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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X offers quality sound at a budget price, ideal if cost is a primary concern, and is wired, meaning no worries about battery life; however, they aren't as comfortable for long sessions and don't have a microphone for calls. The Focal Bathys, on the other hand, provides superior sound quality with enhanced comfort, active noise cancellation, and a built-in microphone, making them versatile for various activities, including calls and travel. Choose the ATH M20X for affordability and the Bathys if you're willing to invest in a premium listening experience with added features. 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X
- The Audio Technica ATH M20X 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
Gaming
6.2
9.3
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.2
The Focal Bathys and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the Focal Bathys is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
6.2
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Focal Bathys are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Audio Technica ATH M20X is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.6
10.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
31.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$699
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
Build Quality
6.9
9.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Bathys to be very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Focal Bathys compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Focal Bathys |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | October 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 9.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 10/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 31 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 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 | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 350 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
Focal Bathys
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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 Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Focal Bathys
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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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
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
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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