FOCAL Bathys: 10 more thoughts 📝 ('Dear John')

[@fakeklg]

“Tell me what YOU know, not what I don’t know, so we can all learn something.” Love that. Guru-level stuff there Mr. Darko.

[@miguelbarrio]

Totally agree with you that this is ultimately a bluetooth headphone. I was cleaning records a few days ago in a different room from my hifi. I was wearing the Bathys listening to amazing music over bluetooth via Roon. And I was amazed how amazing it is I can listen with such quality, with no cables!

[@mellifluousfable]

I too am an IEM when out, extravagant over ears when at home. In terms of the popularity, I think that BT headphones connect with the younger generation but they also connect with someone a bit older like myself. I once had all sorts of reasonably high end hifi gear. In the end, I had a real desire to simplify my set up and have a system I can listen to at any time without disturbing my family. These days, I just have a very simple set up consisting of my android phone for music via ldac and an iPad Pro for just about everything else from writing music, work and visual media consumption. This is currently fed into a pair of Sony XM3’s (I need Apt x capability as my tv streams BT in that format) but something like that Bathys is definitely on my list for a future upgrade. So I personally hope to see more of these headphone reviews as the speakers and amps side of things, no longer has a place for me but glad you’re keeping the balance for those who do.

[@gerritfridericksohn4627]

I agree. And I think this must be a growing segment of the market. I have different earbuds, but they irritate me. So headphones. ANC is my priority when away. I have a decreasing toleration to noise pollution. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is not really as comfortable as I would like.

[@darrenjones4706]

Thanks John. Again, great info. On you comment about track order on vinyl vs cd. Peter Gabriel said in an interview about the making of So, that his intended track order couldn’t be used for LP because of groove dimensions and angles towards the centre reduced bass extension/db. Or words to that effect! So when the CD version was released, he had the opportunity to correct that technical hindrance. Good health and take care.

[@donvittoriosierra]

The best part about the wired option is not just the minor upgrade in sound quality but the huge upgrade in latency especially for those that want to actually use the Bathys as an allrounder gamer/recording/mixing headphone in wired mode plus the bluetooth for portable use.

[@CeeJay591]

Thank you very much John for this follow-up video - I had many of the same questions and you addressing them in this format really is great....

[@ibassnote]

After researching the Bathys for over a year now I finally had the opportunity to sit down and listen to them in Tokyo. What I’m about to say may surprise you. I walked to the shop with my AirPod Pros. I listened to them for a good thirty minutes. When I got to the Bathys I was excited to be blown away but instead was shockingly disappointed. Listening to the Police first album, a very straightforward recording, I could easily understand the Bathys strongpoint, picking out different instruments and revealing details deep in the track. This it does very well. Better than the AirPod Pro. But what was taken away was urgency, excitement and immersiveness. I couldn’t believe my ears, how could this be? It shook the foundations of my sense of self. Could I actually like little Apple earbuds more than a true audiophile option. I tried some other artist, all recording I know well with the same result. A little more information in the Bathys and a better handling of complex recordings, particularly in the upper mids and highs. But each time I returned to the AirPods Pro I felt more IN the track, more engaged. I have a nicer set of IEMs at home and I remember them blowing the AirPods away. I also have a pair of Maxwells which I like but are just too big for me to travel with. I was really expecting the Bathys to be THE ONES. But walked out with my Airpod Pros happily surprised that I just didn’t spend $700. It makes me think I should listen to the Air Max which I immediately hated the first time I saw them. I am an Apple user. Am I not an audiophile at all? Am I just a regular consumer after all this pride about seeking out the best sounds?

[@Nonesuch6588]

Thank you for explaining the different codecs in an understandable way. It really helped make it more clear 😊

[@gaeliclands5064]

Fantastic video John, as always. Take good care of yourself. You are loved in audiophile land!

[@ralphpantuso9248]

"Audiophile delta" My new favorite phrase! What an excellent summation of how things work all too often in the world of high end audio reviewing. Thanks!

[@jdekong3945]

Had the pleasure of borrowing Focal Clears for a weekend, blew my mind, on the wish list till I can get a set

[@turn2clearvision823]

👍thank you for mentioning the error of the price. It was me who send you that in the comment.

[@aviadesigns]

Agreed! I think that some things are just too ridiculous to wear or carry in public… e.g. I remember back in the early 80s, seeing a guy getting on the metro bus system in Atlanta carrying a huge boombox on his shoulder, which wasn’t that outrageous but this one actually had a record player built into it. I remember seeing one in a store. I think it was made by Sharp. Ridiculously heavy too… Hilarious.

