Bathys

"The Focal Bathys (The "Audiophile" Choice) Signature: Much more balanced and "correct." It offers a wider soundstage and significantly more detail in the treble."

The Bathys are frequently lauded for their detailed, spacious, and natural sound, though some users find them harsh or muddy initially, requiring EQ or break-in.

"These are reasonably comfortable, but I do get a hot spot on the top of my head after a couple hours of listening, and the earcups clamp a bit harder than I'd like."

Users report issues with clamping force, hot spots on the head, and earcups causing discomfort during extended listening sessions, with some needing modifications to improve fit.

"I read that these need battery to be used even when in DAP or wired mode which is also a bit annoying as it means these have a shelf life and it’s frustrating to know that eventually these will die with no ability to convert them into a passive set."

Battery life is not a frequently discussed negative point, but the fact that the headphones require battery even in wired mode and cannot be used passively is a notable drawback for some.

"They are very premium and feel better made than any other headphone I tried (apart from B&O H100 which feels at the same level)."

The build quality is generally praised as premium and solid, though some minor criticisms exist regarding the feel of buttons or the headband.

"ANC & call quality is good, but it's not their unique strength (Sony for ANC and Airpods for call quality)."

Call quality and microphone performance are rarely mentioned, and when they are, they are typically described as merely 'good' or average, not a strong suit.

"The software/firmware lacks QoL features. App in particular is a bit janky."

The app is often criticized as janky, touch controls are finicky, and multipoint connectivity is sometimes reported as unstable, detracting from the overall feature set.

"The Focal Bathys' sound quality is on another level. While most consumers won't appreciate the full value, the Focal Bathys are a revelation for some."

The sound quality is universally praised as exceptional, detailed, and expansive, with reviewers calling it 'on another level' and a 'revelation' for audiophiles.

"However, the mind-blowing sound wasn't enough to override the eventual discomfort of the weight pressing on the headband and the top of our ears after wearing them for a few hours."

While the earcups are spacious and padding is plush, the headphones' significant weight leads to discomfort and headband pressure during extended use.

"The Focal Bathys have a middle-of-the-road battery that provides 27 hours of Bluetooth playback, which is slightly lower than the manufacturer's claimed 30 hours."

Battery life is considered average for the class, providing around 27-30 hours of playback, which is sufficient for most users but not class-leading.

"The aesthetics and form factor of the Bathys is unmistakably a Focal creation only this time the black and silver color scheme has more of a classy executive look to it."

The headphones are consistently described as having a premium, luxurious, and sturdy build, utilizing high-quality materials like magnesium, aluminum, and leather.

"The Focal Bathys struggled with call quality compared to the competition. They are below average, but more disappointing because, for the price, it almost feels offensive."

Call quality is frequently cited as a weak point, described as 'uninspired,' 'below average,' and 'muffled,' making them unsuitable for important calls in noisy environments.

"The Bathys have multipoint connectivity, but they struggled when connected to one Apple and one Android device simultaneously."

Features like multipoint connectivity and USB-C DAC are appreciated, but issues with multipoint on cross-platform devices and a desire for more EQ customization are noted.

"These are the best sounding headphones ANC's kind of it's a little mid but it's not bad"

The sound quality is overwhelmingly praised as exceptional, detailed, refined, and a significant upgrade, often outperforming even higher-priced competitors and wired headphones for many users.

"I find these to be much more comfortable than focal's passive wired closed back headphones which I always tend to find them to have a little bit too much clamp force for my giant audiophile head"

Most users find the headphones comfortable for long sessions due to plush pads and good ear cup space, but a notable minority experience issues with weight, clamping force, headband pressure, or ear heat.

"For battery life this is an area where they also did a fairly good job and it is still very good"

Battery life is consistently described as very good, easily lasting through long listening sessions and flights, with fast charging being a convenient bonus.

"The build quality on this is wild with a super durable, lightweight magnesium frame with genuine leather."

The build quality is generally considered excellent, with premium materials like magnesium, aluminum, and leather contributing to a luxurious and durable feel, though some minor concerns about plastic parts or the headband exist.

"Can the new focal batis bathys can they match the Sony on their killer quality that's phone calls right being able to make a crystal clear phone calls the answer is yes yes they can"

Call quality is generally considered good and surprisingly capable, with some reviewers noting it's better than expected for a Focal product and on par with or preferred over some competitors.

"The DAC via USB isn’t missing the point. It IS the point. Wired lossless active noise cancelling? The Sony and Apple can’t do that."

The inclusion of a USB DAC mode is highly praised for enabling high-resolution wired listening, and Bluetooth connectivity is generally stable with good range and multipoint support, though the lack of LDAC and a basic EQ are noted drawbacks.