Focal Bathys vs Sony 1000xm5! Worth the $400 Difference?

[@BTaesthetics]

This video is for the OG channel watchers. Haven’t done a wireless headphone review in a minute! Thanks for supporting the video. Love y’all!

[@skyblue7014]

thanks you for making this, it is very inspiring, I also wonder if you wanna test beoplay H95

[@DroidLocks6971]

....The XM5 just look so cheap and are upon examination very cheaply built . ....Sony abandoned the unrivaled fit of the XM3 XM4 Which is better than any headphones in my collection . ....I feel like a peasant wearing the XM5s And Sony Felt It A Good Thing To Up The Price By $50.00 . ....I Returned 2 Pairs Of XM5s Months Apart Trying To See The Value In Them And Other Than The ANC Their Is No Value I Could Find In The XM5s . ....My SoundCore Q35 & Q45 Have Better Sound Quality And Look Much Nicer Especially The Q45 .

[@KostiaBazrov]

@@DroidLocks6971 bayan

[@pedrofigueira3581]

Just fyi, your android phone developer settings lets you set LDAC to always 990, so while it is less user friendly, it is better. The problem lies with 360 reality audio, Sony is limited there and a lot

[@michaelsundell5631]

Great review, and it's spot on. I own both pairs. Once I got the Bathys I couldn't go back to the muddy sound of the Sonys. If I want a completely silent plane ride, the Sonys are the winner, but in any other use case, they lose out.

[@sailor-1]

really

[@ddavideo]

Being an audiophile myself (imagine previously I owned the Linn CD12 back over a decade ago), I would not challenge the sound quality difference between the Focal and Sony as each of them were designed, manufactured and priced towards a total different group of consumers. In audiophile world, the quest towards the best sound would be achieved with certain criteria and one of them is the quality of the source and how this source transferred into the sound output. In the case of "bluetooth audio", this bottleneck already limits how good everything downstream can perform. In my case (with the consideration of the above bottleneck), I would only limit the "investment" in bluetooth noise cancellation headphones to the level of Sony (just south the WH1000XM5 a week ago) as it serves all "bluetooth noise cancellation" audio well in every aspect (decent sound quality, light weight, fair price, good noise cancelling capability...). Focal and Sony are both respectable audiophile manufactures and their high end products are of high regards in the audiophile world.

[@championxxlNL]

As someone who has both laying around in house I really appreciate the sonys for the price, the inclusion of ldac and a good eq in the app make so you can actually get them to sound pretty good for the price, and feature wise they are better than the bathys. Sound quality wise tho the bathys are on another level, even if it's over Bluetooth. The bathys has a very nice sound to it, very well balanced and they come alot closer to my clear mgs than the sonys, to the point that when I'm on the go I don't miss the clears at all. I couldn't go back but the sonys imo the best you can get in that price range

[@Maj0rTac0]

I have the xm5. Last week, in my home country Philippines I got to listen to the FB, and damn it sounds WOW. I was really thinking of getting it and I threw in the Sennheiser Momentum 4 but the Bathys is just a different level. The SM4 sounds okay to but tuning the XM5 eq plus LDAC made the XM5 sound better than the SM4 to my liking. Plus there's more volume on the Sonys. If you want upgraded sound, go with the FB.If you need an overall headphone meaning that you can tune the eq,great anc and great mic pickup go with the SONY. I've used this in noisy environments and during meetings, my colleagues did not believe me I was outside. This is focals first entry on anc game so I will wait for the 2nd gen.

[@llordel2369]

You saved me this was a way better review. Because he’s drooling over the sound quality like aliens invented it. Your description makes way more sense

[@zajko3113]

Xm5 better than SM4 interesting I had both but eventually kept SM4 for more neutral and balanced sound.

[@juanmaravilla2297]

Hi! Even with the EQ of the Sony’s end adjusting mids and highs the Focal are better in sound? I love how the Sony’s sound with the mids and highs increased!

[@khoocheepeng6030]

I don't understand why you take $400 and compare it with $800...?

[@zenniz1992]

Connecting the wired DAC will improve the sound quality significantly.

