Bathys

After a year with the Bathys, B&W PX8 and B&O H95, prefers the Bathys overall for comfort, sound quality, ease of use and excellent build.

“But the Bathys is just amazing in terms of comfort and sound quality. Also, the easiest to use, as the H95 has some connection bugs”

Bought them at launch and is very pleased; they now reach for the Bathys far more than their Focal Clear.

“I bought these pretty much the first day they were available. Very pleased. I have the Clear and i find I use the Bathys much more than the clear.”

Loves them, but they make beeping and knocking sounds during iPhone calls, and Focal hasn't responded to their requests for help.

“I love mine but the BIGGEST issue I have is the sounds it keeps making 'beeping and door knocks' during phone calls on an iPhone.”

Uses them all the time, but the Bluetooth volume steps are too coarse and ANC can't be fully switched off, and the ANC pressure sometimes bothers them.

“Love my Bathys, use them all the time. I have two main qualms: 1) I usually listen over Bluetooth, and the volume adjustment distances are too large.”

Sounds amazing for a closed-back, but leaks so much sound that people nearby can clearly hear music at moderate volume.

“I received mine today. Firstly, they sound amazing for a closed back. But, I am disappointed about how much sounds leak they have.”

Loved the sound, but after a little over a year both headband clamps snapped and Focal refused to repair them; noise cancelling isn't class-leading either.

“I used mine over a year before they broke. The clamps wouldnt last that long for that price. I love them, soundwise, noise cancelation isnt the top on the market.”

Was disappointed at first, missing Focal's punch and detail, but after use it opened up into a fantastic portable; quality improves a lot over USB with lossless music.

“When I received my Bathys almost a year ago I was really disappointed in my purchase especially for the price. The Focal punch and detail wasn’t there.”

Sold their Bathys for a Sony WH-1000XM5, preferring its lighter weight and better ANC for the gym and bed.

“I had the Bathys but sold and got the Sony MX 1000 5 for under $200. I like the lighter weight and better ANC as I use wireless at the gym and in bed.”

Replaced dead AirPods Max with the Bathys after trying the XM5, PX8 and Momentum 4; misses the AirPods' ANC and buttons, but the sound is a clear step up.

“I went for the Bathys, though I really miss the Airpods ANC and Buttons, the Sound is a good step up and the design has grown on me.”

Uses them on every drive in a loud old truck with no working radio, and after six months they are still going strong.

“I've been using mine religiously anytime I go somewhere in my truck. It's an old beater so the radio doesn't work and driving it is a little loud. After like six months still going strong.”

Uses their Focal Bathys more than their wired Focal headphones.

Owns the Bathys and Azurys and recommends the Bathys for Bluetooth convenience, though the Azurys sounds better.

Bought the Bathys on sale and wasn't blown away, going back and forth on whether their AirPods Max's ANC is better.

Having owned several AirPods Max, finds the Bathys more neutral than the Max's V-shape.

Returned the Bathys and kept the PX7 S2; the Bathys had better bass but its treble sounded distorted and compressed to them, wired too.

Owns the Bathys and finds its ANC about 75% as good as their AirPods Pro 2.

Has the Bathys but fears their head is too big; the clamp is stronger than their Focal Elegia.

Owns the Bathys and B&O H95 and finds both endgame-level, the Bathys with impressive treble and more comfort.

Found the Bathys' ANC abysmal, which ruled it out for them.

A Focal fan who loves the Clear and Radiance found the Bathys a total fail.

Tried the Bathys and AirPods Max on an iPhone and finds the Max can't match the Bathys' resolution, even more detailed over aptX.

Welcomes a new Bathys owner and loves their own Bathys.

Picked the Bathys over the Momentum 4 and PX8; it took a few days to get used to, but the detailing is so crisp they absolutely love it.

Finds the Bathys phenomenal even over AAC; their original Focal Clear has barely been used since.

Bought the Bathys for $630 hoping for an endgame and hasn't been disappointed: incredible for a Bluetooth headphone.

After trying the Mark Levinson 5909 and B&W PX8, bought the Bathys and finds it beats the PX8 hands down except perhaps comfort.

Finds the Bathys great over Bluetooth but very distorted when plugged into their PC.

Calls the Bathys the nicest headphones they've owned, built far better than their many broken plastic ones.

Compared their new Bathys with their Sony XM3 and enjoys the XM3 more.

After a couple of months likes almost everything about the Bathys: solid build, very comfortable, clearer and fuller sound than their XM4.

Their daily-driven Bathys pads started peeling after about 10 months.

Is on their second Bathys and returning it again because the left pad started coming off within a year.

Their Bathys looks the same as the day they bought it over a year ago with regular use.

Their Bathys pads peeled after 1.5 years and were replaced under service with different pads.

Finds the Bathys sounds, looks and feels better than the Sony XM3, with fine noise cancelling.

Owns the original Bathys and is extremely disappointed: bad ANC, sound and comfort.

Got the Bathys for $560 new and gets good value from it at that price.

Got the Bathys for 599 euros on sale and finds it worth that price.

Uses their Bathys with a Qudelix 5K and finds it perfect.

Found the Bathys' sound not good enough to make up for bad ANC, thumping while walking and poor comfort.

