Over-Ear
Focal Bathys
86Outstanding
$799
Full review dataFocal Bathys vs HiFiMAN HE 5se: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Focal Bathys vs HiFiMAN HE 5se, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 5se
Not yet scored
$699
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Focal Bathys
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.5
Value7.0
HiFiMAN HE 5se
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | Focal Bathys | HiFiMAN HE 5se |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $799 | $699 |
| HearWiki score | 86 / 100 · Outstanding | Not scored |
| Released | 2022 | - |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm Aluminium/Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome | planar |
| Driver size | 40 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 15Hz-22kHz | 20Hz-35kHz |
| Impedance | - | 40 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 92 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.1 | - |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | 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 | Yes | - |
| ANC type | hybrid | - |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 350 g | 387 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 8 | - |
What reviewers said
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
HiFiMAN HE 5se
No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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