Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Focal Bathys MG review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT. I’ll also be comparing the Focal Bathys MG vs Bathys, Dali IO-12, Bang & Olufsen H100, Sennheiser HDB 630, Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2, Sony WH-1000XM6, Apple AirPods Max, and more!
I’m going to do my best to share whether these headphones are worth it, and ideally who these headphones are for. I’ve owned these headphones for a while now and have quite a few thoughts.
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, and tech journalist.
Let’s dive right in!
Focal Bathys MG Headphones review in short
The Focal Bathys MG is easily one of the best-sounding wireless headphones we’ve tested to date. It improves upon the original Focal Bathys in sound quality, comfort, and noise cancelling performance. That said, its price tag is prohibitive and there are far better values if you’re willing to compromise a little sound quality. Competes with Dali IO-12, Bang & Olufsen H100, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, Sennheiser HDB 630, Sony WH-1000XM6, Apple AirPods Max, and Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3.
Watch this Full Review on YouTube!
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Pros and Cons
- Best-in-class sound quality
- USB-DAC mode
- Premium build quality
- The Price
- There’s much better value buys
- Not the most practical
- Noise cancelling can be improved
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Sound Quality
Initial listening impressions…
I love the stock sound of the original Focal Bathys, although I eventually did find some improvement with some custom EQ settings.
So my expectations were quite high for the uber-expensive upgrade… the Focal Bathys MG.
Well, here’s the good news. They are indeed better than the original Bathys.
And it didn’t take a long time to make that apparent.
The REAL question is… HOW much better is the “big brother” MG over the original Bathys?
I’ll tell you soon enough in my sound comparison below, but first let me describe the sound of the Bathys MG.
Before we jump in, I want to touch on high-res codec support, as the Focal Bathys MG uses aptX Adaptive.
To conduct this test, I used my Questyle QCC Dongle Pro to unlock aptX and LDAC support:
![Questyle QCC Dongle Pro [MFi Certified] USB-C Bluetooth Audio Adapter with LDAC,aptX Lossless&aptX-Adaptive,Low Latency Bluetooth 5.4 Dongle for PS5,Wireless Lossless Transmitter for PC/Headphones](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21jT-Cm5ZVL._SL500_.jpg)
If you’re an iPhone user, or if your phone doesn’t support aptX codecs, then I highly recommend you pick up the dongle above which will cover both LDAC and aptX Adaptive high-res codecs. It’s the only one of its kind that supports both, to my knowledge.
Sound Profile
The Bathys MG is surprisingly neutral warm dark.
In other words, it is fairly reference-like focused on a very full midrange response, coupled with a present bass and very smooth, somewhat rolled-off treble.
The reason why I say this is “surprising” is because it’s a bit of a departure from the original Bathys, that was arguably more “musical” out of the box.
Basically, I’m hearing a more refined and “mature” sound.
Funnily enough, what these headphones remind me most of is my Focal studio monitors.
Full Sound Test
They’re very detailed but measured, almost to the point of being a tad boring upon initial impressions.
But keep on listening and allow your brain to get used to the thick sound profile, and all of a sudden the beautiful micro-details start to shine through.
I can’t recall a wireless headphone with richer mids, and this translates to very full vocals with tons of detail and realistic timbre.
That realistic timbre applies to instruments as well, and it makes the music more immersive and believable.
No doubt, the mids are the star of the show, followed by the bass, and lastly, the treble.
The bass response is quite satisfying. It’s able to reach the low sub-bass frequencies while maintaining tactility and being clean and fast.
There’s some good bass slam and impact without muddying up the mids.
Lastly, the treble is relatively tame and takes a backseat to the mids and bass, but it still delivers detail without ever getting sibilant or harsh.
Personally, I would like a bit more treble energy adding some sparkle and airiness to the overall sound, but at least these are very non-fatiguing.
When it comes to the audiophile technicalities, this is where the Focal Bathys MG really separates itself from every headphone we’ve tested (aside from the Dali IO12), especially in USB-DAC mode.
Everything is just on another level: resolution, separation, layering, dynamics, and especially soundstage.
The Focal Bathys MG has one of the largest soundstages I’ve heard in a wireless closed-back headphone.