[@syanhc]

John Darko. Legend.

[@allanwhittle3041]

Quite apart from your obvious knowledge , I appreciate you manner of easy presentation ...Always always Enjoyable ...Thanks !

[@EnthusiastGamers]

👍👍🤜 Darko I really like how you express your feelings about the sound and the highlights to be analyzed on the headphones !! Nice !!

[@PeterbFree]

Disagree about the DAC feature. Having this as an option is a real plus and is worth consideration

[@supersnail5000]

I don't think it's a massive stretch to say that the average Bathys buyer likely owns other audiophile equipment - I assume anyone picking these over the Sonys or Airpods is likely already an audiophile. So for at home listening, they more than likely already have a better amp/dac than the ones in the focals, and also more than likely better headphones or speakers, so there is little use to the feature for at home listening. If these are your one headphone solution then... maybe? Even then, other factors like their tuning and even comfort/fit will impact perceived sound more than lossless audio. Then if you've bought a pair of £700 WIRELESS headphones for on the go listening, you probably want them to be wireless, you could get far better headphones for far cheaper if you were okay with wires. So now we get to the final niche use case - you're on the go, but you're sat down on a train/plane and don't want to faff about with a dac or amp, so plug these in. Do you really think you would be able to tell the difference between lossy and lossless while sat on a moving train? Hell, most people can't when they're sat in an anechoic chamber! It's a feature that sets them apart on a spec sheet, but realistically adds little value for their given use case, which is probably why John didn't want to give more merit than was worth to what is predominantly a marketing gimmick. Realistically no one should be choosing between these or the headphones he compared them to based on this feature, so leaving it out removes needless confusion.

[@Unicorn-ST]

I agree, it’s a good feature for several reasons. One is that you are able to use the headphones with a different, phone, tablet, PC… without pairing them by BT, in fact you can also use them with a Pac without BT… that’s convenient. You can also safe battery both, your headphones and your playing device. You will be able to use the headphones in places where the BT isn’t allowed. In general, makes the headphones more versatile and for some people it could be an only one headphone solution. If I would have to choose a second closed headphones to complement my open ones... The Bathys or a similar solution could cover this perfectly.

[@paulwilliams9612]

Thanks John. Another helpful follow up and pleased (as someone who is considering some new over ear ANCs) that you’re keen to compare the PX8s. Ps, don’t sweat the mistakes (price)! It happens. You are big enough to acknowledge it. No big deal; we move forward.

[@Rock-Pirate]

Love the "juice worth the squeeze" comment! Thanks John. Be well! ☠️🏴‍☠️😀

[@pauljordan3828]

A little lightning adapter from hidiz LT03 Usbc works very well with the iPhone and is tiny compared to the camera adapter

[@aaf7ad]

Great review. I bought a pair based on your comments. They are amazing. I plan to use them at home and on train and plane trips.

[@timfederwitz]

Two thoughts from me on this *great* video around the built-in DAC: 1) I agree with the idea of diminishing returns around eeking out that enth degree of quality when, in theory, you would be using these portable headphones in less than ideal environments to be able to even hear that difference (e.g., walking on the street, on an airplane, etc.) To me, going through the pain of hooking up a USB cable kind of defeats the point of what *I* would buy/use these for, when I could just as easily use a high-end powerful DAP and even higher-end closed back headphones, like my Focal Stellias. Because, if I'm going to use a wire at all, why have BT headphones? 2) @Darko and myself may be in a different situation, spoiled for choices (as I sit at my desk with 16 pairs of headphones surrounding me, 4 of which are TOTL, and many thousands in equipment to drive them with choice in sound signature between solid-state and tubes, etc.) This is NOT meant to be a flex in any way. I am 50yo, had the means, and spent more than I probably should on "music", but I also remember being in my early 20's, not a lot of money, but still craving high-end audio gear. To *that* scenario, limited budget and many other constraints like maybe in a college dorm where you *can't* listen to music over speakers loudly, I can see a point to having *nothing* other than the Focal Bathys for both BT listening *and* USB wired in that dorm room. In a scenario like that... I agree the USB option is pretty huge compared to the competition. PS - Saw another comment around working in an office (I work from home for the last 20+ years, but remember what office life is like). The USB option there could also be beneficial. BT while taking the train into work, USB DAC in the office. One pair of headphones for both situations. Pretty cool.

