Focal Bathys vs AirPods Max: Which is right for you? Two VERY Different Experiences!

[@kroozzy9863]

The Focal Bathys, imo, sound quality is superior to any other current BT Headphones. This is due to more delicate & accurate speaker drivers used by Focal in the Bathys that are able to produce a smooth broader range of frequencies . As you mentioned with the Airpod Max, they have more "boom boom" & "hiss hiss". This sound is typical of "stiff" speaker drivers. The lows are generally extended with less control, and the highs can be more harsh, this is when we hear the "sibilance" , which you mentioned about the Airpods Max. Uncontrolled Bass & Sililant Highs create a sense of deep power & bright highs whilst losing the "soul" of the "mids" I dont mind deep uncontrolled bass, it is fun, but "sibilance" gets mega annoying once you notice it, and once you hear sibilance, you cant unhear it , and it gets more harsh and worse the more you listen, aka, listening fatigue. The Focal Bathys come alive when you do the "Mimi Hearing Test". To do the Mimi Hearing Test accurately, you will need a very quiet space, no humming fridge noises or car traffic. Once the hearing test is completed, switch it on in "Sound Personalisation" in the Focal App. This is where the Focal Bathys do their magic. The delicate accurate drivers are sound tuned to your ears through the hearing test and there is a symphony of sound. If the volume level on Max is not loud enough, with the hearing test switched on, there is a slider option in the Focal App to increase the volume to higher levels. Keep in mind, the Bathys speaker drivers are delicate, if you increase the slider volume level in the Focal App and start to hear "clipping" in the Bass, turn down the volume slider level. I can go to about 70 on the volume slider level Once the Focal Bathys are set up properly, you can listen for hours without listener fatique. The sound becomes more engaging the more you listen, this is where you become to understand & appreciate a quality speaker driver.

[@nirobiarjento6388]

This is an excellent comparison!! If you can: Please review the Noble FoKus Apollo? Can there be a comparison with the Focal Bathys? Keep up the good work!

[@NorbReviews]

First, thank you for the very kind words! I would *LOVE* to be able to review the Noble FoKus Apollo! But unfortunately that’s a bit out of my price range at the moment. (I’ve thought about starting a Patreon to help with costs, but otherwise it just comes out of my pocket, unless the company lets me borrow one, but that’s very hit or miss with companies at that level.)

[@nirobiarjento6388]

@@NorbReviews I understand. They are quite expensive. I still enjoy watching your in depth videos.

[@iaco578]

Bathys is a masterpiece

[@NorbReviews]

Truth. The more I use them, the more I like them.

[@Henry14arsenal2007]

Bathys any day, music is the top priority for me and over the years Ive come to find that none of the other benefits like ANC quality, voice clarity, etc can make up for the lack of actually good audio quality. And of course the Crapple Aircrap is tuned for EDM and pop, two of the most lowest common denominator types of music, they know their target audience well lmao. Check out comparison tests, the Airpods sound tinny as fuck next to the Bathys or really any other hphones in that price range.

[@NoSacredCowFla]

Thanks Norb! Don't think Apple should call them "pod" that's an image of in-ear.

[@NorbReviews]

iDon’t know, thinking of “Pod” as “in-ear” only may mean the iMarketing is working.

[@NoSacredCowFla]

@@NorbReviews which makes it more puzzling. 🤔

[@peacecorn]

"They give you a bra." 🤣🤣🤣So there's no point in upgrading my Bose QuietComfort 35 II to the Airpods Max yet.

[@NorbReviews]

Heh. Not yet. I mean, the ANC is far better, so if you want to upgrade that, go for it. But if you love the Bose, when you NEED to upgrade… just upgrade to another Bose. I think they’re more than fine.

[@rebirthofthecool5619]

Bose is a shit company

[@kaleidoscopeon]

AirPod max are not worth it now. Apple has stopped supporting them with new firmware updates with new features like the AirPods Pro 2. Also the price is high and this thing is 4 years old. It’s ancient in the world of tech and the new one is coming soon. So it’s not a buy.

[@LegendTheAnonymous]

Apparently the new version will only come with iterative upgrades…

[@furio1467]

Не слушал те и другие, но делаю ставку на Focal. Кто такие Apple в облости производства наушников? На их ноутбуках и смартфонах плоский звук. А их вкладыши, не знаю - все вкладыши ущербные. Не могу дать оценку. Это должен быть колоссальный прорыв, что бы они удевили этими своими наушниками. Просто стильные наушники под массово слушателя. Беру сейчас себе планарные наушники (для улицы) от российского проиводителя. Уверен, они будут более чем хорошо звучать за ту цену. У меня есть от Focal студийки Shape 65.

