fidelity ) and wireless ( for convenience ) Dont go for M50x wired as it has proprietary cable so if cable gets damaged you will be stuck and also dont go for the M50xBT as the sound signature has minor difference ( bass is boosted ) Overall M50xBT2 is the One. You can use any 3.5 mm cable to get the pure quality of M50x wired ( Audio Technica employee has confirmed that M50xBT2 is M50x attached with Bluetooth Module )

[@joshuvaantonio]

@@NorbReviews Thank you for acknowledging my comment as the owner of this video ❤️

[@justinbennitt835]

​@@thediplomat3137 I found that the M50x have a boosted bass to the extent that Sonarworks/SoundID has to significantly cut low end frequencies to make their response flat enough for studio use. Unless you're a "bass-head" I'd avoid them. In comparison, for studio use I ditched the M50x and switched to HD600 (which have a more accurate mid and Sonarworks has to boost the lower end to get a flat response) and for audio listening I use Focal/Massdrop Elex (good value compared to Clear) and Verum 1 planars (also good value but obviously a risky purchase at the moment).

[@liujun050612]

I am still looking for a portable headphone that sound superb. I really wish to get Bathys, But I can't. I love everything relate to its build, comfort. But sound, There is no comparison to Celestee and radiance. To me, ANC and BT is not important. I wish focal make a wired version of Bathys, with even better materials like b&w px8 or b&o hx, and sound as good as Celestee or Clear. I don't mind paying 1k, just they need to make this happen.

[@NorbReviews]

You, my friend, are looking for the holy grail. (And I’m right there with you.) I assume you’ve tried a wireless portable DAC? I agree, I’d LOVE a version of the Clear or Celeste that was wireless. No other features, just that insanely great sound and no wires.

[@liujun050612]

@@NorbReviews Not a fan of wireless. At least for now, the sound is still miles behind wired. Focal bathys, I would say the best wireless headphone I have ever tried, still miles behind Celestee or Radiance. Also, wireless headphones need to swap batteries in the long run, which is not sustainable for a huge music investment. For portability, Wired IEMs are good, but they just can't compete the sound to over ears. Also, I can't wear IEMs for longer period, something stick in my ear canal for longer period feels bad.

[@choshun8]

@@liujun050612 you’re not making sense. You don’t like wireless and say that the Celeste are good so why not just buy those? The Bathys are supposed to be a wireless take on Focal headphones but obviously wireless won’t be as good as wired for now but you don’t want wireless anyway

[@diana73654]

Man , it really depends of the chain. Clear is a monster and sounds FAR better than bathys on the right amplification . Also, please give a try to the new wireless headset from Audeze, the Maxwell. THAT is amazingly well tuned for music . I own all closed backs from Focal , and Bathys maybe beats Elegia , but not with all genres of music ....Just my opinions. Chain : Mac mini, Matrix SPDIF2 , Matrix ElementX2, Burson Soloist 3x GT .

[@NorbReviews]

100% agreed. At the moment, I’m only driving the Clears with a Qudelix 5K or directly from my MBP 16”. Since mobile sound is really my subspecialty / focus, my next step was to pick up a Chord Mojo 2. That said, your chain looks jealousy-inducing. Fantastic setup! As for the Maxwell, I actually almost pulled the trigger. They look SUPER interesting, but I have some neck issues, so anything above 400g starts bothering me. (This includes my Clears, which I only listen to for an hour at a time, tops, because of the weight. Those are 430g, I believe, without cables.) TBH, the weight issue is the only reason I didn’t outright but the Audeze LCD-X when I first tried it. The sound was absolutely perfect. (The fact that it was connected to a Moon 430HA helped. A lot.)

[@diana73654]

@@NorbReviews thank you ! I was a bodybuilder in my youth so I dont find comfort problems with any Audeze. But I can see , and saw it with my own eyes , the weight problem . Though Maxwell is way more lighter than lcd x . Have a great day !

[@chadalexander292]

Those didn't sound good to me, & they wasn't loud enough.. worth about 300 if that. & the headband don't open up enough

[@jakealexander6046]

Oh this is interesting @chadalexander292. What headphones have you preferred soundwise instead?

[@markentwistle9970]

I picked these up at the same time as the Dan Clark Aeon 2. I also had the ZMF Aeolus, Verite Closed, Fostex TH909, Fcal Clear MG on hand to compare. Overall the tuning of the Noire pretty much ruined headphones for me, everything else sounded wrong in comparison... Except the Bathys. Now the Bathys are my daily driver and im clearing out pretty much everything else. In DAC mode the Bathys is extremely enjoyable compared to other wired alternatives.

[@NorbReviews]

That’s awesome. Funny enough, I was looking at the DCA Aeon 2. I may pick it up: I’ve been looking for something to complement the Focal Bathys, and am debating between the Aeon 2 and the Meze 109 Pro. I tried the Audeze LCD-X recently and completely fell in love, but their weight was just too much for me. I saw that DCA headphones were lighter, which is good. I don’t like to throw the word “Endgame” all that often, but for wireless headphones I can very much see this being an endgame option.

