Over-Ear
Focal Bathys MG
83Outstanding
$1,500
Full review dataFocal Bathys MG vs Sennheiser HD 800: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Focal Bathys MG comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Focal Bathys MG - Outstanding overall at around $1499.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 800
76Great
$1,800
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Focal Bathys MG leads on 7 of 7 measures.
- Focal Bathys MG
- Sennheiser HD 800
HearWiki score
83
76
Sound
9.6
9.2
Noise cancelling
8.4
-
Battery
7.7
-
Calls
7.8
-
Value
6.2
-
Price (USD)
$1,500
$1,800
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The Focal Bathys MG is 15 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Focal Bathys MG adds USB-C. For 15 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Bathys MG202415 yr newer
- HD 8002009
What differsBathys MGHD 800
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Everyday features
Specifications
Bathys MGHD 800
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $1,500
- $1,800
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 76
- Released
- 2024
- 2009
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- 56 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 56 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 10 Hz - 22 kHz
- 14 Hz - 44.1 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 300 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 102 dB/mW
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- -
- 102
- Bluetooth
- 5.2
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- -
- Wireless range
- 15 m
- -
- Battery life
- 30 h
- -
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 30 h
- -
- Full charge time
- 90 min
- -
- Wireless charging
- No
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- -
- Wear detection
- No
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- -
- Weight
- 350 g
- 330 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Connector
- USB-C
- 6.35 mm
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
- Microphones
- 8
- -
What reviewers said
Focal Bathys MG
The Focal Bathys MG is a premium wireless over-ear headphone that pairs active noise cancellation with a natural, balanced sound signature. It offers robust connectivity options including aptX Adaptive and multipoint, along with a USB-C DAC mode, all wrapped in a comfortable, high-end build. While its sonic performance is top-tier, the steep price tag is its most significant hurdle for many buyers.
- Pro:Excellent natural and balanced sound quality
- Pro:Comfortable fit for extended listening sessions
- Pro:Effective active noise cancellation
- Con:Very high price point
- Con:Limited high-resolution wireless codec support
- Con:No wireless charging option
Sennheiser HD 800
The Sennheiser HD 800 is an open-back, over-ear headphone renowned for its expansive soundstage and exceptional detail, achieved through a large 56 mm dynamic driver and angled transducer design. It delivers a highly neutral, low-distortion frequency response, though it demands a powerful amplifier and offers no noise isolation. While priced at a premium, its reference-grade performance and comfort have made it a benchmark for audiophile listening since 2009.
- Pro:Expansive, speaker-like soundstage
- Pro:Exceptional detail and resolution
- Pro:Very flat, low-distortion response
- Con:Requires a powerful amplifier; not for portable use
- Con:Fully open design provides no isolation
- Con:High price point
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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