[@NorbReviews]

Я всегда радуюсь, когда люди получают то, что делает их счастливыми. Я не пробовал наушники российского производства, особенно планарные, но хотел бы! О компании Apple: я думаю, что они слишком поляризуют людей: кто-то считает их отличными, а кто-то - ужасными только потому, что это Apple. Но единственное, что заботит Apple, - это пользовательский опыт. Большинство людей ценят хорошие функции в дополнение к хорошему звуку (без того чтобы быть аудиофилами). Apple неплохо справилась с достижением обоих целей, но они определенно дорогие и не без изъянов. Впрочем, идеальных наушников не существует. Удачи!

[@kroozzy9863]

Noise Cancellation : it works by creating a frequency through the headphone speaker drivers. The frequency created interferes & minimizes the external noise frequencies entering your ears. The Noise Cancellation frequencies created inside the Headphone cups enter your ears and can partially penetrate into your brain througn the skull. 1000's , if not millions of people are affected by the frequency generated by Noise Cancellation Headphones. Symptoms are Headaches, Sinus Issues, Blood Noses, swollen glands on the neck below the ears If your Airpods are worse on the plane, and Apple Noise Cancellation adjusts to different noise environments, the different Noise Cancellation frequencies generated on an Airplane are most likely affecting you I suffer from Noise Cancellation Headphones. I do own tbe Focal Bathys, and yes, as you mentioned, the Bathys Noise Cancellation is nothing special. Though in "soft" mode, the Noise Cancellation frequencies are very mild , which is great for me. Headphone manufacturers are well aware and know the Noise Cancellation frequencies generated cause mild to severe reactions. Many brands have the option to turn Noise Cancellation off. I dont know why the Focal Bathys do not have an option to turn of Noise Cancellation .

[@NorbReviews]

Nah, it’s not the ANC affecting me. Otherwise it would happen with other headphones. It’s the weight + clamping force + I have sensitive sinuses. Can’t say that’s the case for anyone else. There’s also the cabin pressure effect, which is usually due to the ANC not having anything to actually counter. It sounds like this is impacting you: some people feel it more than others. This is where adaptive ANC actually comes in handy, since it adapts. But I agree, it’s best if you can just turn ANC off.

[@kroozzy9863]

@NorbReviews thank you for your reply, I'm glad it is not affecting you. Keep in mind, different brands most likely use their own frequencies for noise cancellation. Although frequencies have no copyright, companies like Sony & Bose may have a Patent on the Concept for ANC Headphones and their ANC Headphones and the particular frequency they have used for ANC. This is what will prevent other companies using the same frequencies for the concept of ANC Headphones. Annnd , probably explains why Sony & Bose have the lead in ANC Headphones Otherwise, a company like Focal, could simply use the same frequency to equal Sony & Bose. Also, I would think there would be a regulation in place for the frequency type and strength to avoid side effects. With adaptive NC, it only adapts to external frequencies and has no ability to recognise if the NC frequency is affected the person. I'm not correcting you, just providing further insight to ANC Headphones and why one brands ANC may affect a person and another brands ANC does not affect the person.

[@squidwerd1981]

I had severe Bluetooth connectivity issues with AirPods Max. I gave them away.

[@mickeytollison]

You gave away $550 headphones?!?? Glad you have it like that. 😂😂

[@Rider4683]

Hello. Have you noticed that after the last focal update, the app doesn't open, doesn't recognise the headphones and you can't even register them? The app doesn't work and doesn't detect any headphones. Do you have any idea why? Thanks

[@kroozzy9863]

Bluetooth connectivity Let's try the easiest way first : - make sure the focal app is closed - press & hold the BT icon on your phone to open BT - click on "Details" to view Devices Paired & Devices available If you Bathys are not Paired : - keep the BT details windows open so you can see all the "available devices", if there are heaps of "available devices" you will need to scroll to the last "available device" - take off your Headphones if you are wearing them - Go to the Volume up & down botton on the Right Ear Cup - in the middle of the volume up & down button is a tiny BT connection button - Press and hold that middle BT button , they say for 4 secs, I probably did 6-8 secs. you may need something pointy to press it if you have no finger nails - either while pressing the BT connection button or when releasing it, your Bathys should appear in the "available devices" BT section that you kept open. - it could appear anywhere in the "available devices " list, - click on focal bathys and pair - now go to the Focal app and connect if needed If the above above above does not work : - delete the Focal app - unpair the Bathys from the BT - restart your phone - reinstall the Focal App - do the above agian in the order i explained it in Hope it helps 😀

[@Rider4683]

@@kroozzy9863 thank you. I already did this. All is OK.