Is the Focal Bathys MG worth the upgrade from the Focal Bathys?
Verdict
Meaningful upgrade
The Focal Bathys MG scores 6.9 points above the Focal Bathys. That's a real improvement, though not the kind you'd notice on every track. The gains are concentrated in noise cancelling (6.8 to 8.4). You do give up ground on value (7.4 to 6.2). On paper: bluetooth 5.1 to 5.2. That costs $700 more, or about $101 per point of score - steep unless the specific gains above are ones you care about. Worth doing if you're replacing anyway; harder to justify as a pure upgrade if what you have still works.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound9.29.6
- Noise cancelling6.88.4
- Battery7.67.7
- Calls8.17.8
- Value7.46.2
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Bathys | Bathys MG | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
| Frequency response | 15 Hz - 22 kHz | 10 Hz - 22 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Bathys to Bathys MG". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.

