Over-Ear
Focal Bathys
86Outstanding
$799
Full review dataFocal Bathys vs Noble Audio Fokus Apollo: 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
Noble Audio Fokus Apollo
68Good
$649
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
Noble Audio Fokus Apollo
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery9.0
Value6.0
Specifications
| Spec | Focal Bathys | Noble Audio Fokus Apollo |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $799 | $649 |
| HearWiki score | 86 / 100 · Outstanding | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2022 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm Aluminium/Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome | hybrid |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 15Hz-22kHz | 10 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 30 h | 80 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 30 h | 60 h |
| Full charge time | - | 150 min |
| Quick charge | 5 hours in 15 minutes | - |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | hybrid | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 350 g | 338 g |
| Water resistance | none | None |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 8 | 6 |
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
Noble Audio Fokus Apollo
The Noble FoKus Apollo is a premium wireless over-ear headphone that pairs hybrid dual drivers with active noise cancellation for a technically ambitious listening experience. It offers exceptional battery life, strong codec support, and solid build quality, making it a practical choice for travel and daily commutes. While its sound is generally coherent and detailed, some users may need to adjust EQ for extra brightness and be mindful of slightly boomy bass when ANC is active.
- Pro:Outstanding battery life of up to 80 hours
- Pro:Supports LDAC and LDHC for high-resolution wireless audio
- Pro:Hybrid dual-driver design delivers detailed sound
- Con:Controls have a learning curve
- Con:Bass can become boomy with ANC enabled
- Con:May require EQ to achieve extra treble sparkle
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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