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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audeze Maxwell earbuds offer better value for the money with significant cost savings compared to the more expensive Focal Bathys. The Maxwells have a high comfort score and extensive built-in controls, plus they offer an exceptional gaming score and excellent battery life for long play sessions. However, the Focal Bathys pull ahead in overall sound quality and have superior noise isolation, which may be important if you're looking for top-notch audio fidelity or frequently use earbuds in noisy environments. Bathys are also lighter in weight, making them potentially more comfortable for extended wear. The Audeze Maxwell uses planar drivers and supports LDAC for high-quality audio over Bluetooth, which is excellent for music enthusiasts. Conversely, if low latency is crucial for you, the Focal Bathys come with aptX Adaptive, which reduces audio lag, making them slightly more suitable for TV and video. Both have detachable cables, active noise cancelling, and apps for equalizer customization, but the Maxwells offer a longer battery life. Consider the tradeoffs between price, sound quality, comfort, and features for your usage scenarios before making your decision. 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 Audeze Maxwell
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Focal Bathys
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Phone Calls
8.7
5.2
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
6.2
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
8.9
10.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Audeze Maxwell is very good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Audeze Maxwell is only fair.
Battery
78.0 Hours
31.0 Hours
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Cost
$299
$699
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
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Key similarities
Music
8.4
8.0
The Audeze Maxwell and Focal Bathys are both very good for music.
Gaming
9.0
9.3
The Focal Bathys and Audeze Maxwell are both excellent for gaming.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Audeze Maxwell and Focal Bathys both have excellent build quality.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Focal Bathys compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Focal Bathys |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | October 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 10/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | 31 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.1 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 350 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audeze Maxwell
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | August 2023
"Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws. If you’re an older gamer with some cash to blow, you should be pleased with the Audeze Maxwell."
Focal Bathys
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | May 2023
"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 Audeze Maxwell or the Focal Bathys
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
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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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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