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Updated January 10, 2024·
The AKG K712 Pro is an open-back design, offering a more expansive soundstage that can feel more immersive for music and more natural, but this design leaks sound and provides little isolation from external noise, which isn’t ideal for noisy environments. Being less expensive than the Focal Bathys, they are a cost-effective choice for critical listening in a quiet space but would require a dedicated amplifier for best performance. On the other hand, the Focal Bathys are closed-back, offer better noise isolation, and come with features like Bluetooth and active noise cancelling, making them versatile for use in various environments and situations—including commuting and traveling—where external noise can be an issue. They also have an integrated microphone and the convenience of wireless functionality with a battery that needs charging, even in wired mode. If budget allows and versatile use including a mix of quiet and noisy environments is anticipated, the Focal Bathys might justify the extra expense. 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 K712 Pro
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
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
Gaming
7.0/10
9.3/10
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the AKG K712 Pro is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8/10
6.2/10
The AKG K712 Pro is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
8.4/10
10.0/10
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the AKG K712 Pro is very good.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
8.3/10
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the AKG K712 Pro is poor.
Battery
N/A
31.0 Hours
The AKG K712 Pro does not have a battery. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Cost
$659
$699
$350
$360
$370
$380
$390
$400
The AKG K712 Pro has a price of $659 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
Build Quality
8.5/10
9.0/10
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the AKG K712 Pro has very good build quality.
"AKG has created a mini-masterpiece in my opinion. I enjoy this headphone a great deal and it will become my go-to reference headphone for the time being. She is slick, sexy, well-balanced, and crazy comfortable."
"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 K712 Pro 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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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