Not just in width, but in having good “3D-like” holographic depth, which is something I’ve only heard in high-end wired headphone setups. Impressive.
vs Original Bathys
I would say the Focal Bathys MG is about 10-15% improved sound quality over the original Bathys.
The MG version has a more accurate, refined, and “mature” sound profile over the arguably more “musical” Bathys. In other words, it has a more balanced tonality that is more accurate.
Some of the weaknesses of the original Bathys are its lack of low-end sub-bass response, and not being able to scale to higher volumes without “breaking up” its sound quality.
The Bathys MG fixes both of those things, especially improved in the bass department as a whole while retaining that satisfyingly punchy mid-bass.
vs Dali IO12
I think the Focal Bathys MG and Dali IO12 are in a tier of their own for wireless sound quality.
They are competitive on the technicalities, but are essentially 2 different flavors.
The Dali IO12 is the more “exciting” and “lively” sound profile, being more treble-forward whilst still retaining good mids.
I’d say the Dali IO12 has a slight edge in detail partly due to its sound profile being more hyped.
And surprisingly, the IO12 may be the only wireless headphone with an even larger soundstage and spacing versus the Bathys MG.
vs Bang & Olufsen H100
The Bang & Olufsen H100 is almost the opposite sound profile to the reference-like Bathys MG, focusing on a consumer-friendly sound signature that is quite V-shaped.
The bass and the treble are very forward on the H100, leading to a more exciting and energetic sound than the rather measured Bathys MG.
I find the mids of the H100 to be lacking when comparing these back to back, as the Bathys MG is so mids-focused, and it leaves the H100 sounding a bit thinner.
I like both of the bass responses on these headphones, they’re some of the best for the class.
Overall, I find the Bathys MG to be more strictly “audiophile”, but the H100 is still quite fun to listen to.
vs Sennheiser HDB 630
The Sennheiser HDB 630 is probably the closest in sound profile to the Focal Bathys MG, with both focusing on having a more accurate sound.
Only when comparing these two does the Bathys MG end up sounding warmer and more musical, due to the HDB 630 being very neutral and flat.
Due to this, I think most audiophiles would gravitate towards both of these headphones’ “mature” sound.
The HDB 630 is excellent for its price, but I do give the slight edge overall to the Bathys MG when listening back-to-back.
Sound Quality Score: 9.7 out of 10
Comfort
The Focal Bathys MG is one of the heaviest headphones we’ve tested:
- Bose QuietComfort (2023 model) – 236.1 grams
- Sony WH 1000XM5 – 245.9 grams
- Sony WH 1000XM4 – 251.6 grams
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st gen) – 254.4 grams
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) – 262.2 grams
- Beats Studio Pro – 268.6 grams
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 – 292.9 grams
- Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e – 305.2 grams
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 – 312.0 grams
- Sennheiser HDB 630 – 313.4 grams
- Sonos Ace – 318.1 grams
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 – 320.1 grams
- Bang & Olufsen H95 – 323 grams
- Focal Bathys – 350 grams
- Focal Bathys MG – 365.5 grams
- Apple AirPods Max – 387.8 grams
Although the Focal Bathys MG looks identical to the original Bathys, it upgrades to even more premium materials and adds about 15 grams on my scale, leading to a grand total weight of 365 grams.
This is quite heavy, and only really surpassed by the AirPods Max, Dali IO12, and Bang & Olufsen H100.
But there’s good news, the Focal Bathys MG’s comfort is much improved over the original.
The first improvement is a more relaxed clamping force from the metal headband. The original Bathys was like a vice that never quite loosened up.
Secondly, the earpad cushions and headband cushioning feel more plush and supportive.
Combine those two, and I actually find the Bathys MG fairly easy to wear for hours now, which I couldn’t say about the original Bathys.
Comfort Score: 8.5 out of 10
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality
Features
The Focal Bathys MG was released in May 2025 and has the typical modern wireless ANC headphone features:
- Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive
- Lossless Audio via wired USB-C cable
- Multiple built-in microphones for taking calls
- Active Noise Cancelling
- Transparency Mode
- Companion Smartphone app to customize EQ, settings, and update firmware
- Includes a large-sized premium Hard Shell case
Focal Bathys MG Battery Life
The Focal Bathys MG has over 30 hours of battery life on a single charge.