[@ant1kryst]

@@NorbReviews I have the DCA Aeon X Closed. A lot cheaper at Drop than the Aeon 2. Another good option for a lot less money. Compliments the Focal clear which is my primary open back.. then the Aeon X Closed is my primary closed back. Needs power though. DCA Aeon is leaner than the clear. Clear is a lot warmer. So different sound sigs that compliment each other.

[@thediplomat3137]

DCA Aeon Noire open or closed?

[@tom_loves_audio_tech_gaming]

thx, good review.

[@NorbReviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@Henry14arsenal2007]

Apple sounds tinny as fuck in comparison, not at all a better sound stage. Bathys are way more detailed in every frequency and you can make them even better if you apply the recommended Harman curve EQ.

[@rdeh1678]

Bathys are okay but if you really want your mind blown try the Dalia io12 headphones makes the focal sound like junk

[@NorbReviews]

Would love to try them! They’re twice the price ($700 vs $1300), so I’d certainly expect them to be better. If anything, I’d put the Bathys more in the ballpark of things like the Master & Dynamic MW75, the Bang & Olufsen H95, the Bowers and Wilkins PX8, and the Mark Levinson 5909.

[@rajendrabiswas]

can you see movies in bathys ?

[@NorbReviews]

Do you mean whether these are good to use while watching movies? They’re OK, but other headphones are better. These are more designed for music. I did a comparison vs the Momentum 4 where I talk about this (skip to the 8:40 mark) kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6nKd6yAp62Yjbssi=bqZa1zF5Diwszb6i.

[@OrinThomas]

The Batys were my gateway drug and now I have Utopias

[@OrinThomas]

(and the Batys cos I'm not flying with an iFi Diablo and the 2022 Utopia)

[@NorbReviews]

Same, except you leapfrogged me! I just went Bathys -> Clear! How are you liking the Diablo?

[@OrinThomas]

@@NorbReviews Quite a lot - great battery life as well. Haven't heard much about the new black one, but the red one is great and the Utopias sound great on it (as one would expect)

[@markpomerhn76]

You have to try the Bengoo V-4 Gaming Headphones. They are wired but the sound for music is amazing in quality.

[@NorbReviews]

I’ll keep them in mind. Thanks!

[@cmy5199]

@@NorbReviews I was appreciated your detail answers, I would look forward your updated video in future. I thought Bathys can meet my daily use as home use headphone with good sound quality and portable as a wireless headphone.

[@samuelsong342]

Which one you talk about body? That 30 dollars thing?

[@markpomerhn76]

@@samuelsong342I had one pair that sounded good, but another sounded bad. Disregard. Cowin E8 sound really good and comfy. Only around $59.00

[@DaIeDenton]

These and the PX8 beast

[@Mackr_5]

I had these and didn't like them. Bluetooth isn't close enough to wired to charge over £200 for the audio quality. You're paying for the build.

[@bryanbarajasBB]

I do have an oppurtunity to purchase tehse for $500.

[@NorbReviews]

That’s not a bad price at all for these. If you’re looking, it’s a solid buy.

[@MTZProject]

I’m an audiophile and I use these for the gym

[@NorbReviews]

You are braver than I. But I also like something lighter with a tighter clamping force, so it stays on your head during exercises like sit-ups and bench presses.

[@rnzore]

no LDAC for this price range headphones is hilarious.

[@brettwalkom948]

Plugged in Hi res is much better

[@2enable857]

The new iPhones are USB-C FYI!!!🔊

[@NorbReviews]

This was published about 3 months before the iPhone 15 came out, but thanks for the note!

[@cl4ssic]

Can’t wait for Focal to release wireless headphones or headphones in general that don’t look like absolute dogshit. imagine this amazing tech in an actual decent looking shell….

[@NorbReviews]

They’re definitely the classic Focal look, but yeah, something a little less bulky would be welcome.

[@MrFindoutman]

That’s subjective though, I love the look!

[@williessssss]

Thanks for the video. Your mouth is nearly mesmerizing somehow o.O

[@jeid3822]

Just buy the SENNHEISER M4 PERIOD❤😊

[@NorbReviews]

I actually addressed this here, in a Bathys/M4 comparison. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6nKd6yAp62Yjbs

[@tonyenglish5153]

Mark Levinson No. 5909 are better IMHO.

[@NorbReviews]

I haven’t tried them yet, but I really want to.

[@Televisiontechnology]

Disappointed by the quality of the headband

[@NorbReviews]

Yeah, it could have been a touch better. But it’s on par with other Focal models, though not as big. Unfortunately, headbands haven’t ever been a forte for me.

[@sarcese52]

They are $700

[@NorbReviews]

They were $800 when I released this.

[@RyuPiano]

but but but I want to wear it in the gym :D the music they play in the gym is always terrible.

[@NorbReviews]

It 100% is! But don’t do it! Don’t do the thing! Seriously, though, what I did is just get a decent “beater” pair. I’ve been using the JBL 710BT for the gym and (spoiler since I’ll be reviewing it), I’ve really liked it for that.

[@ionageman]

$ 2500 Australian dollars

[@NorbReviews]

Yikes! They’re was recently a store out there that was clearing them out for something like $600AU. I’m guessing they’re out of stock. :-/