Headphone Reviews

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Exceptional sound quality
Impeccable build
USB DAC
Unique style
Minus
Noise canceling lags Sony & Bose
Non-folding design

THE VERDICT
Both an engineering achievement and a work of industrial art, the Bathys are full-size, over-ear wireless ANC headphones designed to please picky listeners on the go. They offer owners a refined blend of style and substance.

Bathys, Focal’s first adaptive noise-canceling headphones, are instantly recognizable due to the company’s unique design sensibility. They come from a multi-year in-house development effort and incorporate the company’s signature M-shaped, 40mm aluminum/magnesium alloy drivers that are made by the company in France. Because the sound quality is so good, owning them is a fun experience that makes the higher price worthwhile.

Features and Setup
The Bathys headphones are an unapologetically luxurious and high-quality option for those looking for full-size, over-ear, sealed-back, Bluetooth wireless (with aptX), active noise-canceling headphones with both a built-in USB DAC and wired analog input. The result of years of in-house work, these headphones distinguish themselves from big-name competitors like Apple, Sony, and Bose by providing superior sound quality, longer battery life, and more versatile connectivity options.

Inside the box, you’ll find the headphones, a rigid carrying case, and a pair of cables. There are two cables included: One 4ft (1.2m) 3.5mm jack cable and one 4ft (1.2m) USB-C cable. The former is a nicety in a world where the headphone jack is becoming an endangered species, while the latter not only charges the pair, it also works with the USB DAC function that supports hires audio and works with PCs, tablets, and even gaming consoles.

Setup is as simple as syncing to Bluetooth (which includes AAC support) and pressing play, or else using a wired connection with either an analog 3.5mm cable or USB and choosing the built-in DAC function with the power switch. Owners can tweak the sound profile using EQ via the Focal/Naim app, which is easy to use and works with both iOS and Android devices. Battery life is excellent, they are rated at 30 hours of playback—with noise canceling active—between charges. There is also a transparency mode for when you need to hear your surroundings.

Once recognized by the app, you can customize the Bathys to your personal preference, including noise reduction strength and EQ. LED lights in the earcups light up the Focal logo when powered on and flash when pairing with Bluetooth.

Performance
One of the most impressive features of the Bathys headphones is their exceptional soundstage and imaging. Similar to high-quality speakers, the headphones create a sense of audio immersion that allows the music to take center stage. During my listening sessions, I found it remarkable how often the experience reached a level of refined audio fidelity that eludes many of its peers including Apple’s AirPods Max.

Active noise cancellation works very well, but compared to the top-rated (for ANC) Sony WH-1000XM4s, they don't quite offer the same level of silence. The cancellation is also slightly less powerful than what the AirPods Max offers, but the difference is extremely minor and, in my view, irrelevant unless you make direct side-by-side comparisons. They all get the job done. What truly sets the Bathys headphones apart is their exceptional sound quality and comfort, which outshine those of most other headphones. They have a high-end fit and finish that is both stylish and true to Focal's high-end audio roots.

The Bathys' earpads factor into the overall performance. Aside from the obvious fact that no one wants to wear headphones that are uncomfortable for long periods of time, the tight but gentle seal is important for both bass response and effective isolation and noise cancellation. With the caveat that everyone has different sensitivities, the comfort is a major differentiator versus the AirPods Max; they start to irritate my ears after only half an hour or so. I can comfortably wear the Bathys for as long as I want, making them a great choice for a long flight or for listening to music for a long time at home.

Sound quality is the defining feature. One side effect of years spent reviewing audio gear is that I've learned how to calibrate a surround-sound system to textbook, balanced high-fidelity sound. The Bathys' tuning reminds me of a great-sounding stereo system. Critical listening and comparison reveal that there's no bloated or overpowering bass, no boosted or fatiguing highs, and consequently, no scooped-out midrange—unlike my Sonys.

Even the AirPods Max have a bit too much bass by default. But if you prefer the 'smiley face' EQ curve, you can use the Focal/Naim app to dial in your preference or select the 'loudness' preset, which has that dialed in already. EQ settings persist even if you switch to a different source, but I found no reason to use them since the flat response sounds fantastic as is.

With the Bathys, what you will hear is a smooth, detailed, balanced, tight, full-range sound that almost makes you forget it is coming from headphones. I liked the default tone balance better than both the Sonys and the AirPods Max when the volume levels were set the same.

Sounds from the Ground's album Binary is an expertly produced work of ambient dub/electronica that I have played just about every morning as wake-up music for the last three years on a wide variety of speaker systems. The tracks sound balanced through the Bathys (versus the slightly bloated bass of either the AirPods Pro or the 1000XM4). Granted, some listeners may prefer heavy bass, but these offer a more balanced sound with lows that reach just as deep. The tracks on Binary have a lot of different textures and small details that are hard to hear with some headphones.

The Bathys did a fantastic job rendering whatever audio I fed them, ranging from remixed Beatles tracks from Sgt. Peppers, to Bassnectar's catchy, psychedelic dubstep. The same goes for watching movies or other videos, dialog is crystal clear while sound effects have a realism that reflects the high fidelity and excellent dynamics these headphones offer.

With the Bathys, what you will hear is a smooth, detailed, balanced, tight, full-range sound that almost makes you forget it is coming from headphones. I liked the default tone balance better than both the Sonys and the AirPods Max when the volume levels were set the same.

Sounds from the Ground's album Binary is an expertly produced work of ambient dub/electronica that I have played just about every morning as wake-up music for the last three years on a wide variety of speaker systems. The tracks sound balanced through the Bathys (versus the slightly bloated bass of either the AirPods Pro or the 1000XM4). Granted, some listeners may prefer heavy bass, but these offer a more balanced sound with lows that reach just as deep. The tracks on Binary have a lot of different textures and small details that are hard to hear with some headphones.

The Bathys did a fantastic job rendering whatever audio I fed them, ranging from remixed Beatles tracks from Sgt. Peppers, to Bassnectar's catchy, psychedelic dubstep. The same goes for watching movies or other videos, dialog is crystal clear while sound effects have a realism that reflects the high fidelity and excellent dynamics these headphones offer.

Mimi Hearing Test Personalization
Recently, Focal introduced a new feature to the Bathys: the Mimi hearing test. The results from this test can be used to fine-tune the Bathys' frequency response to better match an individual owner's hearing.

The Mimi hearing test is no gimmick. In the European Union, the app is rated as a medical device, having proven effective in clinical trials for profiling an individual's hearing. In the U.S., however, no medical claims are being made. Still, the technology compensates for the naturally occurring high-frequency hearing loss that many people experience as they age.

At 52, I have mild but measurable high-frequency hearing loss. I can no longer hear the sounds that were once used to scare away seagulls at the Jersey Shore. My upper hearing limit now seems to be around 16 kHz. Fortunately, I haven't damaged my hearing through excessive exposure to loud sounds. After using the Mimi hearing test and applying the compensation to the Bathys, I found that the personalized sound settings were pleasing, though not radically different from the uncompensated settings. The sound was primarily crisper in the high frequencies without becoming too bright.

It's almost like room correction for your ears.

Conclusion
Stiff competition among full-sized, noise-canceling wireless headphones puts the spotlight on Bathys. Listeners who prize high fidelity, appreciate quality craftsmanship, and seek comfort will find a lot to like. The control app is excellent, allowing owners to customize the experience to their taste.

Even with a Bluetooth connection, these headphones offer superlative sound reproduction. The built-in DAC functionality and 3.5mm input take audio performance and connectivity to a higher level than what most competing ANC headphones achieve.