Over-Ear
Focal Bathys
86Outstanding
$799
Full review dataFocal Bathys vs Sennheiser HD 490 Pro: 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
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
78Great
$429
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
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
Sound8.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | Focal Bathys | Sennheiser HD 490 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $799 | $429 |
| HearWiki score | 86 / 100 · Outstanding | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2022 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40mm Aluminium/Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 38 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 15Hz-22kHz | 5Hz-36.1kHz |
| Impedance | - | 130 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 96 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | - | 105 |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.1 | - |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| 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 | No |
| ANC type | hybrid | - |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Controls | - | none |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 350 g | 260 g |
| Water resistance | none | - |
| Foldable | - | No |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | Yes | No |
| 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
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro is a wired, open-back over-ear headphone aimed at studio work, offering a neutral and accurate sound signature with strong comfort. It includes two pad options and is easy to drive from most devices, though its price is considered steep for what it delivers compared to some rivals. While praised for its balanced tuning and lightweight build, it doesn't universally outperform cheaper classics in sheer audio quality.
- Pro:Very accurate and neutral sound reproduction
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Detachable cable with balanced option
- Con:Expensive for its performance tier
- Con:No built-in controls or wireless features
- Con:May still benefit from an external amp in some setups
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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