If you want better Included accessories
Choose Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones. It scores 4.5 vs 2.8 for Included accessories, with a 4.2 overall score.
Focal Bathys MG Wireless Headphones Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Focal Bathys MG if sound quality, premium comfort and USB-DAC listening matter more than price. Skip them if you need class-leading ANC, LDAC/LE Audio, deeper app controls or a cheaper upgrade from the original Bathys.
Best for
Best for audiophile-leaning listeners who want wireless convenience without giving up rich detail, spacious imaging, premium materials and USB-DAC listening. It also suits long desk or travel sessions where comfort and sound quality outrank maximum ANC.
Not for
Not for buyers who mainly want the strongest noise cancellation, the latest wireless codec stack, a deep control app or the best value upgrade from the original Bathys. Budget-conscious shoppers have several reviewer-mentioned alternatives below this price.
Verdict
The Focal Bathys MG lands as a luxury wireless headphone built around sound first. Reviewers repeatedly praise its rich, revealing presentation, excellent midrange, spacious imaging, premium construction, long-session comfort and standout USB-DAC mode. The tradeoff is that it does not chase every modern convenience: ANC is useful but generally behind Bose or Sony for maximum suppression, LDAC and LE Audio are missing, the app and EQ are limited, and the price makes the upgrade from the original Bathys hard to justify for value-conscious buyers. Its strongest case is for listeners who want a wireless ANC headphone that feels closer to an audiophile closed-back than a feature-stuffed travel headset.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
64 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.022 (34%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.426 (41%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.413 (20%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.43 (5%)
Pros highlights
-
Comfort is a strong point, with reviewers repeatedly reporting long-session wearability, softer pads and better weight distribution despite the headphone’s size.
-
Bass is broadly praised for depth, control, impact and texture, though several reviewers note that default tuning can sound boomy, swollen or resonant before EQ or depending on music.
-
ANC is judged useful and improved, but not class-leading; reviewers say it reduces buses, traffic and office noise while still letting some voices or mids through.
-
Overall recommendations are strongly positive for buyers prioritizing sound, comfort and luxury, while reviewers still caution about price and feature gaps.
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The midrange is a major strength in most reviews, with vocals, guitars, piano and instruments described as clearer, more powerful and more nuanced than on the original model; one reviewer found vocals somewhat suppressed.
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Soundstage is repeatedly described as spacious for a closed-back wireless headphone, with good depth and immersion, though a few reviewers note it remains somewhat intimate rather than speaker-like.
Cons highlights
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Value is debated: reviewers admire the performance and luxury, but the high price, smaller upgrade over the original and missing features make value context-dependent.
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EQ customization is helpful but limited; reviewers like the usable bands and bass adjustment, while several wish for deeper or parametric control.
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LDAC is a repeated missing feature, with reviewers saying it should have been included at this price even if not everyone thinks it would transform sound quality.
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Codec support is viewed as adequate rather than premium; aptX Adaptive helps, but reviewers repeatedly criticize the lack of broader high-end codec support.
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Bluetooth version is a weakness at this price, with reviewers noting that 5.2 is improved but not the latest standard.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Over-Ear Headphones, this product is above average in ANC effect on sound signature, ANC sound impact on audio, Preset EQ profile quality, near average in Active noise cancellation, Bass performance, below average in Auracast support, LE Audio readiness, LDAC.
Comparison summary
63 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher24 (38%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts19 (30%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower20 (32%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auracast support | 2.0 | 3.6 | -1.6 |
| ANC effect on sound signature | 5.0 | 3.6 | +1.4 |
| ANC sound impact on audio | 5.0 | 3.6 | +1.4 |
| LE Audio readiness | 2.0 | 3.3 | -1.3 |
| LDAC | 2.1 | 3.3 | -1.1 |
| Preset EQ profile quality | 4.6 | 3.5 | +1.1 |
| Maximum volume clarity | 3.0 | 4.1 | -1.1 |
| Premium feel | 4.9 | 3.9 | +1.0 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better Codec support
Choose Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 Headphones. It scores 4.9 vs 3.2 for Codec support, with a 4.3 overall score.
If you want better Auracast support
Choose JBL Tour One M3 Headphones. It scores 4.6 vs 2.0 for Auracast support, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Value for money
Choose Edifier WH950NB Gen 2 Wireless Headphones. It scores 4.7 vs 3.3 for Value for money, with a 4.2 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Compared: sound quality and price The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 was said to come surprisingly close in sound at a lower cost.
- Cheaper: price The Bathys MG was described as costing more than twice as much as Sony WH-1000XM5.
- Better: call noise reduction The Bathys MG call quality was good, but not as noise-free as Sony WH-1000XM6.
FAQ
How good is the Focal Bathys MG sound quality?
Reviewers strongly agree that sound quality is the main reason to consider it. They praise its revealing detail, rich midrange, controlled dynamics, spacious imaging and USB-DAC performance.
Is the ANC class-leading?
No. Reviewers generally find the ANC useful and improved, but Bose and Sony are still described as stronger choices for maximum noise suppression.
Does USB-DAC mode matter?
Yes for serious listening. Multiple reviewers call the built-in DAC mode excellent or especially useful because it supports hi-res playback and can sound more detailed than wireless.
Are the Bathys MG comfortable for long listening sessions?
Mostly yes. Reviewers praise the softer pads, improved clamp and weight distribution, although the headphone is still fairly large and one reviewer notes the weight in-hand.
What are the biggest missing features?
The most repeated gaps are LDAC, Bluetooth LE/LC3/Auracast, deeper app controls or parametric EQ, and class-leading ANC. Wear detection is also noted as absent.
Are they worth the price?
Value depends on priorities. Reviewers see the Bathys MG as a premium, sound-first luxury product, but several caution that the high price is hard to justify if you already own the original Bathys or mainly want ANC.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - Youtube
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.5
YouTube - Youtube
- Review score
- 4.4
Article Reviews
hometheaterreview.com
- Review score
- 4.5
wired.com
- Review score
- 4.6
moon-audio.com
- Review score
- 4.4
ecoustics.com
- Review score
- 4.0
audioreviews.org
- Review score
- 4.2
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