[@kiyanazarbar3319]

I find using any pair of non-ANC headphones outside of a home environment to be a completely frustrating and useless experience. Any benefit in audio quality is negated by the sound leakage from the environment, requiring higher and higher volumes and hence more danger for your ears. The ANC is what makes the Bathys interesting, and how close they come to their wired versions is pretty astounding. The combination of sound quality with (admittedly mediocre) ANC and then DAC mode on top of that (to remove latency when needed and/or increase quality when in a quiet enough environment) makes these headphones capable of ANYTHING, although they are not the master at anything. Other brands beat the pants off them in ANC, and Focal themselves have several headphones that best the Bathys in audio quality. I think the DAC capability really takes this over the edge, though. It can easily be one’s only pair (until you have the money for a TOTL home listening head-fi system).

[@MrMrpony]

I assume someone has already posted this- but The Beloved’s vinyl track listing is likely different to sequence songs that are “hotter” or has more frequency information at the start of a side to reduce IGD. It’s also longer than recommended for a single LP so that likely played into it as well.

[@SpiderslidePics]

I have the B & W’s and I do use the cable on a regular basis. With a small external DAC on my iPhone. It just sounds better when I’m in the mood for careful listening. Wouldn’t buy ones without this feature. Best of both worlds.

[@The51DD]

First of all, thank you for the Bluetooth noise cancelling topic Based on that, I got the Focal Bathys and I’m totally happy with them. On top of that, Mimi is integrated in the app now which does make a big difference for me considering the fact that my hearing has gotten ‘worse’ over the years (I’m 65).👍🏻

[@brianthibault5929]

Hello John, thank you for answering my question in this video, really appreciate your feedback.

[@martinmiller7623]

Along with equipment reviews I also enjoy the music recommendations.

[@PhotoViking]

I bought them recently and I must say I am impressed. Focal is not my favourite brand of speakers. Not at all. But these headphones are amazing, and I can listen for many hours without my ears getting tired. Very pleasant sound and also very comfy to wear. They don’t feel heavy at all.

[@kiyanazarbar3319]

You completely glossed over one key advantage of DAC mode. Forget about the marginal improvement in quality. Latency is king. It may not matter listening to music, but if you are working on music or even doing video editing, you need the audio to align with the playhead without obvious latency, and as far as I'm aware, that's just not possible with any Bluetooth codecs right now, whereas USB-C and DAC mode will turn the Bathys into a "wired headphone" solution with the extra benefit of ANC if you want to use it in a cafe or noisy environment.

[@muskelversagen]

As much as I would like to buy these, my main usecase would be the subway on my way to work and I don't really feel comfortable carrying 800€ around ready to be ripped of my head.

[@8020Alive]

Indeed. Just a nice $50 iem set and small DAC dongle and you are good.

[@SSergey222]

LOL. No one will know the price of your headphones. With the LED on they will thinks it's a cheap pair from Aliexpress.. (I own Bathys and use it for my commute)

[@gaeliclands5064]

@@8020Alive $50 IEM and the rest on a Glock!

[@ptpoul]

10 years ago I commuted with 500 euro headphones daily. No one had a clue they were that expensive.

[@jeancena8761]

@@ptpoul exactly. Whenever I wear my Beoplay H95 in public nobody cares. AirPods Max might be a different story but your average robber doesn’t know about B&O and definitely not about Focal.

[@Big-J-8579]

My Bose QuietComfort 45's and 35's get it done for me when I travel (Trains, Planes, Busses). Walking around, not into headphones or earbuds. Thanks again!

[@legrandmaitre7112]

I didn't know you were allowed to go outside John! 😲 If I can wrench myself away from my system to venture out, I find it best to strap a turntable to my head. Does wonders for my posture.

[@keithjohnson2863]

The reason I asked about using the Bathys in wired modes is for travel. I like to have a pair of headphones in my bag when I travel, so having a single pair that can used multiple ways is an advantage. I only like to pair headphones and earbuds with just one device so my use cases would be Bluetooth paired with my phone, wired USB connection with my laptop, and, analog connection to DAP and external dongles.

[@rikardekvall3433]

I like your attitude! Go man, go on.

[@PlazmaKeks]

Shared that video with 5 people. Why.... Because you are the ONLY one who makes zero BS reviews. And I do trust your sence of how sound should be consumed...

[@ekres56]

Hello Darko. We haven't seen your video about the Bathys but we had a chance to hear them on the Florida Expo ( show of high end audio in Tampa Florida) My wife liked the headphones and she said I want these. Today we got the Focals delivered and she is thrilled to have them. After watching your videos about the Focal s she is even more proud to wear them. Thank you for your detailed review. Hope we see you again this year in High End Munich. Tanja and Oto from US...