[@joselacen4534]

But works for any over the ear!

[@Rap101online]

Great review. Appreciate your insights.

[@Bumzen]

Nice review. Own both Sony's and the Bathys, and I couldn't disagree more regarding the controls. Touch controls suck, and I love Focal went a classic direction. Sony wins on app and ANC. Everything else, and especially the sound is hands down a victory for Focal. The Bathys is a wireless headphone triumph. And when you throw on the DAC mode, it's just spectacular.

[@joshuvaantonio]

Cant agree more. Touch controls are yuck. Anc is not really important for me as i use headphones indoors. In fact for all my headphones i put it off = which means zero pressure to inside ears and more battery life

[@DroidLocks6971]

The XM5 just look so cheap and are upon examination very cheaply built . Sony abandoned the unrivaled fit of the XM3 XM4 Which is better than any headphones in my collection . I feel like a peasant wearing the XM5s And Sony Felt It A Good Thing To Up The Price By $50.00 . I Returned 2 Pairs Of XM5s Months Apart Trying To See The Value In Them And Other Than The ANC Their Is No Value I Could Find In The XM5s . My SoundCore Q35 & Q45 Have Better Sound Quality And Look Much Nicer Especially The Q45 .

[@KostiaBazrov]

@@DroidLocks6971 , bayan -)

[@roxys744]

Focal all the way! I replaced all my 4Runner speakers with them. Expensive as hell, but well worth it!!

[@rayowen3528]

One of thr better reviews that i have seen.. A very practical review. Comparing them regarding listening to music as well as streaming movies. I own the Bose 700 as well as the Sony XM5. Thinking about grabbing one of the higher end cans. My concern is that I travel alot. I value the ANC capabilities of both. My concern with the Bathys is hearing the engine noise while on a plane. How bad is it with the Bathys? Thanks!!!

[@iliyatomsk]

What are your impressions of the Bose 700 compared to the Sony? I have XM4 and am wondering if I should change to something else

[@Henry14arsenal2007]

Its not only that Sonys are more bassy, its also that the resolution is much lower in those frequencies, youre definitely getting more details even with the similarly priced Marshall Monitor 2s, let alone something like the Bathys.

[@bren4973]

what is your main monitor these days?

[@plebmike8997]

I have had my bathys for a week and I am loving them! Bass still slaps pretty good and just so clean sounding.

[@StressKind]

Hey, 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 good?

[@Btran45]

How’s Kaskade sound???

[@denisruskin348]

Sony in the sound department compared to something like Focal is like comparing a horse and a Veyron in terms of speed.

[@lukewalker5111]

Have the Focals, Sony's, Bose nc700 and Sennheiser momentum 4. For music the Focal shit on everything but the noise cancelling isn't great but it's fine as I never take them out of the house. The rest I just cycle as "dailies." Focal app isn't great and the EQ could be better also but they sound so good.

[@tjgeniale8672]

Great review. Just ran into to these headphones in the airport and the price tag made me not pull the trigger but i just installed their car audio speakers in my truck and well god dammmmmn. Between this and your review i think i’m gonna walk back over and buy them! They are only $700 now too lol

[@xspicy1x]

I think Focal incorporate ANC into their audiophile cans where as Sony incorporate sound into their ANC cans. I think each Company focuses on different things. Sony, like Bose has the best ANC technology, period. But in terms of sound quality they ain't on the same league as Bathys. Again one should understand that it is not possible to have best sound with best ANC, just not possible.

[@jGRite]

I don't know, maybe I haven't been paying attention, but this video's visuals look even sharper and the colors are exquisite. Did you do something different recently?

[@BTaesthetics]

Thanks jGrite! Been shooting with some different settings and color grading :) Glad you like it!

[@juanmaravilla2297]

Hi! Even with the EQ of the Sony’s end adjusting mids and highs the Focal are better in sound? I love how the Sony’s sound with the mids and highs increased!

[@juntienong4549]

Just got mine because of this vid! Best headphones i own so far❤

[@BenTene]

Love the audio content!