Got the Bathys for £550 but finds the sibilance and sharpness of some vocals makes it hard to listen to at times.

Is still really happy with the Bathys they bought two months ago.

Finds the Bathys impresses more and more, especially in USB DAC mode with FLAC, where the bass dynamics add depth to the stage.

Likes but doesn't love their original Bathys.

Of the XM3, XM4, QC45 and XM5, the Bathys was the only ANC headphone that, with some EQ, genuinely sounded good to them.

Owns the Bathys, HD600 and Edition XS and finds the Bathys' clarity even better than the other two.

Tested the Bathys next to the Momentum 4 in a shop and the difference was very audible, even on Spotify.

Prefers the Dyson OnTrac and AirPods Max for ANC and sound signature over the Bathys.

Owned the Bathys and loved it so much it led them to buy the Focal Stellia.

Finds the Bathys still slams compared with their LCD-2, FT1, 770 Pro X and Edition XS.

Absolutely loves the Bathys, the best-sounding Bluetooth ANC headphone they've heard; returned the PX8 for it.

Tried the Bathys twice and didn't like it; the Mark Levinson 5909 was a real step up.

Compared the Bathys side by side with the PX8 and found the Bathys crystal clear and airier while the PX8 sounded like a radio.

Tries to love the Bathys but after an hour it hurts their head; comfort is a 2 out of 10 next to Bose QC.

Had the Bathys for a year and sold it; the volume steps annoyed them and it felt massive on the head.

Uses the Bathys when travelling and finds it sounds great, though plane noise still gets through.

Bought the Bathys despite hesitating over the price and is really impressed: good build and amazing sound for Bluetooth.

Loves their Bathys, though notes the jump from Bose to Bathys is smaller than from Bathys to premium wired sets.

Loves their Bathys, using it via USB-C DAC mode lounging at home, with the original Focal Clear for relaxing.

Can only use their original Bathys sitting down, because every step thumps too loudly when walking.

Owns the original Bathys and finds it only leaks some sound at full volume.

Their original Bathys bleeds sound only near maximum volume.

Owns the original Bathys but was blown away by the Sennheiser HDB 630's bass, midrange and treble in comparison.

Their first Bathys arrived dead and the replacement broke after a year.

Someone stepped on their Bathys and the plastic swivel holder broke; they fixed it themselves.

Finds the Bathys' noise cancelling subpar and can't get a good seal; their old Sony XM3 cancelled far better.

Tried the Bathys MG but prefers their own EQ'd original Bathys.

Owns the original Bathys and would absolutely choose it, especially at a good price; the MG's finer volume steps are nice but minor.

Finds the Bathys has the same problems as the PX8 S2 for them: comfort and grainy treble.

Got the Bathys five months ago and is in love, though the headband tends to wear.

Loved their original Bathys to bits before trading it away.

Has the Bathys and loves it, calling it a good choice.

Owns the Bathys and HDB 630 and enjoys both, but would keep the HDB 630 for its PEQ, low-latency dongle and sound.

Uses the Bathys as one of their two ANC headphones at home, though its earcup design looks odd in public.

Uses the Bathys as their daily wireless pair but says wired headphones are better if you don't need wireless or ANC.

After more than a year, the Bathys is the best pair of headphones they've used.

Owns and absolutely adores the Bathys.

Their Bathys' acoustic mesh got clogged, breaking the seal and causing clicking on deep bass.

After 1.5 years the leather on their original Bathys earcups is almost completely gone.

Their Bathys makes an audible knocking from the headband when walking, so they only use it seated.

Their new Bathys turned out to be an expensive lemon, with problems straight away.

Took their new Bathys on a two-hour walk and was immediately impressed by the sound quality, also in USB-C DAC mode.

Has had two pairs of Bathys with an audible high-frequency hiss.

Finds the Bathys fabulous but, unlike their other Focals, it causes pain on top of the head that limits wear time.

Owns the original Bathys and likes it, though the MG version is better.

After nearly three years of daily-ish use, their Focal Bathys pads cracked and the leather came loose, and the headband looks worn.

The headband on their Focal Bathys snapped after about two and a half years, and Focal refused to repair it.

Their Focal Bathys has excellent Bluetooth sound, good ANC and a useful DAC mode.

The headband on their Focal Bathys broke after a single drop.

Their carefully kept Focal Bathys broke at the hinge after two and a half years.

Their Focal Bathys feels much more solid than the older Focal headband design.

Uses the Bathys out in the world and open-backs in the office; both are a great experience.

The pads on their Focal Bathys tore along the seams; good sound but poor material and construction choices.

Has owned the original Bathys for three years and flown with it often: its noise cancelling works, especially on plane drone, but Sony, Bose and AirPods Pro cancel more and its transparency mode is a step behind Apple's; uses it for listening and ear relief from earbuds.

“I just got the MG last week, but I have flown with the OG several times. The OG are perfectly acceptable, meaning they absolutely "work" and turn down the outside noise, especially droning low pitch noise like a plane.”

Paid £350 for the Bathys and is disappointed: it feels fairly premium but sounds dull next to every other headphone they own, even if no detail is missing.

“I spent £350 on my Bathys and they're just not that good. They feel fairly premium, but the sound is so dull compared to literally every other headphone I own.”