[@JeffJacquesmd]

Thanks John. I really enjoy your reviews as well as these updates based on the communities' feedback and questions. After spending a fair amount of time on HeadFi looking at the ML 5909, the Bathys and the PX8, I purchased the latter. Use case being for commutes, plane travel and late night wireless listening. I should receive them today, and I'll be curious of your findings when you get them. One last thought, B&W has just announced a LE PX8 created for the 60th anniversary of James Bond. They are sonically the same but in a very nice midnight blue colorway. Ask for those, as they have been marketing them a fair bit. Cheers. Dr Jeff

[@Redstickler1000]

I spent an enjoyable couple of hours on Tuesday afternoon at K55 in Zurich comparing the PX8, the Bathys and my Sony XM3s. Clearly I didn't spend weeks with them and I have never written down my thoughts on hifi components before but I'll have a go. The easiest thing to write about is comfort. The Sonys win by miles. They were supremely comfortable when I first got them about three and a half years ago and are still in excellent condition especially considering I use them almost every day but I do look after my things. From this point onwards, forget the Sonys, they are easily audibly inferior to the other two headphones. They still sound good, but not in the same league. The PX8s are less comfortable than the Sonys with noticeably more pressure on my head and the Bathys are the the least comfortable for me being heavier too. i dont think I could bear either pair for hours at a time like I can with the Sonys. Initially I preferred the sound of the PX8s. They are very exciting, dynamic, punchy in the bass and crystal clear in midrange and top end. But after a while I began to appreciate the Bathys wider more open sound stage, marginally higher resolution (I think), more refined top end and more natural sounding voices. The PX8s might be too much of a good thing after a while for me and may become less relaxing to listen too versus the Bathys. However, as someone who travels a lot, the Bathys are quite bulky to haul around the world whereas the PX8s are a little more compact but neither fold down like the XM3s and XM4s. I understand the XM5s don't fold down like the older Sonys which would not be good for me either. I cannot say for sure how effective the noise cancelling is except to say that in the shop I thought my XM3s reduced other customers voices a little better, but that was not a controlled test and I expect they would all be adequate on a plane or noisy London underground train. Overall I ended up preferring the sound of the Bathys but I did enjoy the PX8s too and can see why others may prefer them. I have not decided to ditch the XM3s yet as they are so comfortable, the sound quality is quite acceptable and they are good for travel and throwing in a backpack. Nothing is ever perfect, there are always compromises. I guess eventually I'll come too a final decision 🙂

[@Andyhandle]

I've occasionally worn Bose nc700 outdoors. Nothing to do with a fashion statement, it was practical for me to continue wearing them when I went out. It was cold and bright and the headphones were great as ear warmers. At home when I'm working, cable is fine for me. And as I'll sometimes use a phone as source a wired dac in the headphones is great, especially as some phones only support AAC. And some of those phones will be around for several years. I have my uncompressed on my android phone, 200gb, using USB Audio Player Pro and wired is great (and Apple music on android is streets ahead of Spotify and the same price).

[@olajideparis]

Professional Composer and Producer here. Here are my thoughts - The built-in DAC with the ability to go wired is perfect for a producer like me who is often on the go. It is one less piece of gear I need to take with me. I have been traveling with a pair of AirPods Pro Max, A pair of Neumman NDH 30s for when I need a closed-back headphones for editing, and a pair of open-backed HIFIMAN Anandas for mixing. With something like this, I can leave the AirPods max and Neumanns at home and travel with just two pairs instead of three and have the option to work from a cafe without having to lug around a DAC (not to mention the USB hub needed to connect my DAC to my Macbook Pro)!

[@andrehunter8137]

I purchased mine yesterday. Love them.

[@itsmetimmee]

thanks for this John! been really enjoyable

[@HatoriHanso5679]

Nice Video. I agree with you, when i have a Bluetooth Headphone i want to use ist without a cable. So i use my b&o H95 when i want mobile with my Handy or with a Fiio BT35 in my Elac Discovery. When i want to sit down and relax i use my Focal Celestee with my DAP. When i want to hear with a cable i use Headphone that was only Made for this, then i have more quality push against Bluetooth Headphones in cable use.

