Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Bluetooth & ANC Headphones: Early Impressions

[Zeppmeister]

I use a cover to protect the headband and the earpads can be replaced so i think it won't be such a big deal to keep it clean.

Regarding a cover ... I shared this in a different Bathys group (guess I'm a two-timer).

Got this headband cover to review for Amazon (I'm part of the Vine program). I had intended to use it on my Clear, but it's not quite big enough to zip up. For Bathys, it's a little too big, but works ... and boosts the comfort nicely. Usually with Bathys I have to take a break after an hour, but these minimize the hot spot quite nicely.

 

[Tolarian]

where about if I may?

and since it seems you own boths, is the T+A Solitaire such un "upgrade" towards the Bathys?

On a dutch website, but unfortunately the promo is gone now.

It depends what you mean with "such an upgrade". The SQ is definitly much better on the Solitaire T and the ANC is a bit better. The Bathys is more comfortable tho.

If you ask me if the total package of the Solitaire T is 600 € better (price of new solitaire and new bathys), i would say probably not. I just wanted to own the best sounding ANC headphone (Solitaire T) and i wanted to upgrade from my Momentum 4 to a Bathys to watch tv series and movies.

I have a place for both and i use them for different things. I use the Solitaire T for critical listening to music in my livingroom at home (when i don't want to use my wired solution at my desktop) and i use the Bathys for entertainment purposes, mostly watching tv shows and movies.

If i go outside (going to work on the train or walking around in the neighborhood), i use ANC earbuds.

If i go on a holiday, i take my ANC earbuds and the Bose QC Ultra.

Regarding a cover ... I shared this in a different Bathys group (guess I'm a two-timer).

Got this headband cover to review for Amazon (I'm part of the Vine program). I had intended to use it on my Clear, but it's not quite big enough to zip up. For Bathys, it's a little too big, but works ... and boosts the comfort nicely. Usually with Bathys I have to take a break after an hour, but these minimize the hot spot quite nicely.

Looks like a good fit!

I bought this one from aliexpress because the color matches the Dune model:

 

[mikaik]

I've turned the Bathys on today and the right side is completely dead, not even notifications. Has anyone had this already? I've tried the two cables, charged them and reset them. Any ideas, other than contacting support?

 

[Matpar]

If you ask me if the total package of the Solitaire T is 600 € better (price of new solitaire and new bathys), i would say probably not. I just wanted to own the best sounding ANC headphone (Solitaire T) and i wanted to upgrade from my Momentum 4 to a Bathys to watch tv series and movies.

That is exactly what I wanted to read

I'll be trying the Momentum this week (so far they seems to me a bit too much "anemic), but I think the Bathys would be the "right spot" for me in terms of money, SQ and confort (hopefully).

Cheers

 

[Sigurd Jarlson]

Yeah, it's not just the dac.....the teac (from what I remember) has a pretty low power output. Obviously the Focal Clears have pretty lowish impedence (I think in the 50s if I remember correctly) and a sensitivity of 104 which is not bad but just bc the cans get to the volumes you want doesn't always mean it'll sound optimal. Obviously everyone's budget is different but given you actually got the Bathys as well as splurged last sec on the Clears.....I don't think you're in a situation to seriously penny pinch. Even getting a simple Schiit or JDS or iFi stack will do wonders with the Clears over your current setup

I was using the Teacs dedicated earphone jack when I first tried. Tried the 4 volt balanced outs a few weeks ago. Night and day difference, the Bathys sound great via the unbalanced outs but still not crazy about the Clears and I dont want to spend more money, the clears were $650 as it is.

Sent the Clears back, the Bathys sound great and they sound very good wireless as well.

Bluray movies via balanced outs sound amazing too.

 

[bfreeproductions]

Can someone please do a comparison sound review of these up against the momentum 4?

I know this is an old comment but I was searching thru the thread last week trying to find out the same thing, and I’ve given my impressions in my review here: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sennheiser-momentum-4-wireless.25986/reviews#review-36843

 

[mikaik]

Very disappointing service from Focal. Basically, they refuse any responsibility, saying only the shop I bought them from can request a check and eventually a repair. They did not say at any point that the shop would not be an authorised seller. Nothing. Unfortunately customer service here is crap all over the place, so no reply at all from the shop.

So be warned, your expensive headphones could turn into an expensive paperweight overnight.
I really would've expected more from Focal.

 

[Ansch]

I've turned the Bathys on today and the right side is completely dead, not even notifications. Has anyone had this already? I've tried the two cables, charged them and reset them. Any ideas, other than contacting support?

Sorry to hear and sorry for the subsequent lack of help from Focal. I have had this happen to my second pair and fortunately the dealer I bought it from did replace it.

 

[Blanka79]

Hello,
I bought the Bathys open box in pure black and have a question. I own an "old" iPhone 13 Pro with a lightning connector. Would the Bathys work wired in DAC mode with my iPhone if I buy an Audioquest USB-C to Lightning cable?

Thank you.

 

[botmann]

I assume it would. I don't have an iPhone, so I cannot say with certainty. Give it try and see what happens

 

[Pashmeister]

I was on a hunt for portable closed backs and was sure I was going to buy the DCA Noire X. Then I tried the Bathys and ended up taking that home instead. It reminded me of my old radiance but with the added convenience which is great. I have my totl wired stuff for desktop use anyway.

Been streaming LDAC from my usb-C iPhone using the Fiio BT11.

(Correction: aptX adaptive)

 

[JML]

I was on a hunt for portable closed backs and was sure I was going to buy the DCA Noire X. Then I tried the Bathys and ended up taking that home instead. It reminded me of my old radiance but with the added convenience which is great. I have my totl wired stuff for desktop use anyway.

Been streaming LDAC from my usb-C iPhone using the Fiio BT11.

The Bathys doesn't use LDAC; aptX Adaptive is the highest rate Codec it uses.

 

[Pashmeister]

The Bathys doesn't use LDAC; aptX Adaptive is the highest rate Codec it uses.

whoops. i guess I meant Fiio BT11 for aptX adaptive

 

[Zeppmeister]

Traveling with my Bathys (no other audio) gear this week. Since I "need" them for the flight and I don't have much time for leisure listening, I didn't see the need to bring a DAP and my good IEMs.

Sometimes I think I bought the Bathys because of hype and the brand name. I briefly considered the Airpods Max, but too many comparisons put the Bathys ahead on sound quality. And when I spend time with them like this, I do indeed appreciate them. Great audio gear ... although I do wish I had spent $100 less (I did open box from headphones.com).

 

[joshnor713]

Traveling with my Bathys (no other audio) gear this week. Since I "need" them for the flight and I don't have much time for leisure listening, I didn't see the need to bring a DAP and my good IEMs.

Sometimes I think I bought the Bathys because of hype and the brand name. I briefly considered the Airpods Max, but too many comparisons put the Bathys ahead on sound quality. And when I spend time with them like this, I do indeed appreciate them. Great audio gear ... although I do wish I had spent $100 less (I did open box from headphones.com).

I too have really come to enjoy them when traveling. I used to really use my Mojo 2 with the IE 900 or SE846 when traveling, but I just find that with the Bathys that I'm not losing much (especially with the dedicated dac), and it's a more engaging sound. I only do the IEM's now when I really need to save space. The Bathys aren't necessarily small and light.

Focal did a great job, no regrets at all with the purchase from my end.