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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you want exceptional sound quality and are willing to invest in high-end headphones, the Focal Bathys would be the better choice with their superior sound and active noise cancelling; they also have a comfortable fit and a built-in microphone, which enhances their use for calls and meetings. However, they are significantly more expensive than the AKG K361. The AKG K361, on the other hand, offers good sound quality and comfort at a much lower price point. They are wired and do not have noise cancelling or a built-in mic, making them less versatile but a solid choice for budget-conscious customers. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the AKG K361
The AKG K361 has no clear advantages over the Focal Bathys.
Advantages of the Focal Bathys
Very good for music
Excellent for gaming
Best in class for TV and video
Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.5/10
8.0/10
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the AKG K361 is good.
Gaming
6.3/10
9.3/10
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Phone Calls
3.2/10
5.2/10
The Focal Bathys and AKG K361 are both poor for phone calls, though the Focal Bathys is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.0/10
6.2/10
The Focal Bathys is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the AKG K361 is poor.
TV and Video
7.8/10
10.0/10
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the AKG K361 is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0/10
8.3/10
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the AKG K361 is only fair.
Battery
N/A
31.0 Hours
The AKG K361 does not have a battery. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$699
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The AKG K361 has a price of $100 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
Build Quality
8.5/10
9.0/10
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the AKG K361 has very good build quality.
"The K361 retains much of what makes the K371 such a winner, though it has a leaner sound, and the build changes made to trim the price down are immediately apparent. Still, it’s another excellent offering from AKG, and other companies in this fight should either be very worried or quickly designing updates to their old models."
"As much as I hesitate to recommend a headphone that sells for $800 USD, if you’re looking for the best sound quality you can find in the ANC space: it’s the Focal Bathys."
Get a great deal on the AKG K361 or the Focal Bathys
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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