[@nineteen76]

5:44 Listening to this on the Bathys via an Audioquest carbon usb cable in my office while co-workers are having a conversation next to me but I can barely hear them. Because it can, this use case is probably more common than you'd think and I would also use it on a long flight on cable as well because why not. This feature has bridged a gap between ANC wireless cans and people who would go the trouble of a portable DAC and wired headphones even on the go.

[@chungang7037]

9:03 EXACTLY! I think I am waiting for the aptx lossless codec, the next generation can get this right. [knock on wood] For the price, I am still annoyed that the "best" codec thus far for audio quality was left out, LDAC. Yeah yea, feel free to debate whether it matters or not, I don't care. For those who pay for cd quality streaming [or with a FLAC library like mine] it is a matter of principle, especially considering the price. The USB mode does not make up for this, 99% of us do not want a cable when out n about. My ANKER q35 at 110USD could afford the license, don't tell me FOCAL couldn't.

[@Houdinis-Selection-at-insta]

Thx for the Video John. Inspired me to check it out. Before I tested the B&W PX8, they are nice but much to bassy! The Bathys is wonderful, fits perfect and is not heavy at all. With the DAC and USB-C cable I can listen lossless with Roon Arc. No need for an amplifier so far. Awesome headphone for everything situation. Fast charging, ANC with 3 different mode, and 30 hrs when fully charged. Perfect ! 🤗

[@bryantaylor2946]

A small point about this video - when you buy the Bathys, you are supporting your local audio emporium. When you buy the Apple, well you know where the money goes. If you care about the audio industry, buy the product that gives some love to both Focal and your audio shop. Why not?

[@vladpetric7493]

For me, having a wired cable is helpful not because of the slight sound quality improvement vs bluetooth, but because of the high 2.4 GHz bandwidth pollution (or over-occupation), which can totally lead to spotty connection. Ok, I live in NYC ...

[@alexojeda9048]

I feel your pain Brotha!

[@campesino93]

Wait I live in NYC. Can you dumb this down for me? I just ordered the Bathys and have an android. Are you saying the Bluetooth connection will be spotty due to the high number of devices in our area? Sorry if I'm asking a dumb question 😅

[@MrMrpony]

Just regarding the size of the Bathys- people won’t notice how large they are as they are meant to be listened to on your personal yacht. (Refer to the Focal promotional materials 😂) Which is great because it’s a *massive* pain getting a pair of Sopras into a dinghy.

[@schweinstad8370]

People need to start realizing that as BT tech is right now, it's almost all about how good the hardware (headphones) is, then there's EQing, that's it. If I was going to connect by cable, why even worry with wireless in the first place. Differences between streamers are almost irrelevant, barely perceivable 80/90% of the time. I don't care about ANC, transparency, or any of that personally, I went for absolute sound quality for the money, and ended up with the Edifier Stax Spirit S3. Tried the Bathys and they are a better headphone overall, but not double the price better, not even better in all areas. For 400 EUR (probably a lot cheaper now) despite all negatives (mostly regarding build quality) I found them to be the best bang for buck in the BT headphone market right now, from the many I tried, of course. No headphone will be perfect, ever. Get what works better for you and just enjoy more music and less the shenanigans surrounding the Hi-fi and tech industries.

[@papagen00]

How does Bathys compare with the $899 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95

[@MarceloPaciorek]

Yes, because of the amount of travel, Im very curious about portable HIFI gear.

[@josexavierjr.5633]

Great video, John. I'm really enjoying the responses to the comments, and please continue to specifically mention the music you listen to while using the equipment in question. 👍

[@mattmutane5502]

John, many thanks once again for an excellent video (and follow up video)!! I (mostly) made my purchasing decision on these based on your two vids (and TBH, all your other over-ear noise cancelling BT 'phones too). I don't know if the "user customisation" feature was a part of the app when you reviewed them, but for me, it turns out, for an "older person" (I'm 52 and have been an "audiophile" since my teens...), the customisation/personalisation is a KILLER feature!! If you haven't seen it, the app does a series of tests, for each ear independently, and then shows you what it has detected is your individual "old age rolloff" response and offers the ability to fix it just for you (and you can control by how much). I have to say, this transformed the performance of these cans for me, and made me realise my hearing has likely got worse than I realised!! Coupled with the USB cable to DAC in the cans, this is a feature I love because when I'm sat at my desk, I can plug into either my phone or my PC, and get just that little extra bit of quality available from these cans (or when sat on my sofa, I can plug into my phone or my laptop). Basically, these have the best of both worlds, decent BT AND wired connectivity, all the while providing noise cancelling. It's a shame my phone "peaks" at basic AptX though, but again, it still sounds decent, I'm not going to pretend as you say, the difference between SBC/AptX/LDAC etc. is much in it, in the same way there isn't that much between Red Book and higer res (I DO like the higher stuff via Qobuz though, and have a library of my own ripped/bought/downloaded 2.0 and 5.1 hi-res lossless stuff too though). Hope this was useful/interesting (and gets read), keep up the great work!!! :)

