Focal Bathys Review: Incredible Sounding Hi-Fi Wireless Headphones 🤯

[@pablosepulvedavaldes]

I switched to Bathys from Airpods Max, in comparison, I miss the easy pairing with my apple ecosystem, but I don't regret, the sound is spectacular especially when connected to Ipad pro via USB-C using the integrated DAC to use the lossless audio in maximun quality

[@natashakirkham4476]

How would the volume when paired with an iPhone be compared to AirPods Max. I find AirPods Max just about ok so would be hesitant to purchase the Bathys if they were lower in volume, thank you

[@user-qq2mo1ek2r]

I have the Bathys, i decided on them over the Mark Levinson over ear headphones. Not due to price but more the sound. For me the separation and sound stage is so vivid in the Bathys plus travelling with them is so easy. So far no complaints. I would like to try an extensive run period with the PX8's but on first listen they sound pretty good also.

[@rockon856]

Hi! Do you find them tight at all? I have a large head and hoping they have enough flex to fit larger heads any help appreciated Cheers Steve

[@user-qq2mo1ek2r]

@@rockon856 Hi Steve, I have a large head also and so far have not had any problems with them being tight. A recent long haul flight was a test to their comfort and they were very good.

[@1999-r2d]

​@@user-qq2mo1ek2r How do they sound on hip pop? If I used my phone, with a portable DAC would the extra money be worth it? I've heard they lack a bit in bass, so since a DAC already improves sound quality, I could use it to bump up the bass as well. And what do you think about the noise cancelation? Is it good enough to use on transport? Cause with my ath50btx, the background noise kinda eliminates a lot of the bass.

[@user-qq2mo1ek2r]

@@1999-r2d First of all re noise cancellation, I don't use it on any of my headphones, I don't like the way it alters the sound. I would rather live with some background noise than try to block it. I've never found the bass lacking and my music tastes are quite eclectic. I do listen to rap, dance music as well as country and classical and everything in between. If you use a DAC that allows you to alter sound profile I'm sure you will find a sound profile to suit you. What you get with the Bathys is fabulous sound staging and separation. If what you are looking for is heavy bass and background noise blocking without the attributes of great sound reproduction, natural sound, instrument separation and lovely sound staging then you may find the PX8 or some BEATS more to your liking.

[@joshuakarp2586]

$800 really is nothing. I have the Focal Utopia from a few years back that were $4000 (and the headphone cable was over $500). The 2022 Focal Utopia are $5000. Most people do not understand the cost of true Audiophile gear. $400 headphones (like the popular Sony wireless headphones) is insanely cheap gear.

[@macrumors]

These are for very specific people and that’s fine

[@VladSpiridonescu]

Agree. I own a pair of B&W P7 wireless which is still considered by some best sounding wireless in the low-level entry of good sounding wifi (300-500 dollars). I can definitely see that you'd need to pay almost double to get the next level of sound, and even then, it's probably incomparable to some cabled Grados of the same price. Sound is subjective still but with some good ears you can at least feel muffled/artificial/veiled sounds when it's the case. For wi-fi is very easy to hide artifacts behind an artificial V-shaped sound which you can hear from Sony, sennheiser or other entry level sets.

[@joshuakarp2586]

@@VladSpiridonescu exactly!

[@agdp15]

400 is not insanely cheap, it’s already around midrange

[@tripifi9303]

@@macrumorsy personal reason is an obsession with focal, I heard the Utopia M series Car audio speakers in a crazy Hi-Fi system in a Grand Caravan. Then one of my DJ buddies has a set of desktop Focals. And I’ve just fallen in love. I’m gonna run focal mids and highs in my truck, would run subs too, but I’m looking for more output than focal provides at this point in time. I love riding the fine line of SQ and SPL, and if Focal ends up making an SPL based sub past the Utopia, then I’ll definitely consider a set. Definitely super into the idea of the DAC system. I regularly listen to music on the go with my phone, having that in Hi-Fi would be awesome.

