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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If budget is a concern and you appreciate excellent noise isolation for air travel, comfort for long listening sessions, and the versatility to use both wirelessly and with a cable, the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones could be the better choice. They are generally less pricey than the Focal Bathys, are known for their comfort, and have active noise cancelling. However, if you prioritize the highest sound quality for TV and video and do not mind the headphones needing to be charged even when wired, the Focal Bathys could be worth the extra investment. They are built robustly and can create an immersive listening experience, but may not be as portable or convenient for exercise due to their larger size and weight. 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 Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
- Best in class for air travel
Advantages of the Focal Bathys
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
TV and Video
9.0
10.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones is excellent for noise reduction, while the Focal Bathys is very good.
Cost
$429
$699
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has a price of $429 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
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Key similarities
Music
8.3
8.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Focal Bathys are both very good for music.
Gaming
9.3
9.3
The Focal Bathys and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones are both excellent for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.3
5.2
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Focal Bathys are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
6.2
The Focal Bathys and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks.
Battery
29.0 Hours
31.0 Hours
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones has 29 hours of battery life. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and Focal Bathys both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones and the Focal Bathys compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones | Focal Bathys |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2023 | October 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 10/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 29 Hours | 31 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.1 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 7.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 255 Grams | 350 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Christian Thomas | January 2024
"The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a credible step up from previous Bose ANC headphones, and they're built to hang tough with the competition for years into the future. No waterproofing is a bit of a letdown, but these headphones have the technical chops to make most quite happy."
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 Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones or the Focal Bathys
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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Why trust us
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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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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