[@SaveMeAzathoth]

On running Bluetooth headphones over a cable: I do consider that to be an essential feature and headphones that *don't* offer it are a hard sell. It's not really because of audiophile quality hairsplitting reasons though - it's the latency. If I'm sitting on the bus and want to play a rhythm game to help pass time on the commute, bluetooth renders those unplayable. It has to be either wired or sound off (which is kind of a waste but still a significantly better experience).

[@dividead100]

Short list of why wired DAC mode is not missing the point: Slightly better sound, less lag, compatibility with any usb device that doesn't have bluetooth, when the battery dies you can still use them wired and I'm sure others will think of other use cases. Saying it's missing the point is kind of saying it's pointless or complaining about it. If a lot of people do this it won't be there next time and if you think it's not very important just talk less about it and let the viewer decide if it's important to them.

[@Jaykay586]

Thank you, John!

[@mattmutane5502]

BTW, for UK people, Focal have reduced the price in the UK to GBP599 for Black Friday (and Richer Sounds are offering free (next day) delivery and a further GBP10 off if you sign up to their VIP email list...). Can you guess where I bought mine? ;)

[@asgiov]

I agree about the USB Dac mode. When I first tried it, it was cool. A nice novelty.... but aside from testing it out, I never use it anymore. Wireless 100% of the time.

[@ChrisWhittenMusic]

Great, I like these follow ups. 🙂

[@lkibbler]

Thanks John, another great video. I’m still trying to decide whether or not to get the Bathys to go along with my AirPods Max. I do love the Apples sound and am curious how much better the Focals sound. I have now added an Apple Music subscription just for the excellent spacial audio mixes!

[@BartgEU]

Tidal on android can take exclusive control over connected dac. Unfortunately Bathys are not working in this mode (at least 3 units I was testing at different occasions). Most likely they will do after firmware update (or two)

[@user-me6sj9qe2o]

Hey Mr Darko! Sure you get this all the time, have you tried the Neumann NDH30's yet? Id be super curious to know how you find them! I just got a pair and I could cry at how good I think they are...

[@RobertSpitzer]

I also am looking forward toward hearing the comparison to the PX8, though my return window on my pair runs out way before any chance of your review.

[@191.]

10:08 They might as well put a dedicated music player into the headphone, with a microSD slot, and let you control it via Bluetooth. And, of course, with it's own buttons, if you don't want to use that. That would be AWESOME!

[@mattmutane5502]

And that would solve the "radio chewing the battery" issue - I LIKE that idea!! :) (or, for convenience, onboard storage and you transfer the music to it over wifi/Bluetooth..)

[@cwb2992]

Imagine a 1tb card with all your favorite high-resolution music on it.

[@wikath449]

( I guess) There is one German HiFi-company missing from your "radar-screen". Since you are located in Berlin, it should be easy to spot a dealer....It is T+A , which is in many ways (imho) the pinnacle of HiFi - and recently also with an offering in the Headphone Bluetooth space - with their: Solitaire T. Perhaps you can share your judgement around this Headphones in a future issue. Price-wise this product is even positioned above the Bathys.....

[@Krell666]

Looking forward to that PX8 review!

[@asan1050]

Thanks Much !

[@andrewwong9769]

Hi John! Thank you for all your great reviews.

[@miggyyusay]

I think ANC bluetooth headphones and earbuds are the future - the tech needs to improve to make sound quality vs wired counterparts equal enough where the conveniences and features on the wireless ones outweigh the small sound quality increase on the wired options.

[@khuti007]

Great vid John, but couldn't help noticing how that TV changes your room.

[@mnaglik]

When Senheiser Momentum 4? It seems the audio is better than Sony XM5 but the price is way nicer than for Focals.

[@hgma]

USB connection also good when you run out of battery on the plane.

[@BartgEU]

My LCD-X daddy planar today got a planar baby in the flesh of 7Hz Timeless. I am ready to wait for market to unfold in the high tier (quality) wireless audio. I think it is coming with things like Qualcomm's new stuff.