[@DavidDatura]

I have a pair of B&W PX over-ear Bluetooth headphones. They were pretty premium priced and amongst the best in class for sound quality, when I purchased them some years ago. And they still sound great, even if the Bluetooth audio signal seems to cutoff and comeback a little too often now. Also they’re falling to pieces! Despite still sounding great, the build has degraded so much, I’ve decided to stop using them for now. Instead I’ve gone back to my previous premium headphones…a pair of standard wired (no Bluetooth & active noise-reduction here) B&W P7s. That also still sound great, with greater audio detail but less bass than the PXs it seems. And they seem better built too, with all leather and metal construction apparently, yet still very light in weight. If like all the B&W headphones I’ve owned…not very comfortable on my noggins over an extended period of time. Oh and my AirPod Pros (1st Gen) together with the battery case survived a stint in a washing machine some months ago (I forgot them in my jeans) even if there’s a sound like rushing water that seems to come and go in the left earpiece, when the noise reduction and transparency modes are activated.

[@francissreckofabian01]

I have Focal floor standing loud speakers. Had them for many years they aren't being replaced. Ever. As for headphones I have spent . . . a lot but I make music.

[@annecy49]

Your French pronunciation was 99% correct. Good!

[@robphillips1095]

Thanks for the review. I am trying to decide between the Bathys and the AirPods Max. I am heavily invested in the Apple system so I am hoping for a AirPods Max version 2 soon.

[@Studio_4to1]

Focal monitors are top notch, and Focal does try to hit both the pros and consumers markets - it is, in fact, their all business model. But it still misses some important features for that price tag.

[@michaelwadge5999]

I have a pair of these, plus Audioquest Carbon USB- C cable upgrade and a Moon Audio Black Dragon 3.5 mm cable for use with my Chord Hugo TT2 DAC and headphone amp. I have also had a pair of Focal Utopias for some years, so I have some experience of top end hi fi. I think the Bathys sound fantastic and cannot recommend them highly enough, especially because of their different uses as Bluetooth, having a built in and excellent DAC, and capability of being paired with an external DAC.

[@idontcaresapo8233]

How the usb c cable works. I hate the stock one since is super stiff

[@enriqueali]

These can be found now (open box/ like new) at various online retailers for less than $600, which make them a more compelling option.

[@enorway89]

I have the Bathys, and i love them, but since you can't turn off the noice cancelation, they are useless while walking, cause the sound wil bounce with your steps, and you do hear it well. Everything els is amazing. 😍

[@SpeedfrkOne]

Just purchased a pair of these - reduced from AU$1,349 to AU$649 simply because the reseller in Australia has decided not to sell Focal’s products. Oddly enough out of the case these headphones have their right and left ear cups reversed. This means to fit them as designed you have to rotate them 180 degrees to fit as designed with most of the controls on the right hand side. Musts be a French thing.

[@rasta.j]

I'm in Australia, where did you buy it from. Cheers

[@andranik9733]

what do you think about the beoplay H95 compared to the Bathys? In term of sound quality! Ty for that video.

[@idontcaresapo8233]

Bathys are better imo i listen the both since I have them hahah and the bathys are way better

[@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.

[@cherie22984]

I just got these to use with an iphone 15. DAC mode is awesome. Great sound. I only wish they were a little bit louder. If it wasnt for ANC, I think I would have a hard time enjoying my music outdoors or on the go.

[@marttikorkiakoski8594]

Hi, you didn’t touch about anything of wireless sound of these headphones. I think they can’t sound much better using bluetooth, though of course in wired mode they are better sounding.

[@shawnamundson2262]

I bought a pair and they got very distorted at high volumes. Had to return.

[@adam.dzwoniarek72]

How would Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 stack up against them sound wise ? They are a lot cheaper but produce great sound as well. Any comments based on experience?

[@joshuvaantonio]

Yeah ! Focal bathys only beats them in bass accuracy. Treble accuracy, mid accuracy and more soundstage goes to Audio Technica

[@wr6293]

Any follow up after 8 month?

[@PeterbFree]

Well done for deciding to review some high end sound gear. Apple don’t really make high fidelity audio equipment, so I recommend people look into some real hifi brands before just buying Apple audio products

[@denisruskin348]

Most people will be fine with the AirPods Max. Sure, they will not sound like cheaper, wired Byerdynamic or these Focal, but the ease of use and system integration is so unmatched by basically any other brand that I just don't see something like these Focal worth it. For home listening sure, no reason to go wireless and compromise.

