I Tried the Focal Bathys – Now Every Other Headphone Sounds Boring
You know Focal is a brand that’s all about top quality. They’re famous for making some of the best wired headphones that music lovers absolutely swear by. Now, this French company has finally jumped into the world of high-end wireless headphones with noise-cancelling. Their new model, the Bathys, is their big move.
And it’s a pretty slick package—it mixes their amazing craftsmanship, pro-level sound quality, and a really cool, stylish look all into one. After spending months with the Bathys, including testing the new Dune color variant, I can confidently say these aren’t just luxury headphones — they’re a statement of how wireless technology can finally meet true hi-fi expectations.
Design and Build Quality
From the moment you unbox them, the Bathys radiate sophistication. The new Dune finish — a smooth, sandy hue — breaks away from the monotony of typical black or silver headphones, giving them a refined and distinctive aesthetic. The intricate circular grille pattern on the earcups, centered around the glowing Focal “F,” is unmistakably high-end.
Focal has always been about materials, and it shows here. The Bathys combine magnesium, aluminum, and soft leather, achieving a balance between durability and comfort. At 350 grams, they’re not featherlight, but the plush Alcantara-like headband and deep, padded earcups distribute the weight perfectly. The leather on the headband is super soft, one of the nicest I’ve ever felt. It’s a real luxury feature that makes them really comfortable to wear for a long time.
The illuminated Focal logos on each earcup are another refined detail, adding a futuristic flair. Thankfully, this illumination can be turned off in the companion app if you prefer subtlety. The included hard-shell case, finished to match the headphones’ color, offers excellent protection and feels far more premium than cases included with brands like Bose or Sony. Every inch of the Bathys screams premium, even before you play a single note.
Controls and Functionality
Focal takes a refreshing, tactile approach to controls. Instead of finicky touch gestures, you get traditional physical buttons placed intuitively on the underside of the earcups. They’re firm, easy to find by touch, and deliver a pleasant click. You’ll find separate buttons for volume, pairing, and playback, plus a dedicated ANC/Transparency switch on the left cup and a DAC mode toggle built into the power slider.
Connectivity is equally versatile: Bluetooth 5.1 with support for SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive, alongside USB-C DAC mode and a 3.5mm jack. That DAC mode is particularly special — it allows you to tap directly into the Bathys’ built-in 24-bit/192kHz DAC, meaning you can connect straight to a laptop or phone without needing an external DAC. It’s a clever, audiophile-friendly solution that adds genuine value and separates the Bathys from most wireless competition.
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The Focal & Naim companion app is simple yet functional. You can toggle ANC modes (Silent, Soft, or Transparent), adjust EQ, manage logo illumination, and even fine-tune voice assistant settings (Google Assistant or Alexa). The app is really simple and easy to use. It’s a nice change from other brands’ apps that are packed with too many confusing features.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency
Focal’s goal with the Bathys wasn’t to chase Sony or Bose in pure ANC power — it was to preserve sound integrity while reducing external noise. The eight-microphone array does an admirable job: it significantly lowers ambient noise during commutes and flights, though it doesn’t create the “vacuum-sealed silence” that Bose NC700s or Sony WH-1000XM5 achieve.
That said, the Bathys’ Transparency mode is one of the most natural I’ve heard. It doesn’t sound processed or artificial, letting environmental sounds pass through in a clean, realistic way — ideal for quick conversations or urban awareness.
Battery life is excellent: 30 hours with ANC on, 35 via analog, and up to 42 hours in DAC mode, making these headphones reliable for long trips without frequent recharging.
Sound Quality
Now to the most important part — the sound. And this is where Focal completely justifies the £699/$799 price tag.
Inside each cup sits a 40mm aluminum-magnesium M-shaped dome driver, handcrafted in France — the same heritage tech used in their high-end Celestee and Stellia models. These drivers deliver astonishing clarity, balance, and speed across all frequencies.
Low End
The Bathys’ bass is disciplined, not overblown. There’s a tasteful emphasis around the sub-bass region (~50 Hz) that gives tracks warmth and drive without muddying the mix. On Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing” and Rush’s “YYZ”, the drums hit with grit and weight, yet remain tightly controlled.
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Even in bass-heavy tracks like 79rs Gang’s “Bout To Blow”, the layering stays intact — no compression, no smudge, just clean, deep energy.
Midrange
This is the best part about the Bathys—the sound. Music feels incredibly real and detailed. When you listen to songs, whether it’s a powerful ballad or a gentle acoustic track, you can hear every little emotional detail.
Guitars have a nice crisp edge and depth, and singers’ voices sound natural and full of feeling. If you put them next to popular headphones from Bose or Sony, the Bathys just sound more real and alive. It’s like the musician is performing right in front of you.
Highs
The high notes, or treble, are really clear and smooth—they’re sharp but never harsh or tinny. When you listen to songs with cymbals, they have a nice, natural shimmer. Even in busy tracks with lots of detailed percussion, you can hear everything clearly without it ever getting annoying.
The sound is clear and open, but in a natural way—not like someone just cranked up the “treble” setting. Sure, some folks might prefer a slightly brighter sound, but the upside is that it’s so smooth and easy on the ears you can listen all day long.
Soundstage and Imaging
For closed-back headphones, the Bathys deliver an impressively wide and three-dimensional soundstage. Instruments occupy distinct spaces, and the stereo separation feels natural.
Whether in Steven Wilson’s “Impossible Tightrope” or jazz classics from Delvon Lamarr, the imaging precision is top-tier. In DAC mode, the resolution expands even further, revealing micro-details that cheaper wireless sets can’t approach.
Real-World Use
During daily use — commutes, office sessions, or home listening — the Bathys proved both reliable and enjoyable. Their slightly heavier build didn’t translate into discomfort thanks to the excellent ergonomics. I used them while writing, traveling, and even cooking, and the combination of comfort and clarity made them my go-to pair.
Call quality is decent, with clear vocals though a slightly thin tone. For video calls or podcasts, they’re perfectly adequate. More importantly, they make every listening moment immersive — something you don’t often get from wireless headphones.
Comparison and Value
So, where do the Bathys sit in the current landscape?
Compared to Sony WH-1000XM5 ($420) and Bose NC700 ($465), they sound leagues better — more open, more dynamic, more natural. Against Apple AirPods Max ($665) or B&W Px8 ($798), the Bathys deliver comparable style but superior sonic depth. Only the Mark Levinson No. 5909 rivals them in tonal precision, but the Bathys feel more musical, more enjoyable across genres.
They’re undeniably expensive, but you’re paying for heritage, craftsmanship, and audiophile-grade performance in a wireless form factor — a combination that few brands can pull off this convincingly.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stunning design and premium materials
- Outstanding sound quality with natural balance
- Excellent comfort and build
- Integrated DAC mode for true high-res playback
- Natural, non-fatiguing transparency mode
- Long battery life and reliable Bluetooth 5.1
Cons
- ANC performance trails Bose and Sony
- Pricey compared to mainstream options
- Slightly recessed vocals on some tracks
Conclusion
Focal’s first wireless headphones were worth the wait.The Bathys are the perfect mix of amazing sound and wireless convenience. While their noise cancellation might not be the absolute strongest you can buy, that’s easy to overlook. The incredible clarity, the wide, spacious sound, and the top-notch build quality really set a new standard for what a high-end travel headphone can be.
They’re stylish without being flashy, luxurious without compromise, and most importantly — they sound phenomenal. Whether you’re an audiophile who’s tired of carrying external DACs or a design-focused listener who refuses to settle for mediocrity, the Focal Bathys deliver exactly what their name promises: calm, depth, and musical immersion.
