The catch
Focal Bathys
Its driver and ANC microphone system differ from MG’s, and we cannot quantify what that means for your room or your ears.
Side by side
Focal Bathys vs Bathys MG Guide: The travel and call limits stay put, MG changes the acoustics
Quick verdict
The original Bathys is the place to start if its fit and sound already suit you and its current offer is better. MG is worth considering after an audition, if you prefer its sound or its revised noise isolation. Both weigh 350 g, share the same case size and need power even with the analog cable. MG doesn’t fix jack-mode calls or USB calls on iOS, and we have no measured noise-cancellation advantage to report.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A shared-office problem calls for the right kind of microphone improvement
Chatter from the next desk is a fair reason to give MG a side-by-side listen, since it has revised noise-cancellation microphones and Focal says they isolate you better from nearby voices. But that is about what you hear. Nothing here shows that the people on your call will hear less background noise from your end. If remote callers are the ones complaining about Bathys, paying the premium might leave that problem unsolved and unverified. Check how well each one shuts out voices, and place a real call on both, before you let this be the reason you upgrade.
Where this comes from
The revised ANC is a manufacturer description, set against two separate shared-office problems. There is no measured attenuation, no caller-quality result and no guarantee that speech gets blocked.
The catch
Focal Bathys MG
Weight, case dimensions and the 30-hour Bluetooth ANC claim all stay the same in the upgrade. The revised ANC does not show that outgoing calls come through any clearer.
Focal Bathys
- Why pick it
- The fit and sound work for you, and the current total offer comes in below MG.
- What you mostly want is the shared Bluetooth, USB music and physical-control feature set.
- The catch
- Its driver and ANC microphone system differ from MG’s, and we cannot quantify what that means for your room or your ears.
Focal Bathys MG
- Why pick it
- After an audition, you prefer the MG sound or isolation by enough to justify the price difference the retailer shows.
- The magnesium-driver version is what you want, and you accept that the travel and call restrictions stay the same.
- The catch
- Weight, case dimensions and the 30-hour Bluetooth ANC claim all stay the same in the upgrade. The revised ANC does not show that outgoing calls come through any clearer.
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What this page compares
Focal Bathys and Bathys MG for shared-home listening, travel and work calls. See what the extra money changes and which everyday restrictions stay put.
Choosing between a current original Bathys offer and the MG is a real upgrade decision. The useful question is whether the changed acoustics address why you are unhappy, since several daily limits are identical.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
You need a case smaller than the original Bathys has
The supplied case dimensions match on both listings.
- Focal Bathys
- Not suitable
- Focal Bathys MG
- Not suitable
You need the headphone microphone to work over an analog cable
In jack mode the microphone is inactive on both.
- Focal Bathys
- Not suitable
- Focal Bathys MG
- Not suitable
You want to compare how well each blocks nearby conversation
MG has revised ANC, yet you need to audition it in relevant noise to find the difference that counts.
- Focal Bathys
- Depends
- Focal Bathys MG
- Depends
You want analog music once the headphone battery is empty
Power is required for every playback mode on both.
- Focal Bathys
- Not suitable
- Focal Bathys MG
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
A shared-office problem calls for the right kind of microphone improvement
Chatter from the next desk is a fair reason to give MG a side-by-side listen, since it has revised noise-cancellation microphones and Focal says they isolate you better from nearby voices. But that is about what you hear. Nothing here shows that the people on your call will hear less background noise from your end. If remote callers are the ones complaining about Bathys, paying the premium might leave that problem unsolved and unverified. Check how well each one shuts out voices, and place a real call on both, before you let this be the reason you upgrade.
How we worked this out
The revised ANC is a manufacturer description, set against two separate shared-office problems. There is no measured attenuation, no caller-quality result and no guarantee that speech gets blocked.
Cabled work still means the same switch when a meeting starts
Each model can hold two Bluetooth devices at once, so laptop music and phone calls can live in one wireless setup. That changes when you plug in the analog lead. According to the manuals, the cable disconnects Bluetooth, and in jack mode the headphone microphone is off. Calls over USB work with compatible standard USB devices, though both FAQs rule out iOS calls. So MG still leaves you picking a call route before each meeting. If your annoyance is rearranging connections when a call comes in, nothing documented says the upgrade fixes it.
How we worked this out
This sets the precise restrictions of each connection mode against a day that alternates music, laptop meetings and mobile calls. Multipoint does not mix audio at the same time, and USB support on compatible devices does not extend to every console or phone.