[@compromisedssh]

Interesting evaluation. I am a headphones junkie. The only four pairs of bluetooth ANC headphones I have are the Sony XM5s, AirPods Max, Focal Bathys, and Sennheiser Momentum 4. I guess I also have the in-ear XM4s and AirPods Pro. I have many, many more wired headphones. I do not agree with you that the XM5s have better noise cancellation than the Bathys. I wouldn't really say the Bathys is better either though. I'd give both of them a three-way tie with AirPods Max for having the best noise cancellation. I'm a digital nomad and travel all the time, so I have to get really selective about which headphones I travel with (I live out of a backpack and a carry-on suitcase). Part of my headphone collection lives at my brother's house and the rest of it lives at my parents' house when I'm out of the country. I was traveling with the XM5s for a while. I like their design and the ANC is solid. I only recently picked up the Bathys though (Amazon had a sale for $639, plus I had $200+ in Amazon gift cards, so I only paid around $400 for them), and ever since then, they're my go-to pair of headphones. I can use a USB-C cord or 3.5mm headphone jack to achieve a lossless, wired connection and I think the Bathys has the best sound quality of any bluetooth-connected headphone I've ever heard. Anyway, I really appreciate your evaluation. I like seeing what others think. I'd say I agree with you about 99% of this video. I'm just not willing to concede that Sony has superior ANC. Keep up the good work! I'll check out some of your other videos now.

[@Dani-uz2bk]

what are your favourite wired headphones out of the ones you tried?

[@lukewalker5111]

Put the Bathys on in the car and drive over a really bumpy road. How the ANC dealS with the impacts is terrible and almost amplifies them and you end up with these explosions in your ears.

[@compromisedssh]

@@lukewalker5111 next time I find myself dealing with a totally contrived scenario that would never occur in my daily life, perhaps I'll seek out a different set of ANC headphones.

[@xbiker321]

Thanks for the input, I own several of those headsets and earbuds too.. excited to try the Bathys.

[@jamiesmith8307]

What about metal? Which one?

[@MichealC]

Great review, and I have the Bathys and they sound good..

[@bbha3293]

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

[@musicM0VESme]

Have you tried the Bose QC Ultra? I like them more than the Sony WH-1000XM5. The Bose QC Ultra has more energetic bass.

[@jomoanderson5596]

Just ordered mine(Focal Bathys), & I got them for $573 after tax. I'm kinda' kicking myself because I just bought the Focal Celestee,& I already own a pair of Apple Airpod Max's. With the Focal, I wanted a long lasting wired pair of headphones but commuting, walking around it's kinda annoying having your phone plugged into a Dac in hand, if I keep the Bathys, they'll be my walk around headphone or the Max's,.....appreciate the Review. 6 Months later do you regret the Focal Buy?

[@dbean5174]

Where did you buy them from? $573 is much better than $699

[@jomoanderson5596]

@@dbean5174 EBay.

[@michaelquiroz4565]

I really really need a closed back headphone break down. Who's the best right now?

[@tsujimasen]

What quality’s best for you?

[@michaelquiroz4565]

@@tsujimasen I'm a Sennheiser fan. Under $250 is ideal. I like sets that are easy to drive so i don't have to worry about an AMP for the most part but don't stress with an AMP A closed back PC38X would be perfect

[@cooperarmstrong4493]

Hey mate, try the old sen pxc 550 2 there older but still good headphones and under your price point from what I've heard

[@rajendrabiswas]

how are baths compared to AirPods max

[@juntienong4549]

Baths easy

[@kafkaworkshere]

I agree with your assessment. Sony rules, for price and functionality. Its headphones connect so easily - and the general sound signature is decent. But the Bathys is on a whole other level. Its ANC isn't as good as Sony's, and it's twice the price, but the sound is amazing. I bought a pair for me. My kid now has it and won't give it back. So, I just bought the dune/tan-colored (and I hate the color) so I have my cans back.

[@blujayplays1]

What headphones do you use at the gym?

[@BTaesthetics]

amzn.to/3S6hqec these are crazy good for the gym. the rattling bass gets me going Thanks for watching!

