Over-Ear
Audeze EL-8 Open Back
68Good
$699
Full review dataAudeze EL-8 Open Back 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.
Audeze EL-8 Open Back
Sound7.0
Value6.0
Focal Bathys
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Audeze EL-8 Open Back | Focal Bathys |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $699 | $799 |
| HearWiki score | 68 / 100 · Good | 86 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2015 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 100 mm planar magnetic | 40mm Aluminium/Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome |
| Driver size | 100 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-50kHz | 15Hz-22kHz |
| Impedance | 30 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW | - |
| Sensitivity | 102 | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.1 |
| Codecs | - | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 30 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Quick charge | - | 5 hours in 15 minutes |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 460 g | 350 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Foldable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 8 |
What reviewers said
Audeze EL-8 Open Back
The Audeze EL-8 Open Back is a premium planar magnetic headphone featuring large 100mm drivers, delivering a spacious and detailed sound with strong, deep bass and clear highs. Its robust build and comfortable fit make it a solid choice for rock, hip-hop, and similar genres, though its open design and weight may not suit everyone. With high sensitivity and low impedance, it's easy to drive while offering an impressive soundstage for critical listening.
- Pro:Excellent build quality with premium materials
- Pro:Deep, detailed bass and clear highs
- Pro:Spacious soundstage with strong imaging
- Con:Heavy at 460 grams, may cause fatigue
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and lacks isolation
- Con:Not ideal for classical music or maximum detail retrieval
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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