Is the HiFiMAN Ananda worth the upgrade from the Focal Bathys?
Verdict
Downgrade
The HiFiMAN Ananda actually scores 8.0 points below the Focal Bathys, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on sound (9.5 to 8.0). Worth checking: active noise cancelling goes Yes to No and weight goes 350 g to 399 g. It is at least $459 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound9.58.0
- Value7.07.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Bathys | Ananda | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No | |
| Weight | 350 g | 399 g | |
| USB-C | Yes | No | |
| Driver | 40mm Aluminium/Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome | Planar | |
| Frequency response | 15Hz-22kHz | 8Hz-55kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Bathys to Ananda". 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.