[@vancybergoth]

As an Abyss PHI TC and Audeze LCD-XC owner, I find the Focal Bathys visually elegant and small. I've been really interested in the Bathys since your review.

[@jimmygup]

Hi. Another good video. As always, I appreciate the research. I’d like to ask a question about your comments regarding getting just slightly better sound/experience from a hi-res setup (w/a cable) vs. with Bluetooth, etc. (You made similar comments in a vid from last year as I recall.) Depending on the quality of the recording, I can hear a big difference between a CD file or less vs. the various hi-res versions of the same file. A big difference. As I understand it, not everyone can hear the difference or maybe they get a minimally better experience or it doesn’t matter to them. More power to them. I experiment with equipment in the house, in the car, and with headphones/IEM’s looking for the best sounding recording and setup. Perhaps you could have a video dedicated to these topics. Thanks.

[@thesoundizerav4956]

Thank you for responding to our comments. Excellent videos. You cannot underestimate how popular this area of Bluetooth audiophile headphones is. You could end end up with 50,000 hits for these videos if you continue making these brilliant videos. Well done.

[@mkcraghead]

Thank you for the video. I watched the preceding video on the Bathys as well. I think I will invest in a pair unless something better comes along before I get to it (there's always something better being released). On the issue of price, it is a hard thing to judge, because the price isn't always the price. I can't speak for the UK or EU market, as I'm in the US. However, here in the US the price of the Bathys appears to be $799. I'm guessing that is the MSRP. You will almost never see them selling for that price. They are usually listed for $699, which I assume is the MAP. Apple products in general (haven't looked at their headphones specifically) are almost never discounted, thus they usually sell for full price. If you can get a discount I doubt it would be more than 5%, if that. That makes it very hard to judge based on MSRP. Personally, when making decisions that include price, I judge based on "street" price; the price that you can often purchase a product. No one crucify me for these comments. I'm just saying what I find and how I approach it. If your experience if different, that's OK.

[@richardadamson1427]

I use my ancient Bose QC2 sound cancellers for travelling. They come with a selection of adapters that mean I can plug them into any aeroplane's entertainment system. For my use Focal should have implemented this rather than the usb connection.

[@dondomingo4909]

The usb DAC is brilliant, I use the headphones wirelessly to and from work, plug them into my computer and have a High quality sound card, DAC for the pc. Best of both worlds in my view 😀

[@JaysonBucy]

So for me, this is about 2 years too late. With this one headset I could have not bought my Schiit stack and DT1990s for the house AND a USB/Bluetooth DAC and IEMs for work. This one headset could have worked for every scenario. I still bought them and I'm going to pass on my work solution to a friend probably.

[@mrrx]

Hello John, maybe take a look on KEF Mu7? Newly released, price is half of the Bathys, but it could be also interesting to know how it sounds.

[@UncannyAleman]

By chance I run an iPhone 13 Pro + AirPods Max + Plex as my “daily driver” (sorry!) and a Sony Xperia 1 iii with a faulty screen + XM4’s + Qobuz as my home setup. The Apple solution is so convenient, comfortable and feels HiFi (even if it isn’t) The Sony solution sounds much more mature, detailed and LDAC feels like a step-up and addictive yet the tactile easy user experience of the Apple is difficult to ignore. Would be interested in getting your thoughts about the actual phones you use in the course of mobile (and at-home) audio related videos and the differences between them.

[@BartgEU]

Aaaahhhh Meze Liric wireless is coming! Happy... Waiting :) Unless you meant T+A Solitaires T (but these are already there) Sorry for messing your comments section but was writing as you spoke on the video :)

[@BartgEU]

Audio Technica ATH-WB2022. 3k eur... collectible

[@agforte]

Talking about the WiFi directly into the headphones, not only would it affect battery life but it would also increase the amount of heat generated which opens the door to another whole set of problems. Leaving the engineering issues aside (e.g., heat dissipation) and looking at the usability, if not built the right way, the WiFi would make the headphones very hot and uncomfortable to wear for longer periods of time. This is what happened to me years ago when I got a pair of Google Glass. After about 30 mins you could not wear them anymore, they would get too hot.

[@nealcaffrey1251]

I wish more major players come in high end BT ANC headphones market, for example Sennheiser best offer is MOMENTUM 4 Wireless and nothing at this level like B&W, Focal, Apple.

[@ScottStruber]

LOVING these, and only a few hours into listening. Still yet to do the 24-hour run-in. Anyone tried the built in DAC compared to the 3.5mm connection going to a Dragonfly Cobalt?

