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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
When deciding between the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Focal Bathys, consider your priorities. If noise cancellation and comfort are top priorities, especially for commuting or office use, and you prefer a more budget-friendly option, the Bose earbuds are an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you're seeking premium sound quality with more depth and detail for critical listening and don't mind investing more, the Focal Bathys headphones could be worth the higher price. They also might have a more luxurious build and additional features such as a built-in microphone for calls or virtual surround sound capabilities, which are great for gaming or watching movies. Keep in mind that earbuds are more portable, while over-ear headphones like the Bathys are generally better for home or studio use due to their size. 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 QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Focal Bathys
- Excellent for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
Key differences
Music
8.6
8.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Focal Bathys are both very good for music, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Gaming
8.8
9.3
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good.
TV and Video
8.1
10.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good.
Noise Reduction
8.9
8.3
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Focal Bathys are both very good for noise reduction, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is somewhat better.
Battery
6.5 Hours
31.0 Hours
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$699
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has a price of $249 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The Focal Bathys and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
6.2
The Focal Bathys and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are both only fair for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Focal Bathys both have excellent build quality.
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How the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Focal Bathys compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Focal Bathys |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$249 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bose | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | October 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.8/10 | 9.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 31 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 21 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.9/10 | 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 | 6.2/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.7 Grams | 350 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
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 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 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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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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