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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a significant concern, the Audio Technica ATH M40X offers a strong value with good sound quality and durability. However, if you are an audiophile seeking premium sound and build quality, and wireless connectivity with noise-cancellation is important to you, then the Focal Bathys may justify its higher price. The Bathys also provide the convenience of a built-in microphone for calls, which the ATH M40X lacks. Choose the ATH M40X if budget is tight and you need reliable, wired headphones, but consider the Bathys if you're willing to invest in top-tier audio performance and features like Bluetooth and active noise cancellation. 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 M40X
- The Audio Technica ATH M40X has no clear advantages over the Focal Bathys.
Advantages of the Focal Bathys
- Excellent for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
9.3
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.2
The Focal Bathys and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Focal Bathys is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
6.2
The Focal Bathys is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
10.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
31.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$699
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
8.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Focal Bathys are both very good for music.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Focal Bathys compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Focal Bathys |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $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 | 8.1/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 9.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 10/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 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 | 8.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 350 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
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 Audio Technica ATH M40X 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
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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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