Over-Ear
Apple Airpods Max
78Great
$515
Full review dataApple Airpods Max vs Focal Bathys: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Focal Bathys comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Focal Bathys - Outstanding overall at around $799.
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
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.0
Calls8.0
Value5.0
Focal Bathys
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple Airpods Max | Focal Bathys |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $515 | $799 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 86 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2020 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Dynamic | 40mm Aluminium/Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 48 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 15Hz-22kHz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 20 h | 30 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 20 h | 30 h |
| Quick charge | 5 minutes = around 1.5 hours | 5 hours in 15 minutes |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | hybrid | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Controls | both | - |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 384.8 g | 350 g |
| Case weight | 134.5 g | - |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 9 | 8 |
What reviewers said
Apple Airpods Max
Apple's premium over-ear wireless headphones deliver robust active noise cancellation and a balanced, detailed sound signature driven by a 40mm dynamic driver. They offer seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, a comfortable if somewhat heavy build, and solid 20-hour battery life with quick charging. While their performance is impressive, the steep price and lack of modern connectivity options like USB-C may give some buyers pause.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation with adaptive features
- Pro:Clear, well-balanced audio quality
- Pro:Seamless pairing and switching across Apple devices
- Con:Heavier than many competitors, which may cause fatigue
- Con:Premium price tag is hard to justify for all budgets
- Con:No USB-C port for charging or wired use
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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