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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Studiobuds are cost-effective, provide good overall sound quality, and are especially suited for use during exercise or travel due to their portability and wireless design. They also support a hands-free experience with an integrated microphone, making them convenient for calls. The Focal Bathys, however, offer superior sound quality and a more immersive listening experience, especially for gaming and TV due to their lower latency. They come with a detachable cable, suggesting versatility for both wired and wireless use, and superior noise isolation. The Bathys are bulkier and less portable but excel for at-home or in-studio use. If budget is not a constraint and you prioritize top-notch audio fidelity and noise isolation for stationary activities, the Focal Bathys are recommended, but for those seeking a more affordable, convenient option for active use, the Beats Studiobuds will suffice. 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 Studiobuds
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Focal Bathys
- Very good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.2
8.0
The Focal Bathys is very good for music, while the Beats Studiobuds is good.
Gaming
5.2
9.3
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Phone Calls
7.0
5.2
The Beats Studiobuds is good for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
6.2
The Beats Studiobuds is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
5.6
10.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
8.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats Studiobuds is only fair.
Battery
6.0 Hours
31.0 Hours
The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Cost
$80
$699
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats Studiobuds has a price of $80 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Bathys to have excellent build quality, while the Beats Studiobuds has very good build quality.
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How the Beats Studiobuds and the Focal Bathys compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Studiobuds | Focal Bathys |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$80 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | October 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 9.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 6.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 31 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.9 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 350 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Studiobuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | May 2023
"For less than the price of the AirPods, the Beats Studio Buds delivers a good fit, great sound, and active noise cancellation. This is also the first set of Apple-owned Beats earbuds to feature quick pairing with Android devices, albeit at the expense of some key features for Apple users."
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 Studiobuds 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
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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
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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