Focal Bathys Bathys Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear

Best wireless sound we've ever heard, but you'll constantly be adjusting them on your head. Only buy if audio quality matters more than actually wearing headphones.

What surprised us most wasn't just that the Bathys sound spectacular (we expected that from Focal), but that the built-in DAC actually makes a difference. Plug them in wired with the USB-C cable and they fire up in 24-bit/192kHz high-res mode, trumping most Bluetooth codecs. The app's EQ lets you tweak the already wide soundstage, and the detail retrieval is remarkable. But here's the part that caught us off-guard: the ANC modes are a mess. Transparency mode introduces noticeable static, and the noise cancellation itself sits at only a middling 72nd percentile—solid, but far from class-leading. You'd be better off turning ANC off if you can tolerate outside noise, because the passive isolation from those beefy pads actually does a decent job.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 (M4AEBT) is the most direct competitor—similar audiophile ambitions, lighter build, far more comfortable, and often under $400. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers best-in-class ANC and comfort that the Bathys can't touch, though its sound profile is more consumer-tuned. If you want the purest, most detailed wireless audio, Bathys still edge out both, but the compromises in ergonomics and ANC might be too steep.

At $699 to $958 depending on where you buy, the Bathys are in a tricky spot. For that money, you can get the Sennheiser Momentum 4 or Sony WH-1000XM6 which deliver similar audio fidelity (especially with EQ) and far superior comfort, ANC, and build. The Bathys are only worth it if you're a die-hard Focal fan or an audiophile who will use them primarily wired as a portable DAC/amp headphone. Shop around—we've seen a $259 spread, so don't pay the $958 sticker when some stores have them for $699. Even then, that's still a lot for a headphone with comfort this bad.

The Focal Bathys are a classic case of a company that nailed the audio and forgot about everything else. The sound is stunning—96th percentile in our database—but the moment you put them on, you'll realize they're heavy, they clamp oddly, and the ANC has weird quirks. If you're an audio purist willing to sacrifice comfort for extraordinary fidelity, you'll be intrigued. For everyone else, there are far more livable options.

If you're looking for all-day comfort, reliable ANC, or a headphone you can wear while cooking or commuting, the Bathys aren't it. Go get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM6 instead. These are for chair-bound audiophiles only.

Focal created a wireless headphone that audiophiles will lust after, but the Bathys are hard to recommend as a daily driver. The sound is so good it almost justifies the discomfort, but almost isn't good enough when you're spending $700 or more. Unless you're willing to treat them as a stationary desk headphone, skip them and grab the Sennheiser Momentum 4 for a balanced experience, or the Bose QC Ultra if ANC is your priority.