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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're keen on top-notch sound quality and are an avid gamer or watch a lot of TV using headphones, the Focal Bathys would be a better choice due to their superior overall sound quality and excellent performance for gaming and TV. However, if you frequently travel by air, prioritize noise isolation, or use Apple devices, the Apple Airpods Max might be more suited to your needs, given their strong noise-cancellation capabilities and optimization for Apple products. Note that the Airpods Max are heavier and may not be as comfortable for prolonged use as the lighter Focal Bathys, which also have longer battery life. Both models offer wireless connectivity, but keep in mind that the Airpods Max do not support low latency codecs, which could impact your experience during interactive activities like gaming. 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 Apple Airpods Max
Excellent for air travel
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Focal Bathys
Very good for music
Excellent for gaming
Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3/10
8.0/10
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5/10
9.3/10
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6/10
5.2/10
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0/10
6.2/10
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7/10
10.0/10
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0/10
8.3/10
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Focal Bathys is very good.
Battery
21.0 Hours
31.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$699
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
"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 Apple Airpods Max or the Focal Bathys
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
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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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