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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Focal Bathys and the HifiMan Edition XS involves considering their strengths in different situations. The Bathys offer wireless convenience with active noise cancelling, making them ideal for air travel, while also providing excellent sound quality for TV and video. However, they are significantly more expensive. On the other hand, the Edition XS offers a superlative soundstage due to its open-back design, making it outstanding for music listening in a quiet environment. They're less suitable for noisy settings and do not support wireless connectivity. If you spend a lot on air travel or need wireless functionality, the Bathys may be worth the extra cost, but for the best home music listening experience at a more affordable price, the Edition XS would be the better choice. 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
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Edition XS
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS and Focal Bathys are both very good for music, though the HifiMan Edition XS is somewhat better.
Gaming
9.3
7.4
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
7.9
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
9.5
The Focal Bathys and HifiMan Edition XS are both best in class for TV and video, though the Focal Bathys is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
N/A
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Edition XS does not have a battery.
Cost
$699
$269
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Edition XS has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
5.0
The Focal Bathys and HifiMan Edition XS are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Focal Bathys and the HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the Focal Bathys or the HifiMan Edition XS
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.
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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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