Over-Ear
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal
72Good
$499
Full review dataBang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal 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.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery8.5
Calls7.0
Value6.0
Focal Bathys
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal | Focal Bathys |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $499 | $799 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 86 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 40mm Aluminium/Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 22,000 Hz | 15Hz-22kHz |
| Impedance | 24 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 95 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 42 h | 30 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 24 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | 180 min | - |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 2 h | 5 hours in 15 minutes |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | touch | - |
| Voice assistant | voice assistant support | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 282 g | 350 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 4 | 8 |
| Call noise reduction | virtual boom arm with beamforming mics | - |
What reviewers said
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal
The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal is a high-end over-ear headphone that blends gaming-focused features with everyday wireless listening. It offers adaptive noise cancellation, a long-lasting battery, and support for high-quality Bluetooth codecs, all wrapped in a lightweight, comfortable design. With touch controls, multi-device pairing, and a companion app, it aims to be versatile for both work and play.
- Pro:Exceptional battery life without ANC, reaching up to 42 hours
- Pro:Adaptive noise canceling adjusts to your environment automatically
- Pro:Lightweight build (282g) for extended comfort
- Con:Battery life drops significantly to 24 hours with ANC enabled
- Con:Premium price point may not suit all budgets
- Con:Touch controls can be less precise than physical buttons
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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