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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats EP are on-ear, wired headphones with good sound and build quality, but no microphone, and they're better suited for music and TV. They lack wireless connectivity, active noise cancelling, and are not optimal for exercise, travel or gaming. The Focal Bathys are more expensive, over-ear headphones with excellent sound quality, active noise cancelling, intended for critical listening, and include a mic. They're wireless with good battery life, apt for commuting, travel, and even gaming due to low latency, but they're heavier and not as portable as the Beats EP. 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 Beats EP
- The Beats EP 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
6.3
9.3
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Beats EP is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.2
5.2
The Focal Bathys and Beats EP are both poor for phone calls, though the Focal Bathys is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
6.2
The Beats EP and Focal Bathys are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Beats EP is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.6
10.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Beats EP is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats EP is poor.
Battery
N/A
31.0 Hours
The Beats EP does not have a battery. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$699
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the Beats EP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
8.0
The Beats EP and Focal Bathys are both very good for music.
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How the Beats EP and the Focal Bathys compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | Focal Bathys |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | 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 | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 9.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 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 | N/A | 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 | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 350 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats EP
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
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 Beats EP or the Focal Bathys
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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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