[@ScottStruber]

Seems a foolish pursuit, but trying it out since I still have the Cobalt (though seems silly in light of needing the CCK adapter.) much too soon to determine if there’s any discernible difference.) My guess is the, far more convenient, internal DAC wins even if the Cobalt, somehow, managed to sound marginally better.

[@goobfilmcast4239]

Caught the first review.....IMHO I still think this would be better positioned as a "lifestyle" (aka convenience) product. Audiophiles may take it as an affront if Focal attempts to market these as wireless "fidelity" cans.....until lossless BT (or better, currently not yet invented codec).

[@nicolapiga4278]

Thanks John. It seems that the voice captured by the microphone in this video is different from all the others, like a bit recessed and less clear. Did you change anything in this respect? Thanks for the great contents as always.

[@DileepaRanawake]

Cables are for fringe… so? The mainstream wouldn’t care about most of the cans in this video (sorry Darko). They’d be happy with Bose or Sony or apple iems and they’d likely be getting their recommendations from CNET or MKBHD or another more general channel, not this one. Therefore I think the cable is important as the audience of this channel are more likely audiophiles who care about audio quality, rather than not. Absolutely agree that cables aren’t the ideal solution. Perhaps someday we’ll get something like a Buchardt a500 for headphones, but I don’t see the problem of niche companies (like focal) trying to deliver the present needs, for the niche market (audiophiles) in the mean time.

[@pascalblond7539]

Very human indeed, fair, sincere, very good reviews John 👌🎶 [first comment here, as I am originated from Burgundy region, close to where the woodwork is made for Focal speakers 🔊 ] I still believe it is very important to try headphones 🎧 before purchasing 💵 it is a necessity as we are all different : ears, head, sensitivity, etc. Having three Focal headphones, I do really like them, but some other ones too 😉 I will try the Bathys soon 🔜 in order to invest or not 😉

[@mjjm6220]

As for using the usb cable…yes I will use it. Much like I’ve used the USB-C cable on my Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless or even just the regular 3.5 mm on the Amiron.

[@eNKa007]

Hi. Thanks for your contribution. Regarding WiFi with it's ax spec it is total revolution. There is also a low power mode and special modes for Internet of Things so a receiver goes to sleep after receiving a MB chunk in fraction of second.

[@oskarandersson7659]

Good work! Hope you keep it up!

[@MarkDavidBlack]

Hi, I received my Focal Bathys today from Amazon so I wanted to add my thoughts to the comments here. I always know that you usually get what you pay for. I have tried the Celestee's and I was very impressed with them but I returned them when I heard that the Bathys was soon to be released. My use case is that I sit at my computer desk most of the day and I don't like a cable hanging and getting in the way. My initial thoughts are that I like the soundstage better on the Celestee's and I expected that but the Bathys are good for the price and I very much enjoy the bluetooth functionality.

[@Soap-sk5mc]

What if you are an audiophile and living in a noisy house? That cable and that ANC is vital! (or else egg boxes on the walls)

[@gavwatts]

I have a pair of Devialet Gemini ear pods which I think sound amazing, but just after flying to and from Ireland & texas, the noise cancelling especially in plane mode is amazing.

[@phhiemstra]

I’m also doubting the longevity of the battery. The bathys is so expensive that I’d want to use it for years to come, but will this be limited by the battery dying?

[@JeffJacquesmd]

So the Li ion batteries should take 3-4 years to degrade to around 75% of battery life depending on use and frequency of charging, etc. The Focals can also be used with the BT turned off in wired mode. I'd also think Focal would have some process for battery swap

[@phhiemstra]

A battery swap would be interesting for a headphone such as these. And using them wired is also an option, although it is not clear to me that this can be done without the headphones having power..

[@michaelshaffer4005]

Thank you for the additional comments. One I believe is pertinent to 2022 is “… lossless bluetooth is just around the corner”. Correct me if I’m wrong, but hasn’t Qualcomm made their Snapdragon hardware available this year(?), and why aren’t Bt headphone manufacturers employing it? I admit, it’s also nowhere to be found in current smartphones, but why would I purchase the Bathys, PX8 or Sony (…), when the lossless codec will show up within 6mo?

[@gaeliclands5064]

That's the same question I have. Any more intel out there?

[@scottscottsdale7868]

Hi John. Love your mobile videos. Hope you are starting to feel better. Question. Can you please review the FIIO amps for mobile phones. PS Audio just said they are fantastic and Gus Skinus approved. They seem to do Hi Res and MQA. Would love to hear what you think.