A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Bathys
Company ProductName Specs




Arya Stealth
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

Chevron down
PerfectRec Logo
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

If you're looking for wireless functionality and active noise cancelling for listening in noisier environments or while traveling, the Focal Bathys would serve you well as they also have built-in controls and a more convenient battery life for extended use. However, if you prioritize the absolute best audio quality and soundstage for critical listening at home, consider the HifiMan Arya Stealth, which excels in these areas, though they are open-back and lack the features for portability or blocking out ambient sound. Keep in mind that the Focal Bathys are a more modern model, offering compatibility with aptX Adaptive for improved wireless audio, whereas the Arya Stealth requires a wired connection and may be better suited for a stationary setup. 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 Focal Bathys
  • Excellent for gaming
  • Best in class for TV and video
  • Very good for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Arya Stealth
  • Best in class for music
  • Very good for podcasts and audiobooks

Key differences

Chevron down

Music

8.0
Bathys
Arya Stealth
10.0
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is best in class for music, while the Focal Bathys is very good.

Gaming

9.3
Bathys
Arya Stealth
7.1
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is good.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

6.2
Bathys
Arya Stealth
8.1
The HifiMan Arya Stealth is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.

TV and Video

10.0
Bathys
Arya Stealth
9.4
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is excellent.

Noise Reduction

8.3
Bathys
Arya Stealth
2.5
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Arya Stealth is poor.

Battery

31.0 Hours
Bathys
Arya Stealth
N/A
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Arya Stealth does not have a battery.

Cost

$699
Bathys
Arya Stealth
$599
Product image
Product image

$300

$320

$340

$360

$380

$400

The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the HifiMan Arya Stealth costs $599.
Image of Earbuds & Headphones
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones

Key similarities

Chevron down

Phone Calls

5.2
Bathys
Arya Stealth
5.1
The Focal Bathys and HifiMan Arya Stealth are both poor for phone calls.

Build Quality

9.0
Bathys
Arya Stealth
9.0
The Focal Bathys and HifiMan Arya Stealth both have excellent build quality.

Give feedback

We’re constantly working to improve.

How the Focal Bathys and the HifiMan Arya Stealth compare to other earbuds and headphones

Chevron down

Spec Comparison

Chevron down
Focal BathysHifiMan Arya Stealth
Focal BathysHifiMan Arya Stealth

GENERAL

Price
$699
$599
Brand
FocalHifiMan
Release Date
October 1, 2022November 1, 2018
Form Factor
HeadphonesHeadphones
Connectivity
Wired + WirelessWired

SOUND

Music Score
8.1/1010/10
Phone Calls Score
5.3/105.1/10
Gaming Score
9.4/107.2/10
TV and Video Score
10/109.5/10
Exercise Score
6.6/104.5/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
31 HoursN/A
Wireless charging
NoN/A
Charging time
1.5 HoursN/A
Bluetooth version
5.1N/A

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
YesNo
Noise Reduction Score
8.4/102.5/10
Virtual Surround
NoN/A
Android App
YesN/A
iOS App
YesN/A
Mic Quality
6.5/10N/A

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
9/109/10
Comfort score
8.4/108.4/10
Weight (headset or single earbud)
350 Grams408.2 Grams
Microphone style
IntegratedN/A
Waterproof Rating
00

Shopping

Chevron down

Focal Bathys

See more

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."

HifiMan Arya Stealth

See more

Dig into reviews and images

Headphonesty

Eric D Hieger | October 2022
"The Arya can easily be end-game headphones for 99% of consumers, satisfying most audio desires. Priced well above USD$1000, the Arya are obviously and gloriously not for the mass market consumer; they are designed and built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts – especially those who view their expenses on this level of gear as investments."

Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the HifiMan Arya Stealth

About HifiMan

HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.

Give feedback

We're constantly perfecting our model

Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in

Chevron down

FAQs

Chevron down

FAQs about earbuds and headphones

Questions about PerfectRec >

Why trust us

Chevron down
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.

By the numbers

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
Consumer hours saved

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.

Jason Lew

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.

Featured in

Color LTT LogoGeekwire logo9to5 Mac logoPhone Arena LogoColor Daring Fireball logo