[@Sjsgdjsb]

Sony is not a competitor for Barthys. Try to compare it with Bowers PX8, Bose ultra, Mark Levinson 😊

[@eddie7155]

I am looking for a vewry loud headphone. My Sony 1000mx4s simply do not go very loud. Are the Bathys much better in terms of shear volume? THANX!!

[@mikeshinwa3398]

Idk how loud you listen to your music but the Bathys can get very, VERY loud. Also in terms of sound quality, they shit all over the XM4. But I would not advise you to not listen at loud volumes for prolonged periods - it can permanently damage your hearing.

[@KostiaBazrov]

forgot about the main feature - ANC

[@manirahnema9585]

Did you just say some higher premier brands? Do you think focal brand is higher than sony? You think sony doesn't have super expensive highend headphones?

[@ErhanAtci]

thanks! Im gona buy the Bathys !

[@GEFELICITEERD45]

Me 2

[@superboy305]

Thanks family

[@mkunikow]

I think you should compare Focal to Bowers & Wilkins Px8 ...:)

[@mikeabcable]

Headphone show has the extensive comparisons .

[@steveee2511]

or the bang olufsen h95

[@GEFELICITEERD45]

Bathys sounds better

[@sanchomill]

How can the XM5 sound seriously be judged without applying EQ? EQ makes it a totally different headphones.

[@iaco578]

Bathys is a masterpiece

[@Sayid.M]

I own most of the high end consumer headphones. I’ve got the Bose QC Ultra, XM5, XM4 and Senn M4. I’ve never owned the AirPod Max only because I dislike the styling of the headphone. But, I am itching to get my hands on the Bathys. I’ve been looking for them on promotion but seems like the price is between $650-800. Crazy. After this review I will get it eventually.

[@sergz8241]

I like that part the in the end the person who tried both undertand how muddy sony wireless headphones are that he can better than the bathys for 20$ XD

[@borna193]

Hi bro, wanted to ask if can you recommend me a mouse? 18.5x10cm hands pincer claw grip there are so much mices i dont know which one to get.

[@JohnBelleroseMusic]

I have the xm4, SM4 and the Bathys. No comparison really. The Focal sound is simply FAR better.

[@michaelmcclellanjr9831]

I haven't tried these yet. I put them in my letter to Santa. I have a Naim Uniti Atom and have been very, very happy with it. Update: Santa was good. These sound fantastic 👌. There is no comparison.

[@enricofermi]

I got my focal bathy's new from Amazon for $480. They are superior in sound and build quality to the Sony. Especially when connected to a DAC the Bathy's are legit audiophile quality. ANC on Sony is goated though.

[@yuchoob]

03:00: This guy thinks that 247g is "almost half" of 357g. *sigh*

[@John-o6t]

Already have focal clear wired.For travel and price Sony all the way.Focal sound is great though.If I had a bigger budget I"d go with Bathys

[@aka_vkl]

LDAC is 32bit/96Khz, so do correct that.

[@Dawdo-wf1xs]

I've tested the bathys vs xm5 in store yesterday and the difference is mind blowing even on a bluetooth connection via iphone. The sonys sound muddy and undetailed compared to these bad boys.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

not sure what its abt

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

if its 12 vs 18t yes, 12 is like 4060ti and 18t is 7900xtx

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

in sense a12t might be enough for your needs, and better spend elsewhere

[@Adistar-gtm]

Amazing video quality! Watching you on my OLED feels like you're in my living room. I hate the classic buttons on the bathys Having the xm5 tuned to my liking is so much better given these cost only $300 in uk

[@BTaesthetics]

Thanks Lonel!

[@joshuvaantonio]

Classic Buttons are the best. No mis-touches

[@denblackie-superneoturbome9802]

Short answer : absolutely

[@RomboutVersluijs]

Video felt it had 20% black overlay, did something go wrong somewhere?

[@RomboutVersluijs]

PS that Focal Bathys links goes to a seinheiser page?