[@DavidDatura]

Indeed, so many better sounding headphones out there than Apple’s.

[@michaelmcclellanjr9831]

Do these headphones work with the LDAC codec? I cannot seem to find this info anywhere.

[@satanstherapist6401]

No, they don't support LDAC. Hope that helps.

[@viktor.egelund]

I used to have a pair of Focal Elear. Now it feels like my AirPods Pro 2 are of equal sound quality, for all practical daily use.

[@ldavidtw2000]

I have a focal clear - these are kinda audiophile stuff, I’m not that into it I just want one that’s really good. so like every single hobby on the planet, it’s not gonna be $200

[@bigdoggetom6549]

I know us English are supposed to have a rivalry against the French, but by God do Focal make some nice products

[@andymod]

If you don't understand these headphones you're not target audience :) Let me explain. 1. These are NOT noice cancelling headphones. It exist in them just cos it's kinda standard, but theyre built not with noice cancellation in mind. 2. These thing does NOT need EQ. Basically. It is here just because it'd kinda standard for wireless, but youre end up with flat preset earlier or later. Always. 3. They are NOT overengineered. They rather underengineered from the ones which cost x5 to x10 from these. They are made for those who wants maximum sound but by some reason can't use classic wired headphones. This is it. Noice cancellation needs microphones and algorihm with quality matching drivers. It's would be super expensive, tho, and from algorithm perspective I doubt achiavable, so they have noise cancelling to the level not to disturb sound outcome. And saying the word EQ is embarassing when talking about these ones. Any typical bluetooth headphones has bundled in EQ which compensate drivers frequence response. There are not. They don't need EQ, they have a really good driver instead. And, finally, this is NOT High-End. It's very entry-level Hi-Fi. And you forgot to talk about DAC: they sound significantly better with wired connection, because they qualitatuive enough to make you hear how bluetooth codec comression messes the sound.

[@adamwalter2573]

Does it have any driver under Linux ?

[@Holtemann]

I tried them in a store connected to my iPhone. My issue is volume. They just dont play loud. Any workarounds or tips?

[@tipoomaster]

We need new Airpods Max

[@waiik76]

Omg. Hint. Do first research of the product and 1 months testing.

[@DojoOfCool]

It's getting crazy how headphones for real audio work are so much cheaper than headphone for just listening to music. All the chips for audio processing and microphones sure drive up the price.

[@semigene]

Low effort post. One of the high points, prominently advertised on the Focal site and in reviews is its ability to connect via 3.5mm or usbc, utilize built in dac

[@AwakenedVibration]

Market price for anything adjust to demand, and based on consumer value. So this lets us observe less DJ’s and real musicians than the masses😊

[@joristube]

Do they have a microphone?

[@macrumors]

Yes. Just doesn’t work when plugged into USB for DAC mode

[@jonathanwoolley8635]

Mic also works in dac mode if the other end supports it

[@ericmarseille2]

Pronunciation: With flying colors

[@macrumors]

This sarcasm? Haha

[@ericmarseille2]

@@macrumors No that was perfect

[@anncleverley4721]

Not for me I have just sold mine. Noise cancelling not impressive and connection problems. Very plastically looking and not worth the price.

[@erin7995]

Those don’t look that big I think the AirPods Max look even more ridiculous

[@panadeuser]

Pls do your homework before coming online holding the product while still scratching your head over details that should be known to a person owning/using the product. What's the point in watching ur content otherwise? For e.g. the perforated grille that covers the cups (the exterior) is made of magnesium alloy, the lights CAN be turned off from the app, if you chose to say "I believe" for literary effect please note it also implies lack of knowledge and most importantly laziness. Being lazy is my attribute as the guy watching videos online, not yours as the guy trying to make a living off of it. Makes sense?

[@Zimmy68]

And for stating that the sponsor is the only one selling them. Umm, Amazon would like a word.

[@red-eyedmagister1595]

if $800.00 is nothing, then buy me a pair, would you?

[@red-eyedmagister1595]

800 dollars for plastic? are you joking?

