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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the EPOS PC38X and the Focal Bathys depends on your priorities. For gaming, the PC38X with a better microphone and excellent sound quality is ideal, while the Bathys' active noise cancelling and wireless option make them better for air travel and busy environments. If comfort is a major concern, both score highly but the PC38X is significantly lighter. The Bathys have an advantage with app equalizer features, and a long wireless battery life beneficial for extended sessions without the need for cables. Prioritize the PC38X for cost savings, gaming, and voice communication, or the Bathys for superior noise control and wireless convenience. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Focal Bathys
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.5
8.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Focal Bathys is very good.
Gaming
10.0
9.3
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Focal Bathys is excellent.
Phone Calls
10.0
5.2
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Focal Bathys is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
6.2
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
9.0
10.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the EPOS PC38X is excellent.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
N/A
31.0 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life.
Cost
$139
$699
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Focal Bathys costs $699.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the EPOS PC38X has very good build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the Focal Bathys compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Focal Bathys |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | October 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 9.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 10/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 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 | 10/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 350 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
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 EPOS PC38X or the Focal Bathys
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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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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