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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Solo 3 offer a more affordable option and are lightweight with longer battery life, making them suitable for on-the-go use and exercise. On the other hand, the Focal Bathys deliver superior sound quality and active noise cancelling, ideal for immersive music experiences and air travel. Both offer wired and wireless modes, but the Bathys have the added benefit of low latency, perfect for gaming and watching TV without audio lag. The Beats are optimized for Apple devices, while the Bathys’ app equalizer allows for sound customization. If budget is a concern, consider the Beats, but for high-fidelity sound and advanced features, the Bathys are a better choice. 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 Solo 3
- The Beats Solo 3 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
Key differences
Music
6.3
8.0
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
9.3
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
5.2
The Focal Bathys and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls, though the Focal Bathys is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
10.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Battery
41.5 Hours
31.0 Hours
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Cost
$117
$699
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the Beats Solo 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
6.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Bathys to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Focal Bathys compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Focal Bathys |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | October 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 9.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 6.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | 31 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 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 | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 350 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
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 Beats Solo 3 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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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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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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