Focal Bathys MG Review | 93 Data compared

The Focal Bathys MG is an ultra-premium, closed-back Bluetooth headphone priced at US$1,499 (£999) that delivers exceptional, well-balanced sound with a wide soundstage, controlled bass, and highly accurate timbre. Its standout features include a premium built-in DAC mode for high-resolution cabled listening via USB-C, an impressive battery life extending up to 42 hours in DAC mode, and exceptional comfort driven by plush microfiber and leather earcups. The "MG" variant upgrades the hardware to magnesium M-profile dome dynamic drivers, contributing to a smooth, realistic sound signature across electronic, acoustic, and jazz tracks. Despite its top-tier audio presentation, the headphones carry notable drawbacks, primarily centered around a steep price tag that does not offer a linear value return compared to cheaper competitors. The extensive use of plastic on the chassis feels cheap and mismatched for a luxury product, while the 350g weight places it on the heavier side for portable use. Additionally, the active noise-canceling is merely competent rather than industry-leading, and the Bluetooth codec support is surprisingly restricted for the price—lacking advanced formats like aptX Lossless.

The Focal Bathys MG wireless headphones enhance the original model with 40mm pure magnesium M-shaped dome drivers for deeper 10Hz bass and a stylish chestnut-brown finish, while retaining a robust, premium metal chassis. Key advantages include exceptional hi-fi sound with a "live" soundstage, improved genuine leather earpads for comfort, and a high-resolution 24-bit/192kHz USB-DAC mode. However, the headphones lack passive playback capability and have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) performance that trails top competitors.

The Focal Bathys MG closed-back wireless headphones feature an advanced 40mm Magnesium driver configuration that enhances dynamics and detail across a balanced sound spectrum compared to its predecessor. Priced at £999, they offer a premium, solid build with a magnesium yoke, aluminium headband, and a luxurious chestnut brown and bronze finish. On the performance side, they deliver an incredibly comfortable, "sumptuous" fit alongside exceptional active noise cancellation (ANC) managed through an impressive eight-microphone system. Furthermore, they feature an internal USB-DAC mode that processes high-resolution files up to 24-bit/192kHz, injecting noticeable energy, crisp vocal accuracy, and rich detail into the soundstage when digitally wired. Despite their high-end performance, the review highlights several distinct drawbacks, particularly regarding wireless data transmission. A primary limitation is the lack of higher data-carrying Bluetooth codecs like LDAC or aptX Lossless, meaning users only get a fraction of full data potential over standard aptX variants. Physically, the headband is noted as being slightly too thin, which compromises the stability of the headphones while moving around. Additionally, they lack a true passive mode, meaning they must always be...

The Focal Bathys MG is a premium $1,500 pair of wireless headphones engineered to bridge the gap between audiophile performance and everyday convenience. Borrowing the magnesium driver and M-shaped dome construction from Focal’s high-end wired models, these closed-back headphones feature a sturdily built aluminum frame finished in an elegant bronze paint, accented by genuine leather on the earpads and headband. Their standout functional feature is a high-resolution USB-C DAC mode that supports 24-bit/192kHz playback. Additionally, the headphones utilize Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint connectivity and support aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs. The main sonic strengths lie in the midrange and high frequencies, delivering immense instrument clarity, rich textures, and shimmery, sibilance-free treble extension. The headphones also provide a distinct, wide stereo imaging and an accurate soundstage that mirrors high-end wired closed-back alternatives. Other major pros include a highly luxurious and comfortable build for long listening sessions, alongside reliable multipoint Bluetooth pairing.

The Focal Bathys MG wireless headphones offer a significant, high-fidelity upgrade with an open, spacious soundstage and precise, detailed audio performance. Featuring new magnesium drivers, they excel in mid-bass resolution while providing a comfortable, luxurious design suitable for mobile, high-fidelity listening. Despite their premium performance, the headphones are expensive, possess a bulky, large footprint, and suffer from a loose-fitting USB charging cable.

The Focal Bathys MG updates the original wireless headphones with pure magnesium drivers, offering superior, more transparent audio with improved bass performance. These premium, handcrafted headphones stand out for their USB-DAC mode, which supports high-resolution, wired audio, paired with a luxurious design, excellent build quality, and effective yet not class-leading ANC. While offering impressive 42-hour battery life and personalized sound via the Mimi app, they are heavy at over 350g and come at a premium price point.

The Focal Bathys MG ($1,299 / £999) over-ear, closed-back wireless headphones earn high marks for their expansive, detailed, and energetic audio performance, driven by custom, French-made 40mm magnesium "M"-dome dynamic drivers. They boast an exceptional standard of construction using premium materials like leather, padded microfibre, and aluminum, finished in a distinctive, light-shifting "chestnut" colorway. A major highlight is their versatile 24-bit/192kHz USB-DAC functionality, which allows them to deliver pristine hi-res desktop listening that surpasses their standard wireless performance. Additionally, they feature excellent battery longevity, yielding 30 hours over Bluetooth, 35 hours hard-wired, and an impressive 42 hours in DAC mode, paired with a quick-charging feature that gives 5 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge. However, at a steep four-figure price point, the headphones fall short in several technical categories. For wireless use, they lack cutting-edge Bluetooth 5.4 specifications and do not support top-tier, high-quality codecs like LDAC or aptX Lossless, instead maxing out at aptX Adaptive. Sonically, while the overall frequency range is smooth and highly revealing, the high frequencies can occasionally sound slightly strident, with an edgy bite...

The Focal Bathys Mg are premium wireless noise-cancelling headphones that deliver exceptional, class-leading audio performance through a major upgrade to pure magnesium drivers. Priced at $1,299 (£999 / AU$2300), these headphones offer a beautifully balanced, natural sound with an impressive level of detail and dynamic insight across all genres. The build quality is top-tier, utilizing high-quality leather and memory foam that provide great comfort despite a rather bulky, 350-gram chassis. They also boast highly competitive noise-cancelling performance that effectively subdues low-end rumbles, clear call quality, and a robust 30-hour battery life with ANC enabled. However, the headphones come with several trade-offs that might deter some buyers. On the downside, their intricate, chestnut-finished design features a backlit logo that some users might find too showy or flashy. They also completely lack modern quality-of-life features like touch controls and automatic wearer detection to pause music when removed. Additionally, they are heavier than much of the competition, and the earcups can make the user's ears feel quite warm during prolonged use. Despite these omissions, their exquisite sound reproduction, high-end DAC mode, and premium...

The Focal Bathys MG is a high-end, semi-nomadic wireless headphone that delivers outstanding, hi-fi quality sound. It is built with a 100% magnesium membrane that brings its audio performance very close to the premium, wired Clear MG model. Pros include excellent Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, a 30-hour battery life, and high-resolution sound playback via USB-C. It has upgraded microphones for clear voice calls and a neutral, natural tone with a wide soundstage that minimizes listening fatigue. However, these headphones come with notable drawbacks for users on the move. They are physically large and heavy at 350 grams, making them less ideal for daily city commuting. The active noise cancelling (ANC) is also weak and only blocks low-frequency sounds, letting higher noises like city chatter pass through. Additionally, high frequencies can distort at very high volumes over Bluetooth. At $1,299, they are expensive but serve as a great replacement for a full home hi-fi system when traveling.