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Focal Bathys vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Focal Bathys comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Focal Bathys - Great overall at around $799.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Focal Bathys leads on 4 of 7 measures.

  • Focal Bathys
  • Sony WH-1000XM4
HearWiki score
78
75
Sound
9.2
8.0
Noise cancelling
6.8
8.2
Battery
7.6
8.5
Calls
8.1
6.1
Value
7.4
4.2
Price (USD)
$800
$320

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?

Mixed generations

Focal Bathys (2022) against Sony WH-1000XM4 (2020). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Focal Bathys brings Bluetooth 5.1 against 5.0, while the Sony WH-1000XM4 answers with Top codec LDAC against aptX Adaptive.

  • Bathys20222 yr newer
  • WH-1000XM42020
What differsBathysWH-1000XM4

Platform

Bluetooth
5.1
5.0
Top codec
aptX Adaptive
LDAC

Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

BathysWH-1000XM4
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$800
$320
HearWiki score
78
75
Released
2022
2020
Availability
Still sold new
Still sold new
Driver
40 mm dynamic
40 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
40 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
15 Hz - 22 kHz
4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Sensitivity
-
105 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.1
5.0
Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
15 m
-
Battery life
30 h
38 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
30 h
Full charge time
90 min
180 min
Quick charge
-
10 min → 5 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
-
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
-
Yes
Controls
-
touch
Voice assistant
Alexa, Google Assistant
Alexa, Google Assistant
Weight
350 g
254 g
Water resistance
none
none
Detachable cable
Yes
-
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Connector
3.5 mm
-
Microphones
8
2

What reviewers said

Focal Bathys

The Focal Bathys are premium over-ear wireless headphones that combine high-fidelity sound with active noise cancellation and versatile connectivity, including a USB-C DAC mode for high-resolution wired listening. They offer strong battery life, multipoint Bluetooth, and a robust feature set, making them a top choice for audiophiles seeking wireless convenience without compromising on audio quality. While ANC is effective rather than best-in-class, the overall performance and build justify their premium price point.

  • Pro:Excellent sound quality with detailed, dynamic drivers
  • Pro:Versatile USB-C DAC mode for high-resolution wired audio
  • Pro:Solid battery life, often exceeding rated figures in real-world use
  • Con:ANC is competent but not class-leading
  • Con:Premium price point may be prohibitive for some
  • Con:No water resistance rating

Sony WH-1000XM4

The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ear headphones that deliver outstanding active noise cancellation and balanced, detailed sound. They remain a top pick thanks to their comfortable fit, long battery life, and useful features like adaptive ANC, multipoint pairing, and touch controls. Despite being a few years old, they still compete strongly with newer flagships.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Rich, well-balanced audio with LDAC support
  • Pro:Comfortable lightweight design for long sessions
  • Con:No water resistance rating
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonFocal BathysSony WH-1000XM4