Over-Ear
Apple AirPods Max 2
Not yet scored
$549
Full review dataApple AirPods Max 2 vs Focal Bathys: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Focal Bathys, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Over-Ear
Focal Bathys
86Outstanding
$799
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Max 2
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Focal Bathys
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Max 2 | Focal Bathys |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $549 | $799 |
| HearWiki score | Not scored | 86 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2026 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 40mm Aluminium/Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome |
| Driver type | Apple-designed dynamic driver | - |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | - | 15Hz-22kHz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.1 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 20 h | 30 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1.5 h | 5 hours in 15 minutes |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Pro-level Active Noise Cancellation 2 | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | No | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | both | - |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 386.2 g | 350 g |
| Case weight | 134.5 g | - |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 9 | 8 |
| Microphone | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Max 2
No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.
Focal Bathys
The Focal Bathys are premium wireless over-ears that blend high-fidelity audio with everyday convenience. They feature adaptive ANC, a USB-C DAC mode for hi-res wired listening, and support for aptX Adaptive, making them a top pick for sound-focused users who also want wireless flexibility. While their noise cancellation is solid but not the absolute best in class, their impressive battery life and versatile connectivity options stand out in the premium segment.
- Pro:Excellent sound quality with detailed, dynamic drivers
- Pro:USB-C DAC mode enables high-resolution wired audio
- Pro:Strong battery life, often exceeding rated figures in tests
- Con:ANC is competent but not class-leading
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
- Con:Real-world wireless endurance may fall short of claims in some scenarios
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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