[@joshuvaantonio]

You could just buy 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 )

[@teodormiciol6503]

Oh my, what are you on about. The Focals are miles ahead of the Audio Technicas. The M50X are known as a quite cheap pair of headphones that are indeed better than some of the competition in terms of sound quality, such as the sony ANC:s etc, but they are absolutely not more accurate in the treble, or better overall. I have the M50X, and yes, they have MORE treble but they are in no way more accurate. More is not always higher quality. Once you have really gotten used to higher quality headphones (for me, I have the Audeze LCD-X and Meze 109 Pro), you start to notice that the Audio Technica M50X are indeed quite dull overall in comparison and the treble too sharp. I did however LOVE the M50X when I first bought them and they were my daily driver for a good 3 years for enjoyment and music production, but the Focals are miles better

[@joshuvaantonio]

@@teodormiciol6503 Thank you for your detailed explanation! I will have to try the focal bathys in wired mode. Or is it only wireless? I think for that money audio technicas are the best ones and when comparing focals its like you could buy 4 pairs of m50x. Also I recently saw that marques brownlee seems to always use m50s in his studio especially the channel named waveforms

[@teodormiciol6503]

@@joshuvaantonio the audio technicas are absolutely very good for the money (except that they don’t have ANC and the Focals do), but in sound quality they aren’t on the same level as the Focals, either in wired or bluetooth. The Audio Technicas are very well known for studio work and overall listening, they are reliable and quite worth the money. I loved them dearly, but when you have gotten used to even higher quality, you start to notice that there are many things about the Audio Technicas that really can sound better. But that’s the trap of being an audiophile, I guess! The M50X are worth the money if you haven’t tried anything better before, but if you want something that sounds a lot more detailed, punchy, balanced and exciting, then the Focals are right on. But, you do indeed need to pay a lot more, which is worth it for some, and not for others :)

[@tom_loves_audio_tech_gaming]

sigh xm5 are crap. Why even mention them at all. Also.. a lot time you believe a function works that why. You give the feeling you just wing the review. Made stop watching it halfway. I do not give thumbs downon youtube. Hence creators spend a lot time making them.

[@SIGJNF]

exactly, I was so, so disappointed by XM5, my $30 XM3 copycats from AliExpress offer better sound and ANC thanks to Huilian chip. I was dumbfounded, cause I really liked XM4. Unreal cashgrab. Going to buy Bathys this Thursday

[@Greg-fg1rd]

Turned the video off at $799.00.

[@zap...]

Don't the internal batteries die after a few years? What then? Spend another 800 bucks?

[@heavyizthacrown-5842]

Man, be yourself, you don’t have to be “every reviewer on KZbin.”

[@macrumors]

I am not sure how much more like myself I can be here. I didn’t even script this video

[@Glennwulf]

huh? lol what a strange comment. How was he not himself?

[@ddjslhomebase243]

@@macrumors I like this review. “Spontaneity is total sincerity.” -Alan Watts

[@evilvirtuoso9408]

These rather overrated, overhyped headphones were clearly tuned to a specific sound, and unfortunately it is a veiled, dull sound. If you don't know the price of these, and you listen to them blind, you would think these are much cheaper.

[@paulharvey7223]

Overrated?! Veiled!!? I think you must either have a faulty pair or your ears need syringing.

[@pixelreflectorpro]

All headphones are tuned to specific sound, these are more neutral headphones. If listened to them I'd think more expensive than they actually are.

[@idontcaresapo8233]

As an audiophile bathys and px8 are the best BT cans of all. I also have the Apple ones and they ok for calls and things like that but for music or anything else not

[@Vtech82]

Lazy review for the subscribers number 👎👎

[@macrumors]

Huh?

[@Vtech82]

@@macrumors your review is rushed, lazy, and you're just doing it for the sponsorship. Much smaller channel do a much more detailed and way better review

[@ashsaltzmanmusic4187]

@RongTech82 thats a ridiculous assessment. This was a great review, told us exactly what we needed to know and 14+ minutes was long enough to get the message. There are plenty of other technical reviews that do a very deep dive on these headphones for you to watch, this one went deep enough.