Focal Bathys ANC Wireless Headphones Announced

Focal's Bathys wireless headphones offer active noise cancellation and wired USB-DAC mode while sporting signature M-shaped dome drivers.
Focal's Bathys headphones mark the company's first foray into wireless active noise cancelling cans. While offering the benefits of Bluetooth 5.1 multipoint connectivity, you also get the option of a wired connection thanks to its USB-DAC mode.
Bathys comes from the word 'bathyscaphe', the first submarine exploration vehicle - but you already guessed that, didn't you? Of course, you did. Focal says that this vessle is the inspiration for these headphones as it is the "embodiment of calm, depth and absolute silence".
The Bathys feature an aluminium construction paired with a magnesium yoke for a mixture of strength and lightness. This is trimmed with a leather and microfibre headband and replaceable earpads that promise insulation and comfort for any head shape. A rather neat touch is that the logo on the earcup is backlit.
Those earcups house French-made 40mm aluminium-magnesium M-shaped dome speaker drivers, boasting a claimed 15Hz to 22kHz frequency response.
A total of eight microphones conduct noise cancelling and voice calling duties promising crystal clear telephone conversations thanks to Clear Voice Capture technology and two noise-cancelling modes: Silent mode optimised for journeys with high background noise (planes, trains, etc.) and Soft mode to help with focus at home, in the office, etc. There is also a Transparency mode, allowing you to hear sounds around you when needed.
The sound is adjustable to your tastes via an app-based EQ and while you have thirty hours of playback from one full charge and a fifteen-minute top-up equates to five hours of life, the Bathys also include a 24bit USB DAC. This means no more USB DAC dongles are needed if you want better sound from your laptop, phone, and such.
Naturally, Focal's Bathys play nicely with all the expected codecs, including SBC, AAC, Apt-X and Apt-X Adaptive. Meanwhile, easily accessible control buttons and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants are provided for effortless use.
Finally, Bathys offers connectivity options via Bluetooth, Jack, and USB and comes bundled with a 1.2m 3.5mm Jack and a 1.2m USB-C cable along with a hardshell carrying case.
The Focal Bathys headphones are available now with a suggested retail price of £699/ €799, putting the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 in its crosshairs.
Visit Focal for more information

Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in: Headphones
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