Paying extra does not free up any room in a packed bag
If you carry a laptop, lunch and headphones, either model comes with the same documented 24 × 21 × 7 cm case envelope. Each headphone weighs 350 g, and each one needs battery power even to play over the analog cable. So if you are moving on from original Bathys because the case is awkward or you keep forgetting to charge, MG carries both of those limits over. A listening preference you have really heard can still justify it. Just do not assume the newer model is more portable, because those everyday annoyances need some other fix.
How we worked this out
The stated case dimensions, mass, power requirements and Bluetooth ANC maximum are identical. Case dimensions give an outer envelope and say nothing about usable bag volume. Nothing here claims the two match on comfort or durability.
Plug in your setup
Which headphones suit the way you listen?
Start with how you listen. Charging over USB is not the same as playing audio over USB, and some headphones need power even on a cable. These answers are placeholders until you apply your own.
Focal Bathys
Passes these checksPlays over Bluetooth.
Focal Bathys MG
Passes these checksPlays over Bluetooth.
Battery figures are maker claims for the stated mode. They do not reflect measured travel time. Volume, codec, calls and battery age all change runtime. Closed earcups can still leak some sound. Weight alone does not predict comfort. USB audio needs a compatible source and cable. This check does not judge sound quality, mic quality or amplifier power.
Option A
Focal, FOAHALNOMB0B800 Deep Black
Bathys
The fit and sound work for you, and the current total offer comes in below MG.
- Best for
- The fit and sound work for you, and the current total offer comes in below MG.
Facts we checked
- Physical travel load: 350 g, case 24 × 21 × 7 cm
- Calls by cable: Jack mic off, compatible USB calls except iOS
- Playback without charging: Power required, up to 30 h Bluetooth ANC
- Driver revision: Aluminum and magnesium driver
Option B
Focal, Bathys MG Graphen Grey
Bathys MG
After an audition, you prefer the MG sound or isolation by enough to justify the price difference the retailer shows.
- Best for
- After an audition, you prefer the MG sound or isolation by enough to justify the price difference the retailer shows.
Facts we checked
- Physical travel load: 350 g, case 24 × 21 × 7 cm
- Calls by cable: Jack mic off, compatible USB calls except iOS
- Playback without charging: Power required, up to 30 h Bluetooth ANC
- Driver revision: Magnesium driver
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Focal Bathys | Focal Bathys MG | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical travel load | 350 g, case 24 × 21 × 7 cm | 350 g, case 24 × 21 × 7 cm | A higher price does not lower the documented weight or shrink the case envelope. |
| Calls by cable | Jack mic off, compatible USB calls except iOS | Jack mic off, compatible USB calls except iOS | Having to pick the same connection can break up a routine of work calls. |
| Playback without charging | Power required, up to 30 h Bluetooth ANC | Power required, up to 30 h Bluetooth ANC | Neither analog cable helps when the headphone battery is empty. |
| Driver revision | Aluminum and magnesium driver | Magnesium driver | Listen for yourself. Driver material alone cannot tell you which sound you will like more. |
| Nearby conversation | Original noise-cancellation system | Revised ANC microphones, claimed improvement in surrounding-voice isolation | It aims at the sound that reaches your ears. It does not show clearer outgoing calls or a measured isolation edge. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Focal Bathys
- A professional has to replace the battery. Keep it charged if you want to listen over the analog cable.
With Focal Bathys MG
- The battery also has to be replaced by a professional. Buy pads made for this model, since original Bathys spares may not fit.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
After a relevant listening comparison, you prefer MG
Go with Focal Bathys MG. That can make its current premium worthwhile, though the practical limits stay in place.
You are happy with original Bathys and its offer is the lower one
Go with Focal Bathys. The connection and travel features both share may already do what you need.
Decision guide
Before you buy
A better headphone is the goal, yet the annoyance that makes you replace one may be a work or travel inconvenience the upgrade keeps.
What this page can’t tell you
- We have no measured winner on sound, ANC, microphone, comfort or reliability. Focal’s FAQ and sheets disagree on DAC endurance, so that figure plays no part in ranking them.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the headphones we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Bathys |
|
| |
| Focal Bathys MG |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Focal Bathys
The fit and sound work for you, and the current total offer comes in below MG.
What you mostly want is the shared Bluetooth, USB music and physical-control feature set.
See price & reviews on AmazonFocal Bathys MG
After an audition, you prefer the MG sound or isolation by enough to justify the price difference the retailer shows.
The magnesium-driver version is what you want, and you accept that the travel and call restrictions stay the same.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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