[@BTaesthetics]

video should be good. might be something with youtube glitching. that goes to headphones.com where you can purchase the headphones ;)

[@Scout34111]

The Bathys is amazing. Love my AirPods Pro and the Bathys is unequivocally superior

[@JustLearning]

Thanks for that honest informative review. One thing I do if I still hear the engine noise on a plane is Turn Up the Music or Audio until you don't hear it. All headphones are Noise Cancelling if you raise the volume enough. And i believe you can also use the Sony's wired.

[@sickmessiah]

Sadly the xm2 was the best sounding by Sony. They have gotten more and more muddy in the low mids. As someone who mixs on the road and needs noise cancellation half the time from headphones. Guess the bathys it is.

[@stephenknight6562]

Sennheiser has way touch controls on the momentum 4. The Sony pressed my ear right against the driver. That is not comfortable. Use my geek squad and swapped the for momentum 4 much happier. Also enjoy Bose qc 45 as daily driver

[@adir_i]

its no HiFi brother :) the bitrate is way too low to deliver a HiFi grade audio. even LDAP is too low. as a person who is crazy about audio, they are good but thats it.

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

I find that Sony bluetooth headphones in general have a muddy sound and they suck the joy out of listening to music. I did not yet listen to the Focal Bathys but I did just pick up a nice Focal Elegia at a close-out sale... Excellent sound.

[@martinfield7610]

I bought the Focal Bathys and went to my local Marc Levinson dealer to compare with the 5909’s. The 5909’s have brighter highs due to the beryllium drivers but it was too bright in my opinion. The bathys sound warmer and have more bass and is superior to the 5909’s. The Bathys are the best.

[@steveee2511]

you weared on your neck the bathys while visiting the mark levinson dealer just curious i have cable focals and woud like go test audezes

[@DroidLocks6971]

....The Bathys Need 2 Or More Extra Headband Adjustment Clicks . The Bathys Did Not Fit Me Well . ....I listened to my bathys every way possible ....Then I listened to my phillips fidelio X2H2 all the same ways as i listened to the bathys And my x2hr at $159.00 obliterated the bathys sound wise ....I actually had to turn rhe bathys volume up 10 notches higher than my X2HR To Get Near The Same Sound Punch And Impact From The Bathys .

[@KostiaBazrov]

bayan(

[@DamianNocun]

Two totally different headphones directed to totally different groups of people. In my opinion those should not be even compared.

[@diana73654]

Audeze Maxwell are better than both, regarding sound, and cost less

[@acspicer]

Waaaaaayyyy heavier and less portable.

[@diana73654]

@@acspicer way heavier than Sony , Bathys is not a light hp . I prefer a little bit heavier and tank,,-ish" built , than lighter and full of fragile plastic . The only series of hps that are made from plastic and can last a century , are 600 line from Senn .

[@epicmike3915]

@@diana73654 I returned them right away. The suspension strap adjustment is a joke. I could never get them where they felt decent on my head. Round cups should stop being a thing in headphones IMO. Our ears aren't round. They were crushing my head with the clamp. IMO I felt the weight all the time. Sound quality is subjective too. I didn't think they were that great. Planars have a weird tamber and don't sound natural to me. A horrible problem that I was personally having was the Maxwell were disconnecting from my phone without me using the dongle. No clue what that was about. I personally think that is because the headphones were design to be a gaming headphone first and requiring the dongle.

[@joselacen4534]

Never aptx is better than LDAC i mean if you have an android you can select the options i developers settings 😉 But even though I'll not recommend the XM5 because they are poorly made and Sony will mot honor the warranty!

[@Milchschndde]

The Sony's are 100% a bass canon. One look at ther frequency graph should tell it all 😅

[@vjd222]

To be fair, you can pick up almost any set of headphones and they will highlight how muddy the sonys are

[@yappering]

The Sony mic is better

[@geekatari4391]

I own the XM5s and I have been looking for something with better sound quality. I started by looking for other ANC headphones and the bathys came up, then the Mark Levinson for $1000. Then I started to consider the option to use them wired for even better sound and the bathys with dac mode are great, not awesome. Since that, I started to rule out ANC and in a pure sound quality standpoint, I ended up with the Hifiman HE1000 Stealth for $1399 and the Fiio Btr7 portable DAC/AMP that also works as a Bluetooth adapter should I want to go wireless. I can't complain, the Hifiman sounds spectacular and for ANC needs I still have the XM5s.

