Focal Bathys

The Focal Bathys deliver some of the best wireless sound we've tested, with a built-in DAC that unlocks 24-bit/192kHz hi-res audio when wired. At $799 USD, they're a premium buy aimed at audio enthusiasts who want one headphone for both travel and serious listening. The catch is comfort, which ranks in the bottom 10th percentile, and average call quality. Buy them for the sound, not for all-day wear.

Let's talk about what these do well, because the sound is genuinely impressive. The 40mm aluminum-magnesium drivers deliver a level of detail and dynamics that most wireless headphones just don't touch. Our sound score puts the Bathys in the 96th percentile, which means they're among the best-sounding Bluetooth headphones we've tested. The M-shaped dome is a Focal trick borrowed from their high-end wired models, and it shows. Bass is tight and controlled, not bloated, and the treble has real sparkle without getting harsh. If you listen to well-recorded acoustic music, jazz, or classical, these will make you grin.

The built-in DAC and amplifier are the secret sauce here. Most wireless headphones rely on whatever DAC is in your phone or laptop, but the Bathys handle conversion internally, which gives Focal more control over the final sound. In wireless mode, you're limited by Bluetooth codecs, but aptX Adaptive helps close the gap. Plug in the 3.5mm cable and you get 24-bit/192kHz hi-res support, which is where these really shine. The frequency response runs from 15Hz to 22kHz, so you get deep sub-bass extension and plenty of air up top. ANC performance is strong too, landing in the 85th percentile. It's not class-leading like Sony's latest, but it's more than enough for a plane or a noisy office.

Battery life is solid at 30 hours, which puts it in the 77th percentile. That's not going to blow anyone away, but it's respectable for a headphone with this much processing going on. The fast charge is handy: 15 minutes gets you 5 hours of playback. Connectivity is where the Bathys really flex, scoring in the 97th percentile. You get Bluetooth 5.1, multipoint pairing, and a solid wireless range. The mic situation is more mixed. Call quality lands in the 56th percentile, which is about average. The two mics with Qualcomm Clear Voice Capture do a decent job, but this isn't a headset you'd buy specifically for conference calls.

The most direct competitor is the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2. Both are luxury wireless headphones from speaker companies with serious audio credentials. The Px8 S2 is lighter and generally more comfortable, which matters a lot for daily use. But the Bathys have the edge in pure sound quality and that built-in DAC, which the Px8 S2 doesn't match. If you're going to use them wired at a desk, the Bathys win. If you're going to wear them on a plane for six hours, the Px8 S2's comfort advantage is hard to ignore.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the pragmatic choice. It has better ANC, better call quality, and a lower price. But the sound is more processed and less natural than what Focal delivers. The Bathys are for people who hear that difference and care about it. The Sennheiser HDB 630 is another option, but it doesn't have the same hi-res wired capability. And the TOZO HT3 and JBL Tune 670NC are in a completely different price bracket. They're fine for what they are, but comparing them to the Bathys is like comparing a nice sedan to a sports car. Different buyers, different priorities.

At $799 USD, the Bathys are firmly in premium territory. That's more than the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, and it's a lot of money for a wireless headphone. But here's the thing: you're not just paying for wireless. You're paying for a headphone that can legitimately replace a wired hi-fi setup when you plug in the 3.5mm cable. The built-in DAC and amplifier mean you don't need a separate dongle or desktop amp to get the most out of them. That's real value if you're the kind of person who would otherwise spend $300 on a portable DAC alone.

That said, the value proposition falls apart if you don't care about wired listening or critical sound quality. If you just want good ANC and decent sound for your commute, the Sony WH-1000XM6 will do it for less money and with better comfort. The Bathys are a specialist tool. They're for people who want one headphone that can do double duty as a wireless travel companion and a serious wired listening device. For that specific buyer, the price makes sense. For everyone else, it's a tough sell.

The Focal Bathys are the kind of headphones that make you stop and think about what you actually want from a pair of wireless cans. Focal is a French audio company known for seriously high-end speakers and headphones, and the Bathys are their shot at bringing that pedigree to the Bluetooth world. You get 40mm aluminum-magnesium M-shaped dome drivers, a built-in DAC and amplifier, and support for aptX Adaptive. This is not a budget play. At $799 USD, it's aimed squarely at people who care about sound quality first and are willing to pay for it.

Who is this for? Honestly, it's for the person who has a good wired setup at home and wants something portable that doesn't feel like a massive downgrade. The Bathys are closed-back, over-ear, and pack active noise cancellation plus a transparency mode. They also have multipoint Bluetooth and a 3.5mm jack for wired listening, which unlocks 24-bit/192kHz hi-res audio when you plug in. That wired mode is a big deal because it means these can pull double duty as a serious listening headphone, not just a travel accessory.

What makes them interesting is the tension between their strengths and their weaknesses. The sound and connectivity scores in our database are outstanding, ranking near the very top of all wireless headphones we track. But comfort lands in the bottom tenth percentile, which is a real problem for a headphone you're supposed to wear for hours. We'll dig into that. The short version is that Focal built a phenomenal-sounding headphone and then made some choices that might limit how long you actually want to keep it on your head.

Skip the Bathys if comfort is your top priority. At 349g with a comfort score in the bottom 10th percentile, these are not the headphones for all-day wear. If you work in an office and keep headphones on for six or seven hours straight, you'll likely feel the weight and pressure. The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is lighter and more comfortable while still delivering premium sound. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is also a better choice for long sessions.

Also skip these if you take a lot of phone calls. The mic performance is average at best, and there are cheaper headphones that handle voice much better. And if you're not going to use the wired hi-res mode, you're leaving a big chunk of the value on the table. The built-in DAC is a major selling point, but if you only ever listen over Bluetooth, you can get 90% of the experience for less money elsewhere.

If you're an audio enthusiast who wants one headphone for both wireless convenience and serious wired listening, the Bathys are a compelling choice. The sound quality is genuinely top-tier, and the built-in DAC means you can plug them into a laptop or phone and get hi-res audio without any extra gear. The ANC is good enough for travel, and the battery life won't leave you stranded. Just be honest with yourself about comfort. These are heavy at 349g, and our data shows comfort is a real weak spot. Try them on before you commit if you can.

For commuters and frequent flyers who prioritize comfort and ANC above all else, look elsewhere. The Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 will serve you better for long-haul wear. The Bathys are a headphone for people who sit down and listen, not for people who wear them all day while moving through the world. If that's you, the trade-offs are worth it. If not, you're paying a premium for sound quality you won't fully appreciate while you're rushing to catch a train.