- Marshall Monitor III – 70 hours (ANC on), 100 hours (ANC off)
- Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE – 60 hours (ANC on), 100 hours (ANC off)
- Audeze Maxwell – 80 hours (no ANC included)
- Sennheiser HDB 630 – 60 hours
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 – 60 hours
- Focal Bathys MG – “Over 30 hours” (ANC on)
- Sony WH-1000XM6 – 40 hours (ANC off), 30 hours (ANC on)
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) – 30 hours
- Sony WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM4 – 30 hours
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and Px8 – 30 hours
- Sonos Ace – 30 hours
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st Gen) – 24 hours
- AirPods Max – 20 hours
In my testing, I found this figure to be accurate.
Over 30 hours is around average for the class.
Build Quality
Build quality is where the $1,499 retail price Focal Bathys MG shines.
Everything on this headphone looks and feels premium, due to a liberal adornment of metal and leather.
The reason why these are so heavy, along with the other “luxury” headphones, is the use of more premium materials over the largely-plastic wireless headphones in the $400 range and below.
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality Score: 9.0 out of 10
Focal Bathys MG Noise Cancelling Performance
The noise cancelling performance of the original Bathys was just “fine” in my testing.
The good news is that the Bathys MG slightly improves upon that, bringing up the performance to slightly above average.
The noise cancelling does its job without being too aggressive in order to preserve sound quality and tonality.
But it’s clearly below the “best-in-class” noise cancelling found in the Apple AirPods Max, Sony XM6, Bose QC Ultra, or Sonos Ace.
The Transparency Mode is fine as well and does its job.
Noise Cancelling Score: 8.0 out of 10
Value
At $1,499 USD retail, the price is perhaps the biggest eyebrow-raiser of the Focal Bathys MG, apart from its design.
Let’s be honest here, there’s much better value buys out there, but that’s not why you’re looking at the Focal Bathys MG.
What you’re looking at is easily one of the best wireless headphone sound quality to date, coupled with very premium materials and build quality.
Compared to the fellow “luxury” $1,750 Dali IO12 and $2,200 Bang & Olufsen H100, the Focal Bathys MG starts to look appealing.
Some cheaper alternatives that present a better value would be the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 at $799 and Sennheiser HDB 630 at $499.
Oh, and the original Bathys is still pretty great in its own right at under $700 market price.
Value Score: 6.5 out of 10
Is the Focal Bathys MG Worth it?
Is the $1,500 Focal Bathys MG worth it? It depends.
If you’re looking for the best wireless sound quality to date, click the “Buy” button and enjoy.
But if you’re looking for ~90% of that sound quality for a fraction of the price, there are options… including the original Bathys, Sennheiser HDB 630, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2.
If you need more practicality with best-in-class noise cancelling performance and comfort, again, there are options… Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen would be my pick.
Last thing I’ll say: even though I’ve been fairly critical of the Bathys MG’s pricetag, all it takes is one listen and before you know it, 3 hours has gone by just enjoying the music. Your mileage may vary.
Also, if you’d like to support 100% independent unbiased reviews, consider using my affiliate links to shop and even save money! Thank you.
Some very Strong Alternatives in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- Sennheiser HDB 630
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
- Focal Bathys
- Audeze Maxwell
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen
- Sennheiser Momentum 4
- Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3
- Sony WH-1000XM6
- Apple AirPods Max
- Sonos Ace
Some Relevant Comparisons in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Apple AirPods Max
- Sonos Ace vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Overall Scoring Breakdown
Sound Quality (50% of score): 9.7 / 10
Comfort (10% of score): 8.5 / 10
Features / Battery Life / Build Quality / Practicality (10% of score): 9.0 / 10
Noise Cancelling (20% of score): 8.0 / 10
Value (10% of score): 6.5 / 10
Overall: 8.85 / 10
Order the LATEST VERSION for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase all of the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment. Noise cancelling performance is tested in the real-world, primarily on airplane flights, coffee shops, and walking around large metropolitan city environments.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
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Bose QuietComfort Review (2023 Model)