[@votdfak]

Got em for 500EUR.

[@shininngg]

Hi, I’m also considering buying them. Do you mind if I ask where you got them for 500eur?

[@konstantinkovalinskiy9216]

как можно сравнивать такие наушники???? Фокал на сто очков дает фору соньке....сенсоры при температуре на улице меньше 0% начинают безбожно глючить + сонька заточена строго под низкие частоты и середина ,да и верха очень завалены

[@DroidLocks6971]

....The XM5 just look so cheap and are upon examination very cheaply built . ....Sony abandoned the unrivaled fit of the XM3 XM4 Which is better than any headphones in my collection . ....I feel like a peasant wearing the XM5s And Sony Felt It A Good Thing To Up The Price By $50.00 . ....I Have Returned 2 Pairs Of XM5s Months Apart Trying To See The Value In Them And Other Than The ANC Their Is No Value I Could Find In The XM5s . ....My SoundCore Q35 & Q45 Have Better Sound Quality And Look Much Nicer Especially The Q45 Over The Sony XM5

[@KostiaBazrov]

bayan

[@Medsas]

i dont need wireless, so i use edition xs lol

[@KostiaBazrov]

need ! to travel

[@zombieimpact2790]

I'm not a fan of Sony's controls

[@joshuvaantonio]

Was a Fan of Sony. But their headphones are so bad muddy heaphones

[@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

[@acspicer]

M50x have zero soundstage.

[@joshuvaantonio]

@@acspicer No they are known for good soundstage. Please do a little more research on M50x-BT2

[@acspicer]

@@joshuvaantonio I’ve listened to them. Maybe you have a different definition of what ‘soundstage’ means?

[@joshuvaantonio]

@@acspicer Every single closed back wireless headphones doesnt have excellent soundstage. Focal bathys are not different either. Their soundstage is on par with other wireless closed back headphones according to tests by unbiased reviewers

[@acspicer]

@@joshuvaantonio You were claiming the M50 had excellent soundstage. Link to an “unbiased reviewer” saying that?

[@gargin1633]

Keep doing your thing man but sometimes it feels like you are a bit out of touch with the majority of consumers--that don't have $800 to spend on headphones. Just my $0.02.

[@runninturtl]

What's your criticism?

[@NDN_FTR]

I bought the Sony's this weekend. They sound great, but not $400 great. The build quality is terrible on the Sony. They feel like $50 headphones. I just ordered an open box Focal for $600.

[@jamestorres5582]

Audeze Maxwell

[@mike_nba]

this comparison makes no sense. An audiophile pair costing 800 $ with a wireless ANC pair that is no match for any audiophile grade headphones let alone the Bathys(or any Focal). put some effort into it, make it make sense. No one is on the market for one of these and will compare it with the other

[@silk95]

I have the Bathys and they blow the Sony's away . Like comparing apples to oranges.

[@mike_nba]

@@silk95 only in sound. In anc the bathys are average. It's still sony/air max > everything else when it comes to anc

[@acspicer]

@@mike_nbaIf the sound isn’t top notch I don’t care about the noise cancelling.

[@natoroiusguyl7]

FIRST??

[@bdixhshsi1888]

First?

[@evilvirtuoso9408]

This headphone (Bathys) is overrated, overhyped, and TBH the frequency response is unforgivable. I don't know why audiophiles don't seem to care about the horrendous dips in the FR and there are a lot of apologists of this clearly inferior measurable performance. And listening tests clearly show these dips, if one's REALLY listening and not hyping. Reputable speaker makers seems to release mediocre headphones... Focal and B&W, yes you. It would have been ok if you're not asking exorbitant prices for your underperforming "flagships".

[@KostiaBazrov